Coilte

[quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1345208238' post='1774997'] I don't keep my basses in their gig bags - I have them on stands so i can pick them up whenever I want - or walk past - etc. Besides, they're beautiful works of art and I want to be able to see them [/quote] Yes, I can see the logic in this. However, weather like we are having now, can effect the wood. Keeping them in their bags helps to protect them from the effects of fluctuating changes in the weather.

What you are saying is similar to saying that there are thousands of words in the English dictionary, so which ones should I learn the meaning to or the spelling of. The simple answer is that ALL the exercises have their uses. So pick the ones that you think will be the most beneficial to you, and that you think you will get the most use out of. Either that, or start with the easier ones and gradually work towards the more difficult ones.

Do you keep your bass in it's gig bag/hardcase when not in use ? Putting some silica gel sachets in the gig back can also help. I also think that some basses are more susceptible to weather changes than others.

[quote name='Salt on your Bass?' timestamp='1344960225' post='1771663'] They're obviously from the same school of thought as the band LostAlone's bassist in this months BGM: "The secret of playing bass well is to be a lead guitarist for 10 years, then move onto bass. You'll pick it up pretty easy." If I'd known that, I'd have picked up a guitar first! At least we all know the secret now! Still a bit miffed that made it into a bass mag. [/quote] I would not get too upset about that. Usually the "bass is easy" concept goes hand in hand with the music being played. Some types of music require just root notes with maybe a "five" thrown in for good measure. Yes, this is easy to play on the bass, but this is more than likely what the song requires. I, you, and everyone else on this forum know different, i.e. that playing the bass can be as easy or as hard as you want/require it to be. It depends on how far you want to go with it. All bassists are aware of this. Let others drown in their ignorance, if they wish.

[quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1344957685' post='1771625'] No - just a bit of light banter - I was a guitarist who switched [/quote] Glad to hear it......on both counts.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1344951757' post='1771550'] You mean someone who started out on guitar and switched to bass like Macca or Lemmy? [/quote] +1. Do I detect a little testiness and insecurity among some posters here ?

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1344859056' post='1770125'] Recently scored an L2000 Tribute off this very forum. It is the best bass in this price bracket that i have ever tried. Nothing else comes close - not even nearly close. Build quality is very good, sound options are almost limitless, neck and body are solid and well finished. If i were hunting a bass in this price bracket and couldn't get a G&L i would either go for an old Yamaha BB1100s or a Lakland Skyline. The MIM Fenders i have had have all been sold pretty quickly. They all had issues and were very average basses. Go for it, Tributes are great. [/quote] +1 on the Trib L2000. Amazing basses.

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1344856545' post='1770075'] [sub]i have a tribute SB2 that i might be talked into parting with[/sub] [/quote] If they know a good bass when they see/hear/handle one, then I'm sure you'll have a lot of offers. Yours truely would have taken it off your hands, except I only recently got one.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1344588163' post='1766656'] Its just that pointy bit in the middle i dont like. To be honest i wouldn't let it put me off buying one [/quote] +1. While it is not exactly beautiful, a small thing like this is a small set back ( if indeed you could call it that), for an otherwise excellent all round bass. The tributes are great value.

[quote name='gsgbass' timestamp='1344473824' post='1765261'] Very under rated brand of guitars in general. [/quote] +1.

I love G&L bases. I have both a USA and tribute SB2, as well as a trib L2000 and a trib. JB2. IMO, there is not much between the USA and Tribute SB2's, given the price difference. The main differences are in the finish, body wood, and tuners. I'm sure you wont be disappointed in the Trib SB2. Beats a MIM Fender precision hands down IMO.

Granted, the message could have been put across in half the time, but that message is very valid.

[quote name='jonunders' timestamp='1344237357' post='1761461'] Hi, A big thank you for taking the time to reply and your suggestions. Now to find one which suits the band. Cheers Jonathan [/quote] Let us know who wins the compettion !!

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17TzQhar8jI&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17TzQhar8jI&feature=related[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vo23H9J8o8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vo23H9J8o8[/url]

[url="http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_amps/how_to_hook_up_heads_and_cabinets.html"]http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_amps/how_to_hook_up_heads_and_cabinets.html[/url] I usually refer to this link if in doubt.

See the clip in this thread : [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/182670-the-most-important-lesson-i-ever-teach-with-scott-devine/page__p__1758062#entry1758062"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/182670-the-most-important-lesson-i-ever-teach-with-scott-devine/page__p__1758062#entry1758062[/url]

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1343812576' post='1755471'] It's all Carole Kaye really you know... [/quote] ...and the "wooden spoon" award for stirring the s**t, goes to KevB. Take a bow. The "gift v hard slog and practice" question, is an interesting one. I can see the arguments for both sides. No matter how good the alleged "gift" is, it is merely a diamond in the rough, and needs years of hard work and sweat for it to truly shine. Having said that, I do believe that some people possess that....lets call it..... "little extra" to begin with, that sets them apart from their peers. Others, besides Jamerson, whom IMO possessed this little extra, were the likes of Charlie Parker and Coltrane.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1343673854' post='1753560'] The music is already awesome. [/quote] Not always the case unfortunately. Again, I give the example of Boyzone, Spicegirls etc. Do you think they would have got as far as they did on their music alone ?

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1343671558' post='1753505'] I thought this was about contemporary popular music. [/quote] Correct. Though even under that umbrella name, there can be a lot of variation (think "Boyzone" or maybe Paul Simon). Slightly different emphasis on image there, with the latter never really depending on "image", even in his hayday. He relied on his music to carry the day. Still does.

I think it is worth mentioning again, that image depends on the type of music and the type of gig. Some people seem to be under the illusion that ALL music needs a visual stimulant.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1343670498' post='1753475'] Of course it is. [/quote] Well thank you kind sir !!

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1343668149' post='1753429'] Hilarious. I think this is where many musicians don't give their bands a chance, they have an over-inflated sense of the worth and uniqueness of their own music, and a lack of understanding of what audiences usually want in their genre. [/quote] All I am simply saying is that it is possible to enjoy live music, without the aid of visual stimulants. Believe me, I know, because I do it regularly. There is a small pub near me, which runs regular gigs. One band I particularly like is a "Steely Dan" tribute band. The band dress in normal everyday clothes, there is no "show" as such, but I always come away on a high, purely from seeing/hearing good music performed well. I respect the fact that you dont see things this way, but at least acknowledge that people might have a different opinion to your own.

[quote name='Wil' timestamp='1343664608' post='1753355'] I often find visual stimili distracting when I'm enjoying a piece of music, in fact if I'm really enjoying listening to something I often shut my eyes! As long as the band look like they're enjoying themselves and the music is good, I dont see the point in anything more. The idea of a band having a "look" just feels gimmicky to me. [/quote] +1 . Also, it begs the question, is the music not able to stand on it's own merit, without needing a visula stimulant ?

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1343661819' post='1753291'] But where do you draw the line regarding the visuals? Here's a couple of live shots of my band: Compared with a lot of other bands we are dressed up to the nines (apart from Mr Venom who's normally undressed to the nines), but for us this is just a slightly amped up version of what we wear normally during the day. [/quote] If this is what floats your boat, good luck to you. My point is that it should not be a prerequisite as to whether a band's MUSIC is worth going to a gig/concert to experience, or not.

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1343661729' post='1753290'] We just wear our regular clothes and don't make much effort to entertain, other than playing our songs as well as we can - fashion tips welcome: [/quote] .......and the stage appears to be lit, in that clip.