Gust0o

[quote]But I am seriously aware of my limitations and feel it is only a matter of time before I get found out[/quote] Haha, I am pretty sure most of us on this forum feel like that! I know I do, each and everytime I play with other people - and then I come away surprised, if not doubtful, when people pass compliments. I think we all like to imagine other people are better, but maybe that's the elephant in the room - that everyone else in the band is blagging it too?

If you ever need help herding them, or don't mind losing a few, I have a miniature Daschund who is an enthusiastic herder of cats... no matter where they hide. She can run underneath parked cars without needing to duck, thus prevailing in her natural hunting environment. She even chased a fox from the neighbour's garden, thus confirming Scrappy Doo as brave yet insane. I think she could handle 29. icastle, on a more serious note, get yourself on a cat forum and be frank about your position - your wife has maintained the animals; that relationship is coming to an end; you're looking for alternative homes. We used to keep a lot of rodents and got heavily involved in the rescue and rehome side of things - people will understand (some will judge too, but it's still out in the open) and you'll get greater coverage for your appeal. Just google cat forum - there'll be loads! I'm not sure what paperwork, if any, you'd need for ownership; it could be as simple as pics>chose one>come collect.

You're Youtube vid was useful, Low End - some nice patter throughout! I hear what you mean about the volume. It was very loud when you plugged it in, and I'm assuming that was because you had the volume set for the previous bass. Still GAS'ing for this in Red. That would look simply boss, but I'll need to marshall my resources carefull this year - buy cheap or save for the real thing? Still undecided, but having just paid for the wife's 30th I suspect I'll be done to one or the other.

Do people ever wonder if, as a breed, we bass players are not a little bit f***ing awkward?

This thread is... well, GAS-inducing. The Guild is brilliant, if missing some frets; and cd_david, you must tell me what the vaguely Explorer-shaped bass is - second in from the left. Are you not enjoying your Explorer, Delber?

Not for the money, thanks. Still, it's not as bad as emptying my pockets for Warwick on the basis that TM has had some "Zulu" scenes airbrushed onto his signature bass.* Has it been designed by Thetans to justify the price tag, Billy? *horses for courses. Other opinions are available, etc.

Aged 29, started playing when I was 15 - my first bass was the world's heaviest Encore P-bass, which I could never keep in tune. Nor did I really know a great deal about tuning, at the time. I played metal back then, as that was what I listened to - Coal Chamber, Sepultura, etc - we'd meet in the school music room, or the cloakroom next door, a few of us who were learning to play and share what we knew. My playing gradually progressed, and I upgraded to a (then) lovely Aria Pro II Magna, which I still reminisce about. My Encore made it's way to a namesake, and another starter player. Early idols included Jason Newstead, Cliff Burton, Rex Brown, Paulo Jo. I went to uni in 2000, which would have been an ideal time to play some bass - except for a combination of everything else! I broke my right-hand (2002) and right-arm (2003) leaving me with nerve damage and a real disinclination to go back to playing. Sometime early in 2008 I got the bug again. I had no bass gear this time, and some pain in my hand, but the mission began again - I spoke to my doctor who thought it might be a great idea, theraputive indeed! A quick scour of Ebay found me something suitably cheap, and I was off again... albeit slowly at first. I'm now back in a band and regularly jam with mates. I have the odd niggle, such as our freezing rehearsal room plays havoc with my old breaks, but am very, very happy to be back I'm currently a finger play, trying to fall back in love with the pick and failing. I have a personal penchant for an odd combination of sludge and the blues, and my band play what could only be called rock and roll. The added advantage of being older, and being salaried, is that the gear is much, much better.

[quote]More power to your elbow sir, younger/less experienced players are denying themselves the 'ear training' that comes with working out a tune from scratch - great training.[/quote] It is... if you stick with it.

If you look on YouTube for "Justin Chancellor Tribute 2" by a chap called Twisted21bassist the middle of the video has a diagram of Justin's complete set-up.

For those using headphones, if you're intending to play along to a backing-track (when practicing solo, I normally play along to a track of my band playing) how do you work that into the headphones? I like the look of the Sennheiser 201s, especially for the price - but how would I play the band into the mix? Just wear my iPhone headphones underneath?

[quote]lube a freind of mine had 'aquired' in the past[/quote] I wish we had a :seedy: smiley,

Looking good, Bassie. So when are we onto the lacquer?

Blimey, I'd be afraid to touch it!

^^^ = "AMAINZG CUSTOM BASE FOR SALE"?

Amen, Iojo.

That Kingsmill line is pure brilliance! The drummer is sympathetic - but we've all been mates for a while (and worked together), so feedback is constrained as a result. They're both also coming out of a previous band, which broke up messily - mainly as the guitarist banged his last bass player, before collapsing so personally as to need the North Yorkshire constabulary to remind him that continuing his dispute with said bass player would be to lead him down the road to harassment. He's not violent, mind; he's just an arsehole. Which makes me an even bigger arseole, as I knew all this when I volunteered. But, I was impressed with the veneer of professionalism, and having seen them all play live before I thought it would be a goer. However, the warnings signs: [b]"We're a stoner band"[/b] - except no one smokes, or has smoked. I think I may be the only one to have been on acid at some point in my life, which is surely a creative prerequisite for this type of music? Guitarist likes rock, so scope has now creeped down - we're a rock band and not even playing what I joined up for. Guitarist also likes the Wildhearts, so we shall shortly be a Wildhearts cover band, no doubt. [b]"We'll write some new songs"[/b] - sorry, he'll write some new songs. I refused to play one which didn't sit well. [b]"We'll work on the new stuff"[/b] - we won't work on the new stuff; we'll just play it, and then I can criticise your technique for not mimicking my every move. We're now getting a singer, I'm told. I've said wait, but I'm half-expecting to walk into rehearsal tomorrow and find someone new. Causality is being defied here. I did suggest new bod, when they join in a few months, should play guitar - fill out the sound (cover awful tone, or criticise from the perspective of also being a guitarist; also, to be my white knight of tuning and save me) and maybe let this guy focus on those solos which are missing from every track and he continues to laugh off learning . No, they can just sing. Crikey, I didn't intend to post all that, but it's being drawn out now - like poison from a wound. Time to reassert some authority with this bunch, methinks. I'm patently not being unreasonable - I just want us in key; in time; and playing what we originally set out to. Thanks for the outlet, chaps.

Wipers - Return of the Rat. For some reason, I get stuck in the groove and end up playing something totally different mid-way through. It's a punk song, and has a maximum of five notes (could this be a [i]complicated[/i] punk song, on that basis?) but somehow my mind wanders, and it foxes me when it really shouldn't.

This no slapping rule is going to hamper one of my key personal objectives - namely, that someone could show me how to do it! I'm a horrendous slapper (hmm... that came out wrong) so could do with a few tips. How will I ever cut through the noise of a saturday afternoon music shop without some prolific slapping skills? I'd probably bring my Lakland DJ4 for sport, or the BC Rich custom... I doubt many will have played the latter, so it's a likely companion.

Hammer ons, the savior of many a difficult track. I'd seen sat with Down's Lysergik Funeral Procession for a week, blitzing through at pace and with no real consistency (even a single dropped note is a pain, isn't it?) until I thought about them. I'm mimicking the guitar line, and doing so very nicely indeed. Which is just as well, as someone has to cover for my guitarist.

Maybe this could be an appreciation thread for all suffering bass players? It sounds like we're soaking up all the sour milk to let you chaps have your cream!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1100257' date='Jan 23 2011, 10:53 PM']This does sound like more than the obligatory occasional band rant Gust0o?[/quote] Crikey, does it? I think I'm just peevish. I probably should have had it out there and then, but wanted to sit back and reflect less I do something silly; now I've sat back, I'm just royally miffed! My f***ing tuning!

The tuning thing did me. Learning "new songs" is ok; I listened; I looked at his fingering; I shared some ideas with the drummer and him. It's going to sound like it's "not tight" if you record the first time anyone other than you tries it! The tuning then did for me. I used my Korg tuner off the lead as he insisted on widdling over my efforts. I'm not off with my f***ing tuning. You're off; and your tone is sh*te as it's all distortion and you don't sound like you're loving the playing. Wow. I'm more bitter than I thought! Anyone in York fancy forming some kind of almighty sludge band?