dclaassen

After a lot of backing and filling, I’m going to start using the 4 string jazz in the country band, a fretted and/or fretless 5 for jazz or other more complicated things. If I was to dep in a new band, I’d use a 5 because I think faster in 5. 4s are generally more fun to play though. J and Pedulla have Elixer Nickels, Spector has LaBella low tension flats. 

I've been in a couple of bands that have broken up in slow motion...:)

As an American who has lived here in the UK for 20+ years, I find that the two cultures are very different. I come from the rural Midwest (Nebraska) so have a view that is skewed by limited exposure to more urban forms of music. The bands I played in while in the States did classic country, guitar rock, and very little else. I don't know if that's macho or not....maybe utilitarian and/or accessible might be better words. I had never heard of Status Quo until I came here. for example, and anything Southern Rock, except maybe very popular Skynard and ZZ Top, and pretty much unknown to the guys I played with. This is not said from a judgmental view...I'm retiring here because I love it, but simple observations. 

I can tell you that our prefereces for classic rock are a lot different. I was playing with a group of guys my ages (all Brits, except me) and asked if they do any Seeger....they did not know who that was. Lots of differences in music from the mid-60's to at least the 80's. 

Also, country music...what is the deal with Country Roads? Nobody would play that as a country song in the states (remember what Charlie Rich did with JD's CMA announcement), but folks go wild for it here....and they've never even been to West Virginia. 

I’m not convinced that the CS master builds are for me, and I’m a gear snob. I’d take a Pentabuzz and a Mexican P with any change.

Is the stand included?

1 hour ago, EliasMooseblaster said:

Another one enforcing the 34" hegemony, I'm afraid - the majority of my bass guitars are all that scale length, but I've had a few exceptions over the years, and enjoyed all of them. Didn't realise my 8-string was a 30" scale until I got it home, but it's been a blessing in disguise: the "official" Hagstrom strings are nigh-on-impossible to come by, but because the design only allows through-body stringing, I can get them up to appropriate tension with a 34"-scale D'Addario set!

 

(The biggest shock was moving to a 35" fretless and realising my intonation was all over the shop...)

It takes a while to get used to the longer scale fretless. After quite a bit of work, my intonation is kinda tolerable.

I used to play through one of these…honestly the best I’ve ever used! I wish I wasn’t such a cheap old basted.

3 hours ago, acidbass said:

I was a full time musician/music teacher in my early 20s and grew to hate music.  As has been echoed above - I love it as a hobby and hate it as a job.

Been teaching school music since 1980 and loved almost everything about it

Played full time around the midwestern US many years ago. It was fun then, but would not be now.

Horses for courses…I’ve had brilliant results from Elixers, both on my fretted 5 and my Jazz. Last for ages, nice balanced tone, and feel nice to my fingers. I put Black Beauties on another bass and don’t like how sticky they feel. YMMV

1 hour ago, tvickey said:

My band 'Shreds.' played our first headliner show last night!  We were at Cafe Indie in Scunthorpe.  It was our first time playing Scunthorpe, and Cafe Indie was a really great venue.  Nice large stage decked out with a lot of new gear and lighting.  Apparently there were about 200 people that showed up!

 

The person running sound did an excellent job, and was even super helpful about letting us put our recording rig in-line with their setup (we have 16 transformer-isolated XLR splitters, preamps, laptop and usually record our live sets).  We arrived early and set everything up well in advance of the show start time.  The other bands were keen to be recorded live, so I hit 'record' for each of those first three sets.

 

When we got up on stage to play last, I tuned my bass and then focused on silently warming up during the precious few moments that I had.  Our drummer looked over and indicated "let's go" and off we went.  Unfortunately I forgot to hit 'record' for our set!  Ha!  Oh well... next time I'll be more careful!

 

  

Can’t tell you how many times I’ve set up for recording then forgotten to turn it on!

34 for fretted, 35 for fret less. I also like 2 octave necks

is it good for metal?

I have on both sides of this story. When I was playing for my living, I did play full time, in every bar and club that would hire us, and made good money, but it is a young man's game, IMHO. Now, I love playing with other good musicians, and will be looking for opportunities to dep in as I find that an interesting challenge. I am turning down anything I am not going to have fun doing. 

1. Next one is in March

 I’m done with bands doing months of weekly rehearsals and zero gigs, so am only dipping for foreseeable future.

2. Nope

3. not me

4. no

5. Probably once a month or so. 

On 24/01/2024 at 08:23, Rich said:

I would love one of these. I have no gig for it at all, and don't envisage a suitable one any time in the future, so it would basically never leave the house. But I would love one anyway.

Had a play on one last week…nice tone, but different feel. I didn’t care for it.

I’ve really appreciated the knowledge, wisdom and humor found here. I’ve gotten so much good advice!

4 hours ago, neepheid said:

 

Hello fellow member of the RD Artist survivors club

 

It was a great bass at the time…first active bass 

Used to gig with a 12 pound RD Artist…always felt heavy. My 10 pound Mpv feels good, has really good balance.

For me, it does. I find styles of music that tend to move up into the dusty end, like some jazz, easier when the bass sits higher. I move it down some for rock or country. Btw, I’ve been using the same strap since 1976.

Currently have Low Tension flats on my fretless Spectracore. They work well, but don’t have any kind of resonance. Not sure what would, so they stay on. If I could use coated strings, I’d do Exilers…

On 30/10/2023 at 06:49, NancyJohnson said:

I have a bit of a nickel allergy, I'll experience tingly/sensitive fingertips and a bit of dry/flaky skin.

 

Strings.  Elixir Nanowebs.  Coating doesn't flake off and they last yonks.  I've had the same ones on my Lulls since pre-pandemic and they're still pretty zingy.

 

This is my experience as well….

A long time ago, I was known to lug bass, amp, upright bass, and maybe even a tuba around, usually for a pit gig. Everyone has different tastes, but I cannot imagine schlepping an upright around for any type of music genre. Practicing some big band jazz, I was thinking how much easier it is on fret less 5, especially when moving up the neck.

We discuss all the time the ability of modern amp modeling to eliminate the need for our favorite rig. Does this hold for the sound of an upright as well? Is it the look and vibe that keeps upright players going?

25 minutes ago, Lfalex v1.1 said:

@Shambo

 

The Americans have station wagons with tonewood panels...

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