HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: mlaurenc@world.std.com (Matt Laurence)
Subject: Small amps/music theory
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1992 05:49:57 GMT

Well, following up on a few threads here, let me pose two 
questions to the amassed intellects:

1) I am looking for a small practice amp. When I say small, I mean less than
18 inches all around (plus or minus) and less than about 35 pounds. I used
a Gorilla briefly, and if I had turned my volume up above 3 it would have
blown... not a good bass practice/small gig amp, let me assure you. After all
the trouble I've heard about GK lately, I'm shying away from those... anything
else that would function as a portable practice and small show amp?

2) What do people recommend as the best way to learn music theory, especially
as it pertains to bass? I have been playing for about 3 years now, and I
have some theory in me from a few years of piano and a few classes at school,
but nothing that really got me going, and nothing that would really teach
me the basics in relation to my fret board. Does anyone have any particularly
successful things they've done, books they've used, classes taken, anything
to learn theory better?

Ok, let's add a third:

3) How about perfect pitch? Some lucky few (like my band's drummer, of all
people) are born with it. Most of us aren't. You've probably all noticed
the ads in Bass Player (and other music mags) for that taped course of
attaining Perfect Pitch no matter what. Well, first of all, does anyone know
if this whole concept is feasible as they present it? Better yet, has anyone
actually tried it or used it and had success? I'm sorely tempted (the 
hundreds of testimonials they give make it sound wonderful, but the power
of advertising is disgustingly strong - I'd rather hear it from a real
live person - albeit over e-mail)

And while we're at it, does anyone know where a body could pick up a
Modulus fretted 5-string for under $1500 (as far under as possible, 
obviously)? And what are the general feelings on Kubicki Factors?

Well, that's enough random drivel and thread-baring for now. Thanks
for the help in advance, and feel free to respond via email so as not
to disturb the sensibilities of everyone else, who's probably heard
some of this fifty times.

Matt
mlaurenc@world.std.com

Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: jimlynch@netcom.com (Jim Lynch)
Subject: Bartolini 94-J pickups; new peavey one-space 700w pwr amp
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 92 08:14:24 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Summary: Request for opinion on these products

Could anyone provide info and/or opinions on the Bartolini 94-J pickup? I
am interested because of the way the coils are wound. There is one single-
coil winding on each of four string positions, therefore you supposedly get
single-coil sound with hum cancelling (due to the fact that the coils are
wired in series).

Also: can anyone tell me about the new  Peavey one-space 350 watt per side
power amp? (the model nbr escapes me, but I know that the amp came out
recently.)

Thanks in advance.

Jim Lynch (jimlynch@netcom.com)

P.S: Please reply to me; if info is desired by the rest of the group, I
will summarise.
From: mjkobb@apple.com (Michael J. Kobb)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: Good songs for beginning bass players
Date: 14 Aug 92 07:13:10 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer, Inc.
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d7
X-Xxdate: Fri, 14 Aug 92 00:12:17 GMT

For beginner basslines, a lot of Adam Clayton's stuff from U2 is easy
and fairly fun to play along with.  I'm thinking mostly Joshua Tree and
Achtung Baby...

--Mike
From: cjg@hayes.ims.alaska.edu (Chris George)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: Help the Newbie!
Date: 17 Aug 92 22:40:17 GMT
Organization: Mr T. Fan Club

i could use some help too.
if anyone has scales they can send me or post or something.
or if there is an ftp site with this info, i would 
appreciate the help.

-cjg
From: aa595@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Dan Duvall)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Yamaha vs. Washburn
Date: 20 Aug 92 17:30:14 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, (USA)


Anyone have any comments on Yamaha or Washburn equipment in general?
I've found two left-handed electric basses in my price range: one
is a Washburn, the other a Yamaha. I don't know the specific model
numbers offhand, though. Any compelling reasons to pick one over
the other?

-- 
* ----------------------------* '''''''''''' * "Hello, 9-1-1?
* aa595@cleveland.freenet.edu * Dan Dooovall *  How are ya?"
* ........................... *--------------*       --Jerry Seinfeld
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: Help the Newbie!
From: plopper@husc8.harvard.edu (George Plopper)
Date: 19 Aug 92 22:36:39 EDT
Organization: Harvard University Science Center

A publication worth checking out: "Bass Books and Cassettes" from
Jayne Publications, P.O. Box 175, Malden, MA 02148

It has 23 pages of listings for instruction books and cassettes for
all kinds of music, beginner to advanced. It also has books of bass
transcriptions of popular albums. I got the catalog in the mail one day
out of the blue, so I assume it's free.

I haven't ordered anything from it, nor am I affiliated in any way with it-
no hidden motives here!


-- 
George Plopper 
Email: plopper@husc8.harvard.edu
"I wish somebody'd tell me what diddy-wah-diddy means."
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: schwab@ucunix.san.uc.edu (Paul Schwab)
Subject: Re: Buying a first bass
Organization: University of Cincinnati
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 92 15:19:24 GMT

In article <170rqkINN4pi@network.ucsd.edu> mbreen@sdacs.ucsd.edu (Michael Breen) writes:
>
>The only recommendation I could make is to *not* go out and get a perfect
>bass with great action.  I started on a t.p.o.s. (total piece of...), then
>moved to a 'Hondo' (t.p.o.s. #2) and finally my first Rickenbacker.  The point
>is, get a bass that will be a challenge to play, and you will strengthen your
>fingers greatly, then as you move up in quality, you will find that strength
>will come in very 'handy'.
>
Sorry, I have to disagree, starting on a tpos is a good way to:

      1. Form poor techniques which will only limit your abilities
         later. 
      2. Risk injury trying to play things which would be effortless on
         a decent bass.
      3. Get really frustrated and quit playing because you can't do 
         what you want to do, or get the sound you want, or get a
         gig, and it has nothing to do with YOUR abilities, it's
         just your bass. 
 
>If you start on a great bass, you will gain strength, but at the expense of
>clarity and control.  If you start on a tpos, you will gain strength just
>trying to make notes sound good, and that's important.  Then clarity and
>control will sort of come along for the ride as you move up.
>

How is having a great bass going to COST you clarity and control?

I'm not saying that a beginning bassist should go out and pick a Warwick, or
anything like that, just get something that sounds and feels
reasonable.

>Make sure you get all four fingers of your left hand working asap.  I've seen
>many a bassist with 2-4 years under his belt struggling with (what I find
>to be) very simple bass lines, since they still didn't have the strength in
>their ring and pinky fingers of their fretting hand that they did in their
>pointer and middle fingers.

Absolutely, and while were at it: QUIT HOOKING THAT THUMB!
Your thumb should pivot on the back of the neck, it speeds things up
remarkably, it also makes it easier to know where your are on the neck.
And, it reduces the risk of injury (ie. tendonitis, or carpal tunnel)

Carol Kaye made basically the same comment as you about bassists
struggling with simple lines, only her reference was to thumb 
position.

-Paul
-- 
Paul Schwab                   		- Paul.Schwab@UC.Edu
Computer Engineer    	      		- schwab@ucbeh.BITNET
University of Cincinnati      		- pschwab@spanky.ece.uc.edu
Electrical and Computer Engineering	- uunet!uceng!pschwab
From: denio@scubed.com (Dennis C. O'Neill)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re:  Acoustic vs. Electric Basses....
Keywords: n
Date: 18 Aug 92 13:57:23 GMT
Organization: S-CUBED, A Division of Maxwell Labs; San Diego CA

In article <1992Aug17.220943.13510@plx.com> asgard@plx.com (J.R. Stoner) writes:
I saw one of the upright electric basses ...  I think that axe was a
Cleminger (or is that Kleminger). ...  I did not play it but I think it
would be uncomfortable for me, primarily because the lower part is so
narrow.  Much of the support of playing a fiddle, for me, comes from
the pressure from my knees, and the shifting of the mass force to the
shoulder and left hand would be an encumbrance.

This bass is called a Clevinger.  I played one at Elderly Instruments in
East Lansing, Michigan, and I've spoken to Mr. Clevinger about the basses.
There's supposed to be a bar mimicking the shape of the E-side upper
bout attached to the body of the Clevinger; this allows the player to 
lean the bass against his/her side.  There are also optional G-side
upper bout and E-side lower bout bars available.  The bout bar allows
the player to support the bass by leaning it against one's belly.

When I played the bass originally, it did not have the bout bar attached
and so was quite uncomfortable to play.  After installation of the bout bar,
the bass was quite comfortable to play.

I don't have a Clevinger yet, but I'm saving up for one.
-- 
Dennis O'Neill (denio@seismo.css.gov)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: fdeck@bashful.helios.nd.edu (francis deck)
Subject: Re: Bartolini 94-J pickups; new peavey one-space 700w pwr amp
Organization: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 14:41:53 GMT

A word about compact rack-mount amps in general... the amp might
work just fine sitting on a shelf at the store, but when you put
it into a rack, it can't get enough air and goes into thermal
overload.  This happened to a friend of mine a long time ago.
I suspect that with this Peavey amp, the desired setup is to
put it in a small 2-space road box, along with preamp. If that
is the case, you should get the salesman to let you try the amp
out in the rack case you plan to use.  Who knows, he might be
able to sell you a case in the bargain!

The old-fashioned wooden rack case which consists of a couple of
plywood sides and wood screws will kill a power amp if the amp's
air intake is on the sides.  Likewise, if the air in/outs are
on the top and bottom, don't buy the amp at all!

f.deck

Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass,rec.music.makers
From: whale@leland.Stanford.EDU (Stephen Schmidt)
Subject: Re: Interested in going wireless
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 92 01:58:41 GMT

In article <1992Aug21.204204.15000@husc3.harvard.edu> plopper@husc8.harvard.edu (George Plopper) writes:
>In article <1992Aug21.182731.23881@unislc.uucp> merk@unislc.uucp (John Merk) writes:
>About a year ago some guy talked me into getting a single channel
>(i.e., NOT true diversity) SHURE wireless, and I plunked down almost
>$500 for two transmitters and the receiver. IT SUCKED. The bottom end,
>especially on the 6-string, was mushy and always had a lot of hiss that
>followed each note- kind of like waves on a beach (white noise, I guess).
>It didn't get any better no matter where I stood or how I tweaked the knobs
>or even if I put in new batteries. I finally traded it in (since no one
>would buy it used) for $200. Ouch.

I have a Samson SR-2 which has a dbx noise reduction unit built in. This
thing actually increases the clarity of my sound since I don't otherwise
get dbx. I play four-string so I can't speak to really low notes. I paid
$150 used for it (in repsone to an ad on this newsgroup, incidentally).
>
>The moral: if you're going to go wireless, get the best damn thing there is.
>I remember seeing in a back issue of Bass Player that Sting uses some kind of
>wireless that I have not heard of. He's the only bassist I know of that uses
>wireless stuff, although I'm sure there must be thousands. I gave up and just
>got an A/B box ($20!) and a long cord. Sigh. I still don't know what the best
>one is, but I'll bet it ain't cheap.
>
Sting uses something called a Beyerdynamic, according to BP. I've never
heard of them.
Geddy Lee and Les Claypool were both using wireless when I saw them in
concert a couple months back.

-- 
Steve Schmidt			<><		   whale@leland.stanford.edu

"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Walt Kelly
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: merk@unislc.uucp (John Merk)
Subject: Interested in going wireless
Organization: Unisys Corporation SLC
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 18:27:31 GMT

I'm toying with the idea of buying a wireless, but need some advice.  For
one thing, who makes good units?  Nady was the original, but I hear has
lost some quality.  Audio Technica is supposed to be the best bang-for-the-buck
or so says my smiling music dealer.  So, I was wondering what experiences any
of you may have had as far as brands, problems, recommendations?

Another thing is that I have yet to see a system, Nady, Samson or Audio T.,
that didn't flake-out occasionally.  I play in two bands each with one or
more people using wireless systems, and there's always some static or
popping or fade.  That scene from Spinal Tap where they play the Air Force
base, comes to mind, too. :-)  I'd like to hear your troubleshooting tips
and suggestions for best set-up, war-stories, etc.

Of course, before I plunk down the money I'm going to see if I can do 
without my 1/4" umbilical cord, by testing out a Samson unit on a gig
this weekend.  It will probably be like something out of the movie
_What_about_Bob?_ "Baby step away from amp.  Baby step around the stage..."

Thanks,

John

merk@unislc.slc.unisys.com
From: plopper@husc8.harvard.edu (George Plopper)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: Need amp Recommendations...
Keywords: I need a cooler amp
Date: 15 Aug 92 02:51:11 GMT
Organization: Harvard University Science Center

In article <1992Aug14.065707.1102@polari> night@polari.online.com writes:
>
>O.K.  The amp is STILL in the shop; in fact, they haven't even had
>a chance to look at it.  I am not really as pleased with the amp
>as I thought I would be, so, I am planning on trading it in and
>getting something else.
>
>I like the Hartke system with a 4X10 cabinet and the Hartke 3500
>amplifier.  While this puts me to the $1200 mark (roughly) what other
>system should I have a gander at???  The reason I purchased the Peavy
>was that it was recommended by a pro musician friend of mine.  Though,
>he is a guitarist, I kind of trusted him on his opinion; but, the
>Peavy Databass just isn't the ticket.
>  
>Is the Hartke 3500 "ample" or should I really spend the extra $300 and
>get the Hartke 7000 amp???  Is it better to have a 1X15 cabinet with
>maybe a 2X10 cab for that high end "bite"?   
>
>I am very interested in what you all have to say.
>
IMHO, SWR is the way to go. I have an SM-400 and one goliath (4x10" +
tweeter) cab, and that's enough for anything I choose to put though it.
Absolutely reliable, sturdy, great control over the tone: tube preamp,
limiter, "aural enhancer" (great for popping/slapping), parametric EQ,
2x200 watt amps (for biamping), bridgeable to 400 watts into 4 ohms. A
few years ago I bought the SM-400 used for $750 and the cab new for
about $600.

>I would like the ability to expand in the future; such a thing is not
>possible with the Peavy I have.  You know...bi-amp...bi-cab...bi-pedal...
>bi-bass...bi-cycle....bi-some-more-gear...etc
>
No problem- biamp, effects loop (with stereo returns), power as many
cabs as you need, following the amperage/watt rules, of course... SWR
has recently released a 2x400 watt amp (or maybe 4x450!) for the truly
deaf...

-- 
George Plopper 
Email: plopper@husc8.harvard.edu
"I wish somebody'd tell me what diddy-wah-diddy means."
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: jsturges@iastate.edu (Jason L Sturges)
Subject: Bela Fleck on Tonight Show
Summary: Bela Fleck plays for Jay Leno on the Tonight Show. 
Keywords: Bela Fleck, Tonight show, Victor Wooten
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1992 16:53:54 GMT

 Hey!  Did anyone else catch the Tonight Show last night (Aug 21)?  I was
shocked when they introduced Bela Fleck on the Tonight Show (which I don't
normally watch...).  I believe they introduced it as "one of Jay's favorite
bands."  I guess this was to promote the new "UFO Tofu" CD that the band has
just released.  In the center of the first song, there was a section where
Bela hit Victor's bass, and Victor did the same to Bela's banjo.  It kept
going on till they got a rhythm going, and then all four members joined around
and tapped the 2 instruments together.  It was pretty cool.

 Although I haven't seen _too_ many bassist play, and I, myself, am more of
a fan wanting to start up bass, I noticed that Victor played his bass 
differently than most I've seen.  Instead of relaxing your wrist and letting
your hand hang above the bass and play with your index and middle fingers,
Victor had more of a guitar style using his thumb and index finger in a way
that I've never seen before.  I liked it, perhaps this is pretty standard,
so pardon my ignorance, but does this style of playing have a name?

 Thanx for listening to me, I thought it was cool, and wanted to see if
anyone else had anything to say about it.  
							-- Jason Sturges

From: fredh@hpcvlx.cv.hp.com (Fred Handloser)
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 20:42:13 GMT
Subject: Re: Need amp Recommendations...
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Corvallis, OR, USA
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass

>No problem- biamp, effects loop (with stereo returns), power as many
>cabs as you need, following the amperage/watt rules, of course.
>
>George Plopper 


What are the "amperage/watt rules" ?

Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: rost@rgb.dec.com (My name is Brian Rost)
Subject: Re:  Acoustic vs. Electric Basses....
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: 18 AUG 92 12:40:51    


In article <1992Aug18.135723.22312@scubed.com>, denio@scubed.com (Dennis C. O'Neill) writes...
>This bass is called a Clevinger.  
>There's supposed to be a bar mimicking the shape of the E-side upper
>bout attached to the body of the Clevinger; this allows the player to 
>lean the bass against his/her side.  There are also optional G-side
>upper bout and E-side lower bout bars available.  The bout bar allows
>the player to support the bass by leaning it against one's belly.
>When I played the bass originally, it did not have the bout bar attached
>and so was quite uncomfortable to play.  After installation of the bout bar,
>the bass was quite comfortable to play.

All electric uprights have to deal with this issue.  Even the old Ampeg Baby
Bass came with a "shoulder" for the upper bout so that the position when
leaning on the body would be similar to that of a bass with a full size body.

One big disadvantage of electric uprights over a normal upright is that you
can't play them without an amp.  Even though I own an Ampeg Baby Bass, my
normal upright gets much more use. When practicing or just jamming at home,
hooking up the electric is wasted effort. Certainly the trend amongst jazz
players these days is to not even use pickups, but to mike instead, to get a
superior tone.

As an earlier response stated, the real issue is the kind of music will you be
playing.  Although there are always exceptions, for jazz, bluegrass and folk
music you will probably want an upright.  For everything else (except
classical) an electric would be the better choice.

					Brian Rost @rgb.enet.dec.com

					508-568-6115

	****************************************************
	*						   *
	*  The above does not reflect the opinions of	   *
	*  my employer.					   *
	*						   *
	*  If music is outlawed, only outlaws will be      *	   
	*  musicians.					   *
	*						   *
	****************************************************

Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: bigdave@texas.tdd.sj.nec.com (David Sweeney  x2987)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass,rec.music.makers
Subject: Re: Interested in going wireless
Date: 22 Aug 92 01:23:54 GMT
Organization: NEC-AM TDD, San Jose, California

plopper@husc8.harvard.edu (George Plopper) writes:
>
>About a year ago some guy talked me into getting a single channel
>(i.e., NOT true diversity) SHURE wireless, and I plunked down almost
>$500 for two transmitters and the receiver. IT SUCKED. The bottom end,
>especially on the 6-string, was mushy and always had a lot of hiss that
>followed each note- kind of like waves on a beach (white noise, I guess).
>It didn't get any better no matter where I stood or how I tweaked the knobs
>or even if I put in new batteries. I finally traded it in (since no one
>would buy it used) for $200. Ouch.

Five hundred dollars for a single channel wireless?  Eek!  That's a real 
shame, because you can get a brand new Nady 2-channel for about $200.
I've been using the 201 model for a few years, and it's great.  I've never
noticed any signal degradation at _all_ and it's a lot more convenient
than tripping over cords.  If you set it up correctly, the Nady is flawless.
I'd wholeheartedly recommend buying one.

-- 
Dave Sweeney     bigdave@tdd.sj.nec.com
the ART Nightbass, on the other hand...
From: GEN2010@Husky1.StMarys.Ca (ROSS BILLARD)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: ftp sites for bass tabs
Date: 13 Aug 92 17:21:54 GMT
Article-I.D.: nstn.1992Aug13.172517.10234
Organization: St. Mary's University, Halifax, N.S., Canada
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.12.SMU

I just boaught a bass a little overa week ago, and I was just wondering, is 
there any FTP sites that have bass tabs? My favorite band is Rush, and I was
able to get alot of bass tabs from syrinx.umd.edu , so I was just wondering
if there was any sites with bass tabs.

Any help would be appreciated...

Ross Billard
gen2010@husky1.stmarys.ca
(Look for Ross the evil op on IRC) :)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: ADCBB@VM.CC.LATECH.EDU (C. Brian Batey)
Subject: Re: Yamaha vs. Washburn
Organization: LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 92 16:04:53 CST

In article <1992Aug20.173014.21627@usenet.ins.cwru.edu>
aa595@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Dan Duvall) writes:
 
>
>
>Anyone have any comments on Yamaha or Washburn equipment in general?
>I've found two left-handed electric basses in my price range: one
>is a Washburn, the other a Yamaha. I don't know the specific model
>numbers offhand, though. Any compelling reasons to pick one over
>the other?
>
>--
>* ----------------------------* '''''''''''' * "Hello, 9-1-1?
>* aa595@cleveland.freenet.edu * Dan Dooovall *  How are ya?"
>* ........................... *--------------*       --Jerry Seinfeld
 
 
I can't speak for Washburn, but I my first bass was a Yamaha BB1600.
If I could have afforded to keep it when I got my second bass, I'd still
have it and play it.  I have been thoroughly impressed with the Yamaha
basses that I've played, and feel that you get a lot of bass for the buck.
I haven't tried the RBX or the attitude basses, but I love the BB's and
the TRB's.  Also, generall you can get a used BB series bass for a song,
and have a much better than average working bass.
 
 
IMHO
 
brian
adcbb@vm.cc.latech.edu
From: mjkobb@apple.com (Michael J. Kobb)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: Bass Amp Reliability
Date: 14 Aug 92 07:18:14 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer, Inc.
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d7
X-Xxdate: Fri, 14 Aug 92 00:16:29 GMT

Hmmmm.....  The only GK I ever tried was the MB150S -- the tiny little
combo amp they sell.  It sounded really nice, until the amp just blew up.
I wasn't even playing very loud.  It made a popping noise, then sucked the
speaker all the way back into the cabinet, where it stayed until turned
off.
Too bad.  I'd really go for one of those little suckers for practice and
random playing with friends.

--Mike
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass,rec.music.makers