Norris

How about making one with a silouette Ric********* headstock?

The weight of the bass should mainly be taken by your hip so that your left hand shouldn't need to do too much support. I'm still trying to get used to that, and trying to lean it in to me. I've bought a copy of [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Evolving-Bassist-Rufus-Reid/dp/0967601509/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368616778&sr=8-1&keywords=the+evolving+bass"]The Evolving Bassist[/url] by Rufus Reid, which is good even for novices, although not done nearly as much practise as I should have! Edit: Forgot to quote you [quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1368612437' post='2079105'] Question - how do you keep the bass still when trying to slide up or down? Is that a general posture thing or a particular trick? At the moment I 'sort of' keep the thing steady using pressure from my left hand. [/quote]

Do a Jaco - pull the frets out & fill it You could probably do a half reasonable job with tile grout & have the fret lines in whatever colour you like. I bought a Squier P-bass Special on here at a very reasonable price, intending to use it for a project. However it was such a good bass I hadn't the heart to start messing with it. I'll have to find another donor one day... Edit: Plus, de-fretting the neck means you still have a matching headstock

Yet another glowing recommendation... I bought a [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/204820-fsft-rickenbacker-4003-jetglo-04-bass-with-ric-case-sold"]Rickenbacker 4003[/url] from John. As you can see his description was very detailed, accompanied by excellent photos, and if anything he under-sold the bass which is actually in fantastic condition. Just a glance at this impressive feedback thread gave me the confidence to buy unseen, due to the distance between us. Communication was excellent throughout, and John arranged for a friend of his who was travelling to my neck of the woods to bring the bass along with them, thus avoiding potential courier issues. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending John as a TOP BLOKE

This thread stole a little of the BC magic away for me Can we back off Guy now please?

Oh - that calendar page looks awful on my Android mobile! No mobile-friendly style sheet?

Yeah, sorry. I know it's short notice, but if you're around North Leicestershire at a loss for somewhere to go tonight (and are not going to see Dick Venom ) come and say hi

What strings to use?

Who are these beetles of which you speak?

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1367223453' post='2062624'] Or the Beeb stops reporting on daft subjects? [/quote] One person's daft subject is another's essential news... And while we're talking about the BBC & license fees: I can't stand reality shows, 'talent' shows, period drama and soaps. Unfortunately it doesn't stop them being popular with the ovisites, meaning my telly is full of cr*p most of the time. But hey, big shrug, there's still BBC4, the Internet, my album collection, and Real Life[sup]TM[/sup]

[quote name='DaveFry' timestamp='1366967077' post='2059496'] [/quote] No wonder he was such a virtuoso - he has 3 hands!

My copy of [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0967601509/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]The Evolving Bassist[/url] should arrive today - the DVD will take an extra day or two (cheaper bought separately!). Can you give me any of your other 'essential' recommendations? Not only for exercises & technique, but also for compilations of slightly easier classical or jazz music to play. I realise the Evolving Bassist book has some recommendations, but I am interested in what other books you have found useful. I haven't invested in a bow yet, so everything is pizzicato - but it's only a matter of time before I get one. And what the hey - why link in some useful YouTube channels/links too? This thread could become a useful resource for n00bs

The only customisation I've ever done is adding Schallers to every bass. Even my cheapo Indonesian Squier has its stock pup - which sounds great imho

I've borrowed my guitarist's before. It can be a little too greasy if you put too much on, but play it in a bit and it just cuts down the friction & is a bit more gentle on the fingertips. TBH, I usually just wipe my fingers on my forehead. I've not got particularly greasy skin, but it just helps to cut the friction a bit. Edit: That's on roundwounds. I'm sure you won't have a problem with flats

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/GHS-Fast-Fret-Strings-cleaner/dp/B0013HJJMO"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/GHS-Fast-Fret-Strings-cleaner/dp/B0013HJJMO[/url] ?

Get a second hand Peavey Databass - if you can find one!

One thing doesn't seem to have been mentioned is that the strings on a 5/6 are usually physically closer together than a 4, and the neck is likely to be wider to accomodate them all. If you're a beginner this could be a factor. If you're moving from a guitar it probably won't be an issue having the closer strings, although the wider neck could be. If you're just starting out in music you might get on better with a 4 stringer at first. It also depends on the style you like to play. A 5/6 will need probably playing more precisely, whereas a 4 stringer can be thrown around a bit more. It's easier to give the bottom E a damn good thwang for the last power chord if there's not another string sitting below it waiting to be hit by accident Edit: BTW, all my basses are 4 strings - not felt the need for more (yet!)

I've never had any issues with deliveries or the goods arriving in good condition. However do make sure you order the right stuff - the website is not always clear, and even the 'frequently bought together' items do not always work together. (e.g. If you're buying a DMX lighting controller, email them first and get them to confirm that it's works with your lights ) Update - Ha! Didn't notice the zombie thread!

[quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1366244331' post='2050170'] On paper, this is where it's at, although I often find that places putting on originals bands don't have any punters. They are working under the misapprehension that bands will bring 'their crowd' whom they can actually sell some beer to. Of course originals bands are out to spread the word to waiting punters, who aren't there, because the pub round the corner puts on a covers duo on Thursday and has Karaoke on Friday. Much more fun (so I hear!). Again, many pubs have a set crowd. Unless you do gain a few followers who will turn up to wherever you play, you will be playing to that stock crowd time and time again, and each place has its own vibe. Some places keep booking you, and the same faces just drink and chat and peer over at you between songs, and some places go wild from the word go. I don't get it sometimes. Song choices are important, but just as much so is performance, particularly a good front person. No matter how much us musos try to deny it, punters [i]can[/i] tell the difference between a good band and a bad one when they hear one, to some degree or another, but without fail, a band of average players who are a bit boring to watch will always be considered second to a band of average players who appear to be having a whale of a time, and know how to involve the audience in the fun. So to get on point, I suppose that 'what the punters want' is to be entertained. Play as entertainers, and it won't matter much if you're playing Summer Of '69 again, or Tales of Topographic Oceans. Just make it as fun as you can. Landlords? Just turn up on time and don't get too pissed seem to be the only two solid rules. The rest is down to their personal taste, although more often than not, having a sensible approach to volume knobs will pay dividends. [/quote] ^ Wise words ^

Lighting engineer & rehearsal nagger (i.e actually do some) Edit: Oh, and band's facebook page

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1366185437' post='2049240'] Good point. I think this is a major factor in why some people think that the very top-end pickups sound "better" than the "just good" ones. Maybe they are trying to justify their decision to spend more money than they needed to? [/quote] Squier/Fender anyone?

[quote name='Looper' timestamp='1360140167' post='1965299'] My first bass, a Franconia jazz copy. Being my first I had no idea how bad it was until someone gave me a Hohner p-copy which played like a real bass. Still, I wouldn't mind getting it back now, just for sentimental reasons, we had some good times together. [/quote] My Franconia Jazz was actually quite a reasonable bass, certainly streets ahead of the Kay SG plank that preceeded it.

My first ever bass was a Kay SG copy in translucent red plywood. The action could be measured in inches and every bit of chrome was pitted and flaking. I can't remember what it sounded like as it was so long ago. And ... (riot gear on) ... I really disliked the feel of an early Musicman that a friend bought and have I never touched one since.

I had one many years ago - it eventually fell to bits (can't remember if it was Neutrik or another brand). Now I just use the volume pedal on my GT-6B between sets I get no pops at all - just the occasional silence when I forget to 'floor' the pedal again after the break!