Marc S

[quote name='razze06' timestamp='1409148220' post='2536828'] ....As many other people experienced, many smaller venues are very interested in booking small "acoustic" bands/duos/trios etc, but pale and baulk at the mention of "drums". The stripped down and re-arranged set could be a way of getting more gigs, and getting ourselves into venues we wouldn't otherwise be asked to play. All this in theory. Plus I would really like to try something a bit different for a bit, and learn something completely new [/quote] Good to have the sort of flexibility that allows you to play very different venues and very different gigs It would make the whole set up much more interesting for all the band members too I wonder many bands can truly do this effectively? I tend not to like Rigid constraints to define the music, let the music and the musicians do that I like Bluegrass for instance, but I don't like the mantra that "If it has drums, It' can't be Bluegrass" If there are mostly acoustic instruments, then I'd say it was acoustic music At home, my double bass is loud when unplugged - but at a gig, you wouldn't hear it if I didn't plug it into an amp - via a pickup of course - but that doesn't mean it's no longer an acoustic instrument.... Good luck with your new approach I really hope it works Perhaps, to venue owners, the added bonus of acoustic bands Is there's less perceived loading & unloading of drums / gear and smaller acoustic bands will probably charge less than a big rock band, with loads of gear? Maybe? Audiences in pubs also seem to have warmed to acoustic musicians lately too....

Some good suggestions on here So you have something to think about, I'm sure I'd say +1 for getting a S/H Stagg EUB As an option, it would give you a very different look and would definitely change the way you play Stagg's are pretty cheap secondhand, and you'd get your money back, if you decided it wasn't for you.... Just wondered why you deeply dislike acoustic basses? I've got an Ibanez electro-acoustic, and it's a fab bass It sounds terrific when amplified and is a very different sound from my other bass guitars I've used it live, with bands, and with just me & an acoustic guitarist The acoustic players I've played with all really liked the sound, and tend to prefer it when I play the Ibanez.... It cost me just over 200 quid, and in my opinion, it sounds better than some basses costing twice that Of course, it's probably not going to change your playing style so much as some of those other options But I wouldn't be without my electro-acoustic now Cheers Marc PS. Let us know how you get on EDIT: I had an Ashbory for a while, as a bit of fun But found my intonation needed loads of work / care and the nylon strings were not easy to get on with... But could be worth trying an Ashbory or a U bass

Welcome to basschat, as you say, there's loads of good advice on this fine forum Would be nice to see some of those custom builds, so please post some pictures, when you get chance Marc

[quote name='Zenitram' timestamp='1409073135' post='2536059'] My problem is a lack of talent. I'm absolutely rubbish. At everything. Particularly at applying myself so I improve. Luckily I'm old enough not to care about the gaping chasm and yawning emotional abyss that I am confronted with whenever I stare into the depths of my soul and gaze upon the icy void that is my inner existene, broken and embittered, a hostage to my own failings, a disappointment even in my own mediocrity and in the banal frustrations that torment my true inner self. Still, mustn't grumble, eh. [/quote] And I thought us Welsh were good at self deprecation And yes indeed blue Make the most of being in good band, with good pals, and playing regularly No harm to keep looking for other options too.....

[quote name='paddy109' timestamp='1409088454' post='2536297'] 3 strings that's one more than I usually play! [/quote] I saw this bass on ebay too Looks very interesting, at least and I did wonder whether it would make DB playing a bit easier Does appear a bit knocked about - but I guess that's commensurate with age?

For me, it's commitment from other musicians And always has been I first played bass many years ago, and on coming back to play much later - things haven't moved on much in that respect I get into a band, learn a whole load of new stuff, and then someone else leaves or the band just seems to disintegrate Re the OP's original post It also depends on which city you live in I'm in Cardiff, which is a fair size, but venues for bands to play are a bit thin on the ground There are big-ish concert halls, and pubs - with few venues of an in-between size Most original live music you'll hear tends to be small open-mic affairs, or festivals Most people who are out for the night seem to want to hear songs they know, and can sing along to I'm sure this is similar in most other towns & cities in the UK EDIT: I know several local musicians / small bands who are trying to play original music mostly, and they are struggling to make ends meet Of course, if original music is the way you want to earn a living, it's hard - there are times when you have little or no income You need a big savings pot beforehand....

Re the Steinberger, I always thought their old 80's / 90's basses looked great, and as others have said - they're a bit of an icon Not sure about the Synapse, but I played an old 80's Steinberger, and here's some more food for thought.... Even though I am tall-ish, and have a fairly long reach I found the far end of the neck to be a bif of a reach, to get my left hand in what I'd consider a good playing position So this cool bass was a bit tricky to play So if you do opt for something with a small body, or cut down the body of an existing bass If it's long scale, you might find the same issues when playing F, F# & G Just something else to think about (apologies if that muddies the water even more) PS. I can't recall the sustain on my Ashbory, which I sold It did sound like a much bigger instrument when amplified though.... As ever, let us know how you get on.... I'm intrigued to learn what other players find, and when you play DB - anything that helps reduce the size, bulk, and weight of gear you carry about is important Marc

I was in this situation a while back I had bought my Stagg EUB, which convinced me to go ahead and get an acoustic DB But none were coming up anywhere near me, in Cardiff I searched high & low, and waited and waited, but I was getting impatient Anything that turned up, seemed to be the other end of the country and I wasn't very experienced, or even quite sure what I was looking for I got very lucky with my Boosey & Hawkes, Sarah, who sold her to me was obviously a very honest person, and good Bc'er I took the plunge, and went for it, only to find 2 DB's come up for sale locally!! The gist of what I'm saying, is that you just need to be patient, It's difficult, I know - especially when the GAS is so strong Try a few basses if, when & where you can.... If there are any other BC'ers near you, perhaps you can arrange a meet-up, if there's no Bass Bash imminent Maybe you could arrange a mini DB bass-bash? Have you discussed options with any luthiers yet? Maybe the mods will not be as expensive as all that - it's worth a try.... Good luck in your search, and having been in a similar position, I really can empathise For everyone else looking for a DB out there, I always did like the look of Artisan's lovely blue Db and another shameless plug - my Boosey & Hawkes is for sale on this forum - it really is a beautiful instrument, with solid ebony fingerboard, and a lovely sound apologies, but if you've got DB GAS - it's incurable At least you have a bass in the meantime - and it has given you a good idea of what you want next....

Yes, it's good to see the pics and great that you had good reviews

Playing live, different set-ups, acoustics, and sound engineers - it's always different I'd definitely take a cab along There have been times when I haven't been able to hear myself in the monitors on Double Bass So I'd always take an amp & cab along - just in case Sometimes, during the soundcheck, you'll hear everything fine, then, come the gig, something has changed Don't leave it to chance mate I've got a couple of amp / cab combinations, and I'll usually take at least my PJ head, and one PJ 4x5 400W cab - that way, I can at least control some element of what I can hear Somehow, it seems more critical on DB, than Bass Guitar Let us know how you get on Marc

[quote name='MB1' timestamp='1408801268' post='2533603'] MB1. Yellow Unpunk? Are you sure? [/quote] hey, I'm an old school punk, and I've got a markbass amp Saw the Damned many times, and one of my fave bass players, Paul Grey Had a bright yellow Rickenbacker Nothing wrong with yellow in a punk band It was never supposed to be about a "uniform" or a standard of dress code If it sounds good - that's all you need Plus, as others have said - they're much, much, much lighter than Trace Elliot, Ampeg & the like.... EDIT: If you paint the speaker, you risk damaging it - or at least affecting the sound in some way....

Hello Miguel, Welcome to basschat Don't worry about your English skills Just join in and enjoy the forum - I'm sure most people will understand, and be helpful whenever they can Marc

Hi again Pete, If you're getting a good sound from your Antoni, then maybe it isn't a "pretender" among other basses at all.... I've said it before, but there is a lot of snobbery in this game Much of it is self-imposed too So often I've heard people say they love their Squier P or J Bass, but they trade up for another, more expensive bass, then miss the Squier! It's not about what brand your bass is, it's about how it feels, sounds & plays Getting the neck trimmed may be the best advice, because you are already getting the sound and it's a bass you know etc So if someone can help make it a little more comfortable, then all the better Another factor to be considered when buying a new, more expensive bass is that you may end up being more "precious" or over-cautious with it and even scared to take it out & about (I know, this has happened to me too!) My wife won't listen to me talking about basses either - but it's a good way of convincing her to go out & do some gardening or shopping, when I want a bit of peace & quiet! lol

[quote name='fatgoogle' timestamp='1408695742' post='2532540'] I can't imagine getting a huge improvement in this price range from your antoni. Could you have the neck taken down and chamfered a bit? [/quote] Good suggestion I haven't played one personally, but Antoni's seem to be well accepted as a good beginners / intermediate bass Finding a luthier you know you can trust is the key to getting that neck trimmed... I'm sure there'll be plenty of advice on this forum, as to who is best to do that your area Let us know what you decide & how you get on

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1408694799' post='2532522'] ...... I have spent a small fortune trying all different basses but have finally found 'it' - an '84 MIJ Squier medium scale Precision. It says Squier on the headstock, I don't care. If you find the label does matter, stick a Fender one on it for your own benefit ....... [/quote] Spot on! Keep that P bass copy Years back, I flogged a Shaftesbury Ric copy A brilliant bass, wish I never sold it - it might have been a cheap copy But I can't get one for love nor money now......

Cyfarchion Phil, and Bore Da from a rather damp South Wales (hang on, I can see some blue sky too) Welcome to the forum, and welcome back from the upper registers Good to see you have returned to the low end Hwyl Marc

Hi Pete, I'd just say, keep your eye on the For Sale section on this forum I've bought several items - incl 2 double basses!, a bass guitar, and an amp All the stuff has been great, and the BC'ers I've dealt with have been great nice people, honest and a pleasure to deal with As it happens (lol) I've got one for sale at the moment too Although it might be a bit out of that range, and I'm a bit of a trek from Manchester Good luck with your search Marc