Dood

P.S I have had cramps in the past, but that was definitely due to taking a month off gigs then trying to play an uptempo prog gig without the afore mentioned warm ups!

Do you warm up properly before playing a gig? Maybe something to add in to the pre-gig routine. I just read that cramps can be caused by inadequate blood supply too, which although I don't know if it's the case here, I have always been semi-aware of my breathing whilst I am playing, along with my posture. In my mind I think I had decided that I tire less easily if I'm getting the ole lungs filled properly! Maybe that could help with alleviating cramps? I'm no doctor but I could ask one of my students later in the week who is!

Funnily enough, I offer to teach my students how to do everything that is "reversible". I love the thought that my students can take care of their instruments themselves as much as possible; Lowdown, I agree. With a bit of experience, you can then start to understand what makes a bass feel good to play to you.

It's interesting you make this suggestion. Short version: I've been spending the day figuring out how to turn my teaching space in to a vlogging/video set up. It's been pretty successful so far, so maybe that is something I need to add to my offerings!

On a similar rant, why doesn't anyone RTFM any more either? My social media feed has been bombarded this week with posts by people who blatantly didn't bother to read the very clear instructions that came with a software update and are now ranting that their hardware won't work properly. This has then propagated to other folk not bothering to read and research following up with comments suggesting said hardware is crap because it doesn't work properly. Oh my, the halcyon days of common sense...

Did you follow each of the steps very carefully? It seems that all the cases I have seen regarding this message and locking up is because certain steps weren't followed. You should see this message which will pass, but only if you had prepared your update correctly. Mine went through seamlessly - good luck! P.s. If you aren't already on the Helix for Bass Players Facebook page, go have a look there too as there are countless posts about updating. Good luck and, it is fixable.

It ended up being less hassle to buy a set of premium locking tuners which were screw type instead. (This takes in to consideration my concerns about messing it up!!) As it happens I for some reason still have the set of unused pin type locking tuners here. I should probably stick them up for sale!!

There is a "potential difference" (= voltage difference) between the earth of your bass gear and your PA system. This could be caused by a bad earth, a wiring issue in the venue, being plugged in to two different ring mains and a few other issues too. As some equipment (like effects units) have no earth connection, you are essentially not grounded and this can also help create the problem. Ideally each piece of gear should be 'grounded' to the same earth potential - pretty difficult to all have just one earth lead connected to the same earthing connection, but that would surely solve the problem! (Multiple points connected to earth in your signal path can cause noise problems too which is also a pain in the backside!)

I was very pleased to see that my Shuker 7 string made it in to prime position in this piece regarding ramps. A nice surprise! https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2013/04/03/bass-ramps-the-how-and-why/

I went for the stealth look on mine. I planned with (Jon) Shuker to create a fully adjustable ramp - mine can drop right down in to the body and it practically disappears. Jon now uses this design for most of his orders that ask for a ramp now unless they ask for something a bit more specific - @MacDaddy I’m looking at you mate

Are they suitable for my generation?

If you want to get a Fender "Lynott" bass - and you can find one (like I did) then my very strong recommendation (to which you will be amazed at the quality) will be a Japanese made, non-export model PB70-US BLK which had the option of coming with a mirror scratch plate. An insanely nice piece of Japanese craftwork from a period when they were knocking out top quality for about £500 delivered to the UK. Ummm.. something else I stupidly sold.. will.never.learn.

I like the way you work it .... No diggingity, I got to bass it up, bass it up

Also makes for a thumb rest too, yup

True, it's not an exercise tool to help develop but I would add that its also not a gadget designed to make up for poor technique either. I don't have poor technique but I like using a ramp in the same way that I might like using an effect pedal or plectrum. With poor technique I would agree with you that the ramp could get in the way, but I have no problem plucking around the ramp when I don't use it and slip straight in to position when I do Pickups are rubbish ramps unless the pickup shells (at least) are radiused to match the fretboard. I'd say they were a halfway house to the helpful function of a ramp even if loads of people "do it". p.s. sorry if it sounds like I am picking holes, I'm genuinely not Just wanted to offer a different view on ramps

Indeed this. I've taken on students who have been playing in bands for say, 15 years maybe more and loving it, but similarly have no idea what chords, keys or time signatures actually are. We have an incredible aptitude for being able to figure stuff out without the "on paper" theory. Yes, its fine to go on without but there's no harm in arming yourself with "the knowledge" - and it won't sanitise your creativity by understanding a bit more. In terms of technique, generally everyone I have taken on has been "ok" though in some cases I have had to spend considerable time undoing some bad posture that had taken its toll. You certainly aren't in a minority though and as per the quote, keep doing it and loving it

See, whats happening in my head is that I'd like a bass that "does" P bass, but also is a 5 string.. and maybe an MM pickup on board too... and... flippin' GAS!!!