dclaassen

I think “perfect “ may mean several things. I have had basses that felt great the first time I picked them up…a 63 Jazz springs to mind. Then there are basses that take some time to appreciate…my 78 RD Artist and this current MPV are examples…not love at first sight, but they just keep growing on you. These usually end up being the better tools for me, and the ones I keep.

I am relatively new at 5'ers but, so far, here is my experience... -Heavier gauge strings have a more profound overtone "thump"...I use a 125 B with light gauge Elixer nanowebs -I raised the action a bit...that seemed to help clarify the tone..kinda like a classical guitarist does -Find the "sweet spot" on your bass. Mine is pretty even, but, still, it sounds great on all strings between the 5th and 12th fret. -If you are playing with fingers on your right hand, try "floating" your thumb over the strings, muting when needed, instead of anchoring somewhere. I got this from a really great bassist I know, and it have really cleaned up my 5-string playing. Not so noticeable on a 4. -Use a light touch on the B string. Hope some of this helps. I have not played many other 5 string basses and am a bit spoiled with mine. I think the Ebony board helps as well.

I think you nailed it....:)

Florida is to the US what Essex is to the UK.....just sayin'

Honestly...I come from small-town, rural Nebraska and I really do love my little village...

Ahh...thanks!

Nope...just feel like him...random American stumbling through and learning how to love the UK...

Lots of experience, and willing to sit in for country, rock, blues, pit work, some jazz ( I do read charts pretty well). I have good transportation and good gear, tend to play simply and get out of everyone else's way. Willing to do dep work to get more well known in this area (Cambridgeshire). BTW, as an American (retiring here) I am unfamiliar with the word "dep"....we would say "Sub"...just curious what "Dep" is short for....

I'm more Ted Lasso about most tea.....

I have never actually boiled strings. Maybe I don't have that much oil on my skin or something, but strings seem to last forever for me....

Funny, my nanowebs don't look like that...did someone sneeze on them?

I'm left-handed, so can coil my own leads, just no one else's. Pedantic point....in sailing, this method is call "faking" (as opposed to "flaking" which is what you do with sails).

https://fb.watch/ap2HGZ5_v8/

Or "never play in a band that has a Hammond Organ complete with Leslie if the gig is up 2 flights of stairs".......(actually did this once)

well stated!

Context is, in fact, not everything. Language is designed in such a way that words do have exact meanings, which are consistent. You can quote context to say that yellow is green, but would, in fact, be inaccurate. Woke culture suggests that words, facts, etc are subject to contextually based definitions. Many of us would disagree. Also, consider taking all of this conversation a bit less seriously....... please.....

I would not like to travel that much at this point.....used to do one-night stands 200 miles away..not fun!

I had an RD artist for that kind of thing....

We could waste a whole set on Freebird....seriously...:)

Sounds like a blast! I think my favorite right now would be a southern rock/rockabilly band. I could play Skynard all night if someone would pay me....

I used to make more on the weekends than I did on my "day job". ....not really interested in playing quite that much right now. To be honest, I'd be happy playing or practicing once a week, and getting my name out there. I've played country, country rock, 60's-90's rock, big band swing, modern jazz (not my fav), blues, etc.....

This sounds good. In my past experience, we have a dozen or so bands all doing roughly the same thing. Playing in two bands at the same time was not seen as "cool" at all. I think I would love to sub some, and also play a bit of different music...

When I was gigging every weekend, we almost never practiced. I also used to sub a lot, because of my exposure to a lot of different types of music, and ability to read. I don't want to play a lot right now, as we have other interests as well, but would not mind doing more than I currently am.

Len, It does help, very much..thanks! The group I am currently playing with has not gigged and practices about twice a month. I am not sure where they are headed as I am new to the UK gigging scene and so want to keep a lower profile. I am looking forward to retirement in about 2 years or so, then will want to play a bit more, I think.