Harmonics on the 30th

[RobertB]

Anyone else noticed how sweet harmonics sound on the 30th? I mean, truly remarkably good, and the longer they ring out the better they sound.

I just noticed this the other day when I remembered a groove I used to mess around with & tried it on the 30th. The main groove is on the E & A strings, but on the last few beats of every 4th measure, I hit a few harmonics on the D & G which ring out together for the entire next 4 measures while the main groove is going on over them (if I'm careful & clean with my fretting on the E&A, that is). Well when I did this on the 30th ... wow.

Here's one case in which sustain does matter (that question has come up on the forum before .. "who cares about sustain on bass?"). But besides just their sustain, they sound SO damn good on the 30th ... I guess it's the Mahog. Hard to explain, but they're really deep and silky ... "mellifluous", even. That's right, I said "mellifluous", y'all ... "having a smooth rich flow" ... "filled with something (as honey) that sweetens". That's the word that fits in this case.

Check it out, 30th owners.

 

[sloshep]

Yeah, the 30th is a special beast. The tone and harmonics are amazing. The timbre (tone color) almost seems to broad to be real. Woody, warm, defined and growly all at the same time.

 

[RobertB]

Alex ... I noticed something else we have in common (besides the 30th) in your sig. I'm confused in that way too.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Alex ... I noticed something else we have in common (besides the 30th) in your sig. I'm confused in that way too.

Hey, me too!

 

[sloshep]

My confusion started when I was 12 getting my first guitar. The salesman told my dad it wouldn't matter if I learned to play right handed because I was starting out. This way it wouldn't be so hard for me to find guitars in the future. Or maybe for him to sell me a guitar that day. I am still not sure if that was the right thing to do or not. I am definitely not going to relearn it now.

 

[RobertB]

Similar story over here, Alex. I'm glad I learned that way, though, given the issue of comparatively limited lefty availability. And besides, it makes sense to me that your fretting hand should be your better/more dextrous hand, anyway. And for us weirdos, that's the case!

 

[oli@bass]

Similar story over here, Alex. I'm glad I learned that way, though, given the issue of comparatively limited lefty availability. And besides, it makes sense to me that your fretting hand should be your better/more dextrous hand, anyway. And for us weirdos, that's the case!

And that's probably the reason why you do what you do, and described in OP: Have ringing harmonics while playing a groove... my fretting isn't clean enough to do that... :-(

BTW, have a recording of that groove? So we all could practice and try with different basses

 

[oli@bass]

What I forgot to add... the harmonics on the 100th with the Graphite neck are outstanding as well. Very clear and loud, not very different from fretted notes.

 

[RobertB]

And that's probably the reason why you do what you do, and described in OP: Have ringing harmonics while playing a groove... my fretting isn't clean enough to do that... :-(

BTW, have a recording of that groove? So we all could practice and try with different basses

You're giving me too much credit, Oli. The groove I'm talking about is really simplistic. I'll see if I can record it, as a demonstration of the 30th's sweet harmonics - particularly at the 7th & 9th frets, atleast on mine.

 

[RocketRalf]

It should be about the same on the 20th SR5 right? I've been picking a lot of interest on that bass. I do use a lot of harmonics on bass, it'd be great for me.

BTW I'm left handed too, but I would never have wanted to play lefty, it just looks weird . Besides, no classical musicians play lefty, and I already played violin when I picked up the bass (and later the guitar).

 

[Oldtoe]

Thank you, Mahogany tree, for the gifts of sweet harmonics and midrange punch which you have seen fit to bless upon us.

 

[RobertB]

It should be about the same on the 20th SR5 right?

I haven't played one, but with the Mahogany tone block, it doesn't surprise me. That must be what Ben is confirming as well. =)

 

[jlepre]

It should be about the same on the 20th SR5 right?

I have the SR5 20th and let me say that it has some of the sweetest tone and sustain of any bass I have ever played. It has been my main bass ever since I got it around Christmas time. Hell, look at my avatar!

 

[Duarte]

All that mahogany is probably ruining the rainforest. I would usually care, if it was for furniture or something!

 

[jools11]

My confusion started when I was 12 getting my first guitar. The salesman told my dad it wouldn't matter if I learned to play right handed because I was starting out. This way it wouldn't be so hard for me to find guitars in the future. Or maybe for him to sell me a guitar that day. I am still not sure if that was the right thing to do or not. I am definitely not going to relearn it now.

I tried to pick up my first bass rightie... It just didnt fit.. I really did try 'cause I knew life would be easier.. But no. I had to have an awkward mind.

 

[Randracula]

Anyone else noticed how sweet harmonics sound on the 30th? I mean, truly remarkably good, and the longer they ring out the better they sound.

I just noticed this the other day when I remembered a groove I used to mess around with & tried it on the 30th. The main groove is on the E & A strings, but on the last few beats of every 4th measure, I hit a few harmonics on the D & G which ring out together for the entire next 4 measures while the main groove is going on over them (if I'm careful & clean with my fretting on the E&A, that is). Well when I did this on the 30th ... wow.

Here's one case in which sustain does matter (that question has come up on the forum before .. "who cares about sustain on bass?"). But besides just their sustain, they sound SO damn good on the 30th ... I guess it's the Mahog. Hard to explain, but they're really deep and silky ... "mellifluous", even. That's right, I said "mellifluous", y'all ... "having a smooth rich flow" ... "filled with something (as honey) that sweetens". That's the word that fits in this case.

Check it out, 30th owners.

Sounds even better through an all tube amp.......