bassace

Strange, isn't it, how people who have a bit of a neg reputation turn out to be quite pleasant and those all round good eggs have issues. Except of course Savile who we should have known was a bastard from the start.

Specs, Paracetamol and a piece of wire with a hook to help fit strings. And a lot of other stuff.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1454082753' post='2966313'] I honestly was not in anyway supposed to be critical of people who can't or choose not too even. Injuries of course happen and at any time. Maybe I should of made my post more clear. What I had in mind is there's no reason if your fit that anyone male or female shouldn't be able to lift heavier gear if they Wanted, not that I'm saying people should go killing themselves and that I would hope to be one of those well into old age. I was really thinking old age and longevity. I don't judge others if they do like light gear. My belief, choice is that It does annoy me people go on about light gear will save your back, or I'm getting too old to lift it etc, it might, it might not and if you do keep fit you have less chance of getting hurt. As you said you can get injuries doing anything. Lightweight gear is great and I'm not knocking that either it's very convenient, but this fear of heavier stuff like say an all valve head and you do hear it said, is a bit weak willed to me, again don't kill yourself, but if you are under 75 then why not keep yourself fit and durable it will keep you going much longer than not. I take great inspiration from older 75 onwards who are fit, still lifting weights and are active in life. And I hope that I will be just that myself one far off day. I dunno maybe I am actual being criticle but certainly not in a way your suggesting. [/quote] Steady on! I don't do weights, but most of my gear is lightweight these days.

Was a bit tongue in cheek but perhaps not firmly enough?

Was listed under Events? Did Bluejay know?

I suppose I'd better weigh in here; I'll be 75 in two weeks time and the gorgeous Mrs B has bought me two pairs of Ralph Lauren skinny chinos for an early present. So you guys need have no concerns re anno domini. I've got three jazz gigs this week and still get quite a lot of work, although I don't go chasing up to Leeds from Oxon and back for a gig anymore. I suppose the clue is jazz, where there is a slightly higher average age of the band and audience. I fit in well enough with forty year olds and the trick is to have a young outlook and only hark back to the old days when you sense the general conversation going that way. Then it all kicks off and the subject soon gets round to what medication everyone's using and who's had a new knee. Audition? Never done one.

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1452720928' post='2952937'] If you have an adjustable bridge you can slot a Fishman Full Circle in there. It will be fine and dandy. I have used one for the last 15 years and I have no complaints. Your amp and cab will be fine as well. I have messed with all sorts of preamps and have eventually settled on and Fdeck HPF which is a simple buffer to make the piezo "happy" with the impedance it is seeing. Proper impedance for piezo = good tone. Wrong impedance (too low) = scratchy and horrible. The Fdeck also has a high pass filter in it which really cleans things up nicely. I have given up using other preamps for DB. It is a freely available circuit which you could build yourself if you have soldering skills, otherwise any pedal fixer/maker can put one together for you. If I was getting one made I would have it in a floor box with a mute switch and a tuner out in it. I just go straight into whatever I have through the Fdeck and it seems to work nicely. I do not miss having loads of EQ. [/quote] Yes, the HPF, high pass filter is the DB player's friend. After the initial euphoria of discovering those heavy bottom notes you'll soon find that once you get out there you won't want them so full on, especially when a member of the audience comes up in the break and tells you how boomy your bass is. The bottom notes tend to look after themselves and it's the mids you'll want to articulate. So as Owen says, you won't need much/any eq but the HPF is the piece of kit you'll use a lot.

I sold a High Pass Filter. Andy is a reliable easy guy to deal with. No probs at all.

Well, it's not ever his greatest but I remember waking up on a morning of '66 and hearing 'Can't help thinking about me' by David Bowie and the Lower Third. I thought, there's something special here. There was something about his voice that stayed in my head.

That is so sad. A hero. May he rest in peace.

Have we had 'Keep on Running' yet? I used to play the intro on DB. And then on BG after I had bought an EBO way back when.

They have a point, especially RRW by UB40, the B&W Minstrels of today.

I use industrial alcohol on the strings and the body gets a wipe down from whatever hankie is in my pocket.

Very prescient of you guys to foretell NYE 2016 but I get the drift.

Amen to Gary Mac. I'll be 75 in Feb and I just hope my constitution will be up to another year of gigs. I won't be travelling such crazy distances tho. I'll try to knuckle down to some more sustained practice to improve my technique. Oh, and not to buy any more gear - although ten minutes ago I ordered a new preamp at an eye-watering price. But that was still in 2015.

What a sweet man. Considering the contribution he made to jazz - Basie, Sinatra, Armstrong et al, I'm humbled that he was never on my radar. And he must get the 'most precarious riser' award. Thanks Dave.

I don't use them but that's good news, Daf.

1. I was the worst of three trombone players so I had to find another instrument. 2. We had a double bass at school. 3. I liked it. 4. A lot. And now 55 years later.................

The man in the hat.