philparker

I'm glad nothing was taken, unless it was a targeted break-in it may have also surprised a thief looking for tools, power tools and gardening equipment, but now he knows what's inside I'm sure he may have a rethink about returning or discussing with his colleagues. Some good advice above - I would definitely consider CCTV!

Mmm...I remember watching that sketch when it came out!

It looks quite handy - I've just ordered one!

[quote name='henrywillard' timestamp='1456676646' post='2991281'] I use a Super-Sensitive Endpin Stop. I just keep it in my bag, and throw it down on the floor whenever there's a nice carpet or rug I need to protect. [url="http://www.alangregory.co.uk/music/Super-Sensitive_Large_Clear_Stoppin_End_Pin_Stop.html"]http://www.alangrego...d_Pin_Stop.html[/url] Have had mine for years, and I reckon it will last a lifetime. [/quote] Do you use that with the end pin rubber or spike?

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1456702926' post='2991656'] I believe that the general rule is to go with whatever grip your tutor teaches, but that's only useful (if, indeed, true..!) if one has a tutor, of course..! [/quote] I think the German bow was designed so that the bow stroke wouldn't catch the corners/body of some of the different shaped DBs (violin/Gamba?).

A rubber end cap is the simplest solution - other than that an additional piece of carpet with some rubber matting beneath that. My DB teacher has a specifically designed long, thin (5 cm) strip of wood where one end fits beneath the stool leg and the other end has numerous concave indents to place the end pin spike, but I've not seen one of these at any of the DB retailers - I shall be keeping an eye out, though!

Tal Wilkenfeld...

[quote name='steve' timestamp='1455610350' post='2980564'] Hi, I'm round the corner in Radcliffe. As mentioned above The Towler has a jam night on thursday eves. I think a fair few local bands have got started that way. [/quote] If I had a £1 for every time I played in The Towler... ...I'd have £7

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1456088330' post='2985321'] THanks, but why not learn slapping and tapping and what not? [/quote] In addition to Leftybassman's advice - I think it is important to get the fundamentals right first and lay down a solid foundation for everything else to be built upon, of which, slapping would come later and tapping perhaps when you've mastered the fundamentals and beyond, and maybe got a little bored, and want to experiment?! Slapping has its place - I took lessons from a slap specialist for a few months to broaden my learning, but I never use it in any of line-ups I play with and rarely practise it, but for some I can see the passion and enjoyment. I think the first thing you should decide is the direction you want to take for your future goal. If that is just to be a 'great' bassist or a better bass guitarist and musician then you need to adapt a structured progression and this would eventually encompass all disciplines including theory and reading with advanced techniques towards the end. Because I occasionally teach, I went through the RGT graded system and found the progression to be very logical (I already played guitar to an advanced level), but most people who came to see me were keen to learn to get to a standard just to play in a band and have fun, which is fine, but to progress you need to study as well. Taking lessons from a good pro should give you both direction and determination, if you are self-learning then adapt a realistic and logical progression like the graded system in between learning and playing set pieces - and give yourself a few years to achieve this!

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1455988708' post='2984358']So what do I need to focus on? Do i need to improve technique and learn tapping and slapping? Should i learn to read? What do i need to do so i don't get stuck in scale/mode patterns? I think that's the problem. Thanks. [/quote] There are a few directions open to you and which one you take can depend on your personal circumstances, what you want to play in the future (are you in a band or likely to play in a band?) but my advice would be: Don't bother with tapping or advance slapping, soloing or any other 'advanced' techniques. Split your practise into manageable and achievable sessions with some technique or theory based, but the majority of time on playing and familiarising yourself with different genres to suit your future needs. For example work your way through some of the classics i.e. popular pub songs and get to know the different patterns that bassists play. Then pick a genre like blues, reggae, funk, Motown etc. and spend a month or two (or 6!) working your way through some of the classic songs of that genre. Pick a particular bassist like James Jamerson and work through his bass lines, pick a band like Jamiroquai or Incognito etc. work through their bass lines and if you can manage that over the next two years or more - you'll be an improved bass player. There are lots of other things that will help like learning to read, transposing bass lines, creating your own bass lines to chord structures etc. you could also take a structured progression like graded exams or get direction from a good teacher (if you can afford the financial outlay). Playing in a band or with other musicians can accelerate your playing skills, but there is so much material out there, the possibilities are endless. Buy lots of music/tab or download music/tab; give yourself a manageable goal and work your way through. Good Luck!

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1455633042' post='2980884'] An M5 bolt is just ever so slightly too large so I'll get a wingbolt M5 and see if I can recut the thread in the brass part which will then give me a working endpin for about 25p and if it doesn't work it's not the end as I suspected a new endpin would be [/quote] Imperial-wise, it will be 3/16ths, UNF (which equates to about 4.8 mm) and should be easy enough to het hold of.

Yep, that's got mojo!

Playing in my local pub as well - I will have to go see!

I think £250 is a fair price in today's market, knowing that it could do with new strings and a Luthier set up, which may reveal the need to have the fingerboard re-shot etc.

Interesting stuff, especially about the Grace Designs Felix pre-amp, I've never seen one of those before. I've got a two channel AI Clarus +, which I'm hoping will cover my rare occasions. I don't get enough DB gigs to experiment with different set ups, but it would be nice to be prepared for that inevitable fast ball.

You're right to get some lessons! It may depend on which genre you wish to study and maybe even which area of Bristol. There is Greg Cordez for jazz (I've not met him, but he is an occasional poster on Bass Chat - top player). I have met Ben Groenevelt (BS3) - a nice guy who really knows his stuff, both classical and jazz. There are many others, you're lucky in Bristol - I have to travel over 20 miles for my lessons!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1454455033' post='2970018'] I've been Lu Lu fan since "To Sir With Live" 1967 Always liked her, but I lost out to Maurice. Blue [/quote] John Paul Jones played on that one as well! [To Sir With Love]

Certainly looks a beauty!

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1453500182' post='2960187'] Anyone have any experience of [url="http://thedoublebassroom.com/"]http://thedoublebassroom.com/[/url] ? I have a friend fancying something there and she just wants to make sure he is ok. [/quote] I've not had any direct experience, but Ben has been selling DBs for quite a few years both on eBay and on Musical Chairs without any negativity that I'm aware of and he does have 100% feedback with a 201 score. I have been quite tempted on a few occasions as he does have quality DBs in terms of they all seem to be ex-orchestral or jazz imported from Europe (mainly Eastern) as opposed to ply DBs. I don't think there's anything to lose other than a long journey to Hildenborough, so long as you have a rough idea what you are looking for and listening to. He does have to make a profit, but he seems up for cash deals. If I wanted to replace my 2nd DB with a higher quality instrument in the £2k - £5k, I would definitely pay a visit!

Yes, I also remember one for sale in Orkney or Shetland a couple of years ago, the price was low, but not ridiculous, and I immediately dismissed it as a scam due to the vagueness of the ad.

Be aware also that there are different widths of bridge - measure the 'f' holes at the narrowest part from the centre of the circular hole on each 'f' hole to give you the width. As mentioned, the middle of the bridge feet line up with the notches in the f holes. As for strings - you can get a good second hand set from this very forum.