Greydad

Find a local teacher and get a couple of taster lessons, that's what I did. You've got some top notch people up there, Jon Thorne for instance. An hour getting over the fear and pain threshold is a revelation. Then you really are on the slippery slope...

[quote name='grumble' post='747138' date='Feb 16 2010, 12:44 PM']...Or maybe I should jump in the deep end and pick up a Stentor ? Decisions, decisions.....[/quote] Check this out [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=77602"]Archer DB[/url]

Crikey, this is an exciting forum! Sort of watched this unfold over the last day or two, saw maddudes post and felt pretty uncomfortable about it and nearly replied. I have donated to bass players in need on other forums as it happens but held back this time, with hindsight probably a good thing. Sincere respect to the Mods, extremely well done, the most professional management of such a situation I've ever witnessed on a forum :hatsofficon: And like Stingray5 props to skankdelvar for the best post yet - I think you should wear the punchline in yer signature with pride

Hi MG, I've just been through this experience and bored everyone to tears about it so don't see why you should be any different see [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=76307"]here[/url] There's another thread on basschat about Stentor double basses in the UK [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=73187"]right here[/url] and others from new players if you hunt around a bit. There is also an excellent thread called "Inexpensive basses in the UK" on the Talkbass double bass forum which is very useful (I won't link to it in deference to mein host but it's well worth a read). I'm 6ft 1" and a 3/4 bass is fine. Typical lengths are around 41", 41.5" is common, mine appears to be 40.5" but I don't know if I'm measuring it correctly Stentor seem to be ok, reasonably priced and have served many people on this forum well as an introduction to double bass. They also seem to respond well to setting up. I really love my Elysia, I have only just started but I'm playing it all the time and very much enjoying it A 3/4 Student II (not the cheapest model which is the Student I) , Conservatoire or Elysia will be fine BUT if new you must replace the strings and get a luthier to set it up for you. Budget at least £100-150 for strings (or more if you're flush) as the default factory strings are all steel and it's like playing with fencing wire. The Velvet Animas I bought from Greg Cordez are £230 new (although he did me a great deal ) but worth every single penny imho. Check for secondhand strings here and elsewhere. Of course if you buy an instrument secondhand all of this may have been done for you. Note that Elysias are £2300 list price new now, although £1800 street price - to which add £2-400 for set-up and strings. Student II's are about £1k and Conservatoire around £12-1300 I think. As fatgoogle said, there's a lot of cheap mostly Chinese basses of questionable quality in the £500-ish range new which will probably just put you off. I think you can comfortably get started with something decent for £1000-1500. I got mine for £1400 (with case, stand, bow and pickup) but probably expect to change it in a few years for a posh one assuming I make a go of it. From reading other people's experiences you can get a decent bass s/h for £6-800 which will work well but make sure you have someone along who is knowledgeable to help you - mistakes can be costly. Often all that's needed is a set up for a few hundred but if it's cracked or needs major repair work it can cost you more than you paid for the instrument. Really cheap basses just don't seem to respond to treatment which is why they are best avoided. Good luck it's a great thing to do I have no regrets so far and like you have come from electric bass. It is a different experience, much more physical. Have you played one yet? Getting a few lessons is a good idea to get the feel of it. Also look at renting one if there's a shop nearby that does that, a few months of renting will put you in a different position in terms of being confident about what you want. Hope that helps, all IMHO, YMMV, etc etc GD

[quote name='PedalB' post='743892' date='Feb 13 2010, 12:24 PM']Hi, just catching up - been away for a day or two . a "purple-bow" that sounds funky ,and yes thanks for the offer would love to have a scratch with it sometime. Whilst on this subject I see adverts for bows and the advertisers are stating things like 'suitable for 3/4 basses' - not sure that I understand this ,a bow is what it is , and if your arms are long enough a full size bow (whatever that is) should be suitable for any size of bass ,never really thought about bow length before just assumed they were all a similar length. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif"]http://basschat.co.uk/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/url][/quote] PB I'm going to be heading over to Burnham in a short while so if you PM me some contact info I can drop it off

He hasn't replied yet - maybe he doesn't like purple carbon fibre bows

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='742088' date='Feb 11 2010, 01:50 PM']Well I spoke to the seller (a local bass teacher called Christian Topman, who hopefully will take me on for some lessons too) today and he told me the neck break happened a few years ago and was repaired by Scheerers in Leeds. It doesn't look pretty but it doesn't look like a problem either so I'm not too bothered. Also turns out the strings are Pirastro Evah Pirazzis, but he's going to bung in an old set of steels too in case I want to try a more modern sound but to be honest I like this thick and boomy old-school sound so far, it's quite appropriate for what I'll be doing with it (old soul and rocksteady stuff mostly). The bridge is apparently quite new and was indeed fitted by Jan at Chapel Allerton, he's also seen to the fingerboard which I assume is why it plays so easily. I've decided I'm having it. Looking past the old damage it's way more bass than I would get for that money elsewhere, it sounds good and it was comfortable to play from the first hour I had it, and I can do without the stress of trying not to get done over by sellers who I don't know, who might be less than entirely honest about what they're selling me. Plus I actually wanted a bass that I wouldn't be too scared about damaging myself, so a few war wounds makes me feel more comfortable! Thanks again to you all for your help, I am a very stoked newbie DB botherer. [/quote] Excellent - well done! Those are good strings, I'd leave them on. And it comes ready "road worn" so adds to the kudos! You're going to love it

Go for it!

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='741162' date='Feb 10 2010, 04:25 PM']You so rarely hear of UB GAS the way you do with the electric fraternity!![/quote] I had UB GAS really bad - had a frantic 2-3 week period where I HAD TO HAVE ONE!!!!

[quote name='PedalB' post='740514' date='Feb 10 2010, 12:11 AM']thanks for the info folks ,begining to think I might try one cheers[/quote] Hi PedalB, I actually have two bows at the moment and one of them is a carbon fibre one, so since you're only about 3 or 4 miles away you're welcome to try it out if you like. GD

[quote name='neepheid' post='737759' date='Feb 6 2010, 11:57 PM']Hipshot do a direct replacement for both the 2 and 3 point bridges. No modifications required [/quote] Thanks, I didn't know that. I guess it's this one? [url="http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=326"]Hipshot Gibson bridge[/url]

Guys, a quick update, I'm still working on this just trying to sort out a suitable venue and get the teachers lined up then I can come back with some dates. I think it would be reasonable to recompense the kind people who host it and give the taster so is that ok with everyone? Thinking a fiver or tenner each here, whaddya reckon? GD

[quote name='PedalB' post='737739' date='Feb 6 2010, 11:34 PM']Hi, your bass looks good -hope the two of you will be happy together. Can't see any rosin on those nice new strings - are going to be using a bow ? Using a bow for some practice will help with intonation, playing pizzicato all the time hides a multitude of sins ! cheers[/quote] Hi PB! Actually, there is a bit of rosin on them now, more so since this evening - I have been having a go with the bow (I have two now, one of them carbon fibre) but I'm awful at it. I can get an amazing sound out of the open strings but I fall apart when I try and get the two hands to work together. This is completely new territory for me and it's going to take quite a while to learn to bow with aplomb. Hopefully I'll get there eventually

[quote name='retroman' post='737660' date='Feb 6 2010, 09:49 PM']That's a nice tale. I can understand why you would never want to part with her :wub: Perhaps she just needs a truss rod tweak?? My EB2 has a medium/high action, but both my Thunderbirds have a really low action [/quote] Truss rod has been tweaked as much as possible by pro guitar guy but the neck seems very bendy and is never quite flat. The problem with the bridge design is it is fixed in place on only two mounting posts (go figure) not four which would hold it flat against the body. As a result it tips forward slightly which lifts up the strings. To be honest it's a daft bridge design and the sensible thing to do is to replace it with something that works properly but if I did that it would no longer be original, so I've just left it as it is. It was my only bass for 23 years up until I bought my Stingray 4 when I was 40 - and then the Stingray just blew it away. Sad, but true.

OK, result! (of sorts) Put the pup-things on the bridge side of the neck in the same position and fed the DI output to an active PA speaker (it's a W-Audio PSR-12A 350W). Went in to the mic input. The sound is much cleaner and the bass response is far better right down to the E. There's still finger noise but it's not as apparent as there is more DB signal coming through. I doubt if the purists would approve and it's not Acoustic Image type quality but I reckon I could do small gigs with it. I had a bit of feedback starting when I turned the welly up but I have it sort of facing the Elysia in the living room which is a bit daft and not what you would do live. Cool, I'm pleased, just jammed along to a few country/roots tracks with the stereo up and it seemed ok to me - it'll do until my finances have recovered and I can get something posh. Thanks Bassbod!

Here's my first bass: a Gibson EB-4L I bought it when I was 17, in 1977 (there you go, cat out of the bag) and I still have it. It's a bit neck heavy and the action is too high for me and the sound is very early 70's (thuddy and wooly) so I don't play it now but I can't bear to part with it: too much emotion invested in it. These are Gibson images, my photo's of it are a way away at the moment (I should take some more) but it's identical to this except I don't have the bridge cover. Mine was made in 1973 I think, it sat in a shop for a year or two and then was bought by a guy in Montreal where I lived as a teenager. He sold it to me a year or so later for not much because he wanted some skis

[quote name='BassBod' post='737471' date='Feb 6 2010, 06:12 PM']The clips supplied with the BP100 do work, but the two piezo plates require a very flat surface to give a good strong sound. You may need to do a bit of "spot" sanding or fit the pickup to the back of the bridge, which is usually flat anyway. Its a question of shifting positions slightly until you get the best sound, then mark the exact locations and glue the buggers in place. But the glue is a once only option, so I wouldn't recommend it. The earth wire makes no difference to the sound, its just to remove potential hum/buzz through a string earth (as on a bass guitar bridge). DI boxes can be very good buffers, as long as they are active. I would imagine the BP100 through a passive DI would be truly dreadful. Also worth playing through the PA speakers? Some DBers use powered PA cabs as their amps these days.[/quote] Thanks, good input. I've got them on the neck-side of the bridge, I wondered if I should try them on the back as well. I realise the earth is for electrical noise and stuff but I was hopeful it might make some other difference. The DI boxes I have are active and seem to work well in other areas. I do have a couple of really nice powered PA speakers which sound fantastic for vocals and particularly acoustic guitar and which I've used at gigs. I'll give those a go and see if their bass response is a bit better than the practice amp.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='737430' date='Feb 6 2010, 05:38 PM']That's a really pretty bass, nice one! I've got a guy coming over on Tuesday with a bass he thinks I might like, so I might be in the club next week too. Quite excited! [/quote] Ta, I saw your thread about your similar predicament, hope the one from your acquaintance works out - look forward to pics Well, the ground wire thing didn't change the finger noise much (maybe a little) and the thuddiness is still the same. Unless there's some secret tricks to setting one of these up I don't know about I may have to consider alternatives.

[quote name='TPJ' post='737329' date='Feb 6 2010, 03:45 PM']I think the superglue pertains to gluing the piezos to the bridge instead of/ as well as using the clips. [/quote] Well I just gave the BP100 a quick go. Put the two sensor-thingies between the E-A and D-G string pairs respectively using the little felt-clip attachment wotsits (stop me if I'm being too technical here). No superglue. I took the lead to my DI box and into a little Aria bass practice amp I had kicking around. Turned the treble all the way down and the mids, left bass half way. The G didn't sound too bad, at least an approximation of the acoustic sound, but the A and E were really sensitive to finger noise - the lower down I went the more the bass seemed to disappear and I was left with finger noise and a sort of dull thud sound. Just realised I didn't do anything with the spiral earth wire bit, this might keep some of the noise out, back in a tick...

[quote name='BassBod' post='737025' date='Feb 6 2010, 11:25 AM']Looks like a very very good start to me! Wish I'd been so well prepared. The BP100 isn't that bad really, its just a bit trebly and can exaggerate finger noise when you play on your own. The "secret" is to use some form of preamp/buffer to make the iput impedance a better match than your typical bass guitar amp. Superglue can also work wonders..but its a bit high risk. I wouldn't worry about amplifying your bass for a while anyway. Get to know it, work on your technique - a stronger acoustic sound will always be better when its time to plug in.[/quote] One of the advantages of getting older I guess is having a bit more dosh to indulge in things like this - well, a larger overdraft anyway, I'll be paying this off for a few months yet. What I have learnt from my years playing electric bass is that good instruments make all the difference to the enjoyment you get out of playing, they should make you want to play, so I try to buy occasionally over a longer period of time but get as much out of my budget as I can. I'm really pleased with the Elysia and everyone's positive comments about them here and on Talkbass made be confident about getting one. I'm going to have a go with the BP100. I don't have a pre-amp but I do have a couple of nice little DI boxes I bought for my mixer/PA rig so I'm going to try one of those into the Ashdown with everything as flat as possible and go from there. I take your point about developing the acoustic sound (and strength) first but I can't help but tinker with all these new toys I'll let you know what I find.

[quote name='TheRev' post='737009' date='Feb 6 2010, 11:08 AM']I'd love to try a set of Velvet Aminas but I'm afraid I'd like them and be forever doomed to forking out £250 for a set of strings....[/quote] Yes, a bit of an addiction I suspect but the difference is amazing. I was having a go a few minutes ago and I keep thinking wow these strings are just beautiful - a long way from the roundwounds on my electric basses

[quote name='TPJ' post='736939' date='Feb 6 2010, 08:46 AM']Nice! Welcome to the wonderful world of DB. There's no going back now +1 on the lessons to get your technique sorted out to avoid injury. Enjoy[/quote] Thanks! I am! It's a very physical thing, Greg keeps subtly hinting about the spirituality of it all and I'm slowly starting to see what he means in terms of how you relate to it to get the sounds out. Lots of really small things make a lot of difference and you need to be able to feel as well as hear what you're doing.

[quote name='Lady Kayri' post='735703' date='Feb 5 2010, 12:38 AM']Live down in the southern most point of New Jersey, Cape May County. (Home to a whole town where most of the buildings date back to the Victorian Era - yeah, not much of a big deal to those of you in the UK & Europe, but not very common here...) We're about 45 miles south of Atlantic City. I've been on TalkBass for a while, & recently discovered this forum - always great to get new viewpoints![/quote] Hi, welcome! We lived for a few years in NJ, in Morganville in Monmouth County. I bought my Zon from a fantastic music store just north of there. We used to hop down the parkway to Cape May for days out and generally lying on the beach - it's a really nice place. The view from the lighthouse is great and you can get Boddingtons in the pubs! What more can you want?

Hi Peeps, So, just over a fortnight after I had this massive mid-life rush-of-blood-to-the-head thing about getting into double bass I now own one. It's a Stentor Elysia, 3/4 size, about 3-4 years old, never gigged. Private sale in Bristol, nice chap, got the bass, case, bow, stand and a BP100 (yeah I know) for £1400. Took it round to Gregs place where he pressured me into buying his near-as-dammit-new Velvet Anima's for a ton (I got a free beer thrown in as well though) which he kindly put on for me and here she is: First off, for newbies, get a teacher right at the start: Greg has been incredibly helpful guiding me through all this and I really look forward to lessons with him - thanks a lot Greg. Secondly, I'd like to thank some super people on here who gave me lots of advice, Bassace and PedalB in particular - cheers guys. Third, I'm thrilled - it's a lovely bass, OK it's Chinese made but with the Anima's on it feels and sounds great. Hearing and playing the difference between the Anima's and the original factory strings as Greg changed them was like night and day. So another note for newbies like me - the strings are *far far* more significant to the playability and feel of a DB than they are on an electric. So I'm really happy and loving this, even though I can't play for toffee yet. The technique tips to stop you damaging yourself are crucial and what I'm working on now. I've also found I really need to build up my left hand strength, it's a different world on a DB Anyway, thought I'd share this here, not sure if it should go in the Gear section but thought I'd say thanks to everyone here for all the help and information. Cheers Neil

[quote name='owen' post='733490' date='Feb 2 2010, 09:19 PM']Just on the VERY REMOTE chance that ANYONE thought I was being serious, that was a joke.[/quote] Sorry, forgot the :postironicsmileyicon:, thought the triple ? may have done the trick but obviously not