BassTractor

Very [b]often[/b] do I listen to a recording and think "I want to sound like that" from a tone/playing perspective. Had this for more than 4 decades: "If I can only sound like this, I won't need another sound." Though not very realistic, it did express the enthusiasm I've had for certain sounds and ways of playing. However, finally picking up the bass myself, I soon found that even as a noob I can have very different sounds - even on one bass and without effects. Bliss! best, bert

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1348666522' post='1816654'] The new barefaced "Tetris" Cab? [/quote] Genius! A Midget 12T! I'm so ordering it.

Cool stuff, if lacking in certain areas. They do can plays tho'. Had only heard of their name before, but they're close family to Ruins and Koenjihyakkei (incorrectly a.k.a. Koenji Hyakkei). For their soft side, here's some seventies easy listening (I had no idea they do that as well), relatively speaking: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBrgCUBAHcg[/media] best, bert

[quote name='gelfin' timestamp='1348655985' post='1816445'] Dealer makes a profit of £100 [/quote] Dealer has a [i]contribution margin[/i] of £100, but surely that's what you meant. best, bert

Hi George, Be welcomed, our man from Glaschu! Join the banter, and enjoy your stay here. You like the Ashdown Drive Plus? best, bert

Just received my J pickguard from Custom World Guitar Parts. Used the rest of the day waiting for the neck and trying to get dry after walking the dog in 20mm/h rain. No bass practising. best, bert

Hi Missime, First things first: welcome to BC. Stay here and lots of info will flow your way. Second: there are bound to be some very good teachers on BC, so if you're in the UK, you should just tell where you want a teacher. Depending on in what country you live: An educated bass guitar teacher working in a subsidised community music school, should be able to get you to play all kinds of styles with all kinds of techniques, and also teach you how to do so so you avoid damage to your hands, arms, neck and back. This should not cost much. Other teachers can of course be just as fine, but you'll have to do more legwork to find out if they indeed are. One great test is: do you look forward to the next lesson? No reason to find a (locally) famous player unless they come with recommendations from other pupils. Too many famous players are not very good at teaching or teaching beginners - if they teach them at all. I'm sure others will chime in with the stuff I didn't think of. Good luck and anjoy the site. best, bert

Was only kidding. But this maybe helps:

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1348593130' post='1815716'] Did you and I manage to talk to each other on the day? [/quote] You surely recognise him on his avatar?!?!?

I'm with you on the BassChat trust thing. Toasting and Clarky really need to trust each other after cooking up a perfect pre-sale scam like this. Seriously though, heart warming story amd not at all scarse here on BC. Kudos, Clarky! best, bert

[quote name='daz' timestamp='1348545084' post='1815005'] wonder what an 18 carot gold nut would be like[/quote] Ask Skank. He knows these things.

Hi Spingere, Welcome to BC! Nice introduction you wrote too. Mingle with the locals, enjoy the banter, and don't be a stranger. best, bert

Hi RocknBananas, Welcome to BC! Can't help you because of where I live, but others will surely chime in. Enjoy the site! best, bert

Being black, I may only play Roots notes myself, but YCMV etc. Seriously though, I too think you may attack this from the wrong side. Also, a good answer would fill many books. Like Silddx said, it comes down to your ears experiencing tension and relaxation and you do this by ear. Listen to others who play the same song or in the same style, experiment with those 10 other notes and try to remember what you liked. Start with repeating stuff like each of the following lines, and the rest will come in time. You can easily try other rhythms and notes. Play a lot! I'm limiting the rhythmic scope to just one type, just to get you going. 1---5---5---5-6- and eventually make this a little sharper by playing the 6 earlier: 1---5---5---56-- 5-4-5-4-5-4-56-- 1-3-3-1-3-1-34-- 5-1-1-5-5-1-71-- Good ear! best, bert

Hey Charlie, Welcome to BC! Enthusiasm is very welcome here. You seem to fit right in. Enjoy the site, and don't be no strangah, mahn. best, bert

Cut it out, Sam! This must be the twelfth time I wish you welcome! best, bert

Yes and no. Prog was a political movement more than a musical one back in the seventies, so for me a lot of it was not interesting, as they had progressive lyrics on basic folk or singer/songwriter music. Samla Mammas Manna (a.k.a. Zamla Mammaz Manna, a.k.a. von Zamla), however, was musically exciting, with a vengeance. Of later bands, I love Anekdoten. Though based on seventies prog, they have their own identity and originality, I think. Flower Kings did not rock my boat when I heard some of their work. They seemed epigonous to me. I'm willing to be corrected on this though. best, bert

Hi Singleone, ;-) Welcome to BC! I'm sure we're also looking forward to talk to you. Though, sadly, we're mostly old rather than new. Hope that doesn't scare you away. Enjoy the site and don't be a stranger. best, bert

Thanks to Skelf for posting that. IMHO, people need to be aware of this stuff. As some others have stated, it doesn't only go for instrument builders or small handicraft companies, but for many companies in many branches - often, but not exclusively, small operations that care about their customers and about the quality of their work. I've also seen these numbers for factories, importers, and retail. Someone mentioned a markup of 100 %. However, IME that mostly is about a retail price including VAT, with the in-price being ex-VAT and before any type of overhead. As one of many different typical examples for a medium sized shop in Norway or The Netherlands: in-price ex-VAT: £ 100 in-cost: 4% = £ 4 ==> £ 104 overhead 25% = £ 26 ==> £ 130 income before tax 20% = £ 26 ==> £ 156 VAT 25% = £ 39 ==> £ 195 retail Those 26 quid are then taxed 48%, leaving slightly more than £ 13 to the shop-owner for doing the work and taking the risks of the investment. Add to that the market's demand for discounts and other stuff, and the shop-owner is one lucky b* if he sometimes does indeed get those 13 quid on a £ 195 sale. Me personally, for years I charged £ 30 per hour, but in reality was left with £ 3.50 as an hourly income. Not much in expensive Norway, but it did give me the life style I was interested in, so no complaints. best, bert

Hey War Pig, Welcome to BC. You're smarter than me. I needed 40 years before starting to appreciate Black Sabbath adequately. Anyway, enjoy the site! best, bert (North North North East East East Lancs.)

Hey Jon, Welcome the BC! best, bert

Hey Moosa, Yeah, it was about time! Enjoy the site! best, bert

Ah! Bonjour Mr. le Frenchy, Bienvenu à BC! I hope and trust you will have a great time here. Enjoy! best, bert

[quote name='steve-soar' timestamp='1348265945' post='1811793'] I'm easy to spot, you can tell me by the way I walk. [/quote] ... but bring your Hayter, just to be sure. best, brrrrrrrt

[quote name='tazza1' timestamp='1348303679' post='1812018'] used to stay in Warren Road - why is it infamous?[/quote] Unbelievable how you pose the very answer as a question! best, bert