knirirr

This reminds me that at some point in the 90s there was an "April fool" article in a bass magazine about an electric tea chest bass supposedly about to be released. This was a Trace Elliot BLX combo with a carbon fibre broom handle on the top (complete with LED position markers IIRC) and a kevlar string. If anyone ever comes across a copy that would be amusing to see again.

This always sounds like "Stop in the neighbourhood" to my ears.

Does this count? Even if not, it's an awesome album. https://www.discogs.com/release/2001440-Monk-Montgomery-Bass-Odyssey

A Triumph (1990s Trident) did that to me, but chose a the side of the road halfway between home and work as the ideal spot. I have never tried a Rickenbacker, or even encountered one. They look interesting, but as there doesn't appear to be a fretless option with a blank fingerboard I'd be unlikely to buy one.

When it comes to space the Triumph is rather small when packed up, not much bigger than a bass guitar. Here it is propped in a corner, assembled and ready for use. A 3/4 DB usually sits in this corner and fits well enough. I was surprised when I got the acoustic that it was less of a nuisance to move about the house than expected.

Sorry, I didn't notice this thread earlier. I've got a Warwick Triumph and so could comment on it. As it happens I bought it to learn double bass technique and it is close enough to a DB (though a little more awkward to hold) such that what I learned transferred directly. It's an Eb neck which it turns out I like, but many DBs are D necks. There were two problems I had with it. The first was that the tuners are rather like bass guitar ones and couldn't handle proper DB strings, which I wanted to use, so I got them changed by a local luthier who also adjusted the bridge and fingerboard, declaring the instrument "not quite so alien as it first appeared" after they had worked on it. The second problem is that I am 6'3" and the end pin appears to be built for someone a foot shorter. This was solved by getting a length of copper pipe from a plumber, adding a walking stick rubber ferrule on the end and slipping it over the end pin. The tone is not bad, particularly after I had these strings put on. It sounds more-or-less like an amplified double bass.

Last night's gig was at "The Shed" in Charlbury; two sets, with a reading from a local author's book in between. Not bad at all, though due to an unfortunate accident I was using an EUB. I've not tried this particular instrument for gigs before and in the end it produced a reasonable tone, even with the bow.

Never for anything music-related, sadly. But, on a few occasions I've been asked to sign copies of a book I wrote.

My house is small. So: 1x double bass. 1x EUB. 2x fretless bass guitars (one is listed for sale here) 1x fretted BG, 5 string. I don’t play the last of these as it is a micro scale and too fiddly, but my other half is using it.

If Carnival of the Animals is of any interest then "The Elephant" is fun to play with the aid of a pianist or backing track.

Always a good idea to have that on hand. I also have a stash of these in the car as well in case of surprise migraine. During the gig mentioned here I was somewhat off-balance but at least the initial effects of the illness earlier in the week (collapsing on the floor and vomiting) didn't manifest themselves.

I got a big fat book of jazz licks, all in bass clef. Nice!

Probably this bow. When I picked it up in the shop I intitially thought it too tip-heavy, but then I tried it out and even on the beginner bass in the shop it felt great. It has taken over from one of these, which I have kept for "last note of the ballad" jazz jam duties.

A good question. If I decide that I need the money or could do without a particular bass and list it for sale, it is highly unlikely that anyone will be interested.

I have indeed! The sound was nice but I found the neck small and fiddly and it was hard to tune. A shame as it would be good for this jam.

Last night there was an extra jazz jam in the usual pub, but tucked away in an area with a low ceiling to free up more space for dining. Therefore, I took a fretless bass guitar rather than a double bass so that I could much more easily fit into the space. I overheard a guitarist complaining to the drummer that "there's nothing quite like the sound of a double bass, though." As I said to him at the time, there's nothing quite like the sound of a bass guitar either; it's a great instrument that is not necessarily inferior to the upright, merely different. As it happens it was rather pleasant session; I got to sit in a comfy chair and play for two hours without having sore fingers at the end, as well as taking various solos in what would be thumb position without having to worry too much about dodgy intonation or fumbling the strings. The next one is in the same place so I look forward to another relaxing evening.

Last night's gig was a local fundraiser. Inoffensive background straight-ahead jazz required, so we prepared a set list full of ballads &c. and invited a vocalist to join us for them, thinking our clarinetist could play the heads of any instrumentals, take various solos etc. The usual pianist was unavailable so we had a dep. guitarist. He sounded like a proper jazz guitarist but was inexperienced (2nd time playing in public) so was only willing to take solos on two tunes. A mere 15 minutes before starting we got a message from the clarinetist that he hadn't felt well during the day and thought that he wasn't up to it. But, by padding things out with bass solos and the vocalist playing a baritone horn (almost left behind as she thought it wouldn't be needed) for heads/solos we managed to get away with it. The audience were pleased, so it must have been a success.

This is a good one, I think:

West Oxfordshire (around Chipping Norton) and I'd rather not post this, I'm afraid, as it would be rather uneconomical. Sorry about that.

Approx. height is 65 cm at full extension. The legs are supposed to fold but are rather stiff. As someone asked when I posted this elsewhere, pen not included - sorry.