bassace

Hi Jim You could find yourself getting several replies, each with a different recommendation. So to start I'd recommend as a simple no nonsense solution a Gallien Krueger 150MBS. These come up for sale from time to time. Then a very good rig but more expensive would be an AI Clarus with an EA Wizzy 10" or 12" cab. You don't say what pickup you are using but you'll probably need an outboard preamp as an impedance buffer, such as a Fishman Pro eq. I see your Dresden DB is for sale so am intrigued by this enquiry.

Headway hands down. It will cut feedback to an acceptable limit. But you may still be disappointed if you use it through backline. If you could link to PA (no preamp needed if phantom power available) with pickup to backline for monitoring you will have a great setup.

Looks like a very nice bass and good price.

Mostly, I don't talk to anyone and no one talks to me - that's the way I like it. Although on more than three occasions some guy or other has said 'that's the best double bass sound I've ever heard'- yes really. Do I believe him, nah.

ezb Surrey is quite a distance from North Oxon but you are welcome to visit me and have a try on my four basses. They are sufficiently different to be able to give you a handle on what to look out for. I also have some amps, preamps etc to demo. I'm not trying to sell anything so no pressure at all. Oh, by the way, I don't teach - Jakesbass is the man for that, and very good he is too.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='940797' date='Aug 31 2010, 11:23 AM']I get how this happens (I am not a family man) and everything does get in the way as you get older but that is oneo f the things I always say about reading the dots. It cuts down the need for rehearsals to a minimum whcih means better gigs with less time spent preparing. Keep a bass and use the time off to develop your reading to the point where you are ready to gig again when your kids no longer need you around so much (because that day will come ).[/quote] Wise words.

My Clarus is great and service from Overwater, via Laurence, is first class. He also kitted me out with some Wizzies.

I've got a nice bright blue jacket from Red Cross, Woodstock, for stage. I thought £20 was a bit steep until I saw the label - Versace! Don't worry about the age thing, I'm 70 next Feb. Never really grown up and avge two gigs a week.

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='934964' date='Aug 24 2010, 04:26 PM']OK. I usually prefer to ask questions without further background so as to not influence any responses I get. But this question seems a little obscure. Tatia Starkey is Ringo Starr's granddaughter, and the bassist of the band "Belakiss". I was curious to see what people thought. Personally when I've listened to their songs, there's nothing special in the bass parts or playing, but it just seems to fit the songs. The following song is sort of Coldplay-ish, and having a virtuoso playing incredibly complicated parts wouldn't be suitable, IMHO. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHPItCXtCUA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHPItCXtCUA[/url] Starkey, with her extensive erotic dancing background [url="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1qCv1fwoHmM/SKM57D98TjI/AAAAAAAAJnQ/mKxww7X4ePk/s400/Belakiss1+copy.jpg"](please only click this if you are over 18)[/url], appears to also add a visual component to the band, and moves in an interesting way when playing. Overall, I'd say that she adds a fair amount to the band, but it's not really in terms of very fancy playing. Hence I was curious to see what very bass orientated people would think. Is there a role for the "functional" bass player, or do many of the people here who could probably play rings around her think that a more expert player should be in the band? Or, perhaps I've, as I've done before, missed something in her playing which is really good? Sorry about the mis-fire in starting this thread the way I did. Hopefully it will improve from here, or I'll have to stop posting and grit my teeth (again!) while it falls down the order into obscurity.[/quote] Wasps?

The remnants of the Who in concert last year did it for me. Ok, the singer couldn't really sing anymore, the guitarist didn't exactly shine but together with Rabbit, Zak and Pino they put an amazing band together. Individuals don't always make a good band.

I used to travel with my double bass on the roof rack. Not very clever perhaps.

That is such sad news. I very much valued and enjoyed his posts and was fortunate enough to exchange some PMs with him. Rest in Peace, Si.

Can I quote my own post on page two in support of Bilbo "That geezer who played on Moondance. For a four in the bar tune no rhythm, no pulse. It really offends. Yes really." I don't think he was badly advised, just a lousy player.

That geezer who played on Moondance. For a four in the bar tune no rhythm, no pulse. It really offends. Yes really.

Anyone made a call yet?

Hmm. Videos can be so cruel. Brave, thought provoking thread though, Bilbo.

I've been doing a bit of trawling and found this ad [url="http://www.musicalinstrumentsales.co.uk/photoad.php?adId=11409"]http://www.musicalinstrumentsales.co.uk/ph....php?adId=11409[/url] Might be worth a look for someone in the Cardiff area. That's assuming it's still available. At £300 worth a go. Let us know how you get on.

[quote name='WalMan' post='920260' date='Aug 10 2010, 06:33 AM']Calculate mileage costs @ 40p/mile for the first 10k business miles, 25p/mile thereafter but does anyone do more than 10k a year!![/quote] It's very easy to knock up more that 10k if you claim mileage for the day job.

Some skiffle tune on double bass (borrowed), Reading Town Hall for the Conservatives 1956 - oh dear!

WELL DONE!

Yes, the Headway geezer can be a bit crotchety but mine's OK. I've posted this before but I'll do it again:- I swear by the Fishman Pro eq (not the Platinum Pro eq). It's cheaper, simpler and gives you an impedance matched sound, phase reverser and five way eq. It's my 'go to' preamp. I've got an fdeck unit coming. It's the one all the US guys rave about. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thwaites? Watford? Too far? Also, you'll get one for less than £5k from Contrabass Shoppe, or have I misunderstood your post? I'm told that the Archer is very good and affordable.

A lot of jazz stuff came across to the UK in the late 50s/60's tied into the beatnik movement. Some has stayed in our language and some has disappeared. Dad was used a lot, more than the US Daddio. Jobsworth appeared in Humph's first autobiograpy Gig was a lot more specific. It referred to a musician picking up a freelance job. It was not a performance by a band, as it is now. Ridiculous was a term of approval - as in 'that was a ridiculous solo'. Dig. There was a joke going round about the beatnik who saw a duck quacking and said 'I don't know the tune but dig those crazy shoes - man.' Riff Way out - as in 'my name's exit because I'm way out' (sorry about that) Hip. Try and find a great song by Dave Frishburg, sung amongst others by Blossom Dearie called 'I'm Hip'. Sums it all up. Chops was specific to blowers, as in 'great chops' derived from cheek muscles (embochure) and has only recently spread across all players I'm sure there were a lot of others but my memory's a bit fragile these days.