uk_lefty

For me going to try out a bass isn't something I can really do on the off chance. I recently emailed coda music in Stevenage to check that the bass I wanted was still in stock even though it is only a short journey and I was nearby anyway. They replied really quickly. O plan to visit some specialist bass shops soon to try out some basses and will phone or email in advance because being a lefty I can't just go and impulse buy. If I was looking at a serious purchase like a new gig amp set up I'd probably do the same just to make sure that I'm not making a journey for nothing and they know I'm serious about buying.

True, but lots of people use pre amp pedals and multi fx with amp and cab Sims. When you use the software you can add cab Sims, effects pedals, etc. It's a good home practice toy.

I had the full stack next to the dining table for what I thought was long enough for it to be ok. It wasn't.

Thanks for all contributions. The cabs are light and can be handled one-handed so getting them up the ladder in to the loft would be ok. My garage won't get repaired because I want it knocked down in a year or so so we can have a decent sized kitchen built as an extension. Right now I also think my garage is easy to break in to, not that it has been, but it could be. I won't leave in the car because I need the car space for baby stuff and I don't want to attract burglars to my car. The storage box idea for the garage is good though, might try that.

It can be hard not to hurt feelings sometimes. Had a difficult one recently where our guitarist loves doing backing vocals and always has done but he can't sing in tune. He maybe noticed me doing more and felt threatened a bit by this so we had to approach carefully. One guy went in a bit too direct and upset him so instead I asked him how he's trying to work it, what he's trying to achieve, and from there we work out what to do. For example if a harmony is needed he doesn't do the backing now because it's not in his skillset, but where it's doubling up or call and response he goes for it. More effective than saying "stop it, you're stinky poo" which is not something I'd ever do with someone I respect.

Not dumb, just me not fully explaining! They give you a licence to Ableton to use as a recording interface. Problem is they ran out of licences and I'm on old kit so it's taking them time to get new licences. The fender fuse software runs the effects, cab simulation (the extras to what can be done with just the amp) and all the stuff to edit the amp presets. You don't need separate licences to Fenders own software.

I've got the Bronco modelling amp from Fenders previous "generation". There's good resources online like downloadable manuals and a user forum. Their customer service do reply to email within a couple of days which is good but they may not always have the answer you want! For example, I wanted mine for the recording more than the effects and fender still can't release me a licence to the recording software. I've been asking for quite some time now. Still doesn't stop me using it as a practice amp though

I recently realised that I need to be able to run two cabs for some gigs so need to get another, however space in the house is running out. I use lightweight ashdown rootmaster 15s which are very compact. I'm thinking if I buy a big plastic storage box that clips shut I could store my cabs in the loft or garage. My garage leaks and is cold, my loft doesn't leak and isn't as cold so I'm thinking that's a better option. The big rig really only comes out for gigs, I have a practice amp for home playing. Is there any reason why storing in a cold environment such as the loft could be a bad idea?

In my band we give and accept criticism in the right way, it was established early on and it's the only way to improve as a unit. Also, if someone's having an off day they hold their hand up. Our singer has once had a diva tantrum over text message, we weren't sure if he was joking at first... He wasn't. Amazingly our drummer is also the band diplomat!

You missed me off this list too, I had a bass state B150 ;). Was a very good amp though massive and heavy. Had a look the other day to see if they were still doing bass amps and didn't see any. But did find out that they own Eden so maybe thats where all their bass energies are focused these days?

Thanks everyone. To your point, Blue, I get it. I play in a great band and there's nothing like playing with actual people, but band time is to rehearse our set list. I don't have the time to join a second band, but I do want to broaden my horizons out by playing along with different styles of music to get me playing in different ways. There's some great suggestions here that I'm going to be exploring in the next few weeks. Thanks everyone!

Pearl Jam, 10 is one hell of an album and it persuaded me to go fretless aged 18. That was my only bass for a very long time and all through my first band years playing Hendrix, Sabbath, etc. I wasn't allowed to slap so they had to allow fretlessness! I still use it now, even on some songs that have a slap fill, I just fingerstyle it instead! You can play a fretless with as much or as little mwah as you like which makes it easier to persuade skeptical band members that it's the right tool for the job. I knew one excellent bass player who had only ever played fretless. He was a violin prodigy though so I think that helped him!

It's not a modern sounding five string with a wood finish as I am looking for... But it's sooooo tempting!

Can anyone recommend a good source for (free) play along backing tracks, please? Just looking for a rhythm and chord progression to play over the top of, getting tired of playing my bands set list! Fancy playing some jazzier stuff, chords you don't get in rock, venture in to time signatures other than 4/4, think about what I'm playing instead of just playing the chorus riff, the verse riff, middle 8, repeat. Any recommendations welcome! Thanks

If it's a common bass like a fender p I'd think you can't go wrong selling privately through this site, gumtree or eBay (who charge commission too). But if o was selling something a bit more niche I'd maybe go to a reputable dealer because the real buyers for the more expensive and more niche stuff will probably look to them first. Not all bassists use this site, inexplicably.

I dunno... My headless Hohner came in a rectangular vinyl covered hard case, wasn't even fake leather, with rounded corners and a zip!

I have had that in so many places. I dress ordinarily, but have had furniture shop staff sit around chatting when I'm in there needing a whole two bed flats worth of furniture (Furniture Village, Southampton) and then they jump on the white haired man in slacks who pulls up in his Volvo saloon. My favourite on cars is "you have to confirm you're going to buy it, then we talk about if we can do anything on the price". I have had that in numerous garages. Imagine a guitar shop doing that!! Confirm you're definitely going to buy that vintage bass at a massive price and I'll then see if I can bring it closer to market value and throw in the case". How can you confirm you'll complete a deal before you know what the deal is?!?! Oh, I'm a professional buyer. Rule number 1, always be prepared to walk away. Always.

I had a six briefly. Poor quality bass so got rid, never seen the need to have one since. I have owned a fiver longer than anything else and it does make me play differently to my fours, but is limitation is that it's fretless and it's a pointy heavy metal looking thing. Since putting a hipshot d-tuner on my 4 string jazz bass thats now my one bass useable for any gig if I only want to take one bass. I spoke to a luthier recently about a new bass and enquired about price difference from 4-5. He says he pretty much makes 4s with a hipshot now rather than 5s as it's what more customers want...

I used to find Denmark street a really condescending place to go in my early 20's. Never felt comfortable playing a bass, especially one 10 or 20 times what I could afford. Then some smart Alec would suddenly get the whole staffs attention by name dropping who he is producing for, buy a plectrum and disappear, leaving me being glared at while playing a bass... Happy to say it's not like that now. Maybe I just look like I might be able to afford something now?

I think there's a few things contributing. You can't underestimate the pressure on retailers (therefore manufacturers) coming from the pressure on consumers wallets. People have more bills now than they did even fifteen years ago, everyone has to have a mobile phone, home internet and even bank accounts cost money now. All these are essentials for the majority of people and they aren't cheap either. I think the amount of choice now is staggering too. So many great brands like Cort, Vintage, SX and others producing stuff for £500 and less that would cost over a grand from the established American brands. When I started I had whatever was in my local music shop, a Tanglewood P at £250 in 1999 that now would cost about £80. However, since 2006 a German build Warwick double buck has gone from £800 to £1600. The top end gets further away in price for similar quality while the bottom end gets more accessible in price with improved quality. And guitars are built to last. My 18th birthday present bass is still gigged by me now almost 20 years later. As for guitar music not being popular I have the misfortune of occasionally hearing radio 1 on a morning. There is lots of heavy guitar music in between the pop, "r&b" and hip hop. It's just all detuned 7 strings. My local practice rooms are very busy too. More pubs are playing live music from what I can see as a means to get people in. With fender and Gibson struggling they may just be victims of their price points, and could be canibalising their own revenue streams by creating good quality Squiers. Or it could really be that not only are the luthier taking the tip end costs but even lower end guitars are customisable too, SX offer this service on their budget ranges. So there's just a very complex picture out there on the market for what's on offer and for what people can afford. Sorry that's very long. There's good cheap guitars about, people don't have much money these days, radio 1 still has guitar based music.

I had a parcel left on the doorway of my block of flats. Just when I was living a few mins walk from Leicester city centre. And the parcel force driver forged my signature. I called them and made the person on the phone poo themself by saying "do you know what was delivered?" And when they said no "old family photos going back nearly a hundred years, your compensation does not cover that at all". It was really some sports equipment worth £90 and luckily someone in an office over the road took in the parcel for me and tracked me down, but I just couldn't believe the cheek to forge a signature but also the stupidity to leave a parcel in a doorway in a city centre.

I played a gig with my fretless aged 18 and one of my "mates" is very loud and between every song kept shouting "but I can see frets?!!?!" But he's generally a prick and I think someone else told him where to go enough times he eventually stopped. Other people do ask whether it's fretless or not, if they sort of know something but aren't a bassist. I even handed it over to the barstaff at a gig recently so they could have a look up close, it does seem to be an oddity for "pub bands". Anyway, I think you're right, there is some weird kudos thing in the line debate as we are seeing in this thread, it's just manifested differently to my fat mate shouting "but I can see frets?!" Just for my tuppence worth: mine is lined because it was the only option available. I rarely ever look at them when playing though. If I were commissioning a build I'd probably want the little edge lines because I like the look of a blank board but don't have the confidence in myself above the twelfth, particularly if I'm walking about stage enjoying myself and playing spontaneously.

Good spot. That wasn't in the bass guitars category so took me a while to find it through the app

Home of Sei bass you say..... Oh god that's not helping me keep my money in my pocket at all!!

Fender flats are good and cheap but Ernie balls are a step up. My favourite flats are Steve Harris signature rotos but they are massive and will put serious stress on your bass neck, and not so cheap. Thomastik flats... Jury is still out for me. Not so keen with them on my p bass but think they'll be better on my jazz.