Thread: Hi My Name Is Bassguy

Don't know much about the straight razor but from what i have been able to learn you need to be a bit more specific in terms of what you are looking for. Straight razors tend to be a very individualistic and are an expression of the man's individual tastes and likes and dislikes, unlike the cartridge razors of today.

What suits your fancy? Do you like the look of the round tip, the spike point, or how about the sheath? Do you like a bone handle, how about a colorful handle or a solid color in white or perhaps black? Its more like what is to your likeing.

and hopefully keep no more than 3

Yeah,Right.....

I only have two, one carbon and one stainless. I haven't been afflicted by RAD yet.

Originally Posted by jbcohen

What suits your fancy? Do you like the look of the round tip, the spike point, or how about the sheath? Do you like a bone handle, how about a colorful handle or a solid color in white or perhaps black? Its more like what is to your likeing.

It's a lot like musical instruments for me. I know as soon as I hit the first string whether it works for me or not. With with my upright bass (Grace), I bought it brand new 7 years ago. It didn't exactly ring any bells, but over time it has developed a character and tone that make me quite proud to own it; no other bass sounds like mine, and it will only improve with age.
My electric bass on the other hand, is a 1968 Fender Precision Bass, bought as a gift a few years back. I knew as soon as I put it in my hands that this was a special fit. There were other vintage P basses on the wall I could have chosen from, even one from '63 that played a little better, but this one just complemented my hands and touch in a way that only seems mystical because it's hard to explain.
Bottom line, to quote my jazz mentor Roy James, "What do it sound like?"
I had just that experience with my Fili 13, and in a different way the Helje 31, two totally different razors in size, shape, steel, and scales.
I tend towards natural materials and excellent craftsmanship. If someone made it by hand I have a lot more respect for it. I think steel quality and functionality are higher on my list than what the point is. Collectibility is the enemy sometimes, because it drives the price of razors way out of proportion to how they actually shave, which is different for each person. Grace is beat up, scratched, flawed, and my most prized acoustic possession. My Fili will lose its etching and original scales when Max cleans it up for me, but it shaves me the best (so far).
In short, "What do it shave like?"

How did that happen? I somehow passed the 2 year and 1000 posts mile marker without noticing. How silly I was then. And now. At least my irritation and ingrowns are practically a thing of the past.

Hey! You look familiar, havent I seen you around here before? Congrats on the milestones!

Originally Posted by bassguy

It's a lot like musical instruments for me. I know as soon as I hit the first string whether it works for me or not.

Way to resurrect, eh?

I was going to ask whether you were bassguy like the fish or bassguy like the awesome roaring foundation of any well-made song.

My P-Bass is a 2008 American Standard, which I bought after 25 years of being a Fender naysayer. I also have a 5-string Lakland which has a great neck, and I just unloaded a Godin A5 fretted.

I've dreamed of getting an upright since I first started playing, but I realised this year that they're really two separate instruments, and have elected to let go and just concentrate on getting better on the electric. Letting go of a dream happens with a jolt, but I'm okay with it now. So I'm putting 4 grand down on a NYC Sadowsky 5-string in September. Should be ready for my 40th birthday next May.

What you said about collectability is true of more than just razors, Mr '68 P-Bass ;-)
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First Post WOW

Hey, Bassguy, I'm holli4pirating. Welcome to the forum.

Originally Posted by Jes

Way to resurrect, eh?

I was going to ask whether you were bassguy like the fish or bassguy like the awesome roaring foundation of any well-made song.

My P-Bass is a 2008 American Standard, which I bought after 25 years of being a Fender naysayer. I also have a 5-string Lakland which has a great neck, and I just unloaded a Godin A5 fretted.

I've dreamed of getting an upright since I first started playing, but I realised this year that they're really two separate instruments, and have elected to let go and just concentrate on getting better on the electric. Letting go of a dream happens with a jolt, but I'm okay with it now. So I'm putting 4 grand down on a NYC Sadowsky 5-string in September. Should be ready for my 40th birthday next May.

What you said about collectability is true of more than just razors, Mr '68 P-Bass ;-)
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I used to play a beat up Warwick 5 string but eventually found its sound unsuitable for the blues/rock stuff I was doing at the time. I too was a Fender-Hater until someone put the P Bass in my hands and I was forced to come to terms with the incredible feel, tone, etc. I keep the P-Bass around because it was a gracious gift and I find it good for late night Bach readings now and again to get my ring finger a little workout. It's post CBS I think, so not super collectable, but it plays better than anything else I've ever held.
Some time in the last 5 years however I decided, like you did, to devote myself to just one and I've been an upright bassist ever since. My upright is an 8 year old chinese fully carved bass, their top-of-the-student-line model. I've had gut G and D (and I firmly believe every bassist needs to spend a year playing guts, period) and Velvet Garbo A and E on there for a few years now and they work well enough for me in jazz or classical situations. I recently made my own sound post, endpin socket, and a series of endpins out of hardwoods like bubinga and kingwood. It's really made my bass louder and warmer, not to mention more personal. I haven't used an amp in at least 3 years.
The next step is turning these pieces of ivory I have into nuts and saddles. I'm also experimenting with using tagua, vegetable ivory, for nuts and saddles. I think these could be a great alternative to the synthetics they use, and possibly warmer sounding than ivory, fossil, etc.
Do you play finger style? What kind of amp do you use?