martthebass

Cheers Wonky, I've intentionally not scanned the interweb as I know down that path goes madness (or at least severe hypochondria). The Doc was fairly blaise with the diagnosis...along the lines of 'you're in your fifties, you've suffered wear and tear'.....there was no suggestion of auto-immune; are there different types? As far as I can tell, no other joints are affected but the pain in me neck is making me carry myself arkwardly so I'm suffering as much from muscle aches/pains as joints. No extreme meds prescribed...he refused to give Diazapam even though my Physio said it would be useful for a few days to relax all the muscles so he could try and free the nerves up a bit. I know what you mean about movement, trying to get the right balance is proving difficult. I'm going to go to rehersal tonight (with my lightweight gear) just to try and loosen up a bit. I think I've had this for a while, I had an episode about 5 years ago which resolved itself after a couple of months; since then the odd twinge but nothing significant. This though has been more severe and protracted - enough to make me sit up and take notice!

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1458034124' post='3003976'] The original vs of that is actually Tommy James, better known for 'Mony Mony'. Lovich (and later Tiffany) are both cover versions. [/quote] Well you learn something new every day

[quote name='Deedee' timestamp='1457982301' post='3003668'] The Wal had to go a few months back. It was being left on the wall as a very expensive ornament :-( I think this bad boy's back to being the main weapon of choice - starting at rehearsal tonight! [/quote] Nice one.....you could never accuse a Ray of being a coffee table!

[quote name='lonestar' timestamp='1457985725' post='3003711'] Lene Lovitch's album with this on is very good. Great version of The Four Seasons song The night on it. [/quote] Loved Lena Lovich....didn't she do the original of another one hit wonder - I think we're alone now?

Thanks for the advice so far I haven't sold any basses yet, the Limelight (up for sale on here) will definitely have to go, it's about 9.5lbs. The Streamie is only about 7lb so if I can't get on with that it's time to pack in.... My other two I'll think about but to be honest as I only use the Fretless occasionally I will likely keep it....I've always liked the MM Ray 2EQ fretless sound and when I owned a graphite necked (phenolic board) fretless I wasn't a fan. So far just the cocodamol, Doc won't run to Tramadol or Diazapam, I'm hoping that it'll be sufficient. A new memory foam pillow has been purchased which I hope will also help. I'm allergic to ibuprofen.....so no help there lol!

Cheers Ray.... Fortunately I already have a Streamie, the others are mainly fo show (it doesn't look cool playing a Streamline when I'm doing Jam covers......apparently). Trip to the physio methinks....

Well it appears that the years of playing bass have finally taken their toll and my neck and shoulder pain have been put down to spondylitis . (Spondylitis the condition not the band...if there is one). I've already put my heaviest bass (my Limelight Jazz) up for sale and will probably use my Status as main bass for the immediate future, but other than this has anyone got any tips to let me prolong my bass playing days?

[quote name='Deedee' timestamp='1457869177' post='3002454'] Well after a few weeks away with Jon Shuker, I yesterday picked up my Black and Maple 3 band with it's beautifully refinished tinted gloss neck. The neck had at some point in it's past had an oil refinish which seemed to have reacted badly with something as there was a 'tacky' feel to it that couldn't be removed. Horizontalste of this parish had posted pictures of his refinished neck so it was a no brainer. I've always loved the look and feel of gloss necks/boards so off to Jon Shuker it went. I must say I'm absolutely stunned at the quality of the work carried out, the finish is stunning. What was a pretty bland looking pale maple neck and board has now been brought to life with the new finish really drawing out the detail in the wood. I've tried to capture it in the photographs but as you know, it's difficult to capture that almost 3D hologram effect as the light catches the wood. If anyone else is considering the same work, I cannot recommend Jon highly enough. He's a magician! (Sorry that the pics aren't rotated, I was losing the will to live trying to sort them out) [/quote] Looks sweet D. Does that mean the Wal will be left on the stand a bit ;-) Still miss my old lacquered 1989 Ray, I wish I could go back a few years and slap my younger self out of the decision to sell that beautiful ray and buy a Warwick.....

It took me quite a bit of experimenting when I moved away from TE to MarkBass (I know the LM3 isn't a Class D but I'm not technical emough to understand the differnce in the sonic world). I went through TE, Barefaced and two different MB cabs before getting a sound I was happy with. I rate my LM3 and 2 MB121 cab combination as highly as the TE kit I moved away from....but I could have given up at the start and believed that ALL low weight switching amps were inferior.

Along with the generally good OHWs above I also remember some truly hideous ones when I was in my formative years.... Save your love......Renee and Renata, Welcome Home.....Peters and Lee Birdy Song.....The Tweets Terry Wogan (god love him).....Floral Dance Grandma......The bloody St Winnies School Choir. After that heres a couple of classic ones that I don't think have been mentioned yet: I've got your number (written on the back of my hand)....the Jags Dickie Davies Eyes........Half Man Half Biscuit

One thing I found when changing the nut on my SR5 Fretless a few years back is that the nut was glued in solid. Jon Shuker did the replacement but it needed some cosmetic repair on the Pau Ferro board behind the nut as it was damaged getting the nut free.

I've had an on-off neck shoulder prob for the last 7-8 years. I bought a Status Streamline which I've found spot on because it's light and balances really well. Sounds well too....

I think my limelight heavy relic Jazz hit a cymbal at last Saturday's gig.....looked at the bass at the end of the set and couldn't tell. That's the appeal for me.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1453210616' post='2957410'] Becoming progressively more amused at the number of people advocating various forms of physical aggression or bodily intrusion, despite having been told that the drummer in question was a PT Instructor in the armed forces. We seem to have some very serious keyboard warriors here ... [/quote] And there was me thinking I was being lighthearted rather than serious. Guess I'm not sufficiently adept with emoticons.

[quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1453201229' post='2957269'] Next time bring a cucumber and a pot of vasaline to the studio, tell him the next damage he causes to your bass is punishable with cucumber....... [/quote] This.....but for vaseline substitute 'sandpaper'

[quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1452021962' post='2945667'] the other side of this is auditioning for the wrong band, I applied to join an originals rock band, I learnt all the songs they sent me, turned up to the audition...they were impressed with both my bass and amps, were impressed with how quickly I had picked up basslines to the songs....at the end of the audition we were packing up and chatting, they asked what music I liked and I asked what they liked.....they liked Guns and Roses only, I said they were alright but not my favourite band...so I headed off home I got a phone call the following evening telling me how impressed they were with my audition but unfortunately I didn't get the gig because I didn't like Guns and Roses enough.....I wouldn't have minded but they didn't sound like GnR in the slightest...and if they had I wouldn't have bothered auditioning for them. The shame was I quite liked their songs I got a call from the singer a couple of weeks later to see if I would be prepared to stand in for some weekend gigs as they guy they went with worked 3 out of 4 weekends a month! [/quote] This reminds me of one I 'did' a few years back. I don't normally do auditions (I normally go word of mouth, jamnight route etc) but I was at a loose end and applied for a band that advertised itself as a MOD band on Join my Band or somesuch. All seem well, a set list and keys came through on email and a slot at the local studios for the following week. The songs were all Jam, Weller, Who type standards and we agreed on 5/6 numbers for the audition. Alarm bells rung slightly when the contact (I think he was the guitard) said that they'd auditioned lots of bassists but none had nailed Broken Stones to the satisfaction of the drummer and if it wasn't perfect then deselection was guranteed. Having been informed of this I learn't a number of live and the original album version of the track. The following week I was working away on the day of the audition, so in prep I put my little MarKBass and Status streamline in the car along with a T shirt and Jeans (as I was on plant all day in steelplant gear) change of clothes. I turned up on time at the audition to find the guitard, drummist and singer decked out like a scene from Quadraphenia.....all pointy shoes and 'Pretty Green' type clothing catalogue. The equipment also lived up to the image, Ludwig kit, 60s vitage guitar/amp etc. Unfazed, this is an audition not an 'image contest' I told myself we launched into the set list. No problems with the numbers except we kept stopping as 'the singer's new and still learning the words' but we got through it. We then got to the 'Broken Stones' and off I go with the album version.....'no, no' cries the drummer it doesn't go like that. Out comes my iPhone with the versions I had downloaded and after a little discussion we agrees on one of the live versions. Anyway, eventually the set was completed and it was time for 'ta ta's' and off into the evening I went thinking it was all a bit odd but c'est la vie. Next day I got the curt 'sorry man you didn't have the 'style' we're looking for' text. I put it down to experience.

Used to have a PA amp with a thermal trip.....used to take a good 24 hours before it would deactivate. Never had this issue (touch wood) with my LM3.....hope it's sorted for you.

Very nice Ric by the way. Love the White with the reverse binding.

Had a pretty similar problem with my Status Dan, the old Duracells were on their way out so I put in some brand new M&S (yes I know....) alkalines. Sounded very low output (for an 18V circuit) and a bit distorted. Removed and refitted etc but no better....in the end, I don't know why but I check the height of the battery. Turned out the M&S were a good 1mm smaller than the Duracells and I wasn't getting a good contact. That taught me.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1448920899' post='2919283'] I think Blue has mentioned before that he plays bass for a living. I dont think there was any malice intended in his question. Anyhow, I am quite happy to gig once a month. That is enough for me. Music is a hobby, I have a good job and lovely wife and home, and sometimes I prefer to stay in and enjoy them. [/quote] This is an important factor, if I didn't have a day job then I'd be happy to gig 3-4 times week so long as it brought in sufficient cash. As it is, with work commitments (and an aging body) I limit gigging days to Fridays/Saturdays but don't care if they pay well or not.