petebassist

Another GarageBand fan here - if you can get hold of a Mac I'd recommend it. I use it with a Focusrite and create my own songs that I put up on YT. I don't think you have to be a technical wiz to use it, just invest a bit of time in learning the basics, then you can concentrate on creating music rather than fiddling with dials and software.

I caught the penultimate night at the O2. Agree it was an amazing show, wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

Aesthetically I think unlined boards look nicer, but I don’t understand the big deal about lined boards - you don’t have to look at the lines, indeed it’s difficult unless you’re bent double over your bass. I play by ear or use the side dots on my Ibanez if things go awry…

Have you not considered dusting off your old songs and forming your own band? At least you'd be guaranteed to like the music, you'd just need to find some like minded musicians.

Agreed that constantly looking would probably strain your neck. I usually play by ear, but I used to have have a bit of masking tape around 'fret' position 3 and 5, which I found useful if I lost concentration during a gig and lost the plot a bit - the 3rd one fell off so now only one bit at the 5th fret. Useful now & again, especially if I haven't been playing regularly.

For setup, I can recommend Bassbags over in Ripley - they did my new bass when I bought it and it's been rock solid ever since.

I did look for an old & used double bass years ago looking round similar places. One thing I found was that a lot of the basses I tried didn't sound good for pizz at all in the shops - my budget and amateur playing technique aside, they typically had really old strings and were maybe set up to sound good played arco, I don't know I wasn't an expert so just my guess. But tone wise they were pretty underwhelming. Just something to bear in mind. I'd recommend getting an adjustable bridge if you can, makes changing string type so much easier. Best of luck,

Gonna look fantastic on stage and I bet it sounds great as well 🤩

Great vocals as well mate!!

I like Presto Nylonwounds for a gut-like tone and feel, and warmer under the hands.

I've also noticed loads of similar extremely cheap EUBs on fleabay with obvious photo of high end NS Design uprights. The auction sites need to do more checking...

That's class mate, great spectacle!

Saw them at Bristol Beacon a couple of weeks back. I didn't recognize what Nick was playing, and was expecting to be able to hear the bass clearly at this venue (famous for its acoustics), but although he played great, the tone I was getting near the front at the left of the stage was muddy and uninspiring. There was one intro or ending where the just the bass was played but even then I didn't think it came across that well. Shame because a punchy bass tone goes so well with Chrissie's songs. Or maybe I need my ears cleaned out...

Hugh, I bought my Stentor 1950 on the basis of watching a video that you did about the same model - helped me immensely. 😁