Beedster

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1470416493' post='3105900'] I think this is the problem with talking online, it's easy to get the wrong end of the stick, you should come along too the bash and eat sandwiches, drink coffee and look at bass stuff [/quote] Agreed, if I can make it I will Pete. There's a couple of characters from down this way I was planning to drive up, so I feel I'd be letting them down if I didn't to be honest. I will however spend the entire day in silent contemplation of double basses and will scowl at anyone using any form of amplification

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1470410980' post='3105854'] I've no idea how we got here, shame. [/quote] Likewise Pete, my apologies if I've caused offence, it was really not my intention, but to be really honest, I've got no real idea why people have reacted the way they have to what was a very simple statement of fact from my POV (frankly had the PM this morning been a little more constructive we probably wouldn't be here but c'est la vie). C

[quote name='neilp' timestamp='1470407490' post='3105816'] If you want to walk round in silence trying people's basses, come and do it. I certainly wouldn't want to stop you, and nor I suspect would anyone else. If you don't want to come, don't come, but why try to rubbish the whole thing. I'm busy, I've got classical gigs and electric bass gigs to prepare and practice for, but I regard this sort of get-together as part of the fun of being a bass player, even if it's not going to revolve around my needs. I'm driving from West Sussex to do it, and I'm looking forward to it [/quote] [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1470408735' post='3105834'] I'm not saying you need to chat for hours in minute detail, but I think at least an exchange of friendliness would be polite before grabbing an expensive bass before playing it. I find this whole situation strange right from your first arsey post I've quoted and quoted from already,why do you feel so special that you needed to be privately consulted about this bash? It's been in the db section for ages as an open discussion regarding plans different to last time before dates were confirmed. Telling us what you would of brought with you is frankly, childish. [/quote] Guys, I've not really 'rubbished' this event or wanted to be 'treated specially' (and any of you who've actually met me know that I certainly would not be walking around silently, which by the way was your suggestion Pete, not mine), I simply stated that, like many others apparently, I would need a bit more reassurance about the quality of this event if I were to make the effort of a whole day's journey. And, thanks, I now have all the reassurance I need. Apologies of my apparent rudeness put noses out of joint, I suspect they were waiting to be. Chris

Just a shame about the shill bidding. Might not be, but everytime I've seen that pattern it has turned out to be. I used to like testing it by bidding it up and waiting for the second chance offer from the seller about 15 minutes after the auctions closed. Sellers can be really creative about the reasons for the 'high bidder' deciding to not pay, but it's always amusing that, when they relist the item, they allow the same bidder to keep bidding it up again!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1470392484' post='3105667'] You've already said you don't want to talk about preamps or anything else for that matter so what are you proposing, walk around in silence trying each others basses then leave? [/quote] And frankly why not, I'd be happy anyone else to do the same? Also, I've three DBs and a very interesting EUB, plus about 15 pre-amps I could have brought for others to try, adding to the whole thing. I don't see why my reasons for attending are somehow flawed because they're not yours?

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1470401899' post='3105763'] Does that mean that there are sixteen people attending, or eight people attending twice? [/quote] I will be not attending twice Jack if that helps! Bassace/Owen, go for it and make it a good event. Frankly you should be canvassing, an event like this needs a snowball effect. You don't need to use the Inner Sanctum (looks like your memberships have expired anyway), just PM a few likely folks and get them to indicate their attendance and therefore get some momentum and more interest, leading to more momentum and more interest. I've been keeping an eye on this thread since April, and it's plodded along like a Coldplay b-side. Given that many people will have to commit the whole day, and will need to book it in advance with wives, bands, work etc, you need to get onto it chaps.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1470392484' post='3105667'] There was another thread started ages ago where all of your points were raised and an open invitation to anyone offering suitable services was made, suggestions of a luthier giving basic services on site were made for example, I didn't realise there was an inner sanctum that needed private consultation regarding a bash? You've already said you don't want to talk about preamps or anything else for that matter so what are you proposing, walk around in silence trying each others basses then leave? Lol [/quote] Well given all these consultations have resulted in a grand attendance of six over a thread of four months (that's recruiting about at about one member every two weeks), it was clearly not very effective. I will travel if I see value. I don't. I'm guessing many others feel the same. Organisers, organise it. Answer questions publicly not by PM, put on an event via on-going consultation and respond publicly to comments, don't just hire a room and cross your fingers. And Pete, there is an inner sanctum mate, there shouldn't be, but there is.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1470386009' post='3105597'] I can see your point Chris but perhaps the tone of your opening gambit was a little harsh? There was plenty of unamplified playing last time and even as an electric bass player mainly I'm happy to have a no electric basses rule, as soon as the Status Mark king crew arrive my ear plugs go in! It would be nice to see a few more names on the list and a few more basses that I agree with, I'd like to see more people who want an introduction to upright to come along too. [/quote] My opening point was simply honest, and probably said out loud what a lot of people were thinking Pete. Re nice to see a few more people, yes, 6 is not going to make en event is it? Perhaps the organisers need to speak to Nik (silverfoxnik) about how to do these things properly, for example polite PMs to members asking if they'd like to attend, asking what they'd like to see/do/hear on the day, and whether they'd like to take an active role? If I were organising this DB event the very least I'd have done would be to PM all the likely suspects, and given that neither myself or a couple of other who should be on the list didn't receive one, I assume that didn't happen?

[quote name='The Jaywalker' timestamp='1470381650' post='3105550'] Gawd, gotta love bedroom idiots...fixing the faulty fingerboard so it's properly flat and adding a BG pickup... Reminds me of a gig-break conversation with a guitar teacher (allegedly) who'd been given a cello and wanted to thank the owner by posting a YouTube clip of him playing it. Six million dollar question was..."I want to tune it like a bass, should I use flatwound strings or would round wounds be ok?" Yup, wanted to stick bass guitar strings on it. Zero comprehension of why it wouldn't work on multiple levels. Sometimes one comes offstage straight into the Twilight Zone.... [/quote] I had a nightmare about that bass last night, specifically that i bought it

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1470380251' post='3105538'] It was NOTHING like a regular electric bass bash last time, I played every bass there if anyone can find the picture of the group shot you will see how many basses there were, more than anywhere I've visited so far that's for sure. [/quote] That response is exactly the type of constructive approach the organiser should have taken Pete rather than a rude PM. But I stand by my point re noise, given that of the four people who have indicated that they are bringing gear, three of them have indicated either electric gear or amplifiers, it was entirely justified. 75% of the gear so far has the potential to be noisy and bass players, whether electric or upright, like volume! Not a good environment to play something acoustically, and I'm as interested in trying different strings as I am different instruments to be honest, choosing strings is the most stressful part of playing DB after all

Apparently my comments above are ill-informed and unwelcome (according to a PM from one of the organisers)? Fair enough, perhaps they are, but they were made on the basis of what's in the thread, and i guess in that respect I've got my opinions and he's got his. I won't however be attending the event if that's the type of attitude that will be on display on the day. Having said that, from the above it looks like not many other members will be either, perhaps because as it stand it doesn't appeal, and because comments regarding what should and should not be included on the day are clearly unwelcome? What a shame, it was in my diary despite the 8-10 hour drive. Chris

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1470375800' post='3105518'] There will be loads of playing each other's basses. The preamp stuff will only happen when we have all played everything at least twice! [/quote] That's good to hear. We need to start recruiting then, at present there's not a lot to choose from (no offence folks)? If experience is anything to go by, if people start to try out amps and and pre-amps, those of us who just want to play instruments acoustically are going to be drowned out by a 300w slap-fest, will there be either a separate room for each or some amplification-free time?

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1470250769' post='3104518'] Just a timely reminder that the bash is a couple of months away at Risley Park Hotel, Derby Rd, Risley, DE72 3SS. It's an easy run in from M1 Junction 25. Sunday 2 October from 10.30. The morning will be a meet and greet, set up stuff and walk round. In the afternoon we propose to have some informal 'discussions' so that we can share advice on various topics. For example I'll bring some preamps and we can discuss these and their benefits/uses. So are there any other topics that you would like to discuss. £10 will get you tea/coffee and a buffet lunch and all welcome, especially newbies and those contemplating starting out on DB. Please add your name to the list if you will be coming. [/quote] I'd love to come to this, but frankly I don't want to spend 8-hours in the car to talk pre-amps or anything else for that matter, we can talk about gear on BC. If I was going to drive that far I'd want to do one thing and one thing only, play lot of different DBs. I'd happily bring my three up if it felt like it was worth the journey?

[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1470302404' post='3104841'] 500 quid for an abused G4M ply that probably cost less than 400 quid new [/quote] Yes, but in the seller's favour that's only about £1 per hour of abuse! Worse, I think they're trying to suggest that the mods ADD value! Board planed flat..........

And if you really want a project http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Double-Bass-Upright-Bass-/322215251580?hash=item4b05868e7c:g:0nsAAOSwdzVXoJwr

[quote name='DanOwens' timestamp='1470262818' post='3104674'] I have a nice Czech upright... fully carved but in such a horrible state. I'm on the lookout for either a replacement or something more refined. In wanting to buy second-hand I suppose I'm considering all options, but I can't afford to spend money on a gamble really. Ta! [/quote] I spent months looking for either a decent complete 4/4 or a 4/4 project and got fed up with seeing total crap being peddled as 'vintage' or 'retro'. Most of the 'vintage' instruments were in fact absolute bottom of the pile quality-wise that came largely from schools, who no longer need DBs and don't have the space to keep them, and which therefore find their way to the type of ebay/private seller who sees a profit in every opportunity (there's a few sellers out there who appear to have hundreds of the things but only sell them one at a time perhaps trying to give the impression that the instrument in question has been 'played by me for many years' etc). I gave up and bought one of these [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311553447960?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT."]http://www.ebay.co.u...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT.[/url] It's huge and a lovely piece of wood. I'm going to do the finish myself (I'm having some very light oil custom made by a luthier), the bridge and nut are currently being cut to my spec. It's going to be, I hope, rather loud

[quote name='DanOwens' timestamp='1470259059' post='3104628'] Thanks so much for such thorough advice from everyone (even you Thunderbird!!). I might not even pop over on Friday now, it seems the fuel might not be worth it. [/quote] Having now looked at the photos on a decent screen, that might be the best bet Dan

I have GES and GAS at the same time, albeit each in relation to different gear - a set of firmly established instruments and gear on the one hand, and a loose coalition of gear that comes and goes as GAS dictates. Good thing is that I rarely buy anything unless I've also sold something so it's a relatively cost neutral exercise that keeps me entertained. Having said that, GAS has been less of a problem of late Dan, in part because I think I've now owned every single bass that was on my list. I have you to thank for most of them Chris

[quote name='DanOwens' timestamp='1470227183' post='3104240'] Thanks everyone. My other bass is with Sam Wells at the moment and I'm paying £350ish for half of the repairs that this one needs. I'll attend, have a look and see how it goes. BeeroftheBass how did you know it was plywood? [/quote] Ha ha, it's quite literally shouting I'M PLYWOOD in the pictures Having said that, someone's going to be along in a minute saying it's fully carved.....

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1470225359' post='3104215'] That's a plywood bass, but potentially a decent one. It might not be made in London unless it's clearly marked as such - Selmer were in the import business and many similar looking basses came from Germany. I'd have a look in through the f-holes to check that the end blocks aren't cracked and the bass bar isn't coming detached, as those would be expensive repairs. Even if it's all healthy you could easily spend as much again (or perhaps a bit more) getting it set up and playable though, which is something to bear in mind. [/quote] Agree with all of that also

Ha ha, check the seller's username! Dan, personally I would take a chance but at no more than £200, and that's assuming that when you see it there are no surprises. The neck looks very thin, and the lack of photos of the top end of the board, perhaps an oversight, is something to keep in mind. Good luck and keep us posted. A DB project is a wonderful thing! C

[quote name='DanOwens' timestamp='1470215779' post='3104091'] The soundpost is currently taped behind the fingerboard (I think). If I can't see cracks or gaps in seams, are there other structural things I should be aware of? Dan [/quote] The problem is Dan that, as I said above, unless the bass is built up many of the structural problems won't be apparent, lack of integrity of the surfaces around the soundpost being a good example, but other obvious issues are endpin joint, neck joint and board, body joints that look fine when not under stress but which open up once the strings are up to pitch etc etc. Bottom line is that it's a gamble, if you can afford the gamble, do it. If buying this instrument ties up your funds and means you can't buy another if this one falls to pieces, don't buy it.