chris_b

I thought I didn't need to worry about solo's and never made the leap to constructing a well crafted, intelligent bass solo and I know I've lost gigs as a result. These days, being a good meat and potatoes player can leave you on the back foot when you're up against some of these Uni educated players. The "twiddly" playing bit of my brain never developed and as I say I wasn't picked for a pretty good band because of that! My advice is always be the most complete player you can be. Even if you're just playing with your mates, try to be competent in all aspects of bass playing.

You then get to the stage where your damaged hearing seems to get even more damaged more easily! There's carelessness and there blind f***ing stupidity. No discussion, if you're playing occasionally or regularly in a band you [i]need[/i] hearing protection.

Thanks josie.

The moral is, always play the gear that sounds and plays the best to you. I've tried several very expensive basses and preferred the less expensive bass I already own. A few years ago I tried to down grade my gear to less expensive stuff but it didn't sound right, so everyone has their tipping point where the cost and playability are in balance.

Sad news, again. It also means our band leader will be digging out all the MA songs we haven't done for years.

Beautiful work. I'm impressed. How long did that take?

I don't understand why anyone should have a problem with the concept of bass solo's or solo bass [b]or using bass as a lead or melodic instrument (added for Dad3533)[/b]. Especially other bass players! Surly the only criteria relates to the ability of the player and whether he makes the playing interesting. Edit to add some detail - in bold.

[quote name='josie' timestamp='1479165109' post='3174526'] It's a museum quality piece on 2mm needles, [/quote] Pictures or it didn't happen. . . . !

So Dave they are so bad that you've got several lying around? I don't own any basses I don't like.

This is what shops say when they haven't got one. That's exactly what Plek's do when they initially map the neck when it's under under tension. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG4BOLlKOb4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG4BOLlKOb4[/url]

In the early days he was also part of the Phil Spector "Wall of sound".

[quote name='Jam' timestamp='1479115117' post='3173944']Recently I've noticed some bad habits with my technique, mostly with my fretting hand. Rather than keeping my fingers curved they tend to be straight when I fret, pressing down with the pad rather than the top of the fingertips. [/quote] Is this a problem that is [i]actually[/i] causing you difficulties when you're playing, or is it just something you [i]think[/i] you should be doing differently? My experience of 50 years playing bass at all levels, is that I play with mainly straight-ish fingers and use the pads of my fingers. As do may top players on YouTube videos. As long as you can hit all the notes you need to hit, on time and without any stress to your hand I don't see any "bad habits" here. You might need to use the top of your fingers if you are playing 2 notes or more at once, when you need more than 1 string to ring out, but for single notes, pads and straight-ish fingers is a standard technique. Economy of movement is also an objective when your rehearsing or playing for hours. As long as you can switch between the appropriate techniques when required you're fine. Also it's better to use 1, 2, 4 fingering for the lower frets. Don't use one finger per fret until you are so far up the neck that the fret spacing doesn't cause you to stretch.

Very sad news. Two of my favourite numbers, Joe Cocker's Delta Lady and Freddy King's Going Down, were written by LR.

Are you talking about an attic room or loft space? If you mean an attic room I would imagine that's OK. A loft is very different. The floor of our loft space is very well insulated which means in the roof space the heat in summer and cold in winter is very extreme. That would not be good for the storage of musical instruments. Your loft may be different. I'm afraid that my solution to space problems and too many basses would be to sell some of them.

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1479036454' post='3173412']When I've played P-type basses I've not been able to hear myself through the rest of the band.[/quote] I'd say that's either an effect of bad EQ from the guitarist(s) or keyboard players or you need to raise the cab or you just need to turn up. Everyone hears me when I play my P bass! I don't play with bad guitarists but I am always telling keyboard players to lay off the left hand and take the low bass out of their sound.

You need a plan. You want a gig on a ship and for that you'll need to read music. Get a teacher who will help you achieve the plan to a time scale. . . . 6 months? A year? Do it. You have no responsibilities or ties at the moment and you have a "trade" you can fall back on at a later date. Get a 5 string bass. Playing across the fretboard is easier than playing up and down when you're reading. Good luck.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1478999059' post='3173271'] . . . the guys will always say of they like something, or prefer the previous etc. I don`t think there`s anything wrong in a band knowing what fits their sound best and letting the band members know that. [/quote] +1

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1478957302' post='3172957'] I've never 'got' Pink Floyd, and what I have heard does absolutely nothing for me. [/quote] This was me until I was given a ticket to see Dave Gilmour at the Albert Hall last year. What an amazing show.

Real men laugh in the face of comfort zones. Go for it.

Are the strings buzzing? Is there actually a problem? Unless there's more to this than the picture is showing, I don't see a problem with these frets at all. Fret clank? New frets won't stop clanking if it's caused by your technique. Don't hit the strings so hard or take the bridge up a little.

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1478953847' post='3172915']For me, instantly recognising a familiar chord sequence takes away from the effect of the lyrics and melody.[/quote] If people were worried about the chord sequences you've used then you haven't written a very good song.

. . . . because it's the melody, words and voice that matters in a song.

They've apologised and explained the mix up. Cock-ups happen. I'd give it another go. Get a mobile number so you can check on the day.

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1478880418' post='3172388']No one is telling me what bass to play[/quote] I don't get the "digging heels in" approach. If anyone has a constructive comment on my gear, technique or style I'll listen. Sometimes other people's opinions will be valid.