guildb30179

Just played a gig as a bassist for the first time for many years and in spite of many practises of many hours, much more than the gig itself with no problems, experienced massive pain/cramp in the left forearm (I'm right handed), would be interested in peoples thoughts. I think was a combination of massive nerves and bad diet, stroke need for a couple of beers before performance.

Sorry, my last comment was a bit flippant, I am but a hobbyist and not a true jobbing bassist with no allusions of grandeur, think I might have been looking at a different post when I replied - Sorry!

We live in different times now, music and all forms of art are instantly available without putting down your greasy pizza, but I believe there'll be a point when people realise what they've lost, I really hope so. Play for the love of it, play to an empty room, if there's one person in the room that digs what you do and decides to do something themselves, job done! Never give up...

Thanks Bonzodog, much appreciated, yep the 15 cab is 8 ohm

I started on bass when I was 17 because a band needed a bassist and someone needed to sell a bass, so I was basically conned into it, I had no previous musical experience except a year playing clarinet at school and a few weeks as a drum major in the school band (ooh, how middle class). However, I got into it straight away, as it is, to be honest, the easiest of the stringed instruments to get started on, but a lot harder to get really good at. I then got bit bored so started teaching myself cack handedly to play picky blues/alt county guitar and have been playing that in a band for the last 10 years, and although I don't think I am terrible, I have never felt as confident as I do on the 4 strings. The last 3 years relearning and learning new stuff in the new band I'm in on the bass has been a blast. Playing both really informs the other, melodically and rhythmically, but at the end of the day, where do you feel most comfortable, leading from the front (in the limelight), or from the back (in the dark)? I personally like the fact that a lot of my friends don't know actually what a bass guitar is! Keep playing both, but probably concentrate on one you'd be happier playing live. Probably a bit of a cliche, but if you're an extrovert, play the guitar, an introvert, the bass, or a neanderthal, the drums (apologies to all drummers I have worked with - they've all been excellent) Tata

You do realise that acoustic scientists have spent may years working out that a hairy cab gives that x factor in the bass sound? (paint the inside of you CD player green, Put your CD's in the Freezer, Slate your Front room etc) You've probably devalued it considerably by giving it a number 2! I know your pain, my Hartke Combo is now sporting quite an afro.

Playing with 2+ fingers does give you move control and variety to your sound, but, if like me, you don't get to play as much as you should, playing heavier stuff with a pick, does avoid the blisters between rehearsals and gigs. If you're playing rock stuff with a bit of grind, use a pick for attack and consistency, softer blues & funk stuff, fingers will give a lot better response and worth learning the technique, it really doesn't take that long to get used to. But to echo everyone else, whatever suits you is fine, no snobbery, a house brick, brilliant suggestion, it will be unique for sure!

Hi I have a 300w orange OB1 4ohm and a 1990's 15" Fender bassman cab but want a bit of extra punch, really like the idea of a 2x10 hartke on top of that (have a 15" hartke combo that I adore, love the aluminium cone), will I get away with the 200w rated one or I do I need the (much more expensive) higher rated one? Dumb ass question to somebody in the know I'm sure, but I'm very new to playing with a Head & Cab, as have been fat dumb and happy with a combo for the last 20 odd years playing smaller and quieter venues. Struggling to find any websites that spell this out to a newbie. Any help much appreciated. Cheers

Ahem, I have to mention the same joke for bassists, "How do you know when there's a bassist at the door? He's late and he's got the wrong key"

Hi all Been playing for 24 years with a ten year hiatus (pretending I could play guitar). Been in a rocky / punk band with some good old friends for the last 3 years - first gig this weekend - scary. Equipment: Guild B301 1979 (as my tag might suggest!) Orange OB1 300w Fender Bassman 15" cab Sansamp Style: Pick Overdriven for the Rock Two Finger for the funkier stuff Bass Heros (no particular order): Paul Jackson Bob Weston David w Sims John Entwistle Billy Gould Charles Mingus Danny Thompson Looking forward to learning & sharing a lot from what seems like a really nice community of like minded individuals. Really impressed that everyone of all styles and abilities is welcome - no elitism which I've seen a lot of on other sites. Cheers!