J3ster

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='695894' date='Dec 29 2009, 08:26 PM']I was going to buy it myself but I already have a natural Jazz with 84's in.[/quote] Those wizard pups are just superb.. Even just one will make a great addition Will be adding some to my fretless soon enough.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='695890' date='Dec 29 2009, 08:20 PM']And if you want a Jazz bass [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71558"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=71558[/url][/quote] Was just about to post that one myself... Well worth the Ton...

Hi and welcome, On the Amp side all Amps sound different but down to bear bones.. A 20W is 20 Watts of sound a 50W is 50 watts of sound (hense it should be louder) My first Bass albeit a long time ago was £40 and that is a lot more than others have paid for their first. Trawl Ebay (sorry everyone) find a Bass near to you you can go look at. Post the Ebay ad reference on here and people will tell you what to look for. Amps - Can be picked up real cheap too. I just got a practice one for a student from gear4music but once again Ebay or any on-line shop is good.. Best thing though is to find a good local music store, you pay a bit more but really do (generally) get good advice. Seriously you do NOT need to spend the £250 or anywhere near.. Spend less and put the rest towards lessons.. Lastly - This site is so helpful you will not be short of help or advice, and no question is stupid if you really want an answer!!

That Black Fender at the top is an Aerodyne isn't it? I very nearly picked up one of those last year. Beautiful Basses and good value too.

It takes practice - I play with my thumb/hand closer to the strings on a 5 and tend to root it there rather than go for the full on arm swing yippee do slap. I much prefer slapping a 4 but then I'm a little anti 5 sometimes anyway.

Pump it Up - Elvis Costello Always liked that and one of the first I learnt many moons ago I think my first Bass tutor 'Robbie Romp' (yes its his true name) who used to play with Captain Sensible taught me this.

I Have a Behringer B-1 Which everyone seems pretty happy with when they use it (cheap too) And a Rode NTA1 (due today) If you are near Lincolnshire you are welcome to come try them out or do the recording in my little studio.. (Mates rates of free)

I know where I stick Thumb rests!!! Thumbs for playing not staying.

I had an Overwater made when I was doing session bits years ago that looked and sounded awesome, but have purchased lots of Basses in between because I wanted to, sometimes regretting this. I am currently having two Basses made one all white one all black so looks are important, but I have chosen the wood and pre-amps etc for there sound as well as looks, but not every Bass I buy can be custom made. (unfortunetly)

Having trawled a certain site looking for a Bass in the past, I am amazed at how often i think. 'Now that looks nice' -- and click away. But lets face it there are so many nice looking Basses out there and not all of them good. (Oh I know this is personal preferences too) So why do lots of us buy before we try. I got caught out with a fretless once it had a slightly warped neck and some fool had cut down the nut, but did it look hot and once i got those bits sorted it was still a lump of bad 4x2!!! lesson learned? Oh no I still look and buy. But it gets worse, It's not even as if we can try a Bass and buy exactly the same model because they too can vary.. Please make me feel better with some of your own horror stories!!!!

I use a 5 string now and then but i think it makes me lazy so 95% of the time I am using a 4 and more of the fretboard and being more imaginative. I'd much rather go up and down than side to side!!! I find a 5 string a little easier to teach and play and less to think about strangely enough, but you need to think of it as a different instrument in terms of where you play and not just a 4 with an added 'B' (if that's actually the config you have) Meaning I play a 5 with a different mindset to a 4. Also if you are reading or playing covers - most are done with a 4 so need a bit of tweaking, so work them out onto the 5 and get used to it that way.

Strange as some people find it - I use Roundwounds on my fretless. I just think rounds sound so much more yummy.

Mmm I have my own Wood & Tronics about to be started - exciting times for you then. Merry Christmas!!

how Joan Armatrading said when he played on her album that he was the only fretless player she'd worked with yet who could play in tune. I agree he is amazing and by far my favourite fretless Bassist.. But seriously!! :@) That comment from Joan is rediculous!

Session work requires a lot of practice and skill and not something you can just walk into, all my work was mostly word of mouth. You need to be able to read music and play off the cuff and out of the box. Don't take comments on your chosen Bass line to heart and for the most part keep it simple and do what is required. I got into it by basically being invited to do a session after I was seen playing live in The Red Lion in Brentford and it went from there. (it's now a McDonalds - But that's not my fault ... Honest) Play live lots and with many different musicians ask friends put up notices in recording studios and rehearsal rooms and get your name about.. Don't believe its all about who you know, being successful is a LOT about what you know and today i would guess it's not so easy to make a living at by doing sessions alone either!!

I can never answer these questions as easily as that. I have different favourites for different styles, I don't think any 1 single Bassist is my perfect all round fav, but can appreciate some of those on the original list.

I've always liked Mike Gordon of Phish.. For something different. Try the 'Picture of Nectar' from 92 Great album too

Yup They sure are a beautiful thing! I have a Comodous on order at the moment along with a rather stunning Wood&Tronics

Agreed Go Active, you get a more responsive tone when bending notes with a fretless. Do switch to passive from time to time too though the tone change does work well with certain sounds and pedals too.