BassBus

What voxpop says. Just jump in. You might sound a bit out to begin with but your ear will tell you when you are wrong. I don't know if you do any soloing with the fretless. I play in a jazz band so soloing is part of it. I use lined and unlined basses but I like the lined to give a bit more accuracy up the dusty end of the neck. On unlined you have the position markers at 3, 5, 7, etc. which gives you a guide.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1368186378' post='2074186'] I was aiming for the positive aspects of "having a go" rather than dwelling on the (often necessary) negative aspects of the learning process [/quote] Ah. My mistake. I try to do as much of my own setting up as I can. When it comes to nuts though I have no experience so it's off to a luthier. I don't have the files either and for the number of times I needed a nut altered (once) it seems easier to take it to Chris McIntyre.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1368184476' post='2074145'] But how did the luthier/tech learn how to do it? [/quote] By making mistakes and that's why Graham should take it to a luthier if he doesn't know how to do it. [size=4] [/size]

Is this the model? [url="http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/BXL450.aspx"]http://www.behringer...cts/BXL450.aspx[/url] If it is, then at 45 watts you're going to be struggling in a band context. As Ray says probably better with 250-300 watts. The clicking might be distortion of the speaker. Lower powered amps can do this when you crank them up. Best keep the volume down and just use it for home practice. Get hold of a bigger amp for band work. Have a look through the amps for sale in 'The Marketplace' here on Basschat. Usually some good bargains and you can usually depend on the guys selling here.

I'll put myself in the ten percent. Not everyone is going to love a 'strong' leader but that's what produces the goods sometimes, and they produced some goods in their time. Never liked the acoustic version of Hotel California though.

Is this the one? [url="http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/ashdown-300-watts-bass-amplifier-for-sale/1015988801"]http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/ashdown-300-watts-bass-amplifier-for-sale/1015988801[/url]

Does this help? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96UF0TwIUmM&NR=1&feature=endscreen"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96UF0TwIUmM&NR=1&feature=endscreen[/url]

And that's a good example. Played around simple chord structures. Sometimes the hardest to make sound good and not boring and repetitive.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1367580210' post='2067142'] I seem to manage to find the suckers, though [/quote] You never said it was free jazz you played. [size=4] [/size]

Bet the audience don't even notice your mistakes, Bilbo. You will because you care and want to do it right. I have heard it said before, that there aren't many notes that are wrong in jazz. If you are now doing 120 gigs a year you must be doing something right.

dontthey teech gramor and punk tuashon well in skool thees dais. [size=4] [/size]

[quote name='bassatnight' timestamp='1367314070' post='2063949'] Players of note: Mark Egan, Mick Karn, Tony Franklin, Pino Palladino (Gary Numan/Paul Young), Jaco Pastorius [/quote] [quote name='Panamonte' timestamp='1367314637' post='2063953'] and John Giblin [/quote] ...and Gary Willis...

[size=4][quote name='GarethFlatlands' timestamp='1367264447' post='2063460'][/size] Do a massive slide into or out of every single note. Best get a chorus pedal too. [/quote] And then try slapping it. And that's when you'll wish you hadn't. [size=4] [/size] [quote name='chilievans' timestamp='1367264963' post='2063475'] I've been playing Bach on it and it doesn't sound quite right in places. I'm thinking its my intonation? [/quote] It might not be just your intonation. Take it to a good luthier for a setup. Not all guitar shop techs know how to setup a fretless properly.

Lots of positives to take from that experience. You know where you went wrong so you can work from there. You might not have enjoyed that one but there will be others.

Another one who's still looking great at 60 is Pat Benatar. She can still belt out the songs too.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1367048916' post='2060589'] Robert Plant... [/quote] Is that not the guy who did some backing vocals for Alison Kraus recently.

Different kind of tears. [size=4] [/size]

[quote name='danthevan' timestamp='1367014596' post='2060408'] You know who that is, right? [/quote] You'll have to tel me.

What do you think of this? I think it is just the best version I have heard. Even brings a tear to one man's eyes. Go to 4.00 for the start. Watch without prejudice. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms7yD5SJ5RY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms7yD5SJ5RY[/url]

I can vouch for ESP basses. I bought a fretless 204 and it is one of the best basses I have. You will not go wrong with an ESP. Sorry I can't help with measurements as mine is fretless and four string.

I would look at the angle of your wrist. Make sure it is as straight as possible. You could try dropping the height of the bass too. That might with the angle of your wrist. Might also be worth your while speaking to an osteopath. They can give you advice on how the muscle groups work together which might help.

This has been going on since time began. The only difference is maybe that it is being made professional. Our jazz band do an annual 'at home' gig as a fund raiser, we've played at private parties in 'front rooms' too. It is another way to help professional musicians though.

Here's the evidence. [url="http://www.wunjoguitars.com/uk/wunjos-brand-new-bass-centre"]http://www.wunjoguitars.com/uk/wunjos-brand-new-bass-centre[/url]

[quote name='The Bass Doc' timestamp='1366722257' post='2056393'] I do like a challenge. (anyone wanting a five pickup bass with all bells and whistles can F...R....O.. ). [/quote] I do like the way marketing has gone these days. [size=4] [/size]

They are things of beauty. I love the idea of the fingerboard going all the way to the pickup.