thebrig

[quote name='BigAlonBass' timestamp='1318964567' post='1408394'] Speaking as the one voice of stupidity in the thread, I had my thumb joint replaced on the wednesday, then did a gig on the saturday. The plaster kept it braced rather effectively all night, and I felt no pain, simply because I couldn't move it. To embrace the stupidity even more, the plaster was slightly larger than I had expected and prevented finger movement, so a couple of (VERY careful) minutes with a Dremel cleared the offending obstruction away from my palm. (The face I'm pulling on the picture is for comic effect.) Yes, the lads in the Band thought I was an idiot as well, but at least I proved it can be done. [/quote] You have made me feel so much better now. My plaster is also much larger than I expected, almost down to my elbow, but my fingers are completely free, and I have been told by the specialist, that I should keep moving them as much as possible. My thumb is completely stable, and will not get harmed in any way, and the solid base of the plaster, will rest nicely on the body of the bass. As I have said all along, it is not a pressure gig, a lot of the audience will be familiar with us, although there might be up to 300 people there, but having a fun night is the most important thing, and I suppose seeing the bassist take the stage with a massive plaster cast on his arm, just adds to the occasion. Although I admit that I might be slightly mad! I do realise that if it gets too much for me, one of the guitarists will have to take over the bass. Now that would add too the fun!!!

Thanks for all the kind thoughts and wishes! I really do think I should be ok for a couple of hours, I'm not trying to be a hero or anything, But maybe I am a bit MAD!!!

[quote name='jonthebass' timestamp='1318937110' post='1407870'] Now that you have decided to do the gig do please get a picture of you playing with the cast, not much more rock 'n' roll than that! Good luck. [/quote] It's a 'must have' memory!

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1318936283' post='1407855'] Well it sounds as though you won't be contravening the specialist's advice, so all that other stuff we said is irrelevant now! So glad the op went well. Let us know how the gig goes. It sounds as though it will be great! [/quote] Thanks[i], [/i]I will let you all know how it goes. Cheers

Just got home today from hospital, the specialist is pleased with the way it went, not too much pain, and my fingers are completely free, and he has advised me that I should keep [u]moving[/u] them as much as possible. The thumb is completely protected, and I couldn't move it if I tried, and although my arm should be elevated for the first week, he said that it doesn't have to be 24/7, so all should be ok for Saturday. I do appreciate all your advice, and maybe I am mad, but I really do feel that by Saturday, I should be fine, and will just take it easy with my playing. It's my plucking hand, so I will just rest my palm, which is well protected on the bass and play within myself. It's a fundraiser event, that should be fun to play, with absolutely no pressure. And besides, I've got a ready-made excuse for any bum notes!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1318834273' post='1406540'] Things is..what sort of condition are you going to be in to play..and what damage might you do to a joint that is already under repair...?? I wouldn't touch this myself on the face of what you have posted, as the joint will need every chance of rest to recover and be a success. You are risking short term for long term IMO...and that is beside the fact that you may not be upto speed playing-wise anyway. I understand you are keen to help out an old band, but this isn't really your problem. So, that would be a BIG no from me. They should get a dep [/quote] Deep down, I think you are right, but they can't find a dep, and have said that even if I just keep everything simple, it would be better than having no bass at all. It's a charity event for 'downs syndrome', which the daughter of the lead guitarist was sadly was born with. So it will be unpaid, and not too demanding, and hopefully good fun as well, and if it does prove too much for me, then maybe one of the guitarists could take over the bass.

I’m having a joint replacement today (Monday), old age = arthritis I’m afraid. Problem is, my old band is desperate as their bass player can’t make a gig this coming Saturday, and asked if I could do it, I said I would only if they cannot find anyone else, and that I would be a bit restricted because I will be in a plaster cast. I’m hoping that my fingers will be free enough to play, but now I’m getting a bit nervous, as I was told at the pre-op assessment, that it will be quite painful afterwards, and that I should have my arm elevated for a week, although I’m sure a couple of hours playing with my arm down five days after the op, shouldn’t cause too many problems. Has anyone else had this op, and if so, do you think I will be able to get by on the night?

I left my band about six months ago, as the singer only thought he needed to show up every now and then, even though he was always singing verse's where chorus's should be, and visa-versa, and we hardly ever had everyone there for rehearsals, and the songs we were playing was awful IMO. I wasn't too sure that I was doing the right thing, as they did have more gigs lined up, and I really got a buzz out of playing live. Since leaving, I have jammed with many different musicians that I met through 'JoinMyBand', which has been both interesting and enjoyable. I now have a complete band formed, playing music that we ALL enjoy, we ALL get on well, and we ALL show up every week. Anyway, I got a call from my old band last week, asking whether I could help them out as their new bassist can't make a gig next week, so I said I would,but I would need a couple of rehearsals with them beforehand. So last week we all got together and I found out on the night, that there were quite a few new numbers that I had never even heard before, let alone played, so I said I will go away and work on them, and we can run through them at the final rehearsal tonight (Thursday), and guess what? I've just found out that the singer, and one of the guitarists wont be there tonight, so nothing has changed, and I'm sure glad I acted when I did, rather than just plod along with a bunch of guys, who have no dedication at all. Go with your instincts! I'm sure you will find a more satisfying band soon. Good Luck!

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1317986171' post='1396928'] Can you two please PM me your details (paypal addresses you used to order) and I'll chase these up. Certainly not good enough they haven't arrived. Perhaps I'll have a new one sent out from the new supplier I have set up free of charge with my apologies. Perhaps they will still turn up. Cheers [/quote] I don't mind waiting a bit longer Ped, and it's obvious you are doing your best to rectify things. If it hasn't turned up by Monday, I will PM you with the details. Cheers

I literally just had this said to me about 30 minutes ago, by our guitarist who is bringing along a new drummer for tonight's rehearsal. This after [u][b]I[/b][/u] sent all the songs/mp3's over to the drummer [b]10 days[/b] ago to learn. [b]"The drummer has not had time to learn any of the songs, because he has been a bit tied up with his other band"[/b]

Friday 7th October and still no shirt!

I'd forgotten I had actually ordered a shirt, until I read this topic today.

[quote name='Paul S' post='1331869' date='Aug 8 2011, 11:36 AM']Any update re this? Interested to hear how you got on.[/quote] Yes, I've just finished trying it out. It certainly gave a very dark finish, almost black in fact. BUT, on the board, which is probably oily, the stain just won't dry out, so I ended up removing it. It stained the back of the neck OK, but it would certainly need a top finish to seal it. In the end, I decided to paint the neck with spray cans, which turned out quite nice. The board which is already a bit darker than usual, I will try the olive oil method to darken it. Apparently it works quite well, and would take just a few minutes to re-apply, every so often.

[quote name='Musky' post='1327046' date='Aug 4 2011, 02:39 PM']This is really spooky - I've just finished looking at a site that does single hole thumbrests! [url="http://www.classicguitarboxes.com/thumb_rests.php"]http://www.classicguitarboxes.com/thumb_rests.php[/url][/quote] Definitely the man! I have purchased a few from Guy, including a couple of custom ones he made for me, to my own design in ebony. Quality work at a very reasonable price.

[quote name='mashup' post='1320094' date='Jul 29 2011, 09:29 AM']So, based on your experience & similar health problems due to heavy bass playing, i take you would advise me taking a punt on the new Ibanez SR1200 then?[/quote] I've not played or heard the SR1200, so I could not advise you to choose that particular model, although I'm sure the neck will feel similar to the SR500, as the dimensions are the same. But as [b]"aldude"[/b] points out, it does depend on the balance, a well balanced heavier bass, can in fact feel more comfortable than a lighter bass that is neck heavy, because you will constantly be holding and pulling the neck back up. I have checked on the Ibanez website, the SR1200 body has Ovankol top to Mahogany body, plus the neck is constructed of a 5pc Atlas-4 Wenge/Bubinga w/KTS™ TITANIUM Reinforcement, whereas, the SR500 has a plain Mahogany body, and the neck is a 5pc SR4 Jatoba/Bubinga. So there are bound to be some difference in balance and weight. If you do plump for the SR1200, please let me know what you think of it, as I would like to one day purchase a higher-end SR, and the SR1200 is one a have wondered about, as it is more affordable than the SR5000e which I previously had my eye on. One last thought, considering the outlay, I would recommend that you ring round all the stores to find out who has one in stock, and try it out first. I'm sure it will be a great bass, but it makes sense to try before you buy. Hope this helps a bit.

I have a SR500, I got it because of a back and neck problem, it plays and sounds great, and very versatile with so many tones available. The neck is lightening fast, it's well balanced, and weighs just [b]6.5lbs[/b]! I have owned many very good basses in the past, and still do, but my SR500 is definitely my favourite. I have just purchased another one, which I am now modding, and I also have a SR505 5-string. The two SR500's cost me a total of £470 s/h, but both in pristine condition, and the SR505 cost £400, and was only two weeks old. That's how much I like them!

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1312297' date='Jul 22 2011, 07:15 AM']I had the same, mine was £1650, I did tell the missus first, imagine if I hadn't, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life if I didn't, she only passed away last month Treat her to something she really wants and then spend the rest on yourself. Trust me, if you were in my place you'd understand why.[/quote] My deepest sympathy on your sad loss. I'm glad you did the right thing in telling her first. I'm sure you will understand that most of the comments on this thread are light-hearted, and we all love and treat our partners well. In fact, I'm taking her out tomorrow to buy a few things, plus a meal and drink afterwards. My sincere best wishes to you.

[quote name='Ross' post='1311832' date='Jul 21 2011, 05:55 PM']I'm voting for this! The cakes in amsterdam are amazing as well, i ate so much over there.[/quote] We've already done the Amsterdam thing a couple of times. The last trip, we spent a few hours in a very nice "coffee shop", and tried a couple of house specials WOW!!!

[quote name='aldude' post='1311713' date='Jul 21 2011, 04:26 PM']This. Definitely this. Though if you want kit, why not something other than a bass? My wireless system for example is the best thing I've ever bought (Line6 G50). Decent ones are expensive![/quote] Thanks, but I already have the Line6 G30, and I agree, they are brilliant!

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1311710' date='Jul 21 2011, 04:24 PM']It wouldn't be a problem for a man of you calibre I'm sure. [/quote] Thanks for the confidence booster, but I am pretty new to messing around with bitsa's. It's just that I think I read somewhere that the neck pocket on a Squier was a bit shallower, and could cause problems when upgrading the neck. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I would be grateful if someone could confirm whether it is a standard size.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1311230' date='Jul 21 2011, 09:58 AM']Surely you know the answer to this having built [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=145030&hl="]this[/url] P bass already . [/quote] Well sort of, the P I built was using a Squier Vintage Modified body, which is the same as the MIA & MIM. I have heard that the neck pocket on the Affinity models are slightly different, and need some modding.

Does anyone know whether the pocket on a Squier Affinity Series P or J, is the same dimension as the MIA & MIM versions? And will a Mighty Mite neck slot in without any problems? Cheers in advance.