Marc S

Hi MarkariM, You have strayed to a far better path IMO Welcome to BC, stick at your playing, enjoy it, and join in with discussions on here

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1491932459' post='3276614'] Ah Action my fav topic lol. First rule of low action is to be able to actually play a low action. To play with that more delicate touch constantly and have that feel. So even when digging in its actually done very gently. Also there will be fret buzz on occasion go listen to low action players in isolation there's always some noise.... [/quote] Yes indeed. The odd thing I find about a low action set-up, and related "fret buzz" - is that on some basses, I can really hear fret buzz when amplified, and on other basses, it's less noticeable. I'm really not sure why this should be? I mean, it sort of defies logic really, doesn't it? If you get fret buzz on two basses, if you hear it clearly when amplified on one, you should surely hear it to the same level on another bass... discuss! lol

They look good. Playing a gig with Slim Jim Phantom too eh? Nice

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1491899680' post='3276185'] Quick update. ......[color=black]I've decided to take a pragmatic approach. I'll concentrate on the recording songs for now, once the band has agreed which ones...I'll keep on practising the giglist but without adding any new ones until after the recording session......[/color] [color=black]Steve[/color] [/quote] That sounds the best approach, and would be the sort of way I'd look at it. If as you say, the band hasn't sorted out the beginnings & ends of songs, it sounds like they're no more rehearsed than yourself. Just write down a few crib sheets of notes, with keys, key changes and structure.... that should help you a lot. I know you've said you lack a bit of confidence - but I hope this will help boost that a bit.

I'm currently using Silver Slaps too Lazarus. Yes, I like them a lot. I tend to learn riffs and any bass parts the way I've always done - by ear... These days, depending on the song, of course, there's Youtube But if it's not on there, I just get the general structure and keys of the song by ear - then work out any more complex bits note by note Sometimes, I start out with the keys & structure on DB. Then, any tricky parts, I work out on the bass guitar (sometimes, it just seems to help with individual notes or a quick-ish riff). Lucky you, to have spent time with that rockabilly bassist

Rehearsed with mine last night, and yes, it sounded and felt great to play oddly enough, I'm also not a "tone wide open" player - but I did exactly that, and it sounded even better

Sorry for my late reply - I've only just seen this thread I've only recently learned to play slap DB myself, and as ever, I'm still learning (still struggling with tripple slapping) Slap technique is / can be really useful - depending on the band you're in, and the style you're playing I tend to use both hands to mute, I find this will depend on the song (or indeed the riff / passage) I'm playing It's something I still haven't quite perfected, as sometimes a note will ring on longer than I'd anticipated... Just thought I'd mention it, but I really couldn't get the hang of slap, and very quickly got blisters too Fortunately for me, I have 2 DB's - well a DB and an EUB. So I fitted Slap Happy "Weedwackers" to one bass, to help me learn, and hopefully, be a bit easier on my fingers. I have to say, though I've now removed said strings, the Weedwackers really helped me to learn to slap. They're far easier on your fingers, and though I found the E string in particular was way too sloppy to play - it definitely helped me learn slap DB

You mentioned (in your status, I think) possibly playing your bass in an almost upright position I was just thinking, an ordinary strap button on your bass might be more likely to slip out of the hole in the strap .... Just making sure - I didn't want to read your status update to find your bass had hit the deck

Definitely try it through a good amp first of all. Then I'd say change the strings next, before you get out your soldering iron.... I had a Squier VM series P/J Precision, and the stock pickups in that were pretty good. It definitely had a good range of tonal options, and wasn't overly bright... Another option for you might be to try a DI / EQ pedal. You can shape the tone of your bass and boost bass, mids, or treble. You don't have to solder anything, and moreover, if you decide to flog the bass - you still have the pedal! I was lucky, and picked one of these up for a tenner, on a local facebook buy / sell / exchange group - then I upgraded to a higher spec model. This one is still pretty damn good though [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Behringer-BDI-21-Bass-Amp-Modeler-DI-Guitar-Effects-Pedal-/322326985735?hash=item4b0c2f7c07:g:Qv8AAOSwImRYI54-"]http://www.ebay.co.u...v8AAOSwImRYI54-[/url] There's definitely something to be said for upgrading pickups, of course - but when you do this on a Squier, a copy, or entry - mid range instrument, you probably won't get your money back if / when you decide to sell... EDIT: I'm with you on the P/J pickup arrangement though - definitely my preference these days....

[quote name='Mickeyboro' timestamp='1491827402' post='3275627'] Ah, Christchurch - the only place I've ever eaten breakfast in a shipping container! And welcome Mark... [/quote] Tell me more, lol

Welcome to BC Mark! Hello from a long way off (South Wales)

It's a bit rum of the band, if they've not listened to your thoughts at all But as everyone else on here has said - this could be a good experience for you Not being unkind, but it does sound as though you feel you're not quite "ready" yet, or not as well rehearsed as you'd like to be I know that feeling, cos I personally like to be as well rehearsed and prepared as I can be In the studio though, as you'll have chord charts, drums and guide vocals (ask if the guitarist will do some guide guitar with you too, maybe?) I'm sure you'll be fine. These days, in a studio, they can move individual notes around, and even shift syllables! As someone else has already said - maybe your new band have already got confidence in you - it certainly looks that way. BTW, a few months ago, I recorded some songs with a singer / guitarist pal of mine. We'd played together a bit, but not for some time... anyhow, one of the songs he wanted to record he had never sent me (even though he swears he had) and another song I'd played with him almost 2 years previously, was in a different key - with a very different structure. Put it this way, if an old dog like me can be taught new tricks, I'm sure you can do it Most of all, best of luck with it - don't chuck the band just yet, you've already said they're a good band. (EDIT: Good bands can be few and far between, depending on where you are, and being in the right place etc) Again, it's a shame if they really haven't listened to your thoughts, but I'm sure you can do this & move on Don't forget to let us know how you get on with the studio, and the new set 2nd EDIT - Lol. I'm in a band who really NEED some demo tracks, to promote ourselves - but pinning everyone down to do it is proving harder than I thought it would be... shame, as they're a great band too...

Can't find the thread atm - but some basschat member designed a wide, curved strap a little while back? Maybe around 2 years ago? Anyhow, the strap was well received, and helped some players combat "neck dive" As has been said on your status - whatever strap you decide on, be sure to use strap locks...

In the video to which the OP posted a link - Mark king really is bending those strings a lot It may be mainly down to the (light) gauge of the strings - but it may also be down to the make / brand Personally, I'm not a huge fan of flatwound strings (despite also playing DB) but some wise words from flats players on here pointed me in the direction of Thomastik Infeldt flats (TI's). I wanted some flats for my fretless, and tried some used TI's bought from someone on this forum... I couldn't (and still can't) get over just how low tension TI's are Don't know if MK is using them in that video - it's hard to tell, as even the sound will be processed and EQ'ed by the engineers on the sound desk. EDIT: I used to obsess about trying to get as low an action as possible - but I've since discovered, I actually don't really like the action too low. I've got several basses, and some are set up a bit differently - and I like playing different styles, on different basses, but mostly, I'd like to be able to pick up almost any bass, and not worry about how it's set up....

Bought a KK baby bass from Happy Jack, and I have to say, what a gent he is Great to meet up with him & have a good chat, with both Jack and Bluejay Buy, sell, trade in complete confidence folks BassChat just as it should be

I had a 4003 several years back, as I always liked the look & sound of a Rick (nothing quite like it) As others have said, they aren't usually the most comfortable of basses to play - but you have to just persist for a while, in getting used to the shape. For me, a wristband, just above my right wrist helped to protect my right forearm against the hard biding edge on the body (not a problem for everyone, and only really affected me when in short sleeves). Mine was in near mint condition, and I used to worry about it getting bumped or knocked (on its' debut gig, our singer tripped on a lead, which pulled a cymbal & stand onto it... though there was no visible damage at that time). So I only rarely gigged it, and then sold it, when I got my Shaftesbury faker. I'm glad you've decided not to worry too much about yours getting knocks / scrapes - it's by far the best way to be (I still don't know why I was so precious about mine?) I still really like the sound of a Rick, there really is nothing quite like one IMO. EDIT: Though again, for me, I had to get used to the controls to get the sound I wanted - but I feel there's good scope for different sounds on a Rick. I was a huge fan of Paul Grey's sound (ex Damned / HotRods) - listen to some of his bass on The Damned's "The Black Album" for some great Rick tone... Moreoever, happy NBD for when it arrives