sarah thomas

Suited your amp though! x

... the sound of the bass is the lore! Many many thanks for a fantastic day. It was great to put faces and basses to names. I definitely now want an Acoustic Image amp. It was glorious to try out so many basses and amps and rock the room like a crazy thing. Even better for me was that I came away liking my bass the best, so that's handy. All sorts of tips picked up and best of all, so many wonderful, friendly people. Kinda makes you even prouder than usual to play the double bass!

The back seam on my German flatback is opening up and there is a crack running down the front under the fingerboard. The bass has had a few knocks in transit to evening classes, open mic nights and gigs, which I believe have caused this. My question is, would this be classed as 'accidental damage' under an Allianz policy, or would it be classed as 'wear and tear'? If it's accidental damage then I can claim for a repair but if it's wear and tear, then I can't. It rattles like stink. Has anyone any experience of this? Any advice appreciated.

Similar to Beer of the Bass, only I have the bass sideways on and in its bag, so I can use the handles to hold on/steer. It brings a whole new dimension to dancing with your bass.

A reasonable music stand that extends to a height comfortable for use when you're standing up. Mine's made by Hercules, came with a handy bag and cost about £20. Yita bows are great for the money too.

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]1. Bassace - Upton and Bryant basses, Clarus amp and Crazy 8 speaker.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]2. Owen - 5 string DB, NS5 EUB, Clarus/Acme rig, Fdeck/Berg rig and some bass uke things.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]3. Zero9 - Gedo 'Blonde' 4/4 hybrid DB with Thomastik Solo strings, KK Rockabilly and AI Coda R combo[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]4. StingrayPete1977 - Gedo 3/4 half carved 'antique' with Thomastik Spirocore weichs ebony board/tail, Yitamusic carbon fibre french bow.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]5. Geoffbassist - German trade bass with Evah regulars[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]6. Sarah Thomas - German flatback, Superlight EUB, Nemesis 50w amp[/font][/color]

I found having a teacher gave focus to my practice and motivation too because he keeps coming back. Since I started having monthly lessons (only 3 so far) I've been asked to join two bands.

I think this is your best bet for a first port of call, at least. This is one good reason why basschat is such a great place: [quote name='TheRev' timestamp='1406065893' post='2508089'] For rock'n'roll and rockabilly, Innovation's 'Rockabilly' strings could be ideal for you. Nice easy tension for beginners but just enough tension to give you a decent old school jazz pizz sound. I use Rockabillys on my working bass - you're more than welcome to have a go if you like (I'm also in Bristol). I can check your bass out for you as well - I'm not a luthier but I'll be able to check that everything's in the right place. Dave. [/quote]

And of course there was Tommy Ramone!

I use a bass wheel now and then. Not having one with a pneumatic tyre, I wish I had. If the pavement gets rough or I need to cross the road then I still carry the bass to avoid the wood splintering jarring as it bumps its way toward the pavement.. It's worth paying a bit more for a really good one if this is the route you take.

Me too. Unsure of woods though.

What a great idea!

You say that another hole needs to be drilled into the end block to fit these angled pins. Can you give some guidance on this? I for one, feel very unsure about drilling holes into two grand worth of bass.

Just echoing what others have already said - Excelsiors are good basses, those look like Spirocore strings (you may find Innovation Honeys easier on the fingers to start with - see Daf's trial sub-forum), ditch the mute and take a lesson with Jake. And give your wife a big hug.

Yes Ben. An angled wooden end pin would be the realisation of a dream.

No-one listens to the bass solo anyway. They all talk or go to the bar.

A carved top isn't necessary. In fact, a decent laminate that can take a few inevitable knocks isn't a bad idea. I'd look at the for sale section here and wait for a East European model to come along. It depends on your budget, really. You are unlikely to get ripped off if you buy here though. How much have you got to spend? £800 should see you with a decent starter bass that will last you a few years, or perhaps forever, depending on what you want to play. Second hand basses hold their value too, so if you decide it's not for you after all, then you won't really lose out. Chinese uprights get a bad press generally, although ZMech may well have got lucky.

Thankyou bassace and ben. My endpin is 10mm so I'm hoping to try one of the wooden ones.

Ben, is there any chance of you bringing a couple of wooden endpins to the Double Bass Bash in Derbyshire in October? There was talk of a trial at one point, so if that is not feasible, maybe this is an alternative?

There is much wisdom on button moon, and there is nothing like someone showing you how to balance the bass. Anyway, here's what Rufus Reid says: 'The bass is leaning slightly into the body with the inside of the left knee against the bass back acting as one of the balancing points. The other balancing point is angled against the lower abdomen where it joins the leg.' Good luck Hector!

Marc, I may be staying with a friend who lives near Derby but nothing is organised yet. I'm pretty sure we could get 4 double basses into the CRV so if you want a lift we could do it that way. I'm going anyway, so let's see nearer the time.

Makes you wonder what would happen if they found any chemical weapons ...

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1402339810' post='2472446'] I'll try to get my Bryant and the Upton in the motor, and there'll just be room for an AI Clarus amp and Crazy 8 cab. [/quote] And score!