'03 SC Signature Standard 5-string

[growlypants]

Super-nice job!  Best of luck...

[hieronymous]

Well, I didn't win

But it's ok - I didn't need any of the stuff they were giving away (though a new outboard preamp is always nice) - also, Damian Erskine is offering a discount on his bass education site, so I think I'm going to sign up.


EDIT: Aaannnndd... I signed up! He gave a one-month discount to everyone who entered the contest (it's really cheap anyway) - now I just need to dive in and put in the time and the work.

[hieronymous]

Ended up joining Damian Erskine's Bass Education website. There's a forum too, he responds to everyone, is very supportive, it's a nice little community.

One thing he has been doing is post loops that people can record themselves over and share - here's one of my attempts, with the SCSS - still working on recording audio direct into my iPhone, this one I ended up mixing stuff together after the fact.

[rv_bass]

Sounds great, I’ll have to check out the Erskine site.

[edwardofhuncote]

I am astounded by how much 'travel' there is in those strings as you are playing! It must be the nature of the shorter scale. Sounds fantastic. 

[mario_farufyno]

Great tone and performance, thanks for sharing, Harry.

[gearhed289]

Nice groove Harry!

[hammer]

VERY nicely done!

[hieronymous]

Thanks everyone!

Sounds great, I’ll have to check out the Erskine site.

https://www.basseducation.com

I am astounded by how much 'travel' there is in those strings as you are playing! It must be the nature of the shorter scale. Sounds fantastic. 

I think it's because I'm plucking so close to the neck - that's the technique I've developed over the past few years, I'm just not into the sound plucking closer to the bridge though I know it's a great sound that a lot of players use, like Jaco and Wolf.

[sonicus]

Harry , I really like that !

[hieronymous]

Thanks Wolf! I'm finally able to access the forum regularly again.


Realized it's been a while since I lemon-oiled the fretboard. I need to keep better track. I think I remember jazzyvee suggesting to oil the fretboard at both equinoxes. I'm thinking that just the spring equinox may be sufficient for me - I do run my heater throughout the winter, so it could counteract any drying out of the air. Or maybe I should do it in the fall in preparation for the winter???


I also am following Bill TGO's advice to leave the old strings on for a while. I am also planning a string change and guerrilla setup - I've been playing more regularly, these strings probably have plenty of life left in them but I noticed the G string is buzzing more than before (I think) so seems worth it to throw on a fresh set. I put these on back mid-December, so they've been on for a good four months. I could totally keep using them - I've only been playing them an hour a day - but my hands sweat a lot, I think it's time!

[hieronymous]

OK, fresh strings now installed! Haven't touched the setup at all, just consider myself lucky to play it for a bit. And with that in mind, I've been doing some more simple recording:

I'm playing my bass through the usual CAE/CAJ tube compressor, Boss PQ-3B parametric eq, then into my good ol' Big Briar MF-104 Moogerfooger with the Bob Moog signature logo (this is from before he got the rights to the "Moog" name back). Normally I don't like to use it on bass - it overloads easily, and it's very dark in terms of frequency response. But I like it here. Wanted to get the sound of fresh strings recorded, but unfortunately my first "recording session" I managed to forget to hit record - twice!

[rv_bass]

Sounds great! 

[gearhed289]

That bass sounds really great Harry!

[hieronymous]

Sounds great! 

That bass sounds really great Harry!

Thanks! I feel like between the strings and the gear I'm finally getting it dialed in. I think I've settled on DR Sunbeams for the EADG string - regular long scale fits fine. The low B I'm still using the custom length nickel LaBellas I ordered a couple of years ago. The low B isn't ideal - could be a little brighter/more alive - but as you can see in this video I didn't even touch it once! So I'm willing to live with it for the time being. I might try and find a lighter gauge next time, if I can find the right length - the long scale version was too long (even though the others fit fine).