Bass-Thing

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1343788674' post='1755305'] I think that would make it a bit too blingy, plus it would highlight any light scratching. I think it looks fine just the way it is. [/quote] Another problem would be finding a gold that matches! All gold hardware is different which is bloody irritating. I have to say I agree with you. I'm a bit of a black and chrome addict myself and am very partial to mirror scratchplates, but I can see that gold would be very blingy. That is a truly gorgeous bass you have there sir and I am deeply envious!

[quote name='budget bassist' timestamp='1343260929' post='1748098'] Cheers, was a lovely bass, sold it a while ago though. I don't get on with wide necks much any more. I host my photos on photobucket, then copy and paste the URL of the photo (not the URL of a web page) into [ i m g ] [ / i m g ] tags but without the spaces. Hope that helped. [/quote] It certainly does. Thank you so much. Expect some pix of my MM up here very soon.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1343144899' post='1746023'] What I do is upload pics to Photobucket or similar, copy the link and paste it into the post using the little green 'image' square in the Reply Editor. [/quote] Thanks for that. I'll give it a go.

OK please can anybody tell me how I post full size pix on here rather than those poxy little thumbnails? It's driving me nuts that I can't work out how to do it.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1343137901' post='1745883'] A similar situation to when Adrian Belew was hired to play Robert Fripp's guitar parts on the Bowie tour to promote Heroes. Apparently no-one bothered to tell him that what was on the final mix had been assembled by Eno from multiple takes often with Fripp playing completely different things in each take. Eno had made up something that he and Bowie found musically pleasing without any regard for how easy the final edit would be to play as a single part. [/quote] It obviously didn't cause Adrian too many problems though did it!

In another post about staying healthy, Gub commented 'Well said , I took a 10 grand drop,in wages 4 years ago because it was too much stress and have never been happier than I am now '. This is in the context of being less stressed at work and having more time to play bass. The whole point of me going to music college in October at the grand old age of 50 is so I can stop doing my current job which is very stressful and concentrate on music full time. I know it's going to be difficult and I know many fantastic professional musicians (including a couple of Rock Gods) who don't make much money and have trouble supporting their families. Thing is I know if I don't do it I will regret it for the rest of my life and so I am going to do it while I am still physically able to. It's worth noting however that my wife and I own two reasonably successful businesses that give us a reasonable income and will continue to do so without me being involved in the daily running of things. Not everybody is going to have this cushion. Having said that the pro musicians I know are also the happiest people I know because they are living the dream and doing something they love!

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1343083607' post='1745160'] I'm an inch taller, a stone heavier and 3 years older. My knees are fine, but my back goes out on a fairly regular basis, it was worse when I did the CC mountain biking (which is what caused it) but it seemed worth it. Swimming would probably be your best low impact direction (I hate swimming!) Years ago my excellent physio told me that regular [i]"frightfulness"[/i] is perfect for a bad back & should drop everything back into place, but my other half wants it in writing & the physio's 200+ miles away & retired now. [/quote] A few years ago I had a prolapsed disc in my lower back which was absolute agony, plus I couldn't sit because it was catching on mu sciatic nerve (I could only stand or lie down). It took 8 weeks for me to get back to something like normal but one of the things that really helped was and Inversion Table. Basically to varying degrees you can hang upside down and the traction it provides is wonderful for your back. I still use it regularly, don't really have lower back trouble any more an I've grown in height by about half an inch. It folds up behind the sofa too. Worth checking out if you have back problems and gelps lower blood pressure too.

[quote name='Rayman' timestamp='1343063539' post='1744632'] I couldn't agree more with all the comments, and best of luck to one and all. I used to be very fit, I was into the gym big time about ten years ago, and rode mountain bikes regularly, but anyone who knows me knows that I'm now a tub of lard with knackered knees, 6'3" and 18st....and 47 years old. I REALLY need to loose some weight.[i] Really[/i]. [/quote] Any idea of your blood type (O,A,B,AB)? Just asking...

[quote name='gub' timestamp='1343079544' post='1745051'] Well said , I took a 10 grand drop,in wages 4 years ago because it was too much stress and have never been happier than I am now [/quote] Amen

[quote name='Grim13' timestamp='1343062969' post='1744613'] Get a dog if at all possible! I used to join the posers down the gym, but I never shifted my gut. We adopted a little staffy cross 3 years ago and I've been lean ever since. I'm within a pound of my ideal weight, which is important as I suffer from a chronic condition that takes a lot out of me. An hour or 2 walking through the woods just watching 'the boy' scampering about with no one else around is fantastic. You don't even realise that you are exercising. There isn't much chance of a training injury, either. You only understand how important your health is when you lose it. At that point, the NHS seems like an utter miracle. I'm only here now because of it. [/quote] More of a cat person myself but this is sound advice. Cats are good for keeping stress levels low. Big fan of the NHS. One of my daughters has special needs and they have looked after her brilliantly. They took great care of me too!

Blimey! I just noticed I've become 'fully fledged'!

My Geddy Lee came from the USA and because the seller had marked it 'gift' I wasn't charged tax. Don't know if this always works though. Another USA bass was sent with the neck removed and marked 'parts for repair'. There was a tiny tax bill (£15). I think a lot depends on what the seller puts or is prepared to put on the shipping label. I've had very cheap basses heavily taxed and expensive basses not or barely taxed at all.

[quote name='tonyf' timestamp='1343044627' post='1744135'] Interesting stuff so far. Like a lot of others on this thread, I'm at the same point where I need to be more proactive. I'm 44 and a type 1 diabetic (diagnosed when I was 10). My control has always been good and I've had no problems but I think my metabolism has started to slow a little as I've started to put a little weight on whilst doing the same and eating the same as I've always done. In terms of the gym, I've always found it hard getting the motivation to exercise but I think I've started to realise that it's a necessarily evil now. I guess for me, it's about making some sensible decisions and trying to at least make a bit more of an effort. As I don't like the gym, I've decided that there's other things that I can be doing. I went out last week and treated myself to some running shoes and there's my bike too. I'm also buying an electronic drum kit for the garage as that's something I've wanted to do for a while and that's gonna help as it's a bit of physical movement. I also need to cut back on the booze and eat a little more sensibly. It's tough at the moment as it's sobering that I've gotta sweat a bit but as they say, no pain, no gain. [/quote] It gets harder and harder to keep weight off as you pass your mid 30s, plus your insides actually start expanding which is where 'middle age spread' comes from. Booze is the biggest culprit though and it seems to me the older we get the more we need!

[quote name='paul torch' timestamp='1343035842' post='1743944'] Thanks for the advice. I've started doing a bit of research into local clubs and found a couple that sound interesting. I like the idea of wing chun as it reminds me of Tai Chi which I studied for a short spell a few years back, particularly the "sticky hands" part. [/quote] Wing Chung is great. A bit 'harder' than tai chi but similar principles. I must say I preferred pushing hands. The other big problem with sticky hands is that you will have to change or boil your stings a lot more often!!! (sorry couldn't resist it)

I keep 3 basses on a Hercules stand next to my desk. My rig is in the office too because sometimes we rehearse in there, but mostly I take practice breaks using my Amplug. It helps that it's my company so I know they are comparatively safe. I think most workplaces would probably be ok about keeping a bass by your desk though and headphones and zoning out are the best way of dealing with interfering colleagues (or Wives!) It depends on how safe you feel the place is, plus although we think basses are the most precious things on the planet, most ordinary folks aren't too fussed about them. My wife still can't tell the difference between a bass and a guitar We usually rehearse in the evening but the office is actually above a tandoori restaurant and every time they think we are playing too loudly, they set off the fire alarms!

[quote name='paul torch' timestamp='1343032126' post='1743883'] I use dot go to the gym but, personally, I find that kind of exercise a little tedious. That's why I prefer to do things that incorporate some type of mental well-being as well. I used to enjoy running but my aching knees won't allow me to do it for any great length of time. I guess that is why I want to look into the martial art side of things, I'll be getting out of the house, meeting people on a regular basis and working on the spiritual side of things as well as the obvious health and fitness side of things. Incidently, I had no interest at all in fitness until I was put under doctors orders due to a couple of "wobbles" a few years back. [/quote] You might want to check out Wudan Tai Chi, which is the practical sort. It's almost yoga/meditation like but at the same time more effective than something like taekwondo. I wish I still did it but nobody teaches it in our area. Cardio excercise can be very tedious but I've found the most pleasurable way of doing it is working my way through a DVD box set while sitting on a recumbent bike. No back or knee issues and you look forward to the next episode.

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1342993167' post='1743670'] I've just made some room in my man-shed and am considering getting an exercise thingy in there, with two boys (nearly 2 and 5) it's hard to find the time (and energy) to exercise regularly. [/quote] Converting my garage to a gym was the best thing I ever did. In the past I've wasted loads on gym memberships I didn't use, plus gyms tend to be full of handpumps. I've got a couple of good cardio machines, a multigym and a great set of dumbells. I watch dvd box sets on the 42" flat screen on the wall. It all cost less than the price of a years gym membership (or a decent bass!). Go for it mate!

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1342986028' post='1743522'] I'm only 25, and not had any proper health issues really, but this year I started going back to the gym, eating a little more regularly and healthily, and making sure that I play. Music, or do stuff for myself a bit more often. There are more than just physical benefits to it as my mood is generally lots better, along with my self esteem.. and I even noticed a difference in my skin and hair, which is a pleasant surprise! Doesn't take more than a week or two to start noticing the positive effects either! All for something as simple as going to the gym or a run a couple of times a week, and being a teeny bit more selfish [/quote] After it had happened my GP said it was all about 'me' time and I've made sure there's been plenty ever since.

Had a bit of a reality check today folks, when my father in law was taken to hospital this morning with a suspected heart attack. A few years ago he had a triple bypass and more recently, thank God, he has beaten prostate cancer. Thing is he's in his early 70's but six years ago at the grand old age of 44 I suffered a stroke. It was only a small one and I made pretty much a full recovery (my fingering hand can be a bit unco-operative sometimes and I have short term memory issues and I still trip over big words) but it put two things into clear perspective. Firstly I had to start looking after myself a lot better and secondly, if I was planning on getting around to doing something sometime, I needed to do it now! For me this was picking up a bass and falling in love with it all over again so in many ways I'm grateful for the wakeup call. Having said that I never ever want to be as scared as I was when I physically was unable to speak. The key issues for me were high stress and high blood pressure. Since that time I've dropped a couple of stone and I work out pretty much everyday. I have been a meditator for a long time but had slipped a bit. Now I'm back to being regular twice daily everyday. I'm on very low dose meds simply because they don't do me any harm and actually help. I take every day as it comes and make the most of the time I spend with my family. The more music I play, the better and less stressed I feel. Recently in the July issue of Bass Player magazine, there is a very interesting article about 71 year old Chuck Rainey, who's fought his way back from a stroke that paralysed the left side of his body a year ago. He is now back to playing again thank God, but he was very lucky and his advice is the same as mine. Whatever your age get regular checkups and in particular keep an eye on your blood pressure. If it's high, do something about it. Go to your doctor and get treatment. Imagine how you would feel if one day, you couldn't play anymore. We always regret the things we didn't do.

[quote name='Alex Nikitin' timestamp='1342799288' post='1741225'] I use .175 on my 6string babe. [/quote] Surely it must pick up superfast broadband? [quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1342823989' post='1741716'] Holy s#%t! I didn't even know you could get a string that thick! [/quote]

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1342550224' post='1737003'] Smashing mate. I'll have a shave and then she can sort out my iRig. Needs plugging in. [/quote] Sorry mate. I appreciate the effort with the shave and all that, but she says iRigs are far too small to be worth the bother, plus she feels it's not worth her while schlepping up to York for what would only be a 5 second job which you could easily do for yourself anyway

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1342523709' post='1736457'] Huh? [/quote] [quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1342525721' post='1736502'] This is going to sound a little peculiar mate, but is there any chance I can borrow your wife tonight? I'll only need her for about an hour. Ta. [/quote] That will teach me to drink vodka in the week. Sorry guys went off on one a bit there. I realise you are only trying to help. If you are still interested Gust0o I will ask her but she's not keen on mustaches or big hair (which is why I shave my head because my hair looks like your when I grow it).