Cat Burrito

I say this from experience of working in partnership with Trading Standards but they are extremely unlikely to be interested in dead batteries. I'm not saying it's right but with the resources they have, they have bigger fish to fry quite frankly. Stock up with spares from decent shops and problem solved. I always carry spare stuff for these emergencies - especially as I hate string prices in rehearsal studios!

I too like Grolsch rubber bottle tops - cheap, simple & effective. Job done. Cable wise I use those Fender Bass cables. Never skimp on cable!! I'm sure there are better cables out there but these are plenty good enough & don't kill my tone

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 name='Ray' post='541919' date='Jul 16 2009, 08:44 AM']I did a gig in Spain a few years ago and the house amp was a 100w BA115. Good points: - Nice creamy tone with my Jazz bass. Solid state but still quite warm. Never tried an SVT so can't compare. - Still sounded great when turned all the way up. No distortion. - Looks awesome. Bad points: - Very noisy DI. Unuseable in fact. The sound guy had to mic it. - A bit on the quiet side, I had to turn it up to maximum volume. - Heavy. On the whole I really liked it. I think it would be ok for small pub gigs etc. but for anything bigger I would want more power. Hope this helps![/quote] It sure does, thanks. Any other users?

Who's tried one? Who owns one? Are they good for small to medium gigs?

I just bought some Fender flatwounds for my P-bass. I'm sure everyone will tell me this is wrong but I quite like Fender strings & they are cheap so I thought it'd be a good introduction to the flatwound world. Mail order so they haven't arrived yet.

Anyone who says "it's just about the music" is missing the point. Music is about passion AND music is about fashion. Even NOT having an image is an image! You are unlikely to see a BC Rich in a Jazz band. I don't think all bands need a uniform (although it *can* work) but I think you do need to look like you belong together. I often make sure that we all know to be smart or we all know to be casual. I like to see a band present a united front.

Works for me.... although I don't want to be quoted as liking your prick! Um, so to speak!?

[quote name='Protium' post='539827' date='Jul 13 2009, 10:36 PM']Try to learn the more difficult songs by those artists Open mic/jam nights/a band?! - playing with other musicians teaches you a lot IMO For improv, make up your own basslines to "easy" songs. For example a lot of Blink 182 is mainly straight root notes - try building more interesting lines to them[/quote] What they said!

[quote name='bh2' post='539297' date='Jul 13 2009, 01:08 PM']Mine of course... [/quote] That is [b]very[/b] cool!

Have you tried the banjo? I've experimented with a few basses over the years but I seem to have settled on P-basses. I've owned up to 12 basses at one time but am now down to 3. My needs are met. My one thought is you get a custom made bass built to your specs. Not cheap but presumably you like aspects of all these basses you've bought? I reckon that's your only real light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm happy to say that I've reached that stage where I don't really care what what the shop assistant thinks of my playing. I think once you get to a certain age you either 1) look like you have money or 2) look like you can put it on a credit card and worry about it later! Therefore I get treated a lot better in shops than I did in my teens and early 20s. I used to hate the way shop assistants played slap for a couple of minutes and then hand it to you. I tend to play unamplified to check each & every note to see what fret buzz there is and then just play a few of the songs I play with the band. My priority is finding a bass that is right for me, not wowing (or not!) some shop assistant who won't be working there next time.

Done too. As a point of interest my dissertation was called "Rock Music: A bastion of conservatism or a force for change?" It's nearly 20yrs old now & the best thing about it was the title. I hope yours fairs better!

Personally I think the link [url="http://www.rockandrollconfidential.com/hall/index.php?page=7"]http://www.rockandrollconfidential.com/hall/index.php?page=7[/url] is a bit mean. Some of those pictures are ok. Bands use walls, railways, forests etc. So what? I don't personally go a bundle on electric guitars being played in fields but each to their own. I wound up going through all of them just in case. None of my old bands are there but most of them could have been.

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' post='534097' date='Jul 6 2009, 08:01 PM']Nice price...you'll love it [/quote] Arrived today and I think it's a good solid basic tone. For £29 I certainly won't complain!

[quote name='dougal' post='537180' date='Jul 10 2009, 01:05 PM']What sort of music are you going to play on said beast?[/quote] Originals in an Americana / alt.country band - think retro ala Dylan / The Band or modern like Bright Eyes or My Morning Jacket. I'm happy to learn some country / bluegrass stuff as well.

I grew up there! Not personally as I'm working but I expect my Dad will be wandering around passing his expert comment on whatever acts he stumbles across (ex pro Jazz drummer and current Jazz bore!)

[quote name='OldGit' post='536941' date='Jul 10 2009, 12:41 AM']+1 on those. Just back from a gig on skinny electric upright and it's hard work compared to a bass guitar but so right for that band.. A lesson with a good upright teacher (well not such an upright guy but a double bass teacher ...) got me started, pre-empted a few problems and was reassuring. The Powerball is good too. I'd not thought of warming down with it. Good idea. Best tip was the chicken wing right hand movement for plucking .. did your DVD cover that? Also it's not wimpy to use two fingers crossed as one to pluck.[/quote] Thanks guys. Is the powerball this? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NSD-PowerBall-Gyro-250Hz-Amber-Classic-Power-ball-UK_W0QQitemZ130311021753QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Sporting_Goods_Exercise_Fitness_Fitness_Accessories_ET?hash=item1e572464b9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NSD-PowerBall-Gyro-2...%3A2%7C294%3A50[/url] I only ordered the DVD today so I haven't got it yet. Everything has been bluff so far (my wife has fallen for it though). I may well look into lessons (or a lesson at least - there is a credit crunch going on).

Stagg are doing some really good stuff these days and the reputation is changing from what they had a few years ago. If it's a first one I really would urge you NOT to buy online or at Argos... Try before you buy. Owning an instrument is hugely personal and it should feel right when you hold it, even if you can't play. Go to a few shops and have a look. Best of luck

Finally after a 15yr wait, I've got a bass to be proud of! My wife agreed I could get one in 1994 & finally the time was right for me to pick one up. I've been warned about tendinitis & I have to say having played it all afternoon my forearms are a little tender already! What one piece of useful advice would have helped you in your road to learning? I've had no double bass lessons & have done little more than pick up a cheap Idiots Guide DVD on EBay. I hope you all like the pictures... they don't do it justice!!!!

The MIM Classic Series are a lot of bang for your buck! I love CIJ / MIJ but the MIM Classics are awesome too