SpondonBassed

Yes. They've got rid of the ad wall that used to go upstairs and there was nothing for a while due, it was claimed, to the 'net making it redundant. I think they must have had a backlash to that because it is back. Not as big as it was but there is space on the wall for informal band related advertising once more.

I'll wrap this topic up with some last photos. The bass is sounding good. I really like the tone from the neck pick-up on its own with full treble. Lovely and dry with those D'Addario semi-flats. With both pick-ups the sound is warm. The bridge pick-up gives a nicely defined sound and allows some diplomacy in the lower frequencies where the neck pick-up has a nice fat bottom end always. Thanks to whoever donated those strings to the raffle at Midlands' BB4, they're playing in nicely. There was a neatly trimmed plastic truss adjustment cover supplied and a Pit Bull decal that wouldn't fit between the machine heads. I wanted to put something of my own on it so it wasn't an issue. The plastic cover looks neat enough. There would be no problem using it with the black hardware. I am very happy with the whole project. I chose to replace a lot of the screws with stainless steel ones for my own reasons, not because I had a particular problem with those supplied. The few that I used were fine. The pick-up springs supplied were twice as long as they needed to be. Fitted, they would not allow the screw to bite more than a thread and a half. I cut them in half and they worked well enough. With the electronics, the instructions call for the hot wire to go to the short pin on the output socket. On the one supplied it was the mid-length pin. When wired correctly the socket was noisy if the plug was fully home. It would only cleanly connect with a washer acting as a spacer between plug and socket so I replaced it with a good one from Foulds of Derby. Ask for "Ferrit" if you're looking for electronics advice. He's a good 'un. I found that the roughly finished body was close enough to shape. There was no need to remove much more off it to end up with a pleasingly rounded shape. The neck was finished to size and was a neat and snug fit in the neck pocket from the start. All that was left was the finishing and assembly. I'd happily do it again. This one is a keeper though and it brings my collection to four in total so the next one has to have something special. I'm in no rush as I've got to claw back some practice time and do some house maintenance before Winter.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1503996487' post='3361953'] Very much so. We like having keen fans - but of the music and banter You're more than welcome to come to any of our gigs. I've just posted a load this morning on our page, in the Leicester and Nuneaton area. Do say hello if you make it along. [/quote] Cheers Norris! I'd be delighted to check out the band. I've got a couple of things lined up for the immediate future but hopefully I can get before the year is out. Going to look at your web page now.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1503989121' post='3361911'] I think I typed [i]worst bass guitar finish ever[/i] into google image search. deviate away. I went to Edinburgh this weekend so nothing's been done. Having been a resident for Edinburgh for many years I forgot the number one rule - avoid during august - actually that's unfair, if you are up for the festival it's amazing.... if you're up to do things like live or visit fiends having 5000 slowly meandering tourists between where you were and where you wanted to be is well annoying! [/quote] I never visit fiends willingly. Heeheehee. Did you see anything special from the festival while you were there though?

[quote name='James Nada' timestamp='1503833588' post='3361093'] Ha ha, I love that guy. "Big bass, great for hiding tit sweat"! Nice axe too. [/quote] I bet it works for finch sweat too. [i]'k off, it's hot![/i] That's a really nice looking guitar. Good to see an old head and cab too.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1503959023' post='3361879'] The Harrow in Thurmaston on Saturday Actually I think she might be getting the message slowly. Taking some time to respond to the messages to the page helps to slow the momentum [/quote] I imagine you are walking the line between politely keeping her at a distance and upsetting her. Diplomacy test or what?

[quote name='fftc' timestamp='1503952623' post='3361836'] Have you seen the photos? [/quote] [quote name='KevB' timestamp='1503951319' post='3361819'] That settles it, I'm deffo going along to Norris's next gig, anyone else in east mids up for it? [/quote] I've just been doing a bit of Cheeze stalking just now myself! I found a few clips on YT. On one of those videos there is a large woman giving it her all beside a fruit machine to the sound of Radar Love. Those are the sort of gigs I like. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP2Hxk_6rMY This year I have been making time to see some of the bands that BC members are in. The Cheeze looks entertaining enough so it's now on my short list.

[quote name='Bass_Guardian' timestamp='1503930905' post='3361628'] Lets just calm down and eat some Avogadro [/quote] Can't. I used all of mine to condition my beard. I can't afford a new one until I'm solvent again.

[quote name='The Jaywalker' timestamp='1503831590' post='3361082'] Yeah, cellist pal of mine has often walked into a pop session with a string section where the band have played them the track and and asked if they wanted to record straight away or have a few run-throughs. Band always very confused to be asked for the string parts... My friend has a neat line in extending her fee by composing/arranging/writing the parts in the studio. Ultimately, by not being clued up on this kind of thing, the bands end up paying more than expected for the string section and for extra studio time. [/quote] No doubt they make beautiful music together anyway.

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1503831070' post='3361075'] I absolutely reject the notion that "intelligence" is an issue here. I, like millions of other people, could read music before I was ten... not because I'm clever, but because I went to music lessons. It's not difficult... it all comes down to wanting to do it and being willing to put in the practice. If it's not relevant to you, then fine. But I would suggest to kids who have a dream of making a living as a professional musician that learning to read might be a good idea... it opens some doors in terms of paid gigs. [/quote] Ah. You've taken my remark about intelligent people personally. That was not my intention but carry on. I have already mentioned above that I had music lessons in Primary School where we'd just started using the stave. I don't really like to repeat stuff but in this instance... I was taken out of that environment and put into one where music was more prevalent than before but where lessons in reading and writing came later in the school curriculum. You could say that I've seen both sides of the same coin. I have made a choice to not waste my time with score because music is more accessible to me without. What's hard to understand? Edit: I didn't say that intelligence was an issue BTW. My comment was about small minded thinking on the part of folk what have big brains.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1503770874' post='3360843'] As for the quality of modern tools, once upon a time we used to make stuff in Britain using quality steel. These days they are usually made in the far East as cheaply as possible. Premium quality tools are available but tend to cost premium prices. You get what you pay for. However with things like planes, as long as the body isn't cracked or the blade chipped, one made e.g. in the sixties is just as good as anything you can buy new today. It is after all a hunk of metal. Even some of the vintage wooden ones are still perfectly serviceable - it's a flat surface with a blade poking out [/quote] I just looked up "Sheffield Steel" and got a company in Ohio! [quote name='samhay' timestamp='1503775104' post='3360873'] A No. 4 is a good size for jointing using a shooting board. [/quote] Samhay's suggestion got me looking further; http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/Setting%20Up%20and%20Using%20a%20Shooting%20Board4.html

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1503775701' post='3360877'] I really have to address this. It's bullshit IMO. [/quote] Thanks for the sentiment. I stand by my words though. You have reinforced my opinion.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1503752582' post='3360720'] ...TAB is no more EVIL than Notation is '[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]incomprehensible gibberish'...[/font][/color] [/quote] Thank you.

Ta

[quote name='TCsBass' timestamp='1503707071' post='3360504'] Humour... an Earth concept. It... is... not logical, Jim! [/quote] It's spelling Jim but not as we know it in Milwaukee.

I think you need to accept that having a stalker or two is a milestone in your musical career. Well done Norris! How you cope now will determine how the rest of your career goes. No pressure. Heeheehee - Bunny boilers. First world problem or what?

[quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1503748883' post='3360678'] Seeing as you answered my comment... that reads of "chip on the shoulder" frankly. I don't know why. I'm far from the best bass player in the world. You're almost certainly a more skilled bass player than me. Does that make you elite? I happen to be able to read notation due to the background I happen to have. I find it handy. Lucky me. Does it make me 'special' - no, I don't think so. [/quote] I didn't write it that way but you can take what you want from it. It was merely an answer to your comment so I see no need to be personal about it. I'll leave it there. Enjoy your weekend.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1503736077' post='3360579'] ...Unfortunately old planes are collectors items too. I was lucky enough to pick up an old Stanley jack plane that someone had spent ages reconditioning and repainting - killing its collectable value in the process It's a lovely thing to work with having sharpened the blade [/quote] Fortunately I have all of my granddad's and my dad's woodworking tools still. I am neither a collector nor a speculator so it's a win win situation for me, liking hand tools as I do. I like machine tools as well you understand but it's hard to put any soul into your work using them.

[quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1503736238' post='3360581'] I learned to read notation at school when I was about 9. I then played percussion in brass bands of all things where reading was pretty much a necessity. I've no recollection of ever finding it particularly difficult. Sight reading on the other hand is something else... it comes through a lot of experience as you don't have time to *think*. If I have to write out a bass part then it feels natural to use notation. Reading notation is just a handy skill and closes some things off to you if you can't do it but it's no more elitist than being able to play slap (I can't!). If you don't have time or don't care then no big deal. Like many things, if you *really* need it then you'll know. [/quote] [b]Elite[/b] Definitions n. A group or class of persons or a member of such a group or class, enjoying superior intellectual, social, or economic status: "In addition to notions of social equality there was much emphasis on the role of elites and of heroes within them” ( Times Literary Supplement).[list] [*]n. The best or most skilled members of a group. [*]adj. Of high birth or social position; aristocratic or patrician. [*]adj. Representing the choicest or most select of a group. [*]n. A special group or social class of people which have a superior intellectual, social or economic status as, the elite of society. [*]n. Someone who is among the best at certain task. [/list] It always makes me wonder how intelligent people forget that they are intelligent and that not everyone can or indeed wants to reach the heights of intellectual achievement that they have. For clever folk it is an especially small minded way of looking at life. Don't you think? I can read and write to a standard that suits my needs. There is no need to force me to learn an abstract system like score. It is NOT intuitive.

^

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1503703270' post='3360487'] So bearing in mind that reading rhythm is the hardest part of learning to sight-read, why not just go that little bit further and learn what the notes are on the stave?... [/quote] [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1503730982' post='3360539'] I use dots for study, for composing and for writing out charts for others to perform. I rarely read on a gig but can if I need to. Reading takes me to places I may not otherwise go. TAB is not something I have used in decades. Feels like a toy to me when compared to dots. Reading let's me interpret the music of others who may not be writing for my chosen instruments. To quote Marcus Miller: 'why wouldn't you'? [/quote] In answer to both: Because score is incomprehensible gibberish frankly.

[quote name='TCsBass' timestamp='1503702124' post='3360482'] I'll give you an example... I recently flew to Seattle for a recording session and I could read fluently, whereas the guitarist was writing patterns of tab out ad infinitum. My tracks were done in a day and a half. I had three lovely days free to explore Washington State while the guitarist was still p*****g around. The simple difference was that I could sight read the parts and understand what the artist wanted there and then and didn't need to memorise anything. So I'm not pooh-pooing tablature at all, merely stating a practical fact. People can do things whichever way and however they want to. I'm just lucky that I'm a classically trained musician, which gives me a massive advantage. [/quote] I will say again. I am not interested in arrangements or writing. I don't need score. Tab works well for me in comparison. Your example is all very well but it is a situation that I will never encounter. I will therefore not be joining the elite any time soon.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1503688639' post='3360362'] Just to show what the subject is, here's a BB King to play around with... [attachment=252123:TheThrillIsGone.pdf] (Download and change file name to 'TheThrillIsGone.pdf'...) It looks like this ... ... but complete, of course. Purists won't be able to figure it out, maybe (although they could learn..?), but some of you might appreciate it. Just sayin'. [/quote] That's fine by me.

[quote name='The Jaywalker' timestamp='1503651608' post='3359906'] No, it couldnt. Categorically. TAB cannot be given to musicians as a notated part they are expected to perform in the manner of standard notation. Thats one if the most ridiculous notions I've ever heard. Standard notation doesnt use Latin terms. Annotations are common practice in arranging. Always have been. Jazzers do not use the Nashville numbers system. A "Tab Score" is a non-existent entity; score being the collated parts of a complete ensemble arrangement presented as a single entity on multiple staves. (Caveat - I could be wrong here: perhaps piano/keys, drum, sax, trumpet, violin etc TAB also exists....erm...) As previously intimated, giving someone a TAB "part" is never legitimate. TAB is both unfit - and unintended for - this purpose. I'm glad you weren't "attacking dots" given the lack of knowledge displayed. Thats the issue here. A deep dislike of musical learning and any (perceived) hint that A may be better than B. "there's only one true path" grates..." Unfortunately, this isnt a matter of opinion. I don't do snowflake BS where everyone has a right to an equally valid opinion. You're wrong. Why not follow your own advice and "just accept tab for what it does; limited, certainly, but fit for purpose for many musicians the world over..?" - ie, advice on where to put your fingers on a tune one is familiar with or listening to - rather than espousing uninformed and unreasoned arguments about its potential equal validity with standard notation because folks are somehow oppressing you with their different (valid and informed) opinions. [/quote] OTT This is what puts folk off score.

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1503661657' post='3360059'] I remember no such promise ever by anyone. Where does that come from?... [/quote] BBC science programs mainly.