dave moffat

Thanks folks, to be fair I was (still am a bit) wary about this purchase. Yes its got the Markbass preamp. Playing on the 5th fret was sort of what I was thinking about, OK so my fretting was all over the place but I was able to cover the whole board without any problems so hoping it's just a case of getting stuck in and familiarising myself with it. It'll at least fit in with my Markbass ninja cab that should be here any day now.

Action Bass Deluxe Plus, cherry red sunburst.

I gave in to long term GAS today, I've been pondering adding a 5er to my stable for a while but for some reason it became irresistible today so went in to my local shop where I'd seen a Cort that looked like a decent enough tool to dip my toe into five string waters. The one I'd been resisting was gone but there was a better model that was still at a price I'm OK with. Had a play on it and while I found the extra string will take some getting used to I thought it was worth a punt. If I don't get on with it I won't be too bothered letting it go for something else. It's being set up and light strings added, I'll collect it tomorrow.

Not only tunes I've heard but sometimes I get riffs I don't think actually exist yet going on in my mind's ear. By the time I wake up enough crawl out of my pit, it's gone.

Not sure if it belongs in her so if it's in the wrong place feel free to delete or move it.

Did my first ever open mic last night, OK it was on zoom and harmonica not bass but the same nervousness applies. Thoroughly enjoyed myself and although I was up third I didn't freak and played my piece almost flawlessly. Very interesting with folk from around the world playing different styles of music. Only lasted an hour but I'd have been happy for it to last all night, I even had a second piece ready to go.

Strings Direct first choice for me

Yeah, I'm pretty much starting from a position of not having a cab with the capability I want at the moment, so starting from scratch, then thought about what I might need in the future. I had a long hunt through the markbass stuff and decided to go for 2x10, then looked at shape and weight I allready handle 20kg stuff routinely, so the 16kg of the 102 500 isn't an issue, if needed I've got a sack barrow anyway. I even considered the CMD 103. But I know how the minibass I'm planning on buying from Jabba sounds through the 102 which is probably what clinched it for me. It's due arrive in the first week of October.

Thanks, trigger pulled on the 500.

In the market for a decent cab with plenty of headroom for growth. Currently a bedroom bassist with ambitions and my existing ancient amp is pretty much past it. Was really impressed by Jabba's cab at the midlands bash and am looking at the above. Do I go for the 250 or splash out the extra £200ish and go for the 500. They both weigh the same at 16kg. I guess what I'm asking is whether the extra 250 watts would be worth it?

Yes, I have no idea about the technical side of things so please keep it simple.

Glad you got a pic of it, very special, wish I'd heard @verb on my uke showing how it should be done

Finally home, Great day well worth the travel and Premier Inn plastic breakfast. Some really nice examples of the Luthier's art. Just need to get in touch with Jabba to sort the exchange of funds and some P&P so I can have a NBD.

That tenor uke sized bass was brilliant.

@jebroad did an excellent job.

What a lovely, kind, generous, helpful bunch.

Well they let me over the border and I'm now in Derby. I has cake(S), got carried away, and a raffle prize.

No, but I've packed some herbal tea sunglasses live in the car. Must remember CAKE

hotel room booked, bag packed, Uke bass in case.

DVLA have very kindly renewed my licence (jeez what a pain that was), so I'm hoping to get down to this if I can sort out a hotel.

Looking to put names to faces and of course satisfy some GAS curiosity. Particularly looking at shorties, 5s and amps. Will bring my Bass Uke for giggles.

14 hours ago, grenadillabama said:

My new Hohner Rocket Amp has a hole that won't play in the 'blow' note. I think I can't blow air through it.The reed seems free to move. How can I fix It ?I can take the covers off.

Don't know,try stripping it right down and giving it a a good clean soak the reed plates for a while, then gently clean them brushing very gently along the reeds from their roots dab them dry and then let them finish air drying or nick a hair drier. Best to do it over a table or something with a tray underneath to catch the bits as you inevitably drop them. At least hat's the way I've learned to do it 🥴. I've got a complete maintenance/servicing kit coming this week.

Depending on how much you play them they reckon you should dry your harmonica after every play and a proper clean once a week. Hence I was seen lurking along in the Tesco beauty shelves yesterday looking for a cheap hair dryer.

Just bitten the bullet and signed up for a pretty intensive course, typically both my C harps decided to play up on the first day, both now cleaned, reassembled and playing well. Another session today.

2 more Special20 Cs ordered so I don't get left hapless in future along with a wee 2 octave Hohner Chromettat8 to live in my pocket as I prefer chromatic.

I now have C, A, Bb D, E, F and G Special20s, a Hohner Chrometta12 and a Swan professional1664 (in a bling GOLD finish) as the ordinary ones were out of stock and they'd chucked in a cheap blues in C as a freebie.

I find A to be the sweetest key to my ear, my harp collection is building faster than my Bass one.

Not quite sure how but I've gone down a Lady Antebellum rabbit hole. They've never been on my radar but quite enjoying chilling to them.

Bit of a slog but I'll be doing my best to get to this. Will put my GAS on hold until afterwards.

2 hours ago, Sarah5string said:

As a congratulations/birthday present my boyfriend took me to PMT in Birmingham and bought me a bass!!

Say hello to my new Fender Jazz 'American professional II'  

Reckon he's a keeper then

In my very limited experience learning bass its hasn't been the shape weight or style of the bass but more the 'OOH, that's purdy!' can I afford it?' that has influenced me. Once I get my precious home I find that the way it sounds very much influences how and what I play.

Uke - 50mm nut. very reminiscent of a DB, play mostly folk/country on it. Strings have been the biggest issue here and the only time I have really spent time and money getting something I'm happy with, finally settling on Aquila Thunderblacks.

Taylor acoustic mini - 45mm nut, folk/country

Ibanez SR x2 - 35mm nut, blues/rock/country

As you can see there's a fair variation in nut widths in there and I don't really have much of an issue adapting although the Uke can be a bit awkward on the E string. The span of my fretting (left) hand is almost 2" wider than my right, I worked really hard early on be able to cover 4 frets. I'm looking to add a 5er this year and was concerned that I might not manage fretting the width but I think the Uke has covered that for me.

I'm fairly selective about looks, then how it sounds, then price it would have to be gigging and sound really special to get me to part with over a grand. But for now I'm just a bedroom bassist playing for pleasure and learning as best I can.

Thunder of bassists

Shower of guitarists

Flash of singers

Deluge of drummers

Quite like Rumble though

🚀Just go for it.

Both

Proud Mary

Seven Bridges Road

< adds note to try Fender P, to list for next trip to music shop. I can see a whole day spent in a sound room coming up in July

I'm sure you'll nail it.

As a non-musical suggestion I'd get some Rosemary essential oil and either have it in a diffuser or dab a bit on a pulse point or a tissue. I've found it both relaxes and really boosts focus/concentration for exams/competitions when you really need to in top form.

Good luck (not that you'll need it)