Cat Burrito

Great intro, welcome

Hi Fred, looks like you've been a member a little while? Welcome

I was a pick player for 10yrs and now pretty much only play with fingers. The trick is (& you'll hate this) is just to start slowly and work up slowly. It will come. It felt weird for ages when I first switched. I suspect you are probably trying to run before you can walk which is the common mistake I kept making.

Handles placed on the top of amps!

EBay do. Most shops only do with guitar strings on their own [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rotosound-single-Bass-string-080-NEW-/140459119865?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item20b40414f9"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rotosound-single-Bas...=item20b40414f9[/url]

I use Wizard & Seymour Duncan in my P-basses. I prefer the traditional 50s / 60s vibe so always opt for something around the Trad or Reissue title. These always seem to improve stock pups. If you want a bit more omph try Seymour Duncan's SPB3 or Wizards 8-4s. I suspect from what you say a traditional pup swap will be plenty good enough though

Hi Dan - Welcome. My first bit of advice (as you ask!) is that 34 ain't old! We have new players in their 50s, 60s and even 70s. Bring it on! I'm 37yrs young by the way. Those Vintage basses are great for the money btw

I'm also at that stage of having fun with my parents so can relate. Ultimately for me music is a hobby, albeit one that I take very seriously. If a band is doing my head in, I would walk away. In fact this applies to things in general. Work pays my mortgage so I tolerate fools but if a band started to become a hassle, I'd leave. The reality is we don't always have time to learn songs 100% of the time. If you have a busy / stressful job (& most of us do) plus other family commitments etc I think most bands get a far greater commitment than they should. Plus if he's not learnt the song 100%, he doesn't know the song. Just because he knows it better than you doesn't mean he can give you a hard time. You acknoweldge a personality clash. If you can deal with it, deal with it, if you can't don't. Between my Mum's Alzheimer's, my constant check ups at the local cancer hospital and 300 other factors I won't go in to, I simply won't suffer fools if it isn't benefiting me! And if anyone wants to think less of me because of it, I couldn't care less! There is a lot more in life than a few tunes and a small cult following. Just don't tell my wife! [quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' post='1000268' date='Oct 25 2010, 06:03 PM']Yes, I think these guitarists do think that' bass is easy'.[/quote] I get this but we have a lot of capo songs and it's amazing how great sounding musicians come very unstuck when the position is changed. I tend to be the go-to-guy for the "what key are we playing in?" question

My wish list probably works the other way, I'd like to maybe be a bass or two lighter but bar the occasional urge to get a vintage Jazz I don't want anything right now & have been enjoying my set up for months

These introductions are getting thriftier since the credit crunch! We don't charge per word, y'know? But hi!

If I am playing with the band I can do 6-8hrs as top end practice but equally I can leave it alone for a few days. I think not enough would serve me best as my answer for on a daily basis but I try and play most days. I'd average anywhere between a few minutes and a couple of hours.

They tend to hold my interest for a few seconds & then I'm reminded why most bands just have the one bass player

Just so as you know, it isn't the same following Ampeg's tweets on Twitter about this!

[quote name='billybongo' post='998605' date='Oct 24 2010, 02:51 AM']Cheap basses were never this good years ago.[/quote] You're not wrong! Welcome

Welcome Dave

A little too quirky for me but you could always switch the neck?

I like traditional shapes and even subtle differences in the headstock for example can put me off. I am sure there are better basses out there but I can find stuff that is good enough for me without compromising on shape.

It's always going to be a personal choice & personally I'll always favour a Precision. Strung with flats & I get a tone close to what I hear on a lot of records I own. In terms of neck profiles I reckon you get used to playing a bass if you practice. I don't like the thinness of Jazz necks but I managed on one in the late 90s for a couple of years so you can definitely get used to what you don't traditionally play. The Jazz seems to be used by flashier players who cut through the mix more and the Precsion seems to be used more by players who sit back in the mix. But of course it never is quite so clear cut as that. Ultimately for all the advice you'll know what you prefer when you try them out

Simply put, you are out of your comfort zone. People with stressful / important jobs can handle huge amounts of pressure but this is something different. I used to suffer horrendous nerves when I first started playing but it's now second nature and I haven't got nervous for 20yrs. I just kept doing it which killed the nerves. They went after a handful of gigs. I'm sure if you can handle a high pressure job then occasional gigs will soon be a walk in the park

I've got two trads & love them. If you phone him he'll be able to advise directly. Tell him what you play & what you are looking for - it's what I did

I took a break from 2000-04 because I lost interest & these days I'm more motivated than I ever used to be. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow

Day after my birthday too

Great pic. Welcome

Welcome to Basschat

I've always said if you come across as relaxed, up for it & easy to get along with you will have won 3/4 of the battle. Have fun & good luck