RobertB
Well-known member
... because I just found a way to get a SUPER funky envelope filter sound out of it ... without using an envelope filter.
- Thread starter Grand Wazoo
- Start date
adouglas
Well-known member
Duarte
Well-known member
I'm with adouglas. Do tell.
RobertB
Well-known member
It's a technique thing, so I'm pretty sure you can get it to some extent on other models as well (can't test right now ... I have no other models around at the moment!). But I'm equally as sure that if you can get it, it's not as pronounced and as usable as it is on the Bongo ... and it may even be specifically a single H thing - you guys'll have to let me know.
Anyway, so far I can only get it really clearly on the E, and starting to be able to get it outta the A - it's a tricker there. Technique-wise it's very similar to getting artificial harmonics with the thumb of the plucking hand ... contacting the strnig with the thumb while plucking with the index or middle finger, a la Jaco. But in this case, you just full-on lay the thumb against the string, kinda right where you would slap - just near the knuckle. That detail may differ from person to person, thumb to thumb, though. If you play with it, I think you'll hear what I'm talking about, and you can "optimize" it from there.
Again, it's only really clear on the E (though I think I can get it as clearly on the A too, with practice), so in my mind, it's not something to apply to runs or a full tune, etc. Just something really cool sounding to use here and there when you want to maximally funkify a groove for a few measures. It's sounding REALLY good on my BP Bongo.
patobrujo
Well-known member
Very well said patobrujo
thanks!! that's what i really feel...
about the envelope technique, i don't think i really got it (due to language barriers mostly) but i have a question: the eq settings on the bass has no influence at all?
Grand Wazoo
Well-known member
RobertB
Well-known member
I was able to get this "effect" with a few different eq settings - all the ones I tried. I just stumbled on this lastnight, and didn't really try it with a large number of eq variations. But for example, I was able to get it with everything flat ... try that.
As far as the details of the "technique" itself, it's a bit hard to explain, beyond what I've already said. One key thing, though, is to position your plucking hand such that your fingers are more parallel to the top of the bass (you may already play this way, but my usual plucking hand orientation is more perpendicular to the plane of the strings than this). This puts the thumb basically right where it needs to be, where it is easy and comfortable to let the side of the thumb rest against the string. In fact, that's how I stumbled across this. When I'm playing faster passes/figures or whatever, I tend to adjust my right hand like this, as I described above. I'm not sure why, it's just kind of involuntary - maybe an economy of motion thing. And as I said, with my hand in this position, my thumb is right there, not anchored, wanting to lay against the E string. Well, lastnight I went ahead and let it do so. When I played on the E, with the side of the thumb resting up against it, that's when I got the "envelope filter" sound.
Geez, this lengthy description, I guess all I had to say was that you're basically muting the string with the side of the thumb, as you play fingerstyle. But as you'll see, you're kind of just starting out each note that way, and then pulling the thumb off to let the note ring out. When I found the right balance, the result was usable (both in terms of volume and tonal quality), and very funky "effect".
Hope that helps. I really didn't mean to get into this type of description. I was just posting about it here, because the experience of stumbling across this lastnight made me think ... "i LOVE my Bongo!", which is obviously perfectly suited for this thread.
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Duarte
Well-known member
That bass is bigger than you!
strummer
Enormous Member
from what I hear the jury's still out on that one;-)
Grand Wazoo
Well-known member
Cuz it's big and mean and will rip your face off and that makes me smile.
tk
tk about time you came and gave us your contribution, I was infact wandering if you had missed this thread all together, I thought "not tk with that big red bazooka!!" lol
TheAntMan
Well-known member
I love my Bongos because they are their own basses. I can dial in tones from a razor sharp snarl to a gut quaking growl. This bass is the muscle bulging enforcer of the gang.
-- Ant
-- Ant
AnthonyD
Well-known member
There's no fuss, point and shoot - BAM - great tone!
adouglas
Well-known member
patobrujo
Well-known member
Thanks, that's pretty clear for me... i'll give it a try...
and to stay on topic and because i'll never be tired of sayin'....
i love my bongo!!!!
MrMusashi
Well-known member
Grand Wazoo
Well-known member
oh and I might wish to add the following:
Let's not forget about the functional ergonomic of the Bongo so...
I like my Bongo because we've locked ourselves in Tony's studio and played 8 hours from 10am til 19:00pm give or take 2 breaks for food/coffee/toilet on Sunday until his wife came and and spoiled our fun, and I never felt any hand strain or back pain, I was playing 80% standing and only sat down for one or two songs. I still can't believe at my age I am able to do that. Thanks to this Bongo of course.
Let's not forget about the functional ergonomic of the Bongo so...
I like my Bongo because we've locked ourselves in Tony's studio and played 8 hours from 10am til 19:00pm give or take 2 breaks for food/coffee/toilet on Sunday until his wife came and and spoiled our fun, and I never felt any hand strain or back pain, I was playing 80% standing and only sat down for one or two songs. I still can't believe at my age I am able to do that. Thanks to this Bongo of course.
