fatback

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1336487623' post='1646291'] The day I hear an effect that improves the sound of a double bass, I will applaud it. Until then..... :bleuuuch: PS I am not alone.... [/quote] I prefer to think that an instrument sounds best when it's right for the context and the job it has to do. What's the difference between changing strings for a different genre and using an effect? I'm loving what I'm hearing.

Ooh I like these a lot! Being an amazing player seems to help a bit too. I didn't know about Miles Mosley or Vincent Guerin. The John Butler stuff makes a db solo downright acceptable (I normally loathe bass solos). Brings it to the fore without having to be the whole time in thimb position. Not that I'll be trying solos any time soon, but I can see how interesting it could get just from a texture point of view. We've got a new ballad that just might benefit from a spot of chorus. I feel a multifx unit coming on. Slippery slope.

I haven't experimented with FX on upright at all and I'm wondering if any of you folks have. Any thoughts or youtube examples? As if I haven't got enough to worry about just playing the thing. Could be fun though, i think.

I appreciate you're in a hurry, but in my (limited) experience upright demands such a lot of commitment that getting the best instrument you can is hugely important. You're going to spend a lot of time with this thing over the next years. A liitle patience in the search can really pay off, especially if it opens up the second-hand market for you. There have been some great bargains on here over the last while, but you need to be able to wait. The problem with poor instrumements for a beginner imo isn't really sustain etc, it's playability. Same goes for setup and strings - you need to spend a bit of cash and time to get the most comfortable setup for you. Fighting the bass is no fun at all. +1 to Gareth's point about more expensive not always being better and hybrids being a good solution, but I'd add that all-ply serves people well too, especially if you're going to be playing amplified most of the time. The consensus seems to be that with ply, old is better than new. In the best of all worlds you'd be looking for an old Czech or Roumanian 3/4 ply or hybrid. If you can get one for £6-800 you could have a bargain and you might play it for life. You'd then spend £200 on a setup and maybe £100 on strings. A pickup and preamp (another £150) could wait, if you didn't mean to gig straight away.

Watch out fro drunken punters who can't tell the difference between a db on its side and doorstep when they're planning to trip over something. Have fun. That's all that matters.

You want Irish trad? Check this. Move over the pogues. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2aZg5Y3Yzc&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2aZg5Y3Yzc&feature=related[/url]

Plugging holes is a much cheaper and more immediate solution, buit in the long run you might find that experimenting with pickups is worthwhile too. I couldn't believe what a duifference it made on my bass. Bassmax and Fishman were feedback hell. Full Circle is almost immune (with a little notch filtering). Different for every bass I guess, and an expensive process no doubt about it.

KB in Enniskillen seem a good music shop, maybe worth giving them a call. http://www.kb-music.co.uk/index.html

Hey Mick, welcome to BC. I think i've seen your band. Ace.

All GAS evaporated since I took up the upright. Brutal reality - nothing, but nothing is going to make a blind bit of difference. I fancy a Jaguar XK, though.

Great for begining reading too, as it's rhythms but only four notes to worry about..

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1335213535' post='1627495'] Have you seen this page Chris? [url="http://www.scottymoore.net/ampeg.html"]http://www.scottymoore.net/ampeg.html[/url] [/quote] Really interesting, thanks. What's the origin of the brand 'Ampeg' is definitely top candidate for a bass players pub quiz question.

Morris is magic.

As bassace says, asking him to cut the lows should help. Other than that, pray his hearing still half functions. Not very likely.

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1334878569' post='1623015'] But back on topic...I have come to the conclusion that if i wait till i think im ready to join a band then I never will. So I'm going to try to take the plunge this year. I fear this is where the age thing might become a bit of a problem. Whos going to want a middle aged novice? [/quote] Do it now. Don't worry about the age thing. Lots of players out there wanting back in after quitting for years. Try compensating for lack of experience with an unusual look (I don't know, think of something ). Don't be boring. A bit of showmanship is worth a lot to a band. Advertise online now. Now. Now.

[quote name='Hector' timestamp='1334853879' post='1622442'] Maybe get some guts as well? [/quote] Aarfg! Get thee behind me etc...!

All the above, plus think about getting a couple of mates together to play a party or charity one-off. You get to learn a smallish managable number of tunes, and you get to play in public without too much in the way of audience or band expectations. If you have fun, you'll do it again.

If you didn't know there were different instruments in the sound, you'd hear an orchestra as one instrument.

Uhm, North Wales is close to Dublin, and so close to erm... any chance? Thought not

[quote name='Hector' timestamp='1334847920' post='1622304'] With gear in general I try to have as little involvement as possible. I like to find a setup (pickup, strings, amp) that works for me and then stick with it. More time to focus on playing, and I'm chronically strapped for cash. Doesn't stop me nosing around a bit and considering alternatives though, I'm only human! [/quote] My view entirely. Doubler + Midget + Full Circle + Spiro Weichs + Armstrong mag p/u for emergencies. All I need now is talent.

Still a fan of EA (doubler in my case) but with a BF Midget. Anyone else using the Midget for upright?

[quote name='Hector' timestamp='1334706351' post='1620203'] But still. Y'know. What if I tried some velvet animas? What then? [/quote] Ooh, slippery slope! Just a little drop... just a little one.

Problem with headphones I find is sore ears if you wear them for too long. How about trying a keyboard stand? Pretty cheap and they decouple effectively. +1 to lozz's point about talking to the neighbours.

Maybe consider an adjustable when you do change?