bassace

Breda Jazz Festival. We used to go over each year, seven of us and all sleep in sleeping bags on the floor of an upstairs room of a pub, the Fruchtvagen. Four inches between each bag and a near-derelict loo upstairs. Until we found the basin cracked one year we used to bring our own sink plug. And, you know, it was a lot of fun. The last time I went I was with a pro band and we were put up in the best hotel in the city, one to a room with en suite facilities.

We only play requests if we’re asked.

Yup, Genzler Mag is my go-to for double bass these days.

That’s a very helpful video. You can see Eddie using both the side of finger and fingertips. Side finger gives good sustain on long notes and quarters. When you get quicker you’ll find you are more comfortable with fingertips. So, Jakester, I’d say there’s not a lot wrong with your technique for starters.

I wonder how it would do with DB.

I can’t remember how long I’ve been using Med Spiros on my double bass. They seem perfectly playable, with good attack, tone and sustain. Funny thing is, when I play my Kolstein EUB with softer Kolstein Heritage strings I find I have to play them a lot harder to get close to my usual DB sound.And then that’s when I get blisters! So the paradox is that mediums are kinder on my fingers that softs. Med Spiros keep in tune and last forever.

As they say, a gentleman. I sold him a Barefaced OneTen last week. A very easy transaction that went very well. Nice guy.

It’ll be of great benefit to all those who play an inanimate object such as a plank. For those who play a double bass there is no need. All the ‘feel’ you need is naturally transmitted through its body.

How committed will you be to DB? I ask this because in the long run you’d be better off upping your budget to £1,000. Yes, it’s a bit of a jump but it’ll be a real investment. Go down to Ben Packham in Kent and he will fix you up with a really nice old ply, or even possibly a hybrid, that will have a decent setup. That’ll keep you going for several years. According to the music you play you may feel that you never need to upgrade.

Sorry guys, the DB side is superior.

Thanks guys, I’m not usually so tentative about new gear but I’ve really dithered on this one. I’ll send Graeme a PM. BTW Clarky I’m gigging your Kolstein tonight in Oxford. Works great in pubs!

Ooh! Must get.

I’m going senile! Yes, it is the NL 112. The latest one is beige.

I presume, from the lack of replies, that no one’s got one. Hardly surprising perhaps in view of the price just north of £900 with shipping. Can we open this up to 12” vs 10”. As I said I’ve been used to tens for many years and I’m wondering whether I should try a twelve. Anyone?

Anyone tried one yet. I’ve been using tens for a number of years with success but wondering whether a twelve would open the sound up a bit, allow it to bloom. Wondering whether to commit a shed- load to those folks at Bass Direct.

Overwater aren’t anymore. They directed me to Laurence who I have dealt with before - I sold him a DB once - but his email address has failed. I have emailed AI in America but got no reply. It’s all very strange. I’ll carry on with my Genzler for now and probably direct my hard-earned somewhere else.

Do AI have a UK presence these days. They seem to have gone off my radar and I need a Clarus. Don’t fancy buying via Thomann.

Just wait until December when you’ll have to compete for space with the bloody tree!

Utter bastards!!

It used to be every time I got a new DB, Mrs B got a new horse. Things started to get expensive. And smelly.

I find recording exhausting. On the other hand I’ve always enjoyed gigging, since the late fifties in fact. OK, I’ve driven from Banbury to Fleetwood for an audience of 6 but most of the time it’s very much the other side of the coin. I don’t do quite as much as I did but I’ve got a regular Tuesday paid gig that I look forward to.

The trucks were held up for three hours and the drivers fined for a non-motoring offence that nobody’s quite figured yet. So to make up time the riggers went to work overhead while the backline and stage stuff was set up out of the way and rolled in.

Just got this from Mark Knopfler’s gig at Gdansk yesterday. They’re touring with five trucks, two busses and a private jet for the band.