ubassman

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1382912208' post='2258037'] Given that the MDP threads have all been closed, I think someone must have decided they'd gone some way past being OK. [/quote] This

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1382814989' post='2256951'] Yep I have found that with shops near me PMT has about the most basses but I dont like it there they only seem bothered if your one of there "buddys" or have a few grand to spend. The place I go to now is more guitar orientated only has maybe 10 basses in at most, he is a 1 man outfit but the service he gives is awesome I usally go there for set ups and odds n sods I have never bought a bass from there though as like I say the choice is limited. But I do prefer to buy online I normally buy from here but if it is a new bass I shop online. [/quote] I bough my Ibanez BTB from PMT in Birmingham after trying out a pile of basses - they were great leaving me to play all afternoon. I could probably have bought it a bit cheaper on line but they were great in that they adjusted the truss rod, lowered the action in the shop on several basses. Walked out of there pretty satisfied.

Thanks Phil - all set to record !

[quote name='The Axman' timestamp='1382751970' post='2256308'] The Bass in action tonight, the collecting tin went around raising over £60. [/quote] Proof yet again that the bass is a babe magnet !!

Fantastic to see some vid and great pictures of the gig ! Well done with the fundraising !

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1382777185' post='2256404'] Is anyone going to this? It seems like a bargain for a fiver. [url="http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/peter-ind-masterclass-79188"]http://www.southbank...sterclass-79188[/url] [/quote] Brilliant ! Peter Ind on the Sat 16th and Esperanza Spalding on Sun 17th [url="http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=14972"]http://www.barbican....il.asp?ID=14972[/url] ...sounds like a two good reasons to travel down to London for the weekend !

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1382728066' post='2256096'] Definitely belongs in the 'weird' category not so sure about the 'wonderful' though - probably the Fugliest Busetto style DB out there ! Very strange proportions! [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Double-Bass-for-sale-/251365017715?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item3a8685c873"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3a8685c873[/url] [/quote] The scroll is like an 1800s Viennese style [url="http://www.orpheon.org/oldsite/seiten/Instruments/violone/vo-thir.htm"]Johannes Thir[/url] - the Hungarians seem to be very adventurous in changing and mixing up styles !

Neolithic double bass players - I met a couple of them before !

I mentioned this point recently so apologies for the repeat but in the world of double basses most of the serious stockists will allow you to take a bass "on approval" . The idea is really simple - you put the value on your credit card as a holding deposit and borrow it for sometimes several weeks on trial. If you dont like it you bring back the bass no questions and no embarrassment. Usually the shop will let you take another one away till you find "the one". I have found that once I have narrowed a bass down in the shop and I take it home and start playing , well it feels like its mine and usually when the DB shop ring up to see how I am getting on the simple answer is to keep the money. Because no two DBs are alike I would never buy one off the internet but I guess the BG market is a bit more predicable?

Thought I would start an open thread in the E-bay section specifically for the DB and EUB-ers on BC to use.

Definitely belongs in the 'weird' category not so sure about the 'wonderful' though - probably the Fugliest Busetto style DB out there ! Very strange proportions! [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Double-Bass-for-sale-/251365017715?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item3a8685c873"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3a8685c873[/url]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1382726104' post='2256057'] I try not to tell people my ebay account name after I've spent time poking fun at them on forums. [/quote] Very wise !

Great stuff ! Pleased you are back playing without the worry of a collapsing bridge !

[quote name='mtroun' timestamp='1382722416' post='2256008'] I currently have Skype lessons with American saxophonist Bill McHenry. I've also had one off lessons with various folks who it wouldn't be easy to meet in person. [/quote] Thats brilliant Mark ! impressive stuff - love that way technology can leap over the pond like that !

Thats not bad going really in comparison to buying an extra seat on the plane ! There is this forum on here - maybe worth sharing the love for the Chadwick ! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/41208-flying-with-instruments-my-guide/

And if you want to explore the limitations of the 3rd finger try this three step experiment ... 1/. Match the fingertips (and thumb) of your left hand with your right - you should have a dome shape. 2/. Now expand the dome as big as possible by stretching the fingers (widen between fingers) -This mimics the "fretting" hand low down on the fingerboard where the notes are widest. 3/. Keep all fingertips in contact with each other but now working in pairs, separate the first fingers and see how big a gap you can make between them ( maybe 4 - 5 inches). Reform the dome and do the same with the 2nd fingers ( perhaps a slightly smaller gap ), reform the dome and do it with the 4th fingers ( 5 - 6 inches separation ) ...finally try it with the 3rd finger ( 1 - 2 inches separation?). Make sure that the dome is as big as possible each time you do this - remember its to simulate "fretting " hand on the DB fingerboard on the lowest reaches. The muscles behind the 3rd finger are weaker than the other fingers and you have to press much harder to hold down a note .

Try this Get a 2b pencil and mark the first three frets on the fingerboard. Now try and hit those notes one fret per finger without moving your hand ! You will just be able to get your 1st finger on first "fret", 2nd finger on second "fret" ....and 4th finger on 3rd "fret". However notice that the third finger is in limbo between 2nd and 4th finger at fret 2[sub][sup]1/2 [/sup][/sub]! This highlights the problem of moving around and intonation. However theres a more sinister problem of risking getting an RSI type injury if you overstretch the 3rd finger which is very easy to do particularly in the low positions - it has much weaker muscle structure than the other fingers.

Not seen this one before - worth putting through the hifi !! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NbtMCB5g7E"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NbtMCB5g7E[/url]

Dont know whether this is more of interest to luthiers than DB players but I found it quite fascinating looking at how to age wood or clean it using a couple of techniques - one removes oxidisation to clean up darkened wood and the other encourages oxidisation such that the wood ages. Some may wince at the idea of removing the character of deep oxidisation "stains" and others may think it enhances an instrument ! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tViTWUL8Was"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tViTWUL8Was[/url]

Great news Hector ! All the best with it and I hope Malcolm can turn it round for you quickly!

On the whole, do you pay as an extra bag or look for airlines that have a musical instrument policy?

I dont think Andrews has your recent mod!

Looks very nice Andrew - any piccies?

+1 on the drumming ! I enjoyed the whole clip actually

Crazy, crazy idea to put the weight on the neck ! The bass needs to be on its side on something like thick foam that will have shock absorbing spring like effect. The neck also needs to be supported so that its not stuck out in a cantilever. Otherwise every shock and bounce from every pot hole, manhole, cobble will take its toll on the bass.