Wall of Mouths

The Status tatty is referring to is not fretless. I think things have been a bit mixxed up. As I see it, tatty means Satus has no dots on the fretboard, but only at the top side of the neck, where they are visible when you’re playing you instrument.

I tried playing fretless about ten years ago but the sound is too distinguished to use for rock music. I’m not too fond of it, it’s too smooth.

In my case it could be the type of bass; it was an old Washburn I bought from a friend and defretted myself. I still have it but I never use it anymore.

Misanthropologist wrote:

Hey there, welcome!

Bassists are always welcome here! :)
SO: how long ahve you been playing, and WHAT bass do you have?

I’ve been playing for about 12 years.
I play 2 custom 4 string basses. 1 fretted (the “Zipper Bass”), 1 fretless (the “SweetPea Bass”).

My current band is White Zool and we play jazzrock and funk. Not much to do with Therapy? :D
I’ve played in many styles. I just happen to do that right now.
mp3 ?

I also moderate 2 bass forums, eBassist and Harmony Central Bass Forum

What kind of amp and effects do you use with both the fretted and the fretless basses, and which (effects) do you prefer?

Jazz Ad, please don’t put huge pics in your posts - use the attachment button instead :) I’ve attached your two pictures here:

(Before changing the message boards’ software in August 2007 this post had a file attachment, which may return in the future)

3ddo-on-the-balcony wrote:

What kind of amp and effects do you use with both the fretted and the fretless basses, and which (effects) do you prefer?

I noticed that overdrive doesn’t work too well with fretless. Over than than, everything works fine. My favourites are pedal wah, bass synth and delay.
Flanger works fantastically on fretless.
I tend to use a lot of effects, probably too many :rolleyes:.
Here is a pic of my pedalboard just so you get the idea.

tatty seaside town wrote:

Thats a nice mp3 Jazz Ad …

I am working on the technic to play the tapping style with the right hand with 3 fingers … cause i need that speed.

I saw it once on a bass video called “The Slap bass programm” … Totally freak basser there was *g*

Try to hit the same fret on the same string with your three fingers after each other. A bit weird, but it works after some time.
Well the basser i saw did that in enourmous speed on every string he liked …

Really impressive!

Thank you very much !
I’m terrible at tapping. I really don’t do much. Actually I only use it to reach notes I couldn’t play normally.
The slap method you describe is called left hand slapping I think. I use it pretty often. Really speeds up things.

hoochalobster wrote:

Jazz Ad, please don’t put huge pics in your posts - use the attachment button instead :) I’ve attached your two pictures here:

Understood sir. :(
I won’t do it again sir. :)
Thank you for the attachment. :cool:

Jazz Ad, you talk about left hand slapping. But looking at your basses, it’s obvious you’re a right hand player.

Slapping is - so I’ve always been told - the technique of hammering the thumb (of the right hand for right handed players) upon the strings on or nearby the pickups. Tapping is the technique of hammering the fingers of the left hand upon the strings on the fingerboard.
What then do you mean with left hand slapping? I’m curious (and Misanthropologist probably as well ;))

Ok.
Yeah I misunderstood the post.
Left hand slapping is a good way to speed up your slap.
Basically, the idea is to slap the string with your fretting hand too.
So for example you fret a G with your pointer on the E string, then slap the string with your right thumb and just after, use your leftover left fingers (middle, ring, pinky) alltogether to hit the string. Like you’d mute, but much harder and your hand needs to bounce on the string. With a bit of work it will sound exactly like hitting with your thumb. It allows for very fast sequences alternating right and left hand.
I know my pedalboard is a bit oversized but it’s so much more practical to have them all wired together.

I don’t have that many actually but they’re all good.

I think Pastorius is a major influence for most fretless and/or jazz players. :)
I’m not a die hard fan but i certainly listened to him a lot and worked on a few of his tunes. Lately I got a lot into Michael Manring and Victor Wooten. These guys really seem to bring something new. They show the way, sort of.
Different styles call for different approaches.
For example, I wouldn’t see myself noodling and slaping all over the neck to cover Therapy? songs.
I can really get my kicks playing roots behing the guitar player. Right I mostly play funk and this music is really bass driven.
As for rock/metal bass players, I’m an all time Steve Harris fan. I also like Alex Webster from Cannibal Corpse and… Michael from T?. Does he post on the forum from time to time ?

What about you guys ? What style do you play ? What kind of bass ? Who are your favourite bass players ?

Well i would call myself a pupil from the “Les Claypool school” in the first place. But than all what made funk great. Bootsy Collins for instance.

I like everything bass players do, to sound not exactly like the guitar. But i am more into funk technics.

Bass is the only instrument which allowes you to do harmonics like the guitar and rhythm like the drums at the same time!

Its just the best instrument! :)

THE BEST
IS
BASS TO BE!

Yes, was beginning to notice your absence here. Only beginning, mind :D

So, now you’re back, what shall we agree about? ;)

:D *waits for backlash from other musicians* :D

But still, we bassists look better with an ugly guitarist (which is usually the case) on stage :D

That never happened to me :(

Though most people tell me after the gigs, that i rule in playing the bass …

so kinda we all got some sort of attention :)

Brunette is okay with me … with some pony tails … that would be great *gggggggggg*