stingrayPete1977

I have had lessons from both Doddy and Jake, Paul got me reading a couple of years ago for no other reason than I wanted to learn but he was busy cruising the oceans when I took the plunge with upright bass, after lots of suggestions I managed to get in with Jake. As a student what I can say is that its the ability to teach rather than play that matters, I know some great players but they can't show anyone else how too, Paul and Jake are both great players and teachers Hopefully I fall into Paul's description of the occasional student, my musician friends are genuinely shocked that I have lessons, I always point out that my teachers are usually either having lessons off someone else or at least studying something to try and improve their own playing. Without the lessons from Paul I wouldn't be able to read the books I am using to learn double bass that Jake has been teaching me, thanks guys The last two bands I have been in had teachers in, current one is a theory guy that does drum, bass and guitar lessons, bit of a jazzer too, the other band the guitarist was a full on metal fanatic that taught classical guitar and played at weddings etc, in our area the different teachers tend to have genres they are known for and no one treads on each others toes too much. They both go through busy and quiet patches but also have a constant flow of students from a few high schools, one also teaches a full class at a time all day on a saturday at the Peavey school which is going well.

Only having five string basses has got me out of lending them a few times.

In that case id just get a ebmm Sterling instead if you want the jazz nut

I must admit I prefer what Doddy says with a more seat of the pants actual jam compared to the 'showcase' style jam, usually the same little groups doing the same 3 songs each week but imo unless its an audience of players rather than punters then the freestyle thing wont go down as well as some familiar songs, that said what I like is a known song to give everyone a starting point but totally reworked on the spot, a reggae version of a punk song, a punk version of a ballad, a blues version of a rock n roll classic etc

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1407926884' post='2525358'] Although from what I read on hear there seem to be plenty of covers bands that operate in this way - they individually learn the songs and the only time they ever play them together as a band is when they are gigging. I would completely agree with this. However from personal experience I can't see jamming being at all interesting for anyone who isn't actually playing. I finding jamming invaluable for breaking through writing blocks when I can't work out what should happen next in a song or for fine tuning the parts I can hear in my head but my fingers haven't quite got to grips with yet, but I wouldn't want to inflict these processes upon anyone who wasn't actually a member of my band. IME an evening of jamming will usually produce the parts and basic structure for a couple of 2 1/2 minute songs. Not a particularly high ratio of good to boring music. [/quote] I don't think anyone sees that in the same way as you? I don't want to jam unknown songs with your band unless I'm in your band so what you are doing us writing songs, there is a level of covers band musicians that operate on a basis of knowing or learning a set list and playing the gig like that but much more often at least a few people will be regular members with a couple of dep players at most, me being one of two dep players in a five piece band is the most I've done. A jam night to me is a stage full of unknowns often not proclaiming to be session dep players that know all the stops, sometimes some of them have never performed live before ever, some on other instruments, some players are ace but can't jam as they have learnt stuff parrot fashion so if the drummer makes it a bit too rocky or not rocky enough they are screwed, other players appear less able but have good ears and can adapt to the vibe of the song often a song they have never heard of before, this is before you get into what key to do the song in etc

I see no trolling mate, I asked about strings and Arco what do you think of my spiros for Arco Jake? You made them sound great and I like the feel and sound of them for pizz anyway.

Good old yanks not going decimal

Expensive gear in itself certainly isn't a guarantee that the gear will be right for the player even if it's well made gear loved by others, in all seriousness I'd take an olp 5 string and a Genz contour combo over a real Rickenbacker and an Ashdown evo, I really would if I wasn't allowed to sell it on.

I wasn't sure how good my bow was and wanted to blame that until Jake declared and proved it really good then even purchased one himself, lol. Powder rosin sounds good as I presume its less prone to temperature changes? Got a linky Floyd? im thinking spiros are probably not the best arco string for a novice like me?

As I have said in countless threads before though regarding "all the gear no idea" there are players that are also "all the gear and sh*t hot" and "sh*t gear, sh*t player" too, its a dangerous assumption that I have seen a trend for where people tell tale after tale about this guy with the £50 P bass that are on a world tour etc as if all people with budget gear are going to play John Patattuci off the stage with it, much more often they are not

Its also a good way of finding other musicians for dep gigs, to dep for, or create a band with

I play an SR505 at my tuesday practices as our guitarist is a music teacher and has one he uses for bass lessons and the odd dep gig he does, its really nice and I soon get comfy with it and its controls, feels a tiny bit like it wants to neck dive but it never does and im used to heavier basses or a jazz where that tend to tip the other way if anything.

"Yes you can try my hat on but only for the sound check as it is written in law that the bassist wears a hat during the performance not the guitarist!"

I haven't had any trouble with Thomann either and at what point do they step in and get involved with a product? That Sandberg should not have been fitted with pickups or a neck once the crap pocket had been made never mind fitted with a crap neck and a dodgy pickguard, I guess Thomann could do without Sandberg trying to off load tat like that through them as it wont help Thomann in any way will it.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1407842139' post='2524488'] Which begs the question: Do w*nkers buy Audis and BMWs as a matter of course - OR, does the [i]ownership[/i] of an Audi or BMW somehow make the owner [i]become[/i] a w*nker?? And now, back on topic. [/quote] Ah the old chicken or the egg conundrum

I rarely know the songs at a jam night, "you do know it", "I don't", "you do its in A and goes like... a 2 3 4.."

Blimey that is a massive bargain if it plays and sounds good?!

Nice one

Last time I did a rig share the guy looked a bit upset when I finished my sound check with the all singing all dancing Shuttlemax 9.2 head with Genz 2x12T cab then popped the little shuttle 3.0 on top and swapped the power lead and speakon lead over for him, "there you go mate you can fiddle with that all you like and leave it where you want as I will only need to use it if mine goes pear shaped later". If he could afford a silly hair cut and a vintage Fender P bass then he can afford a little MB200 head to put in his gig bag can't he? They nearly did not go on as their drummer refused to play our drummers kit because he normally uses one with with two rack toms instead of one! They finally went on after moaning about having to turn our drummers left handed drum kit around before and after their set and it not being up to their standard (Pearl Export with Remo skins and a full set of Zildgian (sp) cymbals), a few Nirvana covers and they were done

Not strictly Hip Hop but I presume you are familiar with this guy? Give it time to get going... [url="http://youtu.be/0N2UOxkcs8w"]http://youtu.be/0N2UOxkcs8w[/url]

[quote name='fumps' timestamp='1407741939' post='2523395'] all of the Beastie Boys "Ill Communication" was recorded using an upright. [/quote] Everyday is a school day! Cool.

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1407792078' post='2524128'] FINANCE You can get 0% interest Finance most places like PMT, Guitar Guitar and GAK, thats how I've brought some of my more expensive gear. [/quote] It can be good and a 0% credit card over 30 months or similar is a geat way but I would not suggest anyone gets credit on a forum unless that is the topic the OP asked about, I find it a bit too personal? Why not have a punt on the gee gees instead If we are being [i]pacific [/i]about it you bought the gear with credit anyway, Ha

I suppose the thing I listed are all choices, feeding and clothing children is always going to split hairs though in that respect, you can't exactly get the equivolent of nicotine patches instead can you, Lol. I work with two nice lads, they started when they were 16 (twins) they save their money and work hard so they had good mopeds, then 125cc bikes, then a car each, then a landrover each for playing around in, another lad that works for a building firm we work for thinks they have it on a plate and he is always complaining that he can't drive never mind afford a car or two cars! But he has tanning injections, slimming pills, thinks nothing of spending £60 on a shirt then getting it ripped the same night pissed up having a fight followed by a few lines, he can't see that night alone would pay for a months worth of driving lessons! I dont care that he is a knob or a coke head, that is his look out but it is not fair that he moans about the twins having a car etc IMO. Like I said before other hobbies would not bring the OP any money in at all, maybe a small fund in a tin towards some new gear would be an idea, even a fiver here or there from each gig and the £20 you nearly spent on something else then decided not to can go in, it will soon add up IME and more importantly let you know if new gear is what you want more than anything else any spare cash is going on? The people telling you that a Squier bass is all you need is great but the fact you started a little venting thread suggests you would like some new gear to me : )

It all depends on your personal circumstances imo, I have some nice gear, nothing mega expensive but at the same time I dont drink much, I dont smoke, im not into clothes or £100 a pair trainers, I dont own a watch, my car cost me less than a grand 5 years ago and is tax and mot exempt. Those all add up to a big saving easily covering a few basses that I use and enjoy at least a few times a week, keeping a double bass and eub in Spirocore strings might just reduce me to jam sandwiches though

Good question and up until not long ago I would have been able to take a screw from my Classic and try it in one of my pre EB rays, but I sold them both! Best bet would be to call in at a proper fasteners place with the one you have (I presume you have one?) and they can check the pitch of the thread and its size for you, they should be able to provide two nice matching ones too. I presume being American they will be Imperial size and thread so be very careful of anything metric, if it feels anything other than finger tight dont bother! There is a good chance that the Classic screws will fit again being USA built they are probably still Imperial so you could try Strings & Things and ask how much for a pair of screws, Mark at Bassdirect is probably the man to ask on your behalf IMO.