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Pinback — Fortress bass tabs



(submitted by SnakishMan)
I've noticed there's a lack of Pinback songs so here's a tab I found on Youtube.

This is the verse of the song, both bass and electric guitar plays this at the same time in the beginning.

G |———7———7———7———7—|———5———5———5—————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—7———7———7———7——5|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—5———5———5———5———|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
E |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

This is the chorus.

G |—————————————————|——————————————————|
D |—————————————————|——————————————————|
A |—55—55—5—88—88——8|——————————————————|
E |———————————————————|66—66—6—33—33—3—|
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
This is the second verse.
G |—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—5—55—55—————————|————7————————————|
E |—————————5—55—5——|——8——————————————|
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
If this was confusing for you, it sure was for me.
This is my guesstimation of how the song is constructed.
Verse 1 x16 (or stop whenever the song changes to the chorus)
Chorus x4
Verse 2 x9
Verse 1 x9
Chorus x6
Chorus (but one note of each fret) x2—3
You end on the 5th note of the A string.
My apologies if there was an extra note missing or it doesn't make sense, but at least you know how to play the three riffs which you can formulate the song yourself with.

This was all learned on a Youtube video, so I could be wrong. If you want the direct reference, the video name is Pinback — Fortress — How to play — Simple Bass Lesson by SimpleBassLessons (Fortress SimpleBassLessons)
Tablature player for this song:
Pinback - Fortress Bass Tab

About Pinback

Pinback is an indie rock band from San Diego, California, currently signed to Temporary Residence Ltd. The band was formed in 1998 by singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Armistead Burwell Smith IV and Rob Crow. The band has two drummers that switch off and on, Chris Prescott, and Tom Zinser. Other members of Pinback past and present are: Terrin Durfey, Eric Hoversten, Ryan Bromley, Cameron Jones, Kenseth Thideau, Gabriel Voiles, MC, Dmitri Dziensuwski, Donny Van Zandt, and Thatcher Orbitachi.

How to Read Bass Tabs

Bass tablature (tabs) is an easy way to learn songs without needing to read traditional sheet music. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the symbols and techniques commonly found in tabs:

1. The Basics

  • Strings and Frets:

    Each line in a tab represents a string on your bass:

    • The top line is the highest-pitched string (G on a 4-string bass).
    • The bottom line is the lowest-pitched string (E on a 4-string bass).

    Numbers on the lines indicate which fret to press. For example:

    G|-------------------|
    D|-------------------|
    A|---3---------------|
    E|-------------------|

    This means you play the 3rd fret on the A string.

2. Common Techniques

  • Hammer-On (h):

    Play the first note by picking it, then press down on a higher fret with another finger without picking again.

    G|-------------------|
    D|-------5h7---------|
  • Pull-Off (p):

    Pluck a note and then "pull off" your finger to let a lower fret ring.

    G|-------------------|
    D|-------7p5---------|
  • Slide (/ or \):

    Move your finger up (/) or down (\) the fretboard while maintaining pressure.

    G|-------------------|
    D|-------5/7---------|

3. Advanced Techniques

  • Bend (b): Push the string up or down to raise the pitch. Example: G|-------7b9---------|
  • Vibrato (~): Shake the string slightly after playing a note to create a vibrating sound. Example: G|-------7~----------|
  • Muted Notes (x): Rest your finger lightly on the string without pressing a fret and pluck for a percussive "click" sound.

4. Rhythm and Timing

Tabs don’t always indicate timing, so listen to the song while reading the tab. Wider spaces between numbers mean longer pauses, while closer numbers indicate quicker notes.

5. Slap and Pop

  • Slap (s): Strike the string with the side of your thumb for a percussive sound.
  • Pop (p): Pull the string away from the fretboard and let it snap back.

Practice Makes Perfect

Tabs are a great tool to learn songs, but mastering the techniques takes practice. Listen carefully to the original track and play along to lock in the rhythm. Don’t rush — smooth, accurate playing is more important than speed. Happy jamming! 🎸

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