Ashweb

This seems to have gone a bit quiet - Anyone up for next Wednesday (20-04)?

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1460324194' post='3024725'] Ahhh.... so it's you!? Ok. I'd guessed it was someone from SBL Academy.[/quote] Haven't even started and I've got my first detention... my apologies, Grangur. I won't be able to make this Wednesday due to work commitments; other Wednesdays should be OK in future. Other than that, my only regular commitment during the week is on Tuesday evenings when I go for my regular bass lesson. Does anyone have a suggestion for the first topic?

Thanks again for all the advice; it's nice to know I'm not too far off the map Starting to practice scales a bit more especially as the theory part of my lessons is moving more into modes (some good threads on here about that too). Also using a metronome to practice the 'chug' and increase my accuracy. Found a song that is more of a 'chug' thinking it was good practice - thought even better when I looked at some tabs / sheet music which showed 70BPM for the pace (not my recollection of that particular song I must admit) then listened to it on iTunes and it is much faster on the bass line (the drum is 70BPM). Trouble is I'm now determined to get it right as it's a challenge so look out for the next video link whenever that may be of a hopefully improved Pretty Vacant followed by an ambitious 'She Sells Sanctuary' by The Cult. If I can nail that puppy, it should make most others a lot easier.

I'd definitely be interested - you all know what level I play at! Very keen to improve and it'll be good to have other points of view from my regular lessons. I think I've linked to Grangur above ok - let me know if I need to do anything else.

Thanks for the comments and encouragement guys - especially Dad3353 - you're a legend being so generous to take the time to post such an in-depth reply. Louis, I have had to work hard (and still trying to get there) with hand position / technique - I seem to have 'lazy thumbs'; my right thumb can lay flat against the bass which I have to watch and my left thumb tends to slide down the neck given half a chance which results in unwanted bum notes and fret buzz. All comments very much appreciated. I'll check out the on line help sites you mentioned and scan Amazon for Ed Friedland's book (I already have a copy of Bass Guitar for Dummies which is useful if a bit technical in places). I have enrolled on some 1-2-1 bass lessons which is helping enormously but getting another point of view / perspective can sometimes help a subject 'click'; Sian (my teacher) has infinite patience with me but there's only so many ways one person can describe a subject before resorting to the percussive spatula method from 'Run Fat Boy Run' so other reference material will be useful. Thanks again for all the comments.

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1459028902' post='3013066'] Post something in the "theory and technique" forum. [/quote] Thanks for the tip Bassman, and to the other guys too. I've only gone and added a thread to '[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/281860-beginners-corner/"]theory and technique[/url]' Might put a smile on a few faces if nothing else...

I am a very new bass player (started just before Christmas last year (2015)) and as such have been practising hard to get to a decent standard of playing. To this end I recently made a video on my phone of myself playing along to 'Pretty Vacant' by The Sex Pistols (yes, I am that old) as an aid to A: see myself as I actually play and not how I think I play and B: hopefully get some constructive criticism from the good folks here on BC - and put a smile on a few faces - you'll see why... The video can be viewed here: [url="https://youtu.be/3vK2REebJBs"]https://youtu.be/3vK2REebJBs[/url] Due to being recorded on just my phone, I found using headphones best to hear everything; also there seems to be an issue watching this link on some mobile devices - not sure why - some odd You tube thing. All constructive criticism greatly appreciated; be gentle with me... From my own review I realise that I need to lose at least 5Kg and this play through goes horribly wrong at the end. I may need to spend a bit more time with the metronome...

The last time I was in Edinburgh, which was a few years ago now, the Three Sisters Bar in Cowgate was a cracking venue. Might be worth a look.

Just a quick query. As a new bass player, I have been learning fast and trying to get to a decent standard of playing. I recently made a video of myself (on only my phone - nothing special) playing along to a track to A: See myself as I actually play and not how I think I do, and B: Gauge where I need to improve a bit. This is where I thought BC could come in with a bit of constructive criticism; I realise I have some way to go before forming / joining a band and conquering the world but some advice from those with a bit more experience would be appreciated. I did look at the recording section but to be honest, I'd be embarrassed to put myself in the same thread as the guys already there; they all seem to be pro / semi pro standard. So my question is; is there a section within BC for posting 'beginner' stuff for others to comment on or suggest improvements in technique etc? If not, should I start a thread somewhere?

Thanks for all the replies - really helpful. I've had a look at all your suggestions and I think I'm going to go for the Korg Pitchblack; slightly more expensive than the GA-40 I was looking at originally so does that make me the latest victim of GAS?

I've been looking for a new tuner for my bass(es) as I'd like to replace the clip on tuner supplied with my first bass with a plug in type so I'm analysing the output from the pickups and not the frequency of the string vibration; seems to be a more accurate and logical way of tuning an electric instrument to me. I've been looking on line and there appears to be two types of plug in tuner, an ordinary tuner and a chromatic tuner; my question is what is the difference (if any) between the two? I'm looking to tune one bass in standard EADG and another in drop tune to be able to play along with some tracks I'm keen on. Would one type be better suited to this than the other? Really like the Korg GA-1 and GA-40; any other recommendations?

I know he doesn't play bass, but one of my favourite artists is Seasick Steve who plays an assortment of unusual guitars such as this one made from two hubcaps, a garden hoe, a spatula and a beer can. Impressive. [attachment=210910:Seasick Steve.jpg]

Such a lot to choose from, was a big fan of The Jam and The Police - Ghost in the Machine was possibly their best album IMO. As mentioned elsewhere, Peter Gabriel's 'So' should be on a lot of peoples list but.... have we all forgotten The Art of Noise? In Visible Silence and Below the Waste were great albums.

Had an email from the shop today - bass arrived back in one piece and a full refund including my original P&P costs has been credited to my account. Hopefully they can now contact the father and return his bass to him. I've not heard if they traced the effect pedal but I'm guessing he'll be more relieved to get the bass back. Thanks again for all the comments and advice - I appreciate it.

OK, thanks for all the comments and support. The bass was picked up today and hopefully that will draw this sad tale to an end. Maybe I'm being a bit pessimistic but it wouldn't surprise me if I now get an email telling me it arrived back at the shop in several pieces despite being carefully packed and wrapped. I'll keep you all posted.

It seems I've sparked an interesting debate. The situation update is the bass is being collected on Monday (25-01) and I'm glad to be shot of it TBH. Someone posted earlier that I should claim to have re-strung it and claim the cost back - I can't even do that as the shop had cleaned and re-strung it before despatch; they had also claimed to have tuned it but when I got it, it was a long way from tuned so I think it was definitely re-strung. So the father is going to get it back in much better condition than when he last saw it. Thanks for the link Grangur - already watching it - but as you say, I too prefer it in blue and that bass is being sold by a charity shop that's not local to me and I wonder how well they will pack a bass for transport. I'm being drawn to some nice Ibanez GSR 200's one of which is in blue and I may well go for it. Can't be this unlucky twice in a row, can I?

Wow, thanks for all the replies. For all those that have asked, the bass is a Jackson C-20 and I paid £98 for it on ebay. A bit of a bargain I think. I spoke to the shop today and the bass is definitely going back. The father saw the bass (and an effect pedal on a different auction) on the ended listings on eBay and stormed into the shop demanding it back. After being informed of it being dispatched he reported the matter to the Police who spent time with the shop owner and concluded that there was no criminal case to answer but as said above there would be a civil case between estranged father and son (13y/o I believe, same age as my son). I'd get absolutely no pleasure from playing this now, knowing that a 13y/o boy has been criminalised by his own father for making a simple mistake; the shop is paying for a courier to pick it up and giving me a full refund so they will be left out of pocket over all this. It's just one of those bad situations that will only get worse the longer it drags on and frankly some battles just aren't worth fighting. Already looking into others to replace it... now that in itself is fun

Yeah, that was my gut instinct when I got the email, and I'm assuming the shop will pay for the courier to return the item. Lucky I still have all the packing materials. I emailed the shop today as they are closed on Wednesdays and gave them my mobile number so we can discuss it direct without playing email ping pong. I shall like to hear what they have to say - thanks for all the advice guys; I shall have to console myself with hunting out a replacement. There's some nice Ibanez's about at the moment... Edit: Just had to google YMMV. Thanks ahpook that's a new one on me.

The info I've been given is the shop bought it in good faith from a young lad and his mum. The estranged father / husband is now claiming it is his bass and he only lent it to his son and wants it back. I have some issues with this: The shop must have had it for some time before trying to move it on eBay, then the auction was a 7 day auction so there was plenty of time to reclaim it from the shop; also I can't shake the feeling they want it back as they've had a better offer elsewhere... It was a pretty good bargain.

[font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#5a5a5a"][size=3]I bought a used bass from a guitar shop on eBay. It arrived fairly quick and in pristine condition, looking incredibly pretty; when I plugged it in and tried it - it sounded great and I was looking forward to my first neighbour complaint as it's soooo much louder than my other bass. I have to say it felt right to play, sounded right for what I want and I was totally smitten - looking forward to a long and happy relationship with this guitar.[/size][/color][/font] [color=#5A5A5A][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Then I get an email from the shop saying there's a dispute over ownership of the bass and would I consider returning it for a full refund? Talk about build me up to knock me down!! I must admit that I don't know what to do with this - has anyone else had similar experiences? How was the matter resolved?[/size][/font][/color]

Very sad news indeed, even more shocking as it came out of the blue. Seems we can't turn on the TV or go on line without hearing about another great that has left us. Mind you, there's going to be one heck of a jam session going on up there. RIP Glen and Dave - you will be sadly missed but your memory will live on for years to come through the music you left behind to inspire those who will follow.

Just been watching some of their tracks on you tube. I think I'm a fan! Good luck with the search.

Hi Bluejay, Andy and Discreet - Thanks for the welcome. I have started one-to-one lessons and as you say, it has made things much clearer and, yes, I had picked up some bad habits already; mainly with the thumb of my left hand going walk about and sticking up too much. The instructor's threatened to get a fly swat and whack my thumb every time it sticks up too far above the neck a la the assistant coach on Run Fat Boy Run!

Hi all, I am a total newbie at this - until October 2015 I didn't even own a bass and had never played any instrument before. I guess this almost qualifies as a mid life crisis but it's a lot cheaper than a Harley Davidson. How did I get here? A bit like this... I work on a freelance basis, currently in Southampton for just over a year now, and had been able to fill the evenings away from my family quite well by getting out and about in the New Forest area. Then due to bad weather and the evenings drawing in I found myself sat in my flat, watching rubbish telly, and it dawned on me that this was me for the winter; very depressing. Then came the light-bulb moment and I realised I could use the 'free' evenings to do something that [b]I [/b]wanted to do for a change. I've always regretted not being in a band or being able to play any instrument when I was younger despite being a mad keen music fan so this was my time to put right at least one of those. Being a fan of rock music, I've always associated myself with the cool bass dudes rather than the thunder and lightning brigade up front so for me the choice of weapon was an easy one - had to be the bass. I also have a 13 y/o Son who plays the drums so we already have the makings of a house band to really annoy the neighbours. A scout round on ebay found me a Tanglewood Rebel 4K bass and an Ashdown Perfect 10 30W Amp which is good enough to get me going - I've also invested in a set of TGI headphones as I like my neighbours really. I did have lofty ideals of teaching myself bass off the internet and set myself the target of playing one of my favourite riffs - Nirvana's 'Come as you are'. I was soon swamped by the amount of info on line and really needed some structure so bought the book Bass Guitar for Dummies which got me going. After a few weeks I was able to work out the riff (including my first pull off - very proud moment) but was struggling to play at the speed of the track or fully follow the bass line in the verses; it's faster than you think, innit? I find the book is very precise and technical but there's not the feedback you get from another person so I've now started 'proper' lessons at River Studios in Southampton and with their help I've been able to sort out some bad habits I'd formed in even this short time, start to read music and nail 'Come as you are' - even had a play through to the track with my lad over Christmas which was really a special moment. He wants to do 'Pretty Vacant' next so that'll be my new project. I'm finding the best way for me to learn is by practising scales etc for basic technique then putting it to use by learning a song - keeps me focused for much longer. Looking forward to making music, making mistakes and seeing where it takes me...