louisthebass

I voted Overwater - my one and only experience of a custom built bass as I doubt I will ever again have the readies to buy another custom bass. Chris and Laurence were brilliant all the way from start to finish with the build, and were great company when I met them at the shop to pick the bass up. Can't believe it's 9 years ago, and I still own it (would be gutted if I ever had to sell it).

I'm paying £30 an hour (do mine in blocks of 4). Mine are well worth it .

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1364999009' post='2033879'] I dont think I,ll bother, I didnt really enjoy the last one. [/quote] +1 Will be investing my money in my ongoing lessons.

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1364592744' post='2028720'] So first thing to do make sure your wrists are as straight as possible when you play. Make sure you strap is not too high. Good posture prevents possible future wrist problems. [/quote] Good advice, bent wrists at sharp angles are a no-no as this cuts off the blood flow to the tendons. Cod Liver Oil tablets are a good idea too, and are you taking regular breaks on your long practice sessions?

[quote name='TheBear' timestamp='1362384550' post='1999069'] @XB26354: I was playing in few band, lookin for one right now. Difficult to find a band not running to gig no matter what. People tend to want a be in the spotlight, forgetting that spotlight will come eventually if you''re decent enough. And well, I did ashame myself on a gig.. so not willing to go there again without a good feeling. [/quote] Best thing about being the bass player is that there are relatively very few of us compared to our six string bretheren - you don't need to be Billy Sheehan or Jaco Pastorius to be a great bass player. The really good bass players spend 99% of the time holding it down with the drummer keeping it relatively simple. We all make mistakes on the gig, but if you drop a bum note or two - it's not the end of the world, and you just recover it as soon as you can on the gig and carry on .

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1364377447' post='2025504'] IMO, while there are good You Tube clips out there, as you say, most of them are not structured. For twelve pounds, I think investing in the "Hal Leonard Bass Method" book (see link below) would be money well invested, as would getting a teacher (even better). [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HAL-LEONARD-BASS-METHOD-COMPLETE-EDITION-BOOK-CD-/380137973573"]http://www.ebay.co.u...D-/380137973573[/url] Having said the above, some good sites to check out, while not exactly structured would be : [url="http://scottsbasslessons.com/online-video-bass-lessons"]http://scottsbassles...eo-bass-lessons[/url] [url="http://www.playbassnow.com"]www.playbassnow.com[/url] [/quote] +1 on the Hal Leonard book & Scott's Bass Lessons .

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1364147292' post='2022495'] But this bass does sound great through an amp, and plays very well - as I currently have it on loan. [/quote] +1 - I've got the 5 string version. Have had it for approx. 3 years, and do all my practice on it. I've done a couple of open mics and a gig with it, and it sounds good amplified through a PA.

[quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1364123623' post='2022038'] To me, Pino is always tasteful and sympathetic to whoever he plays with. Never overdoes it but comes out with some fabulous stuff at the same time. Apart from the dosh [/quote] Truth .

Tal's a good player, and to echo a previous poster, it's sad that she gets a lot of flak. She's getting a lot of really good gigs with some top notch band leaders and fair play to her. IMO this showcases her playing ability (thankfully this clip does not contain the cheesy tv interview): [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLEGQ4VO4Uo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLEGQ4VO4Uo[/url]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1363556238' post='2014141'] Buy new cables from obbm and look after them this time! [/quote] +1 - Dave's instrument cables come with the velcro ties already attached .

What JTUK and Chris b said.

[quote name='hunt the shunt' timestamp='1363458331' post='2013035'] The title of this thread seems to be suggesting that a five is better than a four. It is not. [/quote] I don't think it's a case that a 5 is better than a 4... I've been using a 5 for the last 17 years, but to my mind the 4 is also still a valid instrument in any genre of music. I've got a 4 kicking around and enjoy playing it as much as any of my 5's - it occasionally feels like I've lost a digit when I pick a 4 up, but I get over it very quickly. A bass is a bass .

I've started to mentally learn the number of flats and sharps in each key on my way into work in the mornings - keeps me occupied on a 3 & 1/2 mile walk every morning. I'm hoping the end game will result in me being able to instantly recognise what key I'm playing in when I look at the dots .

If it helps... Try and get hold of a book called "The Working Bassists Toolkit" by Ed Friedland - there's a section in the book devoted to "getting good time" with a lot of exercises working with the metronome. Playing a groove doesn't always mean playing a lot of notes - the space in between is just as important.

[quote name='ML94' timestamp='1362776181' post='2004784'] Is it any good ? Not that im saying it wouldnt be. Ive gotten a lot of books to help with reading but failed! [/quote] I'd say it's very well laid out (the ring binding is a great idea ) starting from absolute basics - the main point anyone needs to remember is that they need to take these things in very small pieces, and learn them [b]slowly[/b] "out of time" (in other words, no metronome or drum machine). Once you've got the piece down, then use the time keeping device to play with at the tempo suggested on the page, but if it's too fast, [b]slow it down [/b]and then crank the speed up in small increments until you hit the target. I've been teaching myself to read for the last 18 months, and this process has worked for me personally - I'm still not a "sight reader" by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm able to figure things out a bit more quickly if that makes sense? Just my opinion, get yourself a copy, persevere with it and see how you get on.

I bought Book 1 on Saturday - looking forward to getting started with it

Might be worth checking the local Cash Converters as well - hope he gets his gear back!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1362347553' post='1998833'] This idea was discussed at length after every Manchester bassdayuk, Stevie (who does a great job) annouced that there would be a real shake up before the last one I attended, went along to find an identicle setup to all the previous years even the same guys slapping were spotted from previous years one even identified on here as someones teacher at the same stand (not by request) 3 years on the trot! This is these guy's 'gig' OK as Ian says I was not as this show but I am sure a coffee table bass slapped full belt through a Mark Bass rig sounds the same 150 miles south [/quote] Sounds like the Manchester Bass Day suffered from the same problem as the LBGS - have they cancelled the Manchester show (didn't see one advertised last November?).

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1362342466' post='1998719'] I think noise cancelling headphones might be worth considering by exhibitors if its still difficult to focus. Based on the comments so far, a separate amps only section to the exhibition with individual cubicles per exhibitor may not be such a bad idea either. Or amp makers supply their own cubicles as part of the conditions of exhibiting. Any stands outside the amp area are then headphones only. At the end of the day, being able to test an amp at performance volume is not such a bad thing but I don't see why bass makers and effects suppliers need to let customers go full tilt. [/quote] Agree, this is something that should have been in place before last years show.

[quote name='markbunney' timestamp='1362250449' post='1997627'] I've never heard so much slap bass in one place as at the show today [/quote] It's been like that for the previous two shows .

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1362002489' post='1994433'] I saw this posted recently. A band member actually unplugged his bass and walked off stage because he didnt want to play a song because he didnt like it? It may be because I'm getting on a bit, but if we are getting paid to do a gig, then the least we can do is to remain on the stage. If people want Mustang Sally and Brown Eyed Girl etc, then its our job to give them what they want. Rant over, As you were. [/quote] You've pretty much summed up my attitude towards it - if you're being paid by whoever, then having a pro attitude should always be the priority.

For me - I'm afraid it will be the last time I go. I've really had enough of the volume wars going on between competing individuals - yes, I agree that there would be a certain amount of noise, but even when the guys were going round with the airhorns, it was being roundly ignored. I've given it three goes - enough's enough... I'd rather invest the £40 I spent on tickets & rail fare on lessons. Highlights for me today were Phil Mulford's set, and chatting to the guys on the Bass Direct & Bass Gear stands.

I do about 4-6 hours a week on average, if I have a week where there's a rehearsal on, then add another 3 hours.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1361626251' post='1988442'] The recession and resultant lack of cash, cheap booze from supermarkets, entertainment on the internet, an apathetic population when it comes to live music and badly run breweries are all taking their toll, but we see venues that are under greater threat from local council noise orders and stroppy neighbours because of loud bands and noisy punters. [/quote] Chris's post has pretty much summed it up - a lot of truth in this.

[quote name='TheBear' timestamp='1361691396' post='1989244'] Hi Guys, Thanks for your answers. I do use few books and Scott's site and I'm going to visit Joe Hubbard's. I also use Cubase to work songs, breaking them into parts, slowing them and so on What i miss / can't figure out is a logical progression on what to work / "when" and what's the best progression to get solid ground (No sure I'm 100% clear though). [/quote] You could try this: [url="http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2013/02/07/setting-yourself-up-for-success-in-the-practice-shed-part-1/"]http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2013/02/07/setting-yourself-up-for-success-in-the-practice-shed-part-1/[/url] [url="http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2013/02/21/setting-yourself-up-for-success-in-the-practice-shed-part-2/"]http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2013/02/21/setting-yourself-up-for-success-in-the-practice-shed-part-2/[/url] Adam Nitti is another fella who's knows his stuff.