franzbassist

I'm using a Markbass LMK (two channel amp) into either one, or both, Euphonic Audio CXL112 and NL210 cabs. As I can play a combination of electric, acoustic and EUB bass at a gig this works really well; the amp can take two instruments no problem, is clear, uncoloured and loud, and the cabs give a very true response. I couldn't recommend this setup highly enough.

[quote name='BigBeatNut' post='631334' date='Oct 20 2009, 02:01 PM']When that arrives I'd be very interested to A/B that with my Rob Allen Deep 5. Andy[/quote] Yep Andy, you are already on my list of people to show the bass to!

I have one of these arriving in the very near future - a Veillette Archtop Bass. More versatile than a Rob Allen and Godin as it has the magnetic pickup as well, and the piezo can dial in a nice uprightish tone. Still need an amp though...

Thanks Dave. Does your Aria have the mag pickup as well as the piezo? I am very aware of the need to pick strings with good metallic content to make sure I can use both pickups.

BB This is all new to me, and as DB string are pretty pricey I'd like to make an informed first choice as I don't want to be changing sets on a regular basis! Starting with a quality set of strings that are generally popular is as good a place to start as any; it'll certainly help me set an (ahem) baseline on which I can make more informed decisions in future. What do I want in terms of tone? Well, initially I'll be using the bass for some country, folk and old blues tunes, so I guess I want something that sounds traditionally "acoustic" and woody, but I also want something that isn't too tight under the finger, with a bit of "give" but not too much roll under the finger. Cheers Gareth

[quote name='scojack' post='630073' date='Oct 19 2009, 09:29 AM']Nice one Gareth, As a long time BG player (like me) , how are you finding adopting to the Left Hand Technique? IanM[/quote] Hi Ian, and to everyone else who has helpfully responded so far. I think that is the thing that'll take the most adjustment, and also why the suggestion of lessons is a good one. I've been watching a lot of DB players on Youtube and the like and trying to see what they do, and combine that with what feels comfortable to me. I have pretty big hands so it doesn't seem to be an issue with the stretches, but my thumb seems to shift position a lot depending on which string I am playing and where on the fingerboard I am. Sometimes it's flat and facing up to the head of the neck, othertimes just the thumb pad is pressing on the back of the neck, and a couple of times I've found myself gripping the neck baseball style. General update: Played the bass a lot over the weekend, in short bursts, and I'm getting very comfortable with it. There seems to be a slight rattle when I play open E hard, but you can't hear it amplified so it isn't an issue. I'm thinking a set of better strings may improve it even more, as the strings seem pretty tight compared to the amount of oscilation a lot of players get in videos I've watched; I'm thinking light Thomastik Spirocores may be the ones to get? Also planning on upgrading the end pin to something more substantial as the original flexes a bit too much for my liking. Also need a stand and decent hard case... Cheers all Gareth

I've ummed and ahhed about getting an EUB for a long time, but the music my band have been playing in the last year has made having [i]that[/i] sound all the more appropriate, so I finally took the plunge last week and got an Aria SWB Lite-BIS courtesy of Al at The Gallery. Wow... So why the Aria? Well, I spent a good amount of time on the WAV and a few minutes on a Palatino as well, but to me the Aria is a much better instrument both in terms of playability and especially the sound you can get out of it. I'm sure this is due to the two pickups; the piezo gives a lovely air to the notes, with lots of finger and body noise, while the magnetic pickup dials in lots of body. The two band eq works on both pickups at the same time, so you balance the output of each pickup using their volume controls. A little bit of hiss from the mag, but I can live with it and may improve the shielding in due course if it proves to be an issue. I've played a lot of fretless, almost exclusively in the last few years, so the plain fingerboard holds no fear for me, and even the bigger stretches due to the longer scale are okay as I have big hands. The neck is obviously much deeper though, so that will take a bit of getting used to, as will the higher action, but that's all part of parcel of going upright I guess. So I dive straight in and take the bass to rehearsal the night I get it. I set the end pin so first position is at eye level and make sure I'm plucking the strings near the end of the fingerboard with the side of my fingers. Straight away the tone is really good, with the bass carrying through really well, and the band absolutely love the look and tone. So I am really chuffed. The Aria is a quality starter I think, and should keep me going for a good few years. Gareth

[quote name='BassBod' post='625190' date='Oct 13 2009, 04:38 PM']I guess i'd better go into hiding for a few months...change my name...maybe take up the banjo....[/quote] Banjobod? No no no, has no ring to it at all!

Rather than just using the newspaper's league tables, also see what students think of a specific course via the National Student Survey results at [url="http://www.unistats.com/"]Unistats[/url]. It may not be perfect (it only surveys final year undergraduates for example) but it's probably the best judge of individual courses. Gareth

I'm just glad to see Wals back in production!