Marc S

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1475444729' post='3146018'] I'm right handed and play right handed basses. I've always thought that the right hand, being responsible for timing, is the most important. When I screwed up my right wrist in a bike accident ten months ago, this became even more apparent. [/quote] But both hands have to work "in time", and as Michael J points out in his post above - the left hand has to work in time with the right - but more fine and precise motor movement is required of the left hand, in anticipation of the music and what the right hand is doing.... I say this as a left hander, who has always played a right handed bass. There is another thread on here somewhere which talks about this very subject. I thought I was a bit unique in being a lefty who plays right handed - but in fact, it's more common than you'd think... Left handers have to adapt more frequently; e.g. I have to use Right handed scissors, as I've never even seen a left handed pair But Right handers do odd things too e.g. when eating, they feed themselves with their left hand when using a fork - but when using a spoon, they feed themselves with their right hand - what's that all about? lol It's all a question of degrees though, isn't it? Most people use their left hands or their right hands for some things. As I've had to adapt to a right hand dominant world, I'm quite adept at some right handed tasks, as I'm sure other lefties are.... EDIT: Sorry to hear you damaged your wrist btw

[quote name='roceci' timestamp='1475177583' post='3143858'] Copying records. Put the needle on the vinyl...wait till the lick played...lift the needle...try to play the lick...try to put the needle just before the lick again...aaand repeat. Slow process, but may have taught me something about patience & perseverance. YouTube wasn't an option back when I started. It's an amazing tool & I often use it to see what other people are doing with covers I'm learning. But I can't help thinking with kids learning advanced techniques aged 8 & whatnot, there's a lot of feel missing in a lot of playing these days. Says the old timer XD [/quote] Yes, same here. Youtube really helps these days, at least as a starting point But I well remember lifting the needle on & off records to replay a bit I was trying to learn! I did go along to an adult learning /craft & art sort of place in Cardiff for a while (place called Llanover Hall) but the "tutor" there was a guitarist, who always seemed stoned. He used to tell his guitarist pupils all about chords, but just say to me "play a C, then a D". Didn't really teach me much, but gave me a first opportunity to jam along with guitarists (room full of them) Luckily, a few months later, I had a couple of free lessons from one of my heroes of the bass, Paul Gray (ex Damned , Hot Rods, UFO) which inspired me tremendously. But it was all about trying to copy what I was hearing on vinyl for me; JJ Burnel, Paul Gray, Pistols etc etc Stick with it - and watch plenty of Youtube covers & lessons - but in a way actually "listening" to tracks, without any visual clues might just be the best way of learning; copy, assimilate and create your own basslines anyway. Good luck (and don't take a 20+ year break like I did!)

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1475136636' post='3143255'] I have some on my fretless; ridiculous amounts of mwah with a low action, as smooth as flats but a bit more lively! [/quote] Thanks for that Dannybouy. I've heard others say similar positive things about half rounds. For me, Flats always seem too high tension-wise, and I feel my left hand drag too much for my liking. I've got TI Flats on my fretless, so they're nice & low tension, but still don't feel quite as comfortable to play as rounds... Let me know what you think re tension Dannybouy - I'd be interested to hear Cheers

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1475101444' post='3143151'] Half rounds? I recommend the Status ones. Pressurewounds (SIT Silencers perhaps?) for something a bit brighter. But if you don't mind grazing your fingerboard and fingertips, roundwound steels will sound pretty lively! [/quote] I've never used half rounds myself, but was just wondering whether you'd considered them? Might be worth a try? I recently re-strung a bass with some [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]D'Addario heavy gauge round wounds, and am quite pleased with them. Good luck with your search, and don't forget to let us know how you get on - particularly if you use half rounds Maybe one day I'll get round to trying some myself [/font][/color]

[quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1474716218' post='3140025'] I have too many guitars and to pre-empt further threads I also have too many basses, amps, cabinets and effects pedals. [/quote] same here

I've liked Tenor guitars since seeing Seth Lakeman use them. Great sound, in the right hands, of course I haven't got one (I recently bought a Bouzouki - so I need to learn how to play that!) But I did fancy trying Tenor guitar. A pal loaned me an Ozark TG for a few weeks, earlier in the year. It wasn't expensive (sub £200 I think), but I thought it looked to be great construction (came with a nice hard case too) and the sound and finish on it was lovely. Go on, treat yourself to one

[quote name='Chris Sharman' timestamp='1470569330' post='3106749'] .....I know EA basses are quite prone to feedback anyway but certainly my HB seems particularly sensetive. I would appreciate anyone elses experience on this front. [/quote] I had an Ibanez Electroacoustic bass, and it was lovely. I only got rid of it because I had too many, and my son liked it so much... So I gave it to him - he now plays it all the time. I have to say, I didn't gig the bass all the time, but I never had any feedback issues from it whatsoever. A mate has the same Ibanez bass, which he gigs regularly, and I've never heard his feedback either. I know EA basses can't "keep up with" acoustic guitars volume-wise, but they are great for jamming along to CD's, to work out tunes etc. And just a small, portable amp makes them much more prominent. I used mine at unplugged jams, with a small battery powered Ashton buskers amp (15W 8" speaker) and it was great.... The Harley Benton does look similar to the Ibanez EA bass (though the Ibby was a 4 string) and for what the OP has bought it for, I'd say it's a brilliant instrument. If it sounds anything like my old Ibanez when plugged in to a decent amp - it'll be great. I'm sure the issues with them are sorted easily enough, and when you consider what you used to get for low money years ago - I think this is a great price EDIT: The preamp in the Ibanez was pretty good too. The bass looks so similar - I wonder if there are several "common" parts? Small blemishes in finish don't worry me - guitars get bumped about anyway, unless they stay in glass cases.....

Sorry to hear of this happening mate. Sincerely hope you get it back, and they catch the scumbags who stole it... BTW. Might be helpful to other BC'ers on the lookout for it, if you could let us know what city / town / area it was stolen from? EDIT: Other BC'ers might then be able to keep an eye open in Cash Converter shops and similar places in that area.... Good luck in getting it returned

[quote name='cana.dan' timestamp='1472554375' post='3122008'] It's ready! It will be in my hands tomorrow! [/quote] Oh lovely..... just lovely

I recently had 2 Precisions converted to P/J. Firstly, my Squier Classic Vibe. I was so impressed with it, that I had my Fender RW P done too. Both conversions were done by the superb luthier Dave Dearnaley, in Cardiff. I'm not quite sure which "position" the J pup is in actually - I left that decision to Dave, as he's so knowledgeable & experienced. I had him put Entwistle PBXN and JBXN pickups, and instantly loved the sound. Then I got him to put a JBXN into my RW. The fitted Fender pickup then sounded a little "wishy-washy" compared to my Squier, and so I fitted a PBXN to that bass too... I'd recommend the Entwistle pickups - they're very punchy, while still sounding vintage, and they're cheap

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1473760149' post='3132784'] ....and TJs in Newport. I got to play several gig in TJs before it closed. So I'm kind of happy. [/quote] I also got to play TJ's in Newport - and it's one venue I'm really glad I played in. It's unlikely to ever open again. Last time I passed, the whole block of buildings looked in such a state - almost ready to fall down. I know there were several people who wanted to save it, but my guess is some developer is waiting for it to become a dangerous structure, and will have to be knocked down Re the OP; Don't worry! I had a playing break of over 20 years! My 1st gig was in a Punk band, in a now demolished venue at Lavernock, near Penarth in South Wales. We supported Psychobillly band "Demented Are Go" - it was a wild night - we ended up sleeping on a small deserted train station, in an open shelter, and didn't get much sleep. My "ambition" such that it is, is to keep playing, and keep enjoying playing bass. Though I had such a long break - I'm enjoying my playing more than ever, and I'll keep doing that for as long as I can - play till I drop lol I don't care if I never play anywhere "really big" (though I've played some big-ish gigs, to quite big crowds) The big one upcoming for me, is that I'll be playing the Porthcawl Elvis Festival in a couple of weeks Really looking forward to that EDIT: Just realised that 1st gig was 34 or 35 years ago...... when I was young.....