sarah thomas

Les has a good point. Talking is fine but if no-one takes any action, nothing is achieved. You have to be prepared to walk. I bet they think you'll just keep moaning on and never leave because you don't want to upset your brother. Your brother may well respect you more if you show him that you mean what you say. Leave! There's no need to fall out. Just leave, pleasantly and kindly, smile and agree with them all, but still just leave.

Fantastic! You'll have a great time. Well done.

Not a clip on, more of a lie down on - I like the Cleartune app. Just put the phone down on the bridge and you're away. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/cleartune-chromatic-tuner/id286799607

[quote name='sarah thomas' timestamp='1385919400' post='2293627'] I I'm hoping for one of these this Christmas. 40 euros from kontrabass atelier in Frankfurt. [/quote] My hopes are dashed. Kontrabasss atelier are not responding to emails. Still, there's always sherry.

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1386067244' post='2295142'] EDIT: I also meant to add that I have Sarah to thank, for selling me my lovely acoustic DB I am forever indebted to her for this ..... I'm keeping my Stagg EUB though [/quote] She couldn't have gone to anyone better, Marc. I'm glad she's being played and loved. But I have one question - how often do you play your Stagg?

Then again, a lot of people who started out on EUBs very quickly realise they want a proper wooden wardrobe jobbie and nothing else will really do. So buying an EUB can turn out to be a false economy. Why not see if your local council/music shop/music college/schools do a hire scheme? Or book a couple of lessons so you can get a feel for the upright before you decide? Best of luck whatever you decide.

I had some gut strings on an old ukulele and they didn't smell in the slightest. They seemed to stick to my fingers though and became a bit flaky. I felt uncomfortable with them because they seemed to have a memory of being skin. I have no experience of upright guts, but wanted to say gut strings don't smell.

I haven't seen one in action, but it's the one they use in their shop. I might add a spot of wood glue and some varnish to help it stay together. And possibly line it with some fake velvet stuff. I like doing stuff like that, so I don't mind. I thought a flat pack might be easier for Santa to get down the chimney.

I I'm hoping for one of these this Christmas. 40 euros from kontrabass atelier in Frankfurt.

Wonder what it weighs?

'Really the Blues' by Mezz Mezzrow gives a very readable account of what it was like to be on the scene when Louis Armstrong's star was rising. A lot more accessible than the Mingus autobiography, but that too is compelling although obscure

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1385571974' post='2289811'] That sounds quite good Sarah just wondered are the lessons timed? or can you just go online and use lesson course as much as you want? Thanks in advance [/quote] You go online for as long as you like. I find the music theory lessons helpful too and they're thrown in as a bonus. But bearing other people's experiences in mind, it's probably worth checking out some sample lessons to see if you get on with Nathan East's approach: [url="http://play.artistworks.com/free-bass-lessons-nathan-east?&__hssc=9434218.1.1385656126545&__hstc=9434218.cf7b24af45c056ad0138e1a4fa938230.1377790961244.1385576983274.1385656126545.43&hsCtaTracking=33bd3303-4cdd-409d-95a8-93c07fdc2ae5%7Cd4f1eae2-d4be-4bb4-8771-f18a25de50f3"]http://play.artistworks.com/free-bass-lessons-nathan-east?&__hssc=9434218.1.1385656126545&__hstc=9434218.cf7b24af45c056ad0138e1a4fa938230.1377790961244.1385576983274.1385656126545.43&hsCtaTracking=33bd3303-4cdd-409d-95a8-93c07fdc2ae5%7Cd4f1eae2-d4be-4bb4-8771-f18a25de50f3[/url]

I'm following the John Pattitucci online jazz bass course at artistworks.com Nathan West does the electric bass course. There are loads of prerecorded lessons to follow, You send in a video of yourself playing and get a video response from your tutor. It costs about £60 for 3 months. There are sample lessons you can look at first to help you make up your mind. I find it really helpful as a beginner on the upright and other people have commented on how much better I'm getting since I started these lessons.

The Lanikai LU21 and the Kala KA-S come recommended at [url="http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/categories/ukulele-buying-tips/"]http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/categories/ukulele-buying-tips/[/url] You could also ask the good folk over at [url="http://www.ukulelecosmos.com/"]http://www.ukulelecosmos.com/[/url] They know more about ukuleles than any sane person could reasonably wish to know. Great little instruments though! I'd go for the Kala myself as I've played a few and never found a dud. I don't have any experience of Lanikai, so can't say. Good hunting!

NIce one! Let us know how she sounds.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/King-Double-Bass-Slap-King-3-4-True-Blonde-Stand-Up-Bass-Rockabilly-/321247133119"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/King-Double-Bass-Slap-King-3-4-True-Blonde-Stand-Up-Bass-Rockabilly-/321247133119[/url] and a gig bag with a furry leopard print interior! Please buy it to stop me.

Thanks to both! Arvell Shaw is just amazing. And while Leroy Vinnegar's 'Leroy Walks Again' is difficult to find, his quartet's 'Leroy Walks' is on amazon as an mp3 download for £2.59. That's my Saturday morning sorted then.

Wonderful! Just when I was thinking I really should have started this decades ago, you post this great video and I see there are still decades to come. Thankyou.

I've just bought Ian's Italia leather bass strap. It arrived beautifully packaged and looking gorgeous. It's in better condition than even I could have hoped for. Great communications throughout. Top geezer!

Gorgeous.

[quote name='TheG' timestamp='1380618154' post='2227789'] An older end pin had a screw on rubber which eventually broke. Great I thought I'll just buy another to screw on. Couldn't find one anywhere so I searched and found a luthier who would make me one (and a spare) up. Unfortunately I could'nt justify spending £15 each. [/quote] It was a screw on rubber which I had refurbished at the cobblers. I dunno, if we're not talking about how long it is, or is yours thicker than mine, then we're on about screw on rubbers and cobblers.

Yes Chris, what did you get? (pmed by the way.)

It looks well worth it. Thanks, Mand.

Wonderful!