Spoombung

I've never noticed the bass in Beefheart - only the guitars and drums.

People who work in shops can occasionally be grumpy - we all know that - however telling a customer who has driven miles out their way to be there that they can't touch the guitars, that they're wasting their time because they should have brought their own guitar to try out an amp etc etc is downright insulting and a bit weird. I've never been told I can't touch a guitar in a shop ever before. If people want to give him their money that's their business but I personally wouldn't dream of setting foot in there again. Nor would I recommend anyone visit the shop at the risk of enduring such an attitude.

His attitude was deeply patronising, proprietorial and prescriptive. He talked to me as if he was talking to a child, lecturing me about the most basic aspects of equipment even though I am several years his senior. It was quite extraordinary behaviour totally inappropriate for anyone in his position. I sent him an email with concerns about his rude behaviour and all I got was a begrudging acknowledgement he 'must have been having a bad day' rather than an apology.

I had a horrible experience there. The shop is run by someone with the manner of an uptight prefect. He refused to let me try out basses because 'they were too expensive' said I was 'wasting my time' because I wanted to try out an amp but hadn't brought my bass. When I mentioned I was still using an old H/H amp he looked down his nose at me and obviously didn't consider me a proper customer. I was en route from Wales to London and diverted to pay a visit. Never again.

Getting paid to play bass is a terrible job. 1. You can be a session musician but you might be asked to play with one of those dreadful bands that appear on 'Later'. 2. You can play weddings or cruise ships but you'll have to play things like 'Eye of the Tiger' or something by Coldplay. 3. You can teach but you feel suicidal after the first month. Get a proper job.

'Point' of view! Freudian slip...

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1368520245' post='2077861'] Perhaps there is a misunderstanding here - I am not (and never was) referring directly to the poster who I quoted by the way, just to the particular point which I took the time to highlight in bold. If not then allow me to retort - leaning on people with a less than friendly "we frown upon people making money on here" isn't good advice, it's repugnant self interest. [/quote] I see what you mean. I personally wasn't interested in that part of the story but GAS and collecting and replacing instruments does interest me from a psychological pint of view. I thought there was a little bit of counselling going on in the earlier posts which I found quite charming.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1368477125' post='2077616'] That will be people who love to stick their beaks into other people's business which really ought to be no concern of theirs. [/quote] I thought they were concerned because they were being kind and handing out good advice?

Just wondering how you get so many gigs, Bilbo? Regular band, dep work? Do you have an agent?

[media]http://vimeo.com/65175166[/media] Free improvisation concert from Monday 29th April. Sue Lynch: tenor sax/flute Phil Durrant: electronics Kev Hopper: Bass Hutch Demouilpied: trumpet/ flute

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1367179126' post='2062295'] Thanks! (I think) My favourite of the basses I own is this one: [IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/b026f1c7-7ab7-439b-bc17-8daa47d8b62d_zpsa16afb00.jpg[/IMG] [/quote] That has sensational looks by anyone's standards.

[quote name='Myke' timestamp='1367153064' post='2061758'] This is just stunning! I love the woods! Do you know what make it is? [/quote] It's called a Pachyderm.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1367148712' post='2061681'] TBH while the headstock looks stunning, from a mechanical PoV, it's way over-engineered. All those recessed tuners and string retainers could be done away with simply by angling the headstock back at a sensible angle. Sometimes the simplest solutions really are the best. [/quote] Yep, I agree with what you and Warwickhunt are saying in principal. I just thought it looked pretty groovy.

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1367147930' post='2061667'] That headstock is such a badly conceived design I can't understand how someone could construct a bass without correcting the issues about the tuner post recess. [/quote] Well, I think he has! Look carefully: he's got metal around the recesses so they won't wear with string friction and he's got a clever string retainer. What are the 'issues' you are talking about?

Love the Rail bass too. Surprised I haven't got one yet

Also a big fan of the Sei Flamboyant. The only thing that's stopped me ordering one is a flaw in design. It slips off the leg when playing seated because the bottom horn is too short and curves inwards. Unfortunately the builder will not change the design.

I also find these Atlansia basses very eye-catching. I'd love to try one Stunning headstock design:

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1367145258' post='2061615'] Agreed, I like scroll designs. Hey Spoombung is the top one the new Pachyderm bass from Les Claypool's recent venture? Edit: I googled and it is but it doesn't seem to be in production yet [/quote] Yep, you're spot on it is the Pachyderm. I'd [i]love[/i] one of those basses. I haven't followed the story of the design and production so I don't know if they're available to buy. I'm not familiar with Les Claypol's music but a few people have said it sounds like Stump, so I should check it out I suppose.

I like this sort of thing (the Carl Thompson inspired design):

[b] [size=5]Basschat interview with Lee Sklar (pinned 2 years ago)[/size][/b] [size=5]Interview with Mo Foster (pinned a year ago)[/size] [size=5]Any reason why these are still pinned up and not exchanged for other features/interviews? [/size] [size=5](Everyone's read them by now)[/size]

I play a 31" most of the time. Easier down the bottom end. Strung with heavy gauge 110-50 to compensate for less tension. Treble pickup is closer to the bridge so it picks up plenty of low mids. Short scale can be Bassier, muddier, floppier so use these tricks to compensate.

Well I vote for sex, anyway. Failing that, a conga.

You don't want to know what I've got in my car.

I'm a fan!