Marc S

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1425390230' post='2706785'] I do too, never have practised at home with any kind of amp. [/quote] There are times when I've done this too - as I'm sure many of us have But this depends on how resonant your bass is, how loud the music is that you're jamming along to, and how hard / heavy you play.... I've been along to some bass lessons recently, to sharpen up my techniques etc My tutor (the superb Jon Caulfield) has been trying to get me to lighten up on my right hand, to get more control.... I have to say, this does seem to be helping, and I think I'd struggle to hear my bass when playing along to music on headphones etc

Where did you get the bass from? Was it new, and from a shop? Is it worth going back, to get a refund / replacement? Does look like it may be in the sort of place where it could get worse... What with all the tension on the string, effectively trying to "pull" the tuner towards the bridge, and with all those low frequency vibrations Might get worse - then again, it may not If you can't take it back, get a good luthier to take a look, before it worsens.... They may be able to get some strong glue into the crack, and possibly add some sort of bridging "splint" Let us know how you get on....

I quite like the idea of tuning this way if just as an experiment, and to see how I get on Still can't quite get on with a 5 string, despite trying a bit Here's a link to a similar thread http://basschat.co.uk/topic/255085-four-string-bead-blues/page__fromsearch__1 Let us know how you get on

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1425386158' post='2706722'] Get an acoustic bass.... Move your amp off the floor. Put it on foam or other insulation material. [/quote] I meant to add this suggestion earlier too... I have an Ibanez acoustic bass, and it's a fab bass anyway Sometimes, depending on which bass I feel like playing, I use this at home The sound from this shouldn't carry too much either

I use an Ashton BSK 158 It's a battery powered buskers amp It's small & lightweight, easily carried with 1 hand It is 15W, via an 8" speaker - hence the "158" name tag The bass is quite controllable - you can get it to sound quite loud & deep (for its size etc) But when you turn the bass down a tad, you can still hear the bass OK But it doesn't carry through the house as many bass amps seem to I tend to plug my bass into that, and put headphones on my MP3 player, to jam along to music other than that, I'd suggest a decent pair of headphones I know you said you're not keen, but a good pair can help There are small bass amps out there (like the Marshall MB30) Which have an output for headphones, and jack inputs for MP3 players.... EDIT: The ashton busker amp was about 150 quid and yes, it will handle bass... It was designed for guitar or keyboard and has an additional mic input too - useful bit of kit IMO

It's looking really good Rumple Let us know what you opt for, re the bridge, as that may be something I have to consider when I (finally) start my project...

[quote name='pajhartley' timestamp='1425286761' post='2705752'] Well, I'm now the proud & lucky owner of Limelight number 4 (the P-bass, serial 00104) & Limelight number 5 (the J-bass, serial 00105). I've had the P-bass for a couple of years & love it, so when I saw that Mark had number 5 in I just had to go for it! Picked it up yesterday, lovely drive down to Devon! [attachment=185302:IMG_0195.JPG] [/quote] Lucky you Nice ageing / discolouration on that maple neck

Some good advice on here But also keep a look out in the for sale section To many, it may seem odd that people would sell second-hand strings But given the price of DB strings, it's quite understandable As Rabbie says, you may end up tinkering a bit, and trying different types So paying out for some slightly used strings makes perfect sense... It's a shame Daf Lewis no longer does his Innovations Trial sets of strings That was ideal! Just a word of caution here too Depending on your DB - you shouldn't take all your existing strings off, like you may on a bass guitar It has to be done properly, with the bass on its' back and changing the strings one at a time... ... or the soundpost could fall over Cheers again

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1425033193' post='2703122'] If you're looking at £250 down the Frog and Twat, then as long as the vocals are in key and tuneful and you can create a great atmosphere then that's 90% of the job done. IMO. [/quote] The "Frog and Tw@t" - where is that pub? I really want to go there In fact, I want to make it my local....

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1425034628' post='2703155'] Lol FWIW I love rehearsals, i hang out with my mates, we play music, then go to the pub. What's not to like? [/quote] I feel exactly the same way as the OP I too learned a lot of stuff, in several bands ... only for someone else to decide they no longer wanted to continue As others have said, "why rehearse so much?" - but I enjoy doing a certain amount of rehearsals - that way, you can improve the sound, and the tightness of the band and some amount of rehearsals has to be good But you can overdo it, as some have said... Tricky balance, and it'll be different for everyone I was in the same situation as the OP And I can't recommend going along to open-mic nights enough Being without a band, and after all the work I put in I too was frustrated and wondering where to go next But at open mic nights I met a lot of musicians And started attending a local folk club Since then, I've not looked back because the musicians I've met have been better, and more committed OK, I've played bass for some time-wasters too learned their material, only for them to not turn up etc But on the whole it has been a positive experience And I've made a whole bunch of new pals... There tend to be lots of guitarists at open-mics Not so many bass players - so chat to a few, and see if you can join in on a couple of songs Even if they're just simple root note bass lines Some guitarists will appreciate adding that to a song and you'll get better at doing it, and maybe even meet some more committed musicians Good luck anyhow Don't give up hope - just change tack a little PS. I'm a terrible singer - honestly, no-one could ever teach me! lol Having said that, I occasionally do a bit of backing.... (long as it's simple)

Nice. Great colour too

Hey that's great news! Congratulations matey Best of luck for it .... I'm playing some Celtic music festival this summer .... In Brittany!

I'm in my "second phase" of playing bass The first phase I gave up, partly due to relationships and getting married, having my son etc etc After 20+ years, and a divorce, I started playing again about 6 or 7 years back... I've never looked back since I really don't think I'd have been able to balance work & family life the first time round I know I'm really lucky, in that my (2nd) wife is just so supportive, and often comes along to gigs etc I'm involved in several bands / duos and work full time We don't have kids (my son is now nearly 23!) - so I'm "lucky" again in that sense But time is still an issue, as I have to spend lots of time practising and learning songs... I really don't know how you manage full time work, family life and being busy musically too Hats off to you. Yes music is your hobby, and is very important to you but divorce is painful and expensive.... I'd say talk to your wife and see what you can work out Explain that music is your passion, but consider that you must also help her, and be supportive Also, as my lad was growing up, and we lived in different towns there was an awful lot I later felt I missed out on I'm sure you wouldn't want that for your kids... Maybe you could use a dep player for some gigs? Whatever - I wish you luck and all the best with it It's tricky, there are no "right" answers which will work for everyone... Hope you sort it, and come to a happy arrangement Marc

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1424940497' post='2702070'] I have heard of this very rare condition but a little further research reveals that it is easily rectified. For Gods sake man, pull yourself together and don't let any of our wives/girlfriends/partners know that this condition exists. [/quote] Lol! Top answer PS. I mustn't let my wife know of this condition so shhhh! So now you have some space & some cash... .... hmmm - bet a bass would look nice in that empty space

I currently use Spirocore Weichs They are low-ish tension, and you can bow with them I think they're still a bit harsh on my fingers for proper slap style though.... On my last bass I had Innovation "Silver Slaps" which were much better for slap, but not good for bowing.... These are chunkier strings, and are nylon coated, with a sort of rope core, I believe Innovation also do a set called "Rockabilly" which are also suited to Slap (as you may have gathered) It's a whole different world of choice, from that of Bass Guitar eh? Good luck & let us know what you discover BTW. Innovation strings are also rather cheaper than most steel strings....

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1424731730' post='2699918'] Calling those of you with 60s Limelight P's..... How are the neck profiles? Are they shallow front-to-back, or do they have a bit of 'chunk' about them? [/quote] You can specify what neck you want on your order I played one P with an old fashioned, chunky neck Which to me, felt like an old 70's P bass I used to have I played another P, which had the modern C shape neck on it You wouldn't necessarily have known that, except when it came to playing That neck was much more like I prefer - it was similar to a Jazz neck but maybe a tad deeper at the nut end Very similar in fact to my Classic Vibe 60's Squier P bass So 2 quite different necks there.... If you speak to Mark, he'll let you know what the choices are

Nice, neat work with the Dremmel looks fine to me, and is useful for trussrod adjustments with out the need to take the neck off, or tilt it! Just wonder whether something like tea might help with an ageing tint? It's pretty good at staining cups, after all .... and your bass won't smell like last nights' curry Keep us posted with any progress Cheers again Marc

I wouldn't call that an Ibanez if the body isn't original... Wouldn't go for that bass, as the gap at th top of the neck pocket is huge ...and the mounting plate is rather wonky I'd be asking myself what the holes in the neck are like, as there may be 2 sets of them Interesting question though - if the neck, guard, electrics etc are Ibanez, but the body is not.... is it still an Ibanez?

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1424440639' post='2696333'] No one EVER studies machine heads from the back! They will be fine. I have a bitsa tele with some really car crash machine head placement on the back. I have never even given them a second look. [/quote] I agree too. Looks like you've done a pretty fine job with that Dremmel IMO Great solution - you keep the slightly tarnished / roadworn tuners and it didn't cost you anything I find I'm looking at this thread every day now! So come on - get a move on.... get those stickers in place! We want more progress Lol (said the man whose had a bitsa P build sat in a box in the garage for 2 months! Cheers again Marc

[quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1419104529' post='2636678'] Yeah I saw that last night. Made me have a good long think if I could rock shell pink..... [/quote] Sorry, I'm re-posting (re-quoting) this again Purely because I haven't seen the pics of this bass for a few days now I am an addict, and I don't mind admitting it This bass is THE best looking bass I've ever seen I'm pretty sure I've even dreamed about it! lol There is no hope for me, is there? Cor! Just Cor!!!!

Hi Skyblue, Welcome to BC - join in the discussions and let us know more about you e.g. bass (basses lol) amps, influences etc Enjoy your stay