The Combo Club

[SoulReflection]

What...the eggs? The rap? The (I’m sorry, due to children being possibly present, this reply must end. Signed, the Mod’s mom)

Yeah, eggs...!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

What...the eggs? The rap? The (I’m sorry, due to children being possibly present, this reply must end. Signed, the Mod’s mom)

The drums, of course! And technically, we're all children to somebody.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Yeah, eggs...!

The yolk’s on you, my bass brotha!

 

[GonePlaid]

We had 2 consecutive gigs(at the same place)last Saturday. Played the Ibanez at rehearsal Tuesday night. Haven't touched a bass since. Maybe tomorrow. Prolly not.

 

[Luftkopf]

...

I’ve been going at the bass essentially non-stop for about 3 years now. 1-3 hours a day just about everyday. I’m making progress. However now I’ve developed an issue in my left (fret board) hand. An older guitar playing friend of mind thinks it may be tendinitis. I’ve never had that issue to deal with. It’s probably because I’m playing too much. Ugh! And on top of that while trimming a rose bush I got a tiny piece of thorn in my left hand/fret board middle finger that hurts like hell. I know I need to stop playing for a few days. To give my hands a rest. But it’s like this obsession. I just love playing so much I can’t put it down. But I know I should. Because I know when I give myself a couple of days off and come back to it I’m always fresher and playing better than ever. maybe that approach/break every once in a while will be helpful for you too @Luftkopf.

Oh man, that's got to suck. Tendonitis isn't fun, and rose bushes are just evil!

I've got the same sort of obsession too. I've been playing minimum one hour a day since I got my amp, and my hands haven't stopped hurting yet, but I just can't leave my bass alone for too long! Maybe I shouldn't try to push so hard, so fast.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Been playing short scale for three solid years
osteoarthritis [ + stuff ]
on this Chowny CHB-1, new to me in 2018 in the wake of bilateral knee replacement surgery.



Here in the future our teacher says "only full scale for the next 10 weeks."
Ta da.



The ancient 'Ray is working properly for the first time in [BigNum] years just in time for class.

Takes some time to put my fretting hand back in shape as my technique is OFPF. The wide string spacing isn't a problem, nor is the wide neck.

Homework. Written homework. Reading assignment. Practice assignment. One week to complete. All of it entirely consistent with things that (inexplicably) make me happy. Privileged, but not entitled is the experience of school I carry though life.

Fretting hand is still getting back in shape ... oh yeah, practice ... by now you've guessed I'm pretty strict about practice, with clear goals and focus. I always begin with finger permutation exercises, and they're part of my daily drill.

And as required by Combo Club contract*, the live Zoom arrangement is
bass > pedalboard (HPF, cab sim, amp sim) > PJB BG-400 combo amp > DAW > computer
headphone monitor (AKG K245) and a SM-58 complete the picture. With the master off on the amp, I have a silent recording setup.





* don't want to lose my lease on the all nite silent movie theater and laundromat

 

[WestyBassBob]

Been playing short scale for three solid years
osteoarthritis [ + stuff ]
on this Chowny CHB-1, new to me in 2018 in the wake of bilateral knee replacement surgery.

View attachment 4480543

Here in the future our teacher says "only full scale for the next 10 weeks."
Ta da.

View attachment 4480545

The ancient 'Ray is working properly for the first time in [BigNum] years just in time for class.

Takes some time to put my fretting hand back in shape as my technique is OFPF. The wide string spacing isn't a problem, nor is the wide neck.

Homework. Written homework. Reading assignment. Practice assignment. One week to complete. All of it entirely consistent with things that (inexplicably) make me happy. Privileged, but not entitled is the experience of school I carry though life.

Fretting hand is still getting back in shape ... oh yeah, practice ... by now you've guessed I'm pretty strict about practice, with clear goals and focus. I always begin with finger permutation exercises, and they're part of my daily drill.

And as required by Combo Club contract*, the live Zoom arrangement is
bass > pedalboard (HPF, cab sim, amp sim) > PJB BG-400 combo amp > DAW > computer
headphone monitor (AKG K245) and a SM-58 complete the picture. With the master off on the amp, I have a silent recording setup.





* don't want to lose my lease on the all nite silent movie theater and laundromat

What’s the deal with forcing you to play long scale? And conversely will there be a “short scale only” unit too? Seems a little scale-ist to me.

 

[GwenOnBass]

What’s the deal with forcing you to play long scale? And conversely will there be a “short scale only” unit too? Seems a little scale-ist to me.

New muscle memory is the short answer.

And my own muscle memory with a full scale is shot after three years. Don't very much mind at all, and pretty happy to be focused with the old 'Ray again. The cost to bring it back to spec was not inconsequential and ...
... and it's a bass that should be played. Both the bass and I hold dings and dents and bumps and just plain old age
I feel without this class there is no way I would have devoted my practice time on a full scale. But here it is, freshly rehabilitated, and even a fret dressing (thank you, FamousBrand ™ stainless steel rounds).

it's also kind of nice to show up with a vintage Stingray
original owner 'Rays are fewer and fewer

 

[GonePlaid]

New muscle memory is the short answer.

And my own muscle memory with a full scale is shot after three years. Don't very much mind at all, and pretty happy to be focused with the old 'Ray again. The cost to bring it back to spec was not inconsequential and ...
... and it's a bass that should be played. Both the bass and I hold dings and dents and bumps and just plain old age
I feel without this class there is no way I would have devoted my practice time on a full scale. But here it is, freshly rehabilitated, and even a fret dressing (thank you, FamousBrand ™ stainless steel rounds).

it's also kind of nice to show up with a vintage Stingray
original owner 'Rays are fewer and fewer

It's odd(so am I), but going from 34.5"(TBird)to 30.5"(EB-0 or Ibanez)scale doesn't seem to bother me at all. Maybe b/c I've been playing bass since '67? I can play equally mediocrely on either. Then when I switch to the 5er, it adds another opportunity to f---* up.

*oul

 

[swink]

What...the eggs? The rap? The (I’m sorry, due to children being possibly present, this reply must end. Signed, the Mod’s mom)

Stop beating around the bush

 

[RodRy]

Oh man, that's got to suck. Tendonitis isn't fun, and rose bushes are just evil!

I've got the same sort of obsession too. I've been playing minimum one hour a day since I got my amp, and my hands haven't stopped hurting yet, but I just can't leave my bass alone for too long! Maybe I shouldn't try to push so hard, so fast.

Have a look at the sizes of your strings and how far they are above the frets. Lighter strings and lower action can be big helps.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Have a look at the sizes of your strings and how far they are above the frets. Lighter strings and lower action can be big helps.

​

re-checked the string height and intonation on My 'Ray Monday evening, as the luthier may have adjusted the old bullet truss rod last week when he shimmed the neck. Well that we may wish the foxy Voxy combo amp took some vitamins, Vox nailed it with their strobe tuner pedal. IMO.

 

[Luftkopf]

Have a look at the sizes of your strings and how far they are above the frets. Lighter strings and lower action can be big helps.

When I bought my bass I brought it straight to my friend who has been playing for a couple of decades, and he informed me it has been set up well, and has a good action... More than that, I can't say.

 

[Polish Thunder]

When I bought my bass I brought it straight to my friend who has been playing for a couple of decades, and he informed me it has been set up well, and has a good action... More than that, I can't say.

+1 on RodRoy's comment.

Also check your technique. I had FFS (Flying Finger Syndrome) when I started. Between that and pressing the strings down to hard or gripping the neck, can cause hand fatigue. If you are not sure, record yourself to evaluate your technique.

 

[GwenOnBass]

+1 on RodRoy's comment.

Also check your technique. I had FFS (Flying Finger Syndrome) when I started. Between that and pressing the strings down to hard or gripping the neck, can cause hand fatigue. If you are not sure, record yourself to evaluate your technique.

+1

Practice in front of a mirror, or here in the 21st century, in front of a Webcam. Turn the Webcam on and record. A video is a powerful tool.

 

[Luftkopf]

+1 on RodRoy's comment.

Also check your technique. I had FFS (Flying Finger Syndrome) when I started. Between that and pressing the strings down to hard or gripping the neck, can cause hand fatigue. If you are not sure, record yourself to evaluate your technique.

I have no doubt my technique is terrible right now, but I'll be moving into town next week, so I'll be able to get lessons. That should help.

 

[WestyBassBob]

+1 on RodRoy's comment.

Also check your technique. I had FFS (Flying Finger Syndrome) when I started. Between that and pressing the strings down to hard or gripping the neck, can cause hand fatigue. If you are not sure, record yourself to evaluate your technique.

The neck should not be gripped. You should hold the neck between the thumb and fingers like you were holding a taco and don’t want the hot grease to burn your hand. the thumb should simply serve as a counter against which the fingers push. A good exercise is just to practice fretting each finger. You can also do this without the bass. Just point your thumb and each finger together in turn. It doens't replicate what you do when playhing but it helps build the muscles and get those connective tissues in shape.

 

[GwenOnBass]

The neck should not be gripped. You should hold the neck between the thumb and fingers like you were holding a taco and don’t want the hot grease to burn your hand. the thumb should simply serve as a counter against which the fingers push. A good exercise is just to practice fretting each finger. You can also do this without the bass. Just point your thumb and each finger together in turn. It doens't replicate what you do when playhing but it helps build the muscles and get those connective tissues in shape.

fretting hand that looks like this.



Finger kung fu is exactly the technique I practice. It's bass martial arts.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

fretting hand that looks like this.

View attachment 4481556

Finger kung fu is exactly the technique I practice. It's bass martial arts.

Huge smile optional?

 

[growlypants]

No, mandatory!!!