louisthebass

I'd say that 5 strings & upwards are classed as ERB's. I was stunned when I saw a 5 string in use the first time at the 2nd Bass Centre Weekend in 1988 (Joe Hubbard & Tim Landers both had Peavey 5 string basses). It was another 8 years before I got my hands on one! (now I've got 4 of 'em!). I'd still say the 4 is still the standard - a lot of the major bands (KoL, Kaiser Chiefs, The Killers, Coldplay, etc) still have bassists using a 4 quite happily. Cheers, louisthebass

I had an old Ibanez defretted by the Bass Centre when they were in Wapping. It took a while to get the hang of it & I actually gigged it in my last originals band back in 1991. I traded it in years ago - part of me wishes I still had it, but I wouldn't have time now (I enjoy playing my fretted basses far too much). Cheers, louisthebass

I use the moveable anchor - for example, if I'm playing on the A string, my thumb will be sitting on the E string. There's a good video on YouTube by Adam Nitti that covers right hand technique. I think it's a case of using whatever technique works best for you personally without killing your right hand. Cheers, louisthebass

I wasn't a great fan when I first saw one, but they have definitely grown on me. I asked the question about the balance on a previous post a couple of years ago, & most people said it was the same as a normal EB with horns. If had a spare few grand to commission one, I'd have one. Cheers, louisthebass

[quote name='NJW' post='1280924' date='Jun 24 2011, 01:07 PM']Im not surprised the shop shut down if they take 4 weeks to (not) set up your bass! Great news on the free string though, well done D'Addario.[/quote] I'd heard that the shop was going previously & I was surprised that they couldn't have got hold of a string themsleves sooner. When I got the bass back, the string had broken at the tuning peg end (the string must have not been strong enough & the windings just unwound - weird). Cheers, louisthebass

Hi all, I thought I'd share a positive experience in customer service (Mods - if this is in the wrong part of the forum, please move). Background: I bought a set of D'Addario Acoustic Bronze Bass strings at the LBGS in March. My ABG needed a set up & supplied the new strings I bought to one of my local music shops where the setup was being done. A couple of weeks later, the shop informed me that the low B string had snapped & were waiting on a replacement to come in. Then, a couple of weeks later, the shop informed me that they were closing down & I had to retrieve the bass sans a low B string as it had not arrived in time (the shop adjusted the difference which was positive). I emailed D'Addario UK explaining the situation & they just asked me for my address & sent me a new string for [b]free[/b] which I wasn't expecting at all! So, a big thumbs up to Elaine at D'Addario UK customer services for great customer service! Cheers, louisthebass

[quote name='chilievans' post='1273157' date='Jun 17 2011, 08:39 PM']I guess what im specifically looking for is a book to help with fretboard navigation and theory. Are any of these books suited to my needs[/quote] I'd recommend Stuart Clayton's new book "The Bass Player's Guide to Scales & Modes" (it's kicking my a** I can tell you!). Cheers, louisthebass

Another good DVD is the Slap Bass Programme (Alexis Sklarevski), if you're looking at books, Funk Bass by Jon Liebman is very good & there's a lot of love on here for Stuart Clayton's slap bass book too. Cheers, louisthebass

Stuart, What about doing a ring binder spine like "Standing in the Shadows of Motown"? Sightly off topic - was good to have a quick chat with you at the London Bass Guitar Show (wanted to buy a copy of the scales & modes book, but there were only couple there on the Manson's Stand - have finally put an order in for it, looking forward to getting it ). Cheers, louisthebass

I'd say do it, but get a 35" scale if you can, cos the low B really kicks out (IMO). Cheers, louisthebass

First gig rig: Ibanez RB750 into a Carlsbro Cobra 90 bass combo (1986) Current rig: Overwater J5 or Yamaha TRB into a Yamaha BBT500 & 2 x Epifani UL110's Cheers, louisthebass

[quote name='Guitar.co.uk' post='1213996' date='Apr 28 2011, 05:38 PM']Hello from another new Tanglewater dealer! We have only received one bass so far and are looking forward to another 4 around June time. Chris May has been in for a visit to give us the low down on everything, he seems to have big plans for the range. We've just taken some nice pics of the Contemporary J Series 5 String we have in stock, you can view them [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merchymusic/sets/72157626467209239/show/"]here[/url]. More info [url="http://www.guitar.co.uk/guitars/bass/3856-overwater_contemporary_j_series_5_string_bass"]here[/url].[/quote] Tried one of these out at Guitar Works in Reading today & I reckon it gives the custom a good run for it's money. Chris May's done a great job with these basses - I love the tone on this bass, & would recommend this as a great working bass. Well done Chris! Cheers, louisthebass

[quote name='Doddy' post='1213210' date='Apr 27 2011, 09:48 PM']iGig[/quote] Thanks Doddy Cheers, louisthebass

Can anyone recommend a gigbag for a 35" scale bass? Cheers, louisthebass

Yamaha make great basses - had a BB110S which was a tone monster (which I wish I still had) & a BBN5 which served me well. Have also got a TRB5 which is a great bass too. Cheers, louisthebass

[quote name='obbm' post='1202033' date='Apr 16 2011, 07:08 PM']She may have a nice bass to learn on but she's not playing it live. Bass duties are currently being covered by Paul Geary - (bassic-bits endorsee) [/quote] & a top bloke to boot! Cheers, louisthebass

Although I've only ever owned one P-Bass (a cheap copy), I probably appreciate the tone now more than I did 25 years ago. I've got a Jazz that I'm currently playing in an Indie / Rock / Ska setting & it really is a bit too "polite" sounding, but I love it & wouldn't ever part with it. If money was no object, I wouldn't mind giving a P another try.....

In addition to the Alexis Sklarevski DVD & the Stuart Clayton book, try "Funk Bass" by Jon Liebman (I think he's a member on here). Good book.

I'd buy one if I had the dosh. I like it!

Hi Scott, I think you're doing a grand job with the video lessons (the lessons you've got on there could keep me busy for years!). It's all good! Cheers, louisthebass

[quote name='SaxxyBass' post='1025223' date='Nov 15 2010, 09:23 PM']Hi Pete, thanks that's comforting to know because I don't want to give up! I didn't know there were different lengths - I'm learning fast here! I had a little go on a mate's bass it was a Hohner Headless Jack Pro and it felt so light compared to mine and the neck felt really dainty and may possibly be for sale - do you know what scale they are? I'm from near Chelmsford. Hi louisthebass, Yes I've found some stuff on line recommending not anchoring your thumb and I'll do a google for the Simandl method. many thanks [/quote] No worries, glad to be of assistance - I'm originally from Chelmo myself (lived on the Springfield Estate from 63 to 70 - very happy days) Cheers, louisthebass

[quote name='SaxxyBass' post='1024811' date='Nov 15 2010, 04:25 PM']Hi all, Get over one problem and find another! I'm getting a bit confused about how many frets you should be able to stretch across, I'm lucky if my fingers stretch comfortably across two frets up the widest frets end, and 3 in the thinner frets. I have medium size hands and if I place them face down on the desk they span 6.5 inches from tip of little finger to tip of index finger, I've studied the correct way to have your hand in the natural position with straight as possible wrist, fingers curled naturally so the tips of fingers are on the strings, but as soon I stretch them the any further than that the back of my hand hurts. So at the moment while playing I'm sort of "hopping" my fingers where I should be stretching across the frets as I don't want to do any damage to my hand. Where I can I'm playing the notes close together in a box area. Is this something that will come or is it that I have tight muscles and tendons? Am I expecting too much at once? Or shall I just accept that I have no ability to stretch the fingers and adapt to it? And to think I took this up for pleasure - it's becoming a challenge now! [/quote] One of the previous posters has mentioned the 1-2-4 figering (which comes from the Simandl method for Double Bass). I personally find this works fine in the first 5 fret area, even on a 5 string. It is possible to use the OFPF system down low, using a pivot system (don't anchor your thumb on the back of the neck, but shift it in line with your fretting hand). You can save your hands a lot of pain by adapting either of those fretting systems. Cheers, louisthebass

[quote name='essexbasscat' post='1011292' date='Nov 3 2010, 08:10 PM']Many happy returns !![/quote] Cheers my friend - nice to be welcomed back by a fellow Essex boy (even though I don't live there anymore). Cheers, Louisthebass

Hi peeps, Due to problems with my laptop, have had to rejoin with my old Bassworld moniker. Good to be back! Cheers, Louisthebass