2wheeler

[quote name='The Burpster' post='51633' date='Aug 28 2007, 11:15 AM']This might be a stupid question but, did you change the strings at the same time? You may have a rogue string! I have known several set ups that have been spoilt by old/ tired/ or unstable strings....... Plus another option is that you could have a high 8th fret or worn 7th fret that hasnt shown up before. You havent said if its when fretted at the 8th fret or open string and buzzing on the 8th..? Bob.[/quote] Good point. I mean there is fret buzz from somewhere (probably the 9th fret) when I fret the 8th fret on the A string (i.e. I am playing an F). I did change strings but that was a few weeks ago and they were fine with the old (high action) set-up. How can I work out which fret is hitting the string and causing the buzz (not including filing them down one by one )?

Being "crap" is a bit vague. I would try to be specific about something you want that isn't happening at the moment. If they see that there's something they need to work on and can bridge the gap then the problem is sorted (provided it is just about technical stuff and not getting personal). If they understand the problem but don't want to do anything then you don't have to tell them they are crap, they have discovered it for themselves. The problem is when they swear blind they they are in tune/on time/nailing the riffs/whatever and they really are not. Then you have to get rid of them, either the honest way, by telling them they are being replaced, or the sneaky way, by forming a new band without them.

Thanks for that. I only put just over a quarter turn on the truss-rod so I will take that back off again. I guess the person who set it up before had the neck relief set to cater for this fret problem... I can have the strings lower at the bridge than before and enjoy a significantly lower action after this work.

I have a 4-string Warwick Rockbass and this is my first ever attempt at setting up any kind of guitar. I have read lots of literature, I know about checking relief in the neck and setting bridge height. I did everything by the book and was really happy with it, after tighteting the truss rod a whisker and lowering the bridge height for each string a lot. Until I discovered that I have nasty fret buzz on the 8th fret on the A string. It's only that fret and it's only that string. I have jacked the string height up at the adjustable bridge until it is way above the others but that string buzz is still there. I am pretty sure I could put everything back the way it was because I counted the turns (or fractions of turns) everywhere I made an adjustment but I am not happy simply doing that because a ) I didn't really like it like that in the first place and b ) I don't understand what's wrong and I want to learn about these things in case I one day have a really nice bass so I can set it up and take care of it properly. Why do I just have a problem with that string and at that fret? Is this the downside of a mass-produced neck? Is there a problem with that fret? Do I need to leave it to settle after tightening the truss rod?

I have a 4-string Vintage (brand not age) VCB430 that you can have for £150 with a good soft case. It is in the local guitar shop at the moment but I think I can retrieve it. rrp is 300, I think but you can get them new for much less, of course... The action is low and it is very playable. However anything below about the 4th fret on the low E is a bit quiet and I can't imagine getting very good results with a low B string whatever the construction. It's an introduction to the world of (electro-) acoustic bass and will give you something to compare other basses with and, when you have figured out what you really want, you will be able to sell it for pretty much the same amount. Interested? pm and we can do a deal

Quick mention for the Blue Kings who are going to be there. It's a loose connection but I practice tai chi (occasionally) with Dave King's wife. They are a great band and some really good guys.

38, male, own hair and teeth Played music most of my life. Started having lessons on bass guitar about 8 months ago. Owned an electro-acoustic for nearly a year before that but didn't manage to do anything good with it. Have played bass in Latin jam sessions with fellow salsa dancers (see [url="http://www.encuentrolatino.co.uk"]www.encuentrolatino.co.uk[/url] to blame for that) Not really technically very good but a lot better than when I started. Enjoying getting to grips with theory of music again for the first time since 'O' level music 22 years ago Willing to give most things a try but now largely focussed on family and keeping the desk job that supports the four of us.

Do you know about the Arts Council's [url="http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/takeitaway/index.php"]"Take it away" loan scheme[/url]?

I think Warwick Rockbass doesn't count as Warwick so I checked "Other" Its the single pick-up version of the Streamer Standard.

Ok, so who is entering the advertised Bass Idol? (Just so I know who to cheer for )

One of a teacher's jobs is to stretch you a bit and get you out of your comfort zone. If a player is fast and sloppy they will most likely slow them down at least during the lesson. If a player is slow and careful then they will most likely try to gee things up a bit in the lesson. However if you feel that the connection with the teacher isn't really there then maybe you should look for another teacher. It doesn't mean that this teacher is "wrong" or isn't a good one but there are plenty of teachers out there and whilst you won't benefit from continual changes there's nothing wrong with checking out a few different teachers when you start out.

At my brother's wedding reception, the limiter kept tripping. It turned out that the "problem" was not the sound system but all of [i]us[/i] singing and clapping along too loudly

Just to add a thought from left field... The amount of force taken in a particular place in your back is dependent not only on the weight of your bass but also on your posture and technique. Nothing to say you shouldn't get a lighter bass but also consider a consultation or two with a physio ... or maybe an Alexander Technique teacher

[quote name='Hamster' post='39628' date='Jul 31 2007, 05:29 PM']I've seen/heard a lot worse than this [url="http://www.soundcontrol.co.uk/mod_1/pages/mod_1.12/pages/mod_1.12.1/pages/mod_1.12.1.1/pages/index.php?sku=1.1.2.3.1-14-16640"]Lowdown 110[/url] Hamster[/quote] And I bought one for just this. I intend to put a review up soon but it is still really new to me and I am getting to grips with it (or at least I would be if I weren't away on holiday ). It's great. I love the R&B model. And you can play the theme tune from "Rhubarb and Custard" with the synth Also it is surprisingly loud when you wind it up.

I missed it too. It's repeated on [url="http://www.radiotimes.com/ListingsServlet?event=10&channelId=158&programmeId=63320859&jspLocation=/jsp/prog_details_fullpage.jsp"]Wednesday 18th July, 10:30 on E4[/url]. You could come round and watch it over a beer but Dorset isn't [i]that[/i] close to Yorkshire...

It's a little bit gross but I was told to use my fingernails and I have to admit it works pretty well. God put those things on the end of your fingers for a reason They are hard enough to scrape off all manner of crud and soft enough not to wreck the underlying surface. You might want to buy a nailbrush to clean up afterwards, of course...

Looks like a good book to try. Anybody tried [url="http://www.amazon.com/Latin-Bass-Book-Oscar-Stagnaro/dp/1883217113"]The Latin Bass Book[/url] ?

As a direct result of reading this thread, I bought and installed my first hercules wall-mounted hanger. Brilliantly simple and simply brilliant.

[url="http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=64490709&blogID=282089773"]how Derek Smalls' bass was made[/url]

[quote name='Davemarks' post='27077' date='Jul 4 2007, 05:50 PM']Simply email me to [email protected] with the answer to this question:[/quote] [quote name='Crazykiwi' post='27192' date='Jul 4 2007, 09:34 PM']... BTW Dave, replies to this thread, or by another medium?[/quote] That's the kind of question I usually ask

Woohoo! Next week's Radio Times has Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) on the cover, with a 5 string fretless Lakland bass (even the dodgy paintjob can't spoil it). Oh yes, and the rest of "Spinal Tap". See also [url="http://www.liveearth.msn.com/spinaltap"]Spinal Tap at Live Earth[/url]. Sit back and enjoy. Touch and go whether this went into "Off Topic" so feel free to move it if you think it isn't sufficiently bassy.