hubrad

[quote name='Metalmoore' post='513776' date='Jun 15 2009, 12:57 AM']Wow great job, the 1st pic compared the the latest made me bet it plays great[/quote] Yup!

[quote name='aj5string' post='546122' date='Jul 21 2009, 10:40 AM']You'll notice far more difference if you practice than with the never ending GAS cycle. Alex.[/quote] +1.. I resisted the 'cycle' for a long time, learned to make a better sound on what I had (especially acoustically.. if you love the sound you make unplugged then decent pickups and amps will just make that tone louder) [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=44673&hl=ibanez+roadster"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...ibanez+roadster[/url] I tweaked it over the years but at each change learned how to get the best out of it. EMG ended up being my pickup of choice.. if you like them their breadth of tone is superb! So now I've finally succumbed to serious Overwater temptation but I already know what to do with my fingers! When's the next Bash near you? That seems to be a good opportunity to hear and try loads of different options.

[quote name='Jamolah' post='545360' date='Jul 20 2009, 03:09 PM']But most of all I just feel so upset that there are people out there who would throw an instrument away like it was nothing. A musical instrument is not just an object; to a musician it's like a limb, a part of the body, an integral piece of who we are as people and players. I feel so upset that someone could have so little empathy that they would even consider tossing something so precious away, let alone stealing it in the first place. Regretfully yours, basschat, Jamolah[/quote] Sorry for your stress. These people are just scum! Similar thing happened to my wife long before we ever met, except without any witnesses or finding of the bass. Even many years later no sign. Mates wonder why I bring stuff in from the car even if we're just having a brew on the way back from a gig..

I know nothing on the bass, sorry, but on strings you could get Picato to make up custom sets, including flats. I talk to them a fair bit from the shop, so we can organise them if you like.

[quote name='fatgoogle' post='542768' date='Jul 16 2009, 11:41 PM']I see were im not wanted. [/quote] Come to Yorkshire, mate! [quote name='BurritoBass' post='542833' date='Jul 17 2009, 02:33 AM']I agree with the comments made by Pete. I think there has been a lot of talk in the media recently about respect. This is a good example. I always ask before I try and I do buy. I wouldn't dream of picking up a instrument without asking. The newsagents signs are a sign of the modern times. All of this is a shame as most young people are great. It's a few that spoil it for the others.[/quote] +1.. There is a general air of ageism in this thread, which going on Pete's comments is not entirely unfair, but I have to confess I think our shop is lucky in that the local rock (or regional folk) youth who enter our hallowed portals generally behave as Fatgoogle has described - they don't give the staff hassle, ask if they're ok to try gear, and if they're getting a bit much they'll shut up and wander on elsewhere. Instrument damage is spread across the age spectrum. Pain! Consequently many are regular customers and a pretty decent number end up coming to us for Work Experience, which is a good head-turner for them as they get to see the day-to-day stuff rather than just getting to play guitar all day! [quote name='GreeneKing' post='542870' date='Jul 17 2009, 08:13 AM']Killing time in music shops sometimes ends up being an expensive business too [/quote] Heh, heh! [quote name='Marcus' post='542886' date='Jul 17 2009, 08:53 AM']Bully !! Musician make horrible customers - Shops get a raw deal these days with everyone throwing Internet prices in their faces...... I don't mind paying a bit more for good service...... I've built up good relationships with a good number of shops both locally and nationally, they value my custom and I respect their need to make a living ![/quote] Nice comment Marcus! [quote name='Pete Academy' post='543371' date='Jul 17 2009, 04:39 PM']Another problem in music shops is the old commission factor. The basic wage will be low, so the commission makes all the difference. However, this also means that any of the staff will have a go at selling you something, despite their lack of knowledge. In the land of the blind etc...a complete beginner can be easily bluffed by a non- bass player.[/quote] Most of our staff have managed to persuade the boss it's better to set a more reasonable regular wage and forget commission. It means that if you're better informed speaking to a different member of staff I'll happily point you to that one, and it's better results long-term for us all. We'll each be as helpful and honest about our own level of knowledge as poss, sometimes poking fun at our own lack of ability on a particular instrument. Seems to go down well! [quote name='Doddy' post='543421' date='Jul 17 2009, 05:25 PM']That's great that is Spartacus. I'm glad the store guy stood his ground. On another note,I once went into a music shop in Birmingham that I'd been to a number of times, and was denied access to the guitar department upstairs because I was wearing a full length jacket. I didn't quite understand this as they had no problem with me checking out the acoustics or the drums. And,this was only 18 months ago,so I wasn't a young scallywag. I went somewhere else and spent money instead.[/quote] I did hear recently of a spate of accordion thefts involving a group described as E.European, whereby they reckon a woman with voluminous skirts made off with an accordion [u]under[/u] said skirts!

Good move! Beautiful bass. I think the Overwater Gallery is more to show us just what they are capable of. One bass on there is now on sale 2nd hand in a shop.. tastissimo bass all the same!

[quote name='geoffbyrne' post='541279' date='Jul 15 2009, 01:36 PM']Thanks for that info. I'm not *quite* ready to change the strings, but it won't be long. When I am, I'll take off a string and measure the nut/ball-end length and get back to you.[/quote] [quote name='geoffbyrne' post='541281' date='Jul 15 2009, 01:37 PM']Thanks - that's handy to know. Any idea where I'd get hold of them? G.[/quote] No stress. We also carry the Overwater strings (only S/S medium 5 string in as I type) or these are available from Overwater themselves.

I usually use Picato these days, no probs on 35" scale (Overwater and Guild) although neither is through-strung. Picato will also do custom things if neccessary. Flats, halfrounds, black nylons they do the lot. We sell them in the shop as well, so I could measure some for you if you know the ball end to nut length.

However, if it was an Ebay listing, seems anything would be fair!

I believe the etiquette is that if you want to say something in that vein you do it by PM, not on the forum. I've seen a few 'for sale' threads develop into arguments, occasionally with a post removed by the mods if it all got too heated!

My original 210 was a Peavey at 4 Ohms. At the time I couldn't get old of a decent 8 Ohm version but I still needed a second cab, so I re-speakered the Peavey to 8 Ohms (2 x 16 Ohms in parrallel) and had a copy made. Did me very nicely for years! Rather more convoluted than SP's changing-of-the-amp route, though. A head and separate cabs is a far more versatile setup.. I use one head - Trace 250W I've had for about 16yrs - and anything from a single 10 to multiple cabs.

[quote name='sykilz' post='540405' date='Jul 14 2009, 03:46 PM']Help guys, I`m playing in a band with 2 loud guitars playing original hard rock stuff, and play mainly a stock Fender P Mexico through a newish ( 1 yr old ) Hartke hydrive combo, the 2x10, 250 watt version. I have to run the volume control up to 6 out of 10, and if I put much in the way of e.q. on it the speakers struggle and begin to distort. This is much worse when used in kick back position. I`m not sure if it did this from new or if it`s got worse, as the band has got louder and louder, so now not sure if it`s a speaker fault or just the inevitable " headroom" been reached, I realise that amps and speakers peak and distort long before volume 10, but am frankly a bit disappointed. Hartke claim it`s almost impossible to overdrive the amp, but I`m doing it easily!!!! Any advise welcome!!!!!!!![/quote] As a fan of 210s myself I have to confess that if you want big and fat then there is a volume limit. You probably need an extension cab if the amp will allow this. A 15" should help on the volume and also reduce the need to boost the bottom end on the EQ.

Definitely don't get disheartened, especially if you've only been playing a year! Took me longer than that to get even vaguely comfortable with the basics of slap technique alone. As has been said already you don't just have to go all machine gun like.. even Mark King has said that an extended bass solo doesn't work all the time! Make it groove, that's the thing. You'll know when it's coming together. +1 to the idea of a teacher, even just for a couple of specific lessons. Someone experienced at this can usually put you right on the basics pretty quickly, then it's up to you to put the time in. Enjoy!

I think we basically all agree on this.. some of us would do the 1 grand bass + 2 grand other stuff, some of us would do the 3 grand bass. It depends on the person and the bass. The only right and wrong thing is that if you are happy with a particular instrument it is good by definition. Doesn't matter what it costs, how it looks or what. Suits you sir!

[quote name='thodrik' post='531314' date='Jul 3 2009, 02:11 AM']For me, if you are too frightened to gig with your bass for fear that something might happen to it, you have probably got a boutique bass.[/quote] To me, if that's the case you have the wrong bass. They're made for playing, not as ornaments (possibly?).. I fell in love with an Overwater fretless about 4 years ago, but I just wasn't playing any electric gigs so it would have been a gorgeous piece of furniture. Now I have the gigs again I justified the purchase and it gets used. I'm not saying you have to be gigging to be worth getting that kind of thing, more that I'm useless when it comes to practicing at thome, so it would have just sat there looking pretty! [quote name='Legion' post='531420' date='Jul 3 2009, 09:51 AM']All the boutique basses I've laid my hands on have exuded quality and felt great to play. I actually feel embarrassed by that as I think I don't live up to the basses ability, hence I'm going to blend in with a P bass from now on [/quote] If you feel like that, you could use the initial feelings of unworthiness to knuckle down and improve. [quote name='Rich' post='531495' date='Jul 3 2009, 11:12 AM']If you spend £300 on a bass and it does everything you want and plays how you want it to, then it's worth every penny to you. If you spend £1500 on a bass and it does everything you want and plays how you want it to, then it's worth every penny to you. If you spend £3000 on a bass and it does everything you want and plays how you want it to, then it's worth every penny to you. etc.[/quote] +3! [quote name='Tait' post='531544' date='Jul 3 2009, 11:50 AM']i disagree. usually to be happy with something you have, you have to go through lots of things that you don't like to get to the one that makes you happy. you still criticise the ones that didn't make you happy, because if there was nothing to criticise about them, they would've made you happy. or back to the topic of this thread, if i had £3000, i'd be happier with that £3000 than with a boutique bass, and would still think it's ludicrous to spend that much on a bass, probably even more so when i discover all the other things i could buy that would make me much happier than a single bass. think how many PS3 games and visits to Alton Towers etc. £3000 would buy. i'd probably be even more critical, as the £3000 would back up my opinion that boutique basses aren't worth it. my point is, i'd be happy with the £3000, and still criticise boutique basses.[/quote] Money is abstract stuff and has no actual value in itself, only what you can swap it for. If I was really into gaming I'd go for games (3 grand is only about 60 new games isn't it?) and if I was seriously into new cars 3 grand wouldn't even come close! I played the same beaten up, DIY-customised bass for years, often trying 'better' basses but not finding anything which worked so well for me that it would justify the expense. I would, for the most part over those years, say the same as you, Tait. Then I played a bass that cost lots [u]and[/u] blew my head off.. Road To Damascus moment.

[quote name='stevie' post='531546' date='Jul 3 2009, 11:51 AM']Is that because stuff is more likely to get nicked or damaged if it spends a Saturday at a depot?[/quote] Not so much nicked, but damage/out of our hands as regards atmosphere etc. As we sell predominantly acoustic instruments it just seems better to have them in a carrier system for as little time as possible. Stuff like strings, books and electronics are far less sensitive so no probs sending out Friday there. We don't have a problem with the carriers - used Citylink for the last few years - it just seems to tempt fate less.

[quote name='thedontcarebear' post='531531' date='Jul 3 2009, 11:37 AM']I've bought quite a few things from them, they are okay, but they never seem to send things on Fridays, twice I'd had that problem, expected it on a Monday as I ordered on a Friday, only for it to show up on Tuesday as they don't want it sitting with couriers, neither time have them actually told me either.[/quote] We follow that same policy at the shop unless you really want to get it on Monday, but we do tell people!

+1 to the above by rslaing.. Soak yourself in the type of music, or band, that you need to learn. If it's blues, listen [u]hard[/u] to blues and nothing else until it's coming out of your pores! Get so that you can recognise the main formats and variations, than all you have to actually learn 'on the hoof' is the bits inbetween. Sounds complicated but really it's about familiarity both with the style(s) and your instrument. The more relaxed you are with both of those bits, the easier it gets. I usually learn new stuff while I'm driving so rather than worrying about the exact key and fingering I'll get the format of the song into my head. That way, when it comes to the gig, it doesn't matter if the key has changed as I have an idea of where the music goes. Thereby hangs the theory, at least!

[quote name='Rik (ESA)' post='530591' date='Jul 2 2009, 01:29 PM']Live near Bradford, and could get this to Leeds quite easily by train by the sounds of it! I reckon there's some people in the Leeds area that would love to try it out![/quote] A marvellous idea! Probably off the scale at the mo, but having read your comments on construction I'm intrigued! Also near Bradford.. if it's coming this way I'd be interested in a tryout. I have a car so could pick it up or drop it to the next trialler.

[quote name='Old Horse Murphy' post='530237' date='Jul 2 2009, 08:56 AM']Lots of love for Overwaters here and I'm pretty sure that some of the guys from Overwater are actually Forum members. Hopefull you'll have all the feedback you need from Overwater owners as and when they log on![/quote] Oh yes, indeedy! Overwater Progress III fretless is just the finest thing I've ever played!

[quote name='jakesbass' post='521639' date='Jun 23 2009, 12:55 PM']Hey James, congrats on taking the plunge, given the short timescale you have I should suggest that you be expedient in what you try to achieve in the short time you have. The two most important factors for one in your position are, in my view, as follows: 1.Ensure that (with correct fingering ie 124) that you are being efficient in your left hand, use the natural weight in your arm to gently pull your fingers (which should be slightly curled into a sort of hook) against the fingerboard. This should allow you to avoid squeezing which is desperately inefficient and leads to tiredness. 2. you need to practise moving, retaining contact with the string (for intonation purposes) and learning to adjust your finger spread to account for the tiny reducing stop length as you go up the neck. This should become entirely unconcious over time. At this stage I can't stress enough how important it is that you take a few technical lessons, what I've described really should be shown and is very hard to put into text without some physical guidance to back it up. Having a knowledgeable teacher dance around you looking from every angle to see how your muscle movement can be minimised is really beneficial and can in the long run save some painful undoing of poor habits. GET A TEACHER NOW!!! DO IT...![/quote] +1 to all Jake's comments! Especially the teacher.. a decent one can help you avoid various problems and even injuries. If you're interected in bowing, a classical teacher (they bow almost all the time ) is a great idea on top of lessons in your main style. Also to all the comments on 'backing up the 4th finger with the 3rd'.. pretty much essential. Back up EB sounds like a decent plan to start with.. I'm sure they'd prefer you to keep playing on EB rather than have to retire half way through the 2nd set. Off the 'puter and onto the DB.. you need to get fit quick! Oh, and WELCOME ABOARD!!