PTB

After having a few weeks off, I'm looking forward to being back on Double Bass with Gentleman Tim & The Contenders tonight. We'll be playing 3 sets of blues and swing from 9pm onwards at the Round Midnight Bar, 13 Liverpool Road, Islington, North London. Come on down and say Hi! Paul [url="http://www.roundmidnightbar.com/"]www.roundmidnightbar.com[/url]

Both my 5s are 35" scale and I use a 40, 60, 80, 100 set of D'Addario's - either XLs or ProSteels. I used to use the 130 B strings that came with them but Mark @ Bass Direct (yes, him again!) turned me onto a taper-core 125 from R Cocco. This has evened out the response and I'm sold on this now. On my 34" scale 4s, I use one gauge up for fretted (45 - 105) and one down for fretless (40-95). If I were to get a 34" scale 5, I'd use these plus the B string above. This, of course is pure speculation as I don't have one right now. YMMV, as they say.

For something a bit different to the blues-rock you mention, try some West Coast Blues. Hollywood Fats' "Rock this House" album is a good starting point along with stuff by James Harman, William Clarke, Kim Wilson & Rod Piazza. I play DB in a band that does a lot of this stuff and it's great fun to play. Sonny Boy Williamson is an old-school blues man who did some interesting songs that weren't all the usual 12 bar pattern. As has been said, blues covers a load of different styles and it's fun exploring.

Nice work Higgie, really enjoyed that. This is a track I've always wanted to have a go at....now I shall!

Interesting reading. Here's the 10 that have had the most impact on me and my playing.....some better known than others. Jerry Jemmott James Jamerson Fernando Saunders Danny Thompson Jack Bruce Colin Moulding Dave Markee Larry Taylor Tommy Shannon Jorge Calderon

[attachment=110264:535.jpg] [attachment=110265:535b3.jpg] Here's mine. I'm loving the light weight and the big sound.

We need pics Harry. I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours!

[quote name='Chris Horton' timestamp='1339342082' post='1687084'] I like the look of the roscoe bass guitars. I really enjoyed Gwilym's sadowsky , how does the M5 differ ? [/quote] The M5 has soapbars & 24 frets. Take a look on line. I think you'd like it.

Chris, Another bass?! Knowing a little of your taste in basses, how about Roscoe, Ken Smith, Bossa and Overwater ? I think you should also try a Sadowsky M5, quite different from Gwilym's Jazz-inspired one you played recently. Of course, once your MTD lands, you may just want another!

You have a PM.

It seems like you can get a sound that pleases you easily regardless of the gear you use. There are many who would envy you! For the various styles you mentioned above, I would generally alter my sound through hand position & technique then twiddle my pan-pot and then finally resort to the onboard eq on my bass. I tend to use my amp eq to accommodate the room but it generally stays pretty similar. I suspect I'm not alone and the thought of having to reset my gear mid-gig as I went through the styles above just seems an unnecessary headache. I also think that if I have to use a lot of eq'ing, I've got the wrong gear.

Your signature says you already have a "Fender American Jazz Deluxe 5" so not sure why you are considering another? I've had several MM's - 4s and 5s. They do sound good but they are mostly heavy basses which is an issue for me - may not be for you. You'll get a lot more for your £s if you buy used via BassChat.

I'd suggest listening to Danny Thompson's playing with John Martyn, Richard Thompson and Darryl Scott's live album. These have been a great source of inspiration to me. Also, some of the early Van Morrison albums had some great DB playing. I'm looking forward to exploring some of the artists others have mentioned above.

Hercules by Aaron Neville. Great bass line, cool vibe, should suit your line-up.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1338076580' post='1669460'] Maple with black blocks looks cheap. Rosewood with pearl blocks looks classic. [/quote] +1

nice work guys!