chrismuzz

By the way, I just want to say this: A few minutes after originally starting this thread, I wondered if it might have been a bit trivial... Very surprised with the amount of helpful responses I've had so far... So thanks! Basschat and its members have once again proven to be an invaluable resource I hope at least one other person finds all the info here useful some time.

[quote name='Kongo' timestamp='1351036188' post='1846611'] I play metal mostly, from Progressive to Brutal Death and my bass guitar is up high-ish. Mind you, most technical players these days realise this, low slung guitars in metal are seen less and less. That being said, it's easier to get away with when using a pick because of the desired angle. Anyway, for shoulder problems I know what you mean. Higher strapped basses feel heavier and my main bass is pretty weighty. May I suggest the purchase of a 4" leather strap? I've been using them for years, takes the weight right off because it distributes it across more surface area. As for right hand problems I'm interested, what is the issue? Do you tend to glue your elbow to your ribs? I play more on the neck pickup unless there are cleaner parts that need less "umph" then it's straight to the bridge, but my right hand has no issues. As for the original position, I think unless you feel pain you've just looked at the picture and winced lol. Blues players tend to come in the fretboard at an angle on the electric guitar, I don't think it's an issue. You hand looks like mine though. It does come from your hand wanting to get over the amount of fretboard that currently isn't there, but it also looks like you stick to one finger per fret with strict discipline and fret notes right on the end of your finger tip. That could explain the angle and finger span. :-) [/quote] Thanks for the super long response! The wide strap thing is a great suggestion, however it's not the weight that's the issue, I used to work in a warehouse and I still lift weights frequently so my strength and stamina are very good in that respect. In fact I prefer it to feel heavier because it feels like i'm actually holding something, if that makes sense! My shoulder issue arose when I used to have the strap up quite high, and because my arms are quite long, I had to raise my right shoulder and curl up my arm resulting in bad posture, less freedom of movement and less strength, and i used to get sharp pains in my shoulder. When I said right hand issues, I should have explained what I meant really... It's not pain or discomfort, but because I like to play hard between the neck and bridge pickups to get my sound, I find it much easier, and never get fatigued when I do this with a straighter arm, which commands a longer strap. I am going to have a long practice session before my next gig and play around with strap heights some more (I have been changing it a lot lately), this time paying very close attention to my wrists! With regards to the one finger per fret, and fretting with my finger tips... I don't do these exclusively but I DO do them. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, that's another thing I need to look at! [quote name='popoctave' timestamp='1351040005' post='1846626'] Nowt wrong with it luv but your ring looks a bit tight..... [/quote] Oh my ring is very tight big boy

[quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1351015822' post='1846295'] Perhaps the best way to handle this is to snipe the bass at the last minute and then take a week or so to decide not to pay, based on the fact that it's not legal? [/quote] Not a bad idea actually!

If you play bass, you're a bass player, doesn't matter which stage you're playing on

[quote name='DarkHeart' timestamp='1351023145' post='1846407'] ive got an active tiger eye BXP millenium, the neck on it is unbelievably slim [/quote] I actually have GAS for a passive one of these, they look awesome! (in trans black though )

All my basses are strung through the body, and I use hex cored stainless steels. So they're stiffer than 'normal' strings at the same gauge on 'normal' basses. I flirted with heavier gauges, but after putting .125s on my 5 string and it sounding/feeling rather nice, I'm considering lightening up a bit!

Took me a long time to 'get' Victor's playing, and I still find some of his solo/improvisation stuff a bit of a bore as technically astounding as it is... But I really love the guy and his whole approach to music and the bass. He can groove like no other! His sense of time, rhythm and grasp on percussive playing means that he can construct whole pieces of music on just 4 strings without sounding like something is missing There are plenty of lesson/lecture snippets of his on YouTube and I always feel like a better musician after listening to what he has to say.

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif, Verdana][size=3]On 23-Oct-12 at 12:12:57 BST, seller added the following information:[/size][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif, Verdana][size=3] [font="Arial"][size="2"]Since listing this item I have recieved lots of comms about it's manufacture. I would like to point out that this appears not to be made by Music Man and I cannot find a relevant serial number on the back of the guitar. However, it does look a terrific piece of kit and will probably need a guitar tech or luthier to set it up properly.[/size][/font][/size][/font][/color]

Wow, it's up to £435... Someone's going to get ripped off I think he's a scammer, I've just looked at the questions and a couple stuck out as suspicious Q: would you consider a buy it now on this? 15-Oct-12 A: I would happily consider any offers, but have no idea what the guitar is worth because I haven't seen another one online. So he didn't think to look at the headstock and type "Music Man" or "Bongo" and "Bass" into Google? Q: hi can i ask why you are selling this unused. also do you have a buy it now in mind? thanks 15-Oct-12 A: I am selling this unused because I don't play bass. It was bought as a birthday present because I expressed a wish to play bass and was a Metallica fan who raved about their use of 5 string. I don't have an amp and my cheapo tuner only does 4 strings. A tuner that only does 4 strings... Right And of course it's impossible to tune any other way... And a bass, and tuner, but no amp or anything else to plug it into? Again i find that hard to believe. I'm going to report this one to eBay as well as I'd hate for someone to get screwed.

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1350946341' post='1845560'] Back on topic....Of course people notice the bass player. The ones who don't get noticed are the ones who believe that they shouldn't be noticed and try to hide at the back. [/quote] People notice me, hopefully it's not just because they don't see 6 strings often, or the fact that I tend to take my shirt off if the stage lights are too hot EDIT: or my dodgy wrist angle!

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1350944568' post='1845537'] Though I say credit to the OP for filling the breakage gap with a jam; I've seen bands flap around panicing, go to the bar for a drink, tell the audience to talk among themselves, or have a row (+ flounce) as to why he didn't bring a spare guitar. [/quote] Yep so few bands are prepared for this eventuality! "Talk amongst yourselves" annoys me more than your other examples... you're there to entertain the audience, they didn't turn up to YOUR show to entertain themselves!

[quote name='philparker' timestamp='1350924888' post='1845132'] Hold your hand out straight and natural and then wiggle your fingers quickly and independently. Now do the same again and cock your wrist to the awkward angle that it is in, in that photograph, and wiggle your fingers with the same dexterity. How does it feel? Probably stifled with more strain and less movement? Apart from causing any injury, you are also reducing your playing development potential! [/quote] Damn! That's a considerable difference

[quote name='essexbasscat' timestamp='1350812698' post='1843632'] You are wise to consider your body while playing, after all, there's no shortage of threads around here started by people with carpal tunnel, locked shoulders etc. Our very own Endorka has written a blog on the very topic. If you wish to gain better alignment of the wrist, may I suggest you have your bass higher ? that would place your elbow at a lower location relative to the neck, which will allow your wrist to be straighter. Good luck with it whatever you do [/quote] Thanks man, I've been considering strap height for a while but have actually been lowering it to prevent shoulder and right hand problems! Looks like it's gonna be a trial and error, finding the balance type job... again! Of all the things to get hung up about and with me it's bloody strap height

[quote name='FlatEric' timestamp='1350808813' post='1843589'] Hi. A while ago, I said I would do a feature on The "T" series Peavey's - The Forty and the Sixty. Well, I have made a start on this and have had some good news today. Chip Todd, who along with Hartley Peavey, developed the "T" series Basses & Guitars, has very kindly agreed to help me with the feature. So. . . . . [i]if [/i]you have any [i]interesting [/i]questions, perhaps something you have not seen an answer to before, please let me know and I will ask Chip and if relevant, I will include them in the feature. Cheers. [/quote] Very cool! I don't know enough about them to have any decent questions to ask, other than "Will they make any more?". But I'm guessing that the answer is either going to be "No.", or "Yes, but a limited run at an astronomical price." Still, I think they may be better off as they are, makes them kind of enigmatic!

[quote name='Ed_S' timestamp='1350797935' post='1843537'] You look a bit like you're expecting the width of a 5 or 6 string neck in your hand and only finding a 4. Considering you have a 5 and a 6 in your sig, is it possible that it's a wrist position you've developed that way? [/quote] Good spot dude! Yes, my main bass is a 6 and all of my home practicing is done on it

I've never done a wedding before, but I'm doing a birthday party for £200 next week, plus a couple of free drinks. I'd imagine a wedding would be considerably more because of the amount of time you're there, and the fact that you're generally supposed to be a bit more professional and presentable I guess?

Just found this one... My hand is a bit of a camera whore it seems.. Much better form here!

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1350767351' post='1843376'] There are some grave mistakes on yer T-shirt, spellingwise or otherwise: [/quote] Oh i gotcha haha Nah I do have an awesome Marshall pedal on my board, and a Marshall practice amp! So as well as paying respect to the grandaddy of rock amplification, I'm also promoting a brand I actively use, and hopefully am spelling correctly

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1350764101' post='1843326'] Unless you were only joking, to me this seems like a real problem indeed, and you should correct it. Here's some initial help. PM me if you need more. [/quote] Sorry mate not actually sure what you meant by this post!

He uses up to three fingers when popping notes as opposed to most of us who would just use the index finger, I'm assuming that's what you're hearing

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1350753037' post='1843126'] You might find a more comfortable hand position if you stopped taping your setlist to the ceiling. [/quote] Hahaha it's up there so i don't slouch! [quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1350755239' post='1843176'] If, as RhysP says that it was just a snapshot, and you dont permanently play with the wrist bent like this, then I'd say you are OK. If however, the bent wrist is more the norm, then IMO it would be prudent to rethink your L/H technique. Sometimes physical injuries take years to manifest themselves, so just because it does not hurt now, does not mean that it is OK. Granted, lots of players get away with playing with a bent wrist, but a lot experience problems. [/quote] Interesting. My wrist is like this in probably 20% of the pictures, so I'll think about it. Thanks! [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1350755572' post='1843187'] enquiring minds need to know if your left foot is perched up on a wedgie monitor there!! [/quote] It's actually one of the subs, it's on the floor in front of the stage but reaches about 8" above the stage, so it's kinda like a little pedestal [quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1350757328' post='1843228'] Was thi sjust an excuse to post an awesome picture of yourself [/quote] Haha thanks, I think! I deliberately chose this one because I thought I looked goofy, and that it would prevent questions just like that! Looks like I failed

Cheers dudes Nice to know I should be pretty cool healthwise... But how about the cool factor?