Len_derby

Hello Gordon. I've used String Express several times over the last 5 years. Never had any problems.

Greetings Kyboo, Congratulations on choosing such a noble instrument. Firstly, it is possible to dip a toe into playing with other people without having to buy amplification. Open mic and jam nights tend to provide everything but instruments. Aslo, most rehearsal rooms have amps that can be hired. They do around here anyway. If you decide to buy your own two big things need to be considered; storage and transport. For example, if you live in a small flat up a flight of steps and you don't have a car things can get a bit tedious. If you go for it there are plenty of smallish combos and amp head/speaker cabinet combinations that will be suitable. There are some fantastic bargains to be had from the 'for sale' sections on this forum. Do have a go at playing with other people. It'll bring you on quicker than anything else. Plus, it's great fun and will open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Greetings from a fellow Derberian.

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1353788989' post='1878544'] Such a cliche analogy! I have a better one. Rock guitarists are like owners of "supercars". All that power and performance that they can never use legally. Driving around in a 200mph rocket ship (in a country with a 70mph speed limit) that has only two seats and doesn't have the space to carry a set of golf clubs! As a 4x4 owner I hear all the rhetoric, but In another few weeks I'll be towing blokes like you out of ditches! [/quote] I'll be very happy to take the tow! I did say [i]urban[/i] roads on purpose. Anyway, what good is a cliche without a regular airing?

Electric guitars in music seem to be like 4WD vehicles on urban roads. Perfectly valid things in their own right, but seem to attract infantile owners. Anyway, there's a fantastic world of music without screaming b'Jesus guitars in it. I love playing with the ceilidh band and a I'm currently rehearsing with a piano trio for some Christmas shows. Heaven, with no ear-plugs.

[quote name='bob_pickard' timestamp='1353746443' post='1877970'] +1 for the Yamaha - nice bit of kit.[b] Have a look at some of the behringer all in one box models[/b] as well, cheaper than the Yamaha, not as good but they'd probably do the job for you. [/quote] I've got a Behringer PMX2000 10-channel mixer/amp that I got for a ridiculously low price second-hand. It does vocals perfectly well for smaller venues. Over the years I've found that Behringer stuff, providing it makes it out of the factory properly QC'd, does a good job for the money. A bit like the British car industry was last century. Having said that, I've never bought a Yahama product I've been disappointed with.

I never really considered them until I bought a '57 RI precision with both front and back ashtrays. To me, it looks so lovely I don't want to take them off. Unless I'm playing fretless I tend to avoid playing open strings so any damping I do can be via the fretboard hand.

I've just bought a book off Jamie which arrived with a promptness that defies the laws of physics. Great transaction and top bloke all round.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1352749946' post='1867023'] Pitch it roughly in my direction , it won't need to be perfect. [/quote] No! This way! Throw it this way!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1352674392' post='1866070'] Definitely. [/quote] Yep. There's a massive amount of cultural baggage attached to the banjo. Not all of it good. I've found that a neutral reaction to a banjo is rare. People tend to go either or . I try to use mine in a blues/gospel way. Inspired by the playing of Otis Taylor. A 2008 cd of his 'Recapturing the Banjo' was a great inspiration. [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Recapturing-The-Banjo-Otis-Taylor/dp/B0010VD7FS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1352674797&sr=8-3"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Recapturing-The-Banjo-Otis-Taylor/dp/B0010VD7FS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1352674797&sr=8-3[/url]

I started a thread on the 'Other Instruments' bit. It's called Dirty Banjo Habit. Come and join in! Anyway, I recommend this website [url="http://www.andybanjo.com/index.html"]http://www.andybanjo.com/index.html[/url] Not only does he sell a good selection of instruments (I got mine from there), but there's a very good section on background info. Choosing the appropriate type of banjo for your musical interests and ambtions is critical IMO. Banjo - great instrument.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1352641336' post='1865430'] IME most of the cheaper design and construction techniques that lead to an acceptable 4-string bass, simply don't produce a 5-string bass with a useable low B string. [/quote] This is a gut-feeling I had. It's interesting to hear it from an experienced 5 string player.

My perception is that you have to pay more to get a decent 5 string bass compared to a 4 string. For example, I might expect to pay £x for a good 4 string but more for a 5 string of equivalent quality. Am I right? If so, why is that? Is it because fewer 5 strings are in the market place or is there some inherent weaknesses or problems associated with 5 strings? Particularly at the cheaper end. I would expect prices to be higher for a 5 string because of the extra materials involved but I think the price difference is higher than that.

Ouch. That sounds awful, but I think most of us have been in a similar situation to some degree. The question I always come back to in a band is 'am I enjoying doing this?' Because, if the answer is 'no' something has to change. Assuming we play live to spread happiness/good feelings, if we as the musicians aren't feeling good how on earth can we expect an audience (however small) to feel good? There's plenty of good suggestions about the way forward been made already. Good luck!

Some good advice here. In my experience aches and pains are significantly reduced (or disappear) if you can lose excess weight. From your body that is, not just your gear!

Welcome Nico. Enjoy the forum! Len

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1352064327' post='1858401'] That's really cool to know, I've been looking at their twin bass gig bags online... [/quote] Don't rule out the Ritter one. I've been very pleased with mine. if you're ever Derby way pop in and have a look.

You did the right thing by being loyal to your old band and trying to get it on the right lines. Whatever you do now you can do with a clear conscience and your integrity intact. Good luck.

Judging by some of the self-regarding posts on this thread 'full of s**t' might be a good description.

You bet! A bass-players' bass-player. I know exactly what you mean about the dry sound but hadn't seen it described that way before. Of his more recent work I like 'Piety Street' by Jon Schofield. An album that's also got Jon Cleary playing piano on it. A New Orleans funk double whammy!

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1351780441' post='1855294'] Agree with all of the above but it appears to be only me then that gets to play with guitarists who capo at the 2nd fret, play a G major shape and still tell you that "it's in G" [/quote] No, it's not only you.

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1351777504' post='1855231'] I am feeling very lucky as I have never stored my gear anywhere other than garages or outside (speaker cabs in flight cases) and never had any issue with anything at all - that's in 35+ years. Not to say there's no chance of any problem but it simply hasn't been my experience. [/quote] My experience is similar. But I've always covered things, even if it's only been an old dust sheet and make sure things aren't standing directly on the floor.

Guilty as charged M'lud. But unless you're a tribute band, surely evolving 'your' version is better? I recall that in Guy Pratt's autobiography he talks about meeting Jimmy Page and how Jimmy put him right over Led Zepp stuff Guy had been playing wrong for years.

In my main band we do a mixture of originals and covers. We change the proportion of one to the other depending on the venue and the job we've been hired to do. As far as I can recall, we've never done a set that's totally originals or total covers.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1350210821' post='1835745'] The biggest hassle is load out through people who don't want to go home [/quote] True, but at one of the places we play at the locals know that the landlord will keep serving until we've cleared up and gone!