Marc S

Back in the 80's I owned a Shaftesbury Rick copy It was a really nice bass too I only got rid of it cos it needed re-fretting and I didn't have the dosh for that Now I'm sure many of you are thinking they certainly aren't a rarity! But I haven't seen one in years When I started playing again a few years back, I searched high & low they would get pulled off ebay now anyway but the last one I saw there fetched almost the same as an "original" Damn good basses those Shaftesburys too - apart from the tuning pegs... Folk reportedly stripped them if they couldn't get spares Just wondered how many would be around now, as I say, I haven't seen one since the 80's I wonder how many have survived

Sorry to hear that mate... I was having a far too hectic time of it in the summer I was in 3 bands, and it was all a bit much ... ended up ditching the one band - with all the apologies in place etc Then, a fortnight later the other 2 bands I was in folded!!! Both for very different reasons - neither of them anything to do with me But in the space of about 3 weeks, I went from 3 bands to none It had all been a lot of work too and one of the bands had some big bookings.... I don't like fishing, but I bought a double bass and that made things a little better

Hello Adam, Welcome to the forum and good luck with your grades & your bass search

Looks incredible, as everyone else has said I want one, I want one.... Please don't go as far as the matching codpiece tho......

[quote name='keeponehandloose' timestamp='1382006682' post='2246573'] no , but you can stick a piece of the special tape across your face for the pirate look.. [/quote] Lol

[quote name='RandomBass' timestamp='1381762104' post='2243285'] Well, just as I was about to open a case with ebay, I get an email notification that the seller has refunded the full amount to my Paypal, with an apologetic note accompanying it. At least I got my money back without having to go through official channels. However, I'd rather have had the goods lol. Im happy though. My cynical side says he was disappointed with how much I won it for, and got a better sale elsewhere, and couldn't work out how to get out of the sale with me. Jus' sayin'........ Cheers guys Geoff [/quote] Could be that, as you say But who knows? Anyhow, yes you'd rather have the goods but at least you got your money back - so you can buy it from somewhere else Whew! sigh of relief Cheers Marc

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1381929726' post='2245612'] The single best thing you can do for your bass playing is join a band. You don't even have to gig. Just get some like minded individuals in a practice room together and make a nice racket [/quote] I'd definitely go along with that There's nothing like playing with other musicians to hone your skills Although, I'd suggest you do play a few gigs too Sure, you don't have to gig but there's nothing like a bit of pressure to tighten up your playing Doesn't have to be a paying gig, or can be something you do for a charity but it all helps, especially if you get people up & dancing, or get good feedback from your audience

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1381927833' post='2245574'] Potentially a good idea. However IME some of the BBC regional presenters/shows can be very partisan about which local artists they choose to support and which they simply ignore. [/quote] Indeed, but that probably happens on the show already A producer may have or not have a liking for a particular band / act One positive thing is at least it's what a completely different producer thinks is worth supporting.... Gives the viewer access to bands they may otherwise not see.....

I use a markbass CMD102P - think it's the newer model? Not 100% sure as I bought it S/H and I think it's great A pal of mine has the older version, and I used his once, for a gig What was definitely noticeable to me, was his older version was cutting out when the amp was turned up We think that was because my bass is active, and when I turned the volume control down on my bass, and turned up the gain & vol controls on the amp, it was better Maybe there are a few subtle differences like this in the electronics? Marc

Thanks for that link ubassman Useful info there, in plain English too The post has been moved, at some point in my own DB You can see the position it used to be in It's more toward the G string of the bass, and a bit further toward the tailpiece I think this bears out, according to that illustration, in terms of the sound I'm getting I'm quite happy with it the way it is, but I have wondered whether, because it has been moved, whether it could "fall over" Seems firmly enough in place.... And just what would happen if a soundpost did fall over? Cheers again

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1381914091' post='2245223'] How would you improve it (apart from having your own band on, obviously)? [/quote] Oh, I wouldn't recommend my own band playing on it for a start For me, it's been the type of bands they've had on there lately nothing much inspiring, and all a bit "bland" There are plenty of great musicians and bands out there, but whoever is scouting for them or selecting them may be where the problem lies You know what I'd like to see? I think they could easily have a live link-up with another, local BBC studio somewhere, and have a new bands slot.... or an unsigned acts slot somewhere in the programme perhaps the camera crew could go out to a gig, or session somewhere on location? Why not have a special edition of the programme, recorded live at one of the lesser known festivals? Difficult, what with time constraints, I know but a fresh approach to the format might give it a bit of a lift.... I do like Jools, as a presenter, and as a musician - top bloke And I'd hate to see the show disappear - but I've heard a lot of people say they think it's not as good as it once was I had an OMG moment, a few years back, when Jools had Seasick Steve on the show Never heard anything quite like it before! great stuff I suppose I'm really looking for one of those moments every now & again ? Marc

[quote name='madshadows' timestamp='1381337259' post='2237847'] Hi Folks I'm John and live in SE London on the borders of Blackheath/Lewisham, played bass many, many years ago in my teens and early twenties but stopped when I got married and started raising the kids .... See ya John [/quote] Hi there John, and welcome to the forum I too gave up playing after getting married & having my son I really regret that now - particularly as I didn't play for a long time However, I started playing a few years back, and I'm just so glad I did Oddly enough, my ex-wife bought my son a bass one Christmas and that spurred me on, to pick up bass again, and give him a few pointers He's now a better player than me, but the key is that I'm enjoying playing again, and never looked back Hope you get a bass soon and welcome back to the world of bass playing Marc

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1381910658' post='2245160'] .....At least it's a live music show though instead of autotuned singing to a backing track. [/quote] +1 indeed Any show which promotes live music is a good thing Although I have to say, I used to watch it more regularly Now I watch it rather less frequently Last nights' show was probably the worst I've seen To me, the quality of the show has taken a complete nose-dive Shame, as it could be so good

Reading this post got me interested in the position of the sound post As a relative newcomer to the wonderful world of DB's I started to search for issues on the position of the soundpost, and can't seem to find too much info How did it effect the sound from your DB ubassman? and how did you move it? I understood it to be rather tricky, and a task really only to be undertaken by an experienced luthier Cheers again Marc

As others have said, there's lots of choice Not tried a barefaced cab, I use Markbass gear, and I think it's awesome It's also relatively lightweight Phil Jones also do some really small amps & cabs, which although they're tiny, pack a real punch Definitely keep your eye on the secondhand section on here Enjoy the forum

I've got too many basses, and not enough time to play them I really should sell 1 or 2 of them But, as others have said, two really is the minimum a gigging bass player should own When gigging, I always take a spare - I've never needed it but you just don't know what could happen; a string snap, the electrics develop a fault, or the battery go dead (if you've got active pickups) A guitarist pal of mine always carries a spare, in case of strings snapping The one time he didn't, we was playing in a rough-ish pub some drunken eejit was dancing & fell on him, breaking the jack plug & damaging the socket... .... he did manage an on the spot repair - but it was touch & go... You could always try & seek out a Warwick fretless, if your heart is set on fretless only - then do a trade in if / when you find one.... Me? I'd keep the vintage Warwick

Your respect for the possibility of the bereavement is highly admirable, but you have also to be careful just when you open a case I wouldn't wait too long for this, as there is also a time limit on when you can open a case, and a time limit on how long the case can be open for - depending on when you bought the item I've used ebay a lot, over several years and honestly, I find it's absolutely fine 99% of the time I did have a bad experience with a guy who told me exactly the same story There had been a bereavement in his family The trouble was, because I'd ordered something that was hand-made it had a 28 day delivery anyway! So by the time I'd been fobbed off a few times - the time limit for opening a case had elapsed! I contacted ebay and told them about the 28 day delivery, and this allowing no time to open a case but I just got a load of generic replies, informing me I should have opened a case sooner! If you don't use ebay much, something like this could put you off But I have to say, apart from this 1 minor incident, and a few niggles - I've found it to be good Be careful of leaving it too long before you take action though! Hope it's resolved without any hassle for you Marc

[quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1381604025' post='2241352'] Regarding Ricks, hate the neck on mine (it's a real fight compared to a P or Jazz standard), the shape may be pretty but is hard work. However......that tone makes it worth it. Talk about love/hate. [/quote] Yes, I've been surprised at some of the comments about Ricks too... I always loved their sound. The necks on all the ones I've played have been fine Not the thinnest or fastest I've played, but certainly narrower than any Fender necks The thing I find uncomfortable about Ricks, is the body shape - looks great but somehow, it doesn't quite "sit right" for me .... that, and the awful big square block of a pickup guard Just can't understand why they'd place something over the strings, right in the way of your right hand Can't quite see why many folk dislike them... The company attitude toward their design, and copies is crazy, but the basses are great - but that's just my opinion.... Back to the subject of my OP I recently picked up a Burns bass (one of the new ones) That looked good, but was really uncomfortable to play It was really top-heavy, so the machine head end of the bass just wanted to tip down to the floor The small body and the position of the strap holder meant the bottom end of the neck was a long way away - I could hardly reach F or F# on the E string Lots of switches/ switch positions too Which as others have pointed out, seemed to affect the sound much Not one of the worst I've ever played, but not a great bass, all the same....

[quote name='ratman' timestamp='1381443557' post='2239376'] There better be a 'hug a bass player' day sometime soon...... [/quote] Let me know, and I'll keep a low profile that day! Never met a huggable drummer yet

I've always used all four, but I've recently taken up the double bass Many tutors of the DB seem to advocate only using 1 2 4 but try as I might, I can'y help but use the 3rd finger..... I just can't kick the habit! Whatever works best for the individual....

Looks like Howard made a fab job of it Real professional finish

[quote name='benbastin' timestamp='1381312270' post='2237254'] Here's my take on it. Wood for instrument making is dried for a long time before use, typically at least 30 years. It takes this long to full dry out, and make sure your not going to get any nasty surprises with it warping in funny directions. Then you put the wood through an further long process of carving, bending, tweaking, glueing etc This all changes the properties of the wood drastically, and the further to that it end up covered in varnish. So when you start to play the instrument, all these different components are going to move, and change. Usually this manifests it self in a feeling of tightness or reduced sound in the case of repair, and an opening up as the instrument begins to vibrate together, as the components become one instrument and not a collection of parts. The wood itself has to get used to its new shape and purpose. It had at least 1 hundred if not 2 to 3 hundred as a tree, then a further 30-40 as a plank, then between a few months and a few years being whittled into an instrument, so its hardly surprising its not immediately happy as a bass or a guitar. In addition to these considerations is the glue used, especially when dealing with laminates. Instruments are traditionally made using hide glue, which seems to be closer to wood in terms of vibration that other glues such as white glues and epoxy often used in cheaper instruments and mass produced guitars. Hide glue certainly has a minimal affect to the wood. Where as when you use laminate which are often made using white glue or epoxy and extreme cases such as the cheaper range of martin guitars the wood itself it impregnated with epoxy, the glue becomes a huge part of the equation, and takes much longer to bed in. Any instrument that isn't played regularly will not maintain its sound, thats the best thing you can do for any instrument is play the hell out of it every day. [/quote] A pretty comprehensive answer, I think

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1381183275' post='2235642'] So the 'acid sweat' kills the strings and the acidic vinegar revives them. I love musician science. I'm going to look for threads about how only one type of bass 'cuts through a mix' next. :-) [/quote] No, sweat isn't "acid" - the vinegar is. As my post stated That's not musician science - that's basic science... The acidic quality of the vinegar helps to break down the gunk that has worked its' way into the windings When you look for your chosen threads, you may care to actually read the content, before commenting!

Hi Seb, Welcome to the forum As already pointed out, the DB and EUB section of the forum is an ideal place to look, or post the question.... Antoni are generally pretty good basses to start with, I think I'd also say you had a bit of a bargain there I was searching for a DB recently, and found none come up in my area When I saw an Antoni on ebay and suchlike, it generally went to £400 + So if I'd seen yours - I'd have bought it myself To get a better DB, you're looking at stepping into the next price bracket I'd say So keep your eyes peeled for further bargains.... I think you'll find K&K do some nice pickups, which aren't mental money.... Good luck in your research Marc