josie

Hobbyist, but I'm hoping to do a bit of recording some time. Partly just for the experience, mostly because I write songs - some of which surface (solo bass / vocal) at local OMs - and it would be fun to have a little EP of originals to give to friends and family. I wrote the signature song for "my band" (don't ask - we're truly dreadful ), which they love, and it's a huge buzz when we play it. I'd love to work with some good musicians on some originals.

I can only play with a pick - long-term RSI in my right elbow means limited use of my right-hand fingers. You start from where you are, you work with what you have. So I'm developing a sparse bass style with lots of sustain (which my guitar encourages). I do love the rippling finger-picked style I'll never be able to play, but I'll make the most of what I can do. "Less is more" often in bass playing anyway.

On my GMR 5 (35") the B string plays the same as the other four. And even at my beginner level I use it a lot. Just extends your range anywhere on the fretboard. On my Jazz Plus 5 (34") the B string is almost unuseably floppy. And it's not just my poor technique - several reviews say the same thing. Given the comments above I should look at changing the strings?

(1) Imho never skimp budget on a musical instrument, especially your first. Cheap poor quality instruments are not "suitable for beginners", they're probably put them off. If you're serious, cut back on almost anything else to save up for a bass that will call to you from the end of the street every time you come home, play me! I gave my 2yo grandson a professional quality ukelele and it's his favourite possession, he is going to be a musician. I went straight for a top-end GMR 5 (was very lucky to get it for £550, above my budget but I fell in love) and I would have given up with anything less enticing and rewarding. (2) As said before, try out as many as you can - reviews are useful but only by holding a guitar can you tell whether it fits you. It is intimidating going into a shop when you don't know how to play yet, but you can sit with the bass (does it nestle into your body?). Stand with it on a strap (is it too heavy? is it balanced?). Try your fingers round the neck (is it too wide if you have small hands? or is the string spacing too narrow?). Try sliding your hand up and down the neck (does it slide easily or stick? Matt finish works for me but I know people who prefer gloss). A good guitar shop will be sympathetic and give you plenty of time. I spent 2 1/2 hours in Promenade Music in Morecambe Bay choosing my first, and they were brilliantly patient and helpful, wouldn't let me go until they were sure that I was sure I had the right thing. (3) As for four strings or five: while I was building up courage to get into this, I talked to a lot of bass players at blues festivals. I knew I wanted to play 5-string, but thought maybe I should start with four. The best advice I had was "Get a 5-string and use the B-string as a thumb-rest until you're ready to play it!" Hope this helps :-)

Aynsley Lister, "Il Grande Mafioso" - Steve Amadeo on bass. From the new album due out in October, but I got a copy at Mold Blues Festival on Sunday :-) Sounds more like Joe Bonamassa on this than on his earlier albums, but a better songwriter.

Thanks all. Yes, it's good to still be on a journey. [quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1470814814' post='3108573'] I knew Victor Brox as well, a proper musician of the old school, good to hear he's still with us and still playing. [/quote] Yes, Victor is very much still with us. I've seen him pack a hall at the big Colne blues festival, and play to three drunks and a damp dog in a local pub, and he brings the same power and joy to both. Currently touring France with Kyla (the best blues voice in the country if not the world right now). Inspirational.

Hello all - I've been lurking for a while, and it seemed time to introduce myself. My bass guitar story so far: I wanted to play bass when I was 14, but my parents laughed at me and told me I could never be any good. I believed them. Children believe poisonous sh*t like that. For 45 years I would come home from gigs and cry because I wanted to play bass and I couldn't. Finally two years ago I got angry with the demons of self-disbelief, and went to Promenade Music in Morecambe Bay (train ride up from Manchester) to buy a bass guitar. Tried a few and then they handed me a 2nd hand GMR Bassforce 5. Instant love. It has been hard learning something completely new at my age, still fighting the demons, but that guitar will not let me give up. And I have an excellent teacher - Andy Rees - highly recommended if you're in the Stockport area. So now I'm playing a few local pub open mics with whoever asks (so I play a lot of cheesy stuff - but my real love is the blues) and I'm developing a solo bass / vocal voice. My high point has been jamming with Victor Brox - the grandfather of British blues, worked with Jimi Hendrix and still a powerful, and generous, musician. Gear (yes I admit to GAS): GMR Bassforce 5, London, c. 2010 - the love of my life, my detachable body part Fender Jazz Plus 5, USA 1992 - a bit of a monster, much harder to play, but we'll get there (also from Prom Music) Vintage acoustic 4-string - useful for going round to friends who inexplicably don't own a bass amp, and has a distinctive resonance Encore P-bass clone - lives in the office so I can noodle around when I have a break from work Marshall MB15 Thank you for reading. Looking forward to being part of the community.