Trueno

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1472050803' post='3118027'] I used to have a summer job in a cannery. We made beans for a couple of supermarkets as well as a couple of well known brands, though they all came from the same factory, the recipes and manufacturing instructions were actually all slightly different. Maybe it's the same with strings? [/quote] The wonders of this forum and the people you meet on it never cease to amaze me. Funnily enough, I've fretted about the baked bean conundrum more than the string enigma... I've even thought about putting together a factory/bean family tree. 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.

I wonder how many come from the same factory (like baked beans do). That is genuine wonderment, by the way.

I have to say yes to this. Although I've tried all kinds if strings over the years and have my own preferences, I currently have Warwick strings on my Warwick and Fender strings on my Fender. I've swapped out the Fender strings a few times, but still keep putting the originals back on... I rather like the mighty tapered 110 E string.

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1471937599' post='3117022'] Hope this doesn't sound contrite but you would be better off spending the money on a few vocal coaching lessons to help improve your technique if you think you're a bit "nasaly" - is that even a word?! [/quote] This! Practice time beats cash spent on tin boxes. Plus... you may be critical of your own vocals, but how does it sound in the mix? Hitting the right notes (especially if you're singing harmonies) is most of the way there.

[quote name='bassjim' timestamp='1471879422' post='3116633'] I usually start to worry about the others to be honest..."is he going to do that embarrassing thing he always does, will she forget when to come in/shut up, will he get the tempo wrong, will that starship enterprise console of a keyboard rack crash....again........mid set, please god don't play the teddy bears f***ing picnic for the thousandth time in between numbers you muppet no one is impressed at all its like a form of musical tourette's, are you seriously wearing that?..." the list goes on... [/quote] Good point. I have my own list, but I'll spare you that.

[quote name='louisthebass' timestamp='1471851199' post='3116255'] I started at 48 - these are a great series of books to get you going too: https://www.basslinepublishing.com/bass-essentials.html [/quote] Never seen these before, they look really interesting.

Unless you bought a bass, hung it on the wall and just sit and look at it... I would say that everyone here is a proper musician. Even if you just bang out three chords or play root notes. The important thing is to do what you fancy and enjoy yourself. Funnily enough I answered the same way when the question came up on an acoustic guitar forum some years ago... I got savaged by some strange little guy for daring to suggest he was a musician. From the stuff he put on you tube he obviously played guitar 100 times better than I did. He must have had "issues" I think.

I got nervous on my very very first gigs... then I played so much I became rather relaxed about it all. Although I felt relaxed, I'd sometimes get a dry mouth, which indicated some andrenaline going on somewhere. When I played sax I remember playing at some packed venue, lights flashing, smoke machine billowing, dancefloor heaving... I was playing a solo and started thinking about my shopping list for the next day. That's when I decided it was time to quit and try something else... erm... bass playing, would'ya believe.

Never. Always play with fingers... always played fretless once I started serious gigging... wonder if fretless makes a difference?

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1471527683' post='3113699'] What's the problem with broken strings anyway - you've got at least 3 more haven't you? I thought you were bassists... [center] [/center] [/quote] That's sort of what I was thinking. There's not much to go wrong... even if the amp blew up I'm going through the PA. Not ideal but not fatal.

I'd forgotten Paul Brady... another excellent musician. Must say I've never heard of the Bogey Boys.

A celebration of Irish music... Excellent. I was a huge fan of Horslips (in particular), Planxty and Christy Moore. I also listened to the Joshua Tree non-stop when it first came out. Very much into the Frames for a while. Never managed to get into the Boomtown Rats for some reason.

During my sax-playing career I seriously thought about getting a "no I don't play ****ing Baker Street" T shirt printed up.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1471366885' post='3112559'] I've got a roll of that - the self-adhesive equivalent of a 6" nail. [/quote] That's the stuff. Anything gets stuck around this house... it stays stuck.

I use Gorilla tape. Some serious sh*t tape that is...

I do the "white-eared elephant" for a party piece.

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1471333930' post='3112128'] How about a vintage style Fender bridge with threaded saddles? Only a simple BBOT but the threaded saddles provide some flexibility for string spacing. Alternatively,Hipshot A and style bridges come in a variety of string spacing options. [/quote] I've got a fair bit of wiggle room with my F threaded saddles... in my case I adjusted the strings to optimise pole piece thingy in the pickups. I've also used a Hipshot A before.... solid bridges.

Excellent. With a ten minute set up/tear down time I might be persuaded to start gigging again myself.

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1471076027' post='3110339'] You already have. Welcome Glenn. There are plenty of folk like yourself and myself here as well as a wealth of talent and experience, oh... and wit. [/quote] ... and you forgot to add that we're all extremely good looking on this forum. Welcome, by the way

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1471071109' post='3110299'] Be aware there are some people reading Basschat who like nothing better than to drop those named players a heads up. [/quote] Can someone get in touch with Norman Watt-Roy and tell him he's my bass hero?

I had a Status-graphite fretless neck for a P bass. Absolutely superb and if I can fit one anyone can. Not the cheapest but you still have the original fretted neck to swap out when you fancy. I eventually sold mine for a decent price when I decided to go the whole hog and started playing Warwick fretless basses.

I think "semi-pro" is an important category. I started out as a hobbyist and without really realising it, worked my way up to weekend warrior and then ended up as a semi-pro. I was gigging about twice a week, all over the country, went part-time at work and seriously thought about giving up the day job. But... I decided the day job was easier. Anyway, I was made redundant and now spend most of my time going on holiday. No real intention of gigging again as too much stress is not good for my chronic health condition. Spend most of my days (when not on holiday) playing the flute... but girding up me loins to pick up the bass again.

Join a band. First band, maybe other people who are learning... have a laugh and make all your mistakes together, then do some gigs for friends and family. Next band, join a band were everyone else is better than you and do some serious gigs. I've got a Roland bass cube... it has a simple drum machine built in. You just choose a style, tap in a tempo and away you go... much easier than a drum machine and instant gratification. ... above all, have fun.