SevenSeas

Anyone waiting on Conservatoire results?

Anyone using one?

Oliv strings; They sound great, (I mean really great) they feel great (better than all the sets I have tried) they feel pretty easy to play. BUT. 1) The tuning is to an extend ridiculous, it has been getting slightly better. 2) Heres the worst part... woke up this morning the 'G' string was broke, got an audition on Monday so had to go to a local shop to get it sorted. Charged me £62 for the work. (which is overpriced) by far) £97 for an Oliv string. (D & G ) = £194 + 62 = £256. Great....

Judging by this forum you can go for either, the Onyx wheel or the Buggie.

The Bass Buggie, trust me. Will be taking it on the underground in a few weeks so will be able to give a review with lots of people and tight spaces etc!

The Bass Buggie once you know how to put it on is pretty simple. Each to the own, the 'gear' over playing was a bit if a ridiculous sediment though.

I have a good solution; I use public transport all the time with my double bass (I can't drive.. yet) and use to carry my bass on my back all the time. (It was hard work even as a young man) I recently brought a new double bass and it's just too heavy or (I would imagine) to carry it on my back between gigs. I sound like an advert but even though at first it's a bit of a nightmare to set up, once you work out how it goes it's brilliant. I use the Bass Buggie; 1) Unlike bass wheels it's more stable and vibrates less, you don't need one hand on your bass at all times. (not that I frequently remove my hands or anything. ) 2) My ext concern was how to protect the instrument and it's very easy to move around and it vibrates less than endpin wheels. 3) My concern was then the tension of the string around the bass to keep it in position, according to Martin Penning (who is a genius and a really nice guy) I would in no way damage the instrument by putting pressure around the strings of the instrument. I use it with a turtle case and it's useful because the instrument isn't raised in height very much, keeping the height as minimum as possible. It's really hard to give a depth review but the bass buggie is great. http://www.contrabass.co.uk/bass_buggie.htm

I hope they settle down, tuning them up each day is fine. (or obviously before a gig, practice, after 1st set whatever etc) Just between songs kind of takes the *iss which is a shame because they sound great hopefully they settle down. They haven't been on long.

Hey everyone, Recently put Oliv strings on my bass (d & g) and they sound awesome... BUT! They go crazy out of tune, I mean even between songs!? Are they expected to settle down or is this going to be an on going thing? Cheers,

[quote name='Rabbie' timestamp='1382914064' post='2258061'] +1 to ubassman and hector. Although the notes are in the same order, the double bass is a completely different instrument. Honestly, you'd be much better off investing in some time learning to playing DB like a DB. Get a teacher for a couple of lessons, even just have some online lessons with the brilliant 'Discover Double Bass' website, run by fellow basschatter Geoff (+1 to Pete on this). With a EUB, being amplified and having very low action, you can get away with the "just playing bass guitar vertically" trick. However, if you want to graduate to DB, you will find yourself struggling with tuning, injury and quite simply being heard. You don't need to go all philharmonic: just treat the DB like a DB. [/quote] Have to agree with these guys too, The double bass and electric are completely different instruments, I strongly recommend Simandl method but it's a tough book to go through, the exercises can be very atonal. That being said, if you learn the instrument the 'proper' way you will improve a lot quicker. It's hard at first but it will all fall into place, find a good teacher or use Geoff (Discover Double Bass) lessons they're brilliant.

Dear Bass Chat, I recently brought a new double bass and would like to get the instrument insured by a good insurer, one that will fully pay up if anything happens to go wrong. Allianz seems to have a good reputation, I have been on the Musicians Union before and that is great to have if you're insuring less than £2000 worth of equipment. As my bass exceeds this by quite a way it's no good. (Also added on to the fact that having a separate and much secure insurance policy for my bass seems a better idea) I have a few questions which I am stumbling on; 1. Working out the value of the instrument? How to I honestly estimate the value of my instrument for example the Contrabass shop is selling similar bass for 8.5k (but they have their commission on the instrument) and I know the price I brought the bass for but if I was to put the amount I paid for the bass, as my insurance quote I know I would lose out. I got a very good deal on the bass without paying all the extras of shipping, shop commission etc, (but that is another long story) therefore I would value the bass for more than what I brought it for, also because I have had additional work been done on the bass by Martin Penning I suppose this would increase the value? Maybe I can get a luthier to tell me (probably Martin) how much he would value the instrument at? The three policies; Cover restricted to your premise. (no good for me as I am more worried about the bass during transit (buses, trains, tubes, etc) Worldwide (excluding losses from an unattended vehicle) Worldwide (including losses from an unattended vehicle) Now originally I would straight away sign for including losses in an unattended vehicle but at the moment; 1. I don't drive. (take public transport) 2. If I was sharing a car/van with the band, no one has ever left the vehicle unattended with all the equipment in it and I have yet been in a situation where I have had to leave the vehicle I would take my bass with me. (So I'm guessing if the insurance is much cheaper excluding an unattended vehicle seems better) (for my current situation) Also another opinion (someone I know.. who I think is wrong but better check) they seem to think that the insurance policy wouldn't pay out fully when making a claim? (if it was stolen for example) If anyone has any good suggestions other than Allianz let me know although they seem to be quite popular. Cheers,

[quote name='mtroun' timestamp='1382721872' post='2255999'] That looks beautiful. Congratulations. [/quote] Cheers man, very happy!

[quote name='fatgoogle' timestamp='1382701926' post='2255598'] Looks beautiful man. Congrats on the bass. How did you find sitting in the shoppe knowing there where bass's there as much as a house?? Very weird for me. [/quote] Thanks, yeah basses are crazy money!

[quote name='27 frets' timestamp='1382706337' post='2255686'] How about Gedo Musik:[url="http://www.gedo-musik.de/shop/product.php?id_product=772"]http://www.gedo-musi...?id_product=772[/url] or [url="http://www.gedo-musik.de/shop/product.php?id_product=168"]http://www.gedo-musi...?id_product=168[/url] [/quote] Hey, I went for the Turtle and I'm very happy with it. (All of them would of been great to be fair) I used the Gewa Prestige which is a nice bag but I would say the Turtle is a lit bit more padded. (I only changed because I needed something that was 4/4 not 3/4. My bass is 3/4 but has quite white ribs and therefore the Gewa bag can't take it. I have the perfect transporting combo now, I use the Turtle but use my double bass buggy to transport it around. Then I cary the bass on my bag with the wheel still attached therefore I can move the bass around easily during trains/buses etc but can still lift the bass when theres lots of stairs etc.

[quote name='Hector' timestamp='1382656480' post='2255240'] And I hope it never does! Nice choice, looks lovely. Very similar to my experience! I've yet to have someone play it without commenting on the sound. I [b]really [/b]hope she still has it when she's well again. [/quote] Hi Hector, Just read your thread, sorry to hear about your bass, that is awful! Like everything though I'm sure a great luthier can make it as good as new, if not even better. So hope that goes well. Yeah when I tried the bass, I didn't know what to expect but after playing a few notes I was so happy, tried so many basses and it's such an individual process. Can't wait to get it back off Martin, I asked him to check over the bass so he is doing some additional work and fitting some new strings and a realist. (The sound I got off the Spiros was fantastic though, so I might even regret trying new strings) just got to wait until the start of next week to pick it up. (the bass is slighlty darker then pictured, thats just the lighting for the picture) but it feels like a real bass. (not my awful G4M one) A years worth of wages too, so a well earned bass at that!

After trying lots of basses I found the one, the sound was just what i'm looking for! Very helpful, all the best to anyone else looking for an instruments its tough. (These pictures weren't taking from me but Martin Penning is currently working on my bass)

[quote name='Hector' timestamp='1382652534' post='2255187'] Oooooh, I think our basses are related! [/quote] Nice, Akos makes beautiful basses but most of all, when I plucked the first couple of notes it was exactly what I wanted. The sound was perfect!

Hey everyone, I haven't put any pictures up because Martin Penning is currently doing work on the bass but I have some pictures which I saw before I tried out the bass. I'm picking it up from Martin next week though which is very exciting!

[quote name='FLoydElgar' timestamp='1382614849' post='2254387'] What bass did you buy? [/quote] Same model, different bass. (obviously) http://www.contrabass.co.uk/2774.htm

[quote name='fatgoogle' timestamp='1382562975' post='2253831'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Anyone got a case thats first of all comfortable to carry and secondly lifts the bass high enough so it doesn't hit the back of your knee's or legs for that matter. I've got one of those gedo-musik bags which is well padded but the wheels broke and its really awkward to carry on my back.[/font][/color] [/quote] The Gewa Prestige my old bag is good, padding is okay but it's light and I have carried it around loads with no problems. I now have a trolley so can utilise more padding.

[quote name='FLoydElgar' timestamp='1382554669' post='2253648'] Lol I got a Tom and will case for sale... 3/4 [/quote] Thanks, too small though at 3/4 cheers.

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1382536814' post='2253342'] ...I think trying to find a good tutor is kind of the idea behind starting this thread ! [/quote] My bad, didn't read the whole thread. If you're some what close to Birmingham I would sent the Conservatoire an email. If you have any local jazz jam sessions go to them and look for a teacher or if you know of any other well regarded bass players locally get a recommendation.

Hey, I emailed Tom and Will but they're in the process of bringing out a new model, hence why there old model is more difficult to get hold off. The turtle and the Tom and Will bag specification wise was basically identical other than the fact that the Tom and Will was £175 + £15 for postage. The Turtle was £146. I'm basically skint, so couldn't afford the Tom and Will anyway.