bassace

[quote name='padmavyuha' post='580146' date='Aug 25 2009, 01:06 PM']Thanks for the replies - I'll probably go with Allianz, who are quoting me around ₤49 for worldwide cover (including unattended in vehicle - you never know). Joining the MU would be a bit overkill in terms of cost right now - since I'm a complete beginner, I don't think I'll need public liability until I start gigging and my bass falls on someone .[/quote] Fair enough. When we started playing long ago we got a gig playing support to a mega band (in those days). We were still at school and chuffed to bits and looking forward very much. Three days to go and the MU put the block on us....................rather, put the block on the headlining band playing with us. We went and drew out all our savings to join the Union and still do the gig. So I haven't been a great fan of the MU since but have to join mainly because of the PL and most of the musos I work with are members.

Join the Musicians Union (£150 per annum) and you get up to £2,000 cover for your gear. Public liability cover as well.

We always play it in F, that's if we do it at all.

Started at a new school and saw this double bass lying on its side on an empty stage. I thought, that's cool, must play that. (I don't think bass guitar was around in those days!)

I've just sold a sansamp to Budget Bassist. It took a while because he was on holiday in France. But all through, the coms were good and he did exactly what he said he was going to do. Deal with Sam with confidence.

[quote name='Paul S' post='569746' date='Aug 15 2009, 09:34 AM']Just a thought - is there anyone coming along who has a double bass and could a quick demo on slap bass?[/quote] I'll probably be coming with a DB but my slap is crap. I'm a bit Ray Brown rather than Milt Hinton.

Could I also suggest that you look down the posts to 'French Connection' and get a look at Mike Arnopol. Good example of thumb position playing. One way or another every player has been mentioned on these posts; why are Ray Brown and Danny Thompson alike - although their music is very different? The answer has to be that they both extract such a big sound from the bass, all down to a good right hand technique.

[quote name='Rich' post='568911' date='Aug 14 2009, 12:27 PM']We had one bloke a few weeks back who had never worked with horns before. We have six of them... [/quote] Ooh, nice!

Great stuff BB. So you've put your toe in the water. Two hours first off is quite impressive. Your fingers are probably a bit sore but that situation will improve the more you play. The biggest hurdle to get over when starting out is the physical one so you seem well on to sorting that. Keep going and enjoy your double bass. It's a great instrument.

Oh, and a double bass, if you've never seen one before, is a bit different from a bass guitar apart from the obvious one of size. So you can turn all those expensive sub-woofers right off and send the sound through the stand speakers. Forget the bass (this isn't a disco) and try to get some middle/top clarity. I've got some good backline so the guys in the band won't want me coming through the stage monitors. And you can di from my amp, I'll give you the appropriate input level and yes, it is very good gear and no, it won't damage your equipment. Oh, and finally, when you get a balance that we're all happy with, just walk away, go to the bar, anything, but don't fiddle about. You'll know whether we're happy because at the end we'll give you and your mate a namecheck and ask for the audience's appreciation.

Ah Weddings, doncha just luv em! First thing, very few weddings ever run to time and the people who book you have virtually no experience of putting on a gig. And there are usually kids whose parents like nothing more than dumping them on the dance floor and letting the band entertain them while they, the parents chat to their grown up friends. Very ocasionally things go to plan, no kids, gorgeous women and good tippers. So, assuming the former is the case, just remember that the day belongs to the bride and groom, be very friendly towards the catering and bar people so you'll be fed and watered well, expect the worst but hope for the best, quote a good fee, smile and put on a good show - you might get return (hopefully non-wedding) bookings.

Well, started off with a bit of de-GASsing. The Steinberger CRM stick went, not because it's not a good instrument but nobody wants me to gig with it - so it went to a good home. Bought a Sansamp Paradriver and promptly resold it and also sold a nice SWR 12" monitor. Have just bought a gorgeous Thomas Martin double bass from the man himself. He's just done one for John Patitucci. It's just amazing and I'm so chuffed; I'll post a photo and some more description in the Double Bass section. So future GAS for the rest of the year is a no-no and I've told Mrs Bassace that if I get any more ideas she can shoot me. Surprisingly, she seems quite enthusiastic about this.

I'd like to try to get there to see some of the stuff, particularly Alex's speakers. If for any reason Jakesbass can't make it I'll definitely bring a double bass for anyone to have a try on.

I've got a CEB-3 in the Effects For Sale section right now!

I've got Spiro mediums on my basses. The E was a bit quiet on my Upton and they recommended substituting an Evah Pirazzi medium. That did the trick. Trouble with going up to a Spiro heavy is that you get a bloody thick string. But you need to find out what's on the bass first. Some shop bought basses have very low spec strings as standard and a complete upgrade may be in order.

I heard a covers band some time ago. They had a very young bass player who could play well and was note perfect. Trouble is, he had no drive, no feel. I bitterly regret never having spoken to him and said something along the lines - you're a very good bass player, you read well, you play the stuff well. But just take a moment to think what you are there for - to propell the whole band forward. So, relax a bit, enjoy your stuff and go for it.

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='561402' date='Aug 5 2009, 07:42 PM']I'm not sure if there is a language difference between english as used in Lithuania and english as used in britain. finishing a question with " , mate? " tends to come across as a aggressive challenge rather than a friendly thing you would actually say to a mate. just a thought on colloquialisms.[/quote] Yes, I find it a bit confrontational from someone I don't know. OK from a friend, perhaps.

Wow!

Ah, the well known Bowie song 'The man who failed to earth'.

Enjoy your break. It won't do you any harm and it'll in all probability refocus your view on bass playing, the world etc etc and you'll emerge from it all refreshed. I took several years out when I was your age and I'm sure I came out a bit more rounded. There's a saying that goes 'What do they know of cricket who only cricket know?' Think about it and apply it to bass playing - or any other interest, really.

I don't think you'll have a problem at all. You did not say what strings you're using; some are more tune-stable than others, particularly Spiros. If you are going to do this regularly I'd recommend laying your bass down on its back, completely dutuning the E and slipping it off the bridge and top nut. Then get a soft pencil, something like a 6B, and coat the nut and bridge slots with graphite. That'll give the string an easy slide when tuning back from D to E and there will be less risk of pulling the bridge out of line. Incidentally, it's well known that if you completely detune the strings and then bring them back up to pitch they will sound much brighter for about a week. I put a post on TB recently to ask if anyone does this regularly between gigs. The consensus was NO mainly due to the difficulty in keeping some strings, particularly guts, in tune afterwards.

Musician's Union gives you insurance up to £2k.