Clarky

As you know Al, I have side markers on my double bass for precisely teh reason that I am new-ish to my band and don't want to screw up, but eventually I want to remove them. Alternatively you could buy a fretted double bass [url="http://www.gbase.com/gear/rickenbacker-bedpost-fretted-upright-d-1935-b"]http://www.gbase.com/gear/rickenbacker-bedpost-fretted-upright-d-1935-b[/url]

[quote name='TheRev' timestamp='1351773723' post='1855169'] Neil Tarlton's book, 'beginning scales' is very good for getting to work on scales in different positions. [/quote] I just ordered this (it costs a tenner) - here's the link [url="http://web.onetel.com/~andreavicari/neiltarlton/index.html"]http://web.onetel.com/~andreavicari/neiltarlton/index.html[/url]

[quote name='Pete Academy' timestamp='1351711467' post='1854548'] My main problem is losing some dexterity and muscle power. [/quote] This is a big problem with upright bass if you don't practice regularly, along with losing calluses on finger tips

[quote name='gcordez' timestamp='1351620192' post='1853368'] ok, so how is it? [/quote] My DVD only arrived yesterday and I doubt I will get the chance to watch it until the weekend. However I assume its identical to the video in content (see OP for comments on the video) in which case it should be a treat

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1351594402' post='1852951'] I don't really play bass guitar at home any more but I do pick up the double bass pretty much every day. There are days when I'm not home for long enough to play it but otherwise it always gets picked up even if it's just for 15 minutes while I'm cooking dinner or something. Can't resist it. [/quote] This for me too ^^^^ (except I don't cook dinner, thankfully!)

Me again! Roger bought a DB pickup off me and paid superfast. Top man

My favourite strings feel-wise are Innovation Silver Slaps but I currently have a set of Spirocore Solo (downtuned to orchestral) on my 3/4 flatback as these have a similar feel (not quite as easy on the hands) but more growl (I need a slightly more sustaining, steel-type sound in my band). If I was in a rootsier type band I definitely would have SIlver Slaps on my bass

My lot at the Half Moon in Putney http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW8W_NPAtdQ And a video of one of our Spanish influenced songs (playing live, secretly mic'd up in a trendy vintage dress shop) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EysgZI-BPc

[quote name='marvin spangles' timestamp='1351034293' post='1846601'] Ha ha ha ... [/quote] You'll all be sorry if I stop selling gear on BC!

Rayman has this rig. Check out his pic in the Precision porn thread, showing the rig with his fiesta red 50s P. I once owned the same rig and it was ace, only sold to make way for "specialist " DB amplification. Nice score Lozz and back friendly too

Good spot Sarah. Ordered as its very difficult for me to get to use our VHS player

The fdeck preamp, for those unfamiliar, is a clever little preamp box which contains a high pass filter (which dials out boomy bass frequencies by cutting everything below the chosen threshold), a phase switch (useful for fighting feedback), and a volume switch. The DB players on TalkBass love it to bits and a large number of them place it in their signal path between pickup and amp (many not bothering with a traditional preamp like a Fishman Plat Pro, even though the fdeck has no EQ capabilities). Its very cheap (<£100) but the drawback is that they are not on sale in Europe. However there are several helpful Stateside TB'ers who will order one on your behalf and then send it on. Details here: [url="https://sites.google.com/site/hpftechllc/home/hpf-pre"]https://sites.google.com/site/hpftechllc/home/hpf-pre[/url]

The most common recommended bridge wing piezo (which tends to be the cheapest type of pickup) would probably be the BassMax, also the Shadow 950, the Rev Solo and Underwood are liked by many DBers. These are generally quite simple to operate but require a preamp to match their impedance with an amplifier. They can be thin and nasal sounding and feedbackprone but with the right EQ and a decent preamp they deliver a decent DB type sound live. I have a Full Circle on my 3/4 double bass which sounds nice but is a bit above your budget as it requires fitting in an adjustable bridge. On my smaller bass I have a Realist and it sounds very nice, although I have only just fitted it so my experience is a little limited ( one gig only so far). They are a bit more than £150 new but you can pick them up second hand for £80-110. So far I am liking the Realist a lot

This might just cut it - the Rigel Acousta Bass ... if you have a spare $2200 plus shipping and tax http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZjg0EwfBMM&feature=related

Thinking laterally here, maybe sneak in a battery-0powered Roland Micro Cube combo, plonk it behind you and noone will spot it ... you get the benefit of amplification of your acoustic bass and hopefully (depending on placement) no feedback issues either [url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/combo-amps/pid13888/cid691/roland-bass-microcube-rx-batterymains-powered-bass-ampfree-6m-lead.asp?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping"]http://www.andertons.co.uk/combo-amps/pid13888/cid691/roland-bass-microcube-rx-batterymains-powered-bass-ampfree-6m-lead.asp?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping[/url]