BassBus

How much do you want to spend? Yes to the VM Jazz but might be worth your while looking at ESP LTD basses. You get a lot for your money with them. Mind you they will more than likely be made in the same factory as the VM Jazz. Ibanez SRs are always worth a look as well.

[quote name='3below' timestamp='1402860296' post='2477372'] My first ever set on G&L SB1 now 8 years old, still going strong. Although they are a little pricey (new), the lifetime makes them excellent value. [/quote] ...and I'll raise you two years on that. Probably some of the best value strings on the market.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1402469283' post='2473729'] I know many of you wont understand the reasons fully, but thanks for the encouraging words. After spending quite some time praying that I'm doing the right thing, I've found it's because music has always been an idol to me. One of the first things I do in the morning & last things I do at night is read about music & come on here (still doing it too!). Every spare minute if I'm not on here, I'm playing my bass or playing about with something related to music. It needs to be broken so that I have no idols. Once this has been done, then maybe music can be part of my life & not be idolised by me. Doing this has a strange feeling with it, very similar to when I quit smoking. I feel like I'm breaking free, but there's a part that is sad that the good parts shall be missed. It's not about the playing of an instrument, but my relationship with instruments. If I'm to be a musician, I'm sure it will be. I can always buy another bass/pedalboard/rig, I might come back to keys or to an instrument I've never played before like cello or sax. If it's my calling to praise God in worship songs, then most churches have their own instruments. Maybe God is just like the rest of you & hates it when I play a bit of slap bass & he's had enough. [/quote] I think you have exactly the right attitude. All power to you. And, yes, Your God will hate it when you slap a bass.

I will say don't just listen to your God. Listen to yourself as well. It sounds to me like you are doing that already but maybe not completely aware of it. There comes a time in most peoples life when change is needed. 34 years is a long time to be playing music. Take a step back and give yourself a rest. Don't sell all your gear. I am speaking from experience. 1994 I found there was nothing musical that was influencing me. Stopped playing bass altogether for 7 years. Changed instruments and musical direction and was reborn in a musical sense. 2001 and a whole series of coincidences happened. Long story short, I ended up trying out with a jazz band on bass no less. That first session with them was one of the best sessions I have ever had. I have learned so much more about the bass in the years since them and am enjoying it as much now as ever. More change last year when band playing ceased to give a buzz. Playing on my own and making up my own music and learning even more about the instrument. Point is, after a long ramble, change is sometimes needed. Go with it but always keep one eye on what has mattered to you for so long.

This might help. A whole thread on the subject. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/230948-ios-for-the-gigging-bassist/page__st__150__p__2469682__hl__ios__fromsearch__1#entry2469682

I've always liked DSL straps. Available from guitar guitar and strings direct. Come in different widths and slightly padded. Schaller strap locks on the straps for my custom basses. They use the same screws as standard strap buttons.

Blimey! That is particularly pretty. Mmmm!

Nice looking job there. I'm thinking of doing something similar but slotting in a TC BG250.

Impressive work

Ah, a 15 string P bass.

Well, it does cover up all the dings from a life on the road. [size=4] [/size]

Another Roqsolid from me. You literally receive your cover a few days after your order it. Very fast service and good quality. http://www.roqsolid.co.uk/wp/

If it works for you then it's a good way to play, for you. The only concern I would have is the chance of ripping your finger nail off if you really dig in. Classical guitarists use their finger nails to pick strings so why not bass players.

I find lighter gauge strings sound a bit thinner in tone, to my ear anyway. You might like to look at the tension of strings as opposed to gauge. You can get similar gauges with Thomastik strings but they are lighter tension. Tone and price are not to everyone's taste though. Even some black nylon wrapped strings might suit you. They tend to be lighter tension. Might need some adjustment to the nut though. You might like to look into the picking style of players like Gary Willis and Janek Gwizdala as well. Their approach has a lighter picking action but a loader amp setting. They still use the gauges of strings you do.

When you are facing the trus rod opening, lefty loosy righty tighty. In your case it sounds like there might be a bit of back bow so lefty loosy would introduce a bit more forward bow. Put a capo, or something similar, on the first fret. Then hold the E string onto the fret at the point the neck joins the body, usually around the 17th fret. Use a feeler gauge of about .30mm to check the neck relief. If you like to dig in to your playing then a bit more relief might be needed.

I'll second Lw on the planks of wood on 6 and above strings. If you don't want the low B then avoid. I recently switched to fivers for the same reason as you want to. I have changed strings on two of them from low B to high C. Didn't have to change the nut and no problems with them. You will have to adjust the setup though. It's a high C, as opposed B, so the bass is tuned in forths. You really want to keep it that way as it makes playing chords so much easier. Wherever you play the chord on the neck it is the same for whatever key you play it in. A major chord is the same shape whether it is a C or Db major or any other chord. As for instruments. Yes the ESP LTDs are brilliant basses, worth far more than the money you pay. I have the four string fretless. Lovely sound and very slim, comfortable neck. Also worth looking at Corts. Made in the same factory as ESP LTDs. The Cort B5 would be good. Not as widely available though. The Ibanez SR series would be worth looking at as well. SR305 or a second hand SR505 would fit your budget.

I'm not really a big fan of J type basses but Alan's always change my mind. Somehow he has tweaked the shape to look dead gorgeous.

Perfect finish. Love the neck profile and the fretboard is to die for.

Good point, bassfunk. I think that makes the decision on it's own.

Thanks guys.

I am not playing my DB at the moment and will not be doing so for at least the rest of this year. Any of you who have experience of this, would it be advisable to loosen the strings or leave them at tension on the neck? The bass is in a room in the house with no damp problems and low central heating. Any advice would be great. Ta.

Don't think you'll regret this order. I'm a recent convert to Alan's work too. Always liked the Recurve shape. Looking forward to watching this develope.

Who are we talking about?

You are really quite young for this forum. [size=4] [/size] [size=4]Have fun in amongst all the controversy.[/size]

Love the profile on the back. A flat back feels just right to me. What made you choose Danish oil over something else like Tru Oil?