bassace

Ha ha, good topic. I have in mind to get a new cab to beef up my new Genz combo. Coming back from a gig at the weekend my car's computer said 'low tyre pressure' and so it turned out that I was running low. So I pumped it up, only to lose 10 psi overnight. Went to get the puncture repaired today only to find that the rim was cracked, probably by a pothole. So, new wheel @ £500 - plus, and no need for Bass Direct to get too excited for now.

Even the most 'difficult' bass can usually sound good outdoors; there are no room acoustics to get in the way. Problem with a DB is that there could be a risk of rain or it's so hot that there is a risk of warping. But you seemed to get a good day, Bilbo, so that's great. I'm doing an outdoor gig in two weeks; I would usually take my old German lami but as I'm due to play with some great musicians I'll risk taking my Upton.

So the daft woman thinks Nancy Sinatra's Boots has a walking bassline?

done

[quote name='ChrisF' timestamp='1339930852' post='1696342'] cheers...looks like you n me are the only ones that think so [/quote] I don't own a Thomann but I know they've got a great reputation. You'll do OK.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1339916804' post='1696146'] Bill Cosby on his gig with Sonny Stitt. Funny jazz anecdote. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zn-P0ZH3_M[/media] [/quote] That's great, Bilbo! Somehow reminds me of my earlier bass gigs.

There are always two stories to each dispute. Trying to figure the merits of each party's allegations is the hard bit.

The Rev is dead right of course. Each bass is different and seems to have its favourite pickup - and of course each player and his particular style. A pickup that sounds great at home, eg a Realist, may not do it on stage where you have to cut through the mix of the other instruments. I'm in a minority in not particularly liking the Full Circle sound, also mine failed on its first gig; I also consider the wiring to be a bit flimsy. For an all-rounder pickup I strongly favour an Underwood which I've got on all my basses. It is reasonably feedback resistant and it gives a clear sound on stage. Its sound is not 100% double bass but neither are most other pickups but I've got well-used to the sound. Micing is best but you have to strap on all sorts of stuff to reduce the feedback. Great when you put it through the PA tho'.

An acoustic guitar is a very good percussion instrument. I work in a five-piece: two saxes, keyboards, bass and r/guitar. We can do some quite powerful stuff.

Try going to Cornbury this year, it's a great experience and three miles from my home. Last year I saw Buffy St Marie, Cindi Lauper, Ray Davies, The Straits, Faces, Imelda May, Jack Bruce, Wilko Johnson incl Norman W-R, Bellowhead, Sophie E-B (nice legs), Quo, Stackridge, Saw Doctors and lots more. Because I am of a certain age I didn't have to pay for the three days. Very friendly atmosphere.

Trouble with pubs is there is not a lot of volume (LxBxH) to disperse the volume. And the audience is quite vocal. So you've got a couple of probs to start with.

In my experience, I can put up with a lot from a drummer as long as he keeps his kick drum under control. So often I get reports that the bass is too boomy - when it is the bloody kick drum.

Sorry, it's actually about musicians. - Strange, that! Yes, and my sig is very long but you might care to help me by purchasing my Phil Jones amps.

A heads up for any DBers. I've got both amps up in the Amps for Sale section. Both very good for double bass.

In the words of M'Learned Friend, I understand the Enemy are some sort of beat combo. Never heard of them before but saw them interviewed on Breakfast this morning. Came across as a thoroughly pleasant bunch of guys, the boy Tom particularly so who reminded me of a young John Lennon. Any fans out there?

Also, remember that It's a really good double bass that has all the positions on all the strings at the same volume/tone/sustain level. I've got four and haven't quite found it yet. So it's a case of knowing your bass well, finding its strengths and weaknesses and how/where it likes to be played. If you play in the flat keys as I do most of my time you'll be playing a lot on stopped strings but the open strings are an integral part of the pentatonic scale - in passing if you like. If I play a lot of opens I find I damp them with my left hand .

We did a National Trust picnic last night with the seven piece at Upton House. Crowd a bit down because of the 'promise' of bad weather but a good time was had by all. We were under a gazebo and elected to play through without our two breaks. Just as well because it started to rain heavily at 9.30 when decided to finish. Today at mid day with a three-piece when the whole village of Great Rollright seemed to be crammed into the village hall. V enjoyable, then we went on the Chipping Norton with the same band to do the Town Festival; weather held off, good crowd and great sound men. This evening out with a five piece to a pub in Berks which should be OK. Tomorrow afternoon, same band on the back of a flat truck at Wantage for their celebrations. Hope weather is OK then, we'll see. But No Cancellations!

Basschat is good, so's Talkbass - end of, probably not on this forum tho' but that's what it's all about. A guy from oop north came down to see my basses and he told his mates at work that he was going to meet this guy (me) whom he had meet on a forum. Oh yes? said his mates with heavy irony and raised eyebrows.

Thomann may be a better bet.

I've gone for Dave Holland; his Miles connection alone would be interesting. Shame James Blanton didn't get a vote tho'. He was a real ground breaker and died in his mid twenties, as did Scott LaFaro who also died young and was equally inovative.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1338462484' post='1674870'] I have a German and French one. One cost about £200 the other was 'free' with the bass. I can't really tell the difference yet. My point is that, until you have some emblance of ability with one and some insight into what they are supposed to be for, it is hard for you to make an assessment. I say get one of this starter bows and plunge right in. Endorka, on here, has one of the Yita bows and swears by it as do several others. I say try one and then, when you are nailing it, you can try out one made of unicorn horn and angel's hair and know where best to spend the money. [/quote] I've got one with angel's horn and unicorn hair. It doesn't sound too good.

Kind of you to ask. My arm has been 'playable' since the beginning of March. The gig is OK but I feel a bit of pain the day after, so waking up next Wed could be, er, interesting. (sorry, Seashell, didn't quote your post but hope it made sense)