chrkelly

Now Bristol based until 30th June

Always good for a laugh! [url="http://youtu.be/0wynScdeRaA"]http://youtu.be/0wynScdeRaA[/url]

I know exactly what he means. If you've really played on a truly incredible vintage Fender 4 string you'll know. I can't describe the physics, on a 5 it somehow compresses & evens out the sound. It takes that extra special something away from the money zone on the E and spreads it over the bottom 2 strings. That extra mass in the neck must have something to do with it. I've noticed this with all the best 5's I've owned (MTD 535, Stingray & my current main bass, a Celinder update). It's particularly evident with double basses, I've never played a 5 string with a good E. The 4 string with C extension rules in that area. I'm not saying there aren't exceptions to this but it seems to be a general trend. Will it stop me playing 5's? No.

[url="http://www.musicalchairs.info/double-bass/sales"]http://www.musicalchairs.info/double-bass/sales[/url]

Hi guys, I've just taken on a tour around the UK that will last over a year and really want to keep up my teaching. I'll be spending around a month in each city so if anyone fancies a couple of lessons from a fulltime working pro without travelling too far, get in touch. 1st stop on the tour is Plymouth till the end of the month, then Manchester until 19th May. Cheers, Chris

No worries Chris, It'll just be a strength thing coupled with lack of calluses. Just tried playing mine left handed to get the idea of what you're experiencing. Your little finger is naturally the weakest and has more of a stretch to do than the middle fingers. It'll get easier with time.

Just keep practising! It's all too easy to get sucked in to changing your gear every other day when reading posts on this forum (apologies guys I'm guilty of it too). You've only been playing a few weeks so every change will just send you back to square one. You say your bass is well set up, you've got a great set of strings on it (which contrary to what everyone on here says, are actually soft feeling strings). Just stick with what you've got and put in the time on the instrument. You'll progress a lot faster. PS the buzz is down to the string not connecting with the fingerboard properly. Are you keeping fingers 12&3 down properly in position while using your 4th? Also, the more you play, you'll start to develop a pad-like callus which will give you more surface area to press with.

I've no affiliation with the seller but this is a lot of bow for not much money. Just thought I'd point it out if anyone's on the lookout for a bow. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carbon-double-bass-bow-Contrabass-shoppe-worth-390-/150751444878?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item23197c7f8e#ht_500wt_991"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carbon-double-bass-bow-Contrabass-shoppe-worth-390-/150751444878?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item23197c7f8e#ht_500wt_991[/url]