Burns-bass

Right, I got this totally wrong. I picked up a Wav 4 for a really good price in mint nick. The stand is useless. So I swapped that for a really solid Pearl boom cymbal stand which is a huge improvement. The stock tuners are flimsy, but they can be replaced by Hipshots and the standard strings are more like electric bass strings. Its never going to replicate a DB perfectly but it’s actually a really useful practice aid and, I reckon, with a bit of work could be made to sound great amplified. I now need a set of used Spirocores to fit and try. Then we’re done. My initial views were based on using poorly set up and cheapo EUBs. I reckon the Wav 4 is a great set up to start with and I apologise for my slightly condescending first post. That’s not something you hear online too often!

In my experience it will sound pretty much identical to a fretless bass, which sort of negates the point. I wouldn’t look at the EUB as offering you anything different to an electric really. Appreciate you don’t have the space and perhaps the NS might actually be a good stepping stone toward a DB. Anyway, I’m not helping the conversation here so apologies for derailing.

Personally, if you want to play DB then buy a DB. It’ll help you to learn the correct fingerings and (with the help of a teacher) avoid you from falling into bad habits. Personally the NS stuff always feels to close to a guitar than a real DB. I’m sure others may disagree but I’d recommend attempting to fall in love with the big one. Best advice is to find a local music shop that rents them, you’ll be able to get a feel for it, find a teacher and have a crack without spending loads...

A Hiwatt DR103 for £200, a Wal Pro for £700 and a fair few other things. The best bargain I was ever part of want an instrument at all, but my brother negotiated to buy 5 sealed ABBA doll costumes for 75p at a car boot sale. We advertised them on eBay and they sold for almost a grand. He had people from all over the world contacting him and attempting to buy them. In the end they went to an ABBA museum or super collector apparently.

Use the phone. These guys are typically old school!

Cheers! To be honest, but the time I paid the train fair I’d be halfway to buying one anyway 🙂

Interesting. I’m still not sure I’ll get one, I just think the noise reduction could be really useful for home practice and I’d prefer an upright to an EUB any day of the week if I can manage it.

Interesting. If I add a practice mute to it then I think this could be perfect. I’Ve got a spare set of Spirocores I could chuck on it too. Hmm, lots to think about!

Hi, I’m intrigued by this. Can I ask how much quieter? I need a home practice bass and I was considering alternatives like the Kolstein and the Eminence but if this is a lot quieter than a ‘normal’ bass it could work for me. What do you think?

Nah, I’d cope with that.

Yeah, I think it could be the perfect solution short term. I can keep the Aguilar rig for electric bass and bigger gigs.

I should have bought it earlier shouldn’t I?!!

Interesting. I was considering the AER Basic Performer. Is that voiced for double bass? I should say, the more research I've done, the closer I am to a Greenboy and using the Tonehammer as the power section. I've got the gear, and sticking is sometimes better than twisting!

Good for you. Seems like you did it in the right way, too. I was told last week of a grown man not turning up to rehearsal and instead sending a Whatsapp message telling the band he’d quit then leaving the chat. Weird behaviour. Last band I left we had a bit of a row and the prima-donna guitarist told me to f*ck off and join a jazz band - which I did!

Ok. The problem I have is that the Fishman and the Aguilar are good, but the cabs have 12s which sound flappy and lack response. They also colour the sound to some degree, and they’re big too, so not particularly portable! Ive heard good things about the preamps and someone has kindly offered me one so I’ll get that, but I still think the problem will remain with the Aguilar. So any other views?

Really? I’ve got a Fishman Pro. I saw the HPF but aren’t they impossible to get in the U.K.? Willing to try it for £60 or whatever it costs...

Hi all, I play jazz upright in a few bands and looking to go out gigging and so I need an amp/combo. I have an aguilar Tonehammer rig that’s absolutely not perfect for the job so looking to add to my giggable rigs. Options are either of the Phil Jones combos on here or stumping up a bit more for a second hand AER combo. (Or something else?) What do people think? (I know acoustic image amps are meant to be the monkeys fandango but I can’t afford new and I need something relatively quickly so can’t wait for one to come up...) Budget is about £500 - £1000

Slap bass has no practical application in life or good music. It’s like learning to rap in Latin - technically impressive but entirely pointless.

He’s not very good but it’s pretty harmless, isn’t it? He’s not purporting to be an expert or offering a transcription, he’s just having a bit of fun. If he’s happy then good luck. Worse are the snake oil salesman peddling courses that will give you mega chops in seconds that will help you get all the gigs and girls. Everyone knows that if you want to warm money and gig every night then play DB.