SpondonBassed

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1501001455' post='3341703'] Yes, but it also contradicts your statement that it would be odd for a Basschat member not to enjoy them. I am a Basschat member, and I do not particularly enjoy bass solos, so I have assume that by your definition I am odd. I reckon I can live with it, though! [/quote] If that's what you think I said.

Cheers. I was puzzled to see the headstock both ways on the website. I can't say I have a preference.

Here it is; Seems to be all there. I think it's got a good grain for an inexpensive kit. If I had to point out a defect it would be the roughness on the centreline of the fretboard between 11 and 14 as if there was not enough meat in that area. It isn't worth doing much about and will probably be less noticeable after a little light dressing. I'm very happy with the delivery and condition of the kit. I will not do any modification to the scale nor remove frets on this first build. Maybe on the next one if this works out at all. It should be a lot of fun.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1500950960' post='3341261'] Tortorials, I don't think there's been much in-depth discussion on what the real value is in them, pros and cons and good vs bad tutorials. Let me mention 2 things up front. First I'm a baby boomer growing up with not much more than the needle on a record player to learn songs. So, I'm biased. Second I'm using the term tutorials loseley. Many of this clips are not necessarily instructional. Anyway let's throw a few examples out there. Ad your comments, why you feel the clip is good, bad or whatever. Blue [/quote] I may not be alone in this. I can't get on with authority figures. Teachers are the root cause. In my primary school my IQ was assessed and I was put into the "A" stream for special treatment. The problem was that I was a child and I was effectively segregated from my peers. Already I was isolated by virtue of being an only child living in a rural area. The only interaction I got with children of my own age was at school. When they started "hothousing" me, I was instantly labelled as the school swot and that meant I was treated with scorn by and large. My family was on the move a lot in the sixties and seventies. It meant that I had a few changes of school. Each time this thing about me being somehow special kept biting me in the backside and ruined what should have been normal development of my social skills and the like. I did enjoy my childhood but with retrospect I got a dodgy introduction to life by not being allowed to make my own mistakes in the playground with my own age group. In short, teachers handled my education very poorly. Not their fault I suppose given the era and given that I was something of a moving target for the education system. It was damaging none the less. As an adult you just can't learn social skills that ought to have been part of development before the age of ten. I don't suffer too much as a result. In fact it is advantageous to have an uncommon point of view in many of life's situations. It's just that old thing of hindsight making you wonder "what if it had gone differently". There is nothing to be gained by thinking that way though. In short I have only ever been able to think of social gatherings from the point of view of one who is on the outside looking in. [b]On topic now;[/b] YT clips, including tutorial "tasters" can be a way around it for me. It depends on the YT subscriber's delivery. You can find a good clip, learn from it and then find that to pursue aspects of that tutorial requires yet another subscription to something that is far more than is needed. This tends to be when someone wants to attract subscribers to his or her course that is not in the public domain. That's fine. Given what I've said I won't be doing that. The vast number of people who are sharing freely means that a lot of good information is out there with no strings attached. There is an advantage to clip hopping in that I get more view points and opinions. Sometimes opinions contradict each other without either of the clip owners actually being wrong. To listen to opposing ideas like that has always helped me to a greater understanding of the subject material as a consequence. I spend time grazing, in a manner of speaking, until I've got lots of ideas then I spend time chewing the cud. I see posts in BC that demonstrate this learning behaviour in others too. I'd have to subscribe to a course of tutorials if I was setting myself a deadline so don't think I am an advocate for home schooling or anything like that. This is a anxiety busting occupation for me and deadlines are not allowed.

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1500926452' post='3341155'] I'm not a fan of bass solos at all, especially that last more than 4 bars. [/quote] That's reinforcing my assertion that bass is not a solo instrument.

Gettin spalty widdit. I love it already. Locked in for the duration, carry on.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1500900845' post='3340925'] Isn't there a contradiction here, somewhere..? ... [/quote] I know but the delivery drivers don't know the difference.

You're welcome.

Yes. The 50s and 60s band that I sometimes mention had problems that were mounting up. Of the core group only two were around and performing in the nineteen fifties. The guitarist was stone deaf and the singer was on a round of chemo therapy that, thankfully, worked for him. Don't get me wrong. I was pleased as punch that they wanted me to practice with them let alone perform. I just couldn't guarantee my commitment to weekly practice due to my own problems at the time. It would've been unfair on them to keep my foot in the door, so to speak, so I politely declined both times that they offered me bassist. I hope they've got up and running again as they were planning to.

Well done! Here's wishing you continued success.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1500827731' post='3340424'] I don't tip very often, if I'm in a full waiter/waitress service restaurant ( not very often I usually go to pay when you order at the bar type of places) I leave a tip if I've enjoyed the meal, but that's the only time, But I know it's a different culture in the states, apparently in some places the waiting staff get paid nothing if it's a busy restaurant, I suppose if the food prices reflect that and everyone is aware of that it's ok [/quote] We also tip our take away delivery drivers. We discovered it is worth it too.

It's a shame when a pub gets known as a place that turns a blind eye to drugs or druggie behaviour. That's got to be difficult to turn around for the replacement landlord or landlady after the sh!t inevitably hits the fan and the management is sacked. I hope this is the exception to the rule for you though. Although I think it would be hard not to come across nights like that occasionally in any given circuit. That your singer was "courted" by those lummoxes... is that sort of thing still regarded as being an occupational hazard? Even if it is I'd understand why, as a band, you'd opt out of further bookings. Solidarity alone would dictate that.

[quote name='PawelG' timestamp='1500799122' post='3340186'] What are yobs? [/quote] [b]yob[/b][list] [*]n. [i]Chiefly British Slang[/i] A rowdy, aggressive, or violent young man. [/list]

I saw the title of this topic and thought this must be about less being the new black or the grass being greener than two in the bush. Fluff.

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1500839725' post='3340555'] Agreed re the drummer and have one lined up for a couple of weeks time. Re the bass teacher, I am not sure what you mean - my previous tutor was a guitarist and that was part of the problem for me. Do you mean with a player of something else from the rhythm section? [/quote] I wasted over a month on this; I had a guitarist try to tutor me. It wasn't asked for. I was going to do a bass accompaniment to his Open Mic night set and went 'round to his to record him playing with the intention of practising to the recording at home and turning up to play at the following week's Open Mic. I have successfully used this method before. He took the idea over and decided to impart his musical knowledge in weekly sessions for two hours at a time. I am not one to turn down good knowledge especially as he had a good understanding of score, arrangement and composition. I only do tab for personal reasons but I occasionally refer to score for detail if I am doing a book study, for example. This though, was not a notion that he was finding easy to accept and the whole thing fell over because of it. I'd suggest that a guitarist may not [i]see[/i] things from the low end very well. You could be better off with a tutor for whom bass is their "first" instrument.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1500818254' post='3340337'] Bass makes a fantastic solo instrument. It's down to the player and their repertoire... [/quote] I enjoy bass solos. It would be odd for any BC members not to enjoy them. Bass is not an instrument that non-bassists and in particular, non musos, would choose as the only musical accompaniment to a song however. I stand by my words.

Welcome Marc, Plus one to the comment above. The earlier you can get to put your new knowledge into an ensemble situation the better. Play-alongs with recorded tracks are okay but only up to a point. You will only really know what the bass does for a piece of music by playing with other musicians. Enjoy the trip..... because it [i]is[/i] a trip. (S'Express)

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1500809396' post='3340261'] OK folks...lot's of great suggestions - some that came very close. Andy and I have discussed the submissions and agreed on a winner. Personally I liked "[i]Dali's Daydream[/i]" - had it been "[i]Dali's Xdream[/i]" (extreme?) it would have been hard to beat. "[i]Minim[/i]" and "[i]Ghost[/i]" were also close runners - I was thinking along these lines with "[i]Ethereal[/i]", "[i]Stark[/i]" and "[i]Amorphous[/i]". I was hoping somebody would find a word with "[i]And...mic[/i]" - I couldn't. So the winner, with the Greek connection, is "[b]Psilos[/b]" - Many thanks to Bass Apprentice for the suggestion. The Bass is being named as I write. PM on it's way. [/quote] WELL DONE Mick! Not only will it look like you are Doctor Who's bassist, the name sounds like the bass might have been made by a time lord! Andy... how many regenerations have you had? I would hope that Capaldi's playing might go down better as a result of your playing [i]Psilos[/i] too. Too controversial? Sorry Peter. I am not sure that Psilos means "smooth" as was suggested however. Looking for translations of the word Psilos resulted in this definition from two different translation services - ψηλός [psiloːs] adj[list] [*]high, [/list] tallτο πιο ψηλά[list] [*]the highest [/list] or[list] [*]Tall [/list] A lot of sites just threw the same word back without translation. I wondered if the name in Greek letters would have a different meaning. It would look like this; [color=#ff0000][i][b][size=8]ψηλός[/size][/b][/i][/color] Whatever it means it looks awesome. I wish you many happy years with it.

[quote name='Bastav' timestamp='1500566903' post='3338770'] ...Benedict cumberbass [/quote] Hahahahahaha!

I think the Oasis thing needs no further discussion. Anyone for Marmite butties?

[quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1500749286' post='3339995'] The band I just joined plays a couple of Supertramp songs, "Give a little bit" and (of course) "Breakfast in America". They're two of our most popular songs. I was quite surprised. [/quote] I'd love to hear your band's treatment of those.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1500757437' post='3340065'] So you're playing all the right notes in all the right places. That's a good start. Many people struggle with that one for years! Try and play what other players play but don't try to sound like them. Do it all sounding like you and in the end you'll have developed your own identity on bass. Keep playing and building up your mind/ear/hand coordination. It sounds to me like you're ready for the next step. [size=6][b]Playing with other musicians.[/b][/size] Find where your local jam nights are and start checking them out. Join a band. Don't be put off by anything. Just keep working at it and you'll be improving every second you're playing. [/quote] The best point yet. It's crucial to do ensemble. Bass really isn't a solo instrument.

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1500740677' post='3339915'] Okay, I have been playing a few years now as a bedroom warrior but more and more looking to go public. I have a great tutor who has brought me on leaps and bounds in the last 6 months, but one thing I struggle with is something I think people call "musicality". Irrespective of what I change / adapt in my playing, I do not sound like the original bass line. Generally I play all on my Roscoe 5, but have Fender P and Jazz bases and a Dingwall Combustion 5. I only play covers and always along to You Tube videos and CDs. How do you define musicality? Tone, note length, timing, attack / decay? A blend of all these things? Emotion / feel are they such a thing in shaping what come out to the listeners' ears? Are amps and cabs part of this (I switch between the Glock / BF BT II and my Markbass combo). I do know I play with a very light touch and need to butch up a bit on that, but what else can make a difference? Even on simple songs like Stir It Up where I match all the notes, when they are meant to happen and the right length, it still does not sound like reggae, just a collection of the right notes at the right time but without the love. [/quote] Have you tried videoing your practice sessions so you can look at your technique in the cold light of day? Camera 'phones are perfect for the job. It's a great way to really [i]see[/i] yourself. You can not judge what others hear or see while you are playing. You'll get there in small increments. Just don't loose the will and go stagnant like I have a few times in the past.

I bought my Steiny Spirit new from what used to be Digital Village. They price matched it to the one on the Thomann site at the time. They went bust shortly after. Now, I believe they trade as DV247. Although I researched online I made the purchase by telephone. I don't subscribe to Internet banking nowadays. The bass came set up with a low action that needed very little adjustment after bedding in. I thought all bassists tweaked their instruments. If you have any sort of mechanical sympathy you shouldn't go far wrong with minor adjustments on receipt of an instrument. As already mentioned above guidance is abundant on the 'net. If you want a super-duper set-up, I'd suggest you play the instrument as it is (if it is playable at all) for a bit first. If you do this before you hand the instrument over for an expert set-up it will give the strings, machine heads and saddles a work out that will remove production high spots and lessen the chance of you having to do another set-up before it is due.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1500761177' post='3340092'] I enjoyed that. As far as as tackling the Stick myself, I filed that under Too Difficult a long time ago. I still need to crack Travis picking! [/quote] Good lad. Just don't get your pickers in a twist by doing the Clawhammer pick on a guitar.