Thurbs

[quote name='megallica' timestamp='1340273528' post='1701974'] I can appreciate the restricted feeling going from an extended range bass to a four string but most of my bass heroes used four strings to record some ground breaking albums and if it's good enough for Steve Harris/Cliff Burton/Dennis Dunnaway etc then I can't see any boundaries really. [/quote]Ah, but how much better would they be if they had a 5'er?

I think it depends on what you play and how you play... Rocking out root notes then why bother? For most other types of music, reading, improvising etc then there definitely is a reason to bother as it gives you more options and more ways to express ones self musically. Playing a 4 string feels like (what I imagine) being in a straight jacket is. Not yet at the level on the DB where I would feel comfortable wondering around the neck as my intonation goes a bit array once passed position 7 or 8. More practice required!

I did a trailer gig last year, side on so had loads of space. We either DI'd or mic'd everything up including the drums and fed it through a 5 KW PA. It is the only way IMHO.

I think it is best to be relaxed about these things. If the singer is trying to replace you, what good will it do to put off the inevitable? There are many bands and they change their line up all the time, good players will always be in demand and get in bands. Myself? In 3 at the moment and operate a first come first served basis for gigs, gigs trump rehearsals and rehearsals are managed depending on work commitments. If there is a clash then I find a dep to cover and give them all my materials. If they get the gig then so be it, who wants to be in a band like that anyway? My dep is also miles better than me but that is the way it should be!

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1339840175' post='1695127']Bassists have been the butt of quite a few jibes from guitar players I've worked with and drummers get lots of stick too (no pun intended). This may sometimes be just in jest, but how often does this come from a "How hard can it be?" attitude?[/quote]I had a drum lesson a few weeks ago for no other reason than to answer that very question. The answer: Very. I would recommend it for all bass players.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1339872464' post='1695806'] Yes... if they're having problems with this number it doesn't bode well for the future, IMHO... [/quote]Quite agree.

[quote name='pikeman' timestamp='1339317696' post='1686654'] I'm looking forward to hearing a Midget with my Compact ( if the owner is willing). Looks like we'll have 2 Ampeg PF500 there. [/quote]Sure, knock yourself out.

1u - Behringer Ultra-Q Pro - Equaliser, only used occationally. 1u - Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 - Use for recording, sometimes also used as a pre-amp. 2u - Peavey IPR1600 - Power AMP for bass Cabs

My first db gig was without a drummer too. I agree when you do gig, you need to find a quiet one...

Why not go IEM? You need a pre-amp with 2 outputs, a headphone amp and some headphones... feedback problem gone and for much less than a set of strings.

I had an audition last night and I was prepared with about 10 songs from their set, some I knew and some I was reading. They seemed very keen for me to join from about the 3rd song in but I wasn't so sure. Musically they were all competent and knowledgable, they just hadnt got the structure sorted out for someo of the few songs. Nothing winds me up more than "err, how does this one go" just before we play a number... In the end I gave them the benefit of the doubt and said I would join but made sure they understood my expectations. Hopefully I made the right decision!

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1330416942' post='1556941'] Funny I'm looking an LB30 and cab at the minute too! I have a spare ABM (first series chrome face) that'll be going up for sale shortly (when the LB30 arrives) VERY cheap if you'd be interested? [/quote]Sure, send me a PM with the advert when it goes up and I will take a look.

More ABM love here. I regretably sold mine to a BC member and continue to rue that day and have very nearly bought a new one... went for a LB instead, which is also a keeper. I have learnt from my mistakes!

Sounds great, count me in. Gear, i'll bring the Archer DB, Ashdown LB30 and a Midget-T. Dont mind doing a jazz trio or quartet (with bass, keys, sax and if we can find a drummer in time, one of them too). We are a new band so dont have any demos yet but will let you know when we are practicing and you would be are welcome to join us and join in! Cheers, R.

I echo what BlueJay has said. Because the DB is so much of a physical instrument, it is best to get face to face tuition to make sure you understand finger positions, wrist angles, elbo height... and all that is before you pick up a bow or pizz. As for the bow argument, even if you only want to play jazz/blues/rock exclusively, I would recommend you still get stuck in with the bow. It really helps with intonation as it is much easier to sustain notes, allowing you to hear errors more clearly.... and talking about intonation... welcome to a new life long quest for perfection! As an aside, once you have been using the DB for any length of time, a BG just feels so easly to play and strangly has really brought my playing on leaps and bounds. No idea why though, maybe it just feels so much easier in comparison?

[quote name='PTB' timestamp='1329933364' post='1550018'] Go for one with wheels, makes life much easier. I use one from Tom & Will. [/quote]+1

I use a DB with a Ashdown LB30 and a BFB Midget-T, went for the tweeter version to get the most natural sound possible and it sounds great. I am always getting comments on how natural it sounds. I would say the Midget-T is more than up to the job... even with 30w I struggle with feedback on stage, mostly though, I stick the DB in to the PA and stay away from speakers! If like me you also play EBG then it would sound great, just complete overkill when paired with the DB.

[quote name='urb' timestamp='1328715692' post='1531577'] EDIT - the iReal app is very cool - if you have the latest version you can even export the songs as MIDI files and can drop them into Logic / Cubase - and then create your own tunes - it's great and I love using it as a practice tool - working on specific things like 2/5/1 chord sequences, all the different scales - major, minor, alterted, augmented, melodic/harmonic minors, learning about chord substitutions, different picking techniques - reading and transcribing - it all adds so much more to your musical outlook - so instead of just following the friggin' guitardist you can write your own tunes, explain to other musicians how you want this bit played etc - and feel a lot more confident as a MUSICIAN - not just the bass player..... [/quote]+ loads... It is the best and most valuable purchase I have made.

I wouldn't worry, I think you made a sound purchase for an entry level db... When I bot mine, I put Honey's on it, the fretboard needed a mild skim and the bridge lowered. Chuck in some rosin, K&K double big twin pickup, fishman pro pre-amp and tom & will gig bag with wheels it ended up costing around £1400. Excellent value for a carved bass if you ask me, everyone says how good it sounds both acoustically and amplified.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1327448273' post='1511586'] Not using open strings seems really odd to me. They are four/five notes that are available in any position and if you're playing fretless they are four/five notes you know are correctly intonated so they are always a clue to the rest of your intonation. One note is only available as an open string. [/quote]Agreed 100%. When I first leant and played fretted 5 string BG I always hovered around the 5th fret and just played the usual rock and pop pentatonics largely from that place. Makes you really lazy... Completely changed my playing style when I moved over to fretless. Now open strings are the life blood of my playing... especially on the DB. My advice would be to the OP that if you ever intend to progress on to a fretless instrument, integrate open strings in to your practising, arpeggios, scales and playing... makes it easier in the long run.