Silvia Bluejay

By the way, I've found an article among my DB-related bookmarks that may be of some help, even if only to know what the luthier will have to do, if you prefer not to work on your bass yourself: [url="http://www.dennishavlena.com/bassetup.htm"]http://www.dennishavlena.com/bassetup.htm[/url] Looks very basic but it has drawings an' all

[quote name='billyapple' timestamp='1338747181' post='1678806'] Not only do I waste entire evenings on BC, but it's opened up a new social life for me where I actually get out the house, meet real people and listen to their music. BC's enough for me. I think there will be a point where BC overtakes Twatter and Facebunk [/quote] Yes! In the meantime I'm on all three, as well as on real life

My NS NXT 5 has a round fingerboard too. Edit: and my HB as well.

I'm sure that the experts on this forum will help you with more detail, but in the meantime, these are my answers to your questions. Yes, that sort of action seems way too high to me. If the height of the bridge isn't adjustable, it will need to be cut to measure by an expert in order to reduce the action for comfortable playing. The bridge tends to go out of shape when you tune the bass, due to friction, especially if there is little or no graphite or other suitable lubricant in the grooves where the strings rest. But to answer your question,no, that's not right, it needs to be adjusted. I would suggest you take your bass to a luthier.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1338554753' post='1676270'] I've always thought that those who snigger at other peoples' specialist interests or hobbies - trams, philately, house bricks, whatever - are entirely deficient in the virtues of empathy, wisdom and politeness. That they freely articulate such views in the belief that they are demonstrating their innate superiority speaks volumes about their witlessness. It's rather like the person who says "You read [i]books[/i]? God, how [i]boring[/i]" and howls with idiot laughter. You don't know whether to pity them or lure them to a subterranean cavern and butcher them in the interests of the wider public good. [color=#ffffff].[/color] [/quote] Hear hear.

There is a subforum dedicated to "Other Instruments" already!

I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole, but that's just me, I guess. Personally, I hate the fact that a righty's body will not be shaped to be comfortable when resting against the lefty player's body. I find the look of an upside-down bass or guitar all wrong. I also dislike having the effing knobs touch my wrist when I play. Edit: I have tiny hands and fingers and yet manage fine with a 5-string Warwick! If I was you I wouldn't be too worried about the size of the neck - it's probably just a matter of good playing technique, and some practice.

They are forecasting dreadful weather for London on Sunday and Monday. Cold as well. So perhaps summer is being suspended for a while (sigh), and that may be one more reason for us to move the meetup to another weekend.

Monday is 4th June. I might make it but not 100% sure at this stage. Perhaps the date is a bit too close to be sure many of us aren't booked on other commitments?

I'd be up for it too. Re. gender stereotyping - try being unable to drive at all, and also hopelessly crap at reading maps (oooo!) and at the same time being the one the car mechanic, the plumber, the IT engineer etc. talk to when they have to explain a problem, 'cos you're the one who knows what they're talking about...

I have no problem tweaking anything stringed - truss rod, intonation with saddles, string height at bridge and nut, turning right-handed uprights into left-handed ones, done it all, so no issue with the truss rod I do see your point about those flats still being - well - the same flats I hated before. I'll keep the rounds then. They are new and don't smell at the moment - I've been using Fast Fret on them hoping to keep them as clean as possible. We'll see.

The strings simply happen to be a lot thicker and tougher to persuade into a coil at the tuning pegs! Especially the B (on a 5) and E strings, obviously.

I'm intrigued, as my acoustic has phosphor bronze rounds on. I love the sound, both when amplified and not, but I do prefer flats wherever possible. Can you stick on the acoustic any type of flats you use on electric basses? Or are high-tension ones not to be recommended? I have a spare set of Fender flats which I took off my Corvette 4 because they were far too high tension for my taste (I put a set of Thomastik-Infeldt in their place). Worth experimenting with, do you reckon, or would I end up loathing them the same way I did on the Corvette?

Love the Ferrari cars poster on the wall in the workshop - that EUB is probably the musical equivalent...

Hmmmm.... Erm, do you usually hoover the garden??

Er, no I haven't, in fact... but dodgy areas are everywhere, unfortunately.

LOL I wonder whether those Duracells with the growling, fat sound come with tone knobs on too. Or even preamps. *goes off to google them*

Oooo, beautiful place.

I wasn't dismissing the idea! Simply thinking of the practicalities, but this female lefty from Chiswick would definitely be up for it. We would need to make sure that a reasonable group of us can make it - it would be a pity, and a lot of wasted effort, for you to set your place up for 10 or 15 and get 3 or 4 attendees only.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1338251182' post='1671774'] Blue... may I suggest an interim meet at someone's place, i.e. bring your own (bass & backing tracks, entertain us in rotation) bring your own drink & food, cook, wash and leave the place as tidy as you've found it? If that will suit most people then I am happy to welcome a decent number of you's, (no more than 10-15) I have a big garden, free parking on my street and very understanding (young) neighbours. [/quote] I've done that for BBQs with friends who live in my area. Not sure how it would work on a London-wide basis, though, as it implies a few of the group - the girls, usually - meeting up at the house a few hours earlier to get everything ready, and then either staying late clearing and tidying up or going back the following day.

Some of the first songs I learned at my beginners course were In The Midnight Hour, Seven Nation Army, Lithium, Beat It, Stir It Up and Gimme Some Lovin'.

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1338217477' post='1670954'] I try and find little batteries - did you realise that there is actually quite a noticeable size difference in the same type of battery? I have to jam mine into a small cavity (Carry On moment) that is already full of preamp - so i go for the smallest i can find. [/quote] Now, has anyone told bass guitar manufacturers? I mean, how difficult can it be for them to allow one more millimetre on each dimension when they create the cavity?

Got a similar device among my tools, but always end up waiting for the E string on my two active basses to fart... then it's time to replace the battery

LOL

The usual 9V Energizer or Duracell (the good models). Be aware that they tend to be slightly thicker than cheaper makes, which implies some trouble getting them into the slot and getting them out. Be careful not to trap or short any wires. Oh, and remember to unplug the bass from the amp and disconnect the lead from both. Edited for typos - grrr!