teej

Sorry, I gave up too, after waiting much longer than I would ever normally do. We've gone the youtube route: [url="http://www.redjackson.com/video.php"]http://www.redjackson.com/video.php[/url] and I've also used photobucket in the past. I had a quick look at your source code, and although I've got a pretty good understanding of html/xhtml, I couldn't see the code that links to the video... was it loaded with javascript (I don't know js)? Cheers, Teej

[quote name='jakesbass' post='341953' date='Dec 1 2008, 02:50 PM']"you're not supposed to rape the drums, you need to make love to them, all the best horn players listen hard to the bass so as a drummer you're not supposed to drown the bass out" That in the days where basses weren't amplified at all. If you take that quote seriously, and I do, you open the door to better music that is multi dimensional due to the increased variety of available dynamics, always loud is sh*t and some drummers are terrible for having an ego so big that they can't keep quiet enough to take the music out of a boring one dimensional space. Of course there are drummers who play just right dynamically, If you're guy won't change, get one that will.[/quote] That's so spot on... and is exactly why I've worked with Chicken-King Schultz for nearly 15 years. 2 drums, hi-hat, woodblock and cowbell, plus 1, maybe 2, cymbals. And brushes. The man himself, busking with Red Jackson in Tunbridge Wells... P.S. sorry, that's a bit off topic isn't it?

Nearest thing is here... imported from USA: [url="http://www.smart-distribution.co.uk/page0/page29/page29.html"]http://www.smart-distribution.co.uk/page0/page29/page29.html[/url] and [url="http://www.gelbass.com/bass/bass4RN.html"]http://www.gelbass.com/bass/bass4RN.html[/url] I want one.

That has made my day! Su-bloody-perb, thanks very much. I'll be mailing the link to my buddies in The Ukes of Hazzard (or maybe not - they'll be wanting me to do it at the next gig). But I'd have to say that just about 90% of non-classical bass players back then wore tuxes (suits at the very least) and slapped like crazy. Anyone see the Swing shows on bbc3 or 4 before xmas? loads of footage of suited jazz musos slapping away. Jazz and blues guys were doing this years before Bill Black etc (probably without the comb-over, that's true). And, errr... perhaps not as insanely as this guy. What a star. I wonder what he did next?

Hi Phil, I'm not sure that this will help you much, but if you don't mind I'll put it out there in case it helps someone else reading this thread. I've got the underwood pu, which fits very nicely on my bass. I had problems with the fit on earlier basses (or rather, their bridges) and this is what I used to do: I'm not a regular smoker, but enjoy a fat cigar a couple of times a year - the kind of cuban one that comes in a metal tube. Inside these the cigar is wrapped in a sheet of wafer thin wood, and one or two layers of this stuff did the job for me every time. I carried an empty cigar tube with the wood rolled up inside it with all my other gigging stuff. But it sounds to me like you're experiencing a much bigger gap than this. I guess the principal remains the same - stick with wood. I use a fishman preamp too (pro-eq platinum bass), and love it to bits. My amp is a mini-brute, and i'm not wild about it. Mostly I just go into the pa (yamaha stagepas 500) via the preamp. That gives me a very natural sound. But then I don't have to compete with a rock-style drummer or a screaming axe hero guitarist (and I hope you don't either). I think the set-up will be the most useful spend - I'm hoping I can fit one in in the brief lull before my first day's work in the new year, but I'm very much afraid it's going to be too tight. Well, all the best, enjoy that bull-fiddle...

Got a reply today from Bridgewood & Neitzert Limited, who are the folk behind the www.vivaceviolin.com site that I linked above, and their 8mm shafted wheel is 19cm in diameter, and .68kg. Larger than I'd hoped, but not as large as I feared. About 1lb in weight if I convert that correctly, which is probably not too bad either. I think I might go for this one, but I think maybe I'll check that german one as well.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' post='314956' date='Oct 26 2008, 11:04 AM']It'd be nice if they gave more detailed dimensions - I have a wheel identical to [url="http://www.vivaceviolin.com/pp/Accessories/Bass/BassWheel10mmInflatable.html"]this one[/url]. It's huge! It makes it very hard to get through doorways, into the lift to my flat or onto trains. I've seen other bassists with smaller wheels (inflatable or solid), which look more practical. It's another thing to carry around when it's off the bass, also. So check the diameter of the wheel before ordering. If you're happy to order from Germany (should be free from import duty), there is also [url="http://jazz.bassico.eu/128/302?l=en"]this one[/url], with 8mm shaft and inflatable tyre.[/quote] Thanks, that's the kind of thing I was concerned about, I've already emailed them asking about the diameter.

Well, I have found a wheel in the uk with an 8mm shaft: [url="http://www.vivaceviolin.com/pp/Accessories/Bass/433021.html"]here[/url]. Don't know how I missed it earlier, I certainly looked on that site. However, it's not exactly what I was looking for - I prefer the look/sound of the solid Scott Lightweight wheel (although this one's a lot cheaper). Anybody got any experience or insight into the pneumatic v solid issues?

[quote name='Huge Hands' post='314538' date='Oct 25 2008, 02:06 PM']As we start to set our gear up, another band shows up. Bearing in mind this venue is smaller than your average home's lounge and dining room, it starts to get a bit tense when they start moving our gear off stage. The bar owner, who didn't know they were coming and was presuming we'd still play, tells us they are a young group of 14-17 year olds who Amy either knows or is related to, playing skiffle and rock and roll.[/quote] That'll be Kitty, Daisy and Lewis, then? Sounds like a truly annoying masterwork of mis-management from this organiser. At least you got paid, but shame about missing the party.

[quote name='steviedee' post='313033' date='Oct 23 2008, 03:30 PM']I bought a K&K bass max which I'm quite pleased with, I was looking at using my sansamp bddi as a pre but it's a bit overkill I think, so I have just bought PJB Bass Briefcase which incorporates a bass buddy, so I was hoping I could DI at bigger gigs monitor with the briefcase , we shall see.....[/quote] ooh - looking forward to hearing how you get on with the briefcase, let us know please.

[quote name='bassace' post='310729' date='Oct 20 2008, 07:46 PM']...get a Fishman Pro eq, or better still a Platinum Pro eq, preamp. This will not only buffer the impedence but will shape the tone, reduce feedback by a phase inverter and in the case of the Platinum act as a DI and more besides. Good luck.[/quote] +1 back for Fishman Platinum Pro eq preamp! I use mine all the time, straight into the pa - don't bother with my amp anymore. Excellent bit of kit, truly one of those 'what did i do before?' things.

good man

We just did a well-paid wedding west of Toulouse followed by a gig in an irish pub on the way back for accomodation, food, beer and whiskey: 3 bodies, 2 guitars, guitar amp, pa, double bass, drum kit in a Sierra for 4 days! Suits etc in roofbox. Sad but true.

[quote name='Birtrum' post='310381' date='Oct 20 2008, 01:04 PM']Thanks for the reply, do you use a two head transducer or a four head one?[/quote] I use the underwood pu, two transducers slotting into the bridge wings. Used to have a sticky guitar bug under the neck for slap, but abandoned that ages ago, I get enough slap without it. If you can afford it, it's well worth shelling out for a pre-amp to boost your signal going into your amp/pa. By the way - slap's not an exclusive rockabilly thing - all the blues guys would have played that way, Willie Dixon and Big Crawford certainly did ten years prior to Bill Black, and all the jazz guys in the '20s & '30s probably had to to get heard. Check out youtube vids of Cab Calloway, Louis Jordan et al. There's a slapped double bass in either Casablanca or To Have and Have Not, both early '40s. Anyway - however you do it, get that bass out there and have yourself some fun...

[quote name='Tig' post='308089' date='Oct 16 2008, 07:19 PM']Hi Guys and Gals. Just a couple of quick q's 1: Do you have to have a differnet bridge (higher) to do Rockabilly slap. I just can't seem to get away with it. Instrument does have a nice warm tone when played finger style so I'm convinced that this D/B is set up for jazz. 2: Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced pick up trans ducer set up for D/B's Thanks in advance. Tig[/quote] yeah, you need to have the strings high enough to be able to get enough finger tip flesh around the string to be able to pop it up, or in other words, to get a grip on the string (well, at least that's the way i do it - never had any lessons in slapping). it doesn't need to be as high as some classical set-ups i've seen - but a real fast jazz action could well be too low. i'm a bit out of touch with pick-ups - i love my underwood, but i'm interested in the realist. don't like the fishman thing that slots onto the top of the bridge, but their preamps are must-have bits of kit. good luck with the slap, and whatever anyone says don't tape those fingers up - you'll never get the callouses, cheers, teej

I've always wanted to do 'There's No Lights on the Christmas Tree Mother, They're Burning Big Louie Tonight'. I think it's an old ('40s) number, but I've only heard the Sensational Alex Harvey Band version. All about the electricity failing because some gangster is getting fried in the electric chair.

Hey Tom, welcome to the forum! I swear by my Fishman Pro-Eq Platinum Bass Preamp: volume+gain / compression+depth dials (4); phase switch; 5 band slider graphic eq; pre/post and lift/ground switches for the xlr => pre/post means you can send clean signal (pre) to the pa, or use your own settings (post). You can send a clean signal to pa and your chosen sound to your amp via the jack output. (never quite figured out what the lift/gnd one does!); works on battery/mains/phantom power. I hardly ever use my polytone mini-brute combo anymore. This gizmo (the preamp) is about £150, I think, and it has a baby brother without as many features, but smaller, lighter, cheaper - would strap to the tailpiece. Happy hunting, Teej edit: forgot to mention the 3 outputs: 1x xlr, and 2x jack = 1 for your amp + 1 for a tuner. That's how you can send a signal to the pa and another to your amp.

[quote name='tonybassplayer' post='306570' date='Oct 14 2008, 07:47 PM']I put it on, made a brew and enjoyed it reading the review.....always wanted to try busking, do you need a licence or just turn up and play ??[/quote] Thanks, glad you enjoyed it - I'm thinking of putting a blog together. Regarding the ins and outs of busking and the law; every town is different. Some have licensing schemes where you pay for a year and wear a badge, some you have to apply in advance for each visit, but it's free, some just collect names and details and you agree to toe whatever line they've chalked on the pavement (so to speak). Some actively encourage street entertainment and some ban it outright (they'll always find some excuse to move you on). And it changes year to year. We're old school and don't do much in the way of permit application. We just turn up and do what we do. Even so, we have excellent relationships with members of several councils' events and arts development offices and get regular work from them. Trouble is, having a permit generally means you agree not to do all the things that we want to do - like use a generator and a pa, and sell cds. With no permit we can always say, oh really, I had no idea that wasn't allowed... I love it, and I'm proud to be a street entertainer. It has a profound effect on my whole approach to music, gigs, gear, audiences and other musicians. And it's a great way to indulge in people-watching.

Put the kettle on, this is a long one... [b]Saturday daytime[/b]: Busking in our favourite south coast seaside town. With Red Jackson (blues, boogie, rockabilly) It's the drummer's turn to get the pitch, at one end of a pedestrianised street, outside Boots and opposite a bank; and he misses it - the peruvians are there already. No big deal, we go to Pitch B on a widened pavement lined with trees and with a handful of benches for people to sit on. Marks & Spencers, Debenhams and that chain of woolen products whose name escapes me all nearby, so likely to be pretty busy, and we soon discover that the coffee is better at this end of the street, anyway (we're a caffeine fueled operation). It works very well indeed from the first set, with a big crowd gathering and the cds selling better than expected. All our flyers go, and a steady flow of business cards. Several interesting characters stop for a chat during our breaks, and two mournful solo guitarists, hopelessly late, wander about looking for a pitch. That spot is now unanimously promoted to Pitch A. I think we did another 3 sets before it was time to pack up and head off to our evening gig. [b]Saturday Night[/b]: Eastbourne Beer Festival, Winter Gardens With Red Jackson The Floral Hall in the Winter Gardens is a huge structure, presumably victorian, and shaped like a zeppelin and about the same size. There's an enormous stage in the centre of one long side, a dance floor in front of it, and on this occasion, at either end, square island bars with barrel upon barrel of ales from all over Britain. 1200 tickets have been sold. And we're armed with a 500 watt yamaha pa. So we manage to find a techie and get him to stick two mics in front of our setup and just amplify us through the in-house rig (which we weren't supposed to use). Works a treat. Already booked for next year. Notable in the huge beery throng were: a geezer in lederhosen, several germanic wenches, and a group of about 6 gents in full tweedy outfits, huge false moustaches, deerstalkers and sporting what looked like stuffed ferrets on their shoulders! Beer - wonderful stuff, isn't it? [b]Sunday afternoon[/b]: The Bell, Alresford A guitar/vocals + harmonica + upright trio in a pub garden (in october? it was a beautiful day). Well, the seven people who stayed really enjoyed it. Not my regular band and I have issues with these guys sometimes. Too loud and a slightly abrasive tone, too middley, maybe, or not enough low mid: we lost several tables of people, I suspect for just that reason. And always the same terrible patter and jokes. They are great players though. Rather touched that my son Josh (9 years old) wanted to come to the gig and hang out with his old man. [b]Monday Night[/b]: Brio's, Shoreham by Sea Duo with Red Jackson frontman, Phil Mills (guitar/vocal/harmonicas) This was much more like it: helping out my colleague from Red Jackson with a duo gig that his duo buddy couldn't do. A new, smart Italian restaurant. I met the owner outside, as I was peering in trying to judge which door I should use, and he ushered me in in a most welcoming friendly manner. I think the double bass was a bit of a giveaway. We set up and sat down ready to eat, 2 beers appearing before us. I knew the food was going to be good - the place was already pretty busy on a monday night, and it seemed like everyone was speaking Italian. Indeed the food was very tasty, and more beers appeared without us asking. The room filled to capacity before the second set, so that we were very cramped for space (more on this later), and it took a while to get the right sound and level. Not to mention approach: some restaurants want us to be real background, which is ok, we just play for ourselves, try new stuff out. But these guys are up for a party and we soon find that the livelier material is going down best, especially with a long central table with a large 60th birthday gathering. We have the whole place banging on tables by the end of the gig, and the chefs are out of the kitchen, watching us with big grins. Slightly alarmed to see one of them keeping time by slapping a large knife into his palm. The birthday table is little more than a foot or two away from me, and the waitress has been squeezing past all night. As we get stuck into a rocking number, Mystery Train probably, and I'm slapping away, the bass sliding forwards on the shiny floor, she comes over to serve the gents right in front of me, leaning over the table as she does so, with the result that my slapping right hand is ending up about an inch from her bottom on every beat. I'm fairly entertained by this, but not as much, I realise when I look round, as the two swarthy waiters who are collapsing over in the bar area. Controversially they now want Phil to do the gig with me in future instead of his regular duo partner. I'm sure that won't happen, but might be a foot in the door for the full Red Jackson trio. [i]A long, busy weekend, and not just financially rewarding. A couple of days to recover, start work on mixing the new Red Jackson album and back to gigging on friday night, nice and local: I'll walk there and back.[/i]

Damn! Looks like the shaft of my endpin is 8mm and the one on the wheel I was looking at is 10mm. I haven't found any 8mm shafted wheels (is that english?) on the web available here in the uk. Anyone know better? I see there are a couple available from Bob Gollihur, so maybe that's the way to go. Don't really want to buy a whole new endpin unit.

This looks great: a small 2-day festival (no camping) at a working farm in Sussex. Lots of cider (the real stuff, not fizzy apple-lager) and apple related produce with rootsy music from local acts (and there are some seriously good bands around there with Brighton just down the road). Never been but heard great things from people who've attended previous festivals, or who visit the farm regularly with their kids. I'm on the Main Stage twice on Saturday 18th Oct: 12 noon with The Ukes of Hazzard (comedy/cabaret jazz with ukuleles and 3-part harmonies) 2pm with Red Jackson (chicago blues, boogie, rockabilly) Here's some info from their flyer: Middle Farm is on the main A27 Lewes to Eastbourne road, between the villages of Firle and Selmeston. The nearest stations are Glynde (2 miles, cycle path from Glynde station) or Lewes (5 miles). The Cuckmere Community Bus will be running between Lewes Train Station and Middle Farm, leaving Lewes Train Station at 5 minutes past each hour. £1 return fare. £7.50 for 1 day / £10 for both days. Only available on the gate. Under 12's go free. Tickets include entry to Open Farm (a chance to meet chickens, ducks, spotted pigs, donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs; with an outdoor playground, a hay play barn, a nature trail around the farm and a picnic area). Middle Farm, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6LJ 01323 811411 www.middlefarm.com www.myspace.com/theapplefest

[quote name='clauster' post='304832' date='Oct 12 2008, 02:15 PM']First gig in 14 months with our new guitarist and drummer, playing a mix of punk and indie, covers and originals. Went down like a lead balloon with most of the audience (50+ alcoholics) who wanted AC/DC, Motorhead, Sabbath etc, but our friends enjoyed themselves[/quote] Lead balloons (and zeppelins) do down [i]really well[/i], mate...

'Scuse me if this is a little off on a tangent, but for my upright (fitted with an underwood pu) I use a Fishman Pro-eq Platinum, which I think is the bees knees. It's a bass-specific pedal-type preamp with gain, volume, compression and 5 band graphic. It has a jack input and three outputs: one xlr and two jacks (one for a tuner). You can dial in your sound and send that to your amp, and send a clean signal to the pa. Mostly I just go into the pa and don't bother with an amp on stage. It can use phantom power, battery, or mains adapter. Highly recommended.

Book Launch for chef Allegra McEvedy at Leon Restaurant, Canvey St, Southwark, with 'The Ukes of Hazzard': Dom on vocals and ukulele; Ellie on vocals, ukulele and violin; Adrian on vocals, ukulele and acoustic guitar; and me on upright. A mix of trad jazz, pop tunes of '20s-'40s (Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington), and a smattering of contemporary stuff from US bands like The Hot Club of Cowtown (anyone seen these guys on their recent UK tour? fantastic bass-player), The Asylum Street Spankers, and Squirrel Nut Zippers. Leon is a large, smart, fashionable restaurant, all glass-front and plush brown sofas. It was rammed with smart fashionable people, with a decent percentage of beautiful women, and according to a couple of Dom's female friends some rather attractive men. There was a free bar with plenty of wine, beer and some tasty cocktails made with fruit juices, 2 different kinds of rum and cointreau. The nibbles, which were being carried around on trays were excellent but tiny. '50s style pinups on the tiles in the gents - a nice touch, I thought. We haven't gigged for ages, and I couldn't make the rehearsal on Monday, so there were some highly enjoyable cock-ups in a couple of numbers in the first set, but I don't think anyone noticed anything except our grins getting bigger. We fought against the background noise of excited chatter in our first set, but it seemed like the crowd had thinned out for our second and we had them dancing by the end and pleading for an encore. We obliged with our version of James Taylor's You've Got a Friend (or was it Carol King?), which segues into a snippet of Walk on the Wild Side and a chorus of You Can't Always Get What You Want before exploding into R.E.S.P.E.C.T. - all on 3 ukuleles and an upright. Gets 'em every time. Hung around for a while afterwards and took full advantage of the free cocktails and beer then headed back to Waterloo and a half hour wait (just long enough for a quick one in The Hole in the Wall) before getting my train back to sleepy Winchester with a healthy bundle of banknotes in my wallet. All in all a most satisfactory evening.

Hi Subaudio, thanks, I had thought about that approach, but hadn't come up with the magnet on a string idea. Nice one, I know 2 small boys who will be well up for helping out with that. I'm 5' 2" and have never extended the pin at all on this bass, so no problem there! Thanks again, Teej