Evil Undead

I bought it this morning. Brought it home, played it for a while, really pleased as it sounded nice and played wonderfully. Then I thought I'd give it a bit of a set up and change the strings. Always a good idea to try the truss rod first so I did - one didn't budge a millimetre and the other just freewheeled. Bah. I also noticed when I was fixing one of the pots that there's a barely visible crack about 2 inches long by the treble control - goes right through to the cavity. Another bah. So, I've taken it back and been refunded.

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1332579912' post='1590199'] It's a sad reflection on what this forum has done to me that I was thinking "buy" as soon as I read the subject line! [/quote]

[quote name='Ed_S' timestamp='1332577787' post='1590169'] ...and of course because there are 50% more strings than a standard bass, that'll be half as expensive again! [/quote] . It's a good argument to use - I wont tell them I can set it up myself hehe

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1332573648' post='1590138'] Tell them you'll give them the cash there and then for £230. If they say no... walk out. Come back after after 10 minutes and say you've changed your mind and will take it for £250? [/quote] So £250 isn't really a good price?

Any more opinions? I gotta let them know today

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1332537031' post='1589883'] If it's a pawn shop, I reckon you could haggle the price down a bit more. [/quote] That was with my haggling it was £350 a while back but wasn't selling because they wanted too much. So they knocked it down to £280, and I beat them down to £250.

[quote name='Rowley Birkin QC' timestamp='1332536955' post='1589879'] Or........you could save the money and put it towards the Markbass Combo you wanted from me! [/quote] I thought you sold it because you had other people interested?

[quote name='fender73' timestamp='1332535502' post='1589865'] Elixirs?? you must be rich! [/quote] If only! Just about getting by from one month to the next mate. But, I don't smoke, don't go out on the town... bass is my only hobby and the only thing I really spend any money on

[quote name='fender73' timestamp='1332531025' post='1589775'] £51 for a set of strings??? [/quote] Ha no, I'm overestimating. But I like Elixir's on Soundgears. I have a low B, but I'd need the other 5. £30 for the 4 set, and £9 for the high C.

I was in town this afternoon, and I saw an Ibanez SR506 in a pawn shop. I tried it out and it played great, very low action, nice straight neck, electrics all seemed to work ok. Bit of denting on the body that these models are notorious for, that doesn't bother me. They said that I can have it for £249 if I'm interested - seems like one of those too good to be true deals. Although I have to take into account that it will need a new set of strings, so that will take the price up to £300. I'm a bit skint but it's payday today I'm a bit hesitant as I have never owned a 6 string, but I was impressed. So, is it a good deal? Should I go for it? I'd love to hear some thoughts.

Buy it! Buy it now!

We'd have done it in a shot mate, if we were closer and weren't already booked for a gig tonight. Good luck with the search.

I usually have one (single short with mixer) beforehand to calm my nerves, and one during the interval. Maybe one after we finish the second set. But, even though that small amount is never enough to get me "merry", I always make sure I eat first just in case. The rest of the band do the same. However, if the person paying us to play asked us not to drink any alcohol, then we wouldn't, of course. But we've never been asked not to yet.

So, after all this I'm undecided on the general consensus Stick with the 'wick and see if things get any better, or go back to the Ibby?

Oops I made a boo boo here

I appreciate any suggestions, thank you Charic I had a thought just now... I wonder if my rather protruding beer gut pushes the bass far enough away to cause weird wrist angles?

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1331063782' post='1567152'] Maybe going the wrong way about this then. You could try adding a small amount of weight to the rear or the bass to experiment. And the lower the bass until comfortable? I think somebody did this with a couple of small weights and some fishing line on here at somepoint [/quote] I thought about adding weight. And whilst the $$ is still a pretty light bass at 8.6lbs, I don't have a very good back. Adding some weight would probably make the bass heavier than my crappy back would be able to stand. The Ibanez is crazy light at 7.3lbs, especially for a 5 string. Quite a difference.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1331062366' post='1567113'] Just some first glance thoughts (and I am definitely not a pro!) I would try raising the warwick higher still (it actually looks uncomfortable) Also looking at the 5 string it looks like the wider neck was maybe FORCING correct technique. Your thumb is the the middle of the neck and your hand looks relaxed. With the warwick your thumb has drifted over the top and your hand looks much more tense. Feel free to ignore, shout or swear at me. All imo and i admit to there being a high likelyhood of me being wrong. [/quote] Hey I've got the Wick a bit higher at the moment, but it seems to force the neck into a more horizontal position, which makes me reach further (and therefore turn my wrist more). I think those shots were taken at unfortunate times haha, I usually have my thumb at the back when playing the lower strings - higher strings my thumb usually sticks up over the top. The neck is quite narrow even though the profile is really thick. I am in agreement that the Ibanez does look more comfortable. That gig (that those photos were taken on) was the only gig where I've not been in a lot of discomfort afterwards, either from my back, wrists, etc.

Ok, here are some photos. Please excuse my flab, my silly expressions, and my varying dodgy hairstyles. These were the only two useful photos of me playing my $$ And here are some of me with my old Ibanez 5 string (very light and very comfortable to play, lovely balance. I'm seriously thinking about buying another of these). Check out the angle this bass sits at.

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1331059292' post='1567057'] Then they weren't proper tutors then were they Have a look through BC there are a few guys with good reps. [/quote] Interesting. How would I find who is a tutor and who isn't? And whether they were near me?

[quote name='Mylkinut' timestamp='1331006109' post='1566204'] I also like Sonic Blue. [/quote] Oh man. That Precision looks incredible. My favourite colour for a bass is white for Precision and Jazz, black for everything else really. I also like LPB. Oh, and I'm a huge fan of maple fretboards.

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1331057817' post='1567012'] I was thinking it might be worthwhile breaking open the piggy bank and paying for a lesson. whether in person or over something like skype. Someone who can see in real time and converse would for me beat trying to forensically examine a load of pictures Plus you don't have all us nosey fookers puttin' in 2p and muddying the waters [/quote] I like you nosey fookers besides keeping me entertained, you're helping me to look at possibilities that I hadn't considered. As for a lesson, I tried that too. Two different teachers. The first one told me that I should hang my bass lower and hold it more horizontal and the second one said "I can't really teach you technique, so we'll focus on theory" (in more words of course). Second one was a great teacher and helped loads with my theory, but couldn't really help me with my technique.

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1331051414' post='1566892'] Fixed that you would hope a PROPER tutor the likes of Doddy and Dood would have the knowledge about left hand technique and could perform a better one on one assessment with visuals and point out any obvious flaws. [/quote] Yeah I still need to get some photos together of me playing. I don't have many of me playing this bass but I'll scrape together what I can find tonight and post them.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1331050985' post='1566883'] Evil Undead hasn't told us how many stringes her bass has, how long she plays for per day and at a stretch, when the pain kicks in, etc. [/quote] It's a 4 string Warwick $$. I don't really have a set practice time per day, I just play when I feel like it, and until I get bored or dinners ready I have band practice once a week for 2 hours in addition. It's more discomfort than pain, and usually when I'm playing on the first few frets (first 5 ish).