Hello Time Bomb
by Matthew Good Band

Bass tab

Standard tuning

The rhythm is very easy but difficult to time with the drums so listen in 
with the song
I'm not sure if the bassist from MGB plays like this but I use a pick when 
the guitar doesn't have the flanger  pedal on and strum when it does to add 
to the effect—if you'd like to do this then you can hear when the guitar 
does the non—flanged sound—this happens in:

All choruses
Guitar (or really pedal!) solo
The last ending riff

After lines:

Verse 2:  "We'll see if I'm kidding..."
Verse 2:  "Did it on Ridlin..."
Verse 2: "I got me some good grades..."
Verse 3:  "We'll see if I'm emperor..." (this has a bit of a bridge part in 
it—see the end of the tab)
Verse 3:  "The Devil's own sugar smacks..."
Verse 3:  "Down at the 'Radio Shack'..." (again a bit of a funky bridge)

This is the main riff you hear so often:

G: ————————————————————————————————————————————
D: ————————————————————————————————————————————
A: ———2—2——4—4———4——————————————————————————
E:  ——————————————————————————4——4——0——0———0—

The pre—chorus:

G: ————————————————————————————————————————————
D: ————————————————————————————————————————————
A: ————————————————————————————————————————————
E:  ————4——4———0——0——0———0———0——0———0———0—

G: —————————————————————————————————————————————
D: —————————————————————————————————————————————
A: ———————————————————————————————————2——2———2
E: —0——0——0———0———0———0———0———0—————————————

G: —————————————————————————————————————————————
D: —————————————————————————————————————————————
A: —2——2——2——2——2——2——2——2——2——2——2——2——2
E:  —————————————————————————————————————————————

The chorus:  (The "Hello time bomb..." part and the initial chorus are the 
same bass and guitar parts)

G: —————————————————————————————————————————————
D: —————————————————————————————————————————————
A: —————4——4——4——4——4——4——4——4——————————————
E:  ———————————————————————————————————5——5——5—

G: —————————————————————————————————————————————
D: —————————————————————————————————————————————
A: —————————————————————————————————————————————
E: —5——5——5——5——5———0——0———0——0——0——0———0—

G: ————————————————————————————————————————————
D: ————————————————————————————————————————————
A: ———————2———2———2———2———2———2———2———2————
E: ——0—————————————————————————————————————————

This pattern is repeated twice for the initial chorus and then twice again 
for the "Hello time bomb" section)

During guitar solo play:

G: —————————————————————————————————————————
D: —————————————————————————————————————————
A: ———4—4——————————————————————————————————
E:  —————————5———4————0———2———2———2———————


After "We'll see if I'm emperor..."

G: ————————————————————————————————————————
D: ————————————————————————————————————————
A: ————————————————————————————————————————
E:  ———————4——4——0——0——0—————————————————

G: ————————————————————————————————————————
D: ————————————————————————————————————————
A: ————————2——————————2——2———4——4——4————
E: ——0—————————————————————————————————————

After "The Devil's own sugar smacks..."

G: —————————————————————————————————————————
D: —————————————————————————————————————————
A: —————————————————————————————————————————
E:  ——————4——4——5——5——5—————————5———2————

G: —————————————————————————————————————————
D: —————————————————————————————————————————
A: —————————————————2———2———4————4———4———
E: —————————————————————————————————————————

And then after the end chorus they play the chorus riff twice more then goes 
once again:

G: —————————————————————————————————————————
D: —————————————————————————————————————————
A: —————————————————————————————————————————
E:  —————————4——4————0——0———0—————————————

That's it, it's quite simple to play
If there are any errors/misconceptions/subliminal messages or any 
comments/death threats please send them to me, Lord Whitey the Magnificent 
at [email protected].  Enjoy!

About Matthew Good Band

Matthew Good Band was a Canadian alternative rock band formed by Matthew Good that existed from 1993 to 2002. The band consisted of Good (vocals, guitar), Dave Genn (lead guitar/keyboard), Ian Browne (drums) and Geoff Lloyd (bass) from 1995 to 1999 (replaced by Rich Priske from 1999 to 2001). The band would become one of Canada's most successful bands of the 1990s, being nominated for a Juno Award in 1998 for "Best New Group" and winning the award for "Group of the Year" in 2000. The band dissolved in 2002. Good has since pursued a successful solo career, while Genn joined the Canadian rock group 54-40 in 2005. Geoff Lloyd died in January 2010.

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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Matthew Good Band — Hello Time Bomb bass tabs