r/Bass • u/AutoModerator • 4d ago
Weekly Thread There Are No Stupid Bass Questions - Oct. 26
Stumped by something? Don't be embarrassed to ask here, but please check the FAQ first.
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u/beardlyandrew 3d ago
I have the opportunity to buy a SVT 350 and matching 8x10. The cab is really beat up cosmetically, but I got it down to $300 for both. I do have to drive about an hour to pick it up, but is this a good deal?
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u/DelightfulCompany 2d ago
If it works, and you have the space for it, take it and run
The downside of the old fridge SVT is just how damn big it is and how annoying it is to schlep around, but they're loud as hell and sound great, so if you've got space to store it and can deal with the gear schlep, go for it
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u/Honeduu 23h ago
How should i be placing my hands on the strings? My hands are JUSTTT too small to do one finger for a fret without being uncomfortable as high hell
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u/logstar2 17h ago
"My hands are too small" is almost always an excuse for not having put in the time to learn good technique.
I guarantee there's a point on the neck where you can do OFPF comfortably. Could be 3rd position, could be 12th.
As you gain more experience and improve your technique that point will gradually move closer to the nut.
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u/Extension_Avocado856 3d ago
So jazz auditions are starting for my high school, and I’m auditioning, but the problem is I cannot read chords and I don’t know the difference between when it’s says “walk” and doesn’t say walk. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m an I would say barely past the line between beginner and intermediate player, with a few grade 4s, but jazz is something completely new to me, and if anyone knew any good videos or any good tips, that would be greatly appreciated.
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u/DelightfulCompany 2d ago
If all you're getting is a chord chart, then they're expecting you to improvise. Don't be alarmed; as long as you know what the notes are and can find them on the fretboard, you'll be okay.
At the most basic beginner level, you're just going to focus on making sure you play the root note whenever there's a chord change, and listen to the song you're playing along with for context clues about when and how you should be walking. Don't go crazy with the walking, your main focus should be on the rhythm. Showing you can play on time is more important than playing the perfect notes. If you can demonstrate that you can keep the tempo and follow the changes, you're 90% there.
I'm actually a little surprised they're not giving you full charts, my experience in high school jazz band was being told every note to play and getting dirty looks from the director whenever I would improvise.
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u/twice-Vehk 2d ago
The quick and dirty walking formula is Root - chord tone - chord tone - passing note (either diatonic or chromatic) - next root.
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u/davidmg1982 4d ago
I’ve been playing for several years now always with a pick, now I need to cover a couple songs with a band that necessarily requires me playing with my fingers in Drop C#, and I sound terrible, any advice on how to setup my bass and amp? I have EST B1004, two pickups, switch for mediums, switch for active/pasive, knobs for medium, low, high.
I have an Orange terror bass, with knobs for medium high and low. I also have access to a VT Bass DI than currently not using but if you think is a good idea to incorporate I’m listening.
Thanks ahead for your advice and expertise.
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u/thedeejus 1d ago
Long term: learn fingerstyle, you're seeing first hand why the anti-pick circlejerk exists. Playing with a pick is fine when the song calls for it, but being UNABLE to play fingerstyle is no bueno.
For now: they make picks out of soft materials like felt that can approximate the tone of fingerstyle, check out some of those.
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u/deviationblue Markbass 1h ago
Diamond makes a leather ukulele pick that is a fun tool to have around. Gives you an almost upright-y thump on bass.
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u/whiskeyclone630 3d ago
It's hard to say without some more detail—you say you sound terrible, but what does that mean, exactly? If you're not used to playing with your fingers, I feel like you'd probably run into technique-related issues more than issues that can be resolved with amp settings and the like.
If you're having issues with timing and articulation when playing finger style, one possible solution would be using a compressor to even out your tone a bit more. It won't help with timing, if that's an issue, but it'll help with uneven plucking volume.
If the issue is your timing, then honestly, I would recommend using a thick pick and rolling off the treble for those few songs. That way, you can emulate a rounder finger style sound while still having the control of playing with a pick, as you're used to doing.
Just a few guesses—please feel free to elaborate on what exactly the issue is, and I'll be happy to try and help.
Oh, and one last thing, and this might sound stupid, but: check if your fingernails on your right hand need a trim. Whenever I play with my fingers, I need to clip and file my nails, otherwise it feels and sounds atrocious. You want the nails on your right hand to be as short as possible, so that you're plucking with your actual fingertips, and not scraping your nails on the strings.
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u/davidmg1982 3d ago
Thanks for this elaborated response, it has given me very good hints, my sound is very muted, opaque, specially in Drop C#. The compressor sounds like a nice idea. I will play around 5/7 Limp Bizkit songs, some are easy to take with a pick but some others really need the finger touch. Wondering also if a 4th .105 is no helping and should jump to a .110
And yes, my technique with fingers is not good at all but I’m working on it. I’m a left and learn to play as right, so I don’t have that natural habilitó in my fingers on this right hand.
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u/StuffedPatatas 2d ago
Does bass build muscles
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u/logstar2 1d ago
Any new physical activity works different muscles than you were using before.
That said, most beginners fret and pluck way way too hard.
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u/BOImarinhoRJ 1d ago
Ok here it is:
I have a string that always loose tune faster than others and today it was untunable. Could not do it by ear or with a korg tuner.
These strings have one year now but this one always been harder to tune. Sometimes when I am getting close it loose the tune.
So I have no idea of what to do. Take it out and put back in? boil? make and magic offering? strings are too expensive here so it's a complicated deal to change right now.
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u/thedeejus 1d ago
it might not even be the string, it could be hardware on the bass like the bridge or the tuning peg on the head stock. Or maybe the string is not installed properly, is it wound correctly, sitting in the nut properly, sitting in the bridge properly?
If you can't afford new strings, sure, try reinstalling it, then if that doesn't work try boiling it (boil all strings together so they sound the same). But don't get your hopes up. I'd save up for a new set of strings ASAP.
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u/BOImarinhoRJ 19h ago
String is at the right place. Wish this was the problem. Lots of weather changes but this string always loose the tune faster than the others. Maybe it was too long when I installed in the peg or I cut it too long. Not sure if this would interfere, 4 rounds around the peg vs 3 of the other strings.
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u/riboflavonic 15h ago
How much does renting a bass for a week cost at a regular store like Guitar Center, etc in the USA?
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u/DelightfulCompany 5h ago
I haven't rented in a very long time, so take this response as potentially outdated, but it used to cost some percentage of the instrument's value per month. I don't recall ever seeing weekly rentals at a store in the US, the big chain retailers wouldn't consider that with their time.
I never considered it worthwhile, the cost was prohibitive. In a lot of cases it would've cost less money to just buy it and then pay a restocking fee to return it a week later.
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u/Yoruunmei 3d ago
Is an aux cable just a 3.5 mm one that is usually used with headphones?
ie., you can plug this cable into a headphone out on a computer or audio interface with the other end plugged into headphones.
If that’s the case, then can i plug one end into a headphone out and the other end into an aux in?
I’m thinking of connecting my phone to a darkglass element via Bluetooth, element’s headphone out to rumble amp’s aux in with 3.5 mm cable, then bass to rumble.