Burns-bass

I don’t think that’s really fair. People (including me) have politely suggested that over 300 years of technique might be worth studying, if only to avoid busting your hands up. Playing with low tension strings is fair enough. You don’t really need the “conventional” technique (note I didn’t say correct) but if someone new to DB tries that with Spiros or something else they could really hurt themselves. It’s friendly advice from people who’ve have made mistakes. I’ve suffered with sore hands and injuries from poor technique and solving it has been a revelation. I’d say advice is delivered in the same way your build thread has inspired others to approach restoring double basses on a sympathetic and professional way. Anyway, good playing HP and hope you’re enjoying the gigs.

It’ll be brilliant fun. There are lots of great books on jazz improvisation. I’d also recommend ready a music theory book or two if you have access to one to brush up on some of the fundamentals. I’ll see if I have a spare one somewhere.

Looks brilliant! I used to do a jazz session like this. We’d discuss a tune, explore the structure and the scales that could be used to solo. Then we’d run the tune and solo over the top. Was great fun. This seems really reasonable price, too.

Don’t get the hate for tab really. I did a dep gig Saturday and had chord based lead sheets printed by the leader. That’s tab, effectively, and was good enough for us all as we knew the rhythm. If it helps you play music, then crack on!

I had the same thing, so I pretty much gave up electric bass. In fact, I only ever play EB when I need to. Double bass has filled a part a part of my soul, and the people I’ve met while playing have been infinitely better. Find something else to spend your time on and come back to it if / when you want.

Some people don’t like tab, but I say anything that gets you playing is good in my eyes. I can’t talk for Brazilian music, but resources like Songster are pretty good. ChatGPT can also generate tab, too, but I don’t know how accurate it may be.

Brilliant!

That’s a great looking setup.

First ever wedding dep gig. It was well paid but what an odd existence it must be to play these week in and week out. Finally paid the last instalment on my summer holiday which has 100% been paid with gig fees. Room just boomed and boomed.

What a cool story. I’ve never really understood the appeal of signatures, if I’m honest, but it’ll make a wonderful conversation piece for the studio!

Looks great. Where did you get it from? Provenance is a big thing, of course.

We’re all different and beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I can’t see the appeal here.

Personally, I’d divorce you if you bought something so horrid! A Hawkes double bass is a different matter…

If say 60% of the value after a rehair.

Yep. Sterling work! This thread should hopefully inspire others, too, which is great.

Wonderful to bring such a cool bass back to life.

Good advice. If you look like you’re having fun, they’ll have fun.

Remember every person in the venue wants you to do well…! I don’t really get nerves anymore because over time you realise that confidence is a veneer. Enjoy every minute and play the best you can and you’ll be fine.

This is great advice. The amount of hassle removed by consulting an expert is great. We recently played a new venue that the owner had spent thousands of pounds doing up. Alas he hadn’t spoken to a sound expert and the room was boomy and horrid. A few hundred would have made a world of difference.

Problem is you don’t know what’s causing it. I had a bass rattle yesterday on stage. Turned out to be a loose tuning key. Could equally have been the end pin, pickup or, well, lots of things. I once had a rattle one a gig and it stopped after sort of banged the bass on the side. Didn’t return and I thought it better to leave it that way.

This makes all sense. You’ll never get rich selling a used DB. It may be worth £1000 when fixed up, but factor that it when considering the space needed to store the thing too!

This sounds ace.

Just played to 400 or so Swedish Bluegrass fanatics at a festival by a lake. I’m taking the photo, not in it!