AndyR

It is 28 years since I played my first gig . I still play in an originals band who are gigging fairly regularly. The decline in the number of pubs is particularly well documented (20-30 per week). We are finding the waiting time to get a gig is become more and more extended as there are the same number of bands and less places to play. Market forces are such that prices are therefore falling. The positive side is that you have to have an increasingly quality set. Anyone else noticing the trend on price?

Andy Scott used to live nextdoor to my Grandmother in Wrexham.

Thanks for the response mate - I found the thread.

Not being a teckie sort - Does anyone know if this piece of kit will work with my Bass. I have the chance for a knock down one at £100. Any help appreciated. Thanks Andy

Very Nice - Thinking about one of these - they are to die for - probably at the hands of my Mrs.

I recently purchased an Ashdown 410 Combo from Ian and the goods were in the condition exactly as described - mint! It was a very fair price for the goods and and I think we mutually agreed that it was a steal. Very fair and straightforward to deal with. Andy

I have been playing Bass for 30 Years and relatively recently took a lesson with Steve as I had hit a wall with a particular area of my playing. I found Steve to very personable and he was quickly able to come up with some constructive suggestions. More importantly having a lesson made me reflect on what I already knew which is an inportant part of the process. One thing in particular that I quickly picked up from the lesson (and there was no preaching!) is that if you do not play from a solid foundation wtih control then all the speed, fancy flicks and licks will count for not a lot! I have since been in touch with Steve for a further lesson - oh and he likes talking about Bass Stuff.

Just finished this and others. We have 20 originals in the locker having reunited after 20+ years and can now admit all our guilty pleasures. Andy

I find using open strings an opportunity to regain control and also rest the left hand!

I had a Fender P Bass years ago and just found it Physically Hard Work - Too heavy and the neck was too thick I was in a Rock Band at the time and 2 x 1 Hour set was a killer with it.

Some thoughts for you. Spot on about practising with a drummer - the drummer in our band is top rank and makes me sound better than I am! I also practise with a metronome and/or drum machine and really try to focus on timing. I do get feedback about overplaying from the band and I think that you just have to take it on board when you trust the rest of the team, Finally I tend to always have the Bass at max volume on the Bass Circuitry and make adjustments on the amp. I just find it easier to get the sound I want that way - otherwise there are too many variables for my liking.

I learned arpeggios very early - I was fortunate that I had piano lessons and understand the rudiments with regard to music. I started jamming with some of my mates and I progressed from there. Absolutely nothing wrong in jamming along with CDs etc in my opinion - I spent hours doing this when I started and the combined knowledge of scales and arpeggios lets you fill a song out with the bass - complimenting chords and holding the groove are 2 of the fundamentals. Practise, practise and more practise has been my formula - I have at times hit the wall - still do but just see it as the next challenge whatever level you are at!

Been browsing for a while. Im Andy live in North wales and have been playing the Bass since I was 14 so 31 years. Played in various bands over the years - primarily Classic Rock - but the passing of time has opened my ears to all genres and I am happy just playing the bass! I have had various basses over the years Precision/Jazz/My beloved Kramer Forum IV and have recently purchase an Ibanez SR600 which I really like. Currently using a fender Amp and various Boss pedals that I purchased in the eighties that are in great nick. To anyone starting out my advice would be practise, practise and more practise and find somebody to jam with! I would spend hours and hours when I was younger practising along with CDs making up Bass Lines to existing songs and thats how I found my way around. I am currently teaching my 11 year old son to play which is great fun. I have been recording chords and drums on a yamaha keyboard and getting him to come up with bass lines. The look of realisation on his face when the penny dropped about the function of the bass within a musical arrangement was brill and brought a tear to my eyes. Anyway just remember God did not rest on the 7th day he made a Bass Guitar! Keep practising