Coilte

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1487593048' post='3240952']
I'm not a fan of flats. Tried them a couple of times, and they just sound dull to me
[/quote]

In other words...they do what it says on the tin...

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1487588991' post='3240887']
Anyone got a decent set that's only been on a bit that they're getting shot of? Precision length. I'm actually quite tempted, bit for the price. I could be converted to the dark side. I've just put a fresh set of Nanowebs on my P. It'll be a few months.
[/quote]

Hopefully someone can oblige. One thing (well..two actually..) to remember about flats :

1. They can generally be very high tension, though a few brands makes ones with less tension. The Thomastiks (TI's) one of the lowest tension strings out there.

2. When you put them on new, it takes (depending how often you play) perhaps a month or two for them to break in.

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1487575868' post='3240774']
Yikes. Why so expensive?
[/quote]

Perhaps as an initial payout...yes. However, as dannybuoy says, the fact that they last a loooong time, makes them cheaper in the long run.

[quote name='radiophonic' timestamp='1487325352' post='3238917']
The main problem I have with flats is that they don't sound like rounds!
[/quote]




Problem....?... They are FLATS !!!....they are not meant to sound like rounds. They are meant as an alternative.

[quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1487192632' post='3238005']
If I am honest, I don't really understand flats, if a sound is too bright you back the treble or tone off a little?
[/quote]

IMO no matter how much EQ you apply, you will never get rounds to sound like flats.

Personally, I like both rounds and flats. For the latter I use TI's.

[quote name='neilp' timestamp='1486992873' post='3236066']
Best tips I was ever given, if you want to be asked back. Deps or session work, makes no odds

1. Turn up early with all your gear working
2. Help with load in/out or set-up
3. SMILE
4. Co-operate
5. Play exactly what you're asked to play
6. SMILE and say thank you
[/quote]

Plus one...to all of the above. Just as ..(probably more so)..important as any of the "technical" stuff.

I would just add....dont play within your own little bubble. Listen, and be aware of what else is going on in the band.

R.I.P.

I had a set of TI flats on for about five or six years, before I felt the need to replace them.

As with all non bass related threads like this, IMO it is best to go back and seek the advice of your doctor or a physiotherapist. While other people may [i]seem[/i] to have a similar problem, everyone is different and what might be good for one, may not be the case for someone else.

You say the pain is back with a vengeance...then all the more reason to get it properly checked out.

Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear. Hope you get it sorted.

Joe Cocker - With A Little Help From My Friends.

John Coltrane - My Favourite Things.

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1486589986' post='3233141']
Agreed I think that G+L basses are great I have had a couple but never kept them not really sure why
[/quote]

End of thread. Bass sorted.

Cant advise on the Sire Marcus Miller, but if you want another option, I think you should check out the Tribute G&L JB2. I own one. Great bass.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XG%26L+tribute+JB2+bass.TRS0&_nkw=G%26L+tribute+JB2+bass&_sacat=0

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1486386371' post='3231274']
Indeed.. But here's some reading :-) [url="http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hand-pain/Pages/Introduction.aspx"]http://www.nhs.uk/co...troduction.aspx[/url][/quote]

This would also help the OP...when he gets the OK from the doctor to play again.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA

My advice is not to exacerbate the injury any further by continuing to play. Rest up for a while. Some sort of professional medical advice is required ASAP.

No one here is qualified to to give any other advice.


Hope you get it sorted.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1486378256' post='3231172']
Well, that's Jazz.
There has to be an element of improvisation.
[/quote]



Agreed, but I think it's best when used with music. If I want fiction, I can always read a novel.

Seems like a good book. Read some reviews. However, there seems to be some questions about the validity of some of the stories, i.e. did they really happen ?

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1486325524' post='3230932']
The best practice is done when you WANT to practice, not when you feel you should.
[/quote]

Practice is only beneficial when performed regularly, i.e. every day. If a person does not have the interest, enthusiasm (and discipline) to put in an hour a day, (even half an hour if that's all he can find), then he/she will not make much progress. Nothing wrong with this, if the person just wants to casually noodle around, when he feels like it. However, if he/she is genuinely interested in music and in his instrument of choice, then he will ALWAYS want to practice.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1486319729' post='3230875']
Better to plan on 4 and end up with 2
[/quote]

...and if you do end up with two hours, take a break after one, before commencing the second.

Small amounts of time...[u]but regularly.... [/u] is the key. IMO it is futile trying to squeeze a weeks practice into a few hours at week ends. Twenty minutes to half an hour [u]every day [/u] (or twice a day if you can manage it) is a much better option.

It is not so much the time that determines a constructive practice session, but the [i]quality . [/i]One way of trying to avoid distraction, is to have only you, your bass, and the learning material (bass books DVD's etc) close at hand. Self discipline is a must, as is keeping the practice session both interesting and fun. You don't mention what your practice consists of. Some people consider aimlessly noodling around to be "practice". Perhaps a few lessons from a good teacher would be a good idea ? He/she would be able to assess your playing and provide a constructive lesson plan.

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1486148257' post='3229700']
I have just had a practice session and I am now sure the issue is playing too hard. The borrowed practice amp sounds awful but I cranked it up a bit and played much more softly than usual. Both of the tracks that were causing me most hassle were got through well. One I have struggled to even get to the end of before and the other has always resulted in pain. Tonight the harder one gave a mild bit of cramp right at the very end. I then went back and played much more aggressively as I normally do and guess what? Yup, pain was back in no time.

I also watched the link and tried the floating thumb technique and found it easier than I expected, not sure if it's for me yet, I need to play about with it more and see how it gets on.

Thanks again for all the help and suggestions.
[/quote]


Glad you seem to have found the source of your problems.

As for the "Floating Thumb"... I'd give it at least two months of persevering, before coming to any definitive decisions either way on it.

Not sure about question 1, but for question 2, it depends on what kind of tone you are looking for, i.e. bright and trebly, or warm and mellow, like a double bass.

For the first, try stainless steel strings or nickel wounds. For the second...flatwounds. As for brands...you will get as many suggestions and recommendations as there are people on Basschat. "Best" is a very general term, especially where strings are concerned.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1486139261' post='3229590']
Ah. Just saw your latest reply. I assume that you are anchoring with your thumb when plucking. Try to ease up on that. Maybe have a look at floating thumb technique - even if you don't adopt it you will realise that you don't need to anchor so firmly. It's a reference point, not the support for your whole arm
[/quote]

+1 to the above.



OP, more than likely, you are pressing too hard with the thumb on the pick up when plucking. When you use the pick up as an anchor, it automatically puts a bend in the wrist. This can cause injury problems at a later time (CTS for example).

As mentioned by Norris, the Floating Thumb technique is great for both having the wrist straight, and for muting unwanted harmonics.

Here is a clip :

[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU"]https://www.youtube....h?v=PPVMBPmrblU[/url]

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1486114451' post='3229288']
I told the Mrs that I needed to strengthen my fingering technique. She suggested a Gripmaster.
[/quote]

Grip masters are useless from a bass playing aspect. They develop grip strength which is the last thing a bass player needs. The idea is to have both hands as relaxed as possible. This is not possible when gripping. Besides, it's not a question of strength... ( we have enough in our fingers from an early age, to fret a string)... but as the OP correctly states...stamina and agility.

OP...as you are a fairly new player, it might help to make sure your technique is good..and just as important ...[b]safe. [/b]


The fact you mention getting cramp in your thumb, tells me you might be pressing down too hard when you fret. As an exercise, try fretting [u]without [/u]the thumb, just to see how little pressure is required.

IMO the best way to build up stamina is to play for short periods...[u]but play often. [/u] For speed, start slow, and gradually build up the tempo.


Here are two clips (left and right hand) on safe technique which are worth a look :

[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA"]https://www.youtube....h?v=VRkSsapYYsA[/url]

[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIYuqTsUlyM"]https://www.youtube....h?v=uIYuqTsUlyM[/url]

[quote name='Downdown' timestamp='1485986313' post='3228368']
Doesn't everyone appreciate the recognition of their peers?

Why create and perform music in the first place if you're not interested in anyone else's opinion of it.
[/quote]

I suppose you could say that people are expressing their opinions on your music by buying your albums. Action speaks louder than....trophies.

There is always the "off"...or channel switching button.