philparker

I've got their Pernambuco bow, which is very good quality (although I recently had it re-haired by Andrew McGill to a much higher quality) and I got an excellent service from them as well! They're a good company for value - I don't think European companies could compete on price, you shouldn't be disappointed. Good luck!

Isn't smoking bad for your health?

Keep searching for a second hand bow - they do come up and you can get a lot more for your money within your budget. I managed to get a second hand carbon fibre Col Legno bow, which came without hair or leather, but I sent it to Andrew McGill for a new leather and re-hair and the entire cost still came in at £150. I also have a cheap Pernambuco bow from Yita music that most people wouldn't recommend or at least would recommend a carbon bow above this, but it is definitely the equal in terms of sound and playability - it doesn't quite have the 'curve' and strength of the carbon, but it is an excellent bow. My DB came with a Brazil wood Erich Steiner bow (4/4 size, I think) and I would only use it as a back up in comparison to the other two, it is definitely a grade or two down in feel and playability.

Reminds me of this cool band I saw busking in Palma, Mallorca, last week.

[quote name='fatback' timestamp='1379856313' post='2217439'] Useful to find out from AI whether or not a p/up short could fry an amp. Please let us know what they say. What a horrible experience. [/quote] A pick-up can't fry an amplifier - it's just a bad coincidence - and sorry to hear that!

I was in a similar position to you just over 12 months ago and posted on this very forum asking for advice. should I go for a DB or EUB? Although I live in the south of England I mainly gig in the NW visiting relatives and friends so an EUB would make more sense. However, the best bit of advice I was given was "what is the sound you are looking for?" I took my time and thought long and hard about it. I looked at and bid (and was out-bid) on a few DBs before I finally found a fully carved DB for a very good price, albeit over my original target of £1k (but well worth it!). I still needed new strings and a professional set-up and have since spent a fortune on DB related stuff and music etc. I have since seen lots of other suitable DBs in the last 12 months since buying mine, not any better, but I now think I would know what I'm looking for. The first question for you is - what would be using it for? What sound do you want? For jazz/folk/pop etc. and gigging amplified, you could get a ply bass with a pick up that has already been properly set up for £500 - £1k that would be very good for purpose. They crop up in the For Sale section quite often. EUBs are of course much more convenient for gigging and a few regulars on this forum have started on EUB, but soon got the taste for the upright world and also bought a DB. I also bought an EUB for convenience would prefer to gig with the DB if I could, I always practice on the DB. I also started with lessons straight away, so as not to develop any bad habits, and I still have fortnightly lessons now and will continue to do so until I get to a level I recognize. I will probably take occasional lessons after that for gradual improvement. There are a few questions you have to ask yourself before deciding which DB or EUB to buy, but you can get one for up to £1k and I would look for one that has already been set up and maybe even has a pick up if you intend to gig. Personally, I would buy second hand and be prepared to travel to buy - as opposed to getting a cheaper new DB; you will get more for your money.

Martin Penning is doing a set up on some imported Chinese double basses - [url="http://www.mpenning-luthier.co.uk/Martin_Penning_Luthier/Moretti_main.html"]http://www.mpenning-luthier.co.uk/Martin_Penning_Luthier/Moretti_main.html[/url]

I've got one if you can collect from outside of Andover? Pm me for details if you're interested!

If I hadn't bought an Eminence RN4 off Mr Bassman, previously owned by Clarky, I might have been tempted! Good luck with the sale!

[quote]alexpea - playing at WOMAD 2013 last month, one of my fav gigs ever...[/quote] Mmm...I was in that audience and probably within 5 metres of where that photo was taken. Good gig - I enjoyed it!

Yes, I will be taking my Eminence RN away with me this year, when I'm working up in Scotland for a couple of weeks based in a Premiere Inn. I've owned a Soloette classical guitar for many years, which packs away quite small and I also have the Licenced Aria Sinsonido fretless bass, which doesn't pack up quite so compact, but is much smaller than taking the real thing away, when needs must. However, as I'm still very much a 'student' of the DB and it's that which needs the most practice so I'll be able to go away without feeling like I've lost a couple of weeks of progression!

Ah, this was the thread I was looking for! [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/192762-buying-a-bow/page__p__1878856__hl__mcgill__fromsearch__1#entry1878856"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/192762-buying-a-bow/page__p__1878856__hl__mcgill__fromsearch__1#entry1878856[/url] I will have to send by post anyway, even though he is closer to me - I might give Andrew a call when my bow arrives in the post (hopefully tomorrow) and discuss with him. Maybe if I get beyond grade 8 I will consider a more expensive bow! (after I've bought a more expensive DB - not cheap this business, is it?) Thanks anyway, Ubasssman! [quote name='FLoydElgar' timestamp='1353844273' post='1878856'] Hi, a good bow is very hard to come by... I own a Claude Marchand which I'll be honest it competes with many bows of double its value... Thomas Martin or Andrew Mcgill is your best bet! Andrew does the best re-hairs ever. Period. Good luck! FYI - I believe the bow price is around £1200 or £1400 Which is cheap for what you get! [/quote]

I've done a quick search, but I couldn't find the post I was looking for where one of the erudite members of this forum was quite categorical about the best place to send a bow for a re-hair. I've bought a second-hand carbon fibre Col Legno, for a good price, in need of a re-hair and I'm keen to compare it to my cheap Pernambuco Yita bow. Cost isn't really an issue (over quality). Where would you recommend?

Plus 1 to all the above! I started just less than a year ago and could only find a classical tutor, but I've really enjoyed playing and practising in a progressive structure that the graded system provides. I have used this along side my own preferences although it does take a up a lot of my time, it has given me that target a d go that you seek. I've never spent as long on scales, arpeggios and studies/Boeing exercises on classic guitar, but it really has helped my all round ability and focus. I intend to come in at grade 6 and will take the exam after Christmas even if I'm ready before because of work commitments. Ish even try for 7 & 8 as well, but eventually I will shift my focus to pizz whilst trying to maintain some classical skill.

You've got too many toys, Keith!

I'm currently studying for the Grade 6 exam where the Bottesini Study 40 or 50 can be played in the C List. I'm annoyed and frustrated that nearly all the pieces for the ABRSM Grade 6 exam are in separate scores, unlike when I studied classical guitar and could buy all the exam pieces in one album. Grade 5 for DB wasn't as bad (I didn't take the exam) and my collected study repertoire allowed me to practice 9 pieces at that standard, but at Grade 6 I have a lot of music to buy. However, getting back to the original point, once a study has been familiarised, there should be every reason to apply one's own interpretation of dynamics, phrasing and tempo. In the classical guitar world, composer Leo Brouwer has written many studies that have been included in ABRSM grades and many professionals have played these as concert pieces above and beyond their grades with their own interpretation - indeed, Dale Kavanagh often plays a few of them in her concert repertoire.

+1 I keep the tuner on my amp, plugged into the tuner socket, a TC Polytune battery operated so that I don't have to look for a power supply, I have a mute switch and can quickly and quietly check tuning every few songs. It also keeps things simple and tidy!

Make room! Move some furniture - think of it as a show piece of furniture; sell something; ditch something; buy a smaller settee, but most importantly of all - buy a DB!!!

That's a great price for a nice looking DB and welcome to the upright world from a comparative newbie as well. I already booked a lesson with a teacher for the day I collected my DB to prevent any bad habits from the start. The only tutor within a reasonable distance of where I lived was from an orchestral/classical background and although I intended to play mainly jazz/folk/pop, I've really enjoyed learning classical with the bow and I've used the ABRSM graded system as a progressive structure to develop my skills. I would highly recommend this path. If you decide to get a tutor it is better to study with the material they recommend. On the YouTube check out some of these lessons: [url="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs9BUePQd4LCt4hpuE7srDpaH2708Fl_H&feature=mh_lolz"]http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs9BUePQd4LCt4hpuE7srDpaH2708Fl_H&feature=mh_lolz[/url]

I bought a headway EDB-1 preamp from Graham - an easy and pleasant transaction - many thanks, fully recommended!

I bought a TC Polytune from James - excellent communication and service - fully recommended!!

I bought some Thomastic Spiro Mittles off Clarky, way back in February, but forgot about the feedback service! An excellent service from Clarky with constant communication and prompt postage - you couldn't deal with a better bloke, many thanks!!

I spent over an hour at Keith's house playing with all his DBs, EUBs and amps with a great welcome and a cup of tea before purchasing his Eminence RN - a great guy and a pleasure to do business with!! Many thanks.