uk_lefty

The Boss bass limiter enhancer has a recommended setting for slap playing... These are quite cheap second hand or for really cheap I think that Behringer (and possibly Harley Benton?) Do a "clone" of this pedal. TBH the pedal helps but technique is probably the best solution.

[quote name='Chownybass' timestamp='1462092984' post='3040130'] I don't think the game has changed either. People like Scott and I are never going to be able to make - for instance - a jazz bass and compete with Squire. They make a solid instrument at an economy of scale that we could never HOPE to compete with. What we can do - is fill up the niches with well thought out and soundly constructed instruments. When making stuff in smaller runs, the things you'd cut to save money when manufacturing thousands, don't really matter. Want a bone nut? Sure why not. Doesn't affect my bottom line particularly much. So with no distributors taking a margin, and doing our own distribution, it's perfectly feasible to make a musician friendly instrument at a good price and of good quality - as long as we work in the niches. That's not to say we're not going to try stray outside them from time to time. It's not for the faint hearted though There is a gap in the market for us at the moment to get stock into independent stores, as a few don't want to deal with the major brands at the moment. Agile brands like us, that can be flexible on stock levels, price and so on will always find a way to wiggle into the gaps. I've often considered blogging about what it takes and took to get Chowny off the ground. But then I think I'd be the only one interested in reading it. [/quote] I'd read it!! Would love to hear about the journey. Something I often dream of (in another hobby) but am not brave enough to do.

[quote name='Jebo1' timestamp='1461662536' post='3036473'] I'd suggest buying a genuine vintage instrument, not a limited edition reissue. Personally, I have about the same amount of money in my instrument collection as I do in my personal pension (work one is slightly different). [/quote] My point was I could buy, for arguments sake, this year's limited run fender or Gibson or other whatever that may be, solely for the purpose of investment and not to consider playing it, just leave it in the case. Agreed a reissue won't have the value of the original, but what of a 2016 original limited run instrument? What would that be worth in mint condition in 20yrs time? It's a gamble but probably better than +1% year on year

Because of the awful rate of interest from banks I have toyed with the idea of buying (even a right handed) limited edition Fender or Gibson and just locking it in its case for twenty years to sell on in future or pass on to my kids if I have any... Bit of a gamble, the vintage guitar market may be dead in twenty years, or I may need to "relic" it to make it sellable. Not the worst financial idea...

Thank you both... Off to b&q today

I have B&Q's cheapest drill. It's ok for putting holes in walls but not sure for delicate works like this... Would I need a hand-drill rather than electric, or a better quality drill?

So my 90s MIM Jazz came second hand with nice light Schaller tuners. I wanted a more authentic look so bought some gotoh machine heads. Come to fitting them and the pilot holes for the screws don't align. I don't have a small enough drill bit (anyone know the size needed?) So have tried to pilot with a tack and a hammer but reluctant to do this. Straight screwing in to wood with no pilot only gets half the screw length in. So the question is what is the best way? Drill pilot holes? Anyone know what size drill bit and where I could buy? Thank you

Sold at 356. I'd have been tempted if it was listed as left handed or lefty, or something someone would search for... Now adding L/H to my list of search terms...

Custom... Meaning bodged together in my garage because nobody in their right mind would ever dream of making this sh*t.

Not sure mate but I have a similar issue with a five string that has a huge headstock. Some hard cases will be ok, but for gig bags I'd maybe try one for a thubderbird or other larger bass? What do right handed sire 5 string users carry then round in?

[quote name='Malcspring1' timestamp='1461226242' post='3032548'] Hey folks, As a newbie to the forum and also a relatively new bass player I was wondering if there any effects pedals that can mimic a fretless sound? I know that it would be near impossible to do it totally, but I was just curious as I love the fretless sound, but do no have the technical ability to play a fretless bass. Any pointers would be helpful. [/quote] Go for a zoom BFX708 cheap as chips second hand. That has a "Jaco p" setting and a fretless emulator. To be fair though when I was still relatively inexperienced on bass I used these after hearing Pearl Jam 'ten' and they didn't cut the mustard. I bought a lined fretless next birthday opportunity

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1461316276' post='3033557'] Sounds like a success! Excellent. I take it the "handshake and welcome" means you got the gig? [/quote] Oh yes

Ernie ball flats on my fretless, on my second set since 2004 I think... Steve Harris Sig. Flats on my P bass. Tension is so high I was in tears winding the strings on waiting for the neck to snap in my face, but bedded in they give a bit more and there is HUGE HUGE tone! My P bass gets through the mix and lets you know there's bass going on no matter what other noise there is around. The P bass may well get some lower tension flats next time though...

Thanks for all the advice. I turned up and was just myself... After one easy song to settle in we were picking random ones off their set list that they hadn't played for ages, not just the easy ones they'd knocked through for other auditionees. On bits of songs where I want to play fills/ faff about I absolutely did because I was comfortable playing with them and I thought f*** it, that is the only way I know how to play. Anyhows, good bunch of guys and we all got on well, decent players and quality singer. I got the handshake and the welcome at the end of the night, I'm one chuffed bass player. Ta again, I was having some quandaries in the days beforehand. Key seemed to be not to overthink it and just 'be prepared'.

[quote name='lowhand_mike' timestamp='1461239534' post='3032754'] i find the Andy Cairns bass they have a little odd, he played guitar, maybe its just me [/quote] They had me at Lloyd Grossman's guitar.

Tricky one. Having organised bands for a bar I worked in as a student years back we always got a bit icky over money. Some bands demanded a thousand pounds (in 2003) to play in our cellar with max capacity of a hundred if lucky, but were unwilling to do any promo like putting up posters (told them to sell their own tickets or jog on). Some acoustic acts wanted a hundred quid to play like crap with inaudible equipment to their crowd of unemployed vagrants crowding round ten to a half pint of coke... One night I wasn't working and a trio couldn't make it so the lead singer came on his own, did a great set, and my colleague decided to only pay him a third of the fee "because there's only one of you"! He never came back. It's so hard for a pub to make money I don't blame a landlord for passing a pot around, but he should have told you up front "don't worry lads, we will pass the pot around and I'll make it up to *whatever amount* if it's not enough. If it's more, you keep it". All in all, I've had far worse acts of dickery inflicted on me in this biz, but if everyone is honest up front people can make their choices without these kind of quandaries. Maybe air your grievance with said landlord and see his side of it? It may be a misunderstanding, hopefully, or you can make him be clearer in future, and you retain a venue you enjoy playing

Some good points there... I'm told there is an amp but mine will be in the car just in case it's a fartbox in the room. I'm assuming no audience as its in a rehearsal space but who knows? From email interactions I expect we will get on well. The previous bassist played as per the record almost, good tone and nothing flash, including nothing flash from the recorded versions... Will be interesting

I'm off to "audition" for a band tomorrow night. They're established but their bass player has left for whatever reason. They're typical pub rock covers fare but very good at it and have gigs booked this summer. Before I realised it would be a revolving door of bassists I made sure I could play to at least a passable standard 25 of the 30 songs on their set list - luckily I had played most before or enjoyed the song but had not ever played it. Now I'm getting a half hour slot to jam with them tomorrow night. How do you reckon I should approach it? Wear the clothes I am wearing all day? Wear what I would be comfortable in at a gig? Or wear what they wear for gigs? Take my P bass which will do most of the songs or P and J? Leave the headless at home even though it suits one or two songs? Use my effects like flange? Or stick to compression and maybe overdrive so they're hearing my playing more than the effects? The songs are very simple riff based with some room for flourishes... Do I "show off", play as minimal as possible, or just hint at a few fills here and there? Any advice welcome

[quote name='sblueplanet' timestamp='1418778172' post='2633372'] I have two J basses. One strung with rounds and one with flats. I like to switch between depending on the feel I have in my head for a tune.They both get outings to rehearsals. I prefer rounds on my P bass with the tone rolled back. [/quote] I'm going to show this to the wife next time she asks why there's a new guitar in the house! I had flats on my jazz a while back as an experiment and to reduce fingertip blisters. I loved the old school "hollow" sound it gave. And kept flats on it for about a year. My jazz now has very light stainless steel rounds (pyramid funk ss, enjoying them a lot!) And it brings out different nuances in the bass and makes me approach playing it differently. The jazz is just a very versatile bass, and for me strings are more important than pickups and tonewoods etc. They're the first point of contact for the tone

Has anyone ever heard of Fender Mexican series basses from late 90's or early 00's with active electronics in left handed? Just seen one advertised second hand, never come across one before. I like my MIM Jazz but this has turned my head... If it's genuine and good quality.

Lovely job! Black P bass with maple is a great combo

[quote name='sunburstjazz1967' timestamp='1458215349' post='3005623'] As the OP already knows they divide opinion I'm afraid I'm going to have to say I've never seen one played in a pub where the operator of it didn't look a total douche bag! Sorry if that's too honest, lol. [/quote] Got to admit of my four basses even my pointy five string fretless Kramer has more "street cred". Nothing is cooler than a white Fender p either. I am not sure this one will ever be used on stage unless I'm standing behind a wire mesh screen

Being left handed my choice is very limited I'm sad to say. I would much prefer a "bodied" headless bass but unless I find a hohner Jack or steinberger spirit at the right time and right price this is the closest I'll get. My band do all hate it without having seen or heard it.