Clarky

I think this only just arrived in the UK a couple of weeks ago Keith. Mark at BassDirect has just listed it in his amp section so maybe ask him? [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Glockenklang_amplification.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Glockenklang_amplification.html[/url]

Apologies for dumb question here but I assume that for any given set of DB strings they should have lower tension when installed on a bass with a shorter speaking length (bridge to nut)? I have Spiro Weich 3/4 3885s on my 3/4 flatback (41") and on my Kolstein Busetto (40") yet for some reason they feel easier on the hands (softer, requiring less left hand strength to depress) on my bigger bass. Admittedly the Spiros have only been on my Kolstein a week - whereas the ones on my flatback have been on 4-6 weeks - but I assumed they would feel significantly less tense on the smaller bass? Or have I got my logic the wrong way round, not for the first time!

Its been dropped for now http://basschat.co.uk/topic/194138-new-classifieds-section-gone-for-now/page__fromsearch__1

[quote name='TheRev' timestamp='1355768366' post='1902528'] Clarky: I liked the look of the Crazy 88, but wasn't sure if it had enough oomph for what I need. I'm really really interested in Mike's new cab, The Big E MA45 but the 'buy' button on Big E's website isn't working and there's no contact info for Mike Arnopol on Talkbass. Out of interest, did it take a long time/lot of effort to get your Crazy 88 over from the USA? [/quote] I have the Crazy8, which has the single 8"driver. I'm under no illusions it won't be loud enough for big gigs but I thought it would a neat, ultra-small/light cab for rehearsals and smaller gigs (most of ours have PA assistance anyway). I suspect the 2x8" Crazy88 option would cover a lot more ground but it was more pricey and lost the ultra-small advantage as far as I was concerned. I actually contacted Mike Arnopol directly via PM on TalkBass and the turnaround time was just over 2 months from order to getting it through my door (including importing from US and having to pay duty to get it released etc). Here is his profile so you can contact him if you want to go the way of one of his cabs [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/member.php?u=51339"]http://www.talkbass....ber.php?u=51339[/url]

[quote name='TPJ' timestamp='1355765151' post='1902443'] Have you used your new cab in anger yet? [/quote]nope, I had to DI at our last gig as stage was size of a small rug (the Green Note in Camden; nice little venue, mind) and there are six of us in the band. As a result I've only played the cab at home and all I can usefully say is that at home-friendly volumes it sounds very transparent and a very good match with my Acoustic Image amp. Whether its any better in a live situation than say the Wizzy 12" I used to own remains to be tested

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1355763950' post='1902405'] I would have thought that a Compact would be better at reproducing the full range of a DB than a Midget. [/quote] Most of the technical speaker discussions on TalkBass' DB forum suggest that smaller speaker sizes are better at conveying DB tones. The trendy cabs du jour are carrying 6" and 8" speakers while the Audiokinesis Thunderchild 12" also gets loads of good reviews. 15" cabs don't seem to get any support FWIW

I would suggest the tweeter would be superfluous in that style. Furthermore, when I recently bought my Crazy8 1x8" cab from the US, the amp guru there (MIke Arnopol) told me not to bother with a tweeter for DB. Alex will disagree here but I also don't like the siting of the tweeter on the Midget T, I feel its exposed to knocks Edit: just saw TNIT's reply but I'm takling about straight pizz rather than slapping

An amalgam of Hooky (Joy Division), Les Pattinson (Echo & The Bunnymen), Jez Kerr (A Certain Ratio) and Steve Severin (The Banshees). Up until I got into 'post punk' (about 1980) I was a [email="cr@p"]cr@p[/email] guitarist

Another vote for SD 1/4 Pounder ... unless you can pick up a s/h Wizard Area 51 Stealth pickup off BassChat. Similar to a 1/4 Pounder but even more pokey. Wizard don't list them for sale any more (probably were a bit special interest, although I bet they'd make you one for £70-odd)

Ooops that was the wrong link Pete, that bow was for a 4/4 bass, mine is 3/4. But you get the picture

I'm an arco noob as I only play pizz in my band. I have just ordered a carbon bow from Thomann as a Xmas pressie to me from wifey Here's the link, looks good value as you can pay hundreds or even thousands for a bow http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_cbbf3_44_carbon_bassbow.htm BTW, there's two styles, German and French (so bows have an F or G in front of them to indicate which) - French looks more natural to me, akin to the way a violin bow is held, whereas German looks very awkward as you hold from underneath as it were - each have their advocates but I am going to try to learn French style (oo err, missus)

[quote name='4ropebottom' timestamp='1355623336' post='1900760'] Thanks 3 below and clarky. Clarky - yours are just a bit higher than mine. But how's that clarus head? What kind of basses are you guys playing? [/quote] I really rate Acoustic Image heads as they are very transparent and allow the double bass to sound like a double bass. The downside is they are pricey unless you find a second-hand model I have an old (1880s) German flatback as main instrument and a travel bass (a beautiful Kolstein Busetto, which has the same Spiro Weich strings and similar 'action' but wears a Realist pickup)

Hello! 1. Folk-blues-flamenco-country (well you did ask!) 2. 1cm at the end of the board on the E, falling to 0.5cm on the G 3. Thomastik Spirocore Weich 4. Full Circle 5. Acoustic Image Clarus into Crazy8 cab (1x8") or Acoustic Image Ten2 cab (2x10")

I have the same issue as the OP and always have had

Don't rush to change the strings, they might be just fine. And if you do want to change them, check the DB for sale forum in BassChat first as there are bargains to be had

On books and reading, the classic tutor book is SImandl which teaches the various left hand positions but also bores a lot of people (me included) to death. Lots recommend Rufus Reid's Evolving Bassist http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evolving-Bassist-Rufus-Reid/dp/0967601509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355593614&sr=1-1 The following link is to a good cheap book with melodies from well known jazz and big band songs transcribed for double bass, so it has the benefit that you are playing recognisable melodies rather than painful (albeit necessary) scale type stuff http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mckee-Andy-Jazz-Bass-Double/dp/1423489535

Short answer: yes. Double basses obviously are physically more challenging and the body/neck join demands different technique past E on the G string but the basic right hand technique will be identical and the hand stretches with the left hand in the lower positions will be near-identical (depending on how chunky the DB neck is)

I had a Stagg briefly. Its actually a very good EUB but its not 'the real deal'. If you have a hankering for a big old DB at some point (as I did) this will be just a (very useful) stop on the way. If you just want to stick to EUB then its obviously not up to the quality of a NS or similar but it is a remarkably good value-for-money instrument and you can do all your learning on it. If it works out and you love it, I bet you will look to upgrade but that would be the GAS monster as much as anything else!

First thing first. Get a lesson booked. There's bound to be a BCer that teaches DB in your area. It will be invaluable in getting your hand/arm positions correct and make it a lot easier from that point on. The larger left hand stretches will be a challenge but you will quickly adapt. Have fun!

I ordered some stuff (double bass bow and bits and pieces) on Monday, arrived Friday They are generally pretty fast

Laurence mentioned the Ray Brown replica when I went in to pick up my bass. He also makes a travel double bass. Good DB luthiers are rare as hens' teeth!

Is this the guy? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=GS-itkO9ia8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=GS-itkO9ia8[/url]

Just to add to the chorus above, spectacular job Rick!

Just did a bass p/x deal with Gareth. Couldn't have been an easier deal. Shame we didn't have time for a proper 'nerdy' bassists' chat but I'm sure it will happen some time!!! Very happy to add to all the positive comments in this thread

Mike bought a set of DB strings off me and paid superfast. All good