Opinions on the Les Paul bass?

singemonkey

Any thoughts? I've always rather liked the look of them. Anyone have any experience of them?

Some nice playing here:

AlanRatcliffe

it's a short scale bass, which you either like or you don't. Also looks a bit odd to my eyes - with the body looking too small. Otherwise, nice fat tones obviously...

If you want a longer scale, look at the Epi Jack Cassidy, which is based on the LP Signature bass - long scale and hollowbody.

Jack-Flash-Jr

Tried a short scale once (not LP, some random make)... definitely not for me, however the Jack Cassidy... Tried a similar Ibby and the thing boooooms, in a good way. But the larger body just won't fit on the stages we play ?

singemonkey

Ah. I didn't realise the LP was also a short scale. I'm very tempted by short scale basses, I must say. Reckon they'd be a little easier for a guitar player to handle. But I'd probably go the Gibson B3 route in that case. I know dimarzio makes a replacement for the "mudbucker." Could be pretty good.

Anyway. Just occasionally speculate idly about what bass I'll get one day.

Bob-Dubery

singemonkey wrote: Ah. I didn't realise the LP was also a short scale. I'm very tempted by short scale basses, I must say. Reckon they'd be a little easier for a guitar player to handle.

EG Paul McCartney.

Though Jack Bruce played a short scale bass. So did the guy in the Small Faces after Ronnie Lane. Hmm..... Andy Fraser.

Jack-Flash-Jr

Hmmm.... perhaps I shouldn't deflate the mystique around the difficulty of wielding a long scale bass.

:-\

Ok. Fine. There's no difference imho between getting used to a regular bass, 12-string steel string, ukelele, fretless, short-scale bass and a bouzouki. Just play it for a week and you're good to go. Bass just requires the lightest of touches (I only get fatigue from forgetting myself and plucking for volume or out of enthusiasm)...
I would like to try an upright though... I reckon the hand position might be a challenge...

Edit: I think the most difficult thing about taking up bass is getting a groove in the pocket with the drummer (basic rhythm is easy but real swinging solid groove is harder than it sounds). When I see hips shakin' and feet tapping I know I'm doing my job.

Edit2: Since rhythm guitar is my other passion I can only say that taking up bass has improved my ability to do "tight but loose" rhythms. My scare with carpal tunnel also came with 6-string flailing, not 4!

singemonkey

Jack Flash Jr wrote: When I see hips shakin' and feet tapping I know I'm doing my job.

Nah. That's all me mate ?

Yeah. I know that's the key to bass playing. Melodic or technical playing is attractive, but the groove is all important. That is why Noel Redding was full of fail.

Jack-Flash-Jr

singemonkey wrote:
Jack Flash Jr wrote: When I see hips shakin' and feet tapping I know I'm doing my job.
Nah. That's all me mate ?

Yeah. I know that's the key to bass playing. Melodic or technical playing is attractive, but the groove is all important. That is why Noel Redding was full of fail.

Give me the shaking hips and you can keep the heaving b(r)easts...

Gearhead

Saw a Gibbo EB-2 the other day at MC, eish. Said they weren't interested in selling. That thing does not have the out-of-proportion problem of an LP but it does have the mojo, the short scale and the sheer quality you want.