Marc S

Another question / observation thingy Years back, someone told me that left handed people can't dance He obviously saw me on the dancefloor! Anyhow, I continued to find other left-handers who are all equally bad at dancing as me I was at a celidh a few years back, with 2 left-handed colleagues and both these young ladies admitted to being bad dancers... We all watched the other dancers, and the usual pattern to celidh dancing seemed easy enough, however, when we were forcibly dragged into the group, we managed to completely destroy the whole dance! I'm terrible at all sorts of dancing and to this day, I've only ever knowingly met one good dancer who was a lefty and he had to work really really hard to get any good at all while other pals who started the same time picked it up more quickly.... Any thoughts / observations on this point? NB. Bad dancers are said to have "two LEFT feet" - not two right feet! Marc

Thanks for that... Haven't checked them out yet I'm fairly new to DB So I will check them out soon Cheers

Not seen a lined EUB I often wondered about playing double bass I had a few very brief "dabbles" - just a few minutes really.... Last year, I bought a Stagg EUB and though the strings were awful, I persisted Then I got some much better ones, and loved it I've just recently bought my first "proper" DB and I just wish I could play it all the time Yes, you may end up buying an acoustic DB after buying an EUB But I fully intend to keep my Stagg as a backup & more portable DB.... You could always pick one up on here second-hand? They aren't lined, but you've got the dot position markers on the side of the neck.... I'd say go for a 2nd hand one If you don't get on with it, well you haven't spent a fortune and you could flog it on anyway For me, it convinced me to buy an acoustic DB Have fun....

Ooooooh, loverleee

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1378991130' post='2207434'] ...I think some people are more left handed than others, if that makes sense [/quote] It makes perfect sense to me

Who knows? One bass to rule them all? .... oh no! groan!

[quote name='pietruszka' timestamp='1378987513' post='2207361'] I don't get this knife and fork thing. I thought it was left handed to have the fork in your left hand, but it seems not! When I visit my girlfriend's parents with her, they set the table with the wine glass/glass/cup on the left side for me. I admit it looks very odd against everything being on the right hand side! I do most things right handed, I suppose I've just had to get used to things being right handed, ie bread knives, tin openers, scissors, etc But veg peelers are impossible right handed. Whats the one thing lefties here really struggle with? Dan [/quote] I don't get the way right-handers use their knives & forks either I'm not sure what I "struggle" with most I use right handed scissors, tin-openers etc and seem to get on well enough with all these things.... I used to struggle, when sharing an office and computers with right handers However, I learned to be more ambidextrous with the mouse too.... Marc

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1378980842' post='2207240'] I'm a righty who plays right-handed. Based on this thread, I must be pretty unusual ... [/quote] It seems there are a few of you about, so you are not alone Anyhow, there is no such thing in life as "normal" - is there? EDIT: I'm guessing but you must be all the members NOT replying to the thread lol

[quote name='Dave_the_bass' timestamp='1378930019' post='2206749'] Tiny holes in t-shirts? Check Buckle rash? Check Scuffs, dings, chips and other assorted playing marks? Check Am I worried? Not really as 99% of those marks have happened at various gigs I've played up and down the country. As such; everyone of those imperfections is a little bit of my bass playing life. [/quote] +1 I think they call it "character" well, that's what I call my own wrinkles & grey hairs

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1378899314' post='2206184'] I always wanted an old japonese ATK305, i've almost snagged one on e-bay but missed the end of the auction... one day... one day! [/quote] Hope you can get one soon I've heard many people rave about the quality & playability of Japanese built early Ibanez basses I know my Roadster was great To my mind, Ibanez seem to produce the most consistently high quality results I've got to say it, but I don't think I've ever played a bad one Even their newer budget ranges compare favourably with other budget basses Good luck in your search

Well I would never have guessed there were so many left-handed people playing instruments intended for right-handers! As I said initially, I thought I was the only one The lefty guitarist / bassist pal I mentioned also said he felt the dominant hand should be doing the trickier fret / finger board work Maybe there's something in that? But obviously, I suppose it's whatever way is more comfortable for the player.... Oddly enough, I use my knife & fork the way right handers do fork in the left hand, knife in the right and I always think right handers use these the wrong way too I mean, when they're eating with a knife & fork, they use the left hand to feed themselves and when eating a dessert they feed themselves with a spoon - in their right hand! Oh dear, have I opened a can of worms (with my right-handed tin opener)? Still interested to hear from other lefties playing right and righties playing left.... Cheers Marc

I thought I was something of a unique type, in that I'm left-handed - BUT, I play a bass as if I were right handed... A couple of years back, I had a few jams with a guitarist pal I was in a band with way back He wrote down some phone numbers for me, then I spotted he was left-handed but he had always played guitar in right-handed fashion! He didn't realise I was fellow lefty, and did the same with my bass Within a month, I had met another guitarist working in a music shop who does the same and shortly after, joined a band who's lead guitarist did exactly the same.. turns out he's a great bassist too and plays the bass in the same fashion.... I once met a girl playing a few acoustic songs at an open mic nite, she played a left-handed acoustic, but was right handed! She learned on a leftie, because it was her sisters guitar When I started playing bass, I did try a couple of lefty basses, but they didn't seem comfortable So I just bought my self a right-handed version I was just wondering whether there are any other bassists out there doing the same and just how unusual this practice is?? As to thoughts on why myself & these other individuals play this way... .... answers on a postcard please Marc

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1378910822' post='2206394'] Im impressed that the new addition will have its own room ...how did you manage to get that past SWMBO ? ...you are clear an expert on that front ! ...way above my level so heres a to you ! [/quote] Well, it'll have to share the room with plenty of SWMBO's odds & ends - and there's a fair few of them, I can assure you I'll just have to point out to any guests using the room, that my courtesy doesn't extend to them using the bass! And Sarah, I wouldn't want to wish my dancing on anyone else!

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1378907950' post='2206341'] Congrats mate Chuck a review up when it arrives!! [/quote] Yes stubass, let us know how you get on with it I bought an Ampeg portaflex s/h from ebay It's a backup head really (long story, don't ask) But it's useful for smaller gigs & rehearsals too It's a lot like my Markbass 2x10 combo, in that used with one 8ohm speaker, you get 300 Watts but with a further 8ohm extension cab, you get 500 Watts Which is a nice, flexible arrangement, I think BTW. The s/h Ampeg head was in brilliant condition It looked unused when it arrived - so don't discount buying used gear You can get more value for your money... Like I say, let us know how you get on with the Hartke - I must say, I was put off them when a rehearsal place I used to use, had a faulty combo only to be replaced by another faulty combo.... Marc

[quote name='ChrisF' timestamp='1378900214' post='2206203'] What with being unemployed and my osteo-arthritis getting steadily worse..... she knows its the only thing keeping me sane-ish so.. have you got the UB bug yet ?? ....once it bites there is no going back [/quote] Sorry to hear of those problems Chris Anything to keep me remotely sane would be welcome I've got the bug - there's no cure, but I don't want to be cured I am finding it more tricky than anticipated - more so than my EUB... I think that's much lighter and easier to handle... But it's such a lovely sound And it just makes the room look so much nicer!

[quote name='ChrisF' timestamp='1378898759' post='2206173'] This is where I keep mine.... right next to the wife's dressing table in the bedroom.....it was her idea honest [/quote] How on earth did you manage to implant that idea into her head? Some sort of subliminal message, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to fit my DB in the bedroom, not without having to move heaps of clothes, shoes, makeup, face creams etc! EDIT: None of them mine, I hasten to add

They really are superb basses A real bargain of a bass for that money IMO I'm a big fan of Ibanez I used to own an old Japanese built Roadster and that was great I now own several basses, but the soundgear SR500 is my firm fave One of my other basses is an Ibanez electro-acoustic and that's loverly too - and just over £200 was a bargain! Well done on your purchase - lucky you

HI biscuitandbass, sounds like a good service you are offering, but as the above poster has pointed out, where are you located? Let us know - could prove useful to many of us....

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1378891895' post='2206024'] ....don't know of any stand that does that ! I am sure if they do exist that someone here will post ...but it would be better to not rely on a stand anyway ! [/quote] I know - it's best to play it "properly" But it's in the lounge, where the phone always seems to ring when I'm in the middle of playing.... I'll get shouted at for not answering the phone And I don't want to have to hurriedly put the bass to one side I also liked the idea of that type of stand - just while I improve my left hand techniques And the bass is such a beauty I'm almost being over-cautious with her I've seen the stands on ebay - but only in the USA with all the importing / time / tax issues that brings with it.... Re its' position, I'll be keeping the curtain mostly closed so it doesn't sit in direct sunlight I'm sorting out the spare room, and eventually it'll reside there Cheers again Marc EDIT: This is the stand I've seen on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Smart-Adjustable-Double-Bass-Cello-Stand-Hand-Free-/281090223931?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4172486f3b Also urbassman, I think SWMBO may have something to say if I kept the bass right by the bed! I may even get an ultimatum....... which I'd have to think about lol

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1378885954' post='2205888'] My bass skills diminish in their esteem when we do the first number! [/quote] Mine too..... Oh no, looks like turning into a "bass player jokes" thread

[quote name='Cat' timestamp='1378737115' post='2203932'] Hiya, Phill. I'm one of the few here [b]not [/b]from South Wales! Although my grandmother was, so I suppose that gives me an in. [/quote] Hi Cat, of course it gives you an "in" but you'll still have to pay the extortionate Severn Bridge Toll when you visit! lol Marc

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1378830144' post='2205264'] ...Marc are you going to post some pics ? ( ..tis the done thing with a new baby in the house ) ! [/quote] Better fix that one then! I've taken a look at a few stands, and actually I'd like something that allows me to play the bass while it's on the stand too..... A big ask, I know, but does the Hercules stand allow this? Anyhow, here she is [attachment=143506:DSC_6547.jpg] Cheers again all Marc EDIT: As you say ChrisF - those pickups are cheap enough to experiment with.... And maybe a future back-up too... Let me know what you find re the damping of the click sounds

[quote name='sarah thomas' timestamp='1378828342' post='2205218'] I'm glad she's going to be played and enjoyed. It was a pleasure meeting Marc and I couldn't have wished for a finer new custodian for the old girl. [/quote] Thank you so much Sarah Nice to meet a fellow South Wales based double bass player too I'm glad you decided to let me take her off your hands Indeed, she is being played and much appreciated Now for some strings more suited to my style of playing I think I'm going to opt for Innovation Silver slaps .... and must start thinking of reasonably priced pickups too I've seen some dual pickups on ebay which consist of a bridge pickup and a slap pickup, fitted behind the fingerboard... Oh, and I need a stand.... and a carrying case.... But I'm broke! lol Marc

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1378492310' post='2201187'] ...there you go !! Sorted ! [/quote] Sorted indeed Tried it, loved it & bought it on Sunday Wish I didn't have to go to work today - so I could be at home, playing it Oh for more free time! Thanks again folks

Just another thought Daf, But would it be useful to add a description of which strings work with different pickups? i.e. those that work with magnetic pickups or piezo pickups.... Might be useful info for those, like me, who are fairly new to the world of DB's Coming from playing bass guitar, I hadn't realised the myriad of choices of strings! Cheers again Marc