Zampa

Many thanks for all the comments, thats given me a lot more to think about.👍 I initially brought the Ibanez because of its famed thin neck, I had an acoustic guitar years ago with quite a wide neck that my big hands struggled with, with that in mind, I got it into my head that I 'had' to get a bass with a thin neck...overlooking the thinner the neck, the closer the strings....I also watched a lot of YT clips, everyone seemed to have 6 inch long fingers that they could spread over 6 frets! Regarding set ups, I have a fender rumble amp..and a big muff peddle, which doesn't seem to do anything but boost the sound...I use flat wound strings as I played with a grip of death originally..they avoided that 'wang' sound.

Evening.. I currently have an Ibanez SR300 and I fancy treating myself to a new guitar, a Tanglewood TE4 Alpha has caught my eye as its around my budget. I don't have much of a clue about specs to be honest, other than preferring, Jazz bass (for the thinner neck) passive pick ups, a nice smooth deep sound, long scale and something comfortable. Firstly, is the Tanglewood a worthy upgrade? Secondly, any other recommendations around the 300 pound mark?...new or used I want to buy from a shop because I want to put the Ibanez in as part/x, I cant be doing with poncing about trying to sell stuff on ebay/gum tree etc Also, Fender Squiers have been suggested? I'm only a casual player/learner who just loves to discovers new stuff and improve as best as I can..the days of dreaming about playing live are long gone! 🙁 Thanks

Is there going to be much difference between the 25 and the 40 Fender rumble at the low end?...obviously it is half the price there must be some difference between the two..is it just power and a few more knobs? Thanks for all the info so far guys...much appreciated

Dont confuse me lol

Hi basers... Can anyone recommend a few small (ish) practice amps that still have a decent deep bass sound..I currently have a Laney amp which is about 2 foot high, 18 inches deep and two foot wide housing a 15 inch speaker....I made the mistake of thinking bigger speaker bigger bass...but that is only achievable with volume..a lot of it. Not practical for the home. I don't mind new or a second hand one to track down..but i would like like a deep sound if thats possible, I dont want to spend a fortune as I am only really a novice who plays for fun..I'' never be able to progress as I dont understand all the concept of root, 5ths, majors, etc..Its just for fun, and I love it. Headphones are not an option as I suffer from tinnitus Also, would heavier gauge strings make a difference?..I have considered them but I am unsure whether the thin neck of my ibanez would handle the extra tension Thanks

Cheers for that...sorry I missed the notification about your post. I will certainly try that..I have some switch cleaner.. I may well be selling the amp now, (on the wifes orders!!) but obviously I need to getting it all working as it should be..I also have a really annoying loud vibrating rattle when I play some notes..it sounds like a dog with laryngitis coughing!!...no cracks on the actual speaker, as far as I can see so something may be loose inside..not the easiest things to access though are they!! Thanks for your help and guidance

Thanks I'll try that

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help...I have a Laney RBG400 combo amp....when I play certain notes I get a crackling sound which resembles the sound a dirty switch makes when you turn it up and down (sometimes clearing it) the offending controls on the amp seem to be the 'gain' and volume' ones...sometimes the sound cuts off completely as I play a string Is there anything I can do to cure this or should it go into for repair?...I might even part ex it due to the mrs moaning about the space it takes up etc... Any suggestions for something smaller with a deep sound by the way? Cheers

[quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1398169257' post='2431073'] The other option is to look at what it is about the sound that heavier gauge strings give you and find another way to get that character into it. For example - would changing the material of the string say from nickel to steel or from roundwounds to flat wounds or try nylon coated strings. Find some cheap second hand strings off here, or see if anyone has any old ones they can donate or lend you and have play - you might find something you like which won't bust the neck! [/quote] Thanks JB...Interesting you mention the string type, I was looking at flatwound heavy gauge as opposed to the roundwound light gauge ones I have now...the reason being, I have roughish hands and that 'wanging' sound if I slide along a string really grates on me...as does the sound of the pick which I havn't perfected using yet, and it still makes that scraping sound (probably becuase of the way I use it) I might go for a medium gauge (if there is such a thing) but flatwound..it wnot break the bank, and see how that sounds, I didnt know the smoothness would affect the tone... [quote]1 or 2 steps heavier won't be a problem. Maybe not go to low F#. [/quote] Thanks for that Bolo...unfortunately, Im very new to this, another one of those annoying people who doesnt fully understand what I am actually doing of!...hence lots of questions...can you elaborate please Thanks for the replies both

Thanks jbr This is my concern too...I don't want to tighten the strings and wreck the guiitar

[size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]After doing a little research I think I fancy some heavy gauge strings as I prefer the sound, however I have read that the extra tension can cause problems with certain guitars not built for the job...[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I have an Ibanez SR300...would this be suitable for heavier gauge strings?[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Ta...[/font][/size]

Thanks very much all...I will give these some tought and start my research...then give the wife the bad news!

I had Naproxin once, I was working at a hospital and gave mu back a bit of a pull...woke up in the early hours of the morning with a feeling in my stomach like I had swallowed a hot lump of coal!!...not for me.

Good advice here..interesting reading cheers One thing I would say...dont,not never never never never dont...self diagnose after 'symptom surfing' internet 'health sites'...you will end up wanting to sling yourself off a bridge after convincing yourself an imminent arthritis joint related death awaits you around the corner!!. Docs know best..

Cheers all, thats great...I havnt heard of a lot of those I research them all...I think that secondhand will be the way to go, I couldnt expect much brand new for a ton really... I have seen a Roland cube on ebay...are they any good?..its only for the spare room..I doubt if I will ever be good enough to gig...(although I would dearly love to) Any to avoid?...a mate told me to avoid old valve amps, apparently the valves cost a fortune if they go..

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1385328762' post='2287055'] I am a great believer in warming up (and down afterwards) with gentle stretches even before I touch the bass. Resting the thumb on the pick up forces the wrist into a severe angle, which over time can lead to problems. Sometimes people think that because they dont feel pain [i]now,[/i] that all is OK. It can take years of playing in a certain way for the pain to show itself. It is not called [i]repetitive [/i]strain injury for nothing. As for the pain in the left (fretting..I presume) hand. Hard to say what could be causing this, but gripping the neck too tight could be a factor. Your overall stance plays a big part in safe comfortable playing. If you practice sitting down, use a strap and try to have the main body of the bass at about belt buckle height, i.e. the same as if you were standing. [/quote] Cheers for that...Ill certianly try that, I forgot to mention that my hands are 53 years old decorators hands also

Hi Bassters.. I am hoping to treat myself to a small combo practice amp in the early new year, I have been doing my homework but to be honest I dont really know a good one from a bad one...not that Im any good either..but I dont want to waste my hard earned!... I only have an IbenezSR300 so the amp doesnt have to match that of a high end expensive bass..I dont do slap etc..just the standard pub/covers (slow ones at the moment!!) I am looking to spend approx £100 ish... I would be grateful for a few pointers on whats hot..and whats not so hot.. Cheers.

Interesting, I was going to post a question about this tonight myself.. Im not in the same league as you folks...but I do practice for about 1.5 hours every night...I love it. But since I have been practicing I have notice two things...my little finger on my left hand always feels 'bruised' and a little stiff but worse, I have a mild pain down the outside of my wrist (on the other side to my thumb) which radiates about 5-6 inches down my arm... It might not be linked to my practicing...I suffer with very mild occasional arthritis anyway..but I was wondering if anyone else has had this?..I have an habit of playing with the guitar on my lap and resting my thumb on the pickup..which forces me to curve my hand a little..is this a form of repetitive strain injury... Additional information..I have been married twenty three years...but I dont think the strain on my wrist is down to anything else...get my drift!!!

Hi Raf Welcome..dont worry about your English, Im still struggling and I have lived here for 52 of my 52 years!

Hi cat.. Im new but I thought Id say hi anyway 'Hi anyway'...

Cheers again all... Well, I have been 'playing' for about a year now and the novelty hasnt worn off yet...as long as I make some progress Im happy.. Im sure I can learn a lot here.. Cat...you are dead right about that neck..as I was pulling it from the box I knew this was the one for me, it made a massive difference to my innability...

[quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1377630672' post='2189716'] Oh, where in Wales are you? Welcome by the way. I was once a Welsh ambassador in Sarf Larndon but they let me go home for good behaviour [/quote] Just the other side of Swansea, towards Carmarthen space chick...a wild and lonely place.. Oh and Im actually from 'sahf London' meself....Pwopa Del Boy country...Peckham

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1377636729' post='2189826'] That's cobblers. We kicked 'er aaht 'cos she would'n show us 'er Bristols. [/quote] Lol...aint heard that term for years...or 'froopny bits'

Hi all (and fellow Steves!) thanks for the friendly welcome..much appreiciated.. Im sure that I will learn a lot here...

Hello everyone..Im Steve and im an alcoholic Ooops, wrong forum!.... Start again...Hello I am Steve, 52..pushing 53...I have been 'playing' the bass for about a year after customising an old Kay bass guitar. I have had an ordinary 'lead' electric guitar for years, but I could never master it, I have fat fingers...I never fancied being a 'glory boy' anyway.. I recently bought an Ibanez GS300 after one of my students told me I would 'feel' the difference with something better and a little newer..he was right, Im really enjoying myself now.. I have probaby left it far to late to be much kop...but I really enjoy figuring tunes etc out..its a cracking feeling finding 'that missing note Anyway..thats me.. For now...