Len_derby

Welcome Frosty. Enjoy the journey. Persuade her to go for drums. Much more useful. Len (bass and banjoist)

Welcome Rob. "Why not. Give it a go. Have fun." Good philosophy. Len

Thinking back, my musical life (such as it is) would not have started if other bands had not generously let me use their gear. As a typically teenager I thought I knew it all, and I lacked the social skills and experience to say 'please' and 'thank you' properly. I know I must have used gear in a way that made its owners wince. But...they let me, and almost without exception encouraged me. Like most of us on this forum, I've worked long and hard to get the gear I've got now. But, its only stuff.

Welcome Steve. It's never to late to have fun.

Take a look at the Yamaha range. I bought a used TRB off this forum and I'm well pleased with it. 35 inch scale though. If you're anywhere near Derby you're very welcome to come and try it.

Welcome Tamaru. Enjoy the forum.

It depends doesn't it? The nightmare scenario is the pished-up 'hero' egged-on by his mates at the pub, or the situation where people just don't have the courtesy to ask. But, in the right circumstance like Hobbayne above it can be a good thing to do. Next week I'll be doing my MD job at a schools-out club. Most of the gear being used will be mine (PA, back-line, instruments including drums). The kids (5-11yrs) are all encouraged to have a go. It's great fun. It will be the Squier Telebass I take down there though.....

Welcome Jim. Enjoy the forum.

[quote name='phil.i.stein' timestamp='1377202338' post='2184830'] having listened to your clips, Earth Wind and Fire, and some early Commodores stuff beats that hands down. [b]passion need not involve religion[/b]. in fact, i'm passionately anti. [/quote] I agree. I just meant within the context of the genre roughly defined as 'Gospel'.

I fully respect your standpoint on your religious beliefs, that's your business and no one else's But, as a church-goer and a player in a gospel band I think you're going to struggle to find secular music of a similar kind with the same passion. God-free Gospel is like alcohol-free beer. I'd be very happy to be proved wrong though, and I'm looking forward to hearing some bass-chatter suggestions.

Welcome Lloyd.

Welcome! There are some that say all P basses are crappy. But not me!

Welcome JX. This site is a mine of information. If you go to the appropriate sections and ask your questions I guarantee you'll get loads of advice. Enjoy

Welcome Dennis, enjoy the forum.

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1376674926' post='2177927'] Interesting idea guys , but if you cast your attention between gigs 6 and 7 the baton had a bit of TLC by manchesterguitartech.co.uk I am not sure how often your own guitars get checked out but the baton just needs playing IMO . BCers doing their thing , pick it up and pass it on , high profile is great but , lets just keep picking it up, playing it and passing it on . [/quote] Correct on all counts.

Welcome Nick.

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1376648273' post='2177251'] What are you thinking? [/quote] It was just a 'top of the head' idea. If a well-known and respected luther or techy gave the bass a once-over it could be a bit more good publicity. That was all.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1376643378' post='2177167'] That's what happens when you agree to meet strange men off the Internet at motorway services. [/quote] And my wife takes the photos. Sordid. We're just lucky the News of the World is no more. But, on the other hand - they say there's no such thing as bad publicity.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1376630796' post='2176998'] 17 people have played it. The majority of them for one song. It's being transported in a hard case. I played the bass on Saturday.[b] It works and has character. We should leave it as is.[/b] [/quote] I agree with Tim, but what if we could somehow make money for the cause out of it being 'fixed'???? PS - Both times I used the baton it was the only bass I took with me. I found it perfectly useable. But then again, my standards are low. Just look at the people I've been photographed standing next to...

Welcome Chloe!

playing the banjo

When I was a kid and got my guitars from the Bell's Catalogue I used to dream about one day, having an instrument that came with a hard case. I thought that was the sign of a 'professional'. Once I'd got one it only took one trip to band practice on the bus to realise they weren't the Holy Grail.

[quote name='Josh' timestamp='1376400920' post='2173347'] I'm quite happy with how it sounds so I think I'll leave the pick ups alone, but I've already got some vintage style knobs on the way and I've just had a quote from TheBassDoc on a tort scratch plate I just need to find a good bridge. [/quote] Yeah, the knobs and tort scratch plate will make a nice bass even smarter. I'm genuinely interested to know why you don't think the bridge is good. It may be different on the 5-string but I've found the 4 string bridge perfectly adequate.

[quote name='Josh' timestamp='1376392346' post='2173152'] I'm actually quite surprised with the pick ups, I'm not sure wether they're the same as the pick ups in the CV jazz or if they're Duncan Designed as they have no insignia, but regardless they actually have a very hot output and they sound just as good as the set of Wizard 64's in my Squier/Fender jazz. [/quote] My advice would be to hold fire before you make any changes. I bought a 4-string VMJ a couple of years back, intending to make a few mods. After trying it out a few times I decided to leave it just as it was.

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1376391800' post='2173140'] LOL @ Peter! Yes, let's not forget that, while the stars do bring in glamour and recognition and good publicity, there are many not so well known bassists who have taken part in the relay and are no less talented or less deserving of praise than those who've hit the big time. [/quote] You're right Silvia, it's the 'little people' who've achieved the money collected so far. I just hope the 'celebrity' involvement translates into cash.