Happy Jack

Strange fruit indeed ...

In fact, you might want to take a look at http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Andreas-Zeller-3-4-Double-Bass-Spruce-Top-Maple-Sides-Used-Condition/262462159915?_trksid=p2045573.c100034.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D35377%26meid%3D078020885a1e4bbe8e79a3b511cc863b%26pid%3D100034%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D272265484332

[quote name='Matt Bass' timestamp='1465939137' post='3072357'] Tho I didn't have a teacher I spent a lot of time on youtube etc trying to get technique pointers and I'm not put off by the new feel or size, after reading a couple of threads on here have started to think about a new instrument and in particular the 2W TN from Thomann, for around £1300 [/quote] It's vital to get the basics sorted right from the start. Playing a DB is WAY more physical and engaging than playing electric bass, and you really should start with at least an introductory lesson to get your stance right and pick up a few simple tricks. YouTube tutorials vary enormously in quality, and some bits of crucial advice can only really be given by someone standing next to you and watching what you're doing. You don't say where in the country you are, so I can't really offer any suggestions as to who you could use. As to purchase, I started with a no-name Chinese DB which cost me £300 here on Basschat. It was a perfectly adequate learner instrument and I played my first two DB gigs on it too, before deciding that I was definitely going to get stuck in to DB playing. That was when I upgraded to my current Andreas Zeller which cost me £1000 pre-owned, also here on Basschat. I wouldn't consider buying a new DB unless I had a very good reason to go that route. If you actually gig them, it is really very hard indeed to keep them pristine. Your brand-new £1000 Thomann is likely to be dented, scraped and chipped, and therefore worth £500, within a few months. That is not a dig at Thomann - I rate them very highly and buy a lot of stuff through them. It's more that the disconnect between price and audible quality is, if anything, even more marked in the world of DB than it is in the world of electric bass. I know people who have bought £5000 flatback 1880s German DBs and found that they don't sound as good as the "cheap" DB they replace.

You mean you couldn't hear the Slab?

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1465926260' post='3072202'] You can't tell with any certainty what a bass is going to play like by year of manufacture alone. [/quote] This. Absolutely this. It's not like there was an annual harvest which might be affected by an attack of woodworm or something ...

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1465927934' post='3072223'] Once bitten, twice shy. [/quote] That's OK, the bass doesn't come in until late in the first verse ...

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1465916192' post='3072070'] So the gig was just 2 songs - an original and a cover? That's tough! I can't image how you would go about picking the right cover to play that shows off your band in the best light without being in danger of overshadowing your own songs. [/quote] Well you could start by avoiding [i]Sunshine Of Your Love[/i] ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Old-Bass-Guitar-/231973024863?hash=item3602ab745f:g:cocAAOSwOVpXWF~V Appears to have been re-finished using a 4" wallpaper paste brush dipped in yacht varnish.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1465894009' post='3071836'] I'm a big fan of the SB320 and I'm happy to recommend these basses to anyone, but sad to say the days of picking them up for £200 are long gone. [/quote] Speaking of which, this just cropped up on eBay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bass-collection-/152127777256?hash=item236b85a9e8:g:A6YAAOSw2GlXDWR6 I do hope it isn't a Basschatter, but the truth is that this bass is in pretty ropey condition, despite the (brief) description. If the vendor genuinely believes he can get north of £250 for a much-buggered-about 325 then a mint 4-string 320 will deffo be more than £300.

Good place to keep your cable and a tuner ...

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/697-obscure-musical-backwaters/page__hl__obscure

[quote name='BassBunny' timestamp='1465846781' post='3071584'] Steve, I've got 3 Bass Collection 5 strings. Just over 7lbs so the 4 string would probably come in less. Welcome to come and try if you want. You'd pick one up for around £200 and they are pretty awesome, ( hence me having 3 of them ). [/quote] I'm a big fan of the SB320 and I'm happy to recommend these basses to anyone, but sad to say the days of picking them up for £200 are long gone. Expect to see adverts for £350, maybe try to get them down to £300. Even at £350 a bass of this quality is still an unbeatable bargain.

I always take my bass(es) out of the van, but the rest I'm less concerned about. It's a panel van (an old Vito) so what's in the back is invisible, and even if someone broke in I wonder how many scallies would know that McGregor PA cabs are not worth nicking whereas Barefaced cabs are valuable. In fact, pretty much all of my band gear would be unrecognised by anyone who wasn't involved with the music biz. Here on Basschat most people have some clue that a Powersoft Digam amp is worth a bob or two, but yer average man in the street? I doubt it. Having said that, nothing expensive (as opposed to valuable) is ever left in the van more than overnight after a late gig. I just can't be arsed to have to replace stuff that works for me and that I like using.

Damn! I clicked on this topic hoping to see some custom-built Waiting Rooms. None of the off-the-shelf Waiting Rooms really float my boat ...

Has anyone actually asked Dawn what she thinks?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Barefaced-compact-1x15-Bass-Cab-Road-Worn-Lightweight-Cabinet-/272265736918?hash=item3f644d72d6:g:zzwAAOSwmtJXVXd6

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BASS-LAKE-PLACID-BLUE-VINTAGE-TINT-SKUNK-STRIPE-NECK-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-/152126663577?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276

[quote name='DaytonaRik' timestamp='1465804342' post='3071008'] I wouldn't be too worried! [url="https://youtu.be/VxGSFdMk0qM"]https://youtu.be/VxGSFdMk0qM[/url] [/quote] Bwahahahahahahaha!!! I mean, it's good that they're trying and all, but really - [u][i][b]this [/b][/i][/u]is what the fuss was about? Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

Vintage (brand) instruments are completely pot luck. Some are surprisingly light, some are outrageously heavy. Besides which, it's such a bloody stupid name that I could only own one by sanding it off the headstock.

And now ... the SouthEast BassCreche: [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Just%20Stuff/Sundry/babywhite_zpsj4zeyod6.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Just%20Stuff/Sundry/babywhite_zpsj4zeyod6.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Just%20Stuff/Sundry/babyblack_zpshfnzgvtx.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Just%20Stuff/Sundry/babyblack_zpshfnzgvtx.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

There's only so many frogs' legs a man can eat ...

No, no, no! He didn't say "wrench" ...

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1465722793' post='3070409'] @HappyJack - What's the weight of that Westone, please? How's the balance for playing when standing up? [/quote] Weight = just shy of 8lbs, maybe nearer 7.5lbs. I have lighter basses than that (SGC Nanyo Bass Collection SB320 for example, or my Mike Lull P-bass) but if you're looking for a combination of low weight with whacky design then that's the best I can offer. Neckdive = not that much. More than a Precision but way less than a T-bird. With basses this light, it's worth remembering that a 'sticky' strap (like my neoprene Comfort Strapp) makes far more difference, and that the weight of the lead looped through your strap and into the socket again makes more difference than it would with an 11lb bass. Above all, it is - of course - headless! This is at The Horns in Watford, sound was appalling, performance not much better, but at least you can see how it looks on stage. http://youtu.be/L6OLY_OyFu4

Whether or not something is hefty is, fundamentally, a matter of hubricity.

[quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1465720634' post='3070382'] Now by the time I've loaded the Pa back in the house ... [/quote] Your Dad comes to your gigs?