petebassist

I have an Ibanez SRH500F, with side dots at the fret positions and finger board markers just below the finger positions. I only use the former, & suits me fine.

I learnt the basics from Ed Friedland, not in person of course but via his excellent DVD Jazz Upright Bass Featuring Ed Friedland. It starts right from scratch with holding the bass, and finger technique for both hands, so not all of it is specific to jazz playing. I've never had a face to face lesson with a pro, as they're pretty hard to come by I've found. @Silvia Bluejay's advice about using the correct technique to avoid straining your wrist & fingers is invaluable.

Wow, this is great. I only knew John Goldsby from his upright bass course on DiscoverDoubleBass (which I'm working through, it's brilliant). Nice to see him on electric bass 🙂 Thanks for posting.

I'm currently road-testing a set of Presto Nylon strings on my bass. They're working very well so far, surprisingly loud, even tone & feel across the strings, and feel great & softer under the fingers than steel strings (I've never tried a gut string so can't compare with the real deals). I tried them amplified and had to roll off the gain in the preamp, and the sounds's good, though I haven't tried them in a gig yet. I went for the ultralights, though I probably could've got away with the lights, and finding it really easy to do some stuff that I struggled with previously, like long stretches on the fingerboard where I have to use my little finger without support from the ring finger, and also quick pizz runs where I used to regularly practise to maintain the speed.

As I don't get a lot of opportunity to record music, playing live is my main outlet for bass-playing, and getting out & about, performing, meeting people, other musicians, is why I do it. About as much fun as you can have with your clothes on 😉

I know someone who gigs one, I guess they're lighter and more portable. Also, I once saw Sarah Jarosz at the old Bristol St Bonaventure's and the 'bass' guy played a cello pizz, not sure if he tuned it EADG though.

@bornagainbass65 Thanks for sharing that mate, loved it. What a technique!!

Would've loved to have seen that gig mate, sounds great. I'll be looking out for future gigs. 😀

I'd be surprised if there wasn't a 'pull-out clause' on this site or a whole raft of them in the legal page, check the small print.

There's some useful information on this page: https://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/3432-NS_DESIGN_ELECTRIC_UPRIGHT_BASSES_4_5_STRING_FULL_SIZE_BASS_WAV_NXT_CR.html Cheers.

Thanks, this is useful advice from you and @TheRev , sounds like a good compromise.

I'm using a set of TM Spiro Weichs, which are great, but when I'm playing further up the neck where the vibrating string length is shorter I'm finding the tension still slightly a bit too much. Does anyone have tips on using lighter strings, such as Presto Nylon ultralights or similar. Or should I just butch it out and expect to strengthen my fingers eventually? Thanks, Pete

Sounds amazing - I bet those dead-heads are great fun to hang out with.

Probably done the rounds before, but really enjoyed this and comparing the different instruments.

If he thinks rap is current... Rap's been around for nearly 40 years - e.g. Rapper's Delight 1979, or my favourite the Message, grandmaster flash 1982. I'd say Grime and drill sound pretty current though, but hardly mainstream enough to replace 'rock', whatever that is classed as. He gets some great publicity though, as if he was some type of music oracle or spiritual guru, best of luck to him.

These are beautiful instruments, and look top quality - I'm sure it'll sound ace 🙂

I haven't tried an Omni but I think you're right about not being better than a fretless. The NXT or WAV is more of a 'standard' length for 3/4 size upright basses, so if you switched to a different EUB you wouldn't have to relearn the shifts/finger positions. That's why I'd go for the longer neck.

Amazing band, so many fine musicians.

Looks great, what sort is it?