What have you learned from Talk Bass?

[jnewmark]

I've learned that bassists have strong opinions about gear they have never used.

However, the opinions of those actually have experience with said gear, can be very helpful.

Kinda agree with this. I've learned that other players definition of " warm ", " chunky ", " punchy " , " loud " , etc., may not necessarily be the same for me. Also, although I'm sure it would be worth my while to learn more about the science of amplifying bass guitar, there aint nothing like the old ears to really let you know if you are gonna like a certain piece of gear. Some of the stuff people rave about ( amps mostly ) I've discovered have not been what I was looking for, and other stuff that not alot of players use, have become just what I was looking for ! Nice to talk to other bass players from all over the world, though !

 

[GregT]

I've learned some very cool stuff:

-you need to roll back the volume to get a warmer sound
-vintage instruments aren't always better than new ones
-it's OK to boost the mids on bass
-the 1st harmonic is louder than the fundamental; useful information when considering 5 string basses and amplification
-410 + 115 is actually not the default way to build a setup
-the Fender Precision is still widely used; so I don't have to feel like a freak anymore
-on the upright I'm a total newbie, so every post I've made meant learning to me

The fundamental and harmonic content concept was totally foreign to me when I was younger. I thought a note was an exact frequency and that was it. I've found good information on TB about that.

 

[Rezdog]

Greetings from the North,

I've learned that even at that point of time between tonight & tomorrow there is a place that you can talk about any and all things Bass. And somebody may actually answer you....from the other side of the world or just around the corner. This place is awesome.

Rezdog

 

[Gizmot]

Without digging too deep into my memory bank, I learned that flatwounds are cool. I never would have tried them if various people hadn't aroused my curiosity.

I don't know for certain, but I think I learned that I want a Dingwall!

 

[redzebra6]

Ohh.... the things I've learned from here:

- The value of my bass depreciates the moment I look at it, and will increase in only if I stash it away under my bed for 20+ years, or sell it
- Tort is awesome. It's even more awesomer to put tort on some sort of brown burst paint scheme
- Most don't like matching headstocks
- It's almost sacreligious to not like tort, or burst
- My preferences don't mtch nearly everyone else's
- There's really only 2 types of basses, Ps and Js. Everything else is just some sort of derivative
- 3 if you count SCPB, 4 if you count T-birds
- 5 if you count Musicmasters
- Tort
- Some of the most entertaining threads are NOT in "Bass Humor" section
- Don't mention Adam Clayton. For some reason he draws a lot of ire
- Don't try to be like Jaco. Ever.
- Deer god, whatever yu do, dont mispel yer wurds. No mattur how valud the point is, it reaches nobodys brain till thoes minor errs ar corectid
- Bad grammer are just as wurse
- I'll never be as good as some of the most revered players like McCartney, JPJ, Sheehan, etc,
- I'll never be hated as much, either, like some other players
- Burst
- Squiers have a cycle: first they started off as good, became crap, became sort of good, then crap again, redeemed themselves by being good AND adventurous, became boring crap again. Now they are good and adventurous in their style, again, with the near period correct reissues. They will become crap...again...soon
- It's ok to like Squiers. It doesn't mean you are immune to the silent ridicule from others
- What's the frakkin deal with "carrots"?
- There are support groups ("clubs") for the various proclivities that we each have, to protect ourselves from the ridicule we suffer from others, who probably belong to a "club"
- Tort and burst
- I spend too much time on forums like this, trying to glean little bits of knowledge, when I could be practicing to become like Clayton, McCartney, JPJ, Jaco, etc..
-Simmons, Fieldy, Wentz, Clayton are clowns that earn more money than I'll ever see, whether I like them or not
- If all else fails, get flats. The dirtier the better, unless you already have flats, then pass them on to somebody else and get rounds
- More torts, and then more bursts
- On nights (or mornings like this) when I can't sleep, my post become more irrelevant than the last

 

[Orangeclawhammr]

I learned about both of the basses I currently own on TB. I've never seen either of them in stores. Otherwise, I pretty much agree with the previous post.

 

[chadds]

Where else would you read the phrase,


"I don't care if it sounds like liquid Jesus dipped in butter.....?"

 

[Natman]

I learned that 99% of the time people share their opinions about what's "awesome" or "total utter crap" without so much as an ounce of background as to their musical style/tonal preference or experience.

Translation: taste is subjective. But having said that, I can often find a consensus if enough opinions are posted. A personal example: high mass bridge on a Fender and D'Addario Chormes both worked out for me after doing my research here.

 

[sobie18]

- There's a lot of great information and resources here
- There's a lot of whiny crybabies who complain about everything
- There's good stories to read and lessons in life to be learned
- Sometimes it's best to keep your mouth shut on some topics
- Some folks are really thin-skinned and can't take a punch, or a jab, or a kangaroo kick to the solar plexus
- There's a LOT of wheelin' and dealin' with gear...something I cannot understand. Why buy a bass and then sell it almost immediately?
- It's AMAZING to have the PROS on here discussing real-life issues and whatnot

 

[GregT]

When I started this thread, I was hoping to gain some new knowledge. As most threads go, it got pretty silly. But a few of the things I read actually made me think. I was hoping for some enlightenment. The comment about the 1st harmonic is louder than the fundamental really had me doing research.

I really do enjoy that you can ask a specific question here and you will eventually get some help. A lot of great knowledge and willingness to share. I have never appreciated the "that's been asked before" attitude. I can't always find what I am looking for in the search engine. I have much better luck searching Google and being referred back to TB.

I don't believe in Know-it-Alls. I do find that there are a lot of Know-a-Lots on TB. You never know when one of your posts might really help someone down the road. I have learned a lot from some very short, yet very old threads.

 

[Itzayana]

I have learned to be nicer to people that I think are full of... well you know.
Just because I think that they are full of... you know, doesn't mean that they are.
Very well could be me that's all backed up with, and full of... you know.

 

[Finnigan's wake]

I've just learned thet this Community is full of nice, warm, empathetic and kind-hearted people.

 

[bassdude51]

TalkBass has been great place for buying and selling stuff.

I like a lot of the Off Topic threads and they are excellent for reading humor and expressing humor.

I've learned a few technical tips for putting basses together but right now, I can't remember anything specific that I've learned.

TalkBass has shown to me that I/we have to be really careful of other people's feelings about equipment, music and bass playing styles. It is very easy to step on someone's toes and offend.

So, I've learned that I have to be a censor unto myself and watch my tongue and suppress some of my strong personal opinions and ideas. I don't like censoring myself because I'd like to have the freedom to say whatever I want to. But, verbal arguments and trolling abound with any kind of internet forum. So, my tongue is pretty much suppressed. There is no freedom of expression in the 100% true sense.

There are some very, very excellent folks here on TalkBass and there are "twits" and "poop chute" types too. Tread lightly and watch where you step.

How about you?

 

[Groove Doctor]

I've learned that I have to be a censor unto myself and watch my tongue and suppress some of my strong personal opinions and ideas. I don't like censoring myself because I'd like to have the freedom to say whatever I want to. But, verbal arguments and trolling abound with any kind of internet forum. So, my tongue is pretty much suppressed. There is no freedom of expression in the 100% true sense.

Congrats, very wise approach on a public forum. There is an ART to stating ones opinions without ruffling feathers. Oh, how I wish they taught us these skills at school!!

I heard a public figure give a talk about pointing out people's failings and having them like you/thank you in the end. He said that was one of the keys to his success and popularity. That advice has stayed with me over the years.

 

[bassbenj]

Hey before TB I was a Fender hater and all my basses were modern and active.
And then TB took me aside and explained P-bass, flats, tort to me.
Well, OK, I bent the rules just a bit with 5 string PJ, but you get the idea. It does have flats and is burst/tort.

 

[Stumbo]

Phrases I use to keep my posts from sounding too preachy, sarcastic or mean:
1) Consider the possibility...
2) You might consider...
3) IMO, it may be possible to...
4) IMO, something to try out...
5) the problem may possibly be...
6) As a test, try...
7) In certain circumstances...
8) Maybe the problem lies somewhere else...
9) Alternatively...
10) There may be an alternative to consider...
11) Have you considered...
12) Something to think about...
13) Possibly...
14) May possibly be...
15) Think about...

Use IME/IMO when expressing an opinion or relating an experience even though most things on TB are an opinion. Any phrase that deflects from your expertise and gives the user information he/she can explore is a good way to go.

I learned that I like to number things and organize Information. See the link in my sig.

I learned at a certain point I didn't know any more...

I learned you need to be able to play bass with your digits...I was always a pick player. Btw...I did learn to finger pluck.

I learned that I am curious as to the reasons TBrs get banned, in popularity order.

I learned about comb filtering, dispersion, matching, stackable speakers/cabs.

I learned that ear plugs are the most important piece of equipment you can own.

I learned that if you create enough threads, you might get one that lives on...see Official Barefaced Bass Cab Club thread.

I learned lots of great TB slang.

I learned a lot about P basses (and PJ basses) and how cool they are. I was always a J player. Also about active basses of which I own one.

I learned that others shared the tort and old flats obsession. Even dead half-rounds work pretty good as well.

I learned about vegetables.

I learned about DIY and custom cabinet builders and design theory and application, especially two and three-way cabs.

I learned about low, loud and light cabs.

I learned what the best _______ is for metal.

But I digress....

 

[FilterFunk]

Strangely enough, I had to come to TalkBass to learn that bassists are underappreciated and disrespected.

I grew up on '70s funk, and the bassist was always considered important. The only time anyone would look down on a bassist is if he or she simply wasn't any good. It was kind of a shock to come to TB and find all the memes about bassists getting no respect. Is that a rock thing?

 

[deeptubes]

I've learned that my gear is crap and everyone else has the best gear ever made.

 

[pappabass]

I have learned: (not being serious here)
1. Squier is junk, considering the squier jag I owned rocked, stayed in tune, sounded great.
2. unless you pay $4000+ for a bass you are always a beginner !
3. Fender is worthless. Even though Mr fender basically invented the most used designs of basses.

 

[stajki]

I learned what GAS is, and can't get rid of it!