The Combo Club

[Michael Favata]

Oh they are working here now. I’ll delete them by tonight’s end so the YouTube police don’t fine me lol.

 

[iagtrplyr]

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.

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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 through life. And what a mighty powerful experience that was back then and still is today!

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. Ya know, SoulReflection once tried that permutation-thing at home and was in traction for a month...just sayin'.

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

You'll never have to worry about the loss of lease to your biz, M. As long as you don't make some of try to stretch across your Ray's fingerboard. My digits are already lawyering up just in case. They hear wide string-spacing and go running off like scared rabbits!

 

[iagtrplyr]

fretting hand that looks like this.

View attachment 4481556

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

Then you must be a black belt by now!

 

[iagtrplyr]

Someone say "short, fat fingers?"
View attachment 4481648

I can't say for sure, but me thinks GP is playing bass with one of his feet. And to that, I say, "Bravo!"

 

[iagtrplyr]

That's all I ever see are the mistakes lol. What was that saying someone said (maybe it was @GonePlaid ?) about their being no mistakes lol. But dam if I can't see them. I will pull these down if they don't get pulled down by someone else. It is only "private" so I have to share a link to them. But I like the idea of critiquing myself through these videos. I will do it more often. Again we were talking about technique so I sat down and did these videos a little while ago one take and uploaded them. I'm sure I can do better but that's not what these are. Thanks for the idea @Morrighan I appreciate you.....

Smart idea, Michael. Videotaping yourself also keeps a person from getting too large a head because, as you said, the mistakes seem to pop right out in full view. That's why I only tape during blackouts...

 

[iagtrplyr]

We MTftBP coaches discourage "helpful pointer" feedback on student videos because its so easy to go in a death spiral of "not good enough". Go forth and errorize, is my view because continuing to show up, and continuing to move forward is more important than mastery of a lesson. IME.

Meanwhile tonight's feature at the Combo Club all-nite silent movie theater and laundromat is

View attachment 4482091​

YES! I love a good vamp...er, I mean...movie. Hey, I thought you were looking into ordering Les Claypool's new feature, "Playing Your Bass on its Backside." I've been waiting for that.

 

[iagtrplyr]

As I leave you this early morning, the first of five glorious days on vacation, I'm attaching a couple of pics of my latest instrument to show up on my door. It weighs less than the gigbag it came in, but actually has a really deep bass thump, and isn't that really all that matters? This, a Christmas gift from the Rev (so I can add percussion to our recordings) should serve its purpose here in the music room studio and my holiday gymnasium gig in another month. Dang, I love this music thang!

Good evening/morning to all. I'll be in and out throughout the rest of the week, playing music, eating delicious holiday fare, and teasing four grandchildren on Friday. Enjoy this week, everyone!

FL

 

[GwenOnBass]

As I leave you this early morning, the first of five glorious days on vacation, I'm attaching a couple of pics of my latest instrument to show up on my door. It weighs less than the gigbag it came in, but actually has a really deep bass thump, and isn't that really all that matters? This, a Christmas gift from the Rev (so I can add percussion to our recordings) should serve its purpose here in the music room studio and my holiday gymnasium gig in another month. Dang, I love this music thang!

Good evening/morning to all. I'll be in and out throughout the rest of the week, playing music, eating delicious holiday fare, and teasing four grandchildren on Friday. Enjoy this week, everyone!

FL

Sure is a handsome little thing.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Then you must be a black belt by now!

It's a couple years to address a dominant right index finger and flying left pinky. My 'Ray shows me all my old bad habits, and that includes the left hand death grip. The finish on the neck is worn down at the first fret The fretboard, too, shows me where I used to press the strings too hard.

Attribute some of it to youth, and keeping up with two guitars with my Peavey combo. I pushed that amp hard and it never failed. I pushed /me hard ...

My 'Ray has more than its share of quirks including the infamous "not enough fretboard" on the lee side of the G string. It's a w-i-d-e neck, but also a slender, fast neck. Low tension strings and a maxed truss rod means ... means Glad to have it back and in good working order for the first time in who knows how long

 

[Michael Favata]

Smart idea, Michael. Videotaping yourself also keeps a person from getting too large a head because, as you said, the mistakes seem to pop right out in full view. That's why I only tape during blackouts...

I was actually recording myself because of the discussion on technique yesterday and the suggestion of @Morrighan that I did the recordings. She’s the master of lessons here.

What was cool was that, for me anyway, I got that adrenaline rush you get being on stage. I had not felt that in a while. I always loved that feeling. I’ve always loved the stage. And it’s weird because it’s you and a camera and yourself lol. Then you hit that record button and there it is. Adrenaline. Not sure why but it’s cool.

It’s good to practice playing with that adrenaline flowing. To practice staying within yourself.

Then to have that visual feedback of your technique is great. It looks like I’m doing a combination of pinning my thumb to the neck (holding a taco as @WestyBassBob said) and throwing my thumb over the top of the fret board occasionally. I suppose I should try to keep it pinned more often but with my club ring finger that doesn’t bend it changes my angles on the fret board. It forces me to use all 4 fingers to be able to accomplish some things where others may not have to.

I wish I could revisit my youth and drink less beer, and other things, that day and say don’t do that stupid.
But when I get on stage that adrenaline will be a familiar feeling and not a distraction. I will work on holding the taco (I like that @WestyBassBob) So thanks for the advice @Morrighan I will record myself more often.

 

[Michael Favata]

As I leave you this early morning, the first of five glorious days on vacation, I'm attaching a couple of pics of my latest instrument to show up on my door. It weighs less than the gigbag it came in, but actually has a really deep bass thump, and isn't that really all that matters? This, a Christmas gift from the Rev (so I can add percussion to our recordings) should serve its purpose here in the music room studio and my holiday gymnasium gig in another month. Dang, I love this music thang!

Good evening/morning to all. I'll be in and out throughout the rest of the week, playing music, eating delicious holiday fare, and teasing four grandchildren on Friday. Enjoy this week, everyone!

FL

Enjoy the time off Mike! You earned it. My wife and son work in a school (librarian and Counselor) and the kids are, well let’s just say this Covid thang ain’t good for them. Chill. Eat. Play! I love your fancy Fender end table btw. Cool. I should get a matching pair!

 

[SoulReflection]

Sure is a handsome little thing.

She said...

 

[swink]

You said you couldn’t see the video. So I apologized for it not viewing. Got pulled down immediately I guess. Ridiculous.

Got it Loud and Clear at this end of the Atlantic Ocean.

 

[Cracker7]

Ok, the PJB stuff is nice. Very clear and louder than I’d expect. But, I’m liking my little Ampeg more.
Anyone get to try out the Orange Glenn Hughes little combo yet? No one around me carries Orange stuff, but I’m very interested in this one.
Thanks

 

[iagtrplyr]

I was actually recording myself because of the discussion on technique yesterday and the suggestion of @Morrighan that I did the recordings. She’s the master of lessons here.

What was cool was that, for me anyway, I got that adrenaline rush you get being on stage. I had not felt that in a while. I always loved that feeling. I’ve always loved the stage. And it’s weird because it’s you and a camera and yourself lol. Then you hit that record button and there it is. Adrenaline. Not sure why but it’s cool.

It’s good to practice playing with that adrenaline flowing. To practice staying within yourself.

Then to have that visual feedback of your technique is great. It looks like I’m doing a combination of pinning my thumb to the neck (holding a taco as @WestyBassBob said) and throwing my thumb over the top of the fret board occasionally. I suppose I should try to keep it pinned more often but with my club ring finger that doesn’t bend it changes my angles on the fret board. It forces me to use all 4 fingers to be able to accomplish some things where others may not have to.

I wish I could revisit my youth and drink less beer, and other things, that day and say don’t do that stupid.
But when I get on stage that adrenaline will be a familiar feeling and not a distraction. I will work on holding the taco (I like that @WestyBassBob) So thanks for the advice @Morrighan I will record myself more often.

+1 about the adrenaline rush. It’s what keeps me going. Noodling around at home is fine, but when your playing is on the line because of an audience, then it’s a whole other level, and it’s one I feel I do better at. I get lazy if there’s nothing to try and attain. Recording has helped me a lot because I have to play with the least clams in order to be happy with the final product.

 

[swink]

Ok, the PJB stuff is nice. Very clear and louder than I’d expect. But, I’m liking my little Ampeg more.
Anyone get to try out the Orange Glenn Hughes little combo yet? No one around me carries Orange stuff, but I’m very interested in this one.
Thanks

I think @68Tele-Bass has an opinion about these.... I' ll Page him for you with my CCC (Combo-Club-Comunicator for the outsiders.)

Hey! @iagtrplyr ! Still leaning to the Katana?? Don’t think you would need more than the 50W, but if you can use the headroom..!!

I am leaning hard into that Glenn Hughes Orange 50W bass combo. I was grousing about no XLR/or line out. But…..

View attachment 4473001

It HAS something my Rumble 40 does not…an effects loop.

Problem not only solved elegantly, but in a way that just stokes the GAS. - just run your DI box of choice through the FX loop, run the XLR out and. Glenn’s your Uncle. Your Orange uncle. In Deep Purple.

Oh- and it’s a 12” ported speaker…that fills a niche- Rumble is 10” Rocket is 15…

Im preordering CME. They let me chip away at the Squier VI (Hey! Back Off!!! It’s a Bass!!) on PayPal…

Next- Sell some gear to make room, and plan for that Höfner Club Bass in green burst. I need a short-scale ..!

 

[68Tele-Bass]

I think @68Tele-Bass has an opinion about these.... I' ll Page him for you with my CCC (Combo-Club-Comunicator for the outsiders.)

Why, Yes! @Cracker7 ! I’ve preordered the Orange Crush Bass 50. Excited for some filth- it’s not really my “usual sound”. But I like Orange guitar amps, so for the Spacebucks the Crush 50 will set me back, I think the 12” speaker and interactive gain and “blend” bi-amp circuitry will fill a gap that my Ampeg RB-115, and Fender Rumble 40 leave. Should be Fun- I’m getting the Deep Purple one

 

[WestyBassBob]

You said you couldn’t see the video. So I apologized for it not viewing. Got pulled down immediately I guess. Ridiculous.

Why did it get removed? What is objectionable about bass practice?

 

[GonePlaid]

Why, Yes! @Cracker7 ! I’ve preordered the Orange Crush Bass 50. Excited for some filth- it’s not really my “usual sound”. But I like Orange guitar amps, so for the Spacebucks the Crush 50 will set me back, I think the 12” speaker and interactive gain and “blend” bi-amp circuitry will fill a gap that my Ampeg RB-115, and Fender Rumble 40 leave. Should be Fun- I’m getting the Deep Purple one

Just make sure it doesn't "fall over sleepy garden walls".

 

[SoulReflection]

Why did it get removed? What is objectionable about bass practice?

Playing along to a copyright tune apparently is frowned upon by the YT police . Who knows, one might be trying to sell it !