SevenSeas

Someone recently said to me the GK would favour DB? Are any of you guys using your Markbass for double baaa gigs?

Paul is still making basses, only the 'soloist' model (which is still fantastic) however he doesn't make them to order. So he'll make one, if you like it you buy it. If you don't, someone else will. I'm currently on the waiting list (which is quite long as far as i'm aware) he said to me he should possibly have one to try for the end of this year but more likely the start of next year. Depending on the people before me, if they buy one of not. I have to admit I'm waiting on the Bryant, heard great things about them and can't be beaten for price. (£3750 - £4750) I think this was roughly the quote I had sent to me. The price varies depending on woods used and wether or not the tuning pegs are made by hand or by machine. (it's probably worth contacting Paul) Thomas Martin recommended his 3/4 Concert Model which was £5000 + Vat which is another option. (Haven't played one but it's probably also very good.

[b] Gallien Kruger MB150E or MarkBass Mini CMD 121P? These two seems like a good option, but which one?[/b]

Hey bass chatters, wanted a second opinion on these two amps. Need one of the amps for both electric & upright gigs. If anyone has any better suggestions that would be ace. - Has to be lightweight. (Carrying on public transport)

Hey, basically i'm looking for an amp which I can use for both Double Bass and Electric Bass. Obviously this is possible from most amps but obviously i'm looking for something which sounds good for both. The key things i'm looking for; - Lightweight, (Carrying it on public transport) - Works well for both double bass and electric. The amp I had in mind was a Markbass Traveler 102p with some kind of head? (which i'm still haven't looked into enough) Any suggestions? Also would I be better off running 4 or 8Ohm? (I've read about this many times but still can't clarify the difference, if I'm running the cabinet on its own 4ohm will be better?) But if i'm running 80hm and want to add an extension cabinet at some stage this is the better option? Thanks for your help,

My opinion on the Gear for Music basses, as I currently own and use one. I decided to take a big risk after having a masterclass with Ian Jennings and thought ... 'I need a double bass' and went and brought a gear for music one, mainly at the time (being pretty skint) it seemed like the best option £400. I was definitely wrong, didn't realise it would need a big setup, new strings (various different things done in the workshop, too many to list). It cost me just over £380 for the setup. New strings and £200 in the workshop. So just under £800! (Gear for Music, didn't tell me it would come with the strings not even on it) So if you can find something for about £800 then i'd go for that. I think you would be better off buying a second hand double bass if i'm honest. (I wish I did) I've used my G4M Bass for nearly two years (come January) and i've done 60 gigs with it and to be fair. It has been pretty reliable although it now needs more work doing to it. (which I'm just waiting out until I get a new one next year) also because i've been using public transport to London and Bath and different places it has got pretty bashed around. The sound is okay, not fantastic but not bad. A lot of your sounds comes from the player anyway rather than the bass. If you can find someone who has a second hand G4M bass and is selling it cheap (cheaper then new) i'd go for that, they come up on ebay quite a lot and you can see if they're already setup or not. (they still might need additional work though) Just my opinion. I think it ultimately depends on how much money you have to spend.

Really great lessons, I haven't seen any other videos on youtube which have had as much detail as yours! I will definitely be recommending your lessons and absorbing as much information from them as possible!

Dear London double bass players and bass chatters. I'm travelling up to London from Exeter for a double bass lesson and even though I'm not bringing my bass the first time. I was wondering how other double bassists find it on the tube? (As I would imagine, it would be a nightmare especially in peak times. ) As I'll probably be bringing my own bass when I come back for the next lesson? Cheers,

(Sorry it has copied the thread twice, please use the other thread)

I also have too many books, finding it impossible to go through them all! Mark Levine - Jazz Theory Book. Simandl. Rufus Reid - The Evolving Bassist Jazz Fake Book. Shadows of Motown Book. Stuart Claytons - Scale Book. I don't know if I'll ever reach the end of any! (literally years/decades of work) I suppose I keep dipping in and out of each book.

Yep, not looking for short cuts. Just want to be able to read fresh material.

Thanks for all the replies, I'll have to check out that website site Chris. (Unfortunately I'm not very techno and don't have any product which I can use 'apps on' which is a shame)

[b] [size=4]As the title suggests, that is exactly what I am looking for. I have been through different sight reading books and my reading is okay but still a long way to go. Is there any software which can simulate completely fresh material to read?[/size][/b]

Hey everyone, It for keeping volume down due to complaints (mainly family members) so will probably invest in the practice mute.

Understandable point.... I have a full time job as well though. (I seem to have things sorted for now.. they only seem to complain about double bass (which is unfortunatly what I practice most`) however getting a mute sounds like a great idea. (I never have a problem with electric or piano, just turn it down.) Thanks for everyones responses.. got some useful information from it. Time to get a mute!

Hey, can anyone recommend a good double bass mute? I need it to bring down the volume (obviously) from the sound of my double bass playing both pizzicato and arco, has anyone got any good recommendations? (I want something reliable, strong) not cheap or tacky. Cheers,

Bigd1. I just read your point and I can completely understand it's a two way street but I wouldn't be able to cope with just 1 to 1.5 hours a day! I think this ultimately depends on where you want to be as a musician. If you want to be good you have to practice... a lot. I think the demands for being a professional musician now a days are getting even harder as there are so many great musicians about. Also more musicians seem to be doing more, I started off as an electric bassist but have re-verted out to open more doors, being a double bass player, I've recently started keys pretty seriously (learning a harmony instrument) theres theory, reading, playing both pizicato and learning to play with a bow. (more people are arrangers, composing, singer songwriters, etc) Learning to sing relative backing vocals. (the list is endless) I have fortunately got three very good teachers (before people are wondering how... I pay for the lessons myself) and I have quite a lot of work to get through which I enjoy going through otherwise I might as well spend the money on something else? If I was doing this is a hobby I wouldn't be such a problem but it's what I commit to all the time I have to it. (Okay I've gone off topic a bit I have to admit) but you can surely understand my point?

Double Bass 'practice mute'! Bloody hello! Saw these things but they seemed like a gimmick, would it stop me from bowing? Does it reduce the sound or completely mute it? The garden idea is a nice idea but I completely unrealistic one. Gjones, yeah this is definitely how I feel! I schedule my whole practice time around them (they don't realise this) and when they get back from work they have to put up with maybe 2 hours double bass and (2-3 hours of electric) when I've spent most of the day practicing. Really gets on my tits, espically when there are numerous other rooms they could go to watch TV etc.. (or they could let me use the extension... a far away part of the house which would be great) but because it's 'there' space (which must I add is a un-used one) I can't use it. (Unfortunately because it isn't my house.. I haven't got much say in it.)

Hello bass chat! Just a little thread about volume and how 'you deal with it'? Let me put this into perspective. I practice quite a lot however my family really don't agree with it, they say it's too loud and I get nagged constantly all day and night. (well up to 9pm... then I stop) Then they go on about how If I lived next to a neighbour who wouldn't let you do it (or he'll.... smash you up or your bass or put sh*t through your letter box) what would I do? They mainly complain about double bass as it's acoustic and obviously theres no volume knob on it... like electric bass. So is there anyway to keep the noise down or? hmmm more importantly what do you do? And do you get lots of complaints... because it drives me mental... when everyone goes on about how I need to stop practicing etc.. Cheers, Andy.

I haven't come across it before but it looks like a great idea! Especially for youngsters my age as there seems to be no 'middle ground' in terms of jazz players. Met many professionals at jam nights but it would be cool to meet some people who were younger who are into jazz. (which could be reached by social media) Still think meeting people in person is always the best option but still looks good.

Cheers everyone, especially Bilbo. Do you use this book yourself? *Sorry didn't know bassman7755

Hey fellow bass players; I wanted to start a thread on approaching soloing (on double bass) all though the concepts are probably the same on electric bass. How do you approach soloing on a standard? Do you analyse the chords and decide which scales, mode, to use etc.... or just use your ears? Develop an idea? What works for you? I have to prepare two jazz pieces for auditions later this year and i'm finding soloing extremely difficult! Cheers, Andy.

I have been where you're a few times and I'm glad to say I'm out of the 'rut' if you want to call it that. Heres how I dealt with it; 1) Think of the reason why you picked up bass in the first place. 2) Find a teacher(s) who inspires you. 3) Think of the bigger picture (this for me is a big one) when I've gone of the major scale for about the 10,000000th time a day in every key, in every position I can think of, I suddenly realise theres a reason why i'm practicing this. (if you want to be great, it isn't going to be easy) 4) Think of your heroes (in the bass world) 5) Find other musicians to play with or like me (take a break from your musical commitments and focus on practice) 6) Don't compare yourself to anyone else. (each individual bassist will have their strengths and their weaknesses) 7) This works for me... although I think it's more to do with self-control. (delete Facebook) 8) Listen to everyone who inspires you but forget about all the people who say (you can't do that, it's impossible etc etc) 9) If you're finding you're putting the bass down after a short period of time, you're probably not planning what you're going to do on the bass. (if you have no plan, you'll probably think eughhh don't know what to practice better put my bass down.) 10) Watch this video by Dave Marks; (great video on your post) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df0sFG7FqSQ Hope some (or any) of that was helpful;

Well as it goes, accidents happen. I've managed to take a (I have to admit) very small chip out of the paintwork on my Ernie Ball Stingray, it's unbelievably annoying because i'm so use to keeping my stuff in mint condition. Does anyone know any cheap ways in which this can be fixed? (It's exposed right down to the wood?) Cheers, Andy.