KVR Audio

jens · Post by **jens** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 5:44 pm

yeah, Bartolinis are ace

- the are just fat - a clean well defined bottom end - however they are amongst the most expensive ones as well...

Kraku · Post by **Kraku** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:30 pm

I think that this is one of the main contenders:

Ibanez SR900 TKF

ugo · Post by **ugo** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:34 pm

Kraku wrote:I think that this is one of the main contenders:

Ibanez SR900 TKF

nice bass.
i havent tried that specific model, but the upper end sound gears have always been well built and comfortable...and that its loaded with all bartolini electronics should make it sound great.

-ugo

Kraku · Post by **Kraku** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:48 pm

Oh! One question: I noticed that in the 5 string basses the lowest note string goes way lower than in 4 string basses. Is there any reason I couldn't use the lowest note string from a 5 string bass on a 4 string bass? (to make the 4 string go lower)

Shuzhen · Post by **Shuzhen** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:51 pm

I'd say get into fretless with a Gary Willis 5-string from Ibanez, and get all his books and his video. It will change your life.

birrbits · Post by **birrbits** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:22 pm

Kraku wrote:Oh! One question: I noticed that in the 5 string basses the lowest note string goes way lower than in 4 string basses. Is there any reason I couldn't use the lowest note string from a 5 string bass on a 4 string bass? (to make the 4 string go lower)

There may be people who adapt a 4 string to support a B string, but I think typically most people will stick with a 5 string to go this low. 5 string basses have wider/stronger necks generally, to support this lower string.

jens · Post by **jens** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:20 am

birrbits wrote:
Kraku wrote:Oh! One question: I noticed that in the 5 string basses the lowest note string goes way lower than in 4 string basses. Is there any reason I couldn't use the lowest note string from a 5 string bass on a 4 string bass? (to make the 4 string go lower)
There may be people who adapt a 4 string to support a B string, but I think typically most people will stick with a 5 string to go this low. 5 string basses have wider/stronger necks generally, to support this lower string.

no, actually it's no problem - if you don't need the g-string anyway you can use b-e-a-d instead... - but don't just tune the strings lower but buy a 5string package instead...

Kraku · Post by **Kraku** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:33 am

Bought it!

Now I'm the happy owner of the Ibanez SR900 TKF

(now I have to learn how to play that damn thing...)

cptgone · Post by **cptgone** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:58 pm

Congrats, good luck!

Battleguard · Post by **Battleguard** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:02 pm

I'm a guitar player.. I would recommend the smartest move now (if you're seriously serious about bass or want to be) would be to take a few lessons..

Believe me.. I played for a year without lessons.. turns out I was doing a crapload wrong, and I had to spend another 6 months trying to rectify those mistakes.. hehe

So, take lessons if you're serious..

Battleguard

ugo · Post by **ugo** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:05 pm

jens wrote:no, actually it's no problem - if you don't need the g-string anyway you can use b-e-a-d instead... - but don't just tune the strings lower but buy a 5string package instead...

agreed. if you want to go low (or high), you can always use an alternate tuning, but you'll want strings gagues that support it.

-ugo

ugo · Post by **ugo** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:46 pm

Kraku wrote:Bought it! Now I'm the happy owner of the Ibanez SR900 TKF

congrats!

(now I have to learn how to play that damn thing...)

a few quick things that are best to get into the habit of now:

- try to keep your writst relatively straight most of the time. do not play with them bent at anything near a 90 degree angle. that can seriously mess up your hands/wrists.

- find a position to play in that allows you to keep your shoulders relaxed.

- in general, try not to tense up too much. speed and dexterity will come in time. forcing your hands will only slow you down in the long run, tire you out faster, and put unnecessary stress on your tendons and muscles.

- take breaks...just like you should do when typing.

- listen to the drums. i read a great quote in bass player magazine this month..."drums are music's heartbeat and bass is like the pulsation you feel when the blood starts pumping." i think it was credited to george clinton, while commenting on his bassists.

- have fun!

-ugo

ross g · Post by **ross g** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 4:56 pm

(edit) always a day late and a dollar short...but
hey...i was gonna say ibanez!!!

good luck,
rg

Kraku · Post by **Kraku** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 6:53 am

Big thanks for everyone for being very helpful and supportive

I got lots of useful information from this thread.

@jens & ugo & Battleguard: I'll probably change those strings so that I'll have that B string, but not before I've had a few bass lessons

This way (as Battleguard stated) I'll probably have much less trouble in the future when I learn how to play that instrument. But before I'll have my first lesson, I'll follow ugo's advices and also try to search the internet for some techniques for beginners

Thanks!

Sascha Franck · Post by **Sascha Franck** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:59 pm

Some of the most popular (and probably some of the "best", whatever that means) basslines have been recorded using standard E-A-D-G tuning. I'd keep it at that for now. Changing string gauges to something suitable for B-E-A-D would probably require readjusting the neck as well. Better stay away from it for now.
You may want to try tuning all strings down a whole tone (D-G-C-F) or just tune down low E to D, but as said, I'd try becoming familiar with standard tuning first.

Bass or guitar?