jbn4001

Assuming you have new strings... what are you listening through? Small PC speakers, or decent headphones? I get reasonable response going through a mixing desk -> soundcard. If you get an ok sound through listening on (good) headphones, then fine. If you don't get a good sound through headphones, as people have suggested, try out through a decent bass amp. If no joy there..it's probably your bass. New pickups may fix, but if it's a cheap bass, might be quicker and easier to get a new bass.

fabulous version. just listened to. I too almost thought it was Yes. Love the keys parts being played on guitar. Good vocal harmonies. Oh and great bass too

ENTHUSIASM FOR MUSIC 90% MUSICAL PERCEPTION 99% EMOTIONAL CONNECTION 89% SOCIAL CREATIVITY 88% MUSICAL CURIOSITY 78% group the music - misplaced 1 hip hop with rock and 1 rock with hip hop! match the beat 16/18 tap beat 7 high 2 medium melody memory 9/12 <-- found I had to concentrate hardest on this. The melodies were pretty uninspiring .. had to listen hard esp with the key change. Some were blindingly obvious but others were very similar indeed. Was an interesting test. Thanks for the link

Hi, I'm normally a lurker round these parts, but I thought I'd post thoughts on my quest to learn to play doublebass. I'm in my 30s and have played electric bass since my teens. In the last 4years or so I've got into playing jazz and jazz fusion... so I guess it was only a matter of time before I felt myself being drawn towards DB.. it's such a lovely sound. Before getting stuck in, I did have a good read on the DB forum here. I have the beginnings of an inflammatory arthritis which sometimes makes my joints (wrist in particular) painful. Hence, I have been very careful in approaching playing a DB. There is some good advice on how to physically approach DB here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=67545&hl=pain+no+gain"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...hl=pain+no+gain[/url] This thread inspired me to get in touch with Bilbo and subsequently Jakesbass. I think Bilbo had similar concerns to myself in not wanting to incur any injury and/or unneccesary pain in playing DB. I have had 3 lessons at this point.. 2 of which occurred BEFORE I even got a DB! The reason for this is so that I didn't go nuts trying to play the thing and picking up bad habits which I would then have to correct. Last weekend, I picked up a DB for rent. The only one I'd played previously was the teacher's for 2hrs in his house. I thought I'd rent one initially to simply get used to DB (and also, if it proved impossible to play due to my arthritis problems, I could simply return it). I live in Essex, and rented one at a reasonable price (£30/month) from Thwaites in Watford: [url="http://www.thwaites.com/"]http://www.thwaites.com/[/url] IMHO, I think it was right to have guidance in advance. A double bass neck is usually approx 105cm (approx 41 inches I believe).. which is HUGE - at least I think so compared to electric bass! The string tension compared to electric bass is much greater. Therefore the effort to press one of these strings (the E string in particular) to the fingerboard can be considerable. BUT, if done correctly, one can reduce the effort required in order to minimise strain on hands, wrists and arms. The trick is not to squeeze/clamp the neck between fingers and thumb like a vice.. see the thread above for a better description than I can give and check out Jakesbass's screenshots. Due to issues with my wrists as mentioned previously, I'm taking my time in building up stamina .. you can get a few aches and pains where you didn't expect .. posture/stance is equally important to left /right hand approach. But the great thing is, because I was shown the most ergonomic/safe approach.. I'm already playing notes cleanly and (relatively) in tune. My wrist /arm still tires easily, but I'd expect this due to just starting out. I'm really not playing for much more than 15-20 minutes at a time at the moment, just slowly building up. ... and I'm loving it because it sounds great If you are thinking of taking up double bass, don't let my cautious approach put you off. However, I would really echo the sentiments of Bilbo, Jakesbass and others on here [b]to learn the basics of playing the instrument correctly[/b] . Sure, I have existing issues which have caused me to be more careful.. BUT I say, why risk injury, even if you start out on DB with no prior physical problems. It's a lovely instrument, but it's sheer size and scale means it should be treated with respect.. I don't think it's something one can just "pick up" like electric bass or guitar. Just sayin' [i]So finally, I want to say a big thankyou to [b]Bilbo[/b] and [b]Jakesbass[/b]. Both gave me guidance and advice over PMs on basschat.[/i] I also went over to Jake's house to have a very useful and thorough lesson in the basics of DB. Jake tailored the lesson to my needs, and really homed in on proper stance, left hand/arms etc. in great detail to ensure that I walked away with the info retained in my head to practise at home with. So I'd certainly recommend a double bass lesson (I believe he also teaches electric) with Jake if you can get to /live near Aldershot. I had a 2 hr lesson as it was a fairly long drive to get there.. but I can say it was well worth it. If you got this far, thanks for reading, and hope the above may be of use if any of you are thinking of starting with DB. Once I get more proficient with this thing, I may even post a recording. Haven't progressed from 1st position at a fairly humble slow tempo as yet.. so don't hold you're breath for that Cheers, jbn4001

Hi, I'm based in Essex and I'm in a band that does a fairly eclectic mix of jazz , funk and fusion (bass / guitar /keys/ drums).. nothing really ever gets too "heavy". Mainly instrumental, sometimes have a guest female vocal in the set. We've got a demo (hopefully attached if you'd like to check it out) , I'm putting a website together (not finished!), got a couple of photos and could get a bio together etc. In short we want to gig . There's an impression amongst us and our friends that we'd be suited to corporate events and functions. I'd like to think we could do our stuff at jazz venues too. We've all got day jobs. I've not done this sort of thing before (gone to agents). I've been having a look round on tinterweb.. and barely know where to start. I know there are a few jazzers (and funkers! ) on the forum. Can any of you recommend good agents that would cater for London/Essex/Southeast with the type of music we're doing? I'm not afraid of calling and digging around.. but nonetheless would welcome comments and/or recommendations from the guys experienced in this sort of thing. Thanks.

[quote name='hubrad' post='843415' date='May 20 2010, 06:57 PM']Give them a ring 01228590591 or else drop Chris a PM on here.. they alsways seem happy to talk to us (within reason - they do have work to do). Sorry Chris if I've just inadvertently deluged your inbox by proxy![/quote] Seconded on having no trouble contacting the guys at Overwater by phone. Always great guys to speak to.

Has anyone played a Sandberg five string California Jazz bass? If so, what was the neck like.. was it narrow like a Stingray 5 or Ibanez 5? ie 17.5mm string spacing or less and in addition does it sound anything like a passive Jazz. If not I assume I could achieve that by putting passive single coils in and no pre amp. I ask as someone on a mission to get a Jazz 5 string with the above or narrower spacing - ala Stingray 5. Thanks...

Hi, been lurking for a while. Good site going on here for fellow bass obsessives. I am in the market for a NEW Fender Jazz V 2008 (American Standard. Passive). I hear /read - that the 2008 models are particularly good.. and I've also read in the past that older Fender Jazz Vs are not that great. Well, I'd like to try a new one. Where in the South East / London can I try one of these in person? Several shops round my way haven't got any in, and none will get me one in unless I actually commit to buying (unseen/tried!) Also - has anyone tried one of these - is the string spacing the same or narrower than the 4, and is the neck thin (in depth) like a Jazz 4? TIA for any advice given.