Tuning a bass

[Unsprung]

I had heard that too, about Waters. I also heard that he would go on stage so stoned on acid that he would only play one note for every song...

But at least that one note was in tune...

Actually, it was Syd Barrett that would go on stage so stoned on acid, he'd only play one note...if anything at all. I know with the Waters era Floyd, two of 'em were drinkers, and two of 'em were dopers (weed), but I can't remember which did what. From everything I've read about Pink Floyd, after they booted Syd from the band, they were all too scared, based on Syd's experience, to drop acid.

I'll appologize to Garry, here, for being willing to drag the thread OT at this point. Since I did, however, I guess I'll punish myself by heading out, and doing some research into what bass(es) were used in Doors songs (edit: and what tunings they used).

Matt

 

[Rokket]

Actually, it was Syd Barrett that would go on stage so stoned on acid, he'd only play one note...if anything at all. I know with the Waters era Floyd, two of 'em were drinkers, and two of 'em were dopers (weed), but I can't remember which did what. From everything I've read about Pink Floyd, after they booted Syd from the band, they were all too scared, based on Syd's experience, to drop acid.

I'll appologize to Garry, here, for being willing to drag the thread OT at this point. Since I did, however, I guess I'll punish myself by heading out, and doing some research into what bass(es) were used in Doors songs (edit: and what tunings they used).

Matt

Thanks Matt, I knew it was something like that. My apologies to Roger Waters. On the topic of Doors, it was all Ray's keyboards doing the bass. He said in an interview that they auditioned bass players, but could never find one that suited their sound, so he did it all on his keyboards. He also stated that their basslines were either too mundane for a bassist or just too difficult. I don't know about that last part, however, because I used to play a lot of Doors tunes in cover bands. True some of them were boring, and you had to fight not to do a little improv, but for the most part, they were not too hard (although some of them made you really stretch your fingers).

 

[timmerman]

So Rokket, can you imagine playing bass in a band which does Pink Floyd covers? Think that would be exhiting

Oh in a documantary with Dave Gilmore I also heard him making remarks where he said he played bass too. Think that both Waters and Gilmore did bass on different songs, but I dunno which ones. Guess it would be something like: "Waters is out for lunch, and we just need to track the basspart now so Dave can you not do the bassline?, so we can still carry on recording"

Okay people would not be glad to admit that even superbands like them had such kind of a mentality to recording eh? Just goes to show that we should not take this music-thing too seriously.

Eddie

 

[Rokket]

So Rokket, can you imagine playing bass in a band which does Pink Floyd covers? Think that would be exhiting

Oh in a documantary with Dave Gilmore I also heard him making remarks where he said he played bass too. Think that both Waters and Gilmore did bass on different songs, but I dunno which ones. Guess it would be something like: "Waters is out for lunch, and we just need to track the basspart now so Dave can you not do the bassline?, so we can still carry on recording"

Okay people would not be glad to admit that even superbands like them had such kind of a mentality to recording eh? Just goes to show that we should not take this music-thing too seriously.

Eddie

I've heard it more than once where session musicians were called in because one member or other in these "superbands" was unable to play for one reason or another. Or that another member of the band did someone else's part. To me, if it gets the song recorded and maintains the vibe, do what you have to do to get the job done. I would not be offended if someone else played bass for me on a track if I either couldn't play it correctly or was not available to track it. The first cover band I was in, we all played bass, guitar and drums. We did an instrument swap for 5 songs in a particular set that the audience was really digging. I was used to playing different parts for different songs. It's knowing that you are doing it for the music and not the ego that counts...

 

[timmerman]

Yes Rokket, that is so true

The instrument swapping can be a fun thing too

Have to keep my post short for today as the clock is ticking...............[oh one day I just get my own pc, just to be able to compose postings in the comfort of my own space............... ]

Eddie

 

[lpdeluxe]

Shame on all of you!

Not a single post about tuning the bass!

Did I mention that someone told me a guitar is tuned just like a bass, only an octave higher? I said, but it's got too many strings for that.

I still don't understand what he meant.

 

[Reggie]

Maybe he was talking about The Presidents of the USA. 'Member them? I think they used a 4 string guitar or something. But I don't think they tuned it normal. And I think they only had a 2-string bass. Pretty wacky stuff, but not completely terrible. Anyone know the bass tuning they used?

 

[noisedude]

When I move into the country, I will definitely eat plenty of peaches.

 

[lpdeluxe]

How does John Prine tune his bass?

 

[Rokket]

How does John Prine tune his bass?

With his hands?

Seriously, though, I don't know....

 

[Unsprung]

When I move into the country, I will definitely eat plenty of peaches.

Will ya play any Allman Brothers Band, as well? Sorry...I tried to resist...held out for a whole day, though.

Matt

 

[patlang12]

some guy made a 10 string bass-guitar, but the strings wern't for biggest to smallest like you think they would be,.

 

[lpdeluxe]

Some guy made a 10 string bass-guitar

But how did he TUNE it?

 

[lpdeluxe]

Garry Sharp and Prince Charles have tied the knot.

But not to each other. Jugears married somebody named Camilla or something. What does this have to do with tuning a bass?

Good question.

 

[Garry Sharp]

Yep, tied the knot yesterday Guess what - we were on television. The BBC decided they wanted to film a wedding in London yesterday (a jokey piece as the Charles one had moved a day) and chose ours

They filmed Robbie coming out of our house, followed her to the town hall, everything - ran a 2 minute piece on the 7 O'Clock news on the digital channel! We set the video and watched it when we staggered in from our reception in the early hours today When we get back from Barbados we'll see if we can get the piece on the web somewhere, it was very funny (they did it like an amateur home wedding video)

(Oh, and relevance to the thread - had to tune the telly in to the right channel )

 

[boomtap]

This is the most comprenhensive discusion on 4 string bass tuning ever!

 

[Reggie]

Meh, it's getting there...

 

[Garry Sharp]

This is the most comprenhensive discusion on 4 string bass tuning ever!

Oh, it's only just warming up. One day your grandchildren will ask - "Were you in the great bass tuning thread grandpa?" I'm just wondering who will play each of us in the blockbuster move (well, Tony Robinson who was Baldrick in Blackadder will have a cameo part as noisedude, obviously

 

[lpdeluxe]

Congratulations Mr & Mrs #!

Here's to many years of bliss (raises virtual Guiness to virtual lips).

 

[Garry Sharp]

Here's to many years of bliss (raises virtual Guiness to virtual lips).

Cheers lp. Raise an actual glass back to you We MUST get this 2 minute TV clip on the web for you - it is so funny.