Marc S

Not sure what these are like, but looks about as small as you could go http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ministar-Basstar-5-Travel-Guitar-5-Strings-Fretted-with-Headphone-Amp-/321487288899?pt=Guitar&hash=item4ada22ba43

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1408087473' post='2526892'] I went through my golf bag the last time I went to visit my folks having not played for years... I found a bobble hat, about Six quid in change and a three year out of date can of Tetleys... [/quote] Hope you ignored the date, and drank the Tetleys anyway Some useful suggestions on here folks Thanks for sharing

Hmmmm, tricky one, as my first thought as I was reading this was "try a decent short scale bass" I suppose you could try getting a really cheap bass, and trimming the body down a bit.... Sounds drastic, I know, but might pay off There are a few slightly smaller bodied basses around too - like an old Westone, which are fab instruments, and usually go cheap S/H I've seen a couple of travel basses online, but they don't look much smaller than a bass guitar I have a similar problem my self but my own solution was to get a David Gage Czech Ease DB I was so lucky to get one S/H on here, and am ever greatful to greg for selling it to me Don't know if you've seen one - but they are still 3/4 scale but the body is rather smaller than a typical DB It saved me a lot of space..... and weight! and I can now get my DB in the car easily - even in the hardcase and I've still got more space.... I'm interested in what BC'ers say on this matter so I'll be keeping an eye on this post I'm not getting any younger, and it seems I'm forever lugging heavy, bulky gear about the place.... I'm also considering getting a TC electronic 250-208 amp as they seem very small & lightweight Let us know what you discover Cheers Marc PS. I've also thought that as the years advance - perhaps I could shift to a 1/2 scale DB..... Another consideration maybe?

Yes, I have to say I agree with you .... but I notice it's got over 14,000 likes! Could be that they all think it's hugely funny of course....

Wow, that looks beautiful What lovely workmanship Congratulations on your purchase Marc

[quote name='drewk_ie' timestamp='1407051469' post='2516836'] That's fantastic, simple design, I must put one on order, as most of my gigs are doublers, so this would make change overs easy. I already designed and built my own electric bass stands which slot into either side my amp flight cases (handy when swapping between fretted and fretless bass). Petes stand looks like a great idea, does anyone know if it comes with a case/ bag? Cheers Andrew [/quote] Don't know whether it comes with a bag If anyone else buys one of these - please let us know, as I may well opt for one of these simple stands... Slightly off topic, but along the same lines, and re the post above, by Andrew Sometime back, I bought one of these to act as stand for bass guitar Just thought I'd give these the nod, as it saves carting another stand around... Of course, your amp has to be covered in material which will work with velcro and be tall enough - my CMD 102 combo is, when tilted back It's very small and light, and works very well as stand for my spare bass http://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/products/markbass_bass_keeper_bass_holder.asp?gclid=CJewnqLZjcACFerpwgodMiYAdg Just thought a few DB'ers who double up with BG may want to know of this useful item Marc

Have you played the bass through a big amp, or gigged it yet? Just wondering what the sound is like... I'm thinking of changing the pups on a Jazz too

Hi Karl, Welcome to BC You aren't the only one to have given up Life tends to get in the way.... I gave up for over 20 years! But the main thing is to have taken up the bass again Oddly enough, I'm definitely enjoying it more, second time around..... Enjoy the bass, enjoy the forum and welcome back Marc

So far most of Oct & Nov are clear - apart from the 1st weekend in Oct so far...... lol Really hope I can get to the next one and hope more BC'ers manage to get along

All the ones I've seen since (and before yours, if my memory serves me) were bolt on necks - whereas yours is a through neck Can't find any pics of one like yours either.... As you say, that bass is a keeper Like gelfin's Rickenbacker

Yes, I had tried other gels, but I found them quite ineffective The Voltarol is quite different though, honestly Straight after pulling my calf muscle, playing squash I couldn't even put my foot flat on the floor - Let alone walk anywhere However, 2 minutes after putting the Voltarol on, I was walking fine..... I don't work for Glaxo or whoever produces the stuff, but it's magic in a tube!

Hi Kert, Yes, that bass was fab Never played a Warwick quite like it before I've been looking at them on ebay and on here since playing your bass Did you say it was an anniversary bass, or some special model? Marc

No worries mate We bass players have to look after one another .... or the world would be taken over by lead guitarists! Good luck, and try taking a few breaks in long practice sessions I know, I know..... nag nag lol

[quote name='Monckyman' timestamp='1405707771' post='2504624'] ..... "a bit of an attention seeker" might well be the best description of a singer I ever heard, and pop/rock stars with controversial attitudes is exactly how they should be. Or you might prefer One Direction. Who knows? ; ) [/quote] Absolutely! +1 from me [quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1405712169' post='2504694'] The Smiths were my Beatles growing up and I love them dearly to this day. I kind of went off Morrissey's solo material for a long time but I must say this last decade he's just got better and better again. He's always got stick since the beginning and he always will, but that's ok. I love Marmite myself. [/quote] Another +1 I can well recall Nick Kent saying that by and large, even the Beatles were still singing in an American accent and that Johnny Marr's approach to songwriting came not from the great blues artists but from the likes of Bert Jansch Which made The Smiths the first great, influential, truly English band of all time.... A bit of an over-statement? Maybe But I grew up with the Beatles and the Smiths and to me the Smiths were equally as important.....

Hope you're feeling better now SpaceChick? Just wanted to say thanks again to Gelfin, for setting this up Can't wait for the next one now PS. Who was the BC'er who owned that lovely Warwick, with the thin neck?

[quote name='paddy109' timestamp='1406048894' post='2507869'] Stick a advert out there for local musicians and get out for a jam, that will get your mojo going! [/quote] +1

I can confirm Greg Cordez is a great guy, and a brilliant DB player I'm sure he'd look over the bass for you too But as others have said, a few close-up photos might help with the diagnosis Stingray Pete's comment about Geddo basses being shipped without strings is interesting.... I wonder why the soundposts don't move or fall? Perhaps they are glued / fixed into position I know this is a practice which is not recommended, for the sound of the bass .... interesting Cheers all

I think The Rev and Hector have hit some good points here, Though I wouldn't know anything about "tetrachords" I've been in your situation before So many bands seem to just fold, or someone else loses interest, and it fizzles out The important thing, is for you to keep interested in music Try some short exercises - they needn't take long, and shouldn't be a drag But get hold of some new music, with interesting bass parts and just learn / work out some new songs I recently bought (shock, horror) a Sister Sledge / Chic Cd Can't stand all that disco stuff really but I really like some of those funk basslines.... So I wanted to work a few out and you know what? .... I really enjoyed it Still hate the disco music - but some of those basslines are good Someone recently told me that after a certain age, life seems to go more quickly because we don't do enough things we aren't comfortable with, or are already predicting an outcome for The advice was, listen to some music you wouldn't normally listen to, read a book you wouldn't normally read, go to a show you wouldn't normally go to Perhaps this just makes life seem longer - but there could be something in it Anything to get your mojo back mate You know what? I gave up bass for over 20 years I'm so glad I started again, and I'm really glad I took up DB Take a break, sure - But don't give up whatever you do Cheers and good luck with everything

Yes, the nut will probably be cut the wrong way, and the grooves in the bridge will be slotted incorrectly - unless the conversion to L/H wasn't done properly? Anyhow, you need to ensure the soundpost doesn't fall over Some say you should put the bass on its' back Perhaps delay the changeover until you've got some replacement strings? You could message Daf Lewis on here There is an Innovation strings trial, and it's FREE! Just wait for the strings to arrive, try them out, and send on to the next trialist.... simple Re string choice - I'm fairly new to the world of DB too The choice of string is almost mind-blowing compared to bass guitar I currently use Spirocore Weich strings. These are pretty easy on the fingers, as the tension is low-ish I used to use Innovation Silver Slaps These were brilliant for getting me used to playing DB They're nylon coated, with a sort of fibre / rope core They're lower tension again, and pretty easy on the fingers Also, they're cheaper than most other strings So message Daf, or find the link to the string trial on here That way, you'll have a set of strings, so you can do them one at a time..... BUT - check out the nut & bridge slots first.... Let us know how you get on And good luck

I'm only concerned for you mate

[quote name='vmaxblues' timestamp='1405871120' post='2505997'] warm up, good point! Ibuprofen gel, interesting. Cheers guys [/quote] Yes, it really works I pulled my calf muscle, playing squash (at my age, you could say I deserved it lol) One application of Voltarol Emulgel and I could walk again - seriously, it's that good! Anyhow, you should be really careful about using gels that contain Ibuprophen Yes, voltarol is like magic.... but use it sparingly, and don't use it if you are also taking anti-inflammatory tablets So give it a try definitely, but use with caution and consult your GP if symptoms persist... BTW. How are you doing now? Have you taken a good rest? Marc

Congratulations charic I'll take a listen later Well done matey! PS. Like the design on the cover too

I'm sure there are lots of basslines you play really well on anyway As others have said, Macca was pretty damn good I'm always trying to improve, by playing different stuff, and working out new songs but these days, I don't beat myself up for not getting a bassline absolutely note-for-note As long as it's a reasonable representation, and is in time & in tune with the song I like it when I work something out perfectly, but it isn't the end of the world if it isn't "perfect" Again, no-one in the audience notices lol PS. I'm crap too - but I think only other bass players have realised this

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1405598227' post='2503421'] Thanks to this thread I've been listening to Morrissey all morning Dug out my early 90's CD's and really enjoying some of them! [/quote] And I listened to a few Smiths tracks last night too Absolutely amazing stuff I sometimes forget just how much I like the Smiths....