neilp

They barely sound like musicians at all! Anyone worthy of the name knows the bass isn't an easy option. Even "noddy" bass lines need feel, technique and concentration if the band wants to do the song justice. Find another band...

You should expect a whole bunch of people keen to play great music together! Give it a go, what have you got to lose? At best you'll meet some good people and play some music with them and have a great time (maybe learn some stuff too!). At worst you'll decide not to go again. How will you know if you don't try it?

Thought about this a little bit more. Almost more so than any other instrument in a band (bar the drums), the bass has a job to do. If you're good at that job, you'll be making a significant harmonic and melodic contribution to the songs without ever taking a "solo", and still be focussed on the job, which is to "lock in" with the drummer and keep it all driving along. Have you ever heard a bass solo - or a drum solo come to that - that was anything more than a showcase for the player's technique? I'm not talking about little fills and runs here, which any bass player worth his salt will play where they're needed and where there's space for them. Have a listen to the guitar solo in "Tangerine" by Zeppelin. VERY simple little tune, no shredding, could easily be played on the bass. Now imagine it had been. Why would you? Have you ever heard a bass solo that you could say was essential to the song and done for entirely musical reasons? I haven't, except for a couple of examples from the Classical world, and they're very short and to the point. In m opinion, we're much better off using all that technique to do our job in the interests of the music

Fantastic instruments! I have a 79 SB1000 that I know I will never part with. Its always the first bass I pick up, even before the Wal! Superb neck, very playable and versatile. Who needs overpriced Fenders?

To me a bass player taking a solo is always a bit like a dog walking on its hind legs - the enjoyment comes not from how good it is, but from the fact he can do it at all. A bass solo that a non-bass player would want to listen to is a VERY rare thing

Good for you! Keep at it. IMHO thirty minutes playing scales is more than enough at the moment! Further on up the road, when you've got two minor scales, arpeggios ad dominant sevenths to worry about, you might find yourself pushed! I'd spend more time on the actual music anyway, it's more rewarding and motivating! I think a bit of time in the classical world is a really good thing. The attention to detail is on a different level to what we are all used to

For some baffling reason, I've always had a hankering for an 8-string Kramer - anyone remember them? God only knows what I'd do with it! More sensible, really fancy a Cort Rithmic Jeff Berlin. Wallet getting twitchy! Anyone fancy an immaculate '79 Aria SB1000?

Thanks guys! I have to confess I'm a bit stuck in the Dark Ages when it comes to amplification! I would ideally like something that feels as bombproof as the Dynacord, but that's not going to be easy! I'll take a look at both those options

He did, I agree, but I wouldn't put Bonzo In the category of drummers "tip tapping"! Have you heard Whole Lotta Love? That, my friends, is a backbeat....

I've always used my Dynacord BS412 for practice as well as gigging, but now I've moved into a very small house (long story) and don't have room for that as well as my double bass in the front room! Need a small combo that might double up for small gigs as well. Any ideas? Thinking about a Laney RB3? Thanks Neil

Go no lack of respect for Ginger Baker as a drummer, but that comment makes you question Clapton's judgement!

I'd rather listen to John Paul Jones playing The Lemon Song or Ramble On than any of this sort of stuff. Yes, technically incredible, but what purpose does it serve? Technique, for me at least, is a background process. It's what you use to make a non-musician want to get up and dance, without necessarily knowing why. Someone once told me bass solos are like a dog walking on its hind legs. The surprise is not how well it does it, the surprise Is that it can do it at all. The person who said that was a bass player...

John Paul Jones. Admittedly not undermentioned, but definitely underrated! Bluesy, funky, greasy player with impeccable taste and technique. Who else could have coped with Bonham?

Sadly, perhaps, I depends hat she wants to play on it! If it's orchestral music a black bass might not go down a storm. I have some sympathy with her teacher where this is concerned. I was lucky enough to have a very fine double bass to learn on, and it made a huge difference to how much I practised. And in strictly financial terms, a cheap bass will only get cheaper, while a quality instrument with a bit of age will certainly never lose you money. If you can afford it, have faith and get something that will go with her as far as she wants to go. Good luck!!

The right bow will make a huge difference, and I'd look at that first - assuming you've got good strings suitable for arco and a good setup already. As has been said, it's a very personal thing. You need to try lots, different weights, lengths and stiffnesses. Try not to look at price tags before you play with them! You'll feel and hear the difference when you find a good one. With a good bow it'll be easier to make the bass speak, and the tone will be easier to produce, richer and clearer. I tried bows twice the price of the one I bought, and to me they didn't feel or sound as good. You don't necessarily need pro-quality yet, but you do need a bow that "fits". I might just have been lucky with the carbon bow, and to be hyper-critical it's a tad shorter than I'd like, but I still think it's great value. Worth a try if you get the chance... Neil

I saw that interview too, but I could never work out why he thought the pattern was tricky or awkward! For me it's all about the feel, keeping it locked in and even, but still swinging is really tough

My 79 Aria SB1000. I play more fretless these days, but it has a perfect - for me - neck, and just plays and sounds great. It's very close to as-new condition too...

+1 for Riders On The Storm. The notes aren't at all hard, but if it's not absolutely precise and controlled, it's a waste of time and the rest of the band will murder you!

No!!! The better the bow you can afford, the better the sound you will make, and the easier and faster you will learn. Simple as that. Having said that, I've just bought a carbon fibre bow from the contrabass shoppe as a second bow, and I have to say it sounds and feels almost as good as my no. 1 bow, which cost over £2k, so try as many as you can, even in the £100 -£300 range you might find a gem.

3 weeks! Try not to worry too much, a week of solid practice will bring it all back. I've recently come back to DB after nearly 30 years, so nearly everything needs serious help! Bow technique is especially bad, left hand not so terrible, but I can see I've got months and months of hard work ahead of me!

OK, here goes: Satellte short scale thing, bought with my paper round pay when I was 15 (thanks to Coates in Redhill who let me pay weekly!) Satellite Jazz Bass copy also from Coates on the same deal! I had that defretted, actually it was quite nice! Ibanez 4-string thing with a horrible blue finish - can't remember anything else about it! Mexican Fender Jazz- HEAVY! Aria SB1000, late model, a bit ratty WAL Custom fretless,Walnut, absolutely gorgeous, still have this Aria SB1000, early one, mint and lovely, still have this Cort B4FL fretless for when I don't dare use the WAL. Great value, really nice growly sound, still have this too All 4 string, no need for any more in my book! Neil

Thanks all! You might find I've got a fair bit to say for myself, but I'll try not to upset anyone!!!

Thanks!

I'm a classical double bass player - or used to be! - coming back to the instrument after nearly 30 years, so desperately trying to relearn al the things I used to know! I also play blues/rock electric bass. It's all about the bass! Neil

I have the Roth and Junius bag, and I think it's great value. Sturdy, well made and well padded. Not too heavy either. Thomann's service is first class too. Not at all convinced I'd want to subject my bass to all the vibratons etc from wheels Neil