TheBlueFalcon

[quote name='Skywalker83' post='614041' date='Oct 1 2009, 05:52 PM']well....yes. Buy a bass that you like and that you will want to play! Thats a fair bit of cash for a first bass you have quite a few options with £500. I remember scraping £150 together for my first bass. If you can, buy used, and also try teh bass out before you buy it. But remember buying a more expensive bass WILL NOT make you a better player. What i would do is split the cash between a bass and a semi decent practice amp and spend the rest on getting some lessons.[/quote] I understand that a better bass will not make me a better bass player, but I think that a better bass might encourage me to want to be a better bass player. But I do agree with your comments and thank you for your advice.

I've changed my thread to a different subject, rather than start another new one. I'm starting to wonder if my constant questions are getting annoying.

I've just had a chat with a sales guy who has been giving me advice about buying my first bass. He thinks I'm trying to get too far ahead of myself with my decision. I can understand his point, so wanted some other opinions about it. I know that a lot of people would say buy something cheap to learn on and then look at something better later on, but what if I actually want to spend say £500 on one? What if I want to get something that is a few steps up from the average starter bass? I know if people are starting out and intend to be in a band, they would (at some point) look at buying a certain make/model to get a specific sound. But what if I have no plans (none yet anyway) to be in a band? What if I just want something that will have the feel and sound that I know I'll be happy with, but also looks awesome? I remember reading somewhere that you should buy a first bass that you are happy with, so that you want to pick it up and play it. So should I just go with what makes me happy?

I've never had the pleasure of such an experience sober, nevermind drunk. But I have seen it. A fair few years ago I went to see a pretty famous band (I won't say which one) with some friends. We were having a number of drinks in the bar before the show when the drummer came staggering in. He walked up to the bar (as best he could) ordered a pint and 2 doubles, then quickly downed them as we had a brief conversation with him. He then staggered back out to prepare for the gig. It was quite an eye opener to say the least. Having seen the band so many times, it makes you wonder if he does it before every gig. He's always spot on though. Bags of energy and well timed. I suppose some people build up a tolerance.

[quote name='RhysP' post='612589' date='Sep 29 2009, 10:49 PM']It's 1 more....... [/quote] Clever trousers!!

[quote name='whynot' post='612572' date='Sep 29 2009, 10:34 PM']I have small hands (I think) and would never have considered a 35" scale as a regular gigging bass, but the bass in my avatar is 36" and a 5 string, and I find that pretty easy to play. I think it's partly down to the neck profile and postion of the neck to your body as to whether it will cause you playing issues, but the difference when stretching on the lower frets is obvious compared to a 34", a 35" maybe not so much.[/quote] Some people don't think there is much difference at all, but others say there is a big difference. Most comments seem to be from people that have been playing for years on a 34" scale, so I wondered if it's just a case of me getting used to whichever one I learn on. As far as position of the bass is concerned, I can understand that, as I noticed a difference between sitting with the bass resting on my leg, compared to the bass strapped and higher up. I can see how that would most likely make a bigger difference than an extra inch on the scale.

[quote name='Doddy' post='612575' date='Sep 29 2009, 10:37 PM']On a four string,I really don't see any advantage of a 35" scale-to be honest.[/quote] It was really only that I like some of the Ibanez BTB basses.

[quote name='Doddy' post='612564' date='Sep 29 2009, 10:26 PM']I like a 35" scale on a 5 string because I find that it tightens up the B string and gives more definition to the lower range.[/quote] Sorry, I should have mentioned I am looking at 4 string basses. Although I did wonder if I should consider a 5 string. But then, short fingers was also the reason for not looking at 5 string basses.

Now that I am looking at basses again, I was wondering what people thought about the 35" scale compared to 34"? I've read the 35" scale thread and there were a couple of comments, so I was hoping to expand on that. I think I have small hands, which is really the only reason why I had originally ruled out a 35" scale bass. Am I right to do so or should I still consider one?

[quote name='leschirons' post='612456' date='Sep 29 2009, 08:55 PM']Sounds like the shop is playing fair as you now have both options (refund or fix) so see what they come up with.[/quote] It appears that way, but I keep wondering why a dealer with 25 years experience (that has a full-time technician) would send out a guitar with such an obvious fault. I would also expect them to have picked up on the sorry state of the fretboard and done something about it, especially as it's so easy to do.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. It has pretty much confirmed what I thought, but I still have a feeling deep down that I would love to keep it. The current situation leaves me with no choice though, so I've spoken to the Dealer and they are collecting it and refunding me. They asked if I would still be interested if they sorted it out, which obviously I might be. I suppose it really depends on what the exact problem is, so I'll wait and see.

I wasn't sure where this should go, but it is related to a bass. Looking to buy a first bass, I gradually decided to spend a bit more, then a bit more (you know how it goes) until I was considering anything up to £500. While trying to decide between an Ibanez SR520 and an SR700 I found a Dealer with an SR900. Although discontinued October 2008, I contacted them for more information. The serial number dated back to January 2007, but I was told that this one was "found" in the warehouse at Ibanez and was offered to the Dealer at a reduced price around 3 months ago. Still being in excellent condition and offered to me at a couldn't-say-no price, I bought it. When I received it, the fretboard was seriously dried out, the Cosmo Black finish on the bridge has permanent marks from not being cleaned regularly and the coating on the Elixir strings is coming off. I have taken care of the fretboard, the strings can be replaced and the tarnishing on the bridge is something I can live with. However, I have plugged it in to my combo for the first time today and the neck pickup doesn't appear to be working. The first thing I thought of was the battery, but I tried a new one and no difference. So now to my main question, which I would very much appreciate some advice on. Do I just get them to collect it and put it down to experience, or do I spend the next month (maybe longer) trying to get it sorted out? It's a really nice bass, but where do I draw the line? If the pickup is faulty and gets replaced, I would then be concerned that the other one might possibly have the same problem in a few months, or even after a year when my warranty is up. If I was to keep the bass, would it be unreasonable to insist that both pickups and the control section be replaced? Sorry for the long post.

[quote name='cheddatom' post='611665' date='Sep 29 2009, 09:43 AM']Ye, sorry, that does make sense, if a soundcard has crap converters then it will make quite a difference going to something better. FWIW I reckon most modern onboard soundcards will be the same quality as your creative card. I have m-audio delta 1010Lts which are nice.[/quote] I've upgraded again since then and I would imagine there would be another small increase in overall sound quality, but I no longer have a turntable to confirm this. An off-board device or a dedicated internal audio device (like your Delta 1010LT) is going to allow for the best quality.

I've inserted a couple more pics into the last post. I didn't want to flood it and cause any problems, so I've been using very thin coats of lemon oil and leaving it inbetween. As you can see, I'm nearly there now. The difference is shocking.

[quote name='cheddatom' post='610992' date='Sep 28 2009, 04:55 PM']I think when trying to record an instrument or a mic it makes much more difference than when you're recording a line-level input. EG (and please tell me if i'm wrong) they sell these USB turntables for ripping vinyl, which seem stupid to me as you could just plug your turntable through a hi-fi amp into the lin-in on a standard PC sound card to get the same quality.[/quote] I think it really comes down to what quality is expected. A few years back I used my very decent Hi-Fi connected to a PC's on-board sound card's 3.5m jack input to put some vinyl on to CD. To me, the quality left a lot to be desired. Using a newer PC with a decent Creative Labs sound card made a huge difference. I would imagine that onboard sound cards have improved a little since then, but I would guess there can still be quite a difference in quality. Although I have never tried one, I can see how a dedicated off-board device with decent analogue to digital converters could improve the quality, just like a higher quality sound card would.

The quality of the sound card can make a big difference.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='603436' date='Sep 20 2009, 11:30 AM']While watching the L.O.G. video's i came across this.[/quote] Excellent find, thanks for sharing it. I've put it into another thread, as it's great to be able to see someone do it rather than just read how.

There doesn't seem to be much in the Midlands area. You could try Fairdeal Music in Birmingham. I've not been in there, but used to work near there a few years back. Although they cover most instruments it's a big place, so they should have a decent selection in store. The number is 0121 643 1685 if you want to check before going in. They also have a great team that deal with the online side of things. Very helpful on the phone and very competitive on price. [url="http://www.fairdealmusic.com/"]http://www.fairdealmusic.com/[/url] I sound like an advert but I'm just recommending them because they have been great to me with my recent purchases. Really like the demo tracks, were they recorded with your previous band?

Just noticed this on another thread. Good for those that would like to see it being done. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIzV9462xeE&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIzV9462xeE...feature=related[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4MdWzN_100&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4MdWzN_100...feature=related[/url]

I have just cleaned my fretbaord with lighter fluid and then treated sparingly with lemon oil. As it was so dry I think another light coat is going to be needed. So, inbetween treating it, I thought I'd post some pics.

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='610116' date='Sep 27 2009, 04:46 PM']Found it [/quote] Don't forget those before and after shots.

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='609996' date='Sep 27 2009, 02:01 PM']They're [i]perceived[/i] as being naff and tasteless by a lot of people. It is, of course, a matter of opinion [/quote] Well said.

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='609811' date='Sep 27 2009, 08:46 AM']What you can do, at least with Schallers and I see no reason Dunlop won't work too, is to fit the lock to the inner hole, put the outer hole over the string 1st and then place the straplock on. That way it all fits together neatly and if the lock fails there's a chance the outer hole will prevent a dive to the floor.[/quote] This is what I was thinking about doing, as I only have one bass and the strap will most likely stay on it permanently. It would have been nice to get a Straplock in a finish the same as the Cosmo Black on my Ibanez, but it's proving difficult to get one.

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='609758' date='Sep 27 2009, 01:15 AM']Do you mean why does slap bass get a bad rep all the time? For a lot of people it relates to lots things they'd rather suppress (the 80s, Level 42, etc)- not helped by its excessive deployment in guitar shops, on youtube, etc. They just associate it with being naff and tasteless.[/quote] So Level 42, or more to the point Mark King, was naff and tasteless?