FinnDave

I agree, I am steadily reducing the amount of exposed pick.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1461092435' post='3031443'] Gauge of the pick will be important. I use these paper thin picks. I like using just a tiny bit of pick to the string, and getting the grip and keeping it through a whole song can be challenging. Blue [/quote] I have been using thicker picks, my grip isn't strong enough for the thin ones I started with. I am making my own so I can fine tune them, now using 2 laminations of .7mm (about 1/32") for the picks, with two more laminations that end about 3/8" from the tip, and then I add a layer of 400 grit wet & dry to the outer layer which helps them stay put between finger and thumb without needing too much pressure.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1461089206' post='3031402'] Man, I hope your up and running back at your normal speed soon. Is a full recovery realistic? Blue [/quote] Thanks. Full recovery very unlikely, but it should improve on what I have now. Starting with specialist hand physiotherapist (physical therapist) next week.

My first bass (over 40 years ago) was a short scale Vox, cost about a fiver, I seem to remember, finally gave it away after a few years of serious abuse.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1461057070' post='3030939'] Does anyone rehearse at someone's house? [/quote] We rehearse in our harp players house, have done every week for the last three years, much friendlier than using rehearsal rooms. He does have very tolerant neighbours!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1461033371' post='3030822'] First gig since your accident? Blue [/quote] No, but the first since the tendon tore a few weeks ago. I was already unable to play finger style as the tendon was 'hanging on by a thread' (according to the doctor) but last gig was 12th March, then I had a third operation a few later and a day or two later the tendon went.

Cheers, Blue, my band seem to think I'm doing OK, they like the clearly, better defined sound...and so do I, but I miss the direct contact with the strings. Gig on Friday in my village, so the audience won't hold back from telling me what they think!

I've never tried flats on a Jazz, tried them for a short time on a Precision but did't like the feel or the dull sound, now all my basses are strung with D'Addario rounds.

Got to agree with Mr Dog, above. In my local, people used to tip the bar staff on the understanding that they got the tips, when it emerged that the landlord (no names, but anyone who knows me will know which Australian I mean!) was in the habit of taking the contents of the tip jar for himself, everyone stopped tipping.

Surely a valve head should sit on top of a 4 x 12 (or a stack of two)? There must be a rule about that somewhere.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1460823661' post='3029131'] I think we ought to have a whip-round. The money can rest in my account until we decide how to spend it. [/quote] Fair enough, I'll chuck a couple of bob in the hat.

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1460805960' post='3028914'] I'm with the OP though, you get to a point where dealing with dodgy dishonest B*******s just leaves such a nasty taste that life is too short to put up with it. [/quote] Well, we are in (even if peripherally) the music business, and that's full of dodgy dishonest bastards.

Never been able to find Burnin' Red Ivanhoe's "WWW" on CD. Danish prog, like Caravan with more bite.

I'm going to give that a go, once I've finished experimenting with laminating picks to find my ideal thickness, I'll use that to add a contoured grip.

Cheers, LD, I used a thicker pick that I laminated from 2 whole ones with two halves added to makes the grip area thicker, which worked quite well. I can't bend my finger as far as you can in your picture because of my injuries. Played an hour straight through with the band last night, and then another 20 mins plus after a break, but my hand was not happy afterwards! I think next weeks gig will need to be a strict 2 x 45 min sets.

[quote name='redbandit599' timestamp='1460648431' post='3027616'] I'm no pick player - but I find these dead easy and it doesn't matter if they spin. If I want to try a bit of pick action then they do the job. They are round with a whole in the middle - Plectr'o - [url="http://www.reidys.com/pr/guitar-accessories/rhm-plectr-o-sample-pack-1532/"]http://www.reidys.co...mple-pack-1532/[/url] [/quote] Interesting, I wonder if they got the idea after trying to play with a half-sucked polo mint by mistake?

It's been suggested (by my lawyer, not by my band!) that it might be beneficial to get some advice from a bass tutor about pick playing. Anyone know of one who is knowledgeable about using a pick, as that is really all I need, preferably not too far from West Oxfordshire? Especially useful if they have some experience of dealing with someone with a damaged right hand (and a lifetime of bad habits!).

I've seen anything bigger than a 15" for years now.

[quote name='bigjimmyc' timestamp='1460646229' post='3027582'] Cheers... might track that gig down then! [/quote] It's very local, though I suppose that does depend on where you have to start from. For me, it's up to the end of the road, turn right, drive about 400 yards, pull into pub car park.

[quote name='bigjimmyc' timestamp='1460645617' post='3027564'] Good to know that with the same amp, thanks. How hard do you drive it in terms of the output setting? Any other details would be useful cos Barefaced is top of my list right now. [/quote] I think the output has been over half way round a couple of times, but that means a serious amount of sound that punches you in the back of the legs every time you hit a note. Only suitable for outdoor gigs. I have used it for lots of pub gigs though, and at around 1/3 volume is clear and punchy. The Barefaced cab is a Super Twin, and has not been a disappointment, good sound, plenty of volume, and a one handed carry (slightly lighter than the ABM head!) I've been using it with Fender Jazz & Precision basses, always played finger style, I have now changed to plectrum but haven't gigged the amp since I was forced to change style. Might use it for next week's gig just because I can, though it is serious overkill for a small local pub.

Thanks for that, I'll see if I can find them in town, if not I may well get a few from Strings Direct. At least I'll have some idea about what sort of thickness I should buy after my current experiments.

I use an ABM evo II amp and it sounds great through my Barefaced 2x12, and was pretty good through an Ashdown 4x10. I'd suggest keeping the amp and replacing the cabs.