Marc S

I'd go for the option of at least just trying the marker pen first. You never know - it might just work... Failing that, Beedsters suggestion of wood dye is the next step.... Always try the cheaper option first, especially if it does the least "damage" Beedsters point above, re a new board not "singing" right or sounding and even feeling the same is also a valid point. A pal of mine used to have an old Precision, which had been de-fretted. The board had been treated rather poorly in the past, the fret slots hadn't been filled very tidily at all - looked a bit of a mess. However, he had a new board put on it, at considerable cost, and it never quite felt or sounded the same again. So much so, that he sold the bass, and bought... you guessed it - another old Precision (with worn frets) and de-fretted it..... My fretless (Jazz) is lined, and I know I much prefer it. Oddly enough, I don't mind the dots on the side of the neck being in the "wrong" place either - it seems to work for me anyway

[quote name='bornagainbass65' timestamp='1499719114' post='3333171'] I saw Eric Bibb at Cheltenham Jazz - very good bluesman. [/quote] I saw Eric Bibb a few years back - what an amazing player, and such a great singer... but a really nice guy too! Re Folk By The Oak - I'd love to go one year. Time & money don't allow it atm though..... one year, I'll definitely try it though

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1499696521' post='3332980'] I'm sure it is subjective, but you did say " ..returned to playing bass...". Maybe that makes a difference? I've not ridden a bike in years, but I know I can still do it. If I started now, would I be as quick to get on there for the first time?... [/quote] I started playing bass when I was around 19 or 20 years old. Played a few years, then the band split up and life got in the way.... I took it up again after an absence of of over 20 years. I think it was about 25 years actually! For me, I could recollect a few things; some simple bass-lines, which string was which, what some of the notes on the fretboard were - but it really was like starting again. In fact, of the few bass-lines / songs I could remember or partly remember - I couldn't play any more.... my fretting and plucking was all over the place, timing-wise and accuracy of positioning It might be different for some, but it's not quite like riding a bike. Once you've got that sense of balance and how the movement etc keeps you from falling off a bike, I don't think you lose that. But playing an instrument and the precise movements involved in fretting and plucking - well they do get very rusty. Also, when I started again, I was back to square one re getting sore finger tips.... EDIT: It's never too late - just enjoy playing music

As has already been said - we all lose a bit of motivation from time to time.... it's just natural I had a painful condition with my foot, a short while back - that really did for me. I just couldn't stand while playing and my "mojo" just seemed to ebb away very quickly. However, it did come back... then the band I was playing slap DB in folded - well, we got a new "lead" member, but the new style doesn't involve so much slapping... however, the bass is still there, still being played, and I do a bit of slap from time to time If I were you, just play some rockabilly or Rock & Roll tracks on CD / MP3 or whatever - listen to the music when in your car, or out & about... that should make you want to get home & play your DB Good luck with it

[quote name='Jacqueslemac' timestamp='1485544145' post='3224872'] Welcome. You've certainly come to the right place to end up spending lots of money on basses! [/quote] Yes indeed! We all seem to spend too much money on basses on this forum Your English seems pretty good to me Kalwynn.... Welcome to BC - bonjour! From Wales Je suis un Galois - did I get that right? See, your English is better than my French lol

Also, recently, these have come to my attention (think Jack was selling one a short while back?) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EKO-ITALY-BRANDONI-CUSTOM-TRAVEL-ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR-/391737069926?hash=item5b35595166:g:9igAAOSwol5Y1QiY They're more expensive, but these do look good, and I was quite tempted - but I bought Jack's KK Baby bass instead! Not quite so portable but portable for a Double Bass....

[quote name='goingdownslow' timestamp='1499275344' post='3330485'] I have never been a dancer. Although I like some music it does not really make me want to move other than tap my foot or nod my head in time....... .....I know it is just me. [/quote] Yet another one who is no natural dancer here! And another who knows only too well, it isn't "just you" - there are plenty of us around, re all your other points in your reply too However, in my "non-natural" dance way and mannerisms, I kind of feel as though my bass is something between me & the audience. It's a sort of "comfort blanket" so to speak, or a buffer if you like. Maybe because I have a bass around my neck, and I mic nearby (sometimes) perhaps the audience sort of "expects" some movement from me? I do think because I've always tapped my feet when learning to play, it has at least helped improve my sense of rhythm, and helped me make some body movements that are in time with the music. I know it's easy to look a bit of a fool, or at least a bit awkward - but does playing an instrument give you something of a licence to move around at least a bit? lol

Me again! Lol I don't know the BC'er selling this one, but there's a Squier VM in the marketplace http://basschat.co.uk/topic/307489-squire-vm-fretless-jazz/page__p__3330555__hl__fretless__fromsearch__1#entry3330555

As Grangur says - Shop and Luthier are two different entities. Some shops may have, or use the services of a good luthier, but it is indeed hit & miss.... re changing scale lengths - yes, it can prove a challenge. I started out as a bass guitar player, but now I play Double bass, fretless, and I own a short scale fretted and a medium scale fretted too. If I can do it - so can you lol The one I'm having problems with atm, is a Kydd "Carry On" EUB which is short scale 30" so that might be better suited to a bass guitarist or short scale player who wants to try their hand at DB / EUB. Again, I haven't spent much time on it, but the more time you spend, the more you adapt. As others have said, when you convert a fretted to a fretless - the dots are in the "wrong" place - BUT be careful with this. I have a Fretless Jazz which is lined and has the dots in the same place as a fretted bass. In fact, I've previously had 2 lined fretless basses which have been the same. Maybe that's pretty standard for a lined fretless? Anyway, I once tried a fretless with dots in the (ahem) "correct" place... and it confused the hell out of me! If your neck ends up as lined - perhaps you are better off with the dots being in the usual place? Give it some thought, and if you can - try a few basses. Any nearby friendly BC members who would be willing to let you try their fretless if you promise to bring biscuits? Here's another thought for you. Fretless basses may be more tricky to sell on, should you decide it's not for you. It's a more limited market after all. Could you try to find a second-hand fretless neck to fit one of your existing basses? That way, you stand to lose less dosh, as you can always swap the necks back to sell on, or just sell the neck again? My first fretless was a rather lovely, and inexpensive Squier Vintage Modified Fretless Jazz. I bought it for not much dosh, and sold it on again for around the same money... In fact that VM Squier was rather lovely. I only sold it on cos I converted a US P to fretless (by buying a lined fretless neck on here) The neck was a straight swap and the P was absolutely lovely. But in truth I preferred the Squier, as the 2 J pickups seemed to suit fretless more. Sorry for the life story there - but I think it illustrates that a £160 s/h fretless bass can be as good as any other. You might even spend that de-fretting (and maybe de-valuing one of your fretted basses) I know it's having yet another bass guitar around - but fretless is different. You could always sell one of your fretted basses on, to make space or restore "domestic equilibrium" lol EDIT: TO be honest, I now have a rather lovely Fender Japan Fretless - but that Squier VM was almost as good. (the Fender is valued at 3 plus times the cost, but in reality it's not 3 times as good) wish I hadn't sold the Squier to "upgrade" but I do like my Fender Japan

Yes indeed Dad3353. I think Blue's point was that we can all learn stage presence, but not everyone wants to, or needs to have as high a "profile" as, for instance, some lead singers might..... Some bass players will happily stand at the back, next to the drummer as has already been pointed out, and for some this is fine. I've been in that position in the past, and been in some bands where it may well have been frowned upon if I tried anything else! lol How many bassists are out there who've had a negative experience of a more noticeable "stage presence"? I wonder.... Sorry if that looks like I'm trying to hijack your thread Blue - but is there sometimes a downside to improving this?

I've previously posted links to those basses, when talking of taking a spare / backup bass to gigs. They look really neat & compact - though I'm not sure how comfortable I'd find playing one, as b714s says above Wish I had chance to try one though.... Surely Mrs S can't complain about me packing one of those for our hols?

Blue, I agree that you can "learn" stage presence - or at least something akin to it To those of us who don't really have it - it may just feel like you can't learn, because there aren't so many books, guides and youtube videos... or if there are, we don't tend to seek them out. We are probably too busy seeking out the equipment reviews and step by step learning of some song we have to cover in two nights time! lol From seeing peoples photos of me playing, I'm definitely not smiling enough - my concentrating face is way too serious. At least I know this, so I'm trying to rectify that, or I'm conscious of it when I see someone pointing a camera at the stage. Photos and videos of you playing live are a good way to help you realise how others may see you I also know I spend too long looking at my fretboard, and when I'm playing DB, I spend too long looking at the fingerboard on that too - more so than looking at my fretboard - as position on a DB is more critical (without the frets). again, I'm aware of it - I just need to keep thinking about that when playing live. Incidentally, dancing & prancing around the stage is obviously not as easy when you're playing DB. There was a discussion thread on here somewhere, where DB players talked about it being essential to "dance" with your DB Another aspect of stage presence, or looking professional. In one of my bands (Elvis tribute backing band) - the band all wear the same clothes. Black trousers, black shoes, and black shirt with gold "buttons" down the sleeves & around the collar.... Several people who know the band members, or had seen us playing before we adopted this "uniform" mentioned that they think a cohesive appearance makes the band look "more professional" - Obviously, this works best for a tribute act or similar, and wouldn't be a great look for everybody - but a dress code can sometimes also help with stage appearance

It may indeed be thought of as subjective by many. But turning the bass control down can help Of course, that will depend on your bass, your strings, amp, and what other instruments are in the mix etc I find I'm sometimes over-keen to cut the mids. As we're so often stood very close to our amps, we can hear things differently to those stood some distance away from the amps. I've even noticed that in a medium-sized rehearsal room, if I wander over to speak to someone else (long lead permitting) my bass can sometimes sound quite different... When playing Double bass, I, like so many, tend to turn the treble and mids down (treble, more so usually). But I've noticed that if I have the bass control set a bit too high, the bottom end can sound very "boomy" and not as well defined as I'd like.

I developed tennis elbow, due to all the squash, tennins & badminton - yes Tennis Elbow can be really painful. Didn't have the injection in the end. I just stopped the racquet sports for some time. Eventually it went away and I was able to resume. If you do play, make sure you put extra grip material on the handle of your racquet! Good quality grip at that - it's sometimes caused by over-gripping..... I had a problem with my foot which required a steroid injection though. The injection was right into the heel of the foot, and it was painful. I had to rest my foot for a day or so and not put any weight on it. Problem was, it didn't work so I ended up having shock-wave therapy. The needle was like someone sticking a nail into your heel - the shock-wave was like someone pumelling the sole of my foot with a mini pneumatic drill! I kid you not... I'm sure the injection into your arm will not be as uncomfortable, and I understand that steroid injections for T.E. are far more effective. If you do end up needing shock-wave, again it shouldn't be as bad as it being on the soles of your feet! All this aside - I'm also finding heavier basses are making my neck & shoulder ache more. So I'm moving over to lighter weight basses, and have recently discovered why people pay much more for nice, soft leather straps - they're much more comfortable lol Best of luck with it - I know tennis elbow is horrible EDIT. As Phil notes above - exercise is an essential part of getting older

[quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1498642328' post='3326019'] I like the PJ configuration to, my fretless and Yamaha both have this layout, apart from a Stingray I don't get on with one pickup basses, I always miss the J pickup at the bridge. To start I'll probably change the strings, wiring and pickups if I can find something nice secondhand, I'll also look at removing the finish and logo from the headstock. [/quote] Just wondering whether the pickups are pretty much "standard" size - so it would be an easy swap? Or whether they're a bit smaller than usual? If you do ditch those pickups - keep the covers, in case they're the only ones that sit straight back in the pickup cavities, without further routing.... Are you just removing the finish from the headstock? i.e. are you keeping the finish on the body? I think I'd be tempted to keep the finish & colour on the body - but maybe try some self adhesive decals on it.... Some wacky design or other!

Hello and welcome, from someone nowhere near you - I'm in South Wales Ey oop, or hwyl fawr

Hey, congratulations - BIG congratulations Top gig to get. I saw Wilko with Norman a few years back, at Cambridge folk festival Both of them and their drummer were on top form... I really enjoyed the set Norman is still a superb player - I'd be thrilled if he had to borrow my rig Enjoy the gig, I'm sure you will

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1498683144' post='3326380'] Surely you take spare basses so as your wife is not left at home looking at all the basses that you said you needed. [/quote] huge LOL

[quote name='6feet7' timestamp='1498638807' post='3325986'] At our last gig my active bass packed up (new battery just died), amp head died and one head to cab speakon cable must have had a poor connection too (so cut in and out)........ I always take spares and have never had an occasion like that one, but if it can happen once it can happen again. [/quote] Wow! Talk about "bad luck" - I've had a string snap (admittedly years back) a cable just suddenly give up, and a battery in an active bass suddenly die - despite it being fairly new. A local bass playing pal had his pickups die, in a fairly new bass too! My son's first 5 string suddenly started cutting in & out (electrical fault). As you say, if it can happen once, it can happen again - just bad luck... or was it good luck / good practice, that you had plenty of spare gear. I'm sure many would have just gone straight into the PA, but as I've mentioned previously, I usually carry a really tiny spare (EA) head with me....