BassTractor

Hey Squidman, First, as a noob, I've tried 5-string without big drawbacks, but you must be aware it's one more string to mute - which can be somewhat demanding. Wouldn't let that keep me from buying one though. Price is a more serious stumbling block. Therefore: Get used stuff from eBay or Get used stuff from BassChat. I know that asking everyone if they will send to Germany will be a pain in the behind, but the feedback system makes you can go to this with a certain amount of confidence. If you want to buy new, then have a look at http://www.thomann.de/ Be aware that If you choose English as a language at the top, you get the prices for the UK, with a somewhat lower VAT. Though the differences are tiny. I think it's one percent only. If you look at http://www.thomann.de/gb/cat.html?gf=misc_4_string_basses&oa=pra you'll get the 4-string basses that are not Ps and not Js. I'd go for the Yamaha RBX170 before the Ibanez GSR180. Don't know the Cort, but they tend to be OK. The Epipone is said to be lacking in quality. There is no need to buy a more expensive bass at the moment, but if you want to, an Ibanez SR300, a Squier Vintage Modified <something> or a Yamaha RBX270 are good basses. Amp: we need more about your stuation. Is it for practising at home only? In case, I like this one better than the 30-35W Roland cube: http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbw35.htm Has the inputs and outputs you need to play silently and along to music from a CD or MP3-player. That said, there are lots of OK combos. Tell us more! best, bert

[quote name='bassintheface' timestamp='1355761498' post='1902338'] .....and I'm certainly not deluded. [/quote] BitF, there's no need to take TimR's post seriously. This is probably not his best day, and he's obviously misinterpreted your original post - and roughly read it like the devil reads the bible. No need to explain or justify or correct. best, bert

[quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1355760090' post='1902300'] erm... did you mean to quote me there? [/quote] Yup! It was either getting into a serious debate with TimR or having a little fun with his contribution. As to "all the gear - no idea", it fits me perfectly, and in several senses. I do understand the expression, and would agree with its general meaning, but I can't really be arsed to let it say anything about me and my behaviour. I know zilch. I know that. Gear teaches me stuff. That and I get to hear and feel the differences. Bliss! Reminds me of this story: A little boy sits on the river bank and is "fishing" with just a twig with a piece of rope, a bent nail and some bread crumbs. Along comes this insufferable twat who'se never been fishing before. Out of his car he takes the most expensive fishing gear that money can buy. He uses a lot of time connecting al the bits and pieces, and then proceeds and catches all the fish. best, bert Edit for spelling

[quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1355759522' post='1902283'] I wish you'd stop saying this! I'd like not to take it personally, but i *do* have all the gear, and I really *do* have no idea! It's depressing to be reminded of this.... [/quote] To be honest you come across in your post as just as deluded and arrogant as this other guy. Good luck, but there's more to music. I think you should probably chill out and have a good look at what's going on around you. WTF????? Goddammit! The BC software is feckin' up! best, bert

Yes - Yours is no disgrace probably.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1355697249' post='1901611'] Chris Rea - Driving Home For Christmas [/quote] YES! That too.

After Bach's Christmas Oratorio, most christmas songs have been insufferable , but I admit to quite liking Marvin Gaye - I Want to Come Home for Christmas from 1972, when I hear it on the radio. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6rpnKZR02o[/media]

Hey Matt, Welcome to BC! Wealth of info indeed, and people willing to light your path. "Normal guitar", eh? You're lucky it's sunday, so the mods won't expel you until tomorrow. Better learn fast now! First thing you'll be taught is to keep the VM P, and "upgrade" through buying another bass. They'll be more happy as a pair. Now expel [obsolete] your questions at us, and the ricochet will hit you with a nice sensation of dynamics... ...or something. Enjoy! best, bert

[quote name='Dandelion' timestamp='1355689824' post='1901443'] < Cat avatar. [/quote] ... and pretty ones at that, both cat (it seems) and avatar.

Hi Squidman, Welcome to BC. Read away and ask away! There are heaps of people just waiting to provide you with answers, and the stored fora are [i][b]large[/b][/i]. Tell us a little about budget and stuf, and we'll be shooting good advice at you. Nice to read you're from Jordan. That defies some of the preposition. Might be a first too. [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1355672000' post='1901153'] oh btw you need a picture of a cat in your avatar [/quote] Yeah! You must comply, like I did with my CAT. Oh ... wait! [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Walter Sobchak [i][b]is[/b][/i] a cat[/font][/size] - a cool one at that. Good work then! Now enjoy, and don't be hesitant to ask. best. bert

Welcome back, ARGH - - admittedly from a BC noob, but still. Enjoy the stay. best, bert

[quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1355592542' post='1900362'] ... taking up knitting. Not sure how to approach this. [/quote] Start with one colour only, and concentrate on technique in the beginning. Absolutely avoid thin and medium needles, and go for the jumbo ones. This has to do with loop size, and you can relax more in your digits' muscles. Now as to styles, different schools exist, but I'd say that it's probably best to start with weft knitting, and wait with warp knitting until you have a secure technique. That said: cable knitting is far easier than everyone thinks, so you can still get exiting results even as a beginner. Good luck! best, bert PS, as to the band, only you can decide, but it does look hopeless from here. .

[quote name='The Hat' timestamp='1355563140' post='1899890'] Was wondering if there are any other pro bassists in Bolton who dancing meeting up for a jam chat ? [/quote] Fixed. It's easy, you know, once you understand what you're doing. best, bert

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1355482110' post='1898891'] well if yang is the opposite to ying then the opposite of jazz must be..... [/quote] That's deep! I think you nailed it... best, bert

Dunno. GAS for bass guitars is suddenly not present these last days. Had written several basses on Xmas wishlist ( "contribution towards" <bass> ), and then suddenly didn't want any more of them. Just felt grateful and happy with what I have (and I understand I have every reason to that). Deleted them. That was three days ago, and the feeling is still the same. Must be depression, doncha think? Seriously though, I'm happier these days, so I think there may be a link there. I could live like this! best, bert

[quote name='mart' timestamp='1355338267' post='1897197'] Hope you demanded a refund since it was obviously not NOS! [/quote] Couldn't be arsed really, and rather had a good laugh. This CD cost me two and a half quid, so I decided these people work very hard for the little money they get. They shouldn't have lied, but to their defense, the CD did still look as mint. [quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1355401108' post='1897836'] Not so much "why write your name?" more "why did you lift it all up and have a look?" [/quote] Originally I didn't want to go there, and create a too detailed, too long post, but it was because this cd had an autograph that I recognised immediately because of a flaw in it - due to the ballpoint pen stopping to work, and the autograph having been finished later. best, bert

[quote name='steve-soar' timestamp='1355348149' post='1897340'] Saw living Color on 93 tour in Leeds but was out of my head on speed and dope, so I'm told... Saw them on their first UK tour at Manchester Poly....incredible. [/quote] Steve, you know I love you like a sister I don't know I have, but Living Colour in [b][i]American[/i][/b] spelling? Shiver! best, bert

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1355347331' post='1897326'] Do you use the version of Google that's optimised for Norway? [/quote] Girl, you said it! Google is more and more incessantly trying to impose the local version on us, to the degree that I gave in at one point. But with renewed energy I'll try and lock it to truly international searches. In a local search, there should be a shadow of a chance that I'm able enough to actually use the word "soegne", now shouldn't there? Thanks! best, bert

You're better at googling than I am then. I've been searching time and again for years. Only answers I got was Bad Brains and Pearl Jam - both wrong. I'll buy "Google 101 for Dummie Kids" best, bert

I'd call that for very wise words, if they hadn't come from a guy who calls himself [size=4][i][b]Ray[/b][/i][/size]man. Seriously though, I think you're largely right about then importance of the process in this. That said, I think GAS can take many different forms, and be accepted in many different ways. My case for example: I just need to have felt and heard all the differences and use a lot of money on that right now. Later, I'll settle down with e few basses. best, bert

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1355318607' post='1896822'] That's banging. Innit. [/quote] Nail. Head. Bang! Edit: forgot: Jail!

I'm relieved you're not rich. 1120517 and 1120518 hated each other, and I don't see how reconciliation could be possible. In the same vain, a decade or so ago, I sold a used cd with my name in my writing under the tray. Recently I bought a copy of that CD again that was sold as New Old Stock. Yup, you guessed it: I got my "own" cd back. (Why would I write my name there? So friends who borrow can check when they're unsure whether they own it or not. Lent them out by the dozens - hundreds even - to good friends. They could have them for years, and could eventually easily forget who owned what.) best, bert

Thanks, Bluejay! Sweet Water may just be it, and seeing what they are compared to (Mudhoney, Pearl Jam ... ) I can well imagine that they sounded quite punk live. Their looks are certainly exactly like the band I saw back then. Funny you should come up with Bad Brains. I knew they toured with LC later, but had no idea about '93 They were even mentioned at the concert, by the young lads, but I never understood the whole sentence. It may have been that they were sorry Bad Brains couldn't make it that evening, for example. I'll delve more into this. Now I have a name to check at least. Thanks again! best, bert

Did anyone see Living Colour during the '93 "Stain" tour? This was Doug Wimbish's first tour with them, IMS. So: who were the supporting act? They were a bunch of middle class youngsters who did this type of polite American punk that was "en vogue" at the time. FWIW, I think they'd all got permission from their moms and dads to go out and travel in Europe. Have been wanting to know this since ... er ... '78 or so, if memory serves. best, bert

That, and the support they can give each other on every level. Worth gold, imho. You may just have made a very, very good decision there. Yeah, do some Spice Girls songs. Berated as they may be, that first album contained some great writing. Notes, that is. I'm lyricsdeaf. best, bert