Author Topic: Pick or Fingers (Read 474 times)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #15 on:** November 04, 2003, 10:19:45 AM »

As I said I like a more meaty tone so I try to keep as much flesh in contact with the string as I pluck so it's more double bass like in tone.

As prefer to pluck near the end of the neck or over the neck pickup as it does give a warmer, deeper vibe. I use the side of my fingers up to the first joint for plucking in a similar way to how Stanley appears to play so almost the whole of my fingertip is in contact with the string.

The clarity of the my bass means I still get a good crisp note with a full body which I find especially good for Jazz or slow numbers and for reggae it's amazingly powerful. Try One Drop or Natural Mystic by Bob Marley and The Wailers in a dub Section with the neck pickup only, Q switch off and most of the treble rolled off... You will shake the earth.

I did that on a gig recently to great effect.
Wonderful things these alembics.
BTW an aside note. Do any of you guys have pet names for your basses like BB King and Lucille? Just wondered.
Keep on Plucking
Oh before I forget... I'm a bit of a slapper but it's not a big part of my playing probably about 10% at the most.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #16 on:** November 04, 2003, 10:22:47 AM »

As I said I like a more meaty tone so I try to keep as much flesh in contact with the string as I pluck so it's more double bass like in tone.

As prefer to pluck near the end of the neck or over the neck pickup as it does give a warmer, deeper vibe. I use the side of my fingers up to the first joint for plucking in a similar way to how Stanley appears to play so almost the whole of my fingertip is in contact with the string.

The clarity of the my bass means I still get a good crisp note with a full body which I find especially good for Jazz or slow numbers and for reggae it's amazingly powerful. Try One Drop or Natural Mystic by Bob Marley and The Wailers in a dub Section with the neck pickup only, Q switch off and most of the treble rolled off... You will shake the earth.

I did that on a gig recently to great effect.
Wonderful things these alembics.
BTW an aside note. Do any of you guys have pet names for your basses like BB King and Lucille? Just wondered.
Keep on Plucking
Oh before I forget... I'm a bit of a slapper but it's not a big part of my playing probably about 10% at the most.

The bass player in my regular band is awesome with either his fingers or a pick.

811952 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 05, 2003, 07:52:53 AM »

Mine is simply referred to as (cue angels singing) The Alembic

wideload · « **Reply #18 on:** November 06, 2003, 05:35:27 PM »

Jazzyvee-
I named my Rogue 5 Rose during the bidding process on ebay. The first night I had her, I put her on my wife's side of the bed- covered, head on the pillow. Obvious comments were made upon discovery! However, my wife has a great sense of humor and is very forgiving, which is good. She is a veterinarian, and when your wife neuters things for a living, you step lightly!

Larry

bishopqdog · « **Reply #19 on:** November 06, 2003, 06:26:44 PM »

Larry,I think I'll try that As for the topic, I've always used my fingers. This topic has given me the motivation to try using picks.

locutusofborg10 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 13, 2003, 07:46:05 AM »

to smokindave...
i have found that the stuff dentists use to make the gom part of dentures works great as a strengthenr to regular fingernails. it comes in two parts-a powder and a liquid that has to be mixed and then you can shape it. make sure you grow whatever nail you are putting this stuffon long so it will take. hopes this helps.

locutusofborg10 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 13, 2003, 07:49:28 AM »

to smokindave again
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bassplaynmatt · « **Reply #22 on:** November 13, 2003, 09:09:15 PM »

I personally haven't used a pick on bass in about 12-13 years. When I was in middle school all my guitar playing buddies told me I had to play with a pick so I did for about the first 3 months of learning to play. Then I lost my pick before going to a rehearsal for the school talent show and just used my fingers. That summer I kept playing bass at home but I didn't have my own amp yet so I played unplugged with my fingers. By the time school came back around I was playing so hard with my fingers that nobody noticed I wasn't using a pick. Since then my playing style has become a bit more refined but I still have a heavy handed approach. Infact, sometimes when I solo I get accused of slapping but I am really just plucking the shit out of the strings. I have found that if I play finger style near the bridge its a pretty good emulation of that bright pick sound.

Later, Matt

811952 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 14, 2003, 06:46:50 AM »

Matt,
I've never been able to comprehend how people can play gently and get any kind of meat in the sound. I'm like you - I like to let the bass know it's getting played. The sound is in the fingers and dynamics only happen if you make them happen. I'm interested in trying a guitar trick the next time I get in the studio (not very often these days for an old and decidedly unhip old guy who doesn't do music for a living anymore). I want to run a mic on the instrument over where I'm plucking and a mic over the fingerboard and play with adding those to the conventional DI/mic tracks. Anybody in this forum ever done that, or is it old hat?
John

adriaan · « **Reply #24 on:** November 14, 2003, 08:41:18 AM »

John,
I agree that your fingers make the dynamics happen. One thing I've never been comfortable with is low action, for precisely this reason. If you want to play like Entwistle - hit hard with low action - I guess you need to use a big old compressor to get any meat in the sound. Well, either that or your amp blowing at windscale 11.

On the one hand you need to use a minimum amount of force to press the string down, to avoid locking your hand in one position, on the other hand you need to use enough force to get the tone going. This is valid at the lower end of the dynamic scale too ...
Adriaan

basstard · « **Reply #25 on:** December 21, 2003, 04:18:09 AM »

In my case, it's something like 65% fingers, 20% pick, and 15% slap.

Why? It's just what my band's songs call for. I just believe that it's important to know all the techniques - they may come in handy in the next song to come...

Personally, I feel more comfortable playing with my fingers (and I do like slapping), but when a song calls for the sound of a pick - I do what's required. And playing with a pick is fun, too! :-)

dannobasso · « **Reply #26 on:** December 21, 2003, 06:02:31 AM »

When I'm home practicing or recording my own tunes I use me fingers. 2 of my 6's have very close spacing so I try to keep up with my finger picking. Any other time I use a pick. I have since 78-79. I love the instant sound of it. Anthony Jackson's work with DiMeola hooked me on it. I use extra heavy picks, usually Dunlops, and I have a curious habit of twirling them when I'm playing. I'm not even aware it's happening. As a result the wear is even on both edges. Alembic electronic are perfect for developing your technique. If you're off, everyone notices. Motivates one to become a clam free player. BTW dynamics are readily availble to the pick user. There is also the added bonus of not bleeding all over your bass!

bigredbass · « **Reply #27 on:** December 21, 2003, 10:29:31 PM »

Since I go back to the 60s, I grew up with a pick sound in my head. Too much Carol Kaye, I guess, but it is a deliciously focused sound that I use where it's appropriate. Fingers for other things. I don't 'slap', so it's useful for me.

I use XHeavy's as well, but my weapon of choice are the big Fender 355 triangles.

J o e y

jet_powers · « **Reply #28 on:** December 24, 2003, 06:41:44 AM »

I recall filling in for a blues band a few years back. At the first rehearsal, the drummer commented on my '85 Persuader saying, The sound of at that bass is incredible and it doesn't 'click and clack' like our regular bass player's Fender.

The guitar player laughed and told the drummer, It's not the bass that doesn't 'click and clack'.

I generally have a light touch and I still generate plenty of meat and/or earthquakes. It's all in learning to harness the power you have at your disposal in your amplification combined with the power that resides in your fingers..... I too like to let the bass know it's being played once in a while, when it's called for, but the bass also seems to know when it's being caressed and is capable of giving back beautiful tones and moans of pleasure.

But to the point of the original thread, I use my fingers almost exclusively. When covering a song that requires a plectrum, I'll usually use one. Oddly enough, I prefer the good ol' Fender mediums.

Paul the John one

rogertvr · « **Reply #29 on:** December 24, 2003, 10:11:49 AM »

I first started playing in 1980 and I'm from the school of Geddy Lee. So I predominantly play using my fingers. Of course there is no right or wrong regarding this subject.

I find that when I play using a plectrum, somehow I feel detached from the feel of the strings. When I do play with a plectrum, which isn't often, then I use a Jim Dunlop 0.46mm which is pretty soft. I find it allows for the initial attack on the string and then a fair amount of 'give'. As a finger player, I enlist in the Entwistle school of play where my right hand only has to look at the strings and the bass almost plays itself. I am yet to meet someone who can get anything resembling a tune out of my 4001 without rattles, dead notes and squeaks. I have received plenty of 'how on Earth do you play this?

' comments.

One of my favourite songs is 'On The Silent Wings Of Freedom' by Yes. For many many years I have wondered how Squire plays it with a plectrum because I had brought myself to the conclusion that it wasn't possible. Earlier this year, watching Squire play the first part of the song live, he played it with his fingers. So that answers that one then!!

Roger the Paul one!