fatback

[quote name='discreet' post='879840' date='Jun 28 2010, 01:27 PM']Does this mean LHs are the bargain of the century? Or do they only sound like that when Nate plays through 'em? [/quote] Oh dear, it really must be in the fingers He did a similar set at his birthday bash, but imo it had much more intensity and life that this gig. Maybe even SW isn't immune to having some days better than others. It was odd when he stopped a song in the middle. The band didn't quite settle down after that i thought. Or is that my imagination. The TV mix was awful.

[quote name='derrenleepoole' post='879633' date='Jun 28 2010, 10:19 AM']Perhaps, but to a spotty 18 year old learning their chops it's not a bad place to start and provides a good building block to work from, whether or not it's typical of a proper jazz tune or not. This statement I feel sums up the snobbery sometimes inherent in music these days (not just jazz mind). As we all know, it's only the musicians who care about such things, the audience couldn't give a damn right? As long as it sounds good and they can sing along to it Being clued up on all the intricacies of jazz harmony is one thing, but let's not lose sight of the fact that we're here to make music, and that's all that matters ultimately.[/quote] +1 As a popular tune, it's a classic, and folks love it. It works, so where's the problem?

LOL Some 'interesting' suggestions there (what did I expect, really). The idea of not sweating while playing is a bit like not sweating while... hmmm. No, i do get the point about clean hands and clean neck. I'll try that, then the wire wool if nec. Talc is out. [i]Anything[/i] smelling of babies is out.

Is there anything you can do with a glossy painted neck to reduce friction and speed things up a bit? Is very fine wire wool heresy? I think I draw the line at talc. Thanks for your ideas

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='875855' date='Jun 23 2010, 09:22 PM']But some of your cabs already have twitters, don't they?[/quote] oh very good LOL

Elixir coated don't seem to wear the fretboard much, but give a good roundwound mwah. They last a long long time and aren't dear if you buy them on ebay.

Just my luck, collection only. is it you, Paul? [edit] Not so, I see. If the current bid falls through i may be able to sort something. Thanks for the heads up.

[quote name='basshead56' post='875241' date='Jun 23 2010, 11:48 AM']A) what my gut says- tell the ungrateful pair of s****s to get F´d[/quote] +1000 They've broken the deal, whatever the deal was. And they'll do it again. Couples in a band are a pain in the ass anyhow.

[quote name='PaulKing' post='874469' date='Jun 22 2010, 03:04 PM']Ply ply ply. Antoni is not the only name to avoid.... anything with an Italian sounding name under a grand is likely (but not guaranteed) to be a bit flimsy. Strunal, from Thomann. Good basses. I thin they call them 'Thomann 2' or something.[/quote] Thanks Paul Looks like I've got my spec at last: All ply, European. Adjustable bridge (matching the thread of Full Circle Pickups). Ebony board Possible replacement tail wire Strings: Innovation silverslaps Thomann 1E (Strunal) seems to fit the bill: '3/4 scale laminated bass with swelled back and ebony fingerboard, single machine heads and adjustable peg, adjustable bridge. Colour: Golden Reddish Brown. €984 inc VAT' I don't see a gear4music all-ply bass on their site. So, I'll be looking out for an aged ply bass, but if that fails, the Thomann looks like the deal. Thanks to all for the info. very much appreciated.

[quote name='fonzoooroo' post='874232' date='Jun 22 2010, 10:47 AM']I do all my upright playing on a solid electric. Both rockabilly slap and pizz. It's 3/4 scale length and i've popped 4/4 steel core thomastiks on ,(for lower tension) the action's as low as I can get away with for slap, which makes it a fine general-purpose instrument. I've gigged it playing jazz, folk, rockabilly, even played some classic rock on it... so no issues with playability. I used to spend a fair bit of time over on: www.rockabillybass.com/ which was enlightening... +1 on the comments about ebony fingerboards... The denser wood gives a higher pitch to the slap too.[/quote] Thanks for the link. Didn't know about that site

I asked Alex (barefaced) about those Yamaha stands, and he pointed out that you would reduce the reflections from the floor, losing maybe as much as 3db of certain low frequencies normally boosted by the floor. I shouldn't have hassled him with the question, as I later found the info is very clear here: [url="http://barefacedbass.com/technical-information/stage-or-floor-coupling.htm"]http://barefacedbass.com/technical-informa...or-coupling.htm[/url] Alex suggests tilting the cab upwards using auralex blocks as wedges.

Other end of the country - Donegal. Ulster, but in the Republic. Staggeringly beautiful county, but big. Two hours + to drive end to end. A fair bit of traditional music but an hour's drive from where I am to anything else, and over atrocious roads too. You could count the jazzers on one hand. Not too many originals bands of any kind. Lots of covers and functions bands, but only a handful of venues. For my originals band I go to Dublin, although I live in hopes of finding something a wee bit more convenient in addition. The good news is, I may have found a DB teacher only an hour away, although he isn't back in action until September and even then mightn't have a regular slot. Still, a teacher, that's the main thing. No way am I taking on the Double Beast without one.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='873626' date='Jun 21 2010, 04:48 PM']We f***ed up, merrily. Icouldn't find gear to try, couldn't find a teacher within 60 miles, couldn't get to venues because transport is not available , couldn't buy any jazz records because no shops sold them[/quote] Sounds like where I live Although the scenery is probably worth it

[quote name='owen' post='873565' date='Jun 21 2010, 03:33 PM']As long as your adjuster has the same thread as the Full Circle. There are two sizes of Full Circle thread. Just so you know.[/quote] Thanks Owen So much to consider. How on earth did peeps do this before the net and the likes of BC? Ask your tutor and hope for the best, i suppose.

[quote name='Rumble' post='872182' date='Jun 19 2010, 09:27 PM']Thanks for the ideas. LawrenceH, if you tilt it back how do you secure your amp onto the cab?[/quote] Bumping in hope of an answer to this interesting one...

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='873121' date='Jun 20 2010, 11:16 PM']Again thanks for all of the advice, I am taking it all on board. My fretless has lines but they aren't very clear, is there anything I can mark them with?[/quote] I'd say don't bother. Concentrate on using the side markers (assuming they're in the right place, and if not, get them moved).

Good advice indeed. Never underestimate the sheer brazen neck of thieves. They'll be in and out before you've turned around.

Don't ignore Yamahas, and if you can find an old fretless passive BB snap it up. Outstanding and dirt cheap.

[quote name='Dorian' post='873262' date='Jun 21 2010, 09:31 AM']Having an adjustable bridge also enables you to us the Fishman Full Circle pickup, which replaces one of the bridge adjusters and in my experience is the best and most natural sounding pickup for DB.[/quote] Thanks for the tip, Dorian. Shopping list building up nicely

While on the subject of choosing and changing strings, is it advisable not to use low tension strings for learning?

[quote name='PerryJ' post='871397' date='Jun 19 2010, 12:47 AM']I've been concerned about the same thing, particularly the hybrid. Apparently solid top basses sound better but, if the carved top hasn't been properly seasoned, they distort and split from the laminate/plywood that isn't affected by heat/humidity. Seeing as I live in a concrete box with windows at the front which needs a dehumidifier running 24 hours a day to prevent the entire flat becoming a self heating sauna in summer, I've decided to go with a full laminate bass. Mind you, I'm only regurgitating what I've learned from this place, so don't take my word for it![/quote] I'm thinking I may get one of those hygrometer thingys you use in greenhouses, and check humidity changes in the house over the autumn winter. Geeky, I know.

Also found this acoustic comparison. [url="http://iwk.mdw.ac.at/Forschung/english/dbb/dbb.htm"]http://iwk.mdw.ac.at/Forschung/english/dbb/dbb.htm[/url] Seems to show that they do change the sound (not necessarily detrimentally) but precisely how depends on what the adjuster is made of. Not that subtle differences in tone will make a blind bit of difference when I start thumping and sqwawking

[quote name='endorka' post='872195' date='Jun 19 2010, 09:42 PM']I must confess that my experience of bridge adjusters differs to that of the previous posters. It is the overwhelming concensus that rather than impeding sound vibrations from the strings to the body of the instrument, aluminium bridge adjusters actually enhance it, as metal tends to conduct sound better than wood. Jennifer[/quote] Thanks Jennifer. Your view very much confirmed in this: [url="http://www.bassplayer.com/article/bridge-adjusters/Oct-04/856"]http://www.bassplayer.com/article/bridge-a...ters/Oct-04/856[/url] Hell's bells, it's like every detail of a DB I look at turns into a subject all by itself. Lifetime is right

Thanks, again. Looks like on balance a good idea for a beginner with a cheap bass and likely to start experimenting with strings.

Hi all, given that a new DB will need a bridge, is there any plus in getting an adjustable one? The rockabilly boys seem to like them. Any disadvantage? Getting there... getting there... Thanks again for your patience lads and lassies