bassace

Bob, it's just outside Derby. All details of this and other bashes are listed on the Events page of this forum.

Welcome the dark side, Bob. Wait for a whole host of recommendations to come in. But in the meantime just enjoy playing around with your bass and getting used to it. Not sure where you live but there will most likely be a bass teacher near you who can at least get you started the right way. And, as StingrayPete has mentioned on another part of the forum, if you can get along to the double bass bash on 2 Oct you will get a warm welcome and plenty of pointers. Take one step at a time.

There's a saying amongst the jazzers that the quality of the band is inversely proportional to the number of cars in the car park. I'm presently playing with a band that, musically, started from small beginnings and still doesnt display a great deal of musical brilliance. But it ain't half popular.

Great. There's going to be quite a lot of bow interest. And your hang your bow device will be very interesting. I'll bring some of my 'fix your pickup jack to the tailpiece' devices. Who said innovation was dead.

Well, I put it like this: it's damaged goods. Would you accept a new car with a scratch down one side? Or a cab with a ripped fret cloth? Thought not.

So we'll have a demo of French and German bows. That'll be great.

Just one more thing: I've noticed that some kettle leads don't hold on to the amp prongs very well. Some can even fall off during the gig. I've had to have a bit of a clear out recently. Anyone else found this?

Oh dear, there's no inner sanctum but all events need a bit of organisation. In this case it's Owen and me: Owen's the guy with the ideas and helms the event on the day and I book the room and pay the deposits. Simple. The last Bash was simple and completely informal and unstructured. We wondered whether this one should offer a bit more. You'll see this in the other bashes, SE for an example, which started as a get together and over time became a well organised event with shoot outs, talks, demos etc and all the better for that. I don't usually have a lot to say leading up to the event but felt that at the beginning of Sept I should send a wake up; after all we need a minimum number of attendees to cover certain costs. When I see an item for sale on BC and if I can say anything positive to help the sale I will. I see plenty of ads for products I don't like or who's price is a bit heavy. In that case I keep quiet. It won't help this event by expressing a contrary view so vociferously. Pete, I owe you an apology. I ran your setup idea past Owen and I was of the opinion that we couldn't justify, let alone afford, a specialist to attend unless we had cash to spare, which on the initial showing we probably won't have. But apologies for not keeping you in the loop. However, last bash, Keith, Mr Bassman, did a much photographed sound post adjustment and there will be people at this bash who have knowledge enough to give setup advice. And a lot more. After all, that's what bashes are all about. So put any suggestions for the day here and they will be sensibly discussed and considered. It'll be a great day.

[quote name='taunton-hobbit' timestamp='1470334573' post='3105281'] I, being mega-technical, tend to make sure that any gig leads have a 5amp fuse - its worked for fifty years, so I'm not stopping now. [/quote] And me too. I can't justify this technically but it just seems to make sense. Fifty years for me too.

I've just ordered a new car made in Germany. I could wait until next year but I brought it forward because I'm sure there'll be a price rise of a few K. I just hope it doesn't kick in before Sept 21 delivery.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1470314217' post='3105019'] Paul Motion Trio. [/quote] Motion, that's poo. It's Paul Motian. But you know that, Bilbo. Sorry to be so pedantic, it's a slow Thursday afternoon.

Just a timely reminder that the bash is a couple of months away at Risley Park Hotel, Derby Rd, Risley, DE72 3SS. It's an easy run in from M1 Junction 25. Sunday 2 October from 10.30. The morning will be a meet and greet, set up stuff and walk round. In the afternoon we propose to have some informal 'discussions' so that we can share advice on various topics. For example I'll bring some preamps and we can discuss these and their benefits/uses. So are there any other topics that you would like to discuss. £10 will get you tea/coffee and a buffet lunch and all welcome, especially newbies and those contemplating starting out on DB. Please add your name to the list if you will be coming.

I once did an afternoon gig in Oxford and then an evening one in Leeds. Fortunately the motorways were roadworks free.

Stevie, enjoy your plate! And welcome to the BA55 club. Trouble is, on this forum as elsewhere personal plates seem to send some people into paroxysms of anguish. I'm sure the majority will support your purchase so ignore the naysayers, go out and enjoy.

Not sure where you are, lowlandtrees, but there's a double bass meet scheduled for October 2 just outside Derby. There will be all sorts of basses and strings there plus, importantly, people you can have a conversation with. We'll be re energising the event at the beginning of August with eight weeks to go.

[quote name='Floyd Pepper' timestamp='1469101283' post='3095711'] The only other thing is that other bass players always know where you've been - how did you find the Cornbury Music Festival ? ( I was the one admiring your number plate from the car behind! Cheers [/quote] Ha, FP, I've been rumbled. Were you there in a professional capacity? I made my annual visit as a punter, I live three miles away, although I had to do a Fri lunchtime gig. I was slightly underwhelmed by the bands on the main stage, although Jamie Cullum's set was great. He's neither rock nor jazz but puts on a great show. It was the second stage where all the best stuff was at. Wilko was introduced on stage by the surgeon who saved him. Beverly Knight fronted the Staxs band and the two standouts were Booker T - rocking to Green Onions in an Oxfordshire field- and the Zombies set - with three of the original members - left everyone open-mouthed.

Well, if you've brought up the matter of hard cash, BA55 ACE cost me £1600 eight years ago. I have no doubt (actually I know) that when I come to sell the plate I'll get a decent return on the purchase price. If I had spent that on an 'extra' when I bought the new car chances are it would depreciate to zero with the price of the car not far behind. So whatever ones opinion of those who display personal plates, and we're all entitled to that, it's spurious to suggest that they're a wast of money. It won't float everyone's boat but it gives me and my musical friends a bit of a smile from time to time. And as a freelance musician, last year 15 bands, my plate is no hindrance.

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1469008672' post='3094994'] I like seeing rare and obviously expensive number plates driving around on 12 year old a Merc C class. [/quote] Careful, Machines. Mine's now eight years old. Perhaps I'd better think of a change. Didn't realise I had to keep up with the plate.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1468957740' post='3094714'] You should start a club, there are quite a few of you now! Where's Roger (Bassace)? [/quote] Still alive, Pete. Still alive. We should celebrate the fact that we play an instrument that can be denominated on a plate without tweaking. I'm always amused by the numbers people try to sell in the Sunday papers that stretch the imagination to the limit. And ask a lot of dosh for the privilege. I once saw a plate reading LYR1C. Don Black perhaps?

Great. Stick at it, you won't regret it.

Yes, my 500 is all I need for DB. Clean and responsive to eq. I have a second one that lives in the footwell of the car - just in case.

As I watched the First Night of the Proms with the Elgar Cello Concerto played for the umpteenth time I thought wouldn't it be great to hear a work for double bass. A Bottesini concerto perhaps? Any ideas?

Guitarists use tab, bass players use notation.

Going back to the first post, Peaches intro quite recognisable but to declare it the three most famous notes in music a bit arrogant perhaps. I was coming back in the car this morning and Ken Bruce played The Wind Cries Mary. Three recognisable chords there.

I'm going to Cornbury next weekend. I live a couple of miles away. All sorts on it and it usually throws up some nice surprises. I've got a gig Fri lunchtime but hope to be there in time to catch Wilko's set.