fatback

[quote name='macclad' post='918944' date='Aug 8 2010, 06:58 PM']Hi people ,i need a book to show me correct hand positions etc as my current technique is all over the place ,many thanks!![/quote] Just started myself, and everyone says get the Simandl part I. But for a great approach to the whole physical side, including positions, 'The Evolving Bassist' by Rufus Reid is terrific. Really inspiring too. Ed Friedland has a DVD called 'Jazz upright bass' that's really good on right hand techniques (as well as a load of other stuff). He's got right hand tips in there that are really useful and I haven't seen anywhere else. For left hand, he's also great on using open strings to leap about the fingerboard. All good clean fun

[quote name='endorka' post='918815' date='Aug 8 2010, 03:59 PM']Doddy describes by far the most common approach, which is Simandl. It is generally believed to be the best way to achieve good intonation. I use it as well, and I would recommend that you do too :-) Using fingers 2 & 3 together I believe is an Italian technique, described in the Nanny (?) book, and is rarely used nowadays. I have tried it out of curiousity and it seems contortionistic and bizzare. Definitely not as intuitive and obvious for accurate intonation as Simandl. Jennifer[/quote] Great. Thanks to you both. This came up because two players insisted to me that 2+3 was the right way, and it just doesn't feel good to me. Transferring from fretless bg to the Simandl way on db isn't too bad at all.

Hi all, getting a bit confused over left hand fingering in the low positions. Do I use the third finger to support the pinkie or to support the second finger? I find supporting the pinkie much more comfortable. Are there two approaches to this? Books (and players) seem to differ. Thanks for your advice

I wonder if you're getting occasional distortion on the digital that's soaked up nicely by the analogue?

Great stuff! Congrats!

[quote name='fatgoogle' post='913900' date='Aug 3 2010, 02:29 PM']I was talking to a a local luither person about a valuation and setup on my double bass and apparently theirs a new company in dublin that will insure every aspect of it. Even if you reverse over it or similiar. Ill try and find the name of the company again.[/quote] That would be great, thanks.

[quote name='BigBeatNut' post='913891' date='Aug 3 2010, 02:22 PM']How did you decide on the setup that you wanted ? Were you playing an EUB or DB already ? It's one of the things that make me hesitate over buying, most particularly buying new. I'm sure that as I settle down with a new bass I'll want action changing, and of course action going up (sure to happen as I get increasingly comfortable with an upright neck) will mean a new bridge. Or an adjustable one in the first place. It's stuff like this that's making me think I should carry on with my EUB a bit (that's got a tilt neck) before taking the plunge with (say) a Gedo. Andy[/quote] Get an adjustable bridge to start with, I'd say. I've changed the action on mine twice in the first week. Hilarious sight the first time. If anyone had been watching they'd have thought I was defusing a bomb, i was that wary of the thing. Old hand now, of course

[quote name='Gareth Hughes' post='913745' date='Aug 3 2010, 12:23 PM']I had some success with Endsleigh years ago, as a student living in shared accomodation. But that was in Belfast, so not sure if they operate in the south. Have you tried taking out home contents insurance and listing it in that?[/quote] No luck with Endsleigh down here. I've got some very limited cover with house insurance, but it won't do the typical instrument policy stuff like cover you for 'unattended in the venue' and all that. 'All risks' doesn't seem to mean that at all.

[quote name='schmig' post='913669' date='Aug 3 2010, 11:11 AM']I share your frustration. The only way to bring about change in this country is to emigrate![/quote] Done that once already! On insurance, even the musician's Union couldn't help. Told me to check the Hot Press yearbook (which I have no intention of buying). Gee, just as well we don't have thieves here.

[quote name='Floyd Pepper' post='913623' date='Aug 3 2010, 10:44 AM']Do you play with your fretting hand at a right angle or with the inside of your wrist resting on the body of your bass? If so, you could be putting too much pressure on the 'median nerve' which is commonly known as 'Carpal Tunnel Syndrome' . A known symptom of this is a tingling, numbing sensation in the middle finger. FP[/quote] +1 and whatever you do, DO NOT ignore this. If it's anything to do with nerves and you ignore it, it could stop you playing for a very long time. Hopefully, it's as Bilbo said, just a pressure thing, but if it's the beginnings of carpal tunnel syndrome, you need to sort out your technique straight away. Above all, the wrist should never be bent. You might have to change strap length on the bass to help you get it right.

[quote name='schmig' post='913507' date='Aug 3 2010, 09:28 AM']Hey, I've tried to insure my gear (live in a rented apartment in Cork City). Having called around everywhere, I was told: - You cannot insure any aspect of an apartment which you do not own. - You cannot insure music equipment regardless. Fully predictable. I've lived in a couple of other countries where I would usually insure the contents of my apartment with whichever bank I was using. As I'm sure you well know, [b]nothing[/b] is rational on this bloody island.[/quote] Everything seems to be run for the convenience of the company and staff rather than the customer. I did find one instrument insurer, but they then specified 'no rock or pop groups'. Let's face it, this is the place with tram routes that don't actually join up. What do we expect?

Looks handsome to me

Does anyone know who's the best for insuring instruments and gear in the south? UK companies don't seem able to offer cover here, and the few big companies I've tried here don't do it. Somebody must do it, but i guess I'm prepared for a rip off like so much else here.

[quote name='DHA' post='911752' date='Aug 1 2010, 10:57 AM']maplin - L49BR or smaller still and works anywhere in the World - Rapid - 85-2936[/quote] Great. thanks

What's the lightest power supply that'll work with a VT-1? Anything I can source on Amazon or ebay? The one I'm using is the size of a brick and weighs more than my amp (really). I don't know if it's standard or not, as I got it second hand. Thanks for your help

[quote name='Beedster' post='910771' date='Jul 30 2010, 10:25 PM']A month on and the DB is getting played loads, the EUB a bit, the fretless very occasionally, the fretted, well, never...[/quote] I know exactly what you mean. I've had mine 6 days now and not touched the electric. I've a gig during next week, and I'm going to have to ,make myself play through the set. It's like I resent having to pick up the bg all Got a Midget and a Doubler coming soon though, and that should tempt me. But all bets that I plug the db in first. Can't wait.

It's somewhere between the last and these: These don;t catch it quite either. It's a very rich blending of red and honey.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='910200' date='Jul 30 2010, 12:59 PM']Is it that red in the flesh? I like it. [/quote] Near enough. Maybe a little more golden. Very nice colour - not like new ones at all.

[quote name='fatback' post='909677' date='Jul 29 2010, 09:45 PM']OK, tomorrow, hopefully [/quote] Here she (or he?) is: Why does imageshack turn everything on its side? I feel like one of those parents who sits you down where you can't escape and forces you to look at 100 seemingly identical pics of their little darling. I can truly say though that he's walking already (albeit unsteadily ). Anybody have an idea what maker this is?

OK, tomorrow, hopefully

[quote name='Bilbo' post='908915' date='Jul 29 2010, 09:26 AM']Its so exciting, isn't it. I am finding a new impetus to my practice and am focussing on basic skills and basic bass disciplines, filling gaps in my playing and knowledge. The arco thing is a buzz (both literally and figuratively ) and even listening to the double bass on cds etc is more rewarding. I got a Finale French carbon fiber bow from the String Emporium in the US (£270ish) but they start at £40 (yitamusic ebay - endorka recomneds the £100 models). I got a db bass stand from DJM which is surprisingly robust for £30 and holds the bass comfortably. Pick ups - I got a K&K model for £70 (Golihur Music in the States) but that is a credible budget model rather than a must have. Plenty of useful advice on here, as you have clearly already found out!![/quote] I haven't been this excited since... well. All this shopping is quite fun too once you get that reckless feeling going. I'm not the type that spends much on gear these days, so that's fun too. Totally guilt free - why is that? The Yitamusic bow, definitely, but i won't have a teacher until late September, so no hurry there. I've already ordered the stand you mention, and the k&k looks perfectly adequate until I make a sound worth worrying about. About to go for an AE Doubler I think, seeing as it'll save me £100+ by not needing a preamp. I'll get enough grit for electric with my DHA VT-1 pedal, hopefully. I won't say sorted, but nearly there. And as you say, all thanks to the amazing info and help on BC. As they put it round here: 'where would you get it?'

[quote name='fatgoogle' post='908526' date='Jul 28 2010, 06:42 PM']Glad to hear you picked it up. Now the fun can begin of wondering whether 300 eyro worth o strings is really needed, and getting huge pains in area's you never thought you could. [/quote] ha ha Yup, weird aches in weird places. I'm going to be very well-behaved though, and try to get things right. Bye-bye the old impulsive get-stuck-in me, and in with the conscientious studious type person. Got a luthier looking at it next week. I'll be interested to hear what he thinks of the bass.

Well, I got me a bass. Can't believe I've let myself in for this Nice bass I think: 40 years oldish, Czech, spruce top hybrid, ebony board, adjustable bridge. Strings seem fine (dunno what they are). Bought from a thoroughly nice guy. I meant to get an all-ply, but the deal with this was too good to pass up. Action was way too low for me (yes, low) , so all by myselfe-o I adjusted same. Sounds great. I'm in love. Cheerful sidelight - just carrying it down the street and putting it in the car caused three conversations with total strangers. I can see my social life taking off nicely with this. So a big big thanks to everyone who helped me with such patience and great advice. No way would I have taken this jump without your encouragement. Special thanks to Fatgoogle who reminded me about an ad I'd dismissed as too far to travel and then forgotten about. A virtual pint of something flies your way So now looking for the bits and bobs; bow, stand, pickup etc etc. And a pro setup. I've had one lesson, and I should be able to get in another before September when hopefully the local tutor man will be available again. I don't foresee being bored ever again. My biggest fear now is neglecting the electric so much I forget how to play and my band fires me

Mmm. Looks like it's find a teacher and then go with that. Thanks for your thoughts

Looks like I may have found a bass, but we'll see... More anon. Meantime there's the subject of bows. French or German? I read somewhere on this forum, but haven't been able to find it since, that German may be better for people with longer arms? Quite a picture. Trouble is, I don't know if my arms are long or short. A Belgian bow for average? I understand the way they're held is different, but are they so different that if you learn on one you couldn't easily change? What's the biggest difference in technique? I ask because I've been looking at the Yitamusic carbon jobs beloved of Jennifer, and they offer both. Thanks again for all your help. Dave