Cat Burrito

[quote name='lanark' post='570091' date='Aug 15 2009, 05:49 PM']They look pretty cool. Does the heavy guage make a big difference? Any sound samples anywhere to show what these sound like?[/quote] THe heavy gauge is no problem as they are rubber (any lighter and the neck wouldn't have the required tension. Sound wise Paul McCartney used them at Abbey Road and on the rooftop gig so that would be as good a place as any to start

outtraegous!

The other option would be Rotosound Trubass black nylon strings. Your bass / pickup will obviously be a factor in the tone but you'll certainly notice a real change with flats or Trubass - it'll get rid of the brightness. From what you say I find Rotosound Trubass are the closest you can get a bass guitar to sound like a double bass. They look a bit different but are good fun.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='570067' date='Aug 15 2009, 05:20 PM']Black and TBH I think a black pickguard would look great too.[/quote] It does but I like to chop & change as it makes my basses look fresher & reduces GAS! At present my bass looks like the attached. I just fancy a change for some gigs...

I saw a beautiful combination of the white pickguard on a CIJ Fender 51 P-bass and have got one on order myself - I own the bass so it's just the white pickguard coming from the US on order. I actually use a thumb rest as part of my style situated above the E string between the pickup ashtray cover and the last fret. My question is what colour, ahem, should the thumb rest be? Is black plastic going to look tacky or traditional? Bear in mind it's not in the traditional place. Should I hide this addition by getting a white one OR should I go for a wooden one? Not *my* bass but it will look something like this

I'd hang fire & see whether he replies to a polite message. Warning bells may be ringing but it's not critical... yet! Fingers crossed

I think they are all pretty readily available still too

Hey Baxter - welcome. I love that white pickguard on your 51 P-bass. Very cool!

2 with rounds, one with flats & one with rotosound trubass rubber strings. So a nice mix.

I totally mess around with covers - change keys, everything. I agree with the comments on singers voices & must confess I've always prefered to play stuff that's played about with a bit. Most bands don't.

I liked the guy who played with V V Brown on Jools Holland recently [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpgBM2Ei70E"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpgBM2Ei70E[/url]

[quote name='chris_b' post='569263' date='Aug 14 2009, 05:20 PM']That's 2 in the bar? Only 25% of the notes that a punk band would have played![/quote] I'm slowing down with age so it works well then! I felt almost prog the day that fifth kicked in!

Does anyone *really* care? I love these answers folks! I think most people just go for what they think is cool - AND so they should!

[quote name='sturm' post='568781' date='Aug 14 2009, 11:04 AM']impressive stuff young man[/quote] I'm automatically friends with anyone who calls me young!

[quote name='Clarky' post='568663' date='Aug 14 2009, 09:12 AM']What sort of music were you playing?[/quote] I play Americana stuff - a little bit country, a little bit folky, a bit bluesy - I was originally a punk!

[quote name='bassace' post='568639' date='Aug 14 2009, 08:49 AM']Your fingers are probably a bit sore but that situation will improve the more you play. The biggest hurdle to get over when starting out is the physical one so you seem well on to sorting that. Keep going and enjoy your double bass. It's a great instrument.[/quote] Just to clarify here folks, I typed this thread with my elbows!

Adding to Bassace's comments it's dead easy to confuse a soun engineer - just show up with traditional acoustic instruments (even with fitted expensive pickups). Most variations of guitar / bass / drums seem to cause blind panic. That said, big shout to Harley Dave on the London Americana circuit who knows his stuff. He even once mailed me a lead I'd left behind at his own expense. Top bloke!

You can't beat a good T-bird in my book

I tend to stay away from weddings AND corporate functions purely because they seem to be predominately people who aren't interested in live music. Good money, certainly but I'd rather earn less and play to a more receptive crowd. Fair play to those who play them but I give them a miss. It'd have to be a very special friend for me to play his / her wedding!

Sweet! I'd love to try one.

but having played bass guitar for 20yrs I recently took the plunge and bought my first double bass. This was 2 months ago. I've been rehearsing along with band demos played through an Istation at home. Tonight I took it to the local hall with the band (first time with live musicians!) and played for 2hrs straight. At the end our mandolin player took me aside and said he was "seriously impressed". I had knowing looks from the guitarist and the singer. I felt I did good. Just wanted to share. A long way to go but I feel I'm off the starting blocks now

I'm a P-bass player but swear by SD pups. I can't help with the Jazz stuff but I do Antiquity pups are not just paying for relicing. I have them in a couple of telecasters and a P-bass. Aside being hand wound you get Seymour Duncan's autograph with each pup! They are just a really good package. I prefer Seymour Duncan's more traditional sounding pups and think they are vastly superior to stock Fender pups.

I've NEVER been to the Gallery but will now check it out. I always like Peter Cooks in Hanwell but it's a real trek on the tube. I think we had the same question / thread earlier this week.

I too have looked into it and was put off by the price. I understand the time that goes into it. With some basses it's almost better to source a body on EBay and sell off your old one.

[quote name='chris_b' post='566887' date='Aug 12 2009, 03:58 PM']Has anyone used an upright bass in a punk band?[/quote] There's a whole psychobilly scene out there & tonnes of punk bands with double basses. More recently didn't Blink 182 use one in the I Miss You video? The Horrorpops are good fun with a female fronted double bass playing punky vibe. For my two cents I favour traditional looking instruments as they never look out of place. You can use a P bass to play everything from Blues to Jazz to country to reggae to Indie to rock....