HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: glenn@bessel.umd.edu (D. Glenn Arthur Jr.)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Question related to my upcoming learning experience
Date: 7 Oct 1992 13:51:23 -0500
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

Well, the responses I got to my earlier, very nervous post
about being asked to play bass guitar for a musical have
convinced me to go ahead and give it a shot.  (The musical
in question is "Little Shop of Horrors", btw.)  Now I'm
even more nervous.

I'm really a guitarist who also plays a little bass, and I'm
not as well versed in bass techniques that don't overlap
guitar.

I've noticed at least one passage marked "slap-style", so I 
know I'll have to get used to that.  I tried flipping my wrist 
so that my thumb struck the string in an exaggeration of a 
doumbek or tambour thumb stroke -- is that about right?  Or
is there another way that'll make aim and speed easier?


Yeeesh, I feel like such a newbie.  Probably sound like one
too.  See what nerves will do?  (And I'm so used to sounding
_confident_ on the net.  Argh.)



D. Glenn Arthur Jr., The Human Vibrator, glenn@bessel.umd.edu
"Being a _man_ means knowing that one has a choice not to act like a 'man'."

How much interest is there in a Transvestite/Transsexual newsgroup?  How many 
would post there?   Anonymously?  How many would _vote_ non-anonymously?  And
what would you name it?  

You can send me mail anonymously at anonymus+262@godiva.nectar.cs.cmu.edu.

Xref: sparky alt.guitar.bass:1582 rec.music.funky:1510
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 13:42:48 EDT
From: Karl Nordstrom <KXN2@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass,rec.music.funky
Subject: Bootsy Collins

Can anyone recomend a CD that shows Bootsy Collins' bass playing at its finest?
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: kevins@eng.auburn.edu (Kevin Sullivan)
Subject: Re: need advice on used amp ASAP
Organization: Auburn University Engineering
Distribution: all
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 13:49:31 GMT

The problem with talking about used Peavey bass amps is that they used 
the same name for different amps in different years.  Kind of like 
saying Toyota Corolla, is it a '77 or a '92?  I own a Peavey Mark III 
bass head.  At the time it was made it was their top of the line head,
two channels, 210w/4ohms, etc.  Peavey still makes a Mark III but it's 
nothing like mine: single channel, 150w, etc.

So if you want to talk about used stuff you need to describe it a little,
# of channels, power, speakers, etc.
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: mceachen@iam.unibe.uh ( John McEachen)
Subject: Status II Basses
Reply-To: mceachen@retina.med.yale.edu  
Organization: Disney World (CT section)
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 13:50:34 GMT

The other day this women saw me loading my gear and approached me about this bass
she was trying to unload.  She described it as a 5-string "Status II". Headless 
model, graphite neck.  

Anyone heard of this bass before? And if so how much do they run?

Thanks.

John

                                                                     
 Working is for people                      
        who don't surf ...                 
					  (or play volleyball...) 

                                                      / /  *\  
                                                     /0/ __O/  
              > >                           |TTTTTTTTTTTTTT\\T| 
         >      > >                         |IIIIIIIIIIIIIII\\|  
     >        >   >>                        |      / \      / \  
>             >    >                        |     /  /      \ |\
               >                            |                 |  
                  >           __   --  -------------------------- 
                       > --       
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"I need a vacation..." -- Arnold Schwartzenegger
-----------------------------------------------------------------
All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
mceachen@cortex.med.yale.edu

Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: jes@unislc.uucp (Jon Seaman)
Subject: five string technique
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Organization: Unisys Corporation SLC
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 16:17:11 GMT


I bought a five string a couple of weeks ago.  I love it.
I was wondering if any of you five string players had
any technique hints, tricks, or usefull information
that would help in my transition?


My favorite bass myth.

A fellow bassist told me he learned to play bass because 
he heard the bass tones vibrated at the same frequency 
as a woman's clitoris.
From: mohawk@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Mohawk Dave)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Right-hand finger technique
Date: 8 Oct 92 00:58:38 GMT
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX


I know this topic has probably been slaughtered several times 
already, but here goes:

I need some specifics about how to get a good sound using 2-or-3-finger
technique with the right hand to pluck the strings.  I can get decent
slapping and popping sounds, and decent picking sounds, but can't find
a manner of plucking strings that produces a sound I like.  If I am
very gentle, then the sound is nice and smooth but a bit too mellow.
If I pluck more harshly, I run into problems with noises from strings
encountering the fretboard.  My action is not set much differently
than any other bass players i have encountered.

You see, sometimes I try to get into playing with my fingers, but
it always ends up the same:  I try a pick and then tend to keep
using it.

I would appreciate details about good right-hand methods, concerning
how hard to pluck the strings and what good angles of attack are.

thanks

Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: ars1@cunixa.cc.columbia.edu (Sinn Santos)
Subject: Moog Taurus - I GOTTA HAVE 'EM!!!
Followup-To: most music from 1972
Summary: I'd give my left nut for those pedals
Keywords: left, nut
Reply-To: ars1@cunixa.cc.columbia.edu (Sinn Santos)
Organization: Columbia University
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 05:40:26 GMT

You heard right - I just gotta have 'em.

Seriously, tho', where o where can I get Moog Taurus pedals (Model I or II,
don't matter much to me) ?  I'm in a thrash power trio that for reasons
even I can't explain, after listening to some of my fave 70s albums, I just
gotta have 'em.  Also, if anyone has been in the Moog pedal market, what's a
fair price?  (Sure, money is no option [HA HA HA I'm a college student, it's
a little joke, could ya spare some change] but if some dude says $2,995 I'm
gonna drop a load in my shorts.)

						-Sinn the Profane

  OOOOO  OO  OOOO   OOOO     sinn santos, computer music, columbia university.
 /OO/// /OO /OO//O /OO//O     "They can take the record, and they can SHOVE
 //  OO /OO /OO /O /OO /O     IT RIGHT DOWN THEIR THROATS!"   "Money talks,
  OOOOO /OO /OO /O /OO /O      and bullshit walks..."  "Every song's a hit!"
From: kingsley@hpwrce.mayfield.hp.com (Kingsley Morse)
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 15:30:46 GMT
Subject: Re: Please Help
Organization: HP Western Response Center
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass

Oops! My apologies for posting my previous "Please Help" survey to this
group. It was an honest mistake and won't happen again.

Kingsley
From: cwalker@canopus.bucknell.edu (carleton walker `93)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: strings for fretless?
Date: 15 Oct 1992 12:55:14 GMT
Organization: Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
NNTP-Posting-Host: canopus.cs.bucknell.edu

In article <1992Oct14.125346.1@vax.sonoma.edu> greenspa@vax.sonoma.edu writes:
>HOWDY,...uh howdy, can anyone reccommend the best type of string
>for a fretless? ground, round, flat wound ? etc. I know this is

	I've used regular round-wounds for years. They sound brighter.
The only case against them is that they tend to chew up the neck,
putting little grooves in it.

--
Carl Walker				"Hectic days ahead of us,
Bucknell University			 Rotten ones behind,
Lewisburg, PA				 Keeping plastics in our pockets,
cwalker@canopus.bucknell.edu (! tmc.edu) Children never mind." - K, S, & W
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: v035550@stortek.com (Steve Monroe)
Subject: Acoustic basses made by Kay.
Originator: v035550@stcvax
Organization: Storage Technology Corp.  Louisville, CO
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 17:00:53 GMT

In article <1992Oct8.154625.1178@stortek.com> I wrote:

>>Gack....pttttttt...$2500 for a KAY? even if it is a
>>1929 kay...  Kay basses are (comparatively speaking) junk.  
>>No, this is a BAD deal.  Really bad...This would be funny
>>if somebody wasn't out there actually trying to sell one of
>>these pieces-o-crap for this much...quarter that amount,
>>and the price would still be high, but more "reasonable."
>>
>>sjm
>
> 

Then, in article 1992Oct10.180740.1193@tvnews.tv.tek.com, Todd Carlson wrote,

>I have a 1920's vintage Kay upright that I have played for five years,
>and it has a very nice sound along with a LOT of character. 
>(One man's piece-o-crap is another man's axe.)  Although,
>$2500 is a whole lot more than I would even THINK of paying for it!

Well, I didn't mean to step on anyone's toes, and I apologise if 
I offended you.  Still, note that I use the parenthitical  remark
"comparatively speaking."  I should have been more clear.  Compared
to many other acoustic basses, Kays are junk.  As an example, consider
the Kay and juxtapose it with a Pohlmann ( I bought mine for $2375: It
was VERY damaged at the time).  Although I have not heard YOUR Kay,
I have played many Kays from the mid twenties to late thirties, and
I would venture that yours doesn't have THAT different of a signature
from the ones I have played.  The Pohlmann makes the Kay sound like
a toy...or if you prefer, a piece-o-crap...  This is not a case of
my being pejorative, it is one of accurate assessment.

sjm


  
-- 
"No criticism anyone can give me can even begin to compare with
 what I put myself through 24 hours a day."  - Pat Metheny
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: v035550@stortek.com (Steve Monroe)
Subject: Re: 1929 Kaye pricing
Originator: v035550@stcvax
Organization: Storage Technology Corp.  Louisville, CO
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 15:46:25 GMT

>I'm in the market for an upright bass.  A local store has a 1929
>Kaye (at least that is what the label inside it says...) and he
>wants $2500 for it.  That seems awful steep, so I thought I'd
>ask what all you gurus think...
>
Gack....pttttttt...$2500 for a KAY? even if it is a
1929 kay...  Kay basses are (comparatively speaking) junk.  
No, this is a BAD deal.  Really bad...This would be funny
if somebody wasn't out there actually trying to sell one of
these pieces-o-crap for this much...quarter that amount,
and the price would still be high, but more "reasonable."

sjm
From: ibanez@ac.dal.ca
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: MegaBass preamp problem
Date: 8 Oct 92 15:41:20 -0300
Organization: Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

I have a small problem with my MegaBass head which has recently become 
annoying. Here it is: Even without a bass plugged in, and at any volume,there 
is a hum type sound. This is not noise, but some type of hum. I'm prettty sure 
it is in the preamp section, since another preamp into the power amp section
eliminated the problem, as did plugging my bass straight into the power
amp in.

So...does anyone know what this prob might be? I'm planning to get it min the
shop, but I'd prefer to have some idea what the prob is before I let the
techs at it - might even save some time (or rather money!)

Thanks in advance.

-- 
                             Jamie Lauchlan 
 ______________________________________________________________________________
 ______________________________________________________________________________

    _   ___
   / `-'  (              III       
   |( II  ||||||||||||||[***]           1978 MusicMan Stingray
   \_.-.__(               l               Thanks Leo (R.I.P.)

               "BASS IS SOME SERIOUS SHIT" - Bill Laswell
 ______________________________________________________________________________
 ______________________________________________________________________________
Xref: sparky alt.guitar.bass:1594 rec.music.funky:1524
From: mark@bilpin.co.uk (Mark Allerton)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass,rec.music.funky
Subject: Re: Bootsy Collins
Date: 12 Oct 92 11:47:32 GMT
Reply-To: mark@bilpin.co.uk (Mark Allerton)
Organization: UK Mac DTS

>Can anyone recomend a CD that shows Bootsy Collins' bass playing at its finest?

Bootsy's strongest release is (probably) "The One Giveth..." - real solid FUNK from
start to finish. Bootsy's made a lot of records, and each of them has some seriously
funky stuff on it (Pinnochio Theory, Stretching Out... and more), but they can be a 
bit inconsistent.

Mark Allerton
UK Mac DTS - mark@bilpin.co.uk
From: lturner@gandalf.rutgers.edu (Louis Turner)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Bass Player Wanted!!
Summary: Bass Player Wanted!!
Keywords: Bass_Player Jersey
Date: 8 Oct 92 18:58:41 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

"Dirty Lies" is searching for a new bass player.  We are in North and Central
New Jersey.  We cover everything from Elvis (both dead and alive) to the
Violent Femmes.  This includes REM, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Cracker, Blind Faith,
Beatles, Jimmy Buffet, The Clash, The Church, Wilson Picket, etc...

Must be available for weekly practice and for weekend gigs. Have transportation
and equipment.  We will adjust practice schedual and location to needs.

Contact me, Hamp Turner, by e-mail or at 908-771-9682.

Party on Garth! Party on Wayne!
From: rlink@acpub.duke.edu (Robert E. Link)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: polytone mini-brute speaker question
Summary: It's not the speaker
Keywords: speaker, polytone
Date: 13 Oct 92 04:15:00 GMT
Followup-To: alt.guitar.bass
Organization: Duke University; Durham, N.C.

In article <1992Oct6.201509.28717@viewlogic.com> bobdavis@mighty.viewlogic.com (Bob Davis) writes:
>
>A good friend of mine has a polytone mini-brute which he's used for
>a very long time.  Lately it's been rather lacking in output capacity,
>and I suspect the elderly, worn driver is the culprit.  I checked out
>the power amp and power supplies and everything seemed peachy (except
>for a grounding problem and related buzz, which I fixed).
>(deleted)
>Also, if any folks have tried alternative 10" drivers in this (rather
>small, sealed) box, that would be of interest.

I used a Polytone mini-brute (I or II - can't remember - whichever the
12" one for bass was) for almost 15 years. Never had any trouble with it
except for the time I put a screw driver through the speaker. The last
year of our time together the output dropped considerably. Had a lot of
trouble with it breaking up on low notes or whenever I turned the volume
up more than half-way. It still worked well at low volume, though. It
had a Peavey speaker in it at the time (after the screw driver incident)
which I then replaced with a PAS speaker thinking that was the problem.
It sounded better but the problem was still there. My local repair man
took it in and tested it thoroughly and confirmed that the output was
half of what the amp was rated for but could not find anything not
working properly. He said it was as if that was the way it was designed.
Everything in perfect working order but at half the power. Never did
figure it out. Gave it to one of my students. Cranked up the old
reliable Oliver Powerflex til it just about broke my back. Just bought
a SWR SM220. ahhhh.... finally.
That old Polytone box was the only one that sounded decent with an
acoustic bass, though. Haven't heard anything else like it that good.
So - anyone want my old Oliver? (probably break you in shipping
charges!)
From: warsaw@nlm.nih.gov (Barry A. Warsaw)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: how do you do that funky reggae?
Date: 14 Oct 92 18:11:47 GMT
Reply-To: warsaw@nlm.nih.gov (Barry A. Warsaw)
Organization: Century Computing, Inc.


Anybody ever see that old British '80's television show called "Rock
School"?  Its been a while so I apologize if I paraphrase incorrectly.
On the show, they go around to each instrument and that player gives
some hints on how to play the particular style being discussed.  On
the reggae episode, the bass player fiddling with his amps, in a thick
British accent says: "First you turn down the treble, then turn down
the mid. Then turn up the bass.  You want heavy, heavy bass."
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: v035550@stortek.com (Steve Monroe)
Subject: Re: Drummer seeks advice from bassists
Originator: v035550@stcvax
Organization: Storage Technology Corp.  Louisville, CO
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 16:34:13 GMT

mcampbel@cs.ucf.edu (Mike Campbell ) writes:
friedman@col.hp.com (John Friedman)  writes:

>> I've heard from people that I should
>> start with guitar, then move to bass.  I don't really want to do this, since
>>
>> when I sold the stuff and re-upped for bass.
>
>I started with guitar, but it's really not _necessary_, it just gives you a
>small head start as to how the string intervals are set up.  IMHO, some of
>the lamest bassists I know are guitarists who play bass like when they play
>guitar.  This is NOT to say that melodic bass playing is lame - look at Jaco,
>for instance.  I simply feel that lead guitar on bass typically does not work.
>
Actually, for the sake of intervallic understanding, it might be easier to 
start on some sort of keyboard instrument, because the keyboard has a very
"graphic" presentation.  The relationships of half and whole steps is right
in front of you and is VERY obvious.  THe relationship of these intervals
is not always as obvious on the guitar.  But, as was mentioned about the
guitar, keyboard prior to bass is not necessary.  As a drummer, you already
have the most important concepts down, so ... jump in!

>> 2) If I decide to go with this, should I get a book and start plinking, or is
>> an instructor the way to go?  
>
>Depends on your style.  I like both.  The best way for me was to find some
>people that would play with me, show me some basic tunes and bass lines,
>and go from there.  This offers content and motivation for praticing.
>
Yeah, playing in many group situations is really important.  As was said,
depending on your style, and also on how much you decide to go with this,
(i.e. how serious you get) you should also start really getting your ear
happening.  Try to pick up tunes off of the radio or whatever, but really
try to learn how to have (as Joe Satriani calls it) "big ears."  If you like
that, and seem to want to go further, learn how to read.  Since you can 
ALREADY read rhythms, the pitches should be no problem.  Stay away from 
tablature though, like the plague.
 
>> 3) What should I do about eqpt?  Should I go whole hog and get a nice bass rig,
>> or something that "will do" on which to learn.  I favor the latter, again for
>> monetary reasons.  Plus, if I find out I don't like it, or can't devote enough
>> time to it, I wouldn't be out as much.

>Some thing that "will do" on which to learn is fine fo starters, but make
>sure you skimp the least on the instrument - if its not easy and fun to play,
>you probably won't play it.

I totally agree with this.  Don't skimp on the instrument - if you can help it.
It will ruin the initial experience for you, and you will hate it.  It would be
nice if there were someone that could LOAN you an instrument for a while, that
way, you wouldn't be out any money, and if you ended up hating the bass, you 
wouldn't have to muck around with selling the dang thing.

sjm




Xref: sparky alt.guitar.bass:1595 rec.music.funky:1529
From: kimple@vax.muskingum.edu
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass,rec.music.funky
Subject: Re: Bootsy Collinsdir
Date: 12 Oct 92 12:36:10 -0600
Organization: Muskingum College

In article <1992Oct12.114732.14096@bilpin.co.uk>, mark@bilpin.co.uk (Mark Allerton) writes:
>>Can anyone recomend a CD that shows Bootsy Collins' bass playing at its finest?
> 

I've been diggin' the new PRAXIS cd...while it isn't all-out funk, it does have
it's moments where Bootsy gets to shine.

jd
From: Jonathan Egre' <jonathan@mantis.co.uk>
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: weak finger between pinkie and middle
Date: Wed, 07 Oct 92 13:57:05 BST
Distribution: world
Organization: Mantis Consultants, Cambridge. UK.

GEN2010@Husky1.StMarys.Ca (ROSS BILLARD) writes:

> Hey... I was just wondering, what is a good way of strengthing up that finger
> between the middle and pinkie?

This is usually known as the "ring finger" or the "third finger".

>                                If I lay my hand down on  table and try to tap
> that finger, I find it impossible... (I keep all the other fingers down)
> 
> Any help would be appreciated...

Don't worry about it.  Bassists are not required to tap their ring fingers
on table tops while keeping the rest of their fingers on the table; they are
required to play the bass.  When playing the bass, you will be able to
use your other fingers and your wrist to help your ring finger in almost all
circumstances.  There is no advantage to be gained by denying yourself this
help.

If you want to be able to play the bass smoothly, then practice playing the
bass.  Concentrate on clarity and accuracy, and speed will come naturally.
Practicings scales is good, but ONLY because most music is based on scales;
apart from this, there is nothing special about practicing scales.

Jonathan

-- Jonathan Egre' = jonathan@mantis.co.uk = jonathan_e@cix.compulink.co.uk --
========= Serious but friendly request for the benefit of everyone: =========
When posting an item of local interest to a global newsgroup, please use 
"Distribution:" so that people on the other side of the world are not 
inconvenienced.  Consult your manual or local expert for technical details.

Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: whale@leland.Stanford.EDU (Stephen Schmidt)
Subject: Re: Status II Basses
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 92 17:18:59 GMT


BP Buyer's guide sez:

Status Graphite Series II. Neck-through with 7-piece exotic hardwood body,
graphite neck, and 24-fret phenolic fingerboard. Two Status "Hyperactive"
(soapbar) pickups, active electronics. Hardshell case included.
List - $2550

There's a picture one page further, it looks really nice to me. I'd say
if it's in decent shape unmodified, $1000 would be more than reasonable.
Might be worth a fair bit more.
-- 
Steve Schmidt			<><		   whale@leland.stanford.edu
I can no longer sit back and allow Communist infiltration, Communist
indoctrination, Communist subversion, and the international Communist
conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids!
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: polytone mini-brute speaker question
From: plopper@husc8.harvard.edu (George Plopper)
Date: 7 Oct 92 23:15:21 EDT
Organization: Harvard University Science Center
Keywords: speaker

In article <1992Oct6.201509.28717@viewlogic.com> bobdavis@mighty.viewlogic.com (Bob Davis) writes:
>
>I understand that polytone is out of business.  If anyone knows who,
>if anyone, is supplying parts for polytone, that would be interesting.

Bass Player Magazine's 1992 Buyer's Guide (December Issue) includes
Polytone in its list of amplifier manufacturers, so maybe they AREN'T
out of business after all.  Their info: 6865 Vineland Ave., No. Hollywood,
CA,  91605. Phone: (818) 760-2300.

-- 
George Plopper 
Email: plopper@husc8.harvard.edu
"I wish somebody'd tell me what diddy-wah-diddy means."
From: plopper@husc8.harvard.edu (George Plopper)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: how do you do that funky reggae?
Date: 14 Oct 92 03:32:58 GMT
Organization: Harvard University Science Center

In article <1bfkhrINNslr@network.ucsd.edu> mbreen@sdacs.ucsd.edu (Michael Breen) writes:
>[kinda long]
[everything deleted]
This was one of the most useful and informative postings of musical discussion
I've seen here. Good job, Michael! I think we could use more of these kinds
of discussions. Encore!



-- 
George Plopper 
Email: plopper@husc8.harvard.edu
"I wish somebody'd tell me what diddy-wah-diddy means."
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass