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[quote name='MacDaddy' post='1310803' date='Jul 20 2011, 08:36 PM']most of it [/quote]

[quote name='GBass' post='1310784' date='Jul 20 2011, 08:20 PM']Thanks for the comments. That's the problem with being left handed, I have to buy blind at times due to lack of shops around my area stocking any leftys. I'll ponder a bit more and think about it, but I'm still tempted. [/quote] If it's faulty, you can send it back to Thomann for a refund. They pay the shipping. If you don't like it they accept returns within 30 days at your shipping cost. The new Rock Basses are more expensive and higher spec.

Good evening! Yep, it is highly addictive! BEWARE! Amazing what you learn on here too, about basses, and people

[quote name='Ross' post='1310697' date='Jul 20 2011, 07:11 PM']Indeed he did, I was listening to Ravi Shankar recently and looking at the cover "produced by George Harrison" I thought, that doesn't surprise me. It's a real pity teachers are notoriously difficult to find, I've managed to find one which teaches out of my university. [b]I had a feeling it isn't the sort of instrument you can learn properly without a good teacher.[/b][/quote] 'fraid so. At least you found one though!

[quote name='Kirky' post='1310619' date='Jul 20 2011, 06:01 PM']Great instrument - I'd love to have a go. Tried the tablas recently - unbelievably difficult to play properly.[/quote] Yes! They certainly are!

The basic technique is not too difficult, except for the note bends and quarter tones. But be prepared for your fingers to hurt like a bastard! You'd start by learning the basic raga structures and scales up and down, they are usually different. It's a lifetime's study and you need a GOOD teacher. Stringing and tuning them is a pain. You buy wire string on a spool and cut off what you need. I'd locate a teacher first and get advice on buying. A cheap sitar is usually not far off junk.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='1310507' date='Jul 20 2011, 04:33 PM']I think progress and development is initially easier on a bass. Then it gets more difficult as you come to realise the possibilities. Thereafter progress comes more smoothly. Guitar is initially more difficult because of chords, becomes easier with all the obvious cliches - and then you hit a very steep learning curve if you want to really develop your own voice. [/quote] Interesting Skank! That's pretty much how I feel.

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='1310445' date='Jul 20 2011, 03:38 PM']It's the mechanics of the thing and how you play. Starting off on bass it's gonna be one note per string and maybe a lot of sliding about on the E string. With guitar you're gonna be learning chords (playing more than one note at a time) and maybe trying to learn a bit of lead. Of the two without great technique the bass is initially easier. Also without great ability, the bassist has a better of being able to play a part in a band. But to improve as a bassist, because the neck is longer, the strings are thicker, and the distance between strings is greater, the bass can be more difficult to master - certainly on a technical level. As bassists develop as musicians we gain an understanding of the bass role with other instruments, so a good bassist will have an understanding of how the bass can affect and even control harmony and feel (I remember an article in BGM mentioning something similar saying that's why bass players can become great producers). A lot of good guitarists don't have this awareness, which is why it's often possible to spot the bass lines played by guitarists. This all of course IMO and exceptions will obviously apply [/quote] You don't really believe all that do you?

[quote name='GBass' post='1310317' date='Jul 20 2011, 02:13 PM']Hello chaps, I've recently been tempted to-wards purchasing a fretless bass but bearing in mind I'm a left handed player and not much is out there for leftys. I've just been looking at the Warwick RB corvette, any good? I must admit that this is my first fretless bass but I just love the sound a fretless gives. Much appreciated for any feed back. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_rb_corvette_basic_4_a_bk_fllh.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_rb_corvet...4_a_bk_fllh.htm[/url][/quote] I had a real German Corvette fretless and it was a wonderful bass. I've played a fretted Rock Bass and they are extremely good value for money and very well made. My home made bass has a Rock Bass neck and it is very well made and it's my main bass now. They are a little clubbier than your average neck but you'll get used to it very quickly and they are comfortable. £250 for an active bass is great value and I think you'll be delighted with it. Go for it!

[quote name='Dr.Dave' post='1310360' date='Jul 20 2011, 02:48 PM']Different strokes for different folks but my approach has always been the same. I would never write a song on bass. A song , to me , is melody plus lyrics and for that reason I've developed every song I've ever written by strumming chords on a guitar whilst singing the tune. I suppose a keyboard instrument would do just as well. Once I've knocked the song into shape like that - I take off the writing hat and put on the bass players hat thinking about how , as a bass player , I can best support and enrich the song - hopefully others I'm playing with will approach their parts the same way.[/quote] Yep, that's generally my approach too. A song usually starts roughly in my head and gets transferred to the guitar and by singing a melody over the chords. The lyrics come afterward most of the time. Saying that, I don't really write songs anymore, I find I'm too busy to be inclined to do so.

I'm terribly sorry, but I just don't buy this magazine anymore.

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='1310061' date='Jul 20 2011, 10:41 AM']I think it's far easier to be an average bassist than it is to be an average guitarist. But it's far more difficult to be a good bassist than a good guitarist.[/quote] Why, Mac?

[quote name='Kevin Glasgow' post='1309408' date='Jul 19 2011, 05:31 PM']Hi Folks, Here's a solo vid I recorded a while ago:- Cheers, Kev[/quote] Kevin, you have the magic touch. You have great tone in your mind and fingers and it all comes out with great beauty. Immensely expressive playing that really touched me. I can't stand this kind of solo bass normally, I think the timbre is all wrong and it sounds so much better on guitar, BUT, not in this case because it sounds rich and has its own voice. I only watched it because of what Bilbo and lowdown said. I'm glad I did because for five minutes my life was greatly enriched. Great technique is completely pointless unless you know what to do with it, and you have an aesthetic. I sense a little hint of competitiveness in the composition, but no more, it's really really beautiful! Congratulations.

I lived near Carmarthen for four years after moving there from Coventry. But I came to London 25 years ago. You'll find more going on here than where you live Good intro btw!

[quote name='GBass' post='1310105' date='Jul 20 2011, 11:12 AM']Welcome! [/quote] It's easier and less messy to just say 'Thrice welcome!'

I'm listening to John McLaughlin's first Shakti album, it's great, and quite brilliant in places. Also listening to Lyrical Sitar by Nikhil Banerjee. It's truly amazing and deeply inspiring! [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lyrical-Sitar/dp/B001F9PFJQ/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1311158014&sr=1-14"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lyrical-Sitar/dp/B...014&sr=1-14[/url]

Pre Cat Nitro from Tonetech Luthier Supplies is what I've used. Pre Cat dries quickly (5 mins touch dry) and two cans should do an average sized bass body.

Piano's the way to go IMO, the most useful instrument a bassist can learn from a theoretical and writing POV.

[quote name='Mook' post='1309447' date='Jul 19 2011, 05:56 PM']I have been playing in a wedding band for a few years now and my soul is a small shriveled wreck of a thing and my chops have regressed to back to my teenage years. I am reaching a point now where I'm having to make up my mind----Wedding Band = old and bitter but with house and wife OR Freelance bass whore= loads of fun, back to great chops again and ------dare I say it.....get a job or lose the house and wife I'd be interested if anyone else has been in this position and the path they chose[/quote] What's stopping you being in two bands? Do both! I've got three regular bands, and also have a quite demanding 9-5 career job including study for a degree equivalent.

1. Merton - NOS Trace Elliot strings 40-100 2. silddx - Bass Builders: Simplified Sight-Reading For Bass by Josquin Des Pres (not with CD) 3. silddx - Bass Builders: Fingerboard Harmony for Bass by Gary Willis (with CD) 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Try a Uke. They are fab for writing songs on! Much easier to play and much cheaper than a guitar. But yes, I have never written a song on bass, only guitar.

I suppose I'm just lucky I never get any of this sh*t. We had a couple of people in one band who were sandbagging. They were requested to leave and replaced quickly after a couple of months of being given their chance to shine. Music is too expensive, time consuming and important for people who can't pull their weight equally with the other band members.

[quote name='MB1' post='1308501' date='Jul 18 2011, 10:14 PM']MB1. In your honest opinion.[/quote] No. I just KNOW. Ok?

[quote name='TheGreek' post='1308038' date='Jul 18 2011, 04:21 PM']Look at me..last of the big spenders.. Just bought a [b]signed[/b] copy of the new TGU CD from Nige - haven't had a chance to check it out yet but I'm confident it will be as good as "Run Devils and Demons" - the man is good to his word.. cheers Nige..[/quote] Thanks Mick, glad I could get it sorted for you! Run Devils and Demons is a compilation. Moonshout was the last studio album. I hope you enjoy The Stone Turntable. I think it's their best yet, but some of it needs repeated listening, it's a grower! Thanks again N