Paul Seager

I have used D'Addario for years and never saw reason to change until a tousled hair Orang Utan started making noises in Washington. Shortly after I swore, no more American goods ... not an easy decision because there is so much quality and innovation. I strung my 2nd bass with Rotosound Swings and my first reaction was why did I ever change? Very good. For no reason than fun, my 2nd bass has become my 1st and the strings have been on it for 10 months and still sound fine (I'm not a brightness fan). I'm going to try the nickel set next but no more D'Addario for at least the next few years!

Like you I have been playing bass guitar for years. I started playing upright about a year ago and decided on a rented instrument, obtained through a professional violin builder. The instrument cost €40 per month and after 9 months I had the option to buy with rent deducted (which I did). My instrument is Romanian built, all hard wood and was professionally set up with Thomastik strings. My aim is to learn this instrument properly so I take instruction, I practice arco and pizz and you appreciate good strings and a good set-up particularly for bow work! At the instructor's, the student instrument is a Thomann. It's just fine, has a nice action and it's well maintained by the instructor but mine is far nicer in tone and play-ability. I think my advice is to set your aim and predict what instrument you want when you get closer. If it's simple country / rockabilly slap then you probably won't need another instrument after the Thomann and you'll appreciate the low financial outlay, particularly when the scuff-marks and scratches appear! \ paul

Hi, I'm an British ex-pat, living 25 years in South Germany (Augsburg). Been playing on and off over 40+ years as work / family allows. I started on upright about a year ago mainly to get that off my bucket list. It's been a hard transition but fulfilling because, for the first time, I've taken tuition. I also play and adore steel guitar (not the one with pedals) I play in a duo (bass & sax + our 2 voices), a jazz -guitar trio that keeps to the tradition of never being able to find the right direction(or gigs) and various bands that form when someone has a gig, agree a set over email and then play without rehearsal. I play steel in a tex-mex / western swing band. I'm a regular at local jazz, blues and Western Swing sessions. Gear: I have an Antoria White Eagle, Fender(s) Jazz and Precision, a Sei Flamboyant 6 and an Aria acoustic bass-guitar which I am curiously fond of. My upright is built in Romania, of all hard wood and fitted with a Shadow pick-up. My steel guitar is a 1956 Rickenbacker twin 8 string. I have a Mark Bass combo for gigs and a Phil Jones practice amp. I have an embarrassing number of effects pedals that I consistently and convincingly tell myself I need. Looking forward to interactions! \ paul