lowdowner

So I visited BassDirect (in warwick) today and Mike took a look at my Thumb - it seemed to have a slightly concave neck and a high action and I wasn't so happy with the playability. Mike took a look and declared the truss rod to be too loose and pretty much ineffectual... Just a warning - this was bought from new, and the truss rod was 'factory set'... always worth getting it checked out by someone who knows what they're doing plays like a dream now

Mary black - Stories from the Steeples Beautiful and touching.

Hi folks Just a request for a little advice from some who may be older and wiser than me I've been playing bass for about 10 months now (since jumping ship from classical!) and due to increasing amounts of obsession and 'can't get enough of that fat string funkiness' i've been playing my bass more and more every day. Over the last week or so I've had a slightly painful, burning, pain in my right hand index and middle fingers - just where I'm stroking my strings... It feels like a friction burn... Is this common, and will it pass. Should I stop playing for a while (as if!)? Am I being a wuss and should just keep playing until my fingers 'man up'? Advice welcome.. david

David Guest - based in Cheltenham - check him out on Google http://www.play-guitar.biz/

Rotosound 66 (drop zone) RS 66LH strings They seem very heavy 65 - 80 - 105 - 130 Problem is, will they be too heavy for my Warick Thumb B.O.?? Will I need to adjust the truss rod, or will they just work OK?

Welcome I'm a fan of the MM - have a Warwick Thumb myself (4 string B.O.) but I have a soft spot for the really 'fat' sound of the MM and it was a hard choice (I couldn't afford both!) Just wondering as you're learning 'the craft' whether you were taking lessons and how you were getting on if you were?

Welcome How are you finding getting back into playing? Is it like riding a bike?

Welcome Immo - i'm new here too, but everyone seems friendly, I know what you mean about gear porn! Have fun

thanks alan I see you have a thumb too (though an extra-posh NT!) - they're 'tight' aren't they? I'm obsessed with mine at the moment: I'm boring everyone to death about how great it is to play..

Bilbo - very wise words. I think, in his defense (and he is an *outstanding* guitar player) he used the term 'fischer price' with his tongue in his cheek. But I really enjoyed the term and use it as a kind of inverted snobbery wherever I can (as in 'Oh, I only play a fischer price instrument)! One great advantage of the bass is that - for someone new to it for me - you can play along with some very simple knowledge. But I can see into the future and it's full of complexity and challenge. Bring it on - I can't get enough of that low E string - wow!

Get a teacher even just a few lessons to start with would be worth it...

Just saying hello, for some years I've been playing a classical guitar before starting what I really wanted to do - play bass... Don't let anyone tell you that bass playing is 'easy' compared to classical guitar. My classical guitar teacher described bass as 'fischer price guitar' (i.e. the toy brand), but it simply isn't true. The things I'm having to learn about: patterns, unusual scales, harmonies, getting a really clean tone at speed, locking to the drums, understanding the pulse like i've never had to do before... Mostly playing jazz, but also rock/blues etc. Lots of rolling stones and santana at the moment ... and I'm bl**dy LOVING it... I wish I'd started earlier Any tips on starting out on how much to practice and how to progress whilst still having fun would be appreciated. david Warwick thumb 4 string B.O. Ashdown Superly II Ampeg PB112H Ashdown MiBass (220W)