essexbasscat

Hi OP, your post does give a few possible clues. You mention short fingers and being away from the bass for quite a while. Additionally, the pain you describe when/after playing repetitive scales does sound as if the muscles and nerves in your hand / wrist / forearm are being stretched to an uncomfortable degree. As an experiment, you could try practicing scales up around the 12th fret, where the frets are closer together for a while. Your hands would get back in shape again, without too much initial stretching. As your stamina builds, you can slowly spend more time playing a little nearer the tuning pegs, with the aim to gradually increase the stretch over time. Hope that helps

Nick very graciously supplied me with an unopended set of strings, all for a donation to BC, bless i'm. Top man, thank you Nick, you're welcome for a tea at mine anytime Cheers Tom

[quote name='73Jazz' timestamp='1341737529' post='1723235'] Guys, as promised..she is ready! 1973 Precision [/quote] lovely, she's a beauty

Thanks Andy, high praise indeed from one of the most helpful and sociable people I've come to meet on BC. It was a pleasure to bring some of my toys around yours and spend some time just playing, instead of working as we did in the past at the London bass bash. It's also a comfort to know that there's someone else out there who's living room is as musically dominated as mine Perhaps we could organise a West London mini bash at some point ? maybe get Nigel along and one or two others that live out that way ? Best wishes for your daughter and her Violin studies by the way, I wish I could play mine as well as she can.

Tom sold me a crowning tool at a very nice (and helpful) price. He was very helpful with arrangements too. I've dealt with a few people around here now and all of them have been great, with very little hassle to speak of from anyone, but Tom went that bit further than all the rest. You can deal with confidence here and I would do so again, no problem Thanks Tom Tom

Played there a handful of times around 2002 - 2004. Pretty average, some good nights, some fair. Do remember the management weren't that great at communicating, but in all fairness, that was way back then. Play almost every month in a pub down the road. Nice Irish community there. I hope you're getting enough to cover travelling ex's + your time. Sorry if it's not much help.

Toni sold me a graphic EQ pedal at a nice price. Nice easy deal, wouldn't hesitate to deal again. Recommended Thanks Toni

I found studying and playing a piano keyboard while ear training very useful. The keyboard layout lends a different perspective. My first musical instument was the trumpet. It developed the ear very well, as I had to mentally pitch the note before I played it. I suspect an unlined fretless bass may go some way towards facilitating the same process.

I bought a strap from Pete, really nice condition too at a nice price. Good communication throughout. Good as it gets I'd deal with him again Thanks Pete

I could cut and paste from above ! Will also sold me a pickup, straightforward and quick, good as you like. Good B.C.'er Thanks Will

Does it make you happy ? does it inspire you ? if yes, it's great

Just has to be... still love it now http://youtu.be/mfwVfEXJhQQ and http://youtu.be/TCeD_6Y3GQc problem is, I could go on all night...

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1341148547' post='1714280'] As a noob, I want my basses to be [b]different[/b] first and foremost, from very low to very high action. I don't want to train on just one technique, but from day one wanted to train my fingers on the differences. I wanna be able to pick up any bass and play it reasonably well. IME this is better than getting very good at one action only. May I divert this thread for a second to ask what that wrong ruler thingie is called that one uses to measure the action? I ordered one locally, but it never arrived. Now I want to use the interwebs to order one. [/quote] I'm guessing here, but the 'wrong ruler' thingy you mention could be a vernier guage ? a vernier gauge looks like a precision - made adjustable spanner with a ruler down the grip. You can also use a small wedge to measure string height. Pluck the string, gently place wedge under string to the point string vibration is muted. Mark the point of contact with a pencil. Measure the gap with above mentioned vernier gauge. Job done.

I (and everyone else it seems) assume you mean the fingertips, as you mention pain and finger injuries, but don't specify where. If other joints are involved, there's more to be discussed. Building calluses on one's fingertips isn't all that's going on. Finger / hand / arm / shoulder / scapulae / trunk muscles are all being conditions to do the task you're asking them to do. The nervous system is also being trained in what you're asking it to do. As others have said, give it time and let things happen naturally by building up your playing stamina. Your body will not be rushed (it can be pushed, but it may push you back later on) and it will thank you in the long run.

I looked up Clive Button's site. Read a bit like the highlights from his CV, also listing amps he designed, but not mcu detail beyond that. I've sent an e-mail to Ashdown at Chelmsford asking if they keep info about the history details etc of the ABM series and associated models. I'll report back with updates

[quote name='RandomBass' timestamp='1341036805' post='1713024'] Look up Clive Button: he designed them. He's got his own web site which gives an interesting run down of the time. [/quote] Thanks will do

That's interesting Pete, didn't know about the Trace connection. Perhaps someone will shed some light on that ?

Hi all Curious about the history of the British made Ashdown ABM series amps. Does anyone know the years of manufacture and changes between EVO, EVO II, EVO III? Were the circuit boards, power stages, EQ stages etc substantially changed between models ? Of course there's the ABM 300, 500, any more ? There was also the period of course that Ashdown made the white- faced Euphonic Audio amps. I understand that the power stage of these amps is basically the same as the early ABM EVO amps. Does anyone know more about this ? Thanks in advance for any replies Cheers T

Sorry to hear about this. I'll keep an eye open on my travels. Hope it's resolved soon

Tried the Markbass thing, bought one and sold it, tried them at bashes. Eventually came to the conclusion I just can't get on with them, not my sound at all. Now an Eden WT400..