Cato

I think the Gretsch is intended to be tuned A to A or higher. There are quite a few examples online of people stringing baritones with a bass vi set and tuning them E to E but the results seem to be mixed, with people complaining about low tension on the lower strings. I am looking at baritones as well but I can't really see any advantage of not having the instrument tuned a full octave below standard.

I assumed that they'd gone because I haven't been able to find anywhere that's stocking them at the moment. If that's not the case I may be flipping a coin between the Eastwood and the Burns. You've probably already seen this but...

I've also come across a couple of interesting bass vi types from a company called Agile but I don't think that they are available in Europe. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=agile+bass+vi&oq=agile+bass+vi&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60j0l2.13663j0j7&client=tablet-android-samsung&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

I've also been looking at bass VIs recently and at the moment my leading contender is the Burns Barracuda bass. https://www.thomann.de/gb/burns_barracuda_bass_white.htm I like the look of the Sidejack but I think the bass vi version has been discontinued recently as has Danelectro's equally retro looking bass vi model. Schecter also do a model called the Hellcat vi which looks more like a traditional Fender type arrangement. My research has led me to the conclusion that there's pretty much no chance of trying any of the models on my list before I buy so I'd also be interested to hear from anyone who has played any type of bass vi.

I'd say it's easier to play fast with a pick because it requires less muscle conditioning. But I suspect that someone who is first class at playing with their thumb and fingers and can hit notes on different strings almost simultaneously would actually be able to play certain phrases significantly faster than a pick player. I don't think it's possible to do a flamenco roll, for example, with a pick.

I doubt I'll ever own a Fodera or Ritter, but I think it would be a poorer world if these 'Rolls Royce' type instruments didn't exist.

I think joining your first band is always going to be a different kind of learning curve, but I reckon if someone is good enough to play along to a record then they're good enough to be in band.

I think the best way for a beginner to keep interested in an instrument is for them to learn to play tunes that they know and enjoy. You also pick up quite a lot of theory, almost subconciously, as you learn how different songs are put together. Formal theory comes later, if the individual is interested enough in that side of things to want to learn. All IMO of course.

Interesting, cheers.

I didn't even know that there was an internal knob. I clearly need to go online and read the manual.

I'm counting stacked controls as two knobs. Are you counting the active/passive switch as a knob? Because that's the only way I can count eight knobs on the Sire. (This is the kind of conversation you just don't get anywhere else).

I've got one. The Sire is my only fretless though. To be honest I haven't spent as much time with it as I should have, hence the unfamiliarity with the controls.

I don't think my nerves could take living in a house where a massive gong could be deployed at any moment.

Thats 3 out of the 7 knobs you've accounted for. I know what the controls are supposed to do in theory, I just lose track of exactly which one is doing what. Then i just switch the bass to passive and it ceases to be a distraction.

We've tried to call them out, our ten best against theirs, but our challenge got moderated and I got a lifetime ban under TB's strict 'no frivolous postings' policy.

For me, personally, the Sire has too many variable parameters, it's too fidly and i have to keep looking up what knob does what online. I mostly use mine in passive mode these days, it's just easier to find a good tone.

Lovely bass you've got there. I've come so close to pulling the trigger on a mockingbird on several occasions. It was the bass I wanted when I first started playing. My musical tastes have changed beyond recognition since then but my inner teenager is still gassing for something pointy.

Batman?

The internet is a big place. If people want to aggressively argue about politics, religion or the more toxic stuff there's a lot of places they can go to do that whilst being as sweary as their imagination allows.

Et tu, Dad?

If it ain't broke why fix it? The creative work-arounds people come up with to bypass the filter are far more entertaining to read than the banned expletives they replace..

I'm not one to judge people for their preferences or hobbies. As long as everyone involved is a consenting adult and nobody gets permanently maimed then I wish them all the best in their choice of lifestyle.

There's no drummer in the world talented enough to pull off any drum solo lasting more than 30 seconds without irritating the vast majority of their audience. The last extended drum solo I saw was at a Robert Glasper gig in Brum by an obviously gifted drummer in front of an audience of jazz lovers. By about a minute in he'd emptied around the half the hall, people were queuing in the lobby for the bar and the toilets.

In my experience semi acoustic basses aren't noticeably any louder than solid bodies when both are unplugged. If you want something that has a much louder unplugged sound your best bet might be an acoustic bass.

I only caught a couple of moments. Rita Ora miming badly whilst being completely carried by her backing singers then a bit of Taylor Swift's set which was actually rather good.