miles'tone

Great vid here by Tony Franklin on why he plays unlined rather than lined. It's all good but go to 3.30 for his reasoning and demo...

Yes, mute the strings with your fingerboard hand and spend some time focusing on just your picking hand, eyeballing it as you do. Alternate picking on each string, then when you can do that accurately, try going between B&A, E&D, A&G (like you would play octaves), again alternate picking as you go (1+2+3+4+ on each string at first). When you can do that accurately and consistently with minimum hand movement, mix it up how you feel like. This will help internalise the new string spacing which is what we all trip up on at first, picking especially. Won't take too long. Have fun, it's a good game!

You mean drop the B down to A# so you're still playing all the strings dropped down a half-step? Yes, if that's what you're used to I reckon!

After owning the 4 string, I'd plump for a used Yamaha BB605. The Nathan East preamp is sick.

But they will nick your things off the beach while you're paddling out 🏴‍☠️

I'm in.

I treated myself to some double bass lessons, booked for January.

Sierra Ferrell - Trail Of Flowers has been a welcome highlight. She's the real deal, and has an old soul from another time. Love her. Gruff Rhys - Sadness Sets Me Free. It came out at the beginning of the year but is still on repeat in my car, setting me free. A beautiful record.

Bit the bullet and booked some one on one lessons with a working pro bassist for January. Onwards! 🙂

Sorry, couldn't resist ☺️

No diversion. It's all about learning to play better, thanks for your ideas!

Looks like there's one still inside peeking out of the grill.

Ben bought a Höfner and some bits off me. Nice easy deal with a great Basschatter. Cheers Ben 👍

Thanks Ruby, that's tonight's viewing sorted then! Much appreciated 🙂

Thanks for all your stories and suggestions guys, I really appreciate it. I'm going to go at it the traditional way and put the time in. Playing by feel and ears is where I want to be anyway. Using the side dots wasn't a problem at first because I was always standing side on, playing Rockabilly. It did become a problem later on when I was playing (ahem...bluffing) some jazz gigs as it led to some nasty neck and shoulder pain as mentioned above. I'm loving the Discover Double Bass youtube channel - there's plenty of great lessons on there to keep me busy. Cheers!

I have an upright that I've not played at all for many years. I used to play out with a band and got by with using side dots. Now I'm keen to start again and learn "properly" without the side dots, but I'm considering using some small dabs of nail varnish for my thumb to feel on the back of the neck to help me learn the different positions. Is this a done thing or has anyone else here used this method? Is it cheating? Makes kind of sense to me though! Looking forward to your thoughts and experience... Cheers.

Great 👍

😄 I once had an Avenger that had a Rover V8 gear knob that I acquired from a scrappy. At the time I was convinced it felt like it made it go faster 😂

Actually, that sounds like my dream bass! I love a fat neck, especially with the 70s nut widths. My old '65 was a serious bass of doom but given the choice (one day..) a narrower neck lightweight 70s P would be the one ('72 to tick the YOB thing while I'm at!)

Nice basses. I believe Jamiroquai is Jay Kay and whoever he chooses to hire. Since the now late Mr. Smith left in 2002 anyway.

https://www.apollomusiconline.co.uk/sx-p-bass---candy-apple-red-2344-p.asp

Shame, but at least you have a band again. There'll be other gigs.