Belinda

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='878055' date='Jun 26 2010, 11:37 AM']I can't really imagine what your fingertips are doing, I've never had that. Is your gig tomorrow a bass guitar gig? If you're picking over the end of the neck the lower tension will be easier on your fingers and if give yourself plenty of headroom on the amp you shouldn't have to pick hard. Apart from that I don't think I have any advice for you. Oh, and don't do any washing up today, or anything similar.[/quote] Love the sound of that!!!! No washing up by order of Basschat.co.uk - fantastic The gig is mainly bass but after last night they at least want the eub on the slow walking bass lines - it does sound very nice Belinda

[quote name='thisnameistaken' date='Jun 26 2010, 11:16 AM' post='878042'] Cracks?!? Blisters I've heard of but cracks? How hard are your callouses? I don't have callouses - and the skin has been fine for bass. I'm sure it's bad technique on a new instrument THe cracks are very small and not deep but I just know they will get worse!! As for playing with a pick - I've never used one and the band is a swing /40's /jazz and so the band leader wants a "soft" tone - if you know what I mean Belinda

I'm sure someone out there has some useful advice I received my Aria EUB yesterday and took it to rehearsal - left hand is fine but, maybe because I was switching between bass guitar and eub, my fingers are very sore on the right (2 small cracks too!!). Ordinarily I wouldn't be concerned except that I have a gig tomorrow afternoon Does anyone have any suggestions to tide me over, apart from not playing ? Hopefully yours Belinda

[quote name='BigBeatNut' post='874109' date='Jun 22 2010, 08:33 AM']The EUB and DB I have haven't been gigged to any extent so I can't really comment. However I do know of one classically trained DB player who also plays BG and DB in blues bands, and he says that the markbass 121P combo he has is the only amp he's found that works well with both DB and BG. Suspect that (like me) you've luckily made the right choice. Andy[/quote] When I was out to buy an amp I was looking for something small and light - the MarkBass outshone everything and I can carry it!!!!!! It was the pound notes, I suppose, that made the difference as it was several hundred more than the cheapest I will not be doing any arco - thankfully - I did try it but there was noone able to show me how to use the bow and all my playing friends are wind and brass mainly. So it seems that the string issue may now drop to the bottom of my list My next conundrum will be finding a tutor in the Medway Towns area who won't make me play arco Like others, I only want to make sure I have the good habits first. I noted that some people recommend a DVD - if I have no luck then I'll have to go down that route. I bought a 'how to play' DB book when I borrowed the first one and the opening lines almost were ... your tutor will show you how to hold it!!! Thanks for all your reassurances everyone - expectantly yours ... Belinda

At first I had a thought ..... and the thought grew stronger ...... then I discovered this forum ..... and Hey Presto, the thought became a reality I will shortly be taking delivery of an Aria SWB Lite One Oak It's all your faults - this forum has been most enlightening and does not appear to be elitist. You have provided so much information that I felt confident enough to take the plunge - and indeed, it is a plunge because I have neither seen nor played one of these Several years ago I borrowed a DB because a string group needed some low end and basically I played it for just a few weeks. I was then asked to play in a band as the bassist but having carted the DB (I'm 5ft 2) in and out of the car and up a down stairs a few times I soon bought a very cheap bass guitar and amp (£200!!!!). It wasn't long before I outgrew that and have gone through various amps and guitars and am currently playing a Fender Jazz (not an actual Fender unfortunately) with a Mark Bass combo amp. The band is a swing / 40's 7 piece and the sound is good but I feel that a DB sound would enhance it - hence my thought process I do have questions and they are probably silly ones but .... here's the first .... am I right in assuming that my combo amp will be fine with the Aria?? - Told you!!!! Also, people seem to be changing strings - is this necessary or preferential? Being a complete girl (I wish) I don't understand what people mean about a pre amp - this has caused me a fair bit of confusion, hence my first question Anyway - I'm sure I'll have more if I can't find the answers in older posts Your's expectantly Belinda