ZMech

Not sure where you live, but if you're a londoner, then your first port of call should be the bass gallery. the guys in there are happy to let you noodle about on different basses, so it's a great place to find one that suits you. I always feel slightly guilty though as if i find something i like i'll always buy it on the internet, not in the shop.

Just to throw a bit of crazy out there, why don't we tune in 5ths? Unless I'm mistaken most string instruments to that, except of course guitar and double bass. Anyone know why this is?

I think the more you spend on a bass, the less improvement you get for the same increase in cost. So a £400 bassj will be noticibly better quality than a £200, but the difference between £1000 and £1200 is fairly minor. I've often wondered how much of the improvement in tone is purely mental, in that the buyer spent more thinking it will sound better, and so in their mind it does. There's also the fact that fiddling with the EQ can give you a far more radical change in sound than a new bass could. Same situation with changing the string your using, although i'll admit I'm fairly inexperienced in that field.

Strange. After playing an hour or so a day for a couple of years I don't have any calluses on my fingers, although one is forming on the side of my thumb as i've started to learn to double thumb. Can't really see how you could get calluses from a bass, since the strings are so thick, and need such little pressure.

Some great advice by the sounds of it! Think i'll go for the thomastic flats, if i can find them for a reasonable price. For some reason I always feel suprised at how many people are helpful enough to give opinions on things like this! I should really be used to it by now. [quote name='bilbo230763' post='391435' date='Jan 26 2009, 09:14 AM']Firstly, try not to sound like a double bass - you need to fill similar sonic space to an upright rather than 'sound like' one. You need to swing, not to sound like a double bass. , Play near the neck not at the bridge. Get rid of the mids in your signal (top is ok, its the mids that make it sound, errr, 'electric'), lots of bass and treble on the eq but not too boomy or clanky. Use your ears to ensure that the bass sound sits underneath everything else and blends into the overall sound of the ensemble - like you know its there but noone can hear it except you. Or like noone knows your are there unless you stop. In truth, you are trying to achieve in one month what I have taken 10 years to achieve (and still haven't nailed). Good luck![/quote] Well I just spent the last few hours doing thermofluid mechanics. How hard can played like an urb be in comparison?

All sounds like good advice, seems like i'm gonna have to go buy some sponges! Have any of you had experience with rotosound trubass Vs La bella deep talking' strings? Since they seem to be the best two to buy, especially since they're only £23 on stringbusters (presume they're the cheapest site?). Also, don't worry Chris, I've passed on the message via facebook, shall let you know his response.

I have a slight challenge. I've offered to play bass guitar for my halls performance of guys 'n' dolls, but the MD has asked if I can get my tone as much like that of a double bass, since that's what it's originally scored for, that and it fits the era better. So I was wondering whether any of you had advice as to things I could do that aren't buy a new bass. My thoughts so far were to stuff sponge under the bridge, and some sort of fiddling with the EQ setting, maybe a \ shape. So you know what I'm working with, my bass is a spector rebop, and the amp has a 7band graphical EQ. Shall do some experimentation after my exam on tuesday. One other thought that came to mind was only using the neck pickup and playing almost over the 24th fret, think it'd help? Cheers in advance. Edit: I've still yet to change the strings from when I bought the bass second hand early last year, but I think they're roundwounds. Are there any strings that'd help?

Well I initially expressed interest in the Funky Drumming book three days ago, and I now have it open next to the computer. Very fast, easy to deal with guy.

Tried to learn to double thumb. Vagually got the hang of it, but wasn't able to get consistent volumes between strokes, so gave up. However, now I've got plenty of time (uni), so perhaps i'll give it a go again...

Shall see how lazy I'm feeling tomorow. Since it's a long walk from Badock (stoke bishop if you're not a student).

Another thought, but are you intending to sell the current MAG combo? Since that would boost your funds up to a grand or so, which would make the rig that big sweeter and lighter.

If you have the time, I'd recomend going into london to give the bass gallery a visit. they're always helpful, and will let you play with whatever equipment you wish. Of course though, you'd get more bang for your buck buying second hand from here, but at least that might give you an idea as to your various options.

Just received a whole rig from Ed, and I can safely say I have never seen something so thoroughly wrapped. Upon asking I learnt that he'd used a roll and a half of brown tape. More importantly, was a good guy to deal with, very prompt with the delivery despite it being around new years, and was also understanding when I had a very bad unproductive afternoon being bounced between banks.