Hit&Run

[quote name='Dillsfretless' post='167131' date='Mar 31 2008, 07:27 PM']At my age I seriously don't think I'd have the confidence to play anything with other people.[/quote] In my last band we were all rubbish on our instruments, but that didn't stop us notching up over 60 gigs in 18 months. The biggest joke is that all you self-doubters are probably much more proficient than I'll ever be. If it wasn't for playing music with other people I wouldn't play at all. I never practice on my own, always with others. Someone once said to me: "Once you join a band you're playing will start to improve much faster". He was right. You will learn a lot (both good & bad) from other musicians. The first step is always going to be the hardest; after that you've always got a bit of momentum behind you. It's a cliché, but it's true.

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='166299' date='Mar 30 2008, 01:37 PM']Had good experiences with [url="http://www.imuso.co.uk"]imuso.co.uk[/url][/quote] +1 I used them recently to buy one of those spalted wood, through-neck vintage basses. Their price was sweet and the shipping was fast, although there wasn't much in the way of packing/padding when it landed up. It was double boxed though.

Looping a lead through a strap or amp handle doesn't just stop you pulling it out of the socket; it takes some of the pressure off the jack plug as well. I reckon looping cables will help them to last longer.

[quote name='gary mac' post='158806' date='Mar 17 2008, 10:08 AM']I know that a few of you have fitted Baddass bridges. Interested to know if this is a worthwhile mod and worth the expense?[/quote] I but a badass II on my VMJ and I noticed a faster attack and a more 'zingy' kind of sound. I expected it to sound largely the same as before the mod, with maybe a slight difference. I was startled at the difference.

Nice one gents. Tort does seem popular, even fender have used it on their P (as pictured above), and I had thought of it. I wonder what pearl would look on it? I've got a pearl 'plate on a CAR bass and it looks good (IMO). I actually can't visualise one against the VWH body.

Stop me if you've heard this one before (actually, don't)... I've just got a vintage white (VWH) jazz bass, and it's got a W-B-W scratchplate at present. I don't mind the look of it, but I have a lurking feeling that it could look a lot sweeter with a different plate on. Anyway, what colour scratchplate(s) look good on VWH? So hit me with those good ideas guys. If you've got photos, even better! Thanks. Here's a picture of a precision in the same finish: [attachment=6559:vwh.jpg]

Stuart Clayton (who posts on here a bit, and writes for BGM) has a new book out which might be up your street: [url="http://www.basslinepublishing.com/funkdisco.htm"]funk & disco grooves[/url]

Guitar, but not very often. I keep meaning to change that.

[quote name='paul, the' post='157999' date='Mar 15 2008, 03:23 PM']I recommend taking the bass to a luthier to remove the invisible frets.[/quote] Sounds costly; any other (realistic) suggestions?

The E string on my fretless appears to make a buzzing noise quite like fret buzz when I 'fret' a note on it. It doesn't make this noise when the open string is played open, and none of the other 3 strings make this noise at all. Seeing as the bass doesn't have frets, I find this quite disconcerting. The strings are rotosound RS55 solo bass pressurewound. So, what's the thinking? Truss rod tweak? Faulty string? Thanks in advance.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ibanez-SR500-BM-Soundgear-Bass-Guitar-Brown-Mahogony_W0QQitemZ180223732137QQihZ008QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Expensive Ibanez[/url]

Would a set of 45-105 flatwound strings have a noticably different tension to a set of 45-105 rounds? I'm sure I remember someone saying that rounds and flats have differing tensions. If the answer's already on here somewhere, feel free to point me in the right direction. Cheers.

[quote name='Jase' post='150343' date='Mar 3 2008, 02:17 PM']Just ordered a 3 pack of these HSB 445 3P, just wondering if anyone has tried them. £14.90 for 3 packs not bad at all [/quote] I've seen them on the 'bay before, but not as cheap as that. Where did you buy them from? [quote name='warwickhunt' post='150909' date='Mar 4 2008, 10:26 AM']I'm sure people may well sneer at the thought of a £5 sets of strings but you need to try them, if you don't get caught up in the snobbery thing they may well be just for you.[/quote] +1 to that. I did an A/B test with the nickel hartkes against some d'addario EXL165; the EXL were a little fuller and smoother sounding, but not by a country mile. As stated earlier they did feel quite rough on the fingers (as kingforaday mentioned), but I welcome that on a sweaty gig!

[quote name='bassmandan' post='155697' date='Mar 12 2008, 01:34 AM']Ewan Vernal - Deacon Blue[/quote] Was he the guy that played on their (90s) single 'Your Town'? I quite liked that song and bassline. The first CD I bought! Edit Time: I can't believe we havn't mentioned Tony Levin yet! Sledgehammer anyone?

80s bass players whose work I like: John Taylor Pino Palladino (again) The guy from 'Talk Talk' (sorry, still don't know his name) Graham Maby Deon Esteus (possibly not correct spelling) Bruce Thomas The guy who played for Paul King, the Beat (David Steele), the Blow Monkeys (sorry, no names again)... ...in the main. Though I'd even admit to liking a couple of simply Red's basslines. Keep it quiet though, yeah?

[quote name='6stringbassist' post='154122' date='Mar 9 2008, 07:35 PM']I asked someone last weekend if they ever checked basschat out out, they replied "don't you mean bitch chat".[/quote] I love it!

[quote name='markytbass' post='152060' date='Mar 5 2008, 09:47 PM']Anyone can sing, they might not know it but they can.[/quote] I can't sing in tune, not for all the basses on ishibashi!

[quote name='SJA' post='151825' date='Mar 5 2008, 04:16 PM']bah, didn't spot the arrow between drummer and bassist go both ways.[/quote] ..just like most singers.

[quote name='allighatt0r' post='151718' date='Mar 5 2008, 01:53 PM']I used to listen to Black Betty when i was young ( i still am young... i just mean younger. ) And loved it for just the great rock kinda sound, and the time signature changes ( i didn't know that that was what they actually were, i just noticed them. ) But i hadn't listened to that song since learning to play the bass, until recently... and when it got to the crazy fast tempo bit, i could have fainted... [url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lMLnDuzgkjo"]Youtube Link[/url] If I ever learn to play that part well, i will consider myself a good bassist. What songs have made you guys and girls feel the same? (or similar?)[/quote] That's a funny video. Were RamJam some kind of proto village people? And why's Jimmy Page clapping like a fool in the background?

Learn to play with a pick/plectrum as well. It's cheap and will broaden your tonal palette.