SpondonBassed

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1472075798' post='3118395'] I'm not sure bar and pub gigs are the same.Might be a good thread and discussion. [/quote] I agree. I would also extend that particular discussion to cover the big differences in how bands are enjoyed in every country, not just yours and mine. I have an eye on Europe. Germany being one of the time honoured places where work used to be plentiful for small bands. Imagine how it'd be to do some of the beer festivals.

uBasses.

[quote name='funkgod' timestamp='1472088838' post='3118455'] ...and the knocking will be tighter than a gnats chuff. [/quote] Sounds like a dodgy Thai brothel just after opening time.

If... I had any inclination to buy a relic like one of JB's used guitars, I would lend it to a museum of rock rather than keep it in my domain. I can't say that having one would enhance my playing. I can say that it would be a boost to my ego but little else. I might play one just to see what it felt like but the idea of using such an instrument for my own purposes would seem too much like I was trying to sit on the shoulder of a giant. Miss you Jack.

In a well set up instrument a slight concave bow is to be expected. It must not however be such that you get unrelated frets buzzing between your fretting finger and the bridge. Adjustment of the saddles may help by raising the string action but it may be unpleasant to play. If that's so, you might need help. You could try light gage strings I suppose but you would be avoiding the issue if there really is one. That's my opinion - for what it's worth. I hope you get enjoyment from your new acquisition anyway.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1472063783' post='3118164'] I get mine custom wound at Newtone [/quote] Newtone are fairly local to me and I've had a set of DBEs off of them. Quite satisfied with them as the chappie measured up for them and the taper on the B is just so. At the time I wasn't going to order off the 'net because I wanted to see which would be quicker, custom made or wait for one of the Derby big boys to get them in. Newtone won by a couple of weeks! Scandalous.

[quote name='Trueno' timestamp='1472056088' post='3118084'] It's bean night tonight and I'll be comparing Branston vs Sainsbury's own.... the Branston's went a bit iffy a few months ago. Anyway... I won't derail the thread any more. [/quote] ...and nobody light a match for a bit.

[quote name='Skinnyman' timestamp='1472023293' post='3117675'] The Steinberger is a great little bass but it's a bit idiosyncratic and I found the absence of a headstock really off putting - my concern is that you'd get used to not having one and then find it hard to adjust to a "normal" bass. [/quote] I have little difficulty in switching back and forth between headless and standard. You get used to it and adapt. As Josie said however, Try some different instruments out on a strap if you can before you decide. Neck dive can be an issue with many instruments so choose a body shape that works well for your posture.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1471975519' post='3117417'] The set back with You Tube as far as a complete beginner is concerned is that there are very few lessons that work chronologically, i.e. start basic and build from there. [/quote] That's a good point. For myself, I had a head start in my twenties so take my following comment from that standpoint. In addition, having difficulties with authority figures I can't really get on too well with tutors. It would take a really special one for me to feel comfortable. Yooboob is excellent for getting ideas however. People unashamedly show how good or bad they are so you can learn from the mistakes of others just as well as by making your own. Sometimes you get isolated bass tracks of well known arrangements that give an insight to ensemble playing that is hard to appreciate otherwise. The free taster lessons as you say are not part of a structured curriculum (until you subscribe paid or otherwise) but they can be educational just the same if you stretch yourself. My eyesight has deteriorated to the point where I can study tab or dots given a lot of time to do so but I can't sight read so I use my time to suit me rather than lock into a schedule of lessons. I am not recommending the "grasshopper" approach you understand, merely saying that it is a means to make progress in the direction I want to go more easily. I would say that with a view to recovering from memory problems structured lessons are highly suitable.

[quote name='Stoatbringer' timestamp='1471972625' post='3117380'] Hi... I'm getting on a bit (49!) and a few years ago suffered a brain aneurysm which left me with a few memory problems. Anyways.. it was suggested to me that I take up an instrument to help my brain and help stave off possible dementia and after a few weeks of thinking about it I've decided to take up the bass. Anyone got any advice on how to get started? Are there any good bass teachers in the Bromsgrove/Worcestershire are? I was looking to get a Steinberger XT-2. Is it a sensible enough choice for a first instrument? What are the chances of scoring one second hand and where should I be looking for one? Is a small practice amp going to be all I need for a while or do I load up a combo amp on my credit card? Are there any other "must have" items I need to budget for? Any help or advice would be gratefully appreciated. Any abuse and wragging will also be welcome as long as it's funny. [/quote] Welcome Stoatbringer! Great name. I returned to bass late in life having flirted with it in my youth. You might find that posting this in the Introduction section may help. I got my Steiny XT25 for about two hundred and fifty quid from Digital Village's (now defunct) website a couple of years ago. They dropped their price to match Thomann's price online. I had a 12 watt Marshall bass practice combi but never thought much of it. For another hundred and sixty quid I got a new 65 watt Laney combo with a 12 inch speaker. I would recommend no less than that wattage even if you never take your guitar out of the bedroom. There are some frighteningly powerful compact combis out there that would outperform mine and all. Oh, get a tuner that you can plug in line and learn to tune up silently. You will be making enough of a row at first without persecuting everyone around you whilst tuning up. Heeheehee, good luck.

[quote name='Number6' timestamp='1472038014' post='3117874'] What atrings do Yamaha use? I know i still have the originals on my Yam 424x because they sounded and played really well. [/quote] Er... Kawasaki?

I think I'd rather have Jack Bruce back thanks.

[quote name='darkandrew' timestamp='1471987876' post='3117534'] If you have a Music Man, do you use Ernie Ball strings? If you have a Fender, do you use Fender strings? If you have a Warwick, do you use Warwick strings? ETC and if so do you find that the strings better suit the bass when they are from the same manufacturer? [/quote] Hell no! The over used claim that only replacements from the manufacturer will work well and not reduce your expensive toy to ruin - is pants. Use your good judgement and make your own decision because (as pointed out in The Life of Brian) "YES! We are ALL individuals". [i][b][size=2]Comments optimised for clarity in this consumer driven market.[/size][/b][/i]

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1471936466' post='3117015'] True, but sometimes a little guidance can help you find things that you could miss/overlook on your own. I got into Dylan this way. [/quote] Thanks for that. My feelings precisely. Dylan being a cracking example because I hated him for his looseness and in particular his heehaw gob iron style. I scratched the surface a little and discovered that he had what people LOVE, musical ability enough to makes his words heard but not intimidatingly good for singing to. I think I need to hear Victor in a different setting to what gets put on yooboob. The post you quoted from had some pointers for me to consider. It's too early for me to call time on Wooten's work and say "That's that." wouldn't you say? It's never too late to learn.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1471934353' post='3116997'] His other gigs range from Bela Fleck, through to Chick Corea and pretty "normal" bass lines on Keb Mo's record of a few years ago. [/quote] I'll have a crack at those then. Ta.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1471900164' post='3116879'] It was quite alright and used it in a few gigs as I get sometimes a kick out of playing a ridiculously cheap bass. It upsets snobs [/quote] I like your style.

[quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1471898891' post='3116856'] It's funny. This post has been bubbling up in me over the last few weeks, months even. <snip> Can't argue with the impressiveness. Thing is, I rarely ever sit down to listen to music with the intention of being impressed. <snip> What do you guys think? [/quote] First, I am glad you vented your feelings here else it might have resulted in a rather long and nasty fart. As it is the brain fart that resulted is bound to be controversial. Second, What you describe reminds me of the old school High Fidelity "enthusiasts" (fanatics, if you will). More fuss is made over the means of getting the sounds than over the sounds themselves. I always bought sound systems to listen to music with and I get bored when the p33ing contest starts at the meeting of two such creatures. Similarly, VW impresses me about as much as much. All of the clips of him are demonstrative of how good he is. None of them show him really enjoying himself. Third, does the above answer the question? I can't knock Victor. I haven't gone looking for any albums with him playing though. That's how entertained I was by what's been posted of his work. Can someone convince me otherwise because he seems like a nice lad otherwise?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1471872486' post='3116550'] Heft isn't a flavour of the month - it's a force of nature. [/quote] My apologies. How about "Loudness" buttons then? Okay it'd have been a really long month but I'm not very bright.

Good one. You'll be fine. Enjoy it as the adventurous experience it will be instead of worrying about how you might cock it up.

Er... Heft?

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1471858674' post='3116344'] She looks as if she was was the one singing with Moving Hearts on this Welsh TV special I saw. Would that be so? [/quote] It would not be beyond the bounds of possibility I'd say but this might help you find out: http://www.irishmusiclegends.com/

[quote name='sharkboy' timestamp='1471802137' post='3116006'] Knowing a couple of the guys from The Bankrobbers, I'd suggest that although they may be from Belfast, they would associate much closer with the parameters of "Irish" that the OP set out! [/quote] May I point out that I don't set the parameters of what is or isn't Irish nor did I say anything to suggest so. In the North of Ireland six of Ulster's nine counties are British. Everything else is Irish, the rest of Ulster, all of Connacht, Munster and Leinster - all twenty six counties of it. You've given me some homework to do however as I am new to some of the bands in your list. I'll enjoy catching up with that, thanks for the linkage. Cheers

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1471792139' post='3115897'] I'm interested to see others list past flavours of the month though. Remember it doesn't have to be things that have vanished, just not as talked about or as valued or as in demand. [/quote] Vuvuzela!

[quote name='bassbiscuits' timestamp='1471723823' post='3115390'] Anyone tried this, or know of any other methods worth trying? [/quote] Take up a less smelly instrument? [Ducks]

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1471773002' post='3115679'] I assumed we were talking about lesser known (but still amazing..) Irish bands. No doubt Gallagher and Lynott are up there with the best. [/quote] Yes, we are. The only limitations I had in mind (and they're fairly loose anyway) were for the bands to be Irish (Republic of) in origin and that the tunes are less well known than the big chart hits. The less well recognised work of well known bands for example. Songs that deserve a dusting off now that they aren't overshadowed by the successful hits. The bands that didn't get massive exposure are welcome too. It's turning out to be a rewarding thread. Keep it going, we may beat the disco thread yet, heeheehee.