HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: mbreen@sdacs.ucsd.edu (Michael Breen)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: Strings Cleaning (no pun intended)
Date: 28 Aug 1992 23:57:14 GMT
Organization: University of California, San Diego
NNTP-Posting-Host: sdacs.ucsd.edu

I've heard that boiling works, and I've a friend who swears by (at?) this
method.  I've *also* heard the rubbing alcohol idea.  I've tried neither.
I tend to put strings on two days before a show, play them to stretch
them, then play them until the next show, or they 'die'.  Then I just buy
some new ones.  This may not be financially feasible for those of you that
play live > 2x/month (like me), but there is *no* sound like new Rotosounds
on my Rickenbacker!

The physics I remember from the purple haze of the 1st few years of university
training seems to tell me that boiling them shouldn't hurt the physical
integrity of the metal in the strings.  You'd have to get them way hotter than
100C to do that.

Anybody tried the 'cryogenic' git strings that are out ("Blue Steel", I think)?
Supposedly, they sink them in liquid nitrogen, and that (physics is phun!)
'lines up' the molecules, and they maintain there sound longer and break
less easily.  Are ther bass strings from "Blue Steel"?

Just ramblin'.  It's Friday afternoon, after all...

Michael Breen
singing and philosophizing
(and wondering if I dip myself in liq. nitro., will I straighten out?  Nah...)
From: eskridge@head-cfa.harvard.edu (Paul Eskridge)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: I STILL don't play a guitar
Date: 1 Sep 92 16:04:12 GMT
Organization: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA,  USA


>This group is made up of bass guitar players and those interested in bass  
>guitar.

I absolutely disagree.  I have only ever SEEN one instrument that I would call
a "bass guitar".  It was an old Fender VI.  But even beyond my semantic
exuberance, a large amount of traffic on this group concerns stand-up bass.
There is simply no way to call a stand-up a "guitar", and not deserve to be
laughed at for your efforts.

Never met anyone who played "bass guitar". . . 

Paul
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: jlarke@css.itd.umich.edu (Jason Larke)
Subject: Re: Strings Cleaning (no pun intended)
Organization: Game:Guild
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 14:32:32 GMT

In article <1992Sep1.141428.3604@cas.org> lrm28@cas.org () writes:
>Right now I get decent life from GHS Pressurewound Med Light.
>
>Anyone else using 2-ball ended strings?  Any recommendations?  Anyone...
>anyone...Buehhler...Buehhler???
>-- 
>Luke Mayercin  lrm28@cas.org  "Why does ear wax taste like it does?"
>Chemical Abstracts Service is not responsible for these comments.

I use 'em. Ken Smith lights right now, but I'm starting to really
hate that light-string tone. I wish Rotosound made more double-balls.
Or that they sold them here, if the do make them.


-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|Jason Larke - jlarke@umich.edu - Computer Consultant, Philosophy guy|
|Ain't none of this blithering endorsed by anybody. Darn.            |
--------Windows: n. When bad programming meets swell marketing--------
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: jes@unislc.uucp (Jon Seaman)
Subject: Strings Cleaning (no pun intended)
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5
Organization: Unisys Corporation SLC
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 22:17:29 GMT

I used to boil my strings after every other gig.  The idea
being to put some snap back into the tone by removing all the 
oils and dirt from your hands that had accumulated while playing.
This seemed to work well and was a hell of a lot cheaper than
buying new strings all the time.   I recently switched to rubbing
alcohol on the advice of a fellow Bassist.  He said that boiling 
your strings reduced the temper of the metal (or some shit like that

This works well also, but I`d like to hear some learned opinions
about string cleaning.

Also is there a good midrange price set of strings that sound
good but don`t cost a left testical?

Thanks in advance.
From: ADCBB@VM.CC.LATECH.EDU (C. Brian Batey)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: Strings Cleaning (no pun intended)
Date: 31 Aug 92 14:22:45 GMT
Organization: LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY

In article <1992Aug30.080242.7233@panix.com>
rdr@panix.com (Reuben Radding) writes:
 
>As far as strings go, this has been a very important issue for me,
>since I go through strings like butter. I've finally found
>the answer. Look out for a brand called _Vinci_. Not only are they
>the best sounding bass string I've found in YEARS, not only do they come
>in guages I actually LIKE, they are only. . .(hold onto your hats)
>TEN BUCKS A SET! I may cry.
>
Where do I get some?!?!
 
Boy, just when I'd stopped believing in Santa too....good $10 bass strings?!?
 
 
brian
adcbb@vm.cc.latech.edu
From: mbreen@sdacs.ucsd.edu (Michael Breen)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: Flamed!!
Date: 2 Sep 1992 23:13:31 GMT
Organization: University of California, San Diego
NNTP-Posting-Host: sdacs.ucsd.edu

In article <1992Sep1.213658.4594@Cadence.COM> noah@Cadence.COM (Noah Ruiz) writes:
>In article <17bk1oINNgl8@network.ucsd.edu> mbreen@sdacs.ucsd.edu (Michael Breen) writes:
>>I got flamed for calling Sting 'not that great a bassist':
>>
>>Michael Breen
>>singing and philosophizing
>>(and full of HOs, like everybody)
>
>Hey, I just was giving my HO.
>Sorry, didn't mean for you to get upset!
>have a wonderful day!!
>
>(((noah)))

Ya flamed me!
Yeah ya did!  Did so!  Did so!  Waaaaaaaah.....

Hey, I program computers for a living, and I get bored (daily), OK?
Maybe I was 'sauteed', or 'lightly roasted'.  Define flame, anyway...

You have a good one too, noah.

Michael Breen
singing and philosophizing
(and pretty bored right now, gotta get home to my Rickie!)
From: kevins@eng.auburn.edu (Kevin Sullivan)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: cello v bass
Date: 29 Aug 92 15:32:52 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Auburn University Engineering

In article <1992Aug28.145418.3545@leland.Stanford.EDU>, whale@leland.Stanford.EDU (Stephen Schmidt) writes:
|> In article <92240.172251KXN2@psuvm.psu.edu> Karl Nordstrom <KXN2@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:
|> >
|> >I read here in alt.guitar.bass that a 1/2 size bass has a scale
|> >length of about the same length as the electric bass guitar.
|> >Does that mean that a full size bass has a scale length of 2x26"?
|> >
|> No, for the reason that a "full size" bass is actually only a 3/4...
|> I understand that they don't make 1's anymore, or something like
|> that.

Yes, they do.  To play in a "real" symphony orchestra you pretty much 
need a full size bass.  I have a 7/8.  Most people play 3/4 because 
they're a *lot* easier to move around, put in a car, etc.  But when it's 
Mahler time, you "gotta have it"(tm).  My bass teacher has a full size 
for orchestra gigs, and a 3/4 for solo work.

And yes, scale length varies a lot.
From: brad@slammer.UUCP (Brad Isley)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: I STILL don't play a guitar
Date: 3 Sep 92 01:13:00 GMT
Organization: Just me & my computers

In article <1992Sep1.171722.25854@bnrmtl.bnr.ca> barsz@bnr.ca writes:
>
>In article <1992Sep1.160412.5316@head-cfa.harvard.edu>,
>eskridge@head-cfa.harvard.edu (Paul Eskridge) writes:
>|> 
>|> >This group is made up of bass guitar players and those interested in bass  
>|> >guitar.
>|> 
>|> Never met anyone who played "bass guitar". . . 
>
>Leo Fender called his invention a bass guitar, 'nuff said.

Hey!  You stole my line!  I heartily agree.  Leo Fender invented it.  He named
it.  The name is "electric bass guitar".
-- 
emory!slammer!brad   (Brad Isley)
+1 404 841-4169 Work			 Nopottopeein: "Howzit Goink?"
+1 404 925-9663 Home			  The gang: "Fine, just fine."
From: rost@rgb.dec.com (My name is Brian Rost)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: Amp recomendations...
Date: 3 Sep 92 17:24:39 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation


In article <1992Sep1.071757.13@polari>, night@polari.online.com writes...
>I want your opinions on these ams:
> 
>Gallien-Krueger 800RB  Bi-amp 300 and 100 watt amp  Bridgeable
>Hartke 7000    350 and 350 watt amp  lots 'o controls
>Peavy MegaBass (I think that's right)
> 

Some things to think about:

1. GK is the only head that is made to be used *without* a rack.  If
portability of the head is an issue, adding a rack to a small/light head is
somewhat counterproductive.  If you plan to rack anyway, a non-issue.

2. The XLR outs on Peavey are *stereo*, so in biamp mode you need to either use
the unbalanced 1/4" send or use *two* sends to the PA.  Yuck.

3. Unsure about Hartke, but neither Peavey or GK allow you to patch into the
individual power amps (i.e. no stereo or frequency-dependent effects looping). 
This may be a non-issue depending on the application.

4. Peavey has an on-board chorus which may not be a prime reason to buy it but
a nice feature.

5. Don't forget SWR, the SM-400 is in that same price range.

>A cabinet that has been hightly
>recommended by a a dude who has been playing for over ten years is the
>Hartke XL 410B.(4 X 10 cabinet)  He said he played a 1-18 and 2-10 setup
>for years, but feels his 4X10 sound is way cooler.  I am thinking the
>same thing.  Any reason I shouldn't???  Let me know.
> 

An 18/2-10 cab is a nice setup if you want to biamp with a single cab.  With a
4-10 you need two cabs to biamp.  I know that the Peavey amp can NOT be bridged
so to get the full 400 watts you need to either have a bimap cab or two cabs.
Not sure about Hartke but no way you can put 700 watts into a single cab
safely anyway.  Although the 4-10 may be a bit smaller than most 18/2-10 cabs,
it aint *light*.  Most 18/2-10 cabs are 4 ohm which is a nono for GK (the 100
watt amp is rated for 8 ohms minimum).  No problem with Hartke or Peavey since
both do 4 ohms on both channels.



					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
Subject: Clevinger Price List
From: plopper@husc8.harvard.edu (George Plopper)
Date: 31 Aug 92 22:18:00 EDT
Distribution: alt.guitar.bass
Organization: Harvard University Science Center

For the interested folk:
Clevinger makes three electric upright bass instruments.
The Clevinger Upright is a full-scale upright bass (41 1/2" scale)
The Clevinger Jr. is a short-scale upright (34" scale, same as bass guitar)
The Clevinger Jr. Guitar is a Clevinger Jr. with a bass guitar body so it
can be worn around the neck like a bass guitar.

The basses come standard with an ABST bridge pickup- you can add a RMC
"String Sensor Saddle" for "pure string sound enhancement" and a mixing
pot to balance the two sounds.

The price list, as of Feb. 1, 1991:

Upright

4 string $2595 
5 string  2795
6 string  2995

Upright Jr.

4: 1995
5: 2195
6: 2395

Jr. Guitar

4: 2100
5: 2200
6: 2300

RMC available for all instruments (+ $500)

Accessories cost $100-225 for gig bags, stand, and body extensions to simulate
acoustic bass body.

Phone #: Robert Lee Guitar Co. (Mr. Lee makes the instruments)
	 415-658-3351



-- 
George Plopper 
Email: plopper@husc8.harvard.edu
"I wish somebody'd tell me what diddy-wah-diddy means."
From: jimlynch@netcom.com (Jim Lynch)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: Strings Cleaning (no pun intended)
Date: 1 Sep 92 04:53:03 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

In article <1992Aug28.221729.12426@unislc.uucp> jes@unislc.uucp (Jon Seaman) writes:
>I used to boil my strings after every other gig.  The idea
>being to put some snap back into the tone by removing all the 
>oils and dirt from your hands that had accumulated while playing.
>This seemed to work well and was a hell of a lot cheaper than
>buying new strings all the time.   I recently switched to rubbing
>alcohol on the advice of a fellow Bassist.  He said that boiling 
>your strings reduced the temper of the metal (or some shit like that
>
>This works well also, but I`d like to hear some learned opinions
>about string cleaning.
>
>Thanks in advance. 

Boiling does take away from your tone; try Windex to cleanse the strings then
follow with alcohol. _Warning_: Get the alcohol up quickly; don't let it stay
on plastic parts.

Also, _wash_ your hands before touching your strings.

-Jim (jimlynch@netcom.com -- all iMho.)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: sdavis@laforge.ksc.nasa.gov (Steve Davis)
Subject: Re: I DO NOT play ANY kind of GUITAR!
Organization: NASA
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 20:30:45 GMT

Paul Eskridge writes
> 
> I would like to suggest that everyone reply to the postings regarding 
> changing the name of this newgroup to vote against it.  Why, you might ask?   
> Because we are BASS players.  We are not GUITAR players.  So write in, saying  
> "No, I will vote against the creation of `rec.music.makers.guitar.bass', but  
> I WOULD vote FOR `rec.music.makers.bass'.  That's what I did, anyway.  As 
> long as we're given the chance to change it, we may as well take the 
> opportunity to FIX it also.

  I'm afraid that might confuse things a bit.  Do participants in this group  
include tuba players (called "bass" in the symphonic context)?  How about vocal  
basses?  Symphonic double basses?  (OK, so some of us play acoustic stand-up  
bass, too...)

  This group is made up of bass guitar players and those interested in bass  
guitar.  Let's keep it that way.

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Steve Davis                      | sdavis@laforge.ksc.nasa.gov |
| NASA, DL-DSD-32                  | (NeXT Mail preferred)       |
| Kennedy Space Center, FL  32899  |                             |
| (407)867-7582  fax:(407)867-2173 | #include <disclaimer.h>     |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
From: aaron@minster.york.ac.uk
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: Strings Cleaning (no pun intended)
Date: 1 Sep 92 08:21:49 GMT
Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of York, England
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5


Michael Breen (mbreen@sdacs.ucsd.edu) wrote:
: Anybody tried the 'cryogenic' git strings that are out ("Blue Steel", I think)?
: Supposedly, they sink them in liquid nitrogen, and that (physics is phun!)
: 'lines up' the molecules, and they maintain there sound longer and break
: less easily.  Are ther bass strings from "Blue Steel"?
: 

	I used to use them (now I'm using Rotosounds). They are expensive
	but very good strings. After being played in they have a fuller
	sound, slightly more mellow but without any loss of top end punch,
	However, I wasn't convinced that they were really worth the extra
	money and when my local music shop stopped stocking them I changed
	brands. (The relative prices were about 15 pounds for Roto, 25 for
	Blue Steel)


		Aaron Tuner		aaron@minster.york.ac.uk
From: LPR100@psuvm.psu.edu
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Poll: Best album for bass
Date: 28 Aug 92 18:48:42 GMT
Organization: Penn State University


  Yes, it's the beginning of the semester, and I'm bored. So, here's a new
poll that I don't think has been done here before...
   I want to know what your favorite albums for bass playing are....which
albums contain the most inspiring performances. That's all the more specific
I'm gonna get, and you can include electric and acoustic bass guitar, or
standup bass, in any music genre.
   I believe that there will be quite a variety of albums listed, and this
poll isn't meant to find which is the 'best.' Hopefully, it will instead
provide a list of albums for all of us to keep an eye out for, and hopefully
expand our musical listening horizons. In this respect, I figured that a
'poll' was better than starting a thread, since I can compile all the
information easier and post it all at once.
   So, here's the format....Everyone out there has 10 votes to divide as they
please. i.e., 10 albums, or 1 album with 10 votes, or anything in between.
IF you really want to send more albums, list as many as you want with 0
votes and they'll be included as 'honorable mentions.' Like I said, it's not
a contest to see what's the best, it's a list that we can all draw from.

   PLEASE include album name and artist. Let me know if it is
out of print or imported, if you know, so I can advise others.

   PLEASE SEND ONLY EMAIL. I will not count votes posted if I don't
see them, and the only sure way to get counted is to mail me. If you
can't reach my node for some reason, post the votes and I'll try to
count them.

   Send all votes to LPR100@PSUVM.PSU.EDU

   If you don't like this poll, please send me a note and tell me why.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Larry Rossi                     | "He Harkened unto her.
LPR100@PSUVM.PSU.EDU            |     'Hark Hark,' Harkened he!"
Pennsylvania State Univiversity |                     -Stimpy
                                |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: jlarke@css.itd.umich.edu (Jason Larke)
Subject: Re: Amp recomendations...
Keywords: What is your opinion on these amps
Organization: Game:Guild
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 03:41:08 GMT

In article <1992Sep1.071757.13@polari> night@polari.online.com writes:
>I want your opinions on these ams:
>
>Gallien-Krueger 800RB  Bi-amp 300 and 100 watt amp  Bridgeable
>Hartke 7000    350 and 350 watt amp  lots 'o controls
>Peavy MegaBass (I think that's right)
>
>All these suckers are around $1000 retail +/- $150.  I would like an
>amp that will last, and one I won't outgrow in a year.  I have played
>them all, and like the GK the best; however, its lack of "bells-and-
>whistles" makes me leary of it.  I REALLY thought the tube/solid-state
>pre-amp on the Hartke gave a lot of control over the sound.  
>Thanks in advance.
>    |          ||\   Brent A. Olson
>     \        //_/   
>      \______//      Redmond, Washington (the state)
>     __|| __||       Internet:  night@polari.online.com
>    (____(____)      

I'm down on Peavey amps these days- the overall tonal quality
just isn't there. Then again, any statement about tone is highly
subjective.

The GK is optimized for a specific sort o' sound. They are super-
wonderful excellent amps if you like that sound. If you don't love that
sound, go for the Hartke. You'll have more tonal option but less chance
of finding that elusize perfect tone.
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|Jason Larke - jlarke@umich.edu - Computer Consultant, Philosophy guy|
|Ain't none of this blithering endorsed by anybody. Darn.            |
--------Windows: n. When bad programming meets swell marketing--------
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
From: jimlynch@netcom.com (Jim Lynch)
Subject: Re: Interested in going wireless
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 92 07:09:29 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 

It's no joke. Nady's clubs _take_ instruments.
From: mbreen@sdacs.ucsd.edu (Michael Breen)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Re: Interested in going wireless
Date: 27 Aug 1992 16:56:11 GMT
Organization: University of California, San Diego
NNTP-Posting-Host: sdacs.ucsd.edu

In article <2ccn6f-.jimlynch@netcom.com> jimlynch@netcom.com (Jim Lynch) writes:
>It's no joke. Nady's clubs _take_ instruments.

You are warned: this post contains filthy language.

What the fuck is this?  I can't believe this is true.  I really did not
believe the first postings regarding this.  Does anyone know the *exact*
conditions under which 'Nady clubs' will take instruments?  Has anyone a
copy of the contract?  Has anyone ever signed one?

How the hell can these assholes take the guitar off of a kid who probably
spent his last buck getting it, practised 'til his fingers bled, somehow
managed to wade through enough sorry-ass players to make a band, somehow
managed to get enough 'keg-party' gigs to finally play a club, etc?  (OK,
he/she could be an adult with plenty of cash, whatever).  From what a
previous poster said, it had something to do with 'not enough tickets sold'.
What?  Your stupid fucking club doesn't have enough clientele to buy enough
god-damned beer to pay your dimwit employees for the night, so you take it
out on a (I'd say struggling here, but I haven't known a band that wasn't)
band?

OK, I'll take a few deep breaths and wait for the true verdict to come in,
but I would like to see:

1) list of these clubs
2) address for Nady (home address/phone # would be cool)
3) a copy of the contract stipulating said 'acquisition' (theft) of equipment,
     and conditions that result in theft.
4) testimonials from anyone this has happened too.

If (apply echo-plex) all of you out there (echo off) need a catalyst to do
something really angry about this policy, you just found him.

Michael Breen
singing and philosophizing
(and *very* unhappy with club owners [=drug dealers: alcohol is nasty shit!])
From: tom@sni-usa.com (Tom Bechard)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.bass
Subject: Advice on Graphite Neck/Carvin Basses
Keywords: bass
Date: 3 Sep 92 18:44:11 GMT
Reply-To: tom@sni-usa.com (Tom Bechard)
Organization: Siemens-Nixdorf Information Systems, Cambridge, MA


I'd like some advice from any instrument repair mavens or other longtime
electric bass players with regard to neck replacement.


Question 1:

I have a 2 year old Fender Jazz bass (60's reissue), built in Japan
(hold the flames).  The reason I bought this bass was the price, since
I haven't owned a new instrument in years (last was an early 70's 
J-bass, and my now retired '66 Italian made Vox), but play
casually with friends, and can't shell out 2-3 thousand for an
instrument.

The neck on said Jazz bass is fine, but suffers from 'Fender-itis'
(buzzing frets in the middle of the scale), and I just haven't been
happy with the action, which seems to be very sensitive to 
climatic changes. Yes, I adjusted the bridge, truss rod, etc.  The
next step is to have the frets dressed, but I was considering a 
more radical approach:  replace the neck with a graphite bolt
on that would fit (and more or less duplicate) the Jazz bass profile.

Does such a replacement exist? How much does it cost?  Any 
comments on change in sound quality?

Question 2: 

 My very first bass was a hollow body Carvin. It was
terrible.  Well, for $50, it was OK. Anyway, I've also owned
two Carvin amps, which were good for the money. (This was
early '70's)   

I recently received the latest Carvin sales catalogs. I'd like comments
on the current quality of their instruments,  particularly the 
fretless basses, and the bass preamp. Anyone out there own any
of these?  Happy with them? 

Comments are appreciated, either by mail or follow-up.

Thanx,

--Tom


-- 
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* _______      RDD                USENET: ...!uunet!tom@sni-usa.com* 
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