Cat Burrito

I associate Tanglewood with acoustic guitars that are quite good but not stunning. I don't recall ever seeing a non acoustic instrument from them.

[quote name='Dom in Somerset' post='688262' date='Dec 18 2009, 12:08 PM']I've got black nylon flats on my acoustic fretless, unplugged- dull and quiet, plugged -cavernous.[/quote] I think black nylon strings sound great on acoustic basses. Mind you, they sound great on electric basses too

I find if I ask for a set up & highlight a certain issue, that'll get done too. RhysP is quite right though about the electrical contact cleaner. Cheap as chips on EBay too. When you consider how easy it is to clean the pots there is no reason why it can't just be included in the set up.

Pleased it went well. I supported Wilko Johnson last month with Norman Watt-Roy again on bass. I was really impressed with his playing too. Normally I find bass players supporting / headlining to be pretty evenly matched but he left me for dust! Chatted with him a bit during soundcheck and backstage too.

Thats the exact set up I'd like to try. Very cool

[quote name='bigsmokebass' post='686855' date='Dec 16 2009, 10:58 PM']Anyone had the new Fender?[/quote] I've played through all the Fender TV amps and they sounded good. I felt they were a little overpriced for what they were but then it was only in store so I hadn't really let them warm up. Cool as a cat though. They certainly look the biz.

I always say if the music isn't paying your mortgage then it has to be about having fun. If he is being like that at rehearsal, how is he going to be at the gigs? I agree with the above posts.

[quote name='Mykesbass' post='690193' date='Dec 20 2009, 09:46 PM']The other shop may be right - 70's models probably were unplayable and had such a bad reputation - funny how so many people have no forgotten that.[/quote] I have a 1978 Fender Precision with the lowest action of all my bases and it plays beautifully. I've played a couple of other 70s Fenders which were also really good. Your post may be meant light heartedly but I feel the balance should be redressed.

Nice one, pleased it went well

Yep fair point and I hear you. Certainly the van secruity needs to be A1 at least. I'd still maybe consider taking the instruments in and just chancing it with the cabs.

Personally I try and support my small local guitar shop as much as possible and I'm very much guided by the experience there. Sounds like he was fobbed off and just repeated what he was told. I wouldn't take it personally.

In 1995 we played Tunbridge Wells and the van was nicked. We lost a drum kit and a few other bits and pieces. Thankfully I got trapped backstage as the next band went on so my bass and amp stayed in the venue. However, it cost us a fortune. The drummer was reluctant to replace his kit so we wound up having to sack him (which cost a friendship!). The moral of the story for me is that I never leave kit in the car / van and if I do I make sure it's only replaceable stuff.

I agree with Mr. Foxen in that I usually tackle the bridge first when upgrading instruments. Pickups next. Bear in mind that if you are trying to replicate a much loved bass this is near impossible. If you simply wish to raise the game of the weaker instrument this is much more realistic. I wasn't that impressed with the handful of HWY1 instruments I tried but I know there is a lot of love for them. It could be that you've got a particuarly good one

I think fret markers are more comon for players in the early days then people let on. Fair play for having a go though.

I think if you've heard both you'll have an idea. Personally I think generally nylons sound a little more upright like and flats sound more fretless like but I've heard examples where the opposite is true. I keep a bass strung with each. Why don't you try the nylons if you like your tutors sound? At least you can say you've tried them even if they don't work out for you in the longer term

I'd keep a watchful eye out for a second hand VM Squier or an old Jap Squier if I were looking within that budget. They do come up on these pages

1) How long have you been playing Bass Guitar/String Bass for or both? 20yrs of electric and 6 months of stand up bass. 2) If you don’t play string bass/bass guitar have you thought of doubling up on either to get more recognition as a bass player? N/A - I certainly get more comments after gigs with the double bass 3) Who are your favourite exponents of both string bass/bass guitar? I like Rick Danko (The Band) a lot. 4) Do you think that both the bass guitar and string bass are important as bass instruments? Yes, certainly in rock / pop music 5) What genres do you think are important for bass players to listen to? Listen to a wide range of things you like. I like everything from folk to reggae, country to rock etc etc 6) Do you think electric guitarists can learn to play bass guitar more than string bass? Yes, that's why Leo Fender designed the bass guitar. Something that gets forgotten by some bass players 7) Do you think bass can be used to solo as well as accompany other instruments? Yes but I think it's best in a supporting role 8) Do you think it is important to learn to sight read? No. It depends what you want to achieve. It's only a barrier for some session work 9) What do you think of bass guitars such as 5 string/6 string e.g. as being an add-on to the bass players role? No opinion, not for me. 10) What are your opinions on electric upright basses as a substitute for the string bass? There are some good products on the market now but personally I'm a traditionalist. 11) What is the best amp to use for bass guitar or string bass? It depends on what you hope to achieve. I have an old Bassman tube head that I run through an Ampeg SVT cab. I don't know about best but it suits me. I tend to D.I. the double bass 12) What pickups for string bass are the best for capturing the natural tone of the instrument? Again I have a Shadow pickup that works for me and doesn't colour the sound.

4.18pm, must be one hell of a hangover! So, come on, how'd it go?

I liked them in the 80s. I like Lydon a lot and think he is one of the great British characters still left in music. I must be out of touch though I didn't know they (he!) was even touring.

Sorry to hear that. I've done about 5 or 6 trades / sales through this site this year and thankfully they all went super smoothly. I hope you have more luck in the future. I do think most transactions on here end happily but there have been a couple of posts where things have been less successful. Generally though I think things tend to go better than the experiences you've had

You could say no strings attached I don't suppose for one minute this is going to stay around the £360 mark. I had a friend who found somebody with an Antiqua 70s Fender bass in immaculate condition. Not everybody plays and sometimes older basses show up. I'd lean towards this being genuine but certainly in need of a service

Obbm on here is the man in most people's view [url="http://www.bassic.co.uk/"]http://www.bassic.co.uk/[/url]

I'm sure with a tidy up it'll make him a fair bit should he decide to sell it on. I assume it must have been thrown out for a reason but could be a really quick fix. Nice one

At the time I bought it, no, but I've had my car a few years now. It's an MG ZS in black on a 51 plate (2001/2002) but in good nick. I think all my kit is probably worth more these days but the car gets me to work and back, paying the mortgage in a way that gigging never would for me.