Grangur

I've been going the Youtube/book self-taught route for the past 3 years. I recon that for myself I've gone a good way on this path, but I'm getting now that I need feedback and direction. I don't know if, because of work, I'll have the time available to play in a band but I do feel I want to move to the next stage; whatever that is? FWIW my path has been this:[list] [*]Youtube to get the stance, hand technique, and a small amount of other info. [*][url="http://www.studybass.com"]www.studybass.com[/url] - has taught me about scales (backed up by books), turn-arounds, 12-bar blues [*]I've gone half-way through 2-3 books: Crash Course Bass, Walking Bass lines and Blues for Bass. [*]Latest book is Reading Music for Bass, by Stuart Clayton. [*][url="http://www.musescore.com"]www.musescore.com[/url] - gets you free software for you to write scores on the PC, so you can transpose tunes and play stuff. Through this I've got to play stuff from "The Star-Spangled Banner" to "Sound of Silence". So now I can sight-read a bit. [/list] But the book route is having me think I'm just copying. I don't know if I can join a band because of work commitments. I don't know what my next stage is, or my objective. So at the age of 53 I want to get better, but I'm lacking direction. I'm enquiring about lessons with a teacher now because I hope I'll learn where I want to go. Or... does anyone here have ideas? Please? Oh - one more thought.. I know others play the bass line to their collection of CDs or MP3s. I don't see muself doing that very much. I guess I really aspire to playiing like Victor Wooten... so the bar's a bit high I guess.

You could start here: [url="http://yamaha-corporation.force.com/dealers/uk_servicecenter"]http://yamaha-corporation.force.com/dealers/uk_servicecenter[/url]

P bass = Precision bass - this has 2 pups together, but staggered. See this one : [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/204309-for-sale-fender-usa-standard-precision-bass-l600/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/204309-for-sale-fender-usa-standard-precision-bass-l600/[/url] Jazz bass - this has 2 pups; one nearer the bridge and one near the neck : [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/204446-fender-jazz-bass-1962-pre-cbs-hall-original/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/204446-fender-jazz-bass-1962-pre-cbs-hall-original/[/url] J-P bass - this has the P-bass pups with a Jazz-bass pup near the neck: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/203525-squier-precision-specialdeluxe%3B-carrosewood%3B-excellent-condition/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/203525-squier-precision-specialdeluxe%3B-carrosewood%3B-excellent-condition/[/url] The difference in the sound is mainly that with a P-bass you don't get as much control over the sound variation. The Jazz usually has a blend pot/control allowing you to select between a harsher/punchier sound from the bridge pup, to the softer, more rounded sound from the neck pickup. Best thing to do is to go to a shop and try a few

For tendon injuries Ibuprofen is good for the pain. I've found gently massaging the area with Ibuprofen jell - like Ibruleve is effective. The massage is good and the jell stops you pulling the skin about too much, if nothing else. Disclaimer as above, but I've paid good money in the past for help, so I've got used to the drill

Another Roland 100w went recently for about £150. The answer I've found for the 2nd input problem is to have another, real cheap amp and use that. (I've nicked my son's small guitar amp while he's at uni) Oh, err and BTW I'm 54 and still haven't yet totaly given up on playing a pub one day.

Hi Timmo, I see you were looing at the Roland 100W bass cube. I have one of these. I upgraded to this after having a Marshall MB30. The MB30 was ok but was no good for slap n pop... not a big deal if you're not bothered about that, but I still dont regret moving up. The Roland cube has good punch, verious effects and you can connect a pedal to turn the effects on/off. You can also connect an extension cab too; which it good for the future. For now I have the gain and volume at about 30% and it's loud enough for my lounge. I'm a learner too though, and what I do miss, (that the MB30 had) is a 2nd input. This is useful for conecting in an MP3 player, metronome, drum-machine etc. I hope this helps, and thanks too to all the other guys on here for their insights. Cheers Rich

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1365137825' post='2035794'] Never meant to underestimate you, bro'. Was just playing a little with the concept of smart bidding.[/quote] No offence meant, none taken. The only thing I'd add is "never bid more than you can afford" and on ebay, I guess you should never underestimate the chance you're being ripped off. Rich

Yes, Bert. I know that too. That's why I was stunned to see I won with a half-hearted bid, like only £5 over what I guessed was the top bid. (TBH Mrs G was cheering me on telling me "Go for it!" )

They're really stunning as they are, but I'd consider adding an ashtray to the jazz, even if you don't cover the pups... IMHO, FWIW

Hmmmm.. the timing on today is interesting. I saw this nice bass on ebay last night... well it "winked" at me. A very nice price and it was a Fender P. I started as a J-bass player and liked the versatility of the sounds it produced. Then I bought the P-J Warwick Streamer Stage 1. DAMMIT I find now I love using the P pup all the time. So the Fender on ebay was SOOOoooooo tempting. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230956237344?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230956237344?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649[/url] Well the bidding was at £285 ish and a few minutes to go.. umm... err... what do I do? 55 secs to go... damit all! "305" was just sooo easy to type in there. Well the other guy probably put in "300" and the 5 could make it mine. (Ooops letting out all the secrets here) 15s to go... woops!! I hit the enter key! 0s... oh Bu$$er!! It's mine!.. Well there's a thing! I meet the guy tomorrow to collect! Pssst... don't tell Mrs G will you?!! PLEASE!!!

Hey! Just as I was about to tell you i'd be in the area on Friday.... good to hear it's sorted. Cheers Rich

Yep, it's amazing what you can achieve on TV when miming to a backing track *sigh*

[quote name='4 candles' timestamp='1364419865' post='2026360'] if you have a daytime job then you should do it for free!!! or enough to cover your petrol and sandwich because you enjoy it, and you have a source of income and leave the paid gigs to us guys who NEED the money, who do this to pay the bills and put roof over head [/quote] I think you'd find the wolrd works different to this. If wedding organisers find that bands "do it for free" why would they ever pay again? Surely they will start to keep a list of FOC-bands and they will be the only ones who get any work. I think your plea should be: "If you have a full time paid job, PLEASE don't cheapen our trade by undercutting us and taking all the work".

Yep, I'm frustrated. I read some BC and see a reference to Esperanza Spalding and watch some classy playing... then pick up the bass and it's back to "Crash Course Bass" riffs, scales and "Star-spangled banner"... One day... one day...

[quote name='The Hat' timestamp='1364306368' post='2024574'] Thanks for all the advice peeps, much appreciated. My Bass Collection is now in for a set up and different strings so will stick with it when she's back [/quote] NOOOoooo!!!!! You can set up your bass yourself. You'll save loads of cash and not have the wait. Also, worst set-up I ever had was a "Pro set-up". There is loads of info online to tell you how to do this. Try Youtube as a start: [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdhCeD9R5qM"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdhCeD9R5qM[/url]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1364066189' post='2021602'] BTW how does buying an extra seat for your instrument work? Every international fight I've been on in the last 10 years have required me to supply a passport number at the time of booking - I would expect two seats booked on the same passport to set off all sorts of security alarms. Also what do you do about securing the instrument and case during the flight? [/quote] I'll ask my Bro-In Law... I know a lot of folk in orchestras do this, but not sure exactly how it happens. My guess is you can't book the tickets online and you have to phone the booking agents and book on the phone. But I do know there's no-way his £68K cello goes in the hold. When you have that investment you don't rely on baggage-handlers to get it right.

I can arange to go to that area with my work. So if you're pushed I can collect. I also have shipped basses and do have packing materials. I would prefer to collect during the working day or early evening, if they can do that. Cheers Rich

Joking apart, pricing anything in this world is depending on what the market will bear. You want a good rate and for the couple not to feel ripped off. Maybe some more info could be useful. Are you a covers band? What sort of stuff do you play? How many other gigs have you played? How regularly have you played together and for how long? Do you have a Youtube vid or other recordings?

If you're really good £2400 each

Each punter or each Band-member?

I went there a while back and peered at the basses through the dark and the smoke-machine filled air. The room was hummed with the sound of clubbing vibes and some guy mouthed to me, "I can plug one in and you can try it if you like". "Errr... yeah, sure", I thought, "you cut the club sound and it all changes to little me trying a bass with a few chords". I replied, "Err.. no it's ok thanks". I left and went to the Bass Gallery and bought a "real" German Warwick. Maybe my experiance is an example of the reason?

Ahh... that makes sense. Many thanks iiipopes. It's good to know all's normal.