lowlandtrees

36 minutes ago, NikNik said:

Bawhair? You're Scottish? NHS Scotland not sort you out? 

I have a friend who waited two years. Both her pinkies had completely contracted. They did one (general anesthetic) then she had to go back on the waiting list for the second. Mine is not as bad but since it is not life threatening you wait a while. I sort of agree with this...it’s not the worst thing to happen to man....unless your a musician!

Hi. Resurrecting this old post out of curiosity as to whether the contributors condition has deteriorated or improved or remains unchanged. My own disease seems to have suddenly worsened over the last month. Private surgical intervention is going to cost a bawhair short of £3000 so not something to be undertaken lightly! There Is also some kind of collagen injections which are available privately? The question from a playing perspective is whether to act now or wait? It may stabilise and the expense wasted or there may be a more positive outcome with early intervention. Gonna go see a consultant anyway.

I am finally starting to get playing projects off the ground so this comes as an inconvenience to say the least but of course many people live with much worse in their lives.

1 hour ago, Dan Dare said:

You say you've come to it late and practice a lot. Have you been playing long? It takes a bit of time to develop good callouses. Also, you refer to your plucking finger singular. Are you only using the one? If so, I presume it's the index. Try alternating first and second fingers (I know Jamerson used only his index finger, but he was a one-off). You'll halve the amount of stress on the skin of each.

I have been playing around 7 years. Recently moved to DB but then joined a rock band 6 months ago so have been playing a lot of ebass. I mostly use my thumb and forefinger. I can alternate with two fingers but find the thumb much more comfortable and fluent. I think Jamerson originally played DB and moved to ebass and used a lot more open strings? Yes a one off. Bet he never volunteered to do the dishes!

Thanks will try some of this stuff. I have a an Ibanez artcore short scale 5. The string tension is high and may account. I tried lighter strings but they seemed floppy to me. I like the feel of flats but not a fan of the sound. I might dig in too hard although I mainly notice the problem when practicing at home. Will take note at the next band practice.

I read somewhere that old DB jazzers ...when they needed some lube on their plucking fingers mid set would rub said fingers down the side of their noses...presumably their own noses....I have tried this with some success....I don’t think that my own nose is greasy enough though....might have to bother the drummer 

I have come to bass late but a practice a lot. However every time that I have a bath or do the dishes or get my skin wet for longer than a few minutes, it seems that my plucking finger hardened skin gets damaged and I go back two steps. I am in a new band that has a gig in a couple of weeks. I can definitely play one set ...we are only playing one but it is a right pain in the cheeks. I have started rehearsing with a plectrum which is ok but not the same. Been thinking about limiting my bathing but my wife is not keen.

Not sure of the reason but was close to breaking my knuckles on a brick wall...two broken strings must have made you upset for a couple of years

I have a C extension on my new double bass. Since I am a C extension virgin I got some advice on fitting a new string. Extended strings are more expensive. This was a £60 string. I took just over 2 days to take up the tension...you have probably guessed by now that it broke on the last turn......grr

Yes. I have a guitar rack processor thing and tried the double bass through it with a bit of reverb and it sounded dreadful. I don’t really want to invest in an expensive reverb device only for it to be dog poo (as the mods describe it). Next time I gig through a decent PA I am gonna try using the PA reverb. I am also on the look out for a used audio image amp. Might get lucky and source the model with reverb!

A full length mirror is very useful for posture check as well as admiring yourself for hours on end

I think that answer is no.....

i would love to do this but have watched our guitarist learn and have come to the conclusion that it is a whole skill in itself. Timing is everything ...a millisecond out and the loop catches up on you. I still plan to try it.

Was watching a video of Dan Ben Ezra and he appears to be using reverb amongst other stuff but it may be the natural sound of his bass. Not really tried it, always on the lookout to improve my sound. 

Been toying with the idea of getting myself a reverb pedal for my DB. Is this something that anyone does? If so which one? Thinking about Strymon blue sky or Digitec SuperNatural. Wary of the cheaper range. Maybe you don’t need that much and best to DI through tha PA?

I thought about an adjustable but concerned that it would lose sound quality and volume? 

Not especially high at the nut, mainly the bridge.

Just got this double bass with a lovely tone but the action is set up for orchestral playing...I think...well really high. Fine for

pizz with the right hand but murder on the left. My question is whether lowering the action would reduce the tone quality or volume? It has Medium Helicore orchestral strings on at prez. I mainly pizz with  occasional arco but am going to twice monthly bowing lessons. It is a professional instrument so don’t want to do work that I would regret.

Thanks. Gonna at least have them looked at. Seems like no one else has had any problems. I hate the idea of it crashing on a gig. I always take a spare (Roland 100 bass cube) but still...

On 13/01/2019 at 15:27, TheRev said:

Have you noticed that the trim pots have definitely physically moved or is it that you're hearing a change in the sound over time?

Absolutely. Very clearly...from one practice to the next, a week apart. We 

20 hours ago, TheRev said:

I've never had any such issues with mine. They're supposed to be 'set and forget' controls and I can't think if what would cause them to move by themselves. 

If they need replacing, I'm sure any amp repair shop could do the work - the pots are just soldered onto the front PCB.

That’s what I thought but definitely something going on. Never had any problems with the amp and love the sound...and expensive to replace. Not sure who to go to in Scotland.

Hi...OK, I’m not the brightest with tech and I am posting this here coz I am guessing that most people using an EA Doubler are using a DB or EUB. 

Since I started adjusting the top ‘screwdriver ‘ settings they do not seem to stay in place. Maybe they have worn threads or I am not using them correctly. Have read the manual but not much instruction there. Anyone had any issues like this? Can any electronic engineer do a service on these or would it have to go back to EA? 

On 10/01/2019 at 22:01, NickA said:

What a lovely bass. Looking good for 120 yrs old.  Hawkes should never have gotten together with that Boosey fellow it was all down hill from there. Enjoy.

Yes...must look into the history of that company. They seemed to change marketing strategy from pro to stude. There is of course place for both and there must have been a reason...dare I say the word profit? It has a wonderful dark sound but ...I will understate this ....anguish... I replaced the low C the other day with a brand new Helicore and it snapped today as I tensioned up ...I nearly punched the plasterboard. I did everything right. Took two days over winding up. Damn and blast I repeated to no one in particular.

56 minutes ago, Staggering on said:

Looks great!

Always exciting to get something new, especially a DB.👍

Yes... I need to complete the costume with some ginger/grey facial hair....has been done

Nice day today. This little fella has moved in...Hawkes Panormo copy. Hope he hangs around a while....all I need is talent 

EUB great for convenience...rehearsal, tight spaces in crowded pubs...wouldn’t be without one tbh....but to learn to play properly from scratch it should be the real thing......I also did it in reverse with regret. 

I think that the main problem up here in the frozen ....ok drizzling..north is a lack of choice and face to face unbias info. I have been playing DB for around six years and only recently came across my teacher. He is an old fella and was a pro top orchestral player all around the country...it has been 50-60 years since he was a beginner and sometimes struggles to explain stuff. I am pleased that I met him though...I really am too old to load up the bass and travel 50 miles on a wet Tuesday night in winter to a half hour lesson. In a couple of years I may feel motivated to invest a wodge in a better bow but can’t justify that presently.

Kevin

i am in Stirling. Really struggled to find a teacher. The one that I have is ok but have read good things about a woman near George Sq. the Violin Shop near the Kelvin Hall has a decent stock of bows. I paid £200 for my carbon fibre bow but you can pay a lot less(and a lot more). I play German bow because there was a German bow with the bass that I bought...everyone I talk to plays french bow. Definitely get a teacher...you very quickly develop bad habits that you then have to unlearn. Not sure if a cellist would help or not, maybe others have a view on that?