Coilte

Looks like you had one night that you will always remember. It's great to see Jack still playing, especially when you consider that we nearly lost him a few years back.

[quote name='gary mac' post='1355642' date='Aug 29 2011, 08:17 PM']My G&L SB1 has a nice chunky neck as do most of my fender P's[/quote] ...as does the G&L L2000. The L2000 Tribute has only one neck size 1.75" at the nut and 12" radius. The USA L2000 has a choice of neck sizes, but 1.75"/12" would be standered.

[quote name='pqs' post='1355323' date='Aug 29 2011, 03:26 PM']I'm 55, started learning to play late last year, and last Friday rehearsed with drummer two guitarists and a vocalist for the first time(the oldest is in his mid sixties) We all had a great time and are now looking to get a set together and start gigging. There is nothing to stop you! Good Luck. Regards Peter[/quote] Good for you !! I am a late starter too. Took up the bass six years at age 50. Really enjoying the learning process, and jamming/gigging with others. There is nothing to stop anyone of any age taking up an instrument.

[quote name='Spike Vincent' post='1355264' date='Aug 29 2011, 02:27 PM']My fretting wrist is straight.[/quote] Good to hear it !!! Happy Birthday !!

Greetings and welcome ! From another Irishman.

[quote name='Spike Vincent' post='1355211' date='Aug 29 2011, 01:31 PM']49 today! It's actually a vey comfortable playing position.I have long arms.[/quote] .......and a bent fretting hand wrist..thus the arthritis.

[quote name='Spike Vincent' post='1354633' date='Aug 28 2011, 06:47 PM']Damn right! 49 tomorrow...Still playing a Fender P down by my knees...[/quote] Good for you ! But if you keep that up, you'll end up like the hunchback of Notre Dame, and have arthritis too, by the age of 55.

[quote name='KingBollock' post='1354058' date='Aug 28 2011, 02:41 AM']Yeah, I was under the impression that you shouldn't keep strings off a guitar/bass for long, even to the point where I restring one string at a time to keep the tension.[/quote] Opinions vary on this. I usually take all the strings off together. It is easier to clean the fret board that way. If you release the pressure on each string gently one at a time, rather than cut them with a pliars while at full tension, the tension release on the neck is gradual. Then remove them. After restringing, the neck may need a short while to return to the way it was before the string change. I have found that if the same brand and tension of new strings are used, the neck needs little or no time to adjust. Depending on the bass, some necks are more sensitive to tension or lack of, then others.

[quote name='chris_b' post='1354036' date='Aug 28 2011, 01:14 AM']If the bass is active just take the battery out and store in a case in a dry place.[/quote] +1 to this. I would not slaken the strings. The neck is designed to take the pull of the strings, whether the bass is being played or not.

One of the best precisions there is IMO is the G&L SB1. You dont see many these days, but here is one on EBay. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G-L-SB-1-USA-Fullerton-Red-Clean-/290602972920?pt=Guitar&hash=item43a94976f8"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G-L-SB-1-USA-Ful...=item43a94976f8[/url] Some of the earlier SB1's had a precision neck. I enquired about this one and was told it was 1 1/2" at the nut. Check again if you are interested. While it is a passive bass, the split coil pup is [b]HOT[/b]

Check out some G&L L2500's. Within your budget you could get a used USA model or a new Tribute. The latter are [b]great[/b] value IMO.

It all depends on the tone you want. If you like the EXL 190's, then it is unlikely that you will like flats. Have you ever tried flats ? I agree with Blademan98 about the Thomastik/Infeld jazz flats. However, they are quite expensive ( worth it IMO ) and have a very low tension, which is not to every one's liking. My advice if you want to try flats, is to go for a cheap set first and see how it goes. They will definitely be easier on your fretboard than rounds.

[quote name='ZMech' post='1348686' date='Aug 23 2011, 08:42 AM']I think I mentioned it to a mod before, but I still think that earplug thread should be in the general bass section where more people would read it. Surely such an important issue should be given maximum visibility on the forum.[/quote] +100. I think there should be a permanent pinned thread about ear plugs and general hearing protection. IMO ear plugs are [b]the[/b] most important "accessory" for a musician. People think nothing about paying a lot of money for other accessories, but often neglect the most important one. If your hearing is damaged beyond repair, it renders all the other "accessories" void. Custom made ear plugs are expensive, but your hearing is priceless. Even if you cant afford these ones, then some kind of hearing protection is prudent.

[quote name='Blademan_98' post='1326154' date='Aug 3 2011, 09:24 PM']Short review How does it sound 'across the strings'? What pickups are fitted? Is that the 5 string version, if it is, how does the low B sound? Cheers Blademan[/quote] Here is a link to G&L's site. [url="http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/TributeSeries/basses/L-2500/index.asp"]http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/Tribu...-2500/index.asp[/url] Yes the L2500 is the five string version. I have the Trib. L2000 ( 4 strings). Along with it's 2500 cousin, they are regarded as very versatile sounding basses. Some people dont like all the bells and whistles, but if you want a varied tone ( and beleive me, these basses deliver in this department) they are necessary. In their price range these are one of the best bargains around, IMO. Hope this provides a little more information.

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1343518' date='Aug 17 2011, 06:51 PM']Just remember those warm ups! I never thought much of it until I listened to Stuart Hamm talking on the subject. They're definitely worthwhile, especially in colder weather. There is nothing worse than feeling like you're fighting your hands to get them play that bass! I've never suffered from cramps but I know they can be exacerbated by playing without having a warm up first.[/quote] +100 to this. I think another thing that can cause cramp is when people jump head long into fast and maybe complex playing as soon as they pick up the bass.

[quote name='jcater' post='1342733' date='Aug 17 2011, 09:08 AM']I used to have cramp attacks all the time since i was about 20. Now in my fifties. Heard about some people who had worn magnets to help with this, no idea how it was meant to work. Tried wearing one about 15 years ago - never had cramp whilst playing since then. Try them - Bio-flow website address below www.ecoflow.com Jeff[/quote] Sounds like a good idea, but if you are talking about a kind of wrist bracelet magnet, it may not work unless it is of benefit when worn casually, away from the bass. Most people complain of cramps when actually playing. If a magnetic bracelet was worn while playing, it would surely affect the pick ups ?

I could not agree more with all that has been said so far. There has been lots of similar discussions on a local forum here in Ireland. The shops usually site over head costs as an excuse for their exorbitant prices, and for why they cant compete with the Internet. I suppose there is some truth in this, but absolutely no excuse for bad customer service, which costs nothing. It is this latter point that got the most complaints on the forum here. Lots of people said they would be willing to pay the extra money for good customer service as well as a follow up service. In the end most said that as well as been cheaper, it was less hassle to shop on line. I agree.

[quote name='scalpy' post='1342248' date='Aug 16 2011, 06:42 PM']It sounds daft, but actually practise your explanations, to the point of scripting them if necessary. Record them, and play them back. The best teachers are clear, concise and positive.[/quote] This seems like good advice until you consider that to a degree, the ability to teach is a natural gift/talent. If you were to adopt this method, in all likelyhood a potential teacher would sound like a human juke box. IMO being clear, precise and positive is (or is not !) part of a person's natural personality. OP, you are right, the only way to find out is to give it a try.

[quote name='SisterAbdullahX' post='1342056' date='Aug 16 2011, 04:20 PM']I'm considering getting into teaching and would appreciate any advice anyone has. My first move was going to be to buy the RGT books and get graded and then onto the Registry. The only real experience I have is from covering for a friend (who is probably the best bass player in the north east, actually, there's no probably about it, he is!) years ago, when he went on holiday. To be honest, I found it quite terrifying, mainly because some of his students were already at a high level and I went in quite unprepared due to time constraints. I have found myself being drawn to it again over the last year or so (in fact I may have posted something like this before, but I can't find it if I did), but have obviously learnt the importance of being well prepared. I'd like to know what syllabus/books do people favour? How do you get into becoming a peripatetic? I don't have a music room so how much would I expect to pay to rent a room in a shop? How much can be earned and just generally what do you all advise? Ta![/quote] It is one thing to have the knowledge itself, but be sure that you have the teaching ability to be able to convey it. Teaching is a different thing altogether. Some people have the skill/talant/vocation for it, while others dont.

[quote name='Linus27' post='1342104' date='Aug 16 2011, 04:54 PM']So you can see where I am going. a £1k bass is probably going to be overkill for the casual bedroom player but for the working bass player doing gigs then its not that bad. Likewise, £5k on a boutique bass for pub gigs is a bit overkill.[/quote] Agreed, but so what, is the person wants and can afford it ????

[quote name='bythesea' post='1341277' date='Aug 15 2011, 10:34 PM']Whatever you are willing to pay and can afford.[/quote] +1.

I agree with "flyfisher" that the poll is too vague, but not because of proficiency. If a person is fairly wealthy (rare these days, I know !!), he might like to indulge himself with a top of the range bass, even if he does not know the notes of each string. Depending on your wealth and enthusiasm, the sky is the limit IMO.

Of all the topics to do with the bass guitar, this one on how often to oil/clean the fretboard, and also what substance(s) to use, presents the most varied and contradictory opinions. From my research into this, I've found a general opinion that too much oil is almost as bad as too little, as too much will loosen the frets. I usually wash my hands before I pick up the bass, with the result that a moist cloth is all that is required when changing the strings. As for oiling, maybe once every three years. Also, I always keep my basses in their case/gig bag.

All the advice so far is good, though I would not accept the salted crisps advice. Things that help with cramp would be staying well hydrated, eating foods which contain potassium, warming up with gentle stretching before playing, not having a death grip on the neck, not pressing down too hard when fretting, and keeping the hand relaxed. If this troublesome pattern can be played higher on the neck, that might help too, as would playing open strings if possible

[quote name='lonestar' post='1338291' date='Aug 12 2011, 11:19 PM']Hi Jamie, Yoga stretching fingers sounds good. Warm up excercises for your hands wrists and fingers before you start playing are always a good idea especially if you're stretching. I have very small hands too and have found that 1 fret per finger on the left hand can end up being quite painful and tiring but have a pretty good stretch having been playing for years. However best advice I can offer is to keep practising those scales keeping your thumb and hand fairly fluid and mobile on the back of the neck and move around rather than stretch your fingers too hard, especially if you haven't been playing long; a good classical hand position with plenty of air between the neck and he palm is good. Also don't use excessive pressure I read some good advice a few years ago suggesting that if you fret a note and release the pressure to the point where it starts to buzz you'll be surprised to find how little grip is actually needed to hold down a note cleanly. This will enable you to move around more deftly too. Hope this helps.[/quote] The above is all very good advice. When playing on the lower frets (1-5) use the pinkie and the ring finger together. If for example when playing a note on fret 1 and fret 4 on the E string, there is no need to keep the index finger on fret 1, once it has been played. Also instead of stretching between frets, use your thumb as a pivot to sort of "swing" from on fret to another. Gentle stretching before and after playing, is always recommended...no matter what size your hands are.