shizznit

I use a millimetre ruler to set the action for each string at the 12th fret after I have made sure the relief on the neck is spot on. I pretty much leave it once I am happy and I will tweak the truss rod when required. I tend to double check the setup every time I change the strings to be on the safe side.

I have only ever owned one P bass and that was a fretless. I don't gravitate towards P basses in general because I can't stand they way they play, but I do like the tone for certain music styles. If I can find one with a jazz neck then I might go for it.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1354284683' post='1884448'] I hardly dare ask what happens to your girlfriend if you press this button [/quote] The 'Exit' button then gets pushed!

I have been playing with the idea of buying a P bass lately, but I have told myself to keep my collection down to 4 basses (including my Shuker that is soon to be delivered). Even though I can find a good deal that won't break the bank I am not really in dire need of one right now. So, my girlfriend bought a 2nd hand blu-ray player off Amazon the other day and it just got delivered. I set it up in the bedroom and began to sort out 5.1 with the remote control and found this button... Is this a sign?

Look at what this silly sod has done to this 7 string guitar... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A-wide-necked-Jackson-electric-for-guys-with-seriously-big-hands/190748846290?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=009&category=2384&cmd=ViewItem These guitars were only £400 new! I know...I used to sell them! Pay close attention to the fabricated Q&A section at the bottom of the auction page. Absolute tool.

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1353894018' post='1879545'] I'd be just as concerned about how the little finger on your fretting hand often gets tucked in under the neck. I'd personally be really looking at left hand technique in general. [/quote] I agree with Doddy. If you play several years down the line with that kind of 'clutching' position with your left hand you are heading towards carpel tunnel treatment. Bass can be a very physically demanding instrument and you have to take care of yourself. As for the right hand, the way that your ring and little fingers are coming away from the strings is a bit worrying too. Whenever I see that it always suggests that the bass is too low for you. Always try to create a little bit of an arc around the body with your forearm. If you are resting your arm against the body you are over stretching the tendons in your wrist and hands when you reach down to play the D and G strings...hence why your ring and little fingers are doing that involuntarily. Your playing is good...nice and tight, but your technique looks very laboured to me and it appears you are putting in too much physical effort into your playing. Make it as easy as possible for you. Experiment with different postures (strap height, neck angle etc..) to see which is the most comfortable playing position for you. You might have to sacrifice the visual 'cool' factor to help any potential future injuries that could stay with you for life. I had to learn to do that myself. Both of my hands used to behave like yours. I could manage a 40min set playing like that, but beyond that I was in lots of pain. When the band I was playing for at the time became more successful and started to play longer sets over several nights back to back I couldn't cope anymore. I can now play a 2hr set with ease playing in a much more comfortable position. Okay, I don't look as 'cool' anymore, but I plan to continue playing bass for another 20yrs at least and I feel confident that I will be physically able to do so.

How much??? Don't get me wrong, Mesa amps (both guitar and bass) are very, very well made, but their boutique prices are plain daft.

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1353533370' post='1875831'] Is it just me who doesn't think that 'Rhythm Stick' is the pinnacle of bass playing? [/quote] Yup +1. Best bass line by a British bassist in the 80's IMHO

Scott Devine is a great player and an awesome teacher, but he can't hear you play over YouTube!

I want to see it do some slap!

Well, the job itself was for an artist in the States called Angie Brown, which is a pretty high profile name over there. I just didn't want her to catch eye of that video of me noodling around and losing confidence in the musician that she hired. Her name was mentioned in the video title too, so I had to respond.

I hear that you can mod it with a pecan nut chip to make it sound more like mk1.

Do you have one-to-one lessons? There is nothing wrong with self teaching, but a professional tutor can identify technical mistakes and bad habits. A second pair experienced ears when you are learning is very handy. Some of my students drop in for a lesson/jam session just so that they can iron out some creases in their playing. I also have a lesson with a friend a few times a year to sharpen up my playing and I have been playing for 18yrs! Be careful when you are self teaching that you get stuck in a rut and get frustrated. Having a lesson every week can be expensive, but be sure to attempt to get on-to-one tuition as frequently as your wallet and free time will allow. It's so important to get into a good playing technique early in your development as it becomes hard to change later.

I would also hesitate to agree that your gear is not to blame. But, it's hard to identify and remedy playing technique if you are complaining about poor tone. Start with the amp EQ set flat and do the same with the bass (do this by setting all the knobs to the 12 o'clock position). That way you will manage to hear every nuance of your playing very clearly...when you hit notes sweetly and also badly. It might sound less impressive than you are used to hearing, but its important to monitor how well your fingers are serving you whilst you are learning. Even with the most expensive gear at your disposal you will soon realise how much your playing technique is integral to achieving a good bass tone. Work on your dexterity and accuracy first before getting nerdy about bass tone from your gear.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1353683923' post='1877430'] I think you are well within your rights to ask the individual to remove it , not least of all because it would have been only have been good manners for him to ask your permission before posting it . Why not post a video of you doing yourself justice ( either in collaboration with this guy or on your own account ) ? Lots of us on here would love to see it , and no doubt be very supportive , and there is no question that Youtube can be a very powerful tool for gaining exposure , to say the least . And anyone who plays the bass knows all about the whole playing a few notes to get the sound set up routine that we all go through , so I wouldn't worry too much about this clip that has now been taken down . You aren't going to be the Youtube bass player equivalent of Tulisa . [/quote] YouTube is not a media platform that I have personally explored much, but I know I should look into doing something. I am not really into the webcam 'bedroom performance' thing that plasters YouTube. There's nothing wrong with it and I have enjoyed watching some very tasty playing over the years, but I would feel goofy doing that myself. That said, I have promised Jon Shuker that I will record and upload a video review onto YouTube after I receive the bass he is building for me.

Good luck with the expansion! Be sure to keep Bass Chat up to date with developments.

I have been told that the video has been removed from YouTube, but not Facebook. Not so bothered about Facebook that much (if you are friends with me on Facebook you can check it out). Fair enough, the author just called me and apologised, so water under the bridge. I understand that certain things are out of my control, such as a punter recording me whilst performing and I would have no idea what they will do with the footage. Thats fine, but in a controlled environment I feel a bit different about how my recordings both audio and video is being used for when my name is being mentioned.

I just found out that a video of me sound checking at a studio session I did yesterday has been posted onto YouTube and Facebook. I had no idea I was being video recorded. It has already had 214 hits on YouTube since it was uploaded this morning. I wasn't really playing anything musical...just trying to lay down a good recording tone before hitting my track. So, lots of weird notes which to a novice would sound like crappy playing. In essence, it appears that I can't play more than two notes in a row. Exposure is very important for me so that I can get leads or referrals to other work to make my bread and butter as a full-time musician. Public displays like this does not do me any favours. Naturally, I have contacted the person who took the footage to remove it from YouTube and Facebook. I know they probably uploaded with the best intentions, but I am a bit embarrassed about it. Just wished he uploaded what I did 5mins later then I would have a problem! Am I being unreasonable or do you think I am we'll within my rights to ask the author to remove the video?

I'm sure I heard a bum note in there somewhere! (ignorance is bliss!)

I actually begun as a leftie for about 12 months on a nylon classical guitar. I broke a string and I had no idea how to change the strings, so my dad took them all off, put a new set on upside down and I freaked out. He had no idea I was playing the guitar leftie and encouraged me to play righty as he convinced me that left handed guitars were more expensive and not as available as right hand guitars when I got to the stage of buying an electric. Kinda sucked anyway because I had to spend another year learning how to play right handed.

[quote name='melodybass' timestamp='1353502974' post='1875249'] For sure mate. Yeah he's an amazingly mature & tasteful player for a young 'un & he's got a great natural style, really into it. Let's hope he doesn't see this or his head'll fall off eh. Can't wait to see the reception Betty gets for his return on the 2nd. I'll be there, I'll be there... Back to the music...got any gigs lined up I can come & see? Just noticed you use Elixir strings...good man! [/quote] We are pretty quiet up until Xmas and then it all kicks off again. I think we are playing the Black Friday gig at The Claude if you want to check us out. Sion will be able to keep you up to date.

[quote name='melodybass' timestamp='1353435322' post='1874942'] Cheers shizznit! I believe we share a keyboard player - Sion just started with my band Hyperdelics last week. No slouch is he! How about a bit of this then? Cheers mucka! [/quote] Small world innit! Yeah, Sion is one of the best (if not the best) keys player in Cardiff. We are both very fortunate to have his skills on tap. No doubt our paths will cross soon either at a gig or down the City!

The screw keeps coming out of my J bass as the wood has pretty much been bored out. The strap came flying out whilst on a gig last week and it was a bit embarrassing, but I am more concerned about damaging a beautiful bass. What's the best stuff to use to fill in the hole and get the screw nice and tight again?

Welcome to BC! There are quite a few of us on here from the Cardiff area, but its great to know that a fellow Bluebird has joined the community! This Ayatolla is for you bud!!! Look forward to reading your posts.