PTB

Yes, that's clearer. I can only speculate that people will be told such things for image reasons or musical reasons. The latter would include the keys used, the sound required, etc. The former may be because the band leader wants a certain look. I have no problem with either approach & getting the right gear (& shirts!) can be part of the fun of a new project. My dear wife told me I needed to get a double bass to join her band & I'm so glad she did as the vast majority of my gigs are now on db. The learning curve was rather steeper than a move from 4 to 5 but really worthwhile. In short, you need to decide whether these demands are relevant and a positive challenge or indicate a control freak that may be hard to tolerate going forwards.

Let me get this straight: you've been told by your church that you need a 5 or 6 string bass to play in their worship band for gigs & tours? Sounds like there could be a control freak at work. However, musical reasons why someone might suggest this are perhaps because a lot of the songs are in keys where a 5/6 would give you some low notes - C, D, Eb - although many here would argue that you could cover this on a 4 with a de-tuner. Also, lot of US gospel bassists play 5 & 6 so perhaps someone just thinks you need one too. Can you give us all the reasons why you are being told this and we'll no doubt comment further.

See left and below. I'm very busy on the upright with Gentleman Tim & The Contenders, Chicago Blues & West Coast Swing, and really enjoy it.

I like Status half wounds on my fretted Jazz but I only like my fretless with rounds. I take it in and get the fretboard sanded every 3 - 5 years which seems a small price to pay for the sound I want.

Great fun & nicely played Guys! My dear wife's old Western Swing band, The Red Jumps, used to play this tune.....happy days!

Great news! I had several of these on VHS but lost them many years ago. I will take a look later. Didn't Phil Manzanera play Eric when Jack did the Cream songs? I recall sets from Roger McGuinn, Joe Cocker, Richard Thompson & Keith Richards with Charley Drayton on bass & Steve Jordan on kit. Thanks for this, looking forward to it already.

I saw a poster for this outside my local supermarket last week & was amazed I hadn't heard about it previously - I might as well live in a cave. I thought I saw Snarky Puppy were on? Either way, it's a family birthday & gigs that weekend so I shan't be going :-(

A couple of photos from a recent gig at Round Midnight in Islington, always a great crowd there, one of my favourite venues.

....and what sort of jazz do you want to play? Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Glenn Miller, Coltrane, Return to Forever? There's a huge difference between them & they're all Jazz!

I had an AB1, liked the feel & clarity but couldn't get it to sound how I wanted despite returning it to passive so I moved it on. I really enjoyed meeting Sheldon D & playing the 5 string P bass at the 2012 LBGS: if I have another, it would be one of them I think. Not top of the list though right now.

Very cool!

Byron House plays a brown one on the DVD of Robert Plant & Band of Joy. I think Fernando Saunders played one with Jeff Beck at the ARMS concert way back when.

I had a teal SR5 but sold it to a Finnish BC'er a couple of years ago. I loved the sound but the weight was the problem & I was never keen on the colour. I would get another one if it was light and in a more classic colour scheme. I have pondered on whether to buy one & try and get a lighter body but too much trouble right now as my MTD covers all that off beautifully.

Sounds like you need a main bass in Eb and a second one that you can use in regular and tune down to take as a spare. I think you'll get used to the feel thing as you get the hours in.

Just sold my Sadowsky to Stephane in a very easy transaction. Good clear timely communications, prompt payment and would happily do it again.

I like my LMII based combo but for some reason, went through various amp heads before realising I wanted a LM II head. Am now happy & have pocketed the cash difference :-) Like ChrisB, I found the F1 I tried cold & clinical by comparison. On another thread, someone pointed out the difference is the digital power amp in the F series amps.

Sounds great, hope to catch you live some time.

I gigged for a couple of years with just my Mark Bass CMD121 1x12 combo. It was fine most of the time but I started to think it was struggling to fill some of the larger rooms we play. Last summer I got the matching 1x12 cab and I realised what I'd been missing. Yes, there is more low end but it's really just more of everything and I prefer the sound with both cabs. I do sometimes just use the combo alone when I have PA support or it is a small venue but, based on tone, I prefer both.

Really enjoyable gig last night with a great crowd. Looking forward to tonight, we're on from 21:45 til 2:00.

Cheers Clarky! I am about to go onstage to give the Jazz I bought off you its first public outing - I'm loving it.

Dunno Jack.....either it's blood sweat & tears or she's blushing. Come along Friday & see for yourself & I'll buy you a pint. Paul