Marc S

[quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1436890533' post='2821778'] Seems to me there's two sides to this. If you really, really hate your job you should quit it. I only ever got to this point once in my life when I just couldn't face getting up to go to work so I bailed. I left a job that paid me an obscene amount of money but gave me no life at all. I had no other job to go to. At the time future prospects were bleak. It didn't matter cos it felt right to do it. If a career in music is really what you want explore the options and decide which is best for you. Then go for it. But be clear what the question is. You should n't confuse desperation with your current job with aspiration for a musical career. If the prospect of quitting the job you hate and having no money coming in fills you with dread I suspect the leap of faith might be too great. Maybe you should consider what you'd do if you didn't mind your current job. [/quote] Some wise words from Nicko here If you really do hate your current dayjob, find another one that you either don't hate so much, or even like! Then save up a bit and plan for your musical adventure But defo set some targets and go for it Re my earlier post #19 I almost forgot, I do know of a wonderful violinist She was a well paid accountant, but hated that career path She loved violin, and opted to go back and study that instrument, and music, and get another degree! She is now much shorter of cash than she was as an accountant, but she's much happier earning less money, but doing that by her love of music What helps her is that her husband earns a fairly decent full time wage .... she supported him through college, while she was earning, now he supports her when she's not earning much She's lucky in that respect But I admire her for chucking in a high earning job / career at a pivotal point in life... If you don't go for it, as others say, you may regret that later in life But make sure you've got a bit of cash behind you, for leaner months and that you've got a good plan a and plan b Again, good luck

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1436878966' post='2821597'] Hi James, this is a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question. What I'd do (and what I mostly still do) is to set everything 'flat' (or what looks like flat) on your amp and guitar, i.e. everything in the 12 o'clock or centre-position. Then just concentrate on getting the volume level right. Over time you will know if you need to cut or boost any frequencies through experience. At this stage I'd leave the compressor out of the equation, that's a whole subject on its own right there. You may not even need to use it at all. There's no 'best' setting for an amp or bass EQ otherwise everyone would set their controls to it and that would be that! But they don't. [/quote] Another +1 for discreet's answer here There really is no "right" setting, as it will not only depend on your bass, the liveliness of your strings, your amp head but it will also depend on what instruments your fellow band members are playing, how lively their strings are etc on the day plus, every venue differs acoustically too! As others have said, start off with everything (inc bass eq controls) at the 12 o'clock position (some Ibanez basses have a "flat" click position setting there) plus the controls on your amp Then dial in / out frequencies as necessary As you are just starting out, make sure you make just one adjustment at a time too..... Good luck

The old saying comes to mind; "If you want to earn a large fortune playing music..... ...... start out with a large one!" I know a few young, talented musicians who have tried to earn money entirely from music and every one of them had no money, unless they also got another (usually low paid) job.... Having said that - if it's your dream - go for it You never know, you could get a very lucky break.... It's unlikely you'll get that break in your current boring job and as others have said, the best time to do it is at your age You have the energy & drive you'll undoubtedly need while also being old enough to be streetwise etc I was in a job I hated, for years I couldn't get out of it - I know what a trap it can be But maybe just look at getting a better job in the meantime anyway ..... and yes, save like mad for those first few months on the road Whatever you decide Good luck

[quote name='gelfin' timestamp='1436216833' post='2816166'] I bough this one a year ago off a BC member for £625. They are fairly rare now, I haven't seen one for sale for years. You have to hear one to believe how awesome they are. [url="http://s970.photobucket.com/user/gelfin5959/media/20140910_131236_zps9986ec53.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] Having had a little dabble with this very bass I have to agree with Gelfin - the sound they produce is very different However, I wasn't quite used to the feel of it I think it'd take me a bit of getting used to Re the OP That does seem an excessive price But if they're very rare nowadays, it's worth what someone is willing to pay......

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1436860889' post='2821382'] You can use a regular 3/16 Allen key but the fender tool is waisted allowing you to turn the nut at an angle [/quote] I bought myself a set of decent allen keys from B&Q Make sure you get some nice Chrome Vanadium keys Mine have the waist too - as Geek99 says, you can angle the key There's much advice on here, and elsewhere But take it slowly. I've heard luthiers talk of no more than 1/4 turn every hour or so Good luck PS. I got a copy of the Haynes style Fender Bass manual It's got advice on maintenance in there - good read too

Some nice alterations here Nice, neat work Cheers

I mostly play 4 strings I've only got a 5 string to dabble with But I do find it heavier than any of my 4 ers I don't know if I'm alone here, but my hands (particularly the right) seem to tire more when playing the 5 er - probably due to the extra stretching I also play DB, and don't find my fingers tire as much as playing the 5 er 2 of my basses have Hipshot D Tuners (A P bass, and an Electro-acoustic) Both on a 110 gauge E string. Roundwounds on both, with Phosphor Bronze on the acoustic.... I don't find it overly sloppy on either bass..... Usually, the low D is as low as I need to go I did find myself using the drop D quite a lot, with an acoustic outfit, where D seemed to be the most popular key Not using the drop D much, now the D Tuners have been in place a while, and the novelty has worn off - But I do think it's useful As someone else said, once you've got one fitted you don't HAVE to use it - but it's there if needed Yes, it's a bit of working out a different pattern, but I find it easier than adjusting to 5 string, personally EDIT: And easier on my back..... I'd recommend giving it a whirl

Did you get one of these flamencito ? I'm interested to know what you think..... Cheers

Yes, good decision indeed At least with this choice, you'll be able to sell the bass on whether she decides DB is not for her, or loves it and decides to upgrade later I very nearly bought a cheap bass when I started But there was a very worrying split near the bottom edge of the bass..... Yes, it was a cheap bass, but I may well have regretted buying that one.... Good luck to you & your daughter .... and I wish I'd started at ten as well

Just picked up a fantastic faker Had one of these as a lad A Shaftesbury 4001 - Sold it in the 80's and instantly regretted it! Have been looking for one for the past 7 years finally found one (when I had stopped looking!) It was local, reasonably priced, so I snapped it up At rehearsal, through my full rig I was blown away by how good this bass sounded Really comfortable to play too, and this was while in need of a setup & new strings I owned the "real thing" recently, and this just blows that out of the water

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1435140994' post='2805808'] I had one of these, in my first spell of bass playing (far too many years ago to even think about now......) ....... Really wish I'd kept that Shaftesbury - they were fabulous........ [/quote] I've quoted myself here, because I had always regretted selling my Shaftesbury Rick copy I only sold it, cos it needed a re-fret and always wished I had got that done. At the time, in my early 20's I couldn't afford it, and would not realise how rare these were to become .. and just how good they actually were Anyhow, on returning to playing after 25 years abstinence I searched high & low for another one of these beauties, but I searched in vain If I saw one on ebay, it got pulled I think I only saw 1 get to sale completed - and that went for well over 500 quid ! But the other day, I managed to track one down locally Last night I took it to rehearsal, and plugged it into my gigging rig for the 1st time I was utterly blown away by how good this bass is Honeslty, I recently owned the "real thing" - and that was no match for my copy The tone is immense! And it's far, far more comfortable to play I haven't posted a pic here, as I don't wish to upset anyone, knowing how upset Rick*******r can get Although it's not the bass I originally owned, I'm well pleased to have tracked down one of these increasing rare superbly built instruments

I haven't tried any of the brands you're thinking about However, I use Spirocore Weichs, and they are lower tension than several other strings I've tried Don't discount Innovation strings too I've used Honeys (briefly on a bass I bought, before swapping them) and I used Innovation Silver Slaps for some time too... The Silver slaps were the lowest tension DB strings I had tried and I gather Gold Slaps are very similar and Innovation Rockabilly's are slightly lower tension again (I think) I wouldn't say the Silver Slaps were particularly loud strings But they had quite a nice dark sort of sound to them... They certainly seemed louder on the bass than the Honeys I replaced Again, it may depend on how the bass is set up Don't discount Innovation strings if you're after lower tension...... defo Are there any knowledgeable friendly BC'ers anywhere near you who'd come & advise you on whether you need a set up? Worth a try Good luck, and let us know how you get on PS. Moving from Bass guitar to DB a few years back I was astounded at the amazing variety of string types .... and equally amazed at just how different the few I've used can sound.....

No adjustable bridge on this one But it's a lovely bass I know, cos I used to own it Absolutely beautiful http://basschat.co.uk/topic/265531-boosey-and-hawkes-artia-34-size-double-bass/

Adding to me earlier post, I suddenly remembered, I bought my PJ amp head and 2 PJ 4x5 speaker cabs from Spacechick on here too Sold one of the cabs since (again, not on here) So I've even more to be thankful to BC Marketplace for ... or Mrs S has even LESS to be thankful to BC for

Bought 2 double basses One of which I sold (not on here) Bought my favourite RW Fender Jazz and a lovely US 72 RI Jazz I'm not using (so I guess I should sell?) Also my rather nice US P bass Plus a couple of DB pickups, and other bits & pieces EDIT: Some DB strings and some Phosphor Bronze strings too.... .... thinking about it I've a lot to thank the market place for

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1436027193' post='2814454'] ....And this is worse: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DEAN-Custom-Zone-4-string-BASS-guitar-in-Florescent-Pink-w-LIGHT-HARD-CASE-/141219661594?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20e159071a"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item20e159071a[/url] [/quote] I have to agree with you, I think that one on ebay is the worst colour instrument ever!