Coilte

You should check out the G&L SB2 Tribute. : [url="http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/TributeSeries/basses/SB-2_new/index.asp"]http://www.glguitars...2_new/index.asp[/url] ....or a used USA one.... The "L" stands for some guy whose first name is "Leo" Just be aware that the neck on these is 1.5" at the nut...i.e a jazz neck.

Here is a good read : http://www.amazon.com/Jaco-Extraordinary-Tragic-Life-Pastorius/dp/0879308591

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1430056914' post='2757519'] Just me and my bass..I don't want FX so I cover everything with the bass. I don't mess with the amp EQ either...once it has the sound I don't touch it altho I might adjust the volume.[/quote] +1.

http://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Exercises-Bass-Chuck-Sher/dp/1883217636

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1429966955' post='2756776'] I'm sorry i just don't get it! It's just songs and notes, whatever song you play you are just playing notes. Just in different orders. [/quote] In fairness I think this is a little extreme. It is natural for people to have preferences. Free/improvised jazz is as you describe, but it is not for everyone...band members and punters alike.

[quote name='Dandelion' timestamp='1429966586' post='2756767'] Addicted to love. Because I cannot play it without visualizing myself and the rest of the band in tight black dresses. It is disturbing. [/quote] Yes. That IS disturbing. A real case for dropping a song, if ever there was one !!

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1429955587' post='2756625'] Free Bird & Sweet Home Alabama!!! I love Skynyrd, and there are loads of other great Skynyrd songs, so why do so many bands insist on playing these two? [/quote] I think chris_b answers your question earlier.... i.e. because the crowd like or react to it in an appreciative way. Personally, like others here, there are songs that I would rather not play, but if the audience like them, then why not...?

[quote name='Luulox' timestamp='1428322178' post='2740174'] I use it for arpeggios and chord tones on the Bass [/quote] You may also find this useful : http://www.scribd.com/doc/2087887/A-Comprehensive-Chord-Tone-System-For-Mastering-The-Bass-Jeff-Berlin

This guy seems to have done OK for himself...and look at his thumb. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obFcsEtFIKA BTW, I am not making a case for the thumb over the neck technique. I am merely trying to make the point that nothing is written in stone.

As is often said when discussing technique...nothing is written in stone. It is neither a cardinal sin or "bad" technique to have the thumb peeping over the top of the neck at times. Granted, it is not a very efficient way of playing, but if a song requires you to only play within a small area of the neck, i.e. little or no moving up and down the neck, then I dont see any reason to be hung for treason for having it peep over. Here is a clip worth checking out : [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM-rkoy2H8I"]https://www.youtube....h?v=OM-rkoy2H8I[/url]

I'd wonder.. what lunatic leaves such an expensive instrument propped up against an amp, instead of using a decent quality guitar stand.

All helpful replies so far. I'll second the "Study Bass" site. Here is another set of chronological lesson clips on You Tube : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLImrzCNnL5PkSfa1gUpsGzSMELR31yW9h

I wonder what Bilbo's contribution to the thread will be ??? I'm sure he'll be along soon to let us all know.......for the 100th time !!

I read somewhere about an alternative to surgery, where they inject a chemical into the hand that dissolves the offending tissue. From all accounts the results are fairly fast, but there is always a catch in that there "can" be side effects. The treatment is not available here in Ireland, but is available in France AFAIK.

[quote name='lowlandtrees' timestamp='1428685028' post='2743813'] Don t think that I drink that much at prez but had my share of fun before I got hitched. [/quote] I dont know for a fact, but I dont think heavy drinking has much to do with whether you contact it or not. I think it is more hereditary. My dad was a [i]very[/i] moderate drinker and he had it. Same with his sister (my aunt).

[quote name='Pukie' timestamp='1428667752' post='2743574'] ...now I feel ill [/quote] ...hence.. your username.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1428669439' post='2743599'] I never had any finger pain with it [/quote] Same here...absolutely no pain at all.

I have it on the left hand pinkie. While I obviously cant stretch the pinkie as far as I'd like when I fret, it does not interfere too much with my playing. It has not gotten any worse over the last few years. Contrary to what some people say, I have read that the earlier it is treated the better the success rate.

Some good advice in the thread so far. God !!!.... I never realised we were such a humble bunch !!!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1428494588' post='2741752'] I've just got into trouble when I said that someone that who is quitting lessons after 3 weeks as he doesn't feel he is progressing, was basically not going to be a guitar player if that is all he could devote to it. Some of us have been playing over 40 years, I'd imagine, and the trick is when you stop learning and having that drive. Because as sure as anything, you never stop learning, you just lose the vision or desire. The more you know, the more you know you don't know. IMO. As long as you keep pushing, things will get better. There are very natural players and some who have to force it and also some who are happy where they are, but 2 years is no time at all to beat yourself up... You need to find more things to get your inspired, to keep you fresh and make you pick up the instrument day-in, day-out. [/quote] Good post JTUK. I dont know why some people get hung up on progress, or how good they are. The first is like trying to monitor your hair growing and the second is undefinable. It is a recipe for frustration. If people do the work on a regular basis, they will make progress without realizing it. OP my advice is to simply enjoy the learning process. It is a life journey, so relax, sit back and enjoy the scenery.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1428123541' post='2738240'] [i]"A set up from a very good luthier cost me $51.00. [/i] [/quote] Be careful about reckless statements like this. I got my wrist slapped by the OP earlier, for suggesting to go to a tech.

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1427980272' post='2736635'] I don't need to take it to a tech, it's fine. I can get my bass to play beautifully and there's no abnormal resistance when turning the rod. I'm just curious and wanting to learn about my instrument, there's no need to assume there's a problem just because I'm asking a question [/quote] The simple reason why I assumed there [u]may[/u] (I never said there was...) be a problem with either the bass or the truss rod itself is because you are talking in terms of full turns, which are unusual. Earlier you said...."[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I was wondering because mine takes about a full turn from mid point to get the neck straight, (every time I change strings)".[/font][/color] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][color=#282828]This, in my humble opinion tells me that there [/color][/font][u]might[/u][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][color=#282828] be a problem....somewhere. It also tells me that you seem to be tweaking the truss rod without really knowing anything about how it works, i.e. tweaking...[u]then[/u] asking questions.[/color][/font]

The truss rod should rarely need to be touched. When it does, it is usually because a different brand or tension of string is replacing the old strings. Even at that, the [u]maximum [/u]that is generally required is a quarter to a half turn. A little goes a long way with the truss rod. I'd second the advice to bring your bass to a reputable tech and have him check it out.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1427885181' post='2735371'] On the other hand, and partly to rein myself in a bit, I deliberately remain in one band where the word "loose" doesn't even begin to describe it. Every song is chaos, every set is complete anarchy, you never know what the leader is going to do next ... he routinely starts songs in the wrong key, or the wrong speed, or even the wrong rhythm, he changes the structure as he goes along, forgets the words and makes up new ones, you name it, he does it. It's a great way to put my other bands/projects in perspective, and to remind me not to get too anal about all this. [/quote] It might give perspective...but is it an enjoyable and fulfilling band to be in ? Sounds frustrating..to say the least.

It is often said that.. "the camera never lies.." neither does the recorder. Recording a practice session or a gig, often gives the whole band a different aspect as to their over all performance. Sometimes what you think is good and tight, often turns out to be mediocre...or worse. The main thing is that you all have learned from this experience, so in that sense, it was constructive.