oggiesnr

Not the norm but does happen quite a bit (and possibly increasingly). From the company's point of view it's a lot simpler to have a blanket ban than try and judge levels of sobriety etc, easier to uphold in a Court of Law if needed.

Take up double bass or buy a decent acoustic (Gibson, Guild or Tacoma Thunderchief). Steve

Historically informed performance is an interesting can of worms. Very few of us play the instruments of earlier ages and very few of us have the same bows. We sound different and with modern techniques and instruments can do a lot more than an 18th century bassist playing guts can. Time has moved on and whilst the notes may be the same we can do so much more and bring different tones and attitudes to the music. Whilst there is room for re-enactment I'm not sure that it is an end to strive for, IMHO it's a dead end. I am old enough to have listened to David Munrow and "Pied Piper". It was exciting and vibrant but his take on Early Music was not actually historically correct, it was too fast and had too much range between soft and loud (we think) but it was great musically and kindled a love of music in many people. I have listened to many "correct" interpretations of the music and I'll take DM's anyday. Likewise I saw du Pre playing the Elgar cello, I also have it on disc, and I hate it but that has become the standard against which cellists are measured. I also heard Rostropovich play it, very different, even more so as he grew older and I think preferable. However, two hundred years down the road I suspect the the du Pre will become the Historically Informed version. Steve

[quote name='Baxter' timestamp='1373489246' post='2138295'] i fancied starting one that played jimi hendrix songs in a scottish ceilidh style. to be called the Jimmy Shandrix Experience,,,, [/quote] Tis a scary tough that there are actually Jimmy Shand Tribute Bands! IMHO opinion most of the acts that are tributed have degenerated into tribute bands (or parodies) anyway. Who goes to a Stones gig to hear anything post mid-seventies? Ditto The Who. Steve

Probably try something radical and see if you can play bass with a bottleneck. Would need to set the bass up with a high action and maybe use a six string in an open tuning. Steve

[quote name='3below' timestamp='1370464016' post='2101477'] Mid Wales and Marches, [url="http://www.timsviolins.co.uk/"]http://www.timsviolins.co.uk/[/url] Tim Phillips - although website says violins etc, he will do DB work. Repaired the neck that my father kindly snapped off for me. Great job, sorted bridge, finish damage, setup soundpost and manufactured a new ebony fillet for neck join. All in price was unbelievably low, have paid same for bass setup, fret recrown and small crack repair. [/quote] Also sells a carbon fibre DB bow in both French and German styles made in the Far East to his own design. Tried one at Beverley FF and is on my "To buy" list for this summer. His bowshop is here Steve

Demo cuts for elevator muzak! I reckon I regularly hear more interesting young bands on the undercard (a long way down the undercard at that) at a host of folk festivals throughout the year. As for the Nu-Folk tag.. don't get me started on that Steve

The two (deceased) protaganists had better stay un-named but I heard A refer to former bandmate B as "a bastard who's mother was into bestiality"

DADD it usually is but you can mess about with it (DGDD for example). As far as gauges go it's a matter of personal choice. I use guitar strings from an 0.10 set so two top E's, the G and the D. They're a fun instrument to play (as is it's cousin the Strumstick) and can cope with very complex, rocky arrangements as well as the twee Joni sound. I remember seeing Tim Hart playing an electric one complete with full pedal board! Steve

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1370374478' post='2100009'] If you're thinking about multi-tracking an instrument, try all the other ones first before you resort to a bass, because the bass is the last instrument that is likely to work well. [/quote] I did try it with a mate's set up and I have to agree. You have to be really good in thumb position to be able to carry a melody or harmony over the top, even with electronic help, all I got was low end mush! Ed's violin is a five string (low C) and his bass lines are done with an octave pedal. Steve

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1370340058' post='2099231'] Anyone ever used a looper to compose with? - they look like great fun! Just wondering if it ever gets a bit 'samey' as a layering process? [/quote] The best I've seen at it is Ed Alleyne-Johnson who combines it with a full pedal board. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31o4A5gSi3U"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31o4A5gSi3U[/url] Steve PS I just realised that it's me behind the tree cutting names on my saw

[quote name='wriggers' timestamp='1370248696' post='2097955'] Being a long-time folky I have encountered several innovative bands and concepts. The Imagined Village are up there with the best. A few of the bands that I remember with fondness over the years include Fairport Convention, Alan Stivell Band, Steeleye Span, The Albion Band, Planxty and Afro Celt Sound System. Anyone care to add to the list? [/quote] Mr Fox, JSD Band, Clan Alba. Steve

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1370203774' post='2097606'] Yep me as well. The problem with 'groundbreaking' is that the soil eventually subsides and you have to do it again. [/quote] .. and to give credit to MC he has consistently come up with new ideas and musical partnerships over the years. Steve

Scary, I remember Martin Carthy doing "Cold Haily Windy Night" as part of Steeleye Span forty years ago and then it was also regarded as ground breaking! Steve

I've had a carbon fibre replacement on my Antoni (£25) and it made a big difference. Steve

Internet prices on the Debut are between £450 and £550 (list is £699) so on the face of it this a good deal. I would however play it a fair bit before splashing the cash. The neck is chunky, as standard there is little relief on the fingerboard, the tailpiece is a big chunk of iron and the strings are nothing to right home about (can't comment on the bow as I've never had the Antoni one). On the plus side all the above are solvable withe the judicious application of cash. For me the issue would be what do you want it for and does it fit that bill. if so then it's probably a go, if the limitations are going to grate in the near future then either be prepared to spend some dosh or look for a bass that's already been through that mill. Steve

Sack the drummer If you're buying new take your DB into a shop and try them out. Steve

I dump all our leads and lights at a local electrician once a year and they charge £1.50 an item. Need the certificate about three times a year. If you fake it and something were to go wrong then you would be well and truly stuffed (as in criminal fraud if someone got really angsty) Steve

The E string has come alive a lot more, bags of sustain (mt bass teacher wants to swap that string for hers). The instrument feels more alive and responsive but that may be because I can use better left hand technique on the thinner neck rather than being due to the physical change of the instrument. Steve I haven't forgotten the pictures, they will follow.

Thanks for the good wishes, I've another long weekend coming up so here's hoping! I've now played the bass for a couple of days (and had a lesson on it) and first impressions are good. I'll post some pics next week but Peter's taken it down about 8 mm and rounded it a bit more so it's less clunky. The plan is for me to play it for a couple of weeks before it's final finish but I think I'll probably stick with where it's at. Steve

Well not a new neck but a re-profiled one The story so far is that I bought Nick's Antonini to see how I could get on with DB as I have small hands. It had done the rounds of York and according to a local DB teacher about half a dozen people had got their start on it. I actually liked it and have spent some money on new strings, the fingerboard being shot, a new tail piece and sound post, about £250 on top of the original price that was £250. Being Ply it works for me as a lot of what I do is outdoors and the odd shower, cold or heat doesn't upset it. However the neck is really chunky and that's a bit of a problem especially as I'm now working on my classical grades (4 in the Autumn). So in consultation with Peter Elliott in Beverley who did the rest of the work, I've decided to have the neck altered to make it easier on my hand. It's now ready for collection. It's not lacquered yet, the idea being that I'll play it for a few days and if itneeds adjusting he'll do it before the final finishing. So tomorrow I get to collect it and have a play. The cost of the neck is going to be £100 so in all I'll have £600 sunk in the bass. The deal with SWMBO is that when I pass Grade 5 I can upgrade the bass but I'll probably keep this one for outside work, if not I don't think I'll be that far out of pocket and for the fun it'll have given me it will have been well worth it. Further report and pics to follow. Steve PS apropo another thread, I've just spent three days cutting names in York and my wrist and fingers seem to have survived OK

I would check the fret positions first. If bad fret placement is the root cause of the intonation problem then all the bridge changing etc isn't going to cure it. Steve

The contrabass shop is great BUT they really don't really do inexpensive (other than the carbon fibre bows). On my only visit there I left with a serious longing for a particular bass and bow, the only problem is they cost more than my house! Steve

That was brilliant. One thing that stood out for me (and resonates with my bass playing) is how he kept it low, only rarely did he go up the neck and into thumb position, for me keeping it low means I have my own space to use and to be creative. I just wish I could be a fraction as creative as him. Steve

Have a lot of fun and a great time Steve