paddy109

The title to this thread made me smile! Too many years ago a very good friend 'Iggy' said "you must buy this CD called The Bends". Well as I trusted his judgment I did go and buy it and was so bloody disappointed and have gave my friend grief ever since. That was until about a year ago when I thought I would give Radiohead another go - I was immediately hooked/converted and didn't take this cd out my car for months!!!! Strange how tastes change. I have since informed Iggy he was right ;-)

Use the same bridge and have adjusters installed! For example http://www.mjbl.co.uk/double-bass-bridge-adjusters-for-sale

I only had the Bassmax and this slotted in the wing slot (most people keep this on the E string side) - if you are getting a luthier to fit a new bridge and end pin just get them to fit the pickup - the pickup wants to fit snug but not murder tight. There's probably info on the K&K website as well. I used to just slacken the strings a little before making adjustments on the bridge - never any dramas but jut keep an eye on the feet of the bridge and they remain flat on your bass.

Silver Slaps are a good tension all round string for rockabilly/roots playing - I tried countless other sets and migrated back to these. I did also enjoy Blast Cult Low Life's. An adjustable bridge would be a great investment and it's surprising how low you can go and get a good slap with the right technique.

Euphoric Audio Micro Amp and 110 Wizzy cab - you can buy a padded backpack to store/carry them. Weighs next to nothing and packs a punch.

There's a Fishman Platinum Pro Eq in the for sale section - these are pretty good and helping to eliminate feedback issues.

Just to update - I met up wth the band. They were great, very relaxed and happy to take time showing chords and structure of songs! As suggested I kept things simple and playing a different genre wasn't as challenging as I imagined. By the way I also got the gig!

Adam 'MCA' Yauch is strumming the bass for most of the song.

S....S.....S.....S.....Sabotaaaaggggggeeeee Loved that live version - one of my favourite songs and a great video as well! Thank you.

The upright has gone 😭 - sold as she was sat in the corner gathering dust! It was a tough decision but it funded a new Jazz. I was sent a couple of recordings that I have played along to at home, nothing fancy and just keeping it simple. I was all set to join in practice this week for the first time and was struck down with dreaded kidney stones and spent the day in A&E and on a surgical ward. Eventually sent home on loads of pain relief and fingers crossed they will pass naturally (although the Dr didn't look hopeful). Anyway I had to make my excuse for not turning up this week to what would have been my first practice!!

Me and the wife did the Thames cruise last two times we were in London. It is relaxing and takes in a lot of the sites - highly recommended.

Great advice - thanks. The band are going to send me tracks from their most recent practice! I think the 'come and get be it a go' is more about not trying to put the pressure on and the emails I have had from them seem nice and friendly. Love the 'less is more' comment and I will remember this. I will take my Zoom recorder next week and will do my best to 'enjoy myself'. I will ask for influences as well. I feel much more up for it now. My last audition didn't go great - the singer went completely off script playing songs I hadn't learnt and acted a bit of a knob!! Thanks again.

I'm trying out in a start up band next week that are playing all original songs. My dilemma is; I am relatively inexperienced in playing bass guitar although fairly experience upright bass player and could work out bass lines that were quite reasonable on the fly The band is a very different genre than I am used to - 'dark melodic rock' and I am used to country based genres I have played bass guitar with others before but been able to learn the songs prior to meeting up and this won't be an option this time I do want to give this a go and stretch myself with a different kind of music. The band seem really welcoming and giving me the message of 'just turn up and give it a go' which is reassuring. Any tips how I can survive the night and make my bass playing fit in? Is it acceptable to ask the band for a breakdown of the structure of the songs before attempting them or just try it on the fly? Paddy.

I had one and bought thumb rests from the states that stuck on but could be pulled off again. I used mine at festivals or gigs where It was impractical to take my double bass. The Kala always went down well and surprised the audience with how big it sounded. Didn't like the stock or upgraded strings though.

Gert lush - as we say in Bristol!

Toothpicks usually slot in lovely for these sort of fixers.

Chepstow and the surrounding Forest of Dean has an active music scene if this isn't too far for you.

I've just bought a flea bass as I couldn't stop looking at it on the for sale forum, I would have been gutted if it had gone to someone else. Not a colour I would have gone for normally. This was my last attempt into the jazz world - I have owned a few but not got on with them and kept going back to my Japanese Squier P. I don't know what it makes it different from the others I've owned and perhaps some of it is psychological but I am hooked!!!! It's comfy, sounds amazing, lovely to play (after a tweak and setup how I like it) and killer looks even if ithe pink is a very strange pink at that. I don't know how these compare to a standard MIM and it was slightly more than my original budget allowed but I am glad I pulled the trigger even though my wife and kids think I'm crackers for buy such a rough looking bass ;-)

I've just bought a bass from Ben. Great communication, bass as described and speedy dispatch. Thanks Ben

Fulfilled my 2017 GAS by buying the flea bass on the for sale forum! Well purchased a few days ago but won't receive until 2017 ;-)

I have just sold my upright and the money is burning a hole in my pocket - gonna get me a Japanese Jazz!

Although R.E.M. Was not associated at all with the genre I was listening t growing up I loved them and still do (although I wouldn't have shouted this from the tree tops at the time). I was recently playing in a start up tribute R.E.M. act but unfortunately this didn't go anywhere ;-(

Although 'nailed it' might be over egging it, I could play with a band and get away with it! Good to hear Lanes line was probably never played the same twice because that's certainly how mine is going.