Marc S

Yes, OM nights can be like this. I've not done one for a while now. But you go to a few, and nothing. Then you turn up one night and get asked along to next week, or to another OM night altogether. Re learning songs - if I'm asked to do something I'm not familiar with, I either ask for a chord chart, or usually look up the song on YouTube. Mostly there's a video of someone playing it, and even a play-along tab, if you're lucky. I recall playing an OM years back. I was with the "house band" who opened with a few songs, then OM attendees got up to play, then we closed the night with another shortish set. At the start of the 2nd half, a trio of drummer, singer / guitar and lead guitar asked me to join them. I had never heard of the song they wanted me to play - "It's OK, we've got the lyrics & chords - it's even colour coded" said the singer. I agreed, feeling rather cocky because it didn't look too challenging...... As the song kicked off, it suddenly dawned on me that the ambient light and light from outside had dimmed. The stage was lit by colour changing LEDs, and you guessed it - as the colours changed, parts of the text just disappeared! My own fault for being cocky, I think

I stopped playing in my twenties, and then started again after a really long absence. I now enjoy playing more than I ever did in my early twenties. So I have no intention of quitting, as I'm enjoying it so much. I fully realise that ageing can have an adverse effect on the lugging of heavy gear, and late nights - so there will be a time when it becomes more difficult, and then probably too difficult. I have been acquiring lighter weight amp gear, and some smaller, lighter, short-scale basses - so that I can hopefully head off some of the issues. I'm already feeling the benefits of playing shorter scale instruments, and finding big chunky necks less favourable. And I'm really liking the sound of my tiny, yet powerful AI cab. At this stage, I know I'm still going to be enjoying playing for a while yet. But I think I will know when the late nights and the lifting no longer suit me, so I will make that decision then. Hopefully, that's a good few years away yet. If a band member told me they think I'm past it.... then I'll simply find another band. (I often play with a Folk Club, and I'm one of the youngest there - so I can always just continue with that). Even if I have to, or want to give up gigging, I have a feeling I'll be playing more of some of the other instruments I wish I had more time to practice / learn etc. and just enjoy playing them at home.

Thanks, yes it turned my head. (At a time it didn't need turning). I went for it because I thought I may not get the chance again. Check out some of Jabba's other builds. He's a really talented Luthier.

Ooh - that gold Jazz looks rather nice too

Just some early thoughts on playing this super little bass. I'm still in disbelief that the sound from it is just so immense. The lows are really thunderous, and the mids and top really punchy. I'll be taking it to rehearsal on Weds and Thursday evenings, with 2 very different bands - so I'll see how it sits in the mix then, and it'll be good to try it in very different situations. I have a little issue currently, in that the strap button is much further forward than the usual position around the 12th fret - so that throws me if I don't concentrate on that. Plus, with a narrow necked instrument, I sometimes lazily wrap my thumb around the top of the neck (a bit) so I need to get used to the neck being joined to the body around the 7th / 8th fret. It's all something that can be remedied by just playing on it as much as possible. Getting the strap height just right on this bass is going to be critical, for a comfortable left hand position / full access to the fretboard. @three advised me to change the strings on it, for a heavier gauge set. He very kindly gave me several sets with the bass, some of which Owen had had made. I'll stick to this set for now, and venture to change them in a couple of weeks. I have currently just changed strings on my BSX upright, to some used Innovation silver slaps, and am about to swap back again to Flats on my Danelectro (I should have just stuck to the flats on that!). All these string changes are making me dizzy lol Anyhow, so far I'm really happy with the bass I shouldn't have bought

3.7kg is fairly light for a P bass too Miles 😀

So I was already at full capacity, bass-wise, and had promised not to buy any more. Plus, I have recently been yearning for a fretless again, having joined a band 11 months ago, which would suit a few songs on fretless. Then, this little 23.5" scale beauty turned my head, and I weakened... as I thought I never would! Lol. Bought from @threeof this very parish. I believe it was previously owned by @Owenon here too? It was built by @Jabba_the_gutwhose work i had previously seen on several of his excellent build threads, and I knew this bass would be absolutely top notch, as his workmanship always looks great. So why buy a bass I wasn't looking for? And at a time I should perhaps seek out a fretless for my latest band? Well, I usually carry a spare bass, as a backup. Plus, I like to have 2 bass guitars, with different tones, for some gigs. Also, I play upright in a couple of bands, and I like to play a few songs on Bass guitar too. I'm always looking for ways to travel a bit lighter, and more compact, and this ticked those boxes. I sometimes play a few songs on U-bass, which is great - but the range of notes which is reachable with the left hand on a U-bass is rather limited. They're absolutely fine of course, but I sometimes like to play a run up to higher notes. Anyhow, enough rambling on from me. Jabba's work is indeed super quality. The bass is slightly heavier than I thought it would be - but it's still considerably lighter than my Fender P. Nice & compact too, it came with a small gigbag, but it fits into an even smaller generic U-bass gigbag. I think I will get more used to the scale length than I ever have with my U-bass. It's active and the pickup sounds absolutely thunderous. The bottom end sounds way deeper than looks possible from such a small instrument, and I'm pleased I went for this bass. Last photo is for size comparison, with a standard size Kala Uke bass. Now I need to sell one of the 2 U-basses I own.... or I'll be in trouble! 😉

Really lovely colour bass. Plus, that dark reddish tort guard looks amazing with that colour body. I like the darker tone / tint on the neck too. Happy NBD 😀

Hi @ezbass Good to hear that you are using the NS at least some times. Due to bands changing, and some venues not having much space, I have been through periods where I didn't play upright much. However, I "weaved" EUB into one of the bands - just to keep playing upright in a gig situation. Following that, a fiddle player joined another band I'm in, and it just seemed to immediately suit the sound a bit more. Plus, if I'm being honest, it made me a little less lazy about carting both EUB and Bass Guitar to some gigs. Then I joined another band, and they specifically wanted me to play upright - so Bingo! I was glad I had kept my hand in, so to speak. So you never know, there might just be a project out there for you, which involves more of you playing EUB. I also have to say, I get more comments when I play EUB than I ever do playing BG, or even when I play acoustic upright - EUB's are rather cool-looking instruments, it seems. Cheers now - enjoy your NS... they are cracking instruments.

Hi again, Yes, I know it well, having camped nearby & stayed at B&B's in the area. Lovely little seaside town, with some cracking pubs, and its' own brewery. The Crab sandwiches on the quayside are the best I have ever had. Some lovely beaches and walks too. And they have a couple of music festivals, inc the Tenby Blues festival.

Hi ninjabiscuit, Don't worry about mid-life crises - just go for it, and enjoy your playing. I took a really lengthy break from playing. In fact, it was my son who got me back into playing bass. I had hardly remembered the early Iron Maiden songs I'd learned years before - but my lad was impressed by the snippets I'd managed to recall. Enjoy 😀

Hello & welcome to BC. Sorry to hear of your health issues. Glad to hear you're now getting out & about, and playing / gigging. I must admit, I'd go stir crazy if I had to cease gigging - I really enjoy it. That's some studio you have there. Lots of instruments too. I thought I was bad! Lol. Hope you're enjoying your playing, and that you continue to do so 😀

Hello & welcome to BC. I had a really long break from playing the bass - almost 25 years! And for some of the same reasons. However, I'm enjoying it more than ever now. So it's never too late to start again - just as long as you're enjoying playing 😀

Yes, from what little I know about these beauties, the non-pointy volume controls seem to be on those early Korean models. I must admit, I really like that red colour. I think it's my fave colour for a Dano. I must also admit that I occasionally take a sneaky peek at those new red ones, with the f-holes. They do look rather lovely 😀 Back in December, my first play on a Dano, was a red one which was apparently a Korean made one. It belonged to the guy playing bass for Merry Hell. That was the fateful day that convinced me I needed one of these great basses. The Merry Hell bass player (I forgot his name!) Had a great sound, and it sat well in the mix, which was quite something, with lots of instruments, and lots of vocals on stage. PS. Having swapped back to the original rounds the bass came with... I'm now wanting to put those flats back on it! Doh 😉

Hello @hpc364 Welcome to BassChat, from "oh, yeah, that place" (Welsh humour)

I have no idea what any of those terms / genres mean...... ... Now, I'm off to research Gansta-Folk