Marc S

Keep a lookout on here for a used Matt Freeman, as others have said Or a used Squier Classic Vibe - they are absolutely awesome basses - you should get one for around £250 and it will blow you away There was one on here recently (EDIT: You could post a wanted ad on here too)

[quote name='TPJ' timestamp='1484308719' post='3214530'] See, a double bass also makes a lovey artistic addition to any room. So, you could argue it's a piece of art and/or furniture which therefor negates your need to sell anything [/quote] Yes indeed. I almost sold my lovely David Gage bass a few months back But Mrs S was very upset! She virtually begged me not to sell.....so I kept it. She loves seeing the DB in the corner of the lounge, and says it's more like a beautiful piece of furniture or a piece of art, and it really just "belongs" there. Whenever I move the DB from its' corner, it looks so "empty" Also, TheRev, I thought you weren't generalising about all EUB's sounding the same - I just wanted to make sure the OP realised that some of the better ones can sound more acoustic DB-like

[quote name='largo' timestamp='1484261774' post='3214245'] Why not just go for a decent set of ear plugs? [/quote] This was my first thought too..... I've been in bands where rehearsal could be a wall of noise - and I well recall trying lots of different approaches, including mics positioned in different locations - in one band I even tried getting someone to record it, so the others could hear what was happening, but I think other members tended to blame the acoustics of the room / the PA / Someone else's amp being too close, or pointing the wrong way etc / the drummer being too loud or changing how hard he played (even when he didn't). So try the simple solution of earplugs first - might even help protect what's left of your hearing..... worth a try anyway? Good luck with it, and hope you find the solution that suits you

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1484215030' post='3213531'] I've no idea on how long the production run is...... ....I would personally jump on one if you can. They will no doubt be subject to yet another price rise soon. [/quote] Or you could sit tight and wait for one to come up second-hand on the marketplace here? I'm sure no matter whether the production run has ended, or how soon before it ends, there are enough of them around for someone to be selling theirs in the near future....

TheRev has a good point - I started off with a Stagg EUB. Not long after this, I bought an acoustic DB. Since then, although I've changed both - I still have both an EUB and a DB BTW. I wouldn't say all EUB's sound the same when amplified, as I have an Eminence EUB, and that can sound very DB-like.... I also like what I've heard from the Yamaha SLB

Hello there. I once had a holiday, in Porec. Lovely place - also liked Portoroz yes, you can sell on here. As others have said, you need to pay an annual fee Don't know how well selling will go for you on here, as the pound is now worth less, since the unmentionable vote Most of all though - please join in and contribute and Hello from South Wales

The thing I like about the Elfin, is not just that it's very small & lightweight - but the bridge is just about the same size as a standard one, and the neck at the heel is also fairly wide. So even if you have fairly fat fingers, it's still easy to "dig in" and play pretty much normally with your right hand. The left hand / spacing takes a little getting used to - particularly when you get around the 12th fret. But I do like this bass, probably more so than my Kala U-Bass..... Yes pete.young, I like the pale blue colour - though I'm not sure if I'd prefer black..... EDIT: The colour & size of this bass mean that in some people's eyes, it looks a bit like a toy... until they hear it of course

Here's a really tiny bass I picked up a few months back. I got it because I wanted something really tiny & lightweight, that I could easily take to pub jam sessions. A local folk club often does pub trips, and we go along to some lovely country pubs and take over the pub with an afternoon-long jam session. We sometimes go on the bus, or cram as many musicians & their gear into as few cars as we can. So I wanted something that didn't occupy the laps of everyone in the back seat - as the car boot is often full! This bass is a Tanglewood "Elfin". I think it's around 25" scale. I don't know its' exact weight, but it's ridiculously light, and whatever pickups they've installed are great - because if you heard this bass while blindfolded - you'd swear it was a full scale P bass. It's a mini monster, and though I don't use it too often..... It's going nowhere - I love it Here it is, pictured alongside my Squier Classic Vibe P bass

[quote name='pfretrock' timestamp='1483807078' post='3210280'] .....There is no TI 30" flats , or I would try them..... [/quote] I'm sure I've seen them in my local music shop Aren't these suitable too? - I know it says 32" - but it does state "Short scale" in the description.... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thomastik-Infeld-JF324-Flat-Wound-Short-Scale-Bass-Guitar-Strings-/322218365772?hash=item4b05b6134c:g:rD8AAOSwbYZXe9Zp"]http://www.ebay.co.u...D8AAOSwbYZXe9Zp[/url]

Ah, that's the spirit! You really have to have a DB to hand, and play it as much as you can, before you decide whether it's for you or not. It's not the sort of thing you can tell from 10 mins in a shop. Glad you bit the bullet. Watch those youtube videos - especially the ones on holding the bass / posture and stance first. Then take your time and be sure to do warm-up exercises and scales. One real positive note, is that if you decide it's not for you - you will probably be able to sell your bass for pretty much what you paid for it I'd still get a luthier, or friendly local BC member to have a quick look over it if you can - make sure the set up is good etc Most of all - welcome to the wonderful world of DB, and good luck

I think maybe they've stopped production already. I could be wrong there, but I know I read that somewhere. I'm not trying to panic / rush you into buying one - but it may be that it's only the existing stock that shops are now selling I had expressed an interest at my local PMT music shop in Cardiff. They had 2 in their original batch, and they sold really quickly. One of the guys there said he'd order me one in for a deposit. He said the deposit was returnable if I didn't like the bass, as it would sell quickly anyway. Saw him just before Xmas, and he said he'd tried to order one for another customer, but couldn't get one atm.... so it may either be that there aren't any available at PMT's suppliers, or that they have indeed stopped the current run..... I dithered and pondered about one of these. Luckily, a local friendly BC'er had taken one in trade, and offered it to me. I didn't "need" it - I already had way too many basses, including my fabulous Roaworn Jazz - but I love my Flea sig EDIT: No QC issues whatsoever - it plays superbly, is quite lightweight and with a gorgeous neck (different to my other RW Jazz) and lovely sound / pickups too......

£600!

Glad that you came back to BC Though you are definitely not old...... trust me

[quote name='TheRev' timestamp='1483652468' post='3209089'] The K&k Bassmax is a decent sounding pickup thats easy to install. It's also the hottest (loudest) pickup I've used, so if you want a strong signal, that's the one to go for..... [/quote] I have one of these - bought second-hand from this forum, along with a K&K pre-amp, as complete package. It's a great mic and the piezo pickup is really good too. The pre-amp handles the signals from both mic and pickup - via a stereo lead. Both channels then have a separate volume control. Depending on where I'm stood in relation to my amp, I may have to be careful with the level of the mic, or it may feed-back. That said, I have to be stood really close to the amp, or setting the level very high before it does start to feed-back. I recently used my bass on a large stage, with big house PA, and did some studio recording..... (not at the same venue) I had time on both occasions to try just the piezo pickup, and both sound engineers preferred my sound with mic and piezo pickup combined. It did sound good, I must say - the sound was much more akin to the natural, acoustic sound of a DB. Can't comment on the other pickups mentioned above as I've not tried them. I also have an EUB (Eminence) with a shadow pickup & pre-amp, and I think it's not bad for an inexpensive system.

PM sent, as test / further test Marc

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1483606163' post='3208550'] The only solution I can think of is shim the neck or rout a cavity for the bridge. I don't like either of these solutions. If the ever want to change the bridge the rout will be the wrong shape and, as the OP says, it's wrong having a shim in a bass of this value. I'd return it to them. [/quote] Yes, spot on Grangur Send it back. As Karlfer says - be nice to them for as long as you need to I'm sure they'll sort it for you and exchange for another bass Good luck

[quote name='Wylie' timestamp='1483541946' post='3208068'] I have short- and long-scale basses. Hand size, and relative ease of getting around on a short-scale neck aside, play one to see if the string tension of a short suits you. A longer string requires more tension to bring to pitch. After the somewhat floppy strings of my short-scale, my long-scale Fender feels great. [/quote] Tension of the strings is also down to the gauge, and differs between manufacturers and brands too.... I don't particularly get on well with flats for instance (even though I also play DB) but the TI flats on my fretless are amazingly low tension, even though they are full scale. I recently picked up some Neon DR strings too - I like them, but I find they're slightly higher tension than the 2 other brands I'm using; Rotosound and D'Addario (if that's how you spell it! lol).

It's a big move for you both. You both need to be sure it's what you want. But it sounds to me like you need a change. One of you being a natural speaker must be a big advantage. I'm sure you'll learn more quickly when you're in the "deep end" Whatever you decide - best of luck with it. And I think your age is definitely on your side. Don't leave it too late .... Just realised, that sounds like I want you to leave - but really I don't, honest EDIT: For me, I'd have to check out the local music scene first - I'd just jam along whenever & wherever I could.....

Yes, you can read a lot of books, and they definitely can teach you a lot But I learned the most valuable lessons by just getting out there & playing. I get fed up with learning about music via books too - I just want to go off course a bit too much It's probably a sign of my ignorance & inability to read the music....

Hi, I'd say keep on practicing those scales and doing your exercises for a start. But as Jecklin says, keep listening to the genre you intend to move into. In fact, listen to as wide a range of music as you can, and play along to that. Go along to a few open-mic nights nearby. Maybe just take a bass guitar to begin with? - It's easier to lug around, and no harm to be able to play DB and BG, I would say. open-mics will help develop your listening skills and get you used to jamming along with other musicians who may also play several genres / styles. You often end up playing songs you may not even like - but that again is not necessarily a wholly bad thing - it's good to be outside your comfort zone from time to time.... Is there a local folk club or music club near you? I joined a folk club near me - they often do pub jam sessions and I get asked to come along, as most of them play guitar, mandolin / mandola etc... so being a bass player, I'm usually welcome. Good luck with your shift to a new genre - BTW. I can't read a note and have never played with an orchestra - wish I had done that sometimes EDIT: If you're listening to and playing along with music outside your genre - I'd say any practice is not strictly "wasted" if you really want to make that change

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1482168934' post='3198198'] ....Try a few 34" basses where the bridge is set well back...a Cort Curbow is a perfect example (and maybe a perfect bass for you). Although being, and sounding, full scale, the nut is inches closer to you than many other basses... [/quote] I forgot to mention this in my first post. Some long scale basses don't feel as long as others, due to body shape, where the bridge is set etc. Also I've played a few short scale basses that don't feel that short - due to having a small body, the strap button is set further back, and so the nut is further away from you... Again, it's all down to personal taste, comfort and preference etc etc. But do let us know how you get on When you walk in to a guitar shop - let them know your situation - I'm sure they'll let you try as many as you like (if they're any good)

As Burns-bass says, it's really difficult to comment re a DB you haven't tried, or even played - perhaps even more so than a bass guitar.... However, Antoni seem to have a pretty good reputation for entry-level / beginner level DB's. And I'm sure there are many experienced players out there who also play them, and there will be experienced players who swear by theirs, over more expensive instruments. There are quite a few Antoni's around, so spare parts should be readily available, and I'm sure most decent luthiers will have worked on one.... Is there a DB playing Basschat member, or a local luthier who would be willing to take a look at the bass? It's worth asking, maybe post an ad on here? Perhaps the price of a pint (or 3) - but it could stop you wasting your money, or prove the bass is a bargain... If you were nearer me (in Cardiff) I'd take a look & give you my opinion (not that that is worth too much lol) My first EUB was a Stagg. As soon as I had learned a little on that, I had the itch to get a "proper" acoustic DB too! So I know the feeling. Go along & try the bass for as long as you can. Maybe walk away for a day or two and ask if you can come back & try it again - at least let the seeler know you are truly interested, and not just mucking around. most of all, good luck with it EDIT: Also, as henry says above - you do indeed get what you pay for. But perhaps saying that Antoni's are pieces of throwaway wood may seem a tad "strong" - I know what he means re the comparative quality of more expensive instruments, but from what I've seen, they are put together fairly well for the sort of money you are talking (made in China doesn't necessarily mean "awful" or "low quality" - just look at the Squier Classic Vibe range). A good set-up will help make the Antoni more playable (if it hasn't had one). If you're going to spend loads more money, then you have to wait a long time to save more money, and you still won't have the experience of playing an acoustic DB to help you judge the next one you buy - at least the Antoni will give you that... and looking at their second-hand value, you should at least get your money back - which is a good reason to buy a used bass. You could also think about spending just a tad more, and buying a Gedo DB - these seem to get rave reviews from owners on this forum. Or keep an eye out on the marketplace on here? - most BC members seem to be honest & straightforward, I have to say. Then it's just a waiting game.... and I know that itch will want scratching