fatback

[quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1340895347' post='1711198'] If you go to 1.04 on the video you'll see a close up of one fret. Viola de Gambas had gut frets which were tied around the neck. easily moved. probably an intonation nightmare. [/quote] Gotcha. Wonder what it would be like without the 'frets'.

I can see that instrument being hugely useful in traditional irish music. Hmmm.... Is it fretted, or are those just markers?

Nice. Are they tuned in fourths?

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOM7N924Rls&feature=fvwrel"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOM7N924Rls&feature=fvwrel[/url]

Welcome, Mandy. You'll like it here.

I think OT is a credit to all concerned, mod especially. Given that times are so tough, society is so polarised and BC has such a wide range of people and opinions, it's amazing it doesn't descend into terminal abuse. I've learned a lot about people and their beliefs, thought processes and values in OT. In real life, most of us mix mostly with people just like ourselves and like to hear our own views reflected back at us. No danger of that here.

I should have realised that there are several different approaches to thumb position as there are for everything else. No wonder i was confused. Jason Heath makes useful comparisons here, for anyone interested (lower half of page). [url="http://doublebassblog.org/2009/05/thoughts-about-edgar-meyers-bass-playing.html"]http://doublebassblog.org/2009/05/thoughts-about-edgar-meyers-bass-playing.html[/url]

[quote name='TPJ' timestamp='1340204498' post='1701001'] Only half? That's my technique almost all the time. I'm known as Captain Portamento. [/quote]

Thanks for the replies lads. I'll get hold of the Petracchi. Looks good. I think I'll have to bite the bullet and buy the Rabbath too, as the crab seems a very logical way of doing things. Insane pricing @ $115 though. My intonation problem isn't about hearing the note; it's about the accuracy of crabbing down from say thumb on high D down to thumb on G. Half the time I end up having to correct with little slides. Nasty. I'll crack this thing yet though. Youtube seems strangely thin on this technique.

Needing all the help I can get kind of bump... Any good vids on thumb position techniques of any kind? I've got the Friedland, and that's good although not so clear on joining up the positions. I'm wary of youtube without some kind of recommendation, cos I really don't want to acquire other people's bad habits. As I said, my intonation problems tend to be on the way down the scales.

Hey, good on you for taking the plunge. You'll have a blast. Keep us updated.

I had a nightmare with feedback from the Bassmax and a horrible over-middy sound too (no matter which side I mounted the thing). A combination of bass, strings and pickup guess. Ended up solving all my woes with a Full Circle.

I usually try to get over for at least a few days. This year? Dunno, but I'll be scheming and plotting... Always a huge treat. Played at the festival for many years. Great memories.

Expensive experiments. The only consolation is that if you buy second hand you'll get most of your money back when you change. +1 on the Full Circle. Not cheap and needs an adjustable bridge, so the cost adds up. On the other hand I haven't heard anybody saying they got a terrible sound from it. Very feedback resistant in my experience, compared to the BassMax (but every bass is different, I guess.)

Seen this? Might be a bit far away for you, but it looks worth checking out. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/178693-old-european-double-bass-for-sale-in-need-of-tlc/

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1339340933' post='1687070'] Well I got the bass back from Malcolm Healy on Friday and he fixed the cracked/split part plus a rattling tuner for the not-at-all-exorbitant cost of £48. Phew! I had visions it would be much more than that. Given the tuner's been fixed (was previously held tight by one of wife's hairbands) my double bass is actually better than it was before so all good in the end [/quote] Hey, delighted to hear that. I didn't think anything to do with db could be £48.

Best of luck. My baby is Czech too.

Fair point, Beedster, and I had meant no criticism whatsoever of the excellent teacher concerned, but I went my own way, and I'm very glad I did. I abandoned Simandl, postponed the bow and progressed many times faster than I would have with the traditional methods (in my opinion of course . I'm not suggesting that would suit all beginners, but if you're an electric bassist who used pivoting, Rabbath is very liberating. If you don't mean to play classical and bowing isn't a pressing need, then postponing the bow follows the sound learning principle of separating out components of a task rather than trying to master several things at once. I've found that the common advice to bow for the sake of intonation doesn't hold if you have a decent ear from playing fretless, and in any case Rabbath minimises intonation problems by minimising arm movement. The exception for me is in thumb position where the bow helps hear intonation, so I'm working at that. I guess I both suffered from (and benefited from) an extreme intolerance for 'traditional' methods not based on a rationale I can understand. Rabbath explains what he does (although he admits his early method text was too much of a 'half-way house' to make sense. Pity he doesn't have a current method book). Simandl is very 19th c. Like a scientist who can't see beyond cataloging things. I'm going to get into trouble again now, I know it.

As a learner, I'd go for the standard neck width.

I'd say get a lesson. A good teacher would tell you what you need in the way of setup and at the same time you'd get tips on how not to hurt yourself etc. A luthier setup will cost anything from £40 to £200 depending on what you want doing. Again, you could ask for a recommendation on here. btw, which one are you going to get, the rockabilly one or the 'uncle' one?

[quote name='ChrisF' timestamp='1339086475' post='1683465'] Well...Ive got it on watch, but I must admit Im not very impressed with either the picture or the description.....looks like a lot of old fire wood to me....or am I missing something ??? [/quote] It's the chance to get in without worries and give it a go that's very attractive. Myself, I'd go for the one you mentioned earlier, the 'uncle' job (subject to some investigation) but if you're planning on rockabilly... Al;so, if you're going for second hand value, pay no attention to how battered a bass may look. It's the fundamental quality and sound that matters. Mine wouldn't win any beauty competitions, but i love her dearly.

Honestly, I think the Rev's post above is absolutely spot on. You'll live with whatever instrument you do get for quite along time, and it'll make all the difference if it plays well. Trying to learn on a poor instrument sounds like a nightmare to me. Tough enough on a decent one.

[quote name='ChrisF' timestamp='1338933871' post='1681464'] Blimey...bit pricey...maybe something for the future. They have a few pickups on the Thomann site that are more in my price range for now. [/quote] Why not put a 'wanted' thread on BC? +1 to Golihur being reliable. First class service and delivery in days.

I've no experience of either of those. The Bassmax is one of the most popular with BCers. You might get one on here for £50-ish. [url="http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/1265-KANDK_SOUND_BASS_MAX_UPRIGHT_BASS_PICKUP_TRANSDUCER.html"]http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/1265-KANDK_SOUND_BASS_MAX_UPRIGHT_BASS_PICKUP_TRANSDUCER.html[/url] A lot of folks find they don't need a preamp with it, but that depends on your amp. I wouldn't worry too much about a clicky transducer just yet, not until you get the basic sound sorted out.

[quote name='ChrisF' timestamp='1338849223' post='1680126'] can you give me a bit more info on the DHA DI/EQ ??? Ive done a google search and cant find anything [/quote] [url="http://www.davehallamps.co.uk/"]http://www.davehallamps.co.uk/page42.html[/url] Just seen that the price has gone up to £94 now. Still well worth it, but you might well find one second hand on here. The stuff is very well made indeed and terrific value. Also, Dave posts on here, so you can ask questions if you need to. There are a couple more functions on the Fishman, for example phase shifting. I've never needed that. Notch filtering too (to cut feedback), but you can do that with the DHA anyhow. Also, if your amp doesn't have a high pass filter to get rid of extreme lows, you can tweak that on the DHA as well. The DI on that preamp is very good indeed.