sarah thomas

Ah - I fancied that one too, but couldn't really justify another double bass yet, having only bought the first one in November. I suspect it would be worth finding out what the original finish is, as some finishes don't work well with others and you end up with a right mess.

Pictures? I'm a fan of Tru-oil for finishing instruments and you can keep adding coats until you're happy with the finish. Takes ages to dry though.

So, how did it go? (Bet it was great!)

Wednesday 11 April to Sunday 22 April are good for me and I'm happy to travel during that time too. Outside of those dates and it would be a lot easier no further north than the Midlands. This thread http://basschat.co.uk/topic/73093-double-bass-setup-and-lessons-bristol/page__st__20 is talking about a DB workshop in Bristol. Maybe the two threads could join forces? (Or is that three threads - Yorkshire, Canterbury and Bristol. Maybe we should just take over a small hotel for the weekend?)

Is this still viable?

If this is still on, I'd love to come along. Who else is interested (given the bumped thread is over two years old)?

Would we be anywhere near Leeds Castle?

Canterbury it is then!

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1330629292' post='1560774'] I'd love to see Mrs Beedster's face when 47 blokes and their doubles basses turn up for tea [/quote] And one woman with her double bass.

Somewhere in the Midlands?

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1330595076' post='1559829'] I have this irrational fear of low tension strings. I have convinced myself that the best way to build up technique is to deal with the more demanding action of a bass with higher tension strings. I have this idea that, if I go for really light strings, I will have the r/h technique of a big girly wuss and sound like a lightweight. [/quote] Hey Rob, didn't you hurt your wrist?

An upright bass bash. What a brilliant idea. I can't bring £2000 but I can bring biscuits ...

Hi Anna - my brother lives near Hinckley (Frolesworth) so hopefully I can call in and say hello next time I'm in the area. Do you have any upright basses? I like plain chocolate biscuits with pieces of ginger in them.

I need reading glasses ...

My bass came with D'Addario Hybrids which I found to be tough on my newbie fingers, so I bought a set of Innovation Golden Slaps. (Same as Silver Slaps but a different colour.) I'm very happy with these and despite what others have said, they don't seem to be too bad bowed either - although again, I am a complete beginner with the bow. My teacher, who's in his final year of a jazz degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama was impressed by them and is thinking of getting a set for his spare bass. It's difficult knowing what to go for, but these are good value for £75 and much gentler on the fingers than steel strings.

I got Jerry Coker's Improvising Jazz for Kindle and found the musical notation too small to be useful. (And anything beyond the first few pages too difficult!) I've just downloaded the PC version for Kindle and although it's better, there is no way of making the notation larger. You can change the font size and make the text bigger, but not the music. I'm tempted by this bass solo book but not if it has the same problem. I had a look at the sample but it doesn't have any music, only words. Can anyone help?

[quote name='nobby1dog' timestamp='1326577380' post='1499158'] It sucks to be a beginner again, but love to learn [/quote] It's great to be a beginner again! (3 months in)

Yes, let us know what Thomann say. Still, that bass looks lovely and would match my car too. Blue ... mmm I'd have to get rid of the dining table - or the sofa.

Feeling a little frustrated by the pace of my learning, I turned to astrology for guidance and found this:- [font=comic sans ms,cursive]How are you supposed to run somewhere, with a ball and chain attached to your ankle? Even if the place you are running to contains a metal worker, able and willing to cut through that chain, you can hardly run there. At best, you can just hurry a little, though you must take care not to hurt yourself. Nor, really, is it fair to think of your current impediment as a punishment. It is not a ball and chain. It is a commitment you must keep and a restriction that you have reason to feel glad and proud to be bound by. Trust that view.[/font] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Timely advice![/font]

Like you, I'm paranoid about left wrist injury, but in my case it's due to carpal tunnel syndrome. I practice in front of a dress mirror so I can see any deviations from straight wristedness - maybe that's something you could try? You could also look for a tutor in Alexander Technique. Here's a link to check out: http://www.isatt.ie/findteacher.html

Pete Tyler's book 'About the Double Bass - a player's guide' has several pages on the function of a bridge, how to profile and fit the bridge, includiing profile templates and if you're feeling brave, how to fit bridge height adjusters. New bridges will need profiling and fitting. A lot of people go to a luthier. No, it's not cheap. But the DB is a money pit. As a newcomer myself, I'd be inclined to buy Pete's book, choose a new bridge and have a go at fitting it myself. If I was trying to fit bridge adjusters, I'd have a go on a couple of cheapo templates before attempting it on the real deal. Measure twice, cut once!

There's not much point in having lessons if they are not helping you get better. You could tell your teacher what sort of thing you want to learn and you could tell them what level of criticism you're happy with - if you think it's worth a go. And in the meantime, look for a bass player to teach you.

I could well be interested too. After tonight's comment 'Is that your bass or a lorry reversing?' it seems like I need a set. Great idea.

Consider both legs broken. And have a great time!