Marc S

Let me know if anyone is indeed organising a Bristol event I'm only over the bridge in Cardiff. Perhaps a few fellow South Walians might like to share a lift too? Keep me in the loop - I'll pop over to it if I can......

You say you don't want a Squier, but have you tried the Classic Vibe Jazz? It is immense! Many who play them prefer them to MIM's or even US jazzes If you pick one up secondhand, your £400 budget would leave you plenty of cash left over, to spend on beer, or some great pickups Just cos it says "Squier" on the headstock, don't discount it I already have 2 Jazzes (a Roadworn and a Flea sig) - otherwise I'd be looking at a CV Squier EDIT: Don't know if it's still available, but I'd go for this! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/297714-squier-classic-vibe-jazz-bass/page__p__3232512__hl__squier__fromsearch__1#entry3232512

A few months back, playing 70's, 80's, 90's mix of rock, punk, pop, ska & reggae, A woman who had been on the dancefloor for at least 5 or 6 songs came up to me and said; "Can you play something I can dance to?"

I have a Kala, and I think it's great. I got it for open mics and folk club, where I couldn't take my double bass. It sounds huge, though the E string is a tad quieter (not hugely quieter - just a bit) I love the sound of it. Though the very short scale nature of it can take a bit of getting used to, especially if you have just been playing DB Re the rubber strings;- I formerly owned an Ashbory, and had Thundergut strings on that. Now lots of people prefer the Thunderguts, but I didn't get on with them at all. In fact, I didn't really like the Ashbory very much. I prefer the Kala. It is only used occasionally, but I wouldn't sell it, as it's such a handy sized instrument, with a big sound. Audiences are often amazed at the sound it produces. On 2 occasions, other bass players have been present when I played the Kala, and both have since gone out and bought one, after hearing mine

Glad it's worked out nicely for you Thanks for letting us know how you got on. It's always good to hear someone has sorted out problems etc Glad you're enjoying your new bass

Isn't the houndogs bassist a basschat member? Think he might be, but can't think of his name....

[quote name='Dropzone' timestamp='1486467792' post='3232003'] If I were said bass playing in the band, I would prefer to know sooner rather than later...... [/quote] As others have already said, if you're not in this band, I don't think you should be involved. If they've asked you to do so, it sounds like they don't want to handle sackings themselves. Asking your advice is fine, but once you've given your advice.... leave it there.... Re the above quote - absolutely! If it were me, I'd want to know asap. It sounds to me like they want to keep this guy in the dark as to his future, get someone else in, then sack him, when it's convenient to the band. I'd be well miffed, if I'd just done a tour, or series of dates through spring & summer, only to find I was good enough yesterday, but not for tomorrow... and that while I was gigging with them, they had already planned my replacement. Yes, bands and members have to evolve, and this guy should try to keep up. But if he can't, he needs to be told. Who knows, perhaps a bit of a nudge might help him improve? It has happened many times before. I can't quite get why the band thinks he's good enough for their current and imminent dates, but why he won't be able to learn & grow? Also sounds like the keyboardist, who is the current bassists' mate, is in a very difficult position

The body on my Eminence is very small, compared to a truly acoustic DB. When playing it unplugged, it's obviously a lot louder than a stick bass, but much quieter than a DB. It also doesn't have much "bottom end" tonally - however, when amplified, it does sound very like an acoustic DB (with a bit of EQ'ing) and there seems to be plenty of low end oomph, in the amplified sound. It has a Gage Realist pickup fitted, and that works pretty well - but I do like the sound I get from my Shadow pickup & pre-amp (the Shadow is also a piezo). EDIT: Yes, I have two pickups fitted Tricky to say how big a body you'd need, but some sort of acoustic, resonant chamber is going to help. My other DB is a David Gage "Czech Ease" which, while being an acoustic DB, has a smaller body than other 3/4 DB's. It sounds beautiful, but is rather quieter than other acoustic DB's. So if you want the full-bodied, full volume sound - you have to opt for a larger chamber.... Of course, if it's a smaller chamber - that's what amps are for

Me on bass (Fender Roadworn Jazz). recorded in Kings Road studio Cardiff. Nick Thomas-Lynch, and the video to his recent release "On The Road". Video filmed around Cardiff - city centre, Castle grounds & Llandaff fields etc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMRHQ6qHJck&feature=youtu.be

Gangsta Folk

This looks amazing! Great finish, colour & grain. I like the headstock & logo. Also like the contrast of the colour with the maple board I'm surprised that the HB looked such a great piece of wood to begin with. Looks better quality and construction than the price might suggest - which can often be the case with some of today's "budget level" instruments... Fantastic work sir

Modelling & hobby shops should also stock fine files. Chose a small, fine file, and take your time - filing a small amount each time, then re-checking, to make sure you're not going too far... Not tried a Graphtech nut myself (unless a bass has one in already) - but I would go for the best one you can find for the money. One from ebay might look like a bargain - indeed, it might even be a bargain, but you aren't going to know how good it is till it has arrived. Years ago, I tried to fit a bone nut, and I didn't have the right tools - and it snapped! So take care with the material of your chosen nut Most of all - great news on the bass. If you paid a good price for it, then it will have been worth setting up and modding to your own spec. As you've said - it must feel a bit more like it's "your own" Re fretless bass and flats / v rounds - I'm not a huge fan of flats (despite also playing flats on a DB!) My fretless is fitted with Thomastik Infeld (TI) Flats, and I really like them. They're very low tension, for flats. Some flats players don't like them, as I think some find them a little too low tension. However, I and many others get on with them - if you haven't tried them, see if a friendly local BC'er will let you try theirs, or look out for a bass bash near you (The T.I.s are rather expensive new) Cheers, and let us know how you got on with the nut

[quote name='prowla' timestamp='1485638248' post='3225560'] ....Incidentally, I've just had an idea: I wonder if it's possible to get holographic logos made; the ones which have one image if you look from one angle and a different one from another. [/quote] Now that would be neat! - I'm sure someone could do it

Hello and welcome to BC Mr Cathode Follower. I'm just over the river, in Cardiff. I'd not heard of these full-moon / music events. I'd like to come along one day - sounds great. I do like Bristol a lot. There always seems to be something musical happening there, and the city seems to have a good "vibe" about it I've not noticed or experienced any "beneficial" injuries myself. Personally, I'd say you have been very fortunate to have experienced any such "benefits". I think mostly, from an injury, you would expect the opposite of benefits (whatever that is? lol). Yes, alcohol can indeed lead to much silliness - perhaps that is where you have been really unlucky Maybe stay clear of "The Apple" - which is a cider bar, situated on a boat, moored at Welsh Back, in Bristol Re your first injury, namely the blisters. I developed blisters early on in my DB playing. It got worse when I switched to Innovation nylon type strings. Although the Innovations were easier to play from a tension point of view - I think it made me play a bit harder, and the fingers of my right hand suffered friction type burns! Rather than this making me play "properly" I found a product which someone linked to on here - it's called Double Bass Finger Tape. The stuff is like magic! I found I could even play with injuries on my fingers.... and the tape doesn't come off easily, like plasters do Anyhow, hope you don't suffer any more injuries - take care when drinking large amounts of alcohol, and hope to see you playing when I next visit Brizzle

This is a great build diary indeed Shell Pink is a colour that has really grown on me. A few years back, I wouldn't have wanted a bass in that colour. Now I think it's the coolest of colours ever. Love that finish, really like the attention to detail on this bass - top job. Well done matey, this is one hell of a bass

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1485523321' post='3224608'] The best reviews should cover most styles/techniques.Like most I'm after how the bass performs. Not how there ego performs. But there needs to be a capable bass player playing. As usual with most things. Balance is everything. I've seen some amazing slap bass. But it's just slap, we don't all slap so it's not a bass review. [/quote] Absolutely spot on

As others have said - sorry to hear you are giving up bass playing, and there is no need to quit this forum However, I feel there are other options for you to continue playing bass. If it's the standing & having a heavy bass guitar on a strap that are a big issue, you could try a really small, micro bass - like a Tanglewood Elfin or Samick Corsair type bass (The Corsair is now marketed as some other brand). Or may be try a Kala U-bass. These are tiny and very lightweight - just a thought... I realise that there's still the business of lugging heavy amp equipment around - but are there any music clubs, jam nights or open mic nights anywhere near you? - I'm just thinking of events where they would already have a bass amp set up... After all, if you're playing other instruments like slide guitar, you'll still need amplification.... Anyhow, it's obviously your call, I just want to suggest that there may be other options. It's always a shame to hear someone who has a lot of experience, and has had a lot of enjoyment from playing, is going to give up. Good luck with your jam sessions, and with learning those other instruments

I'm not much of a bower. I try now & again. I currently have a set of Silver Slaps on my EUB, and am fortunate to also have an acoustic DB - so they've usually got different strings on each - for different styles of playing. There is indeed, a horrible sound when bowing the Silver Slaps. I thought it was my poor technique at first, but I can get a much better sound out of other strings. However, the Silver Slaps are the best strings for Slap technique IMHO. I tried others - Weedwackers got me started in building up my Slap technique, but I found the E string too weak. Once I'd been playing those 4-6 weeks, I shifted over to the Silver Slaps.... but I couldn't bow either the Weeds or the Silvers Perhaps TheRev's suggestion of roughening the strings may work, but I think I'd be reluctant to do this personally. Would this weaken the strings? Or would it be off-putting or too rough for when you're slapping? - You do hit the strings quite hard with that technique. If you do try this - please let us know how you get on

I started my foray into the world of Double Bass with a Stagg too. It was a good, inexpensive first step and I'm glad I did it. My next DB purchase was an acoustic DB, but I did like the portability of an EUB - so I saved up and got myself an Eminence... It's great, but more pricey than say an NS design. But it does have a small body, with an acoustic "chamber" so it can sound more like a true acoustic DB. The NS design basses do seem very popular. Less expensive than the Yamaha SLB's. Not played either of those, and would like to - but that may give me GAS, rather than solve anything My advice would be to look out for local bass bash events / DB bashes, and see if you can go along & try as many as you can. Good luck with your search

Good afternoon Frank / Bogart, and hello from South Wales I'm sure you'll find some good conversation here mate So please join in. You must have quite some experience too - so please answer some questions and offer advice, as well as asking questions. I'm sure your English is better than most of our German on here - so no need for apologies Cheers / Prost / Hwyl

What did you trade for the Flea? Not your (fairly) recently acquired Roadworn Jazz? Over recent years, buying, selling & trading basses, I have finally found the ones I really like playing, and cannot fault In other words, I've whittled it down to just 8 or 9! lol ....hmmm, shall I take a quick peek at the marketplace?

Ah, you've bitten the bullet too eh Lewis? Nice to know I'm not the only one along the M4, who has way too many I really need to trim the herd - but I just can't bring myself to do so I mean, which should go? Not my fender Flea Jazz, not my RW Jazz, not my RW P, not my Squier CV P/J, Not my US fretless P.... Not my Shaftesbury, not my Double bass.... not..... lol