Len_derby

Nice one Chris. Very interesting long-scale bass you're wielding there.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1444852017' post='2886766'] Ah but the real question is were you headlining or support to the puppet show and did you do jazz odyssey? [/quote] We had the honour of following the amazing Dez, who must be at least 80. His tales of casual domestic violence, theft of sausage and police brutality set us up nicely. [quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1444852301' post='2886771'] Beard suits you Neil [/quote] Sadly Chris, the wife strongly disagrees!

A touch of English whimsy. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/63hXHPx.jpg[/IMG]

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1444338035' post='2882467'] Pics!! Never heard of ocean turquoise! [/quote] [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/q1Jb9AV.jpg[/IMG]

My experience of Derbyshire is that there is lots of live music, not all of it in the common genres and that there are plenty of opportunities. You just have to dig deeper and wider to find it. My mate Chris Sharman (a basschatter) plays in a ska band and an electro-disco mash-up band. Both out of Belper. I play in an originals-only punk-folk band out of Ashbourne. Both of those towns are small with strong elements of 'the land that time forgot'. (Sorry Chris!). I've found that you just have to network like hell. Chat to people in music shops, visit pubs where they have live music, talk to the players etc. Mind you, if you haven't got your own car you're probably shafted. Ps - come to the next East Mids Bass Bash.

If the music/performance/prospects are good in a band I'm prepared to put up with the negatives. As a general observation I'd say that if a person needs explicit appreciation, respect and to be consulted - maybe the bass isnt the best choice of instrument to learn.

[quote name='AustinArto' timestamp='1444466176' post='2883413'] It's not just the width of the neck I don't think, it's the extra weight and tighter string spacing too. I'll probably go try some fivers this weekend anyway, I'm weak! [/quote] The weight issue isn't always cut-and-dried in my experience. I have an active Warwick Corvette 5 that's lighter than my passive 4 string Jazz. I also have a Mexican passive 5 string Jazz that feels heavier than the two of those put together! I have recently joined an established band for whom I am the first 5 string bass player they've had. They treat me with a mixture of wonder and awe and the guitarists avoid even touching my bass, as if it's some kind of cursed Voodoo object.

I've got an ocean turquoise/white pick guard/rosewood board model. It's a fender Japanese '62 reissue with chrome stack knobs. Very nice.

I don't do a lot of casual listening anymore. The most intense I do is material I'm trying to learn. For example, I joined an originals band this year and put many hours of serious listening into learning their songs, even before I picked up a bass. Athletes have their rest days, and I reckon musicians need their quiet too for recharging the batteries. In a Silent Way.

Not last night, but this afternoon. I recently joined an originals-only folk/punk band called 5 Hils Out. We played today at an open day at the Rolls Royce factory in Derby. The PA and sound support was done by the team who work on company events so all was good. It was the first proper run out for my recently bought Barefaced Midget T. I played my Fender Jazz 5 string through an LMIII and it sounded good. However, it was temporary wooden staging and I forgot my Gramma pad. Doh..... It was an unpaid gig, but we were handsomely wined and dined (a band member works there) and we made some good contacts for future work. Plus an excellent tour of an amazing manufacturing and repair site for aero engines.

Well, you've been busy since last week Andy. I got my hands on this beauty last week, before the hardware was added. Even nicer in real life.

After canvassing opinion in another post I bought a set of these for my 5 string MIM fender jazz. So far I'm impressed, not least because a previously lacklustre B string is now much better.

Two comments to make. Firstly, I'm personally very wary of making any decisions based on the sound of any on-line sound clips. There are just too many variables and factors that influence what you will hear. Secondly, I'd say just go for it and buy one. You'll have a much better idea of what you want (and don't want) after living with something for a while. If you don't like what you get; well, pretty much everything can be sold again if priced realistically. If you do lose money, that can be looked on as 'rental' costs. Both of the above are very much my personal opinions! So no hard feelings if you think it's rammel. Good luck with your search! I'm sure Basschaters (me included) would let you try out their basses.

Here's mine. Made by Kif Wood in Cornwall as a left-handler at some unknown time in the past. Converted to a right hander at sometime. After acquisition by me I had some work done by local luthier Rob Hodgson at RH Guitars, mainly on the action and the nut. The immense body means it's one of the few acoustic bass guitars I've played that can produce a decent volume. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/0WRFUXL.jpg[/IMG]

Don't discount the Bex. Worth searching for. Plus, like most semi-hollows it looks divine. [URL=http://imgur.com/t745nUE][IMG]http://i.imgur.com/t745nUE.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Another one to consider is the Yamaha Bex. I have been very happy with mine. I took it to this year's East Midlands Bass Bash and it got quite a few favourable reviews.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1440234293' post='2849216'] Don't put up with it. Although you probably write it off as "banter" at the moment, it is bullying and will eventually eat you up. I was in a similar situation when I played in a trio for 10 years. Over time the drummer's ego grew out of all proportion and I was the butt of increasingly nasty "jokes", "pranks" and comments. I haven't spoken to him for the last 20 years. I still play with the guitarist, who is a great bloke. The long and short of it is that it will get to you in the end, and you are best to nip it in the bud as soon as possible. If that means walking away from the band, so be it! [/quote] I've got to agree with Norris and all the other posters on this one. One my late mum's wise sayings was 'if you act like a carpet people will walk on you'.

Like his music. Seen him play live. So, what's to picky Micky?

Thanks for the pictures James, great memories of a great project. Like all of us who were involved I made a lot of new friends as a a side benefit. What's also interesting is that a lot of the Basschat 'big gobs' (as we'd call them in the East Mids) were nowhere to be seen in the relay. Anyway, that aside, what a brilliant thing to be a part of.

Ordered me some Ernie Ball flats from Strings Direct. They arrived, with free postage, less than 24 hours later. Thanks again for all the advice and help.

Thanks for all the advice friends. I shall definitely be wary of the flobberdobs

I have recently joined a band whose music has prompted me to move over to playing 5 string. I've bought a MIM Fender Jazz 5er from a basschatter. It's strung with rounds, but I'd like to swop over to flats as that's what I like on my 4 strings. Any thoughts or advice please regarding this please? For example, do flats work well on the B string?

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1439274506' post='2841379'] We're off to Dawlish on Sunday. I would pack the bass, but undoubtedly Mrs RR will fill every conceivable space in the car with stuff we 'need' 😡😁 [/quote] Bad news Chris. My family have worked out that I'm even grumpier than normal if I don't take some sort of musical instrument on holiday with me. My recently acquired cheapo uke bass came to Anglesey last week. Just the job, sitting on the cliffs trying to tempt the Dolphins with music. None came. If you, or any of your posse, are Derby way before Sunday you're very welcome to borrow it. It takes up little room.

I've got a Countryman ubass. The build quality and intonation isn't as good as a Kala, in my opinion, but they're a lot cheaper so you get what you pay for. Two general things I'll say. They are very low-volume unplugged, so unless you're happy with that, taking some sort of amplification may be necessary. The feel of the low-tension rubbery strings is not too everyone's taste. So, try before you buy is my advice. I'm in Derby, if it's convinient you're very welcome to come and try mine.

Cheers Loz. A sad but not uncommon story. Robbie Robertson taking all the songwriting credits, and therefore royalties, for The Band comes immediately to mind