Clarky

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1355763950' post='1902405'] I would have thought that a Compact would be better at reproducing the full range of a DB than a Midget. [/quote] Most of the technical speaker discussions on TalkBass' DB forum suggest that smaller speaker sizes are better at conveying DB tones. The trendy cabs du jour are carrying 6" and 8" speakers while the Audiokinesis Thunderchild 12" also gets loads of good reviews. 15" cabs don't seem to get any support FWIW

I would suggest the tweeter would be superfluous in that style. Furthermore, when I recently bought my Crazy8 1x8" cab from the US, the amp guru there (MIke Arnopol) told me not to bother with a tweeter for DB. Alex will disagree here but I also don't like the siting of the tweeter on the Midget T, I feel its exposed to knocks Edit: just saw TNIT's reply but I'm takling about straight pizz rather than slapping

An amalgam of Hooky (Joy Division), Les Pattinson (Echo & The Bunnymen), Jez Kerr (A Certain Ratio) and Steve Severin (The Banshees). Up until I got into 'post punk' (about 1980) I was a [email="cr@p"]cr@p[/email] guitarist

Another vote for SD 1/4 Pounder ... unless you can pick up a s/h Wizard Area 51 Stealth pickup off BassChat. Similar to a 1/4 Pounder but even more pokey. Wizard don't list them for sale any more (probably were a bit special interest, although I bet they'd make you one for £70-odd)

Ooops that was the wrong link Pete, that bow was for a 4/4 bass, mine is 3/4. But you get the picture

I'm an arco noob as I only play pizz in my band. I have just ordered a carbon bow from Thomann as a Xmas pressie to me from wifey Here's the link, looks good value as you can pay hundreds or even thousands for a bow http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_cbbf3_44_carbon_bassbow.htm BTW, there's two styles, German and French (so bows have an F or G in front of them to indicate which) - French looks more natural to me, akin to the way a violin bow is held, whereas German looks very awkward as you hold from underneath as it were - each have their advocates but I am going to try to learn French style (oo err, missus)

[quote name='4ropebottom' timestamp='1355623336' post='1900760'] Thanks 3 below and clarky. Clarky - yours are just a bit higher than mine. But how's that clarus head? What kind of basses are you guys playing? [/quote] I really rate Acoustic Image heads as they are very transparent and allow the double bass to sound like a double bass. The downside is they are pricey unless you find a second-hand model I have an old (1880s) German flatback as main instrument and a travel bass (a beautiful Kolstein Busetto, which has the same Spiro Weich strings and similar 'action' but wears a Realist pickup)

Hello! 1. Folk-blues-flamenco-country (well you did ask!) 2. 1cm at the end of the board on the E, falling to 0.5cm on the G 3. Thomastik Spirocore Weich 4. Full Circle 5. Acoustic Image Clarus into Crazy8 cab (1x8") or Acoustic Image Ten2 cab (2x10")

I have the same issue as the OP and always have had

Don't rush to change the strings, they might be just fine. And if you do want to change them, check the DB for sale forum in BassChat first as there are bargains to be had

On books and reading, the classic tutor book is SImandl which teaches the various left hand positions but also bores a lot of people (me included) to death. Lots recommend Rufus Reid's Evolving Bassist http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evolving-Bassist-Rufus-Reid/dp/0967601509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355593614&sr=1-1 The following link is to a good cheap book with melodies from well known jazz and big band songs transcribed for double bass, so it has the benefit that you are playing recognisable melodies rather than painful (albeit necessary) scale type stuff http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mckee-Andy-Jazz-Bass-Double/dp/1423489535

Short answer: yes. Double basses obviously are physically more challenging and the body/neck join demands different technique past E on the G string but the basic right hand technique will be identical and the hand stretches with the left hand in the lower positions will be near-identical (depending on how chunky the DB neck is)

I had a Stagg briefly. Its actually a very good EUB but its not 'the real deal'. If you have a hankering for a big old DB at some point (as I did) this will be just a (very useful) stop on the way. If you just want to stick to EUB then its obviously not up to the quality of a NS or similar but it is a remarkably good value-for-money instrument and you can do all your learning on it. If it works out and you love it, I bet you will look to upgrade but that would be the GAS monster as much as anything else!

First thing first. Get a lesson booked. There's bound to be a BCer that teaches DB in your area. It will be invaluable in getting your hand/arm positions correct and make it a lot easier from that point on. The larger left hand stretches will be a challenge but you will quickly adapt. Have fun!

I ordered some stuff (double bass bow and bits and pieces) on Monday, arrived Friday They are generally pretty fast

Laurence mentioned the Ray Brown replica when I went in to pick up my bass. He also makes a travel double bass. Good DB luthiers are rare as hens' teeth!

Is this the guy? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=GS-itkO9ia8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=GS-itkO9ia8[/url]

Just to add to the chorus above, spectacular job Rick!

Just did a bass p/x deal with Gareth. Couldn't have been an easier deal. Shame we didn't have time for a proper 'nerdy' bassists' chat but I'm sure it will happen some time!!! Very happy to add to all the positive comments in this thread

Mike bought a set of DB strings off me and paid superfast. All good

Not tried them personally but TalkBass has a thread on them [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f17/pirastro-jazzers-917706/"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f17/pirastro-jazzers-917706/[/url]

Laurence just did some great work on my Kolstein bass and is clearly a talented luthier as well as a very amiable guy. He is hard to track down though as he doesn't have a website and I had to find his details circuitously. So in case anyone in London needs his skills (especially now that Malcolm Healey is semi-retrired and moved out of the M25), here are his contact details: Laurence Dixon 78 Rectory Grove Clapham Old Town London SW4 0ED Tel 07947 377520

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1355236826' post='1895747'] I think a good New Year resolution will be to stop obsessing about sound and concentrate on improving our technique. [/quote] Absolutely spot on Roger

"Jack, come join us"