Len_derby

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

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1437231848' post='2824588'] Agree they`re great basslines, and when you consider how young Bruce Foxton was when he wrote them, well pretty amazing really. [/quote] Did Foxton write the bass lines? Or were they devised by Weller? Always loved the band and I'm genuinely interested in knowing. Maybe the answer is well-known and I've never read it.

Hi Barry. I use a Roland Micro Cube as a portable, battery-powered combo for my ubass. Lots of useful features such as built-in tuner, drum machine and various effects. Well worth a look and someone had one for sale on this site. Len

Just bought Hayznut's Barefaced Midget T off him. Exactly as described and a nice straightforward transaction.

I bought a bass ukulele off Mike. All communications, packaging etc. first class. Deal in confidence with this gentleman.

There's been rule-breaking and outlandish fashion trends throughout history. The post war decades of the 50s 60s and 70s were particularly austere, disapproving and grumpy. Perhaps justifiably so, but it wasn't comfortable if you fancied having long hair.

I met Martyn yesterday at Sheffield station and bought his Fender 5 string jazz. Sheffield was half-way for both of us and I introduced Martyn to the pleasures of the Station Tap bar. We had a very convivial hour or so over a couple of pints of beer. A very good transaction all-round and Martyn is a fine man to do business with.

The passing of an era.

Another great Midlands Bass Bash, seeing friends old and new. Thanks a million for organising it guys. I've now got major GAS for a Warwick 5 stringer. 😆

[quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1430644049' post='2763225'] Always seems like a genuinely lovely man. [/quote] Indeed. I've just read one of the many biographies of Jimi Hendrix (the one by Sharon Lawrence). The book states that at the time the majority of black blues guitarists cold-shouldered Hendrix and some were openly hostile. However, BB went out of his way to encourage Hendrix and actually gave him one of his guitars. So it says in the book.

Loved it and the performance programme that followed it. Rick W was a good choice of anchorman in the first and I bored my wife my indentifying pretty much every act before the captions came up. What was very noticeable was the skinniness of Just about everyone on the old films, including the road crews.

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1427309588' post='2728745'] There are probably loads more i don`t know about. [/quote] To me, the term blues is a bit like classical music. A broad umbrella term that covers a lot of variations. In the last few decades the style most popular has been electrified Blues/Rock but there are many different styles. It just takes a bit more digging to find them. As for Skank's accurate observation that a middle-aged white bloke in a waistcoat singing about the chain gang can be ludicrous; well, doesn't the singing of a song usually involve a degree of make believe? Some acting is convincing, some less so.

Most of these seem to be 'not mentioned' rather than under-rated. Anyway, my vote would be for Rick Danko of The Band. He complemented Levon Helm's drumming wonderfully. Boy, could he sing too.

Just had one of my traditional motorway service station meet ups - today with Chris to buy a pair of PA speakers. Great communications throughout and everything nice and smooth. A lovely chap and good to do business with.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1425814449' post='2710896'] The Beatles were a freakish perfect storm. [/quote] Great comment. I've always thought of Macca as a brilliant musician who just happened to play bass, rather than a brilliant bass player. A subtle difference, in my addled brain anyway. Similar to Jack Bruce. A master musician who is most well known for playing bass.

In its way it's a good filter. If you don't get the intended 'humour' or don't like the ambiguity it's probably not the project for you. Me, I have one skinny leg and one baggy leg. Flexibility is the key.

Last night was the first outing of the year for the cielidh band, playing a private party at a church hall 10 minutes drive away. About 70 people all up and dancing from the off. We were working with a new caller who looks like he might be a real gem. I took my Yamaha Bex and Roland cube 100, which was plenty sufficient for the venue and volumes we play at. A good payer and free bar and food. 😜

Sorry if this sounds negative, but we have exactly the same problem in my church band and we've never found a solution apart from switching off the hearing loop during songs. The induction loop system does look like it's pretty old, so it is possible newer equipment may be more tolerant.

Had a very pleasant meeting with Graham and his wife at Woodhall Services on the M1. We put the world to rights over a coffee and I bought his stunning acoustic bass. The bass got some admiring comments from a member of staff, so it's all looking good so far! A lovely Basschatter and a pleasure to do business with.