Marc S

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1493031881' post='3284918'] I think the trick is to give people enough of what they know/like and sneak in some newer/original stuff under their guard. That way, everyone is happy. [/quote] Yes, this is a good approach I think. The trouble as always, is that everyone in the band needs to be onboard with this idea, and then has to agree on the whole set list (or at least, much of it)

One of the (several) bands I'm currently in, deliberately set out to cover songs you don't hear covered too often. Not just rock songs, but a bit of pop, reggae, ska and a few Northern Soul etc.... Several of the venues we contacted and played, said this was a breath of fresh air, from the usual "sex on fire" "sweet home Alabama" and "Mustang Sally" type of stuff that almost everyone else has played to death. All well and good? Well, yes, but we play these songs, then someone usually comes up and asks "Can you play some classic rock?" or "can you do Sex on Fire?" - so it's almost like you can't win! Also, being based in South Wales, we get asked every time, "Can you play something my the Manics, or the Phonics" - we do a couple of Phonics tracks, but only from the earlier albums. There are pubs where we fear we wouldn't get out alive unless we complied with that request

I too was looking for the same thing. The closest I found to the sound of an acoustic upright, was my Eminence (now since sold). It had a small hollow body though - I realise you had stipulated that you didn't want a hollow body - but this to me, is why when amplified, it still retained a sound close to an acoustic upright. I've had and tried a few EUB's without any form of hollow body, and they never quite match the sound of my old Eminence... I'd say although it has a small hollow body, the un-amplified sound is quite quiet (but not silent) so if you get the chance - give one a try.... My current EUB is a KK Baby bass, bought from Happy Jack of this forum. It's a bit smaller than the Eminence, as it packs down quite neatly. Amplified, the sound is not quite that of an acoustic DB, but it's got quite a nice sound. It doesn't sound like a big fretless bass guitar, as some EUB's can sound, and again, I'd recommend you try one if you get the chance... I've heard several sound clips of Yamaha Silent Basses (SLB's) and they do seem to sound quite like an acoustic DB.... from what I've heard recorded. Of course, in a recording, we don't know what post production and sound tweaking has gone on.... As ever, it's best to try as many options as you can, to make your own informed choice - but as there seem to be fewer DB players around, and even fewer EUB player / owners, that may not be so easy. Can you start a thread, asking whether some local, friendly EUB player might help you with a tryout? Might be worth asking? If you were closer to me in South Wales, you'd be welcome to come & try my KK baby bass... Anyhow, don't rush into anything, and best of luck with your search PS. My DB playing started with a Stagg. They're quite cheap, esp second-hand and worth a try - although mine didn't sound very much like a DB, despite my efforts. (saying that, it got me into the wonderful world of DB)

Welcome to Basschat j1mu5, I'm sure you'll find lots of answers to questions on here - so be sure to join in with discussions and ask away Also, keep an eye out for local bass bash events advertised on here. You'll be able to meet up with fellow players, try out other peoples basses and amps / gear and do some comparative assessments, and moreover, have a good chat with other bass players I think you've done the right thing, in taking some lessons early on in your playing - so many of us don't - then we develop bad habits! lol Anyhow, welcome also to the world of bass.... the best, and most essential instrument and hello from South Wales best Marc

[quote name='Steve Browning' timestamp='1492604100' post='3281549'] Pure guess and no idea of cost but, if the bass is perfect in every other way, can you get a luthier to reshape the neck to B profile? It must be possible in theory and you should preserve everything you like about that instrument. One of those factors would be how compatible the neck and body are and replacing the neck is always something of a gamble, even if it fits perfectly. [/quote] Sorry to be late to this thread - but this was also going to be my suggestion. i know some may be horrified at making such an alteration to a bass - but if you love everything else about it, then this is surely a course of action to be considered. Of course, you could buy a slimmer Fender P neck, swap them over, and keep the original - in case you ever do decide to sell? My Fender Roadworn P had the neck slimmed down by a luthier (before I bought it on this forum) and the luthier did a superb job! You would never know the neck had been altered in any way, and it feels superb - just the right width and depth. In fact, it's very much like the neck on my RW Jazz - which is the bass that made me fall for Fenders again I once tried a very Pino-like Limelight bass which was also on the 2nd hand market here. Mark at Limelight had been asked to build that P bass, but with a neck with Jazz dimensions - that bass was absolutely lovely. At the time, I needed to sell a bass before buying, or I'd have had that Limelight! Maybe ask Mark to sell you a neck? EDIT: I was also going to suggest the neck Rumple is selling http://basschat.co.uk/topic/302501-limelight-jazzprecision-neck/page__p__3277651__hl__neck__fromsearch__1#entry3277651

Not sure whether they did a fretless P in the Classic Vibe series Fisheth I haven't seen one anyway.....

Just thought I'd make other BC members aware of this Squier Classic Vibe P bass on ebay. Although I've got the old problem of "one bass too many" - I can't bear to part with my Squier CV P bass. In fact, I had one and sold it... but I missed it so much - I bought another! If you've seen my posts re these superb basses before, then you'll know how highly I rate them. Indeed, it once stood beside my USA P bass (which was also superb) - but the Squier won the day, and is still with me (though I've since P/J'ed it) in terms of "bang for buck" the CV series are absolutely awesome, and I can't imagine a better value instrument for the amount of money were talking.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Squier-Classic-Vibe-Precision-Bass-60s-Fiesta-Red-/322486885774?hash=item4b15b75d8e:g:e~cAAOSwuspY9czq Anyhow, that's enough eulogising by me! I would point out, that I don't know the seller - but it seems that it's apparently an ex-demo / shop model. What's more - they will accept a best offer on it I've seen several Wanted ads, from people looking for one of these - so just thought I'd bring your attention to it, in case you haven't seen it

Do you mean the big screw in the centre of the gear / "cog"? I had the same thing happen. So I emailed strunal, who make the tuners They sent one to me - cost a few quid, and took a couple of weeks But if you email them a close-up photo, they'll be able to identify the exact part EDIT: This was the email address of the person I dealt with - mind it was a couple of years back Very helpful lady by the name of Julie Miller.... [email protected]

Hi MarkariM, You have strayed to a far better path IMO Welcome to BC, stick at your playing, enjoy it, and join in with discussions on here

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1491932459' post='3276614'] Ah Action my fav topic lol. First rule of low action is to be able to actually play a low action. To play with that more delicate touch constantly and have that feel. So even when digging in its actually done very gently. Also there will be fret buzz on occasion go listen to low action players in isolation there's always some noise.... [/quote] Yes indeed. The odd thing I find about a low action set-up, and related "fret buzz" - is that on some basses, I can really hear fret buzz when amplified, and on other basses, it's less noticeable. I'm really not sure why this should be? I mean, it sort of defies logic really, doesn't it? If you get fret buzz on two basses, if you hear it clearly when amplified on one, you should surely hear it to the same level on another bass... discuss! lol

They look good. Playing a gig with Slim Jim Phantom too eh? Nice

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1491899680' post='3276185'] Quick update. ......[color=black]I've decided to take a pragmatic approach. I'll concentrate on the recording songs for now, once the band has agreed which ones...I'll keep on practising the giglist but without adding any new ones until after the recording session......[/color] [color=black]Steve[/color] [/quote] That sounds the best approach, and would be the sort of way I'd look at it. If as you say, the band hasn't sorted out the beginnings & ends of songs, it sounds like they're no more rehearsed than yourself. Just write down a few crib sheets of notes, with keys, key changes and structure.... that should help you a lot. I know you've said you lack a bit of confidence - but I hope this will help boost that a bit.

I'm currently using Silver Slaps too Lazarus. Yes, I like them a lot. I tend to learn riffs and any bass parts the way I've always done - by ear... These days, depending on the song, of course, there's Youtube But if it's not on there, I just get the general structure and keys of the song by ear - then work out any more complex bits note by note Sometimes, I start out with the keys & structure on DB. Then, any tricky parts, I work out on the bass guitar (sometimes, it just seems to help with individual notes or a quick-ish riff). Lucky you, to have spent time with that rockabilly bassist

Rehearsed with mine last night, and yes, it sounded and felt great to play oddly enough, I'm also not a "tone wide open" player - but I did exactly that, and it sounded even better

Sorry for my late reply - I've only just seen this thread I've only recently learned to play slap DB myself, and as ever, I'm still learning (still struggling with tripple slapping) Slap technique is / can be really useful - depending on the band you're in, and the style you're playing I tend to use both hands to mute, I find this will depend on the song (or indeed the riff / passage) I'm playing It's something I still haven't quite perfected, as sometimes a note will ring on longer than I'd anticipated... Just thought I'd mention it, but I really couldn't get the hang of slap, and very quickly got blisters too Fortunately for me, I have 2 DB's - well a DB and an EUB. So I fitted Slap Happy "Weedwackers" to one bass, to help me learn, and hopefully, be a bit easier on my fingers. I have to say, though I've now removed said strings, the Weedwackers really helped me to learn to slap. They're far easier on your fingers, and though I found the E string in particular was way too sloppy to play - it definitely helped me learn slap DB

You mentioned (in your status, I think) possibly playing your bass in an almost upright position I was just thinking, an ordinary strap button on your bass might be more likely to slip out of the hole in the strap .... Just making sure - I didn't want to read your status update to find your bass had hit the deck

Definitely try it through a good amp first of all. Then I'd say change the strings next, before you get out your soldering iron.... I had a Squier VM series P/J Precision, and the stock pickups in that were pretty good. It definitely had a good range of tonal options, and wasn't overly bright... Another option for you might be to try a DI / EQ pedal. You can shape the tone of your bass and boost bass, mids, or treble. You don't have to solder anything, and moreover, if you decide to flog the bass - you still have the pedal! I was lucky, and picked one of these up for a tenner, on a local facebook buy / sell / exchange group - then I upgraded to a higher spec model. This one is still pretty damn good though [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Behringer-BDI-21-Bass-Amp-Modeler-DI-Guitar-Effects-Pedal-/322326985735?hash=item4b0c2f7c07:g:Qv8AAOSwImRYI54-"]http://www.ebay.co.u...v8AAOSwImRYI54-[/url] There's definitely something to be said for upgrading pickups, of course - but when you do this on a Squier, a copy, or entry - mid range instrument, you probably won't get your money back if / when you decide to sell... EDIT: I'm with you on the P/J pickup arrangement though - definitely my preference these days....

[quote name='Mickeyboro' timestamp='1491827402' post='3275627'] Ah, Christchurch - the only place I've ever eaten breakfast in a shipping container! And welcome Mark... [/quote] Tell me more, lol

Welcome to BC Mark! Hello from a long way off (South Wales)

It's a bit rum of the band, if they've not listened to your thoughts at all But as everyone else on here has said - this could be a good experience for you Not being unkind, but it does sound as though you feel you're not quite "ready" yet, or not as well rehearsed as you'd like to be I know that feeling, cos I personally like to be as well rehearsed and prepared as I can be In the studio though, as you'll have chord charts, drums and guide vocals (ask if the guitarist will do some guide guitar with you too, maybe?) I'm sure you'll be fine. These days, in a studio, they can move individual notes around, and even shift syllables! As someone else has already said - maybe your new band have already got confidence in you - it certainly looks that way. BTW, a few months ago, I recorded some songs with a singer / guitarist pal of mine. We'd played together a bit, but not for some time... anyhow, one of the songs he wanted to record he had never sent me (even though he swears he had) and another song I'd played with him almost 2 years previously, was in a different key - with a very different structure. Put it this way, if an old dog like me can be taught new tricks, I'm sure you can do it Most of all, best of luck with it - don't chuck the band just yet, you've already said they're a good band. (EDIT: Good bands can be few and far between, depending on where you are, and being in the right place etc) Again, it's a shame if they really haven't listened to your thoughts, but I'm sure you can do this & move on Don't forget to let us know how you get on with the studio, and the new set 2nd EDIT - Lol. I'm in a band who really NEED some demo tracks, to promote ourselves - but pinning everyone down to do it is proving harder than I thought it would be... shame, as they're a great band too...