Spoombung

[quote name='barneyg42' post='1014343' date='Nov 6 2010, 03:08 PM']I'm now using my Yammy Trb fretless as my main bass but find it a bit difficult in a dark venue. The side dots are in the middle of the fret and the side fretlines are hard to see. Has anyone found a (cheap) solution to this at all? I guess I could get some flourescent dots in the appropiate places, bit worried it will look naff. Practicing in a dark room is the best option I guess [/quote] How about one of [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/SUPER-LED-CLIP-LIGHT-Music/dp/B003UA51X8/ref=sr_1_49?ie=UTF8&qid=1289064000&sr=8-49"]these[/url] clipped to the headstock?

Bass Gallery have "Fret stoning to level frets including crowning" at £75: [url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/workshop.cfm"]http://www.thebassgallery.com/workshop.cfm[/url] Maybe that's what I need?

[quote name='Wil' post='1014293' date='Nov 6 2010, 02:16 PM']Sounds like you need a re-fret with smaller fret wire. It's a lot of work so £160 sounds about right to be honest![/quote] That would be ideal (but expensive) so I'm wondering if I could simply have all the existing frets lowered to avoid that expense...

[quote name='redstriper' post='1014277' date='Nov 6 2010, 01:56 PM']I also like really low and thin frets, as low as possible in fact, to allow smooth slides more like a fretless but easier to play in tune. Are there any new basses with particularly low, thin frets ?[/quote] Dingwalls, Laklands and Sadowsky's are renowned for low frets.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1014162' date='Nov 6 2010, 12:29 PM']Levelling is when they do over it with a straight thing with abrasive properties, so they are all the same height, but the high ones end up with flat tops, dressing is when they make all the tops round again. Not sure about stoning but it seems to be applied to a half-arsed version of skimming the tops off the frets and minimal finishing to get rid of dings and suchlike, might just be a local that does that not very well though. [url="http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Guitar/Frets/D35Refret/D35refret6.html"]Here is a run through of fret levelling and dressing.[/url][/quote] I haven't got any 'high ones' they're all the same height at the moment - high. Thanks for the info

[quote name='stinson' post='1014130' date='Nov 6 2010, 11:59 AM']Ive had a refret done at the Gallery in Camden, top quality work at a reasonable price. Im sure someone else will be able to tell you the exact name of the procedure you'll need. I'd take it along and get the pro to advise.[/quote] They quoted me "from £160 upwards" on the phone for a re-fret which I thought was very expensive.

I've got a bass with high frets and it makes for a very bumpy ride. The other day I went to try out a lovely bass but didn't buy it because of high frets. My question is: a) Could I have all the frets reduced in height by a guitar tech? b) What is this procedure called? (I've heard several terms like 'dressing' and 'levelling' and 'stoning' but would like to know the correct term) c) Roughly how much does this cost? d) Can anyone recommend someone in London? Thanks..

I honestly cannot think of a better bassist in Rock. I still experience the same wonder, surprise and awe as I did when I was 14 when I hear his bass come in on the second part of 'And you and I'. His gigantic, vibrating sound is quite astonishing. Nobody else sounds like him. Seems ridiculous (and a big wind-up) to have to reduce it all down to dots

Maybe one day my son will want a pic of his Wal next to his Dad's...

[quote name='silddx' post='1012385' date='Nov 4 2010, 06:18 PM']He has very little knowledge of music theory[/quote] Yeah but he has big thigh boots.

[quote name='skelf' post='1013608' date='Nov 5 2010, 06:43 PM']That is a fair point Kev, I am sorry to have deprived others of their fun. If you would like to say something inflammatory we can get the ball rolling.[/quote] Alas, I'm fixing the kids their junk food at the moment. I'm already wearing my slippers and I'm planning an evening watching single-celled prokaryotes pumping out oxygen on the new Earth courtesy of the BBC.

[quote name='skelf' post='1013277' date='Nov 5 2010, 01:28 PM']I don't think they are that helpful and if you want to play a 8/9/10 string bass at the end of the day that is your choice and if all you want is 4 that is equally your choice.[/quote] Oh come now, Alan. All that hot air, existential fluff and arm waving is tremendous fun.

There's one of these (a green one) in the bass Gallery. It's been there ages. I did try it out - it had a very nice neck but a bit of a bland sound.

Looking terrific, BTW

I'd quite like to do this course but I'm afraid my new creation would frighten and offend others.

[quote name='wombatboter' post='1009756' date='Nov 2 2010, 04:30 PM']Fooled around a bit with my Emma discumbobulator pedal and tried to play the Superstition-theme... not without mistakes but it gives an idea (it made the cat run away).. [/quote] That's great!

4 strings

[quote name='Wally' post='1010010' date='Nov 2 2010, 08:25 PM']Start resting immediately. Absolutely do not play through the pain. The more experienced than I will pick up your post shortly with further advice.[/quote] Absolutely right (as others have advised). Stop and rest the hand immediately. It's very common to have this after not playing for some time. Also a new bass (with slightly different dimensions) can bring this on. Ease your way back on the bass after resting.

[quote name='littleal' post='1009956' date='Nov 2 2010, 07:34 PM']Another couple of pics of my sixer next to my Dads 86 4 string[/quote] How charming.

Oh c'mon guys. You absolutely [i]do not[/i] need a kick drum in a drum kit! Latin music's done without it for decades. It's a monumentally useless, unnecessary drum.

About the course; does Mr Shuker rescue you if you muck it up?