Dad3353

The first gig, late '60s, was with a few school chums of a younger brother, I played 'bass' using the low strings of my newly-acquired Hofner President into a Watkins Westminster combo. The repertoire was rather 'folky', with a couple of 'originals' (composed by Martin Spicer, who gave his name to the Martin Spicer Band...), notably the Apple Tree Warbler song, with the predictable chorus of... 'I'm a merry little Apple Tree Warbler' 'Who warbles in the apple trees all day.' 'It's because I'm a merry little Apple Tree Warbler' 'That I'm so happy and gay.' We followed this with our version of the Airplane's 'Fat Angel' and a rather Grateful Dead-inspired instrumental that went on for quite a while. No drums, just acoustic guitars and my 'bass'; I don't remember there being any sort of PA or such, just us grouped into a corner of a pub opposite the tube station, Hounslow East. I think we got paid £5, and left the publican and his clients rather bemused by what they had experienced. It didn't take me long to decide to play drums ...

Be wary about using cheap hifi monitors for playing, even at practice levels. They're not really made for 'raw' bass going through them, and may not sound so good whilst playing, and possibly forever after. Better a cheap bass combo for practicing, and spare the monitors. Just sayin'.

Major scale, minor scale, in a couple of keys and good to go. ... (Just kidding; there might be a little more for one or two. )

Five voters, so far. Two votes each. Eleven votes cast. ...

Humming Megadeth riffs v Shouting at clouds..?

Tort v plain pick guards..?

Hmm... I might have a few left. Anything take your fancy..?

Done.

I'm a drummer; I also play (modestly...) guitar and bass. When I say 'play', I don't mean that I play 'songs' (although I have done in the past, in bands...); I mean that I play whatever I'm 'thinking', or 'hearing in my head', much of which is chordal. I find a six-string very useful for bringing out the upper chord extensions (9th, 11th, 13th...), in similar fashion to guitar. I play most often a four-string, but my sixer comes out often enough, and the 'C' string gets used maybe more still than the low 'B'. It all depends on what one wants to hear, really; I like to hear full chord tones when playing solo bass, in chord/melody style (not the same as fitting in to a typical pop/rock band riff...). Horses for courses..?

... or make a run for it. Point over their shoulders, and shout 'Oh look..! There's Lord Lucan..!' and leg it. You never know, you might get lucky.

Hmm... Until they do, in which case, confiscation plus fine. One has to just weigh up the risks against benefits, really, but there is a risk.

I read 'Easiest/Cheapest/Simplest'.

... so an 'Aux In' is useful.

I read 'Easiest/Cheapest/Simplest way for silent practice with backing track.'. So, Amp plug (yes, those 'matchbox' things...). Yes, there are better, more expensive, more complicated, more everything ways of skinning this cat, but the Easiest/Cheapest/Simplest way for silent practice with backing track is an Amp plug. Less than £20, new. Less than pocket size. Couldn't get much simpler. A no-brainer, really.

You're not trying hard enough ... Shorts ...

Amazon : SONICAKE US Madness Plug-In USB Chargable Portable Pocket Guitar Bass Headphone Amp Carry-On Bedroom Effects ...

Mmm... Tea...

Why not six, then..?

Order went through OK, £8.79 shipping, apparently all-inclusive, so seems fair enough. Hoping it arrives before Christmas..! Thanks again for the inspiration.

Thanks for posting this, it solves one of my Christmas dilemmas. Delivered to France, will this attract extra VAT or import charges, or will it be shipped from France..? Anyway, order incoming, once I've established Our Youngest's size in jumpers.

If only it existed for five-strings. ...

At Christmas-time, it's better if they're warm.

Any better..?

Shops that sell camping equipment should be able to replace a broken zip, or recommend somewhere local to get it done. Cobblers (those that mend shoes the old-fashioned way...) may be able to help, too. For those 'in the know', replacing zips is not rocket surgery. Hope this helps.

True. ... But it helps. ... It helps a lot. ... An awful lot. ...