mcgraham

Where's the 'Like' button? *thumbs up*

A. mazing.

Welcome to the forum! Have spotted your vids on Youtube before and thoroughly enjoyed them. Keep up the great work!

I've used various systems, but I've always been hardwired rather than wireless. For an entry level system, some half decent earbuds and the t.bone system will do you. But you will very quickly start wanting the more expensive systems with better quality. Yes, good IEMs make a big difference, but you've got to respect the level of equipment you're looking for... if you just want an entry level one, t.bone all the way... at least for now.

I think I've decided that, for me, it's got to be electric guitar. It's a close call between all the instruments, but it's just pips the others at the post for being the one instrument that would allow me to express my creativity more or less regardless of circumstance. Bass is definitely my favourite instrument in it's own right, but for writing, composing, solo work, band work, live, studio, it's hard to beat the versatility of guitar. On top of that I find the sonic range of electric guitar far more satisfying for months/years on end than acoustic guitar. As such, my answer is electric guitar. Course, I could feel differently tomorrow!

Uhhh, books? don't they take away from valuable music time?

Yes it's a bit of a pain isn't it? Trying to pin down what you'd want to play for the rest of your life. It's obviously an advantage to play more than one instrument, but often we end up having too much 'stuff' distracting us from actually making music. Einstein said 'everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler', so for some people it would not make sense to have just ONE instrument. For example, in my case I teach from piano, love bass most as an instrument in its own right and get gigs on bass, but prefer using guitar (acoustic or electric) for accompaniment purposes (as well as getting gigs on guitar). It would be silly for me to 'throw away' any one of these, but at the same time this train of thought is helpful to gain perspective over where my hidden priorities lie, and if my priorities are misplaced for the future.

There is something verrrry satisfying when singing songs with bass as the accompaniment, and hitting a solid root note under the vocals... nice! But as a duet, i.e. one voice and just ONE other instrument, I think guitar - either acoustic or electric - is almost always going to win out for me. It is ideally suited for the role in terms of harmony, melody, rhythm, bass movement, etc. Easier to write in, instantly scales up to a band well, or scales down to a solo act well too.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1366124454' post='2048641'] You're struggling to use the black one when in dim light situations [/quote] Now THAT is believable!

As I spend 30-40 hours a week in front of a piano keyboard, I am tempted by getting a Moog Voyager, but to be honest I am not drawn to keyed instruments in the way I am to stringed instruments. It's all the different ways of attacking the strings that I love, whereas keyed instrument generally lack that subtlety.

I also recall reading somewhere that the density of windings per unit volume affects the sound, i.e. same length of wire wrapped tightly vs loosely will have a different sound. Would make sense that there are some differences. You could argue all basses are made of the same materials, but it's the manner in which they are crafted to exacting specifications but that allow musicians to express themselves artistically that makes them MORE than just the sum of their component parts (IMO).

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1366097493' post='2048181'] I know what you mean, I get it from playing my guitar for more than an hour & hate playing cheap sounding keys (especially most home keyboards). If I did go down the keys route, it would need to have a really good palette with some good EPs & pads (hence my choices ). Enough!!! You've got me considering it again! [/quote] Dooooo iiiiiiit... the white edition of course! [quote name='GarethFlatlands' timestamp='1366106554' post='2048277'] Slightly OT but I never find many synth sounds that work well in isolation but it's a different story when played in a band context. I had to argue with our singer about putting a lead line on a track and it ended up being his favourite part of it. For that reason, I don't think I'd pick synths although I do enjoy noodling around with software ones. [/quote] I agree. In isolation they're often a bit grating, or the tone that sounds good in isolation is bland and disappears in a mix. Bit like bass guitar!

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1366061561' post='2048003'] If it's just me & no band, then keys. Preferably a moog voyager, korg kronos or nord stage, but I doubt I'd have the funds. So maybe a korg m3 (yes, I'd been considering it when I was bandless & might still if the band's a no goer). I play guitar, I wouldn't choose it over the majority of other instruments as everyone who wants to play an instrument plays guitar & it all gets too samey. Wish I could sing though. [/quote] Love playing synth and I too love the idea of playing an awesome voyager synth exclusively, but I find the sound of synths far too grating on my ears (even though I love the sound) when playing them in isolation for long periods of time. [quote name='dood' timestamp='1366067964' post='2048090'] I like this thread as it kinda helps to explain where I come from as a musician. I started playing bass and did so for many years. We had a piano in the house, albeit a rather out of tune one but I loved the sound of it, mixing chords and melody seemed really cool. I've always had some sort of guitar about too, but for about 6 years i swapped out my bass gear and ended up playing lead guitar for a local (successful i guess) metal band. So, to answer the OP: the epiphany I had when i realised i had to be a bass player was also that I still wanted to be all those other musicians condensed in to one also. The only instrument I would need would be my Shuker (either of em actually) - they are both designed for bass playing, but also ease if access to chords and melody. The choice of pickuos being perfect for clarity, harmonic richness and tone. The action spot of for speed but great percussive elements too. It took a long while to figure out what the balance of components should be, but i know that my bass will always be my chosen instrument! yeah, where IS that 'wub' emoticon ha! [/quote] And I love your response - really helpful and gives an insight into your life and what drives you as a musician! People, please keep posting, this is really cool stuff!

That looks freaking awesome!!

Interesting!

[quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1366017843' post='2047226'] Does your voice not count as an instrument in this case? [/quote] Not in this case no I'm thinking more along the lines of instruments you own/buy/sell/take up space at home etc.

I'm a multi-instrumentalist and obviously sing, so I tend to flit between instruments depending on my mood and what is inspiring me. Sometimes for accompaniment, sometimes just for fun. Now, while I would be unlikely to restrict myself to having one instrument til the day I die, it poses an interesting question to me: [u][b]If I could only have and play ONE of my instruments til the day I die, which would it be?[/b][/u] Trying to take into consideration I'd want it to cover most of my needs, would it be one of my beloved basses? But then accompanying myself at gigs becomes a lot more restrictive than electric/acoustic guitar. So would it be an electric guitar? Maybe, but then I'm always dependent on an amp too... Would it be an acoustic guitar? Maybe, certainly (IMO) the most adaptible and flexible of the three, but arguably not as much fun as electric guitar or bass... Piano? Ukulele? I honestly don't know what I would do... but perhaps others out there have asked themselves a similar question, so I wanted to throw it out there for others to answer. Anyone got a 2p to share?

I should also add, the bowing was even more fun than I imagined it would be!

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1365758011' post='2043903'] Bet the missus disagrees.. They are seriously intrusive. You can't hide them with a subtle array of soft furnishings [/quote] Fortunately the missus DOES agree beauty of being married to a musician as well! You are right though, intrusive is the word. Fortunately it would be in my teaching room, and so would add to the ambience! Just had my first lesson - it's seriously physical.

That's about right! It's the sort of instrument you can have stood in your room as a piece of art AND as an instrument. I love how connected you feel to the instrument. When you 'hug' it from behind you feel 'at one' with the instrument, without having to plug it in. THAT alone is making me want one.

From the ones I've tried, Shuker and ACG are my favourites.

Just thought I'd let folks know I've booked a lesson with a local bass expert, John Porter, and also visited a local builder/repairer/stockist who took an hour or so out of his day to talk me through double basses and let me try a few. It has only fuelled my desire for one!

Musicroom in the Vic Centre has the best selection IMO - also very friendly and knowledgeable. Joe is your man to ask about bass stuff there. Nottingham Drum and Guitar centre has a larger selection, but lower budget. Best overall range of stuff, but not a wide range, just lots in the same bracket. Ed is a good guy and will see you right. Guitar Base/Fuzz - honestly some of the worst salespeople I've ever met. Overpriced guitars (at least they were for a while), and the staff would take their lunch break when people wanted to come in at lunch time, and they'd leave the one guy who didn't know anything behind to man the shop. Avoid like the plague IMO. Hot Rox - decent bass selection. Mainstay is pedals though, they are the people to go to for pedals. It's also very cramped, and you'd be playing any bass you wanted to try through a guitar amp. If someone is already in there trying pedals you may as well go back another day. I love the shop and they are good guys, but as a customer experience it's a bit frantic. Hobgoblin went a few years ago. There's Dave Mann music which has all manner of acoustic instruments/folk instruments if that's your bag, but I don't recall any basses in there. There's Music inn at the top of Maid Marian Way/Canning Circus - very eclectic selection. Some good, some less so. Millenium music has improved their staff, but worsened in stock, mainly online now. There may be some I've missed, but there's certainly no shortage of shops, but the quality may not be what you're after... obviously depending on what you're after!

Cheers bud! Much appreciated!

I'm hankering to get into upright/double bass and would love to get together with a local BCer who plays and has a nice instrument who could show me the basics and talk me through it. Happy to provide a coffee and pack of biscuits! Anyone?