Marc S

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....

Useful info on there Thanks for posting

Hi sblueplanet It wasn't that long ago I was in your situation Except I didn't opt for a 1/2 size I did think about it - but there weren't any around when I was looking Like you, I came from playing bass guitar, which is how most of us arrive at DB, I think I found the choice of string almost mindblowing and it still amazes me how many different types there are out there I think Rabbie is spot on - just persist for a bit Build up the amount of practice slowly However, my 1st strings were on a Stagg - and they were pretty awful for Pizz playing So if you still don't get on with your strings after a few lessons - change them before they put you off! That almost happened to me Perhaps your DB tutor could advise / help you here too As other say, it may not be a good idea to cut 3/4 strings down But again, on here Daf Lewis is very helpful, as he's involved with Innovation strings.... He's always ready to help, and seems a nice guy too Perhaps he can advise as to whether his Innovation strings can be cut down? Anyhow, I tried Innovation Silver Slap strings, and I found them sooo much easier to play than those 1st steel strings They have lower tension, and were much easier on the fingers On my most recent DB - were Spirocore Weich's and I've got used to them They're steel, but with some sort of rope core? - Anyhow, persistence paid off - I now love them A word of WARNING though.......! Change strings one at a time - if you take all the strings off in one go Your sound-post can fall over!"!!!! There are plenty of folk on here who are in the know, so check out the DB threads etc I'm just so glad I started playing DB I'd hate to be without one now Good luck, and let us know how you're getting on Also, don't forget - a decent pickup can make a big difference to your sound Cheers Marc EDIT: As an initial outlay, Innovation strings are cheaper than many other brands (I'm not on any commission here BTW - just liked them on my 1st bass)

[quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1405487508' post='2502282'] I'll have to tell my friend . She always goes to the Rumney Folk Club, I bet she will be there on Friday [/quote] Tell her to come along & say hi ..... better still, you come along with her too I'll be using that nice PJ head and one of the cabs I bought from your good self Debs

Glad to hear he's OK As you say, he's been a very active poster and definitely a good source of friendly, helpful info Hope things settle down, and ubassman is back on here soon

[quote name='r16ktx' timestamp='1405437222' post='2501899'] If only they did bass liver oil... :-D [/quote] Groan!

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1405280443' post='2500448'] I know this has little definite proof but I take glucosamine sulphate tablets and cod liver oil capsules - I used to have some stiffness in my knees but since taking these daily my joint mobility is pretty good - I buy the generic variety from Asda. [/quote] Yes, I use Chondroitin & Glucosamine tablets (you can get them in a combined tablet) I started taking them because I had a knee op a few years back They've really helped my knee, which used to grind and click now & then.... Cod liver oil is good for joints too but you must remember - these tablets are mainly for joints If you have inflammation of muscles or tendons an anti-inflammatory drug is best No harm in taking the joint pills though They may help any other underlying issues, and will do no harm as you get older, you will develop clicks, grinding & stiff joints

Did a gig in TIntern, right on the Anglo-Welsh border on Saturday It was part of their annual "Folk On The Lawn" festival It was a great event - small-ish, really fun, friendly fest and the sun was shining (we played quarter past mid-day) I'd never played with this bunch before, having only agreed to join on the Sunday before! Only one full rehearsal But you know what - sure it could have been a bit more polished, but it went really quite well We've been asked to play a few more gigs since then and we're playing Rumney Folk Club in Cardiff this Friday .... following just one more rehearsal This is almost the exact opposite of what I usually do I don't read music, so I play by ear, and have to rehearse.... Sometimes, by the time a band is sounding really tight - someone leaves! Anyhow, it was pretty damn good, I think and I hope to do a few more with these guys some of them are pro musicians, and they're really relaxed about the whole thing [attachment=166804:DSC_6786.jpg] ...apologies for the loud shirt - just thought it might distract the crowd from my under-rehearsed playing EDIT: PS, I love playing outdoors on a nice day