UnderFret

Thanks to everyone here for responding. I feel much better about it having read these replies. I wish I'd trusted my initial gut instinct not to try to record in the first place. There are other people playing on this album who will require several takes so I'd comforted myself with that but I know it's not a great way to proceed in the studio (having been on the producing side of things...) I've already said I would like to hear the better bass line in case I should adopt it for gigs. I will scrape my pride off the floor and get on with things but with a thickened resolve to try to ignore the politics and encourage better approach to rehearsals.

I'm trying to organise my thoughts on a situation and would appreciate others' input. I've been playing in the band for a singer/writer for the past 9 years on a different instrument that only crops up in a handful of their songs. Going back 4 years or thereabouts I started learning to play the bass. I did this because the singer/writer had written some songs that would benefit from bass guitar at live gigs and they didn't have anyone playing for them. I got a few tips from a seasoned bass player and then just learned a song at a time and gradually started playing bass on more songs. I am not a brilliant bass player but I have put in some effort and think I'm playing OK for their gigs. Recently I was asked to record a couple of bass lines for the next album. I expressed my doubts at the time as playing for recording feels like it needs a more experienced player than me to make sure it's spot on. I suggested they get in a session bassist but the singer was clear they wanted me to do it. I put quite a bit of time into preparing for the session, which went ok (which was a relief as I was worried that the pressure of being in the studio might render me useless!) and although there were no perfect takes and it took me a while to warm into it, across the last three takes me/singer/engineer were happy we'd covered everything in this particular song albeit it would require a bit of cutting/pasting which I know isn't ideal. Two months down the line, the singer has told me that they have had a session player record a different bass line for this song which they say sounds really cool and was down in one take so involves less work so they are going to use that instead. Objectively, I want the singer to have the best bass line possible on the song but subjectively I feel like an utter twit and my sense of self-respect as a musician feels irreparably wounded. I'm so embarrassed about it that I can't talk to friends about it so I'm airing it here instead. Confidence isn't my strong point anyway so the idea of continuing to play seems laughable. My gut feeling at this point is to stop playing with the band because I can't see how I can come back from this situation. Aside from this there's quite a lot of twattery that goes on with band politics (not involving me generally but everyone tries to bend my ear about it) and severe lack of rehearsals (2–3 per YEAR), another band member changing the setlist constantly during gigs etc. There are plenty of reasons to be sad to leave the band as well though. If I'm trying to be pragmatic, I could continue with live gigs, make more effort to improve my bass playing and steer well clear of the studio. I'm not feeling very pragmatic though!

Hi there I play a SWB short scale bass which I bought from Bob who's a member here. I adore my bass and feel so lucky that I have this particular instrument as it feels perfect for me. I'm after some advice from the short scale clan... My nephew is 17 and is usually a footballer but he has just had surgery and will be off the pitch for a year. This is a huge blow to him. He's relatively housebound at the moment and I've decided I want to get him a bass for Christmas. He's musical (learned the piano up to Grade 7) and I think he might have some fun learning bass and picking out bass lines for the rock/pop tracks he listens to. My first thought is to get him a short scale bass as it's easier to handle, especially as he's slightly physically compromised with his leg in a brace. However he's a tall lad and I'm wondering whether he'll be hampered by the short scale neck given that he has big hands (not chunky, but long fingers). What are your thoughts? Thanks Kate

Thank you both for replying. Pineweasel, I think you've made a sale! Is the Harley Benton in playing condition as it is or would I need to get the little flaws sorted first?

I'm wondering whether anyone has any thoughts/experience of this... I've been playing bass for a couple of years. I'm not great but I love it! I've got one of the Scott Whitley short scale basses which I bought through this forum from a very nice chap. I love my bass! It feels like it's 'mine'. In January I fractured my left elbow and did a pretty thorough job of it and had to have surgery with metalwork fitted. Recovery is incredibly slow and not looking promising for getting the flexion/rotation back that I need to get my fingers onto the strings. I'm wondering whether to cut my losses and see if I can learn left handed bass. Two questions really: 1) has anyone managed to switch happily from RH to LH bass playing? 2) any ideas on where I can find a LH short scale bass on a very tight budget? My income as a musician has been affected by Covid and is now looking set to be decimated by my injury so as long as I'm doing left hand playing on a trial basis, I need to spend as little as possible. Eventually, I would hope to get a left handed Scott Whitley bass but I'm miles off being able to do that.

Thank you all so much for replying. I have just been very jammy and picked up a new Fender Rumble 100 for £250! I cannot wait to do some bass practice through a proper amp rather than through my 15w Stagg guitar amp!

Hello I'm new to bass playing and so far have been practising using a 15w guitar amp and doing gigs using borrowed bass amps or through the PA, neither situation being ideal! I haven't got a clue what I'm talking about so I'm looking for simple advice on whether its possible to get the following for under £300. An amp that isn't too bulky or heavy for me to lug to gigs as I'm not strong, I have a smallish car and quite often there is a child in a car seat in the back so I need to be able to get my bass and amp in the boot of the car. It doesn't need to have loads of effects, in fact the simpler the better. I'm never going to be a great player. My aim is just to provide a clear, rhythmic functional bass line to a small band (most often lead singer, backing singer x2, guitar, keys, cello, bass). We occasional do gigs in large venues but for these we have a sound guy and my bass will be put through the PA. So I'm looking for an amp that will be powerful enough for gigs in smaller venues (audience of 60 people in a village hall for example, or in a pub) but not break the bank as money is tight at the moment as a musician in Covid times... I've looked at the smallers Ashdowns but they seem heavy (22kg I think?) and Fender Rumbles. Also seeing Laney and Peevey crop up. I'd love a bit of advice on any particular amp that might fit the bill. Thanks