Norris

[quote name='cytania' timestamp='1499872746' post='3334230'] Wind players don't have this, the covered holes and valves are learnt patterns for each note. I can see why they need musical notation as they aren't looking down at any kind of thinkspace. [/quote] There are plenty of saxophonists and flutists that can be more free form and jam along to something. I think it's just what they are used to. Classical music is a different discipline and it takes some adjustment to make a move into either camp. Good luck with the big band. I played my trombone in one for several years. It's great when it starts swinging. If you're playing bass you'll have a lot more freedom than the dots players - but then a knowledge of your scales and arpeggios will help with your walking bass lines, even if you're not reading rigid dots

[quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1499858380' post='3334084'] Fortunately up here in the North it's still all cash in hand for the gigs I play (c. 50 gigs/year). I think a lot of 'weekend warriors' would have to look at things seriously if it wasn't this way..... [/quote] Amen

Coat the board in black epoxy?

It's so long ago since I switcjed from playing classical music (trombone) to bass that it's not easy to remember the learning curve involved in throwing away the dots. It does take time, certainly to be able to improvise. It is possible - it just takes practice, the same as if a rock muso was trying to play classical. I'd start off with a couple of songs and get your classical musicians to learn them off by heart. Then try repeating a verse or chorus to mix up the structure a little. Maybe try it in a different key. Just gradual changes to introduce a bit of flexibility

If we hadn't been paid in cash back in the 90s we'd never have been able to put petrol in the van to get back home after the gig! ) always used to hate cheque gigs. We stopped playing one venue recently because the hassle and delays in passing invoices around just wasn't worth the money they were paying us. Cash in hand ftw imho!

If it's a new bass to your collection it wouldn't hurt to play with the pickup height adjustment. You might want to stick a new set of strings on too if you haven't already - it could be a duff one

You might need to screw the pickup down a bit further. I had to in order to balance the output on my P/J. It also sounds like your action might be a little low - especially if you like to dig in a bit like I do. As long as the neck relief is set correctly the other adjustments are easy to do, even for the most inexperienced among us

Beautiful!

If you want to enhance the grain with black on a future build, have a look for black thixotropic grain filler. It's awful to work with, gets absolutely everywhere, but really brings the grain out - especially on ash. Also do two or three applications and sand back each time - it will save you a fortune in lacquer (ask me how I know! )

It is a lovely finish. Looks almost like walnut

That all looks very neat work. Nicely done sir!

In addition, ebony can chip quite easily

Nice test results!

Some of it is also to get through a whole night of singing. They may be able to a single song in the original key, but when you've got twenty odd songs to do, sometimes for several nights on the trot, a slight key change here and there can make all the difference in being able to belt out the encore or having nothing left in the tank

I just wipe them down with a microfibre cloth - the same one I use to wipe the marks off my bass before it goes back in the case

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1498554661' post='3325405'] Thank you all! We think ours is the first all-Basschat wedding, in that we signed up to this website because we play bass, without knowing each other, met in cyberspace, discovered we lived in the same area of London, and then met up in person. But we'd love to know if Basschat has been entirely responsible for any other marriage in the past or if anyone's planning to follow our path! [/quote] I could maybe do the first basschat divorce. Of course first I'd have to teach her to play bass, then get her to sign up! (All firmly tongue in cheek of course - she's a lovely lady and I couldn't wish for a better life partner) I'm a bit late to the party, but "deep" congratulations to you both! X

Good progress. You'll know in future to round down - you can take more wood away, it's not so easy to put it back. CA should hold the ferrules though if they are snug enough. They are not load bearing though

Ha ha. Not one of my offcuts has gone on the logburner yet, much to my wife's chagrin. I've got them tucked away all over the place! Edit: I suppose I could dispose of a few now that I'm polishing up my tele build. I'd need to do a major cockup to need them now!

That looks fabulous!

I hope you've kept some offcuts to practice on (Ever sucked an egg? )

To my ears EBs sound very similar to Prosteels after they have settled in a bit. I used EBs for years but found the Prosteels are less prone to corrosion - maybe I have toxic sweat or something. If you like the sound of your old strings and they are in good condition leave 'em on. Stick with what you are comfortable with. The audience won't notice either way. Some good advice above to make yourself a little crib sheet. You may find your mind goes blank at some point if it's your first time and it's handy to have something to fall back on. Make sure you can read it in dim lighting though. A few clues such as the key, opening riff, verse/chorus structure can be handy in whatever notation you are comfortable with. The key thing is to be as relaxed as you can be. If you're not driving limit yourself to one pint before you play though. Alcohol may help to settle nerves but it really doesn't do your playing any favours. Have fun

Would you consider getting another job where you work days and maybe with a few work mates? Unsociable hours with no-one to talk to can't be helping your state of mind. Keep posting on here though - we're generally a sociable and supportive bunch whatever the hour of day

When plugging in the extension cab did you then stand the rest of the rig on top, bringing it closer to your ear line?

I had the capacitor across the power switch mod done by an amp tech on my old Peavey combo to kill the thump. It worked fine for years until I retired it from service. I can't help with the hiss though

It's possible. The further forwards your saddles are, the less the break angle is and therefore there is less downforce on the saddles. In other words they won't be pressed as firmly onto the base plate