Rabbie

I have got one of Ben's walnut pins and I'm very happy with it.

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1389606721' post='2335930'] I dont think you would notice any difference! [/quote] +1 on this. Ebony is more hard wearing in the long run, but if I were you I'd just get playing and consider a new fingerboard only if and when there is no life left in the one you've got.

I normally go for the try/swear a little/sleep on it/try/swear a lot/try/try/try technique. Sometimes the end result is success. Other times I just abandon ship... On a serious note, your post was really interesting ubassman.

+1 to ubassman I suggest you find the Bassist who sounds just like you wanna sound, then find out which strings he plays and get them. Make allowances for the fact your bass and especially your fingers may not work just as well as your idol's, but this would be a start. You'll soon want to experiment and wave goodbye to lots of hard earned cash. I don't really know any DB player who hasn't. It's great fun though, good luck

Do you have any photos? It depends on its condition and of course how good a sound it makes. It probably is not a pedigree instrument, so you won't need the big bucks. Still, try to find out lots about it: any cracks on the top? neck joint sturdy? neck straight? bridge healthy? setup? what kind of blemishes? how does it play? any buzzes or rattles? is there life left in the fingerboard? who are you buying it from? what has been its history in the past 60 years? is the top actually carved? are the seams intact? is the plywood on the back and sides intact? all hardware in working order? how old are the strings? are you likely to be able to play it immediately or would it require an expensive trip to the luthier? Depending on these things it can vary from being worth nothing to upwards of a couple of thousand... in my opinion. Good luck with it.

Most good slap players play in tune, but no bass player has perfect intonation and when you slap it becomes a wee bit harder still. There could be many reasons for this, not every slap player is formally trained, the left hand technique opens to slight imprecisions, but mostly I'd say stage levels are not always favourable on the bass player, plus the need for putting on a show sometimes makes it difficult to be spot on. However I do agree, Milt was the man, though I didn't like his slap tone on a few recordings after he switched to steels. Nevertheless, Milt was the best. He was a true legend.

Still available by emailing Ivan. I use a set on my folding bass and just got a spare set off him just a few weeks ago.

Quite right, left hand navigation has to be different because the quasi-baseball bat grip gives you a much "beefier" tone, whilst sacrificing dexterity. The side on stance is really not compulsory. The classical stance ain't gonna work, but the "slap" stance is really wherever it is comfortable for you. Check out Milt Hinton: as formidable a slap player as any, yet different approach. There really are no rules, it's whatever your body dictates as comfortable, me thinks.

Great player for sure, so is Nicolas Debouchet, Lovely feel. One gets started by having an appropriate set up and strings, then learning the handful of basic slap techniques. I found the Smith and Rubin video "slap bass the ungentle art" (can't remember the exact title, it was ages ago). After that you listen to a lot of music, arm yourself with huge amounts of patience and get fluid at it. Joe Fick level of skills are probably out of most people reach, some folk just have an extra bit of something. Please check out Jake Erwin as well from the Hot Club of Cowtown: brilliant player!

When my daughter was a baby she loved me playing bass in the same room. As soon as she started smiling and seeing a bit further, she would light up as soon as I picked up the double bass. Now she is a toddler she still loves it, but she prefers drumming on the top or grabbing the tailpiece while I play. No matter what, music is such a wonderful learning experience for babies, and the bass is such a gentle giant that it is extra magical for them. Have a great time my friend!

Hi Jimmy can you be a bit more specific as to what your problem is? Is the action maybe too high for you to produce a slap sound, or to low for your fingers to get under? Slapping open strings is very much allowed. Not sure where the G string comes into your equation but it is unlikely to need changing. Finally, yes EUBs are not great for slapping, but it can be done.

Rev, I seem to remember from previous post that Danny Thompson is you favourite bass player. Check out his album "Connected". Of course there is some great playing on it, but more to the point, my wife and I played it at bedtime for our baby daughter over her first few weeks and she slept brilliantly with it: we edited out a couple of more uptempo numbers, the rest is really relaxing and much better than all the plinky plonky lullabies CDs. I am so excited for you both! Babies are brilliant!!

Congratulations to all the family. It'll be your toughest but best gig ever!

I need some advice on something I have never done. My folding bass's tuners have got really stiff due to constant windings and unwinding. Is it ok to use a wee bit WD40 or is it a no-no and there is something else better? Thanks in advance y'all.

Great idea for a thread: lots of fantastic guys/gals in this forum and it's great to sprinkle some Christmas magic and say thanks, because I think we all learn a lot on these pages, it's a great resource. Have a swingin' Christmas!

Is it really really flimsy and wobbly? A normal bass can be slapped forever with no need for special re-inforcements, and any luthier can change a fingerboard and set a bridge for slap given basic instructions on what you need. Now, if you stand on it and do stunts, it may be a different matter...

+1 on what fabbabass says. I have bought stuff from Blast Cult from the UK and I too have found that both Jason and Miguel are great: deal with confidence there.