Read the Paper

  When my hardware hit the market, there was a press release that went to a lot of places.  One place the release ended up was a bass chat forum.  Upon posting, people came out of the woodwork to dismiss, decry, and go all out “Lord of the flies” over this thing.  I was surprised they would be so hostile about something new and different. especially from another bass player, who genuinely loves the bass.  To make a long story short, I introduced myself, (never having been in a forum), and offered to explain what they were looking at, and answer any questions.

  That’s when stuff went from “Lord of the Flies”, to some other movie title with an apocalypse written in.  I suppose something this different, and out of the accepted norms would yield some raised eyebrows but dismissing it as “snake oil” and being referred to as a ”hoaxer”, a “carpet bagger”, the ”snake oil salesman “, and even a “red headed stepchild”, was a bit much.  I think there might have even been something in there about my mom. Sufficed to say, I excused myself from said forum, and folks continued to discuss its inherent flaws and impossibilities, ad nauseum.  When folks who actually knew, and used my hardware, offered their own positive experience, the mob was just as hostile to them.  True innovation can be a very polarizing experience.

  One day, because of this forum, I got a message from Dr. Jonathan Kemp, acoustic physicist, at St. Andrew’s.  He asked to write the paper on my hardware.  He is a truly brilliant scientist, all around great guy, and has become a real friend.

He is the source of the methodical masterpiece that is this paper.  All the math, all the diagrams, all the hours of testing, it’s all him.  He, very elegantly explains what I could not, (at least effectively).  He is the shiny side of an otherwise ugly discussion, and I am proud to know him.  Anyone who thinks they know sound, would benefit greatly from reading this material.  He will teach you a thing or seven.  

  I would be remiss if I did not mention that Dr. Kemp has also developed his own type of string, written published papers about them, and has his own brand- kempstrings .com.  he has developed an optimized, “lumped string”, specifically for RayRoss bass hardware.

They are as brilliant as he is, and I use and appreciate them absolutely EVERY DAY.

  At some point I will offer these on my website.  They are made in Scotland, and are/will be expensive.  In the meantime, they can be purchased from him.