Count Bassy

I generally brace the body between my knees and pull the head back, thus taking the strain off the truss rod/nut, make the adjustment and let go of the head. The bass goes pretty well back into tune though obviously needs minor tweaks. Never (yet) had a problem doing it this way.

I think that, to a certain extent, a jam session should be about working to the lowest common denominator, or somewhere not too far above, so that most people can join it. If you want to show case then you need an open mike, or at least check that everyone at the jam is happy for you to do what could end up being a solo piece. But yes, having a list of stuff to work on is a good way forward - allows some new material to be introduced without excluding people (as long as said people were at the previous session). (I've just edited my earlier post as well)

Except that the set list is likely to change from gig to gig, whereas the song lyrics generally stay the same.

Not me, but I knew someone on a Morris dancing who left a rather nice concertina under a car to keep the rain off ... You can guess the rest.

Not so much an accident - although I didn't actually mean to do it. Playing a melodeon at an informal Barn dance event* I had had a few drinks and was playing the drummist's high hat with the bass end of the melodeon (just the ocassional crash). It was all going so well until I skewered my bellows on the hi-hat pin and the the whole bellows ripped off the frame. * it was actually a sponsored dance marathon which involved doing the same dance** continuously for about 5 hours. ** Sir Roger De Coverly - very popular in Shropshire back in those days.

All a matter of degree really. They are fine songs, but, yes, there a lot of other fine songs out there that most people will know, or at least have heard at some point. At the other end of the scale what is the point in playing an obscure song that no-one knows, and doesn't follow some sort of reckognised structure? One of the good things about 12 bar is that it is largely predicatble, so you don't necessarily have to know the song to be able to join in - which surely is one of the core things about a jam night (as opposed to an open mic)? But yes, agreeing stuff to have a go at at the next jam seems a sensible way forward.

What's the point of scientologists?.......................... ............................... It gives the Flat Earthers something to take the p1ss out of!

All fine songs that are popular for a good reason. Also songs that a lot of people know. Surely, if it's a jam night then there's little point in going off into something really obscure that nbody knows. That would be bettersuited to an open mike.

I once auditioned for a band and as requested learned half a dozen or so off their list of thirty. - Got to the audition and the 'Band Leader' said 'Let's start from the top of the list then' totally ignoring the fact that I'd been asked to learn six, and which six I'd learnt. Thankfully I wasn't offered the job.

Was it the old clothes, holes in your shoes, and empty wallet that gave it away? Edited to add: PS that's a comment on most musicians I know - not on your good self of course.

Bollards more like!

This !!!

Unfortunately, sometimes, nobody seems to tell the house bands. An open mike I used to go to the house band, and sometimes any old band, would get up and play 6 or 7 songs in a row, and even then individual members would just stay on stage all night. Makes it very hard for someone who is a bit less confident to get up and do their thing. Edited to add, one of the problems was that the organisers, who we're both nice people, would go out for fags and who ever was on at the time would carry on until one came back in.

You need to work on your repairing skill my boy.

I should bloody hope so given the price.

What is this 'limit' of which you speak?

If it is to keep the volume down, what does this do that turning the volume down wouldn't do?

Not in a derogatory way, but they look more like mother & daughter to me.

Or do it yourself !! It' not a black art - it's engineering.

Regarding this clip, and indeed most bass solos, I agree with you. However there are some really nice melodic bits out there that aren't a case of technique over taste. All a matter of individual preference of course. This is my personal favourite:

This, except I disagree (quite strongly) with the highlighted bit.

To qualify fretmeister's reply a bit: not without a serious amount of of chopping about - certainly not a case of just bolting it on.

Can't play it as at work, but from the picture I'd say his fingers are longer than mine (assuming it's a full sized bass).

Or he could be nice guy, but deaf.

I appereciated the suggestion, but had new/different set on the way by then. Not sure if it was a faulty string, just worn out, or just something that these strings do.