Nicko

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1497687802' post='3320007'] Exactly what I was thinking. Nicko, are you using Nickel Wound strings or Stainless Strings? Some people have a reaction to Nickel Wound strings that makes the fingers start to peel. I had a similar reaction when I used Nickel's, but since I switched to Stainless Strings, haven't had a problem Must admit that I did think it was a load of old rowlocks, until I actually tried it out. Also the amount of time you play will affect your fingers too. Take more breaks. Stick with it. [/quote] I'm playing nickel wound, but have been using nickel wound strings on my electric for erm, decades. I have been looking at finger pressure and action but bot look ok, the only time I really dig in with the fretting hand is when bending a string. Thanks for all the advice so far. Although the skin on the callouses is shedding its not a real issue, and after 24 hours or so they're as good as new. Maybe I'll just have to put up with it and avoid songs with slides!

My Hero Foo fighters is easy for the whole band except the drummer. Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs Last Night - The Strokes Dont Look Back Into The Sun - Libertines

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' timestamp='1497481582' post='3318642'] Shameless plug but my Gordon Smith Gypsy is still kicking around the for sale section somewhere! [/quote] Been on there for 2 and a half years? I have heard both very good and very bad stuff about Gordon Smith guitars. I think the wonky bridge post is indicative of it. I have a wrap around bridge on my Patrick Eggle, and its great once set up, but boy is it a faff restringing it without getting a kink in the strings.

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1497441372' post='3318148'] I don't have this problem, but a friend i know does. His way of dealing with it is to lick the tips on the fingers he plays with. Quite regularly actually. I dunno, maybe worth giving it a try? [/quote] I'm not a really regular string changer. I think I'd rather have blisters on my fingers than on my tongue.

[quote name='Jonesthebass' timestamp='1497439301' post='3318117'] Try the usuals..... turn up your amp and try to play lighter. 3 hrs of solid bass playing leaves most of us tired. Even the battle hardened lot. If you are blistering and shredding fingers I would suggest your digging in too hard. If it's the fretting hand experiment at home as to how much pressure you actually need to apply. Bet it's less than you thought. Jaco used to avoid the washing up so as not to soften his fingers! As I tell my students. If it hurts put it down and put the kettle on. Come back to it later. Also know the difference between discomfort and pain. Happy bass playing brother! [/quote] It is only the frettig hand. I suspect this might be the problem - I do seem to get carried away, particularly with slides. I'm not in any pain, although the tips of my fingers are sore after a 2 hour set/3 hour rehearsal. I normally give myself at least a day to recover before even thinking of picking up a guitar after playing. [quote name='Gottastopbuyinggear' timestamp='1497441216' post='3318146'] How frequently are you playing? I find that if I'm playing a two hour gig or rehearsal every week or so then I have no problem, but if it's less than that then I do (like martthebass) get blistering on my plucking fingers and maybe a little soreness on the fretting fingers. On the other hand, if you have very tough skin then perhaps you're playing a lot and it's just a symptom of building up that much hard skin - when I used to play 6 string guitar a lot more I had a similar cycle of building up hard skin which would sometimes start peeling off. In that case I'd actually suggest trying to soften the fingertips a bit by taking some of the hard skin of with a pumice stone or something? [/quote] Normally at least one 3 hour rehearsal a week, and learning the odd song at home so maybe 4 hours a week in total on bass, and maybe another couple on 6 string. Judging by how thick the skin on the pads feels it might be a build up of hard skin. Seems to be more of a problem on the fingers that have the toughest pads (the 2nd finger is softer and doesn't peel, the index finger is the worst) Is it a combination of these?

Maybe its different for originals where you have scope to do your thing as long as you get the changes in te right place, but for me learning covers, its all about internalising the song. The songs I have most trouble with are the ones I can't play in my head. Its exactly the same learning songs as learning anything else. If you studied anything at college/uni and had a revision technique, use it. We all think differently, and writing out the structure of the song helps me immensely. Often I dont need to look at the sheets once I've written them out a couple of times. I'm a visual person, so I write the songs out in chart form. If you are a verbal person write them out in words.

I often see questions from newbies about toughening up fingertips. I'm in no way a new to bass (playing bass about 10 years, but 30 odd ears of playing guitar in my bedroom), but the tips of my fingers are shredding, and do so pretty much everytime I play a 3 hour rehearsal or gig. The pads seem like bits of leather, but the skin dries out and flakes off on my fretting hand. I'm playing roundwounds, and dont really want to go to flats. Is it normal?

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1497271991' post='3316919'] A guy we did part of of a mini tour with bought a Revelation Jazzmaster thin line for a couple of hundred. Looks great, good pickups with coil tap, designed by Entwhistle. I'd probably get one if i was allowed any more guitars, so cool! [url="https://www.vintageandmodernguitars.co.uk/product/revelation-jazzmaster-thinline-rjt60-tl-fr-fiesta-red/"]https://www.vintagea...-fr-fiesta-red/[/url] [/quote] Looks nice in green, although I think I'd really prefer a set neck and no trem.

Another vote here for the Simon and Patrick brand. I've had mine about 10 years and its getting better with age.

I have been looking for something to fill the gap on the wall between my Mex Telecaster and my Patrick Eggle. I tried an Ibanez AS73 which felt really good, but ideally I would like something wth a smaller body. Ibanez have the AM range, but the Am73 seems to be available only in black, flat tobacco or "vintage" and the vintage looks to me a really bad roadworn version. I dont really want the cheaper AM53 and cant really run to the higher priced versions. Any suggestions for something similar at the same price point?

[quote name='Elfrasho' timestamp='1497248198' post='3316714'] Nope. Can listen to that for about 30 seconds. Bass players that video from the 12th feet upwards are missing the point imo. [/quote] I agree. Buy a 6 string guitar if you want to play stuff lke this.

Play the relevant scale over the sample and pick a note that sounds great

I've only been in 4 bands since starting to play bass. One casual conversation led to the first band, and the others were all through on line ads. Unless you actually know people who are recruiting ads are a good way to understand the mantallity of the band. Anything that mentions looking to hit the big time, classic rock, or the Beatles is a definite no no for me.

In my opinion BB is the best British lyricist of the 80s. Most people dismissed his music as left wing protest stuff, and I never liked his politics that much, but as an angst filled adolescent/young adult his stuff really hit home. He definitely doesn't get the recognition he deserves. In the end it took me a dictionary To find out the meaning of unrequited While she was giving herself for free At a party to which I was never invited I probably wont bother with his book though.

[quote name='Shawman' timestamp='1496223202' post='3309615'] Personally, Soul to Squeeze by RHCP always does it for me. I struggle to think of a bassline i enjoy more [/quote] Good call. Lovely to play too.

No. I need clothing to soak up the sweat, apart from looking a lot better dressed than starkers anyway.

Ironically Under the Bridge (RHCP) is one of my faves, and the bass does nothing for the first verse. When I come Around (Green Day) Girlfriend in a Coma (Smiths) Good Times (Chic) Love Cats (Cure) Ask me tomorrow and you'll probably get a different list

Kinda glad I missed it the first time around.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1495270566' post='3302554'] Dimmer switches cause a lot of noise too, even in my village! That noise gets multiplied tenfold if you have a faulty or poorly shielded cable somewhere in your chain. [/quote] This is my experience.

[quote name='bassjim' timestamp='1495184260' post='3301890'] I would suggest you write/ learn new material from here on as you are now. You don't have to drop everything but don't rely on past material for a while. You never know you may come up with something new and fresh. Advertise for a new player and be patient. Wait for the right player. For now change the angle a bit. Like change the feel or tempo. See what happens and experiment. Maybe you are so used to hearing how things were you cant adjust. If you are still playing the same parts which are suited to the extra guitar part there will be a hole so let go of what was and go with what is now. [/quote] We have started re-working the set and played some stuff we worked on as a 4 piece before we got the new guy in. I dont think anyone is expecting it to sound the same, but itt was just sloppy and the 4 piece stuff we had played OK before was terrible last night. We have a couple of gigs coming up in August and I dont think we have time to find someone new and get them up to speed.

After our rhythm guitarist left we had a few practices that were OK, and then recruited a replacement. He decided it wasn't for him and left after only a couple of sessions. We have decided, reluctantly to carry on as a 4 piece. The origial guy was a bit of a buzzkill, insisted on playing songs his way rather than the correct way, and wasn't technically very good. We all agreed we were probably better off without him in many ways, but all appreciated that he did add something to the sound. Rehearsal last night was pretty shocking. No one is saying it, but I think we all believe we are not as professional sounding as we were and now the mojo has gone. Is there any way back from here?

Done, although I struggled with the concept of the test. Some samples had specific techniques that I personally find very difficult to play at all, whereas others did not include the same techniques but sounded horrifically difficult and to me nt necessarily very musical

I changed mine around xmas time, but they're still too zingy.

Yes, I got mine.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1493977412' post='3292255'] Maybe he felt the negs ? Or realised he was not good enough? There are many possible reasons.. [/quote] I don't think there were any negative vibes, as far as I know it was only me that was suspecting he wasn't going to work out although he might have realised he lacked the ability to earn the set list (which as far as I can tell isn't that difficult rhythm wise).