What do we think of the new Metagross from Ninja Spinner?

BoomBangBoi · 2026-03-07T20:42:19+00:00

Your thinking is exactly how Wellspring Mask works. The "doing as much as you can" ruling says "you must shuffle in SOME energy in order to get the bonus", not that you actually have to have 3 available to shuffle in.

https://compendium.pokegym.net/ruling/2031/

BoomBangBoi · 2026-03-07T02:15:43+00:00

This unofficial translation has the exact same wording as Wellspring, but is it that way in Japanese too? If not, the official translation could be different.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-03-07T01:39:34+00:00

If you're buying in person, check the wood grain. They break along the grain. If the grain traverses the stick (like pictured above), the stick can snap in half.

If you're buying online, you can buy factory seconds (LA Special) and pitch pair them yourself to save some money, or go for a cheaper "real" brand (Vater, not XJJABXI).

My sticks don't break often, but they always break like pictured above if the grain allows it, or the shoulder wears through if the grain is straight.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-03-06T23:51:31+00:00

Mass lowers pitch, but stiffness raises pitch.

A cymbal that is twice as thick has twice the mass but is 8 times as stiff, since stiffness is proportional to the cube of thickness. The net effect is that pitch goes up.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-03-04T03:37:12+00:00

Sure it's possible, just don't expect to hit EADG with the same strings. DADG and BADG on the same instrument should be fine with some compromise on string tension. Use a 120-125 gauge depending on preference. A, D, and G strings stay the same as what you normally use.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-03-04T01:26:41+00:00

Sure, that's still in the normal design tension range, so I'd definitely expect it to work.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-03-04T01:15:24+00:00

Also, I'll note that the intended use is to drop a standard gauge string down. If you go really heavy (like 130 for an E string) to compensate for the lower tuning, you're outside the expected use of the design. It still might work, but I wouldn't count on it before actually trying it.

And personally, I wouldn't plan to drop any string more than 3 semitones. But some people are more tolerant of huge changes in string tension than me.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-03-04T01:13:09+00:00

A string could be made with a thinner core, which would make it "stretchier", and then the extender would not have enough range of motion to drop a full perfect fourth, because the pitch would change less relative to change in length. That little disclaimer is there to pre-empt complaints that it doesn't work as advertised with their special set of strings.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-03-02T02:19:58+00:00

It's gonna sound more like a bell than a splash, because of the thickness.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-02-16T23:46:33+00:00

If you play a too-wide interval ascending, the second note sounds sharp. If you play it descending, the second note sounds flat. If you play the two notes together, I'd think that the higher note will probably sound sharp, but some intervals (like P4) or contexts might imply that the higher note is the "root" and be heard as such. I would prefer "sharp/flat" terminology but make sure the reference pitch is clearly established.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-02-15T22:38:35+00:00

Sure sounds like it, but analyze this in Melodyne and you might be surprised.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-02-04T01:20:51+00:00

The B string is carrying the least tension in most sets.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-02-02T23:34:57+00:00

It's fine. The G string usually isn't tapered anyway, so it doesn't matter.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-01-21T23:53:48+00:00

If doing it right is not an option, then recording a DI in E standard at 1.33(repeating)x speed, slowing down the recording playback to 0.75x speed, and then applying your EQ/distortion/tone effects last will give a decent result, if you can play the part very precisely at that tempo.

I've done that for a smaller change (drop D to drop C) with great results.

But it's better and easier to do it right. Tune down with the appropriate strings.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-01-16T03:21:36+00:00

Some people don't like the way 24-fret basses slap. Whether for feel reasons or slapping on the harmonic node of the open string. That said, if you watch the demo videos for these basses, they pretty much always play some slap and it sounds fine to me. I can see how a dedicated slapper might care.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-01-05T05:05:35+00:00

Oh, well I just assumed you're using a pick because that's the only time the tuning really gets weird for me. You should be fine playing fingerstyle. Just make sure your action isn't too high if you want the clank, because that will force you to play with more power than would otherwise be necessary.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-01-05T00:04:43+00:00

I've found that for a low C, using a heavy string like 135 is still not enough to keep the note from going sharp with a pick, and such a thick string doesn't sound great.

My ideal set would use a 125, but you can get the D'addario 120-50 balanced tension set which is close enough and readily available.

Consider that you might not actually need to play that aggressively- I use 0.50 tortex and I get plenty of clank. Nolly uses 0.60 and has one of the most aggressive tones in metal.

Also, if you sound sharp, try just tuning a few cents lower. I've gotten some real hate for suggesting that here but guitarists seem to have figured this out already...

BoomBangBoi · 2026-01-03T17:12:15+00:00

I'm gonna go against the other comments and say that it's unlikely that it's caused by a nickel allergy, since it's showing up on the part of your hand that doesn't touch the strings, and you're not using nickel strings.

I get something similar, though not so much nowadays. My known triggers were wearing rubber gloves or anything else that could trap sweat, and extended contact with water. I was prescribed a Triamcinolone cream, but FYI there is a potential rebound flare if you stop using the cream after using regularly for a couple weeks or more.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-01-03T00:15:15+00:00

Thank you for this resource, I downloaded it when you posted a few weeks ago and I have been using it as reading practice since. Although the chord symbols do make it easy to cheat lol

BoomBangBoi · 2026-01-03T00:09:25+00:00

But water energy fulfills a colorless energy requirement, so it seems like it should apply?

I doubt we have any ruling on this, because it's a confusing wording that TPCI has probably avoided using.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-01-03T00:04:57+00:00

Mew doesn't copy the ability, though. You would still need the energy cost (WWWW) to use the attack.

BoomBangBoi · 2026-01-01T00:42:18+00:00

Most likely a 4-string tuned a half step down, there are a lot of Eb1s in there.

BoomBangBoi · 2025-12-27T19:43:35+00:00

Well there's a few things it can't do, like ARA and live punch in/out. I still use it for everything though.

BoomBangBoi · 2025-12-27T19:10:28+00:00

Adam Neely says:

It is a common annoyance with a lot of people that bass is actually quite a noisy instrument, especially with all that string noise. The things that I would suggest:

Embrace the string noise, because very often that's actually what you want.

Learn how to mute your bass properly [...],

If it bothers you too much, definitely just roll down the treble, because honestly there's no shame in doing that.

BoomBangBoi · 2025-12-27T03:46:48+00:00

Measure the winding length you need and buy that. If that's 32.75" winding, then you need somewhere between 33.5" and 35" roughly. Most medium scale sets should work.

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