Acebassmusic

We've just completed a demo in the studio and on the first track I thought I was OK. On playback I realised I was racing the beat in certain areas too much. Second take and I really worked on "slowing" things down. In my head I thought I was playing way too far behind the beat - it felt really wierd and wrong. Listened to it and everything just sounded spot on with a great feel! That was a strange experience learning the difference between my perception and reality! It was a big wake up call for me to practice on my timing and feel. I'm now dropping early Xmas / birthday hints to family and friends about one of those handheld recorders that I can easily set going when I am practicing with either a track or metronome then I can really hear where I am against the beat. No hiding for me anymore

Have you checked on some of the other posts as to positioning of your bass? There is no "right or wrong" way but some positions make it easier on the hands and arms. I used to get problems in my right arm and hand - numbness, tingling, lack of grip etc and was quite worried about my long term chances of playing bass. After checking things out I changed my position so that my right elbow was not tucked into my side so much and was more in line with the bass body. This straightened my wrist, stopped me from resting my arm on the edge of the bass and allowed the blood to flow back where it should! It felt strange at first but after a while of being conscious of this change, it just became my new normal playing position. 10 years later - still playing with no problems...phew!

[quote name='bassist_lewis' post='1339410' date='Aug 14 2011, 10:50 AM']I currently play a very very nice 4 string which I wouldn't sell for love nor money (well, perhaps money) but I'm thinking about buying the 6 string version. My thinking is that it allows me to play almost 2 and half octaves in one position, I'll never be at a loss for notes, and that when singers transpose down (eg don't stop believing) I can play it nearer the original pitch. However, there is a lot of hostility to this idea. last night the singer said to me "I'm glad you don't play that 5 string pish, nae ******* point in them things, they should be ******* outlawed" and a while back the drummer told me "don't bother with a 6 string, they're for pretentious *****". now I shouldn't be influenced by other people's opinions but lets face it, we're social animals. Any thoughts?[/quote] I would say that unless you are being paid to play a certain instrument in a professional situation where a certain image is nescessary then just buy and play whatever YOU want to. Its YOUR money and YOUR choice. When I moved from 4 to 5 and 6 string over 10 years ago I was nervous about the perception that it might give (6 string = you must solo over everything and be a flash b'stard...lol). Not so.... I find most people, if they are interested at all, are just curious as to why the bass is so big! Six strings used to be the preserve of the jazz end of the market and 4 strings for rock / metal etc. Take a look at how many of the rock / metal players are using multi strings now. I wonder how your singer and drummer would take it if you started dictating to them what microphone they used or how many drums and cymbals was "acceptable"? [quote name='thepurpleblob' post='1339420' date='Aug 14 2011, 10:57 AM']I think it depends. If you play blues in a pub band then you'll probably look a bit strange with a 6. If you play two handing tapping in a new-age jazz ensemble it'll look right at home. I've always thought that if you're not into chords and such then a 5 gets you out of most trouble. This is speaking as a five string owner that I very rarely play. Your band do sound a touch opinionated [/quote] I use to play a six stringer with a 3 peice blues band and the only comment I ever got was from another bassist asking how I handled 6 strings as he "struggled" with 5! It allowed me to do some things easier and fill in the sound without having to race all over the neck....saying that we did support the British Blues All Stars with Colin Hodgkinson on bass and he managed quite well on a 4...lol Have a listen to Los Lonely Boys - 3 peice Texicana "blues" - 6 string bass - excellent.

Welcome to Basschat

Hi All, We have just finished 5 tracks, all covers, in the Mill Recording Studios in Bachory near Aberdeen. We started at 10 on Saturday morning and completed them ....well ....about 3 hours ago! I took us 18 hours in total and we're pretty chuffed with the results. We thought it was time to get an updated demo, covering the current line up, for getting gigs as well as just having fun together. The line up is drums, bass, guitar and the ladies swapping on main vocals. The rest of us provide backing grunts and squeals as appropriate! Believe it or not this is the first band that either of the girls has EVER been in! Here's a link to the audio on our website - [url="http://www.groovecruise.co.uk/Audio.php"]Groove Cruise - Audio[/url] - we'd appreciate feedback from unbiased ears whether it be good, bad or ugly (please be gentle though...lol) Cheers, Mike

A very Northern Hello to you

Peter sold me his Mono bass strap - great deal, great condition, great comms, great postage, great packaging......you get the idea Highly reccomended. Thanks again.

[quote name='neepheid' post='1286124' date='Jun 29 2011, 09:55 AM']Welcome aboard, fellow resident of the grey fortress of melancholy [/quote] Neepheid put it so much more poetically than me.....but here goes...."Hello from SUNNY Aberdeen"

Ken Smith Master Series strings go up to .145! [url="http://www.kensmithbasses.com/Strings/stainlessteelmulti.html"]Smith Strings[/url]

....and another hello from me....in Aberdeen! :-)

[quote name='neepheid' post='1256540' date='Jun 4 2011, 03:20 PM']Fit like, Mike? [/quote] Yip Indeed it is me - that you Matt? What are you modding at the moment (I know you have a fetish for that sort of thing....lol)? [quote name='BB2000' post='1256544' date='Jun 4 2011, 03:23 PM'][s]Mike [/s] Ann ...... Sorted it for you.[/quote] Ann?? Only use that name at the weekends ......OK I checked you profile but cant see any clues as to your identity.....???

Hi All, After many years of lurking, reading and getting lots of good info from the forum I thought it was about time I signed up and contributed back. Currently living and working in Aberdeen I've put together a local covers band ( [url="http://Groovecruise.co.uk"]Groove Cruise[/url] ) who play approx 25 gigs a year. I got my first "real" bass 29 years ago (OMG!!!) a Kay bass in the shape of a Les Paul. Even starting on that bass didn't deter me from learning! Various bouts of GAS have seen some very nice (and some not so nice) basses come and go. Having a wonderful wife who has actively encouraged me on several occasions to buy basses still amazes me! At some point I'll try and put up piccies of some of the ones I've owned and also ones I'm using at the moment. Hopefully I will be able to contribute to threads and payback some of the invaluable help the site has given me in the past.