geoffbassist

That is a beautiful thing! :-)

Congrats! A NDBD is a very special thing :-)

nice job, it looks and sounds great!

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1432569156' post='2782764'] Blimey! When Geoff doesn't play the world really does stop turning. I never thought things like that happen to you youngsters. So sorry to hear, Geoff, and hope it's not long before you get back to full strength again. [/quote] Thanks Roger :-) I'm feeling back to normal and am even well enough to visit the ISB convention in the US next week! Exciting times. BTW, here's the riff I was practising after my break that I mentioned earlier. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oNr8S4lfU8[/media]

Hey BOTB. I've just had a very similar experience. I've recently been sick and unable to play at all for 3 weeks. I'm feeling well and back to full strength, but was feeling really weak in my left hand especially. I think the only really thing is to enjoy coming back and feeling fresh and to do slow, regular practice sessions. I also came up with a pull off riff to try and focus on something that would be a workout for the left hand and fun to play. I ended up filming a lesson on that and it's out this Thursday. Really any playing will help you, but I found the pull offs a good challenge and fun as I'm also working on those Ray Brown style pull off fills at the moment..... Plus I'm feeling so excited to play again it's been a fun experience getting back in the practice room and like you I was surprised that my intonation hadn't completely fallen apart. :-) Best of luck getting back in the saddle and thanks to everyone who recommended my lessons, Cheers Geoff

Congrats on the gig and the video sounds great. I'm sure the more hours you put it in easier it will become. The easier it is the more relaxed you are so can play for longer which means you keep improving. So it's a compound effect and you are definitely on the right path. :-)

I played a Maruszczyk hollow body 30" scale at the LBS and absolutely loved it. I can't say enough good things about what these basses. They were so playable and I loved that instrument...Great to see some new designs expertly build.

Congrats Chris! It looks like a superb bass :-)

Great choice Chris and I'm looking forward to seeing your new bass.

Travis is a great bassist and teacher. I would recommend him if you are looking for a dedicated bass tutor.

I've had the relief operation on both hands about 8 years ago and it's worked out really well for me. I'm pretty much 100% back to normal. I spent a very expensive year trying every possible option before deciding I had to go for the op. I'm really happy I did as I would have had to stop playing otherwise. The only thing I would say to people is to be very clear that you have Carpel Tunnel and not another similar issue, but if you are confident that is the problem and have tried the non intrusive treatments then I would consider the op.

That's so good!

Beautiful playing Jay, thanks for sharing it and I love your tone. Sounds awesome and your playing is really melodic too.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1421852881' post='2665791'] Loving the bow work Geoff! , I am using my misery stick more and more during my practice sessions and I am getting better, I do find it hard to 'start' the strings on mine, how would you rate the Zyex to my Spiro weichs and your regular Evah Pirazzi weichs for arco? I am still learning how much and how little rosin to add and I haven't put any on for a while with better results if anything, Owens advice of tilting the bow at the bass bash helped me a lot (Thanks Owen ) and I have a lesson coming up with Jake fairly soon if the planets line up so I will make some screeching noises for him then, I like the deeper sound (to my ears) that your bass has normally compared to mine but then the clarity and brightness is probably best for a novice like me? Thanks again, Pete. [/quote] I think that starting the note is a really key thing to get right and being able to grip the string, then release the note is the key to avoid 'skating'. I've got plans to do some arco lessons in the next few months....BTW I was depping on a show and the regular bassist asked if I was a bow dodger...what a cool expression! To my ears the Zyex feel like a string that sits inbetween Evahs and Spiros in the spectrum and I think the Evahs (weich and regular) bow a little easier than the zyex, but it's really that the Zyex are brighter so less forgiving and have a slightly more cutting tone, but not as direct as the Spiros. I actually really like the Zyex for arco and they can sing out well, but I also love the Evah wiech strings and usually end up back with those after trying new strings. I would stick with what you have on your bass Pete (Spiros?) as they really worked! I'm looking forward to doing some more gigs with the Zyex and will be interesting to see if I end up back with the Pirastro's....frankly both are really nice and work well on my bass, but I can't help tweaking! BTW, I just released a lesson on changing strings. It's a really tricky thing and there's a lot of different ways to do it, but I hope there's some cool tips which will help make it as quick and easy for string addicts like me :-) http://youtu.be/zBxnF-mmIWI

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1421669866' post='2663720'] I'm only an hour from manchester if you want to try a Gedo, mine is half carved, adjustable bridge,real ebony board and tail and had thomastik spirocore weichs fitted by Gedo from new. Geoff from discover double bass and Jake Newman both members here have given it a thumbs up, I imagine I would need to spend nearer 3k to make a vast improvement and even then my skill level is far below the Gedo and probably always will even though I'm getting better on it. Do you head south much, I'm not too far from junction 14 M6. [/quote] +1 I love Pete's bass and it's incredible value. I've also played a Westbury which I liked as well. The key thing is the set up and Sam Wells has a first class reputation and he may even be able to give you a heads up on a good second hand instrument. I've also heard on the grapevine that Thomman are now offering a service where they set up the bass as requested and even fit a new set of strings if needed...which pretty much any new budget bass would. If they did a great job it would be well worth considering. Best of luck finding your new beauty!

Here's a bit of a different one guys, it's a quick string review video with some pizz and arco examples of D'Addario Zyex Lights. I was filming a lesson on changing strings and tried these out for the first time so thought I would share my thoughts. http://youtu.be/CWACwP-cvNI

[quote name='Bob G' timestamp='1421452331' post='2661617'] Hi Geoff, I am new to double bass (2 days in!) although I've played bass guitar on and off (mostly on) for nearly 40 years. I've only briefly perused your lessons, but from what little I've seen I think they will be right up my street. Thanks for all the time and effort which you must have put into it [/quote] Hey Bob, thanks, I really appreciate that and I hope you enjoy your new bass :-) [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1421509206' post='2662101'] Excellent as ever Geoff, I loved the walking in thumb position around 14.30, brilliant! OK I am off to practice, I promise [/quote] Great mate, I hope you're doing well Pete! Cheers Geoff :-)

It's a superb bass, I've played a few gigs on it and really enjoyed it. Very lightweight and fun to play.