sarah thomas

[b][quote name='fonzoooroo' timestamp='1323935618' post='1468758'][/b] Best advice is to keep the string grooves lubricated with candle wax or dry soap, and push the top of the bridge back down when you're tuning... It's then that the top of the bridge is pulled toward the fingerboard, and the off-centre pressure from the string tension starts the warp. [/quote] Ahah! (sound of penny dropping) Many thanks for that.

Hi Mikey - I'm new round here too, although I have been playing only since last summer - nothing like your expertise and experience! I got an upright last month, had my public debut last night and am now proudly sporting my first blood blister. Welcome.

And +1 to Pete Tyler. He was very helpful in my purchase.

As you're in south wales, if you can get over to the Cardiff area, you're welcome to try out my Boosey & Hawkes Artia - here's the original thread: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/148804-artia-boosey-and-hawkes-import-double-bass-l1000-sold/ Just send a pm. It'll give you an idea of the second hand market. I'll be debuting on Monday at The Gate Arts Centre in Cardiff, starting around 7pm, free entry as it's an end of term thing. All welcome and you could try it out there as well. Most of the set I'll be doing on my little Ashbory to save the old wrist.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1322487455' post='1451335'] Julian was best man at my wedding and is my oldest and dearest friend.[/quote] He's a star. He sits by me, keeping splendid time and rhythm on the djembe, and still manages to jab his finger at my sheet music until I'm back on track, usually shouting something like 'G 2 3 4' to help me along, all the while listening to what everyone else is doing. For anyone in or near Cardiff - he runs two classes at the Gate, City Road, on Monday nights. 6-8 for beginners, 8-10 for folks who can read music and have some improv experience. He does a Wednesday evening at Cardiff uni as well. It's a great way to meet other players, have a laugh and get some experience of playing with other people.

Bilbo - my tutor's called Huw Williams, he's in the 4th and final year of a jazz degree. I've seen him playing in a couple of places in Cardiff, and my other tutor, Julian Martin (evening classes, beginner jazz ensemble) has played with him. I don't know many of the Cardiff lot as I've only just started out - can you throw me some names? I guess Lee Goodall and Paula Gardiner are the top dogs on the doghouse round here. Who do you know? Do you ever get over to Cardiff? I get the feeling I'm pretty lucky in Cardiff, having a few jazz venues, good players and even an evening class to learn a bit of ensemble jazz. What's it like for other people?

I've just got my first upright after two lessons with a local teacher and am going carefully because of a tendency towards carpal tunnel syndrome. I've had the beautiful creature for a week and usually play two or three times a day for 15 minutes at a time. When my wrist starts to ache, I stop. The lessons and advice were invaluable and now I've got Rufus Reid's DVD 'Evolving Bassist' where chapters 12 and 13 tell you about left and right hand technique, so I can keep checking in. My teacher's doing a jazz degree on the DB at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the practice rooms there have a mirror on the wall so you can check your arm and hand positioning while you play. I find this so useful that I've set up a mirror (full length) at home. And I'm hoping to play it for a couple of numbers at an end of term concert at Christmas before shrinking back to the Ashbory. Woohoo!

Sure was -

Found one. Many thanks to Boulderbrow - I especially like being able to say 'I bought it from a man in a car park.'

Gamlins (the station end of Market Street) in Cardiff stock a Stagg EDB. Probably worth ringing them first, although the website says they have three in store.

Thanks for posting this. Turns out I bought my husband the lamb debut album back when we lived near manchester and he's just gone to dig it out. And now I want the album with Danny Thompson ...

Good luck - I guess it's tonight! I'm in south wales and would like to come along to your next gig if I can. Where is your local? And has it got Brains?

Hi - I'm looking for a reasonable beginner's 3/4 double bass within, say, one hour's drive from Cardiff. I've just started having lessons (jazz) and plan on bringing my teacher with me to help me out with any purchase. My budget is around the £800 - £1,000 mark. Has anyone here got an old student DB they are prepared to sell?