Mykesbass

Moondance

These are really good: http://www.csp.org.uk/publications/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-exercises

This. I play fretless, but only have one song in our repertoire where I use it in an obviously fretless way. Oh, and it is my only gigging bass, blues/rock type band.

I've happily sold through Wunjo - a high (ish) end Yamaha SG guitar, and was very happy to pay their commission, as their footfall and clientèle was better than anything I could attract elsewhere. Also, a shop like Wunjo will usually get a higher price, offsetting some, if not all of the charge. Out of interest @TheGreek, what would you feel was a fair rate?

OK, honest answer, I don't think I could tell. First listen I hadn't read the instructions, so didn't know where the breaks were. On second listening I thought 1 was slightly "plummier" than 2, therefore rosewood, but I think I was trying to convince myself I could hear a difference, whereas, when I didn't know what I was listening for I couldn't tell.

The YOB thing is not something I'd ever go for, but wouldn't knock anybody for feeling this way. O just get the feeling that it could be for you that it is an itch you are going to have to scratch! Personally, at that budget, I'd go back to Jon Shuker for another of his masterpieces.

Thanks, will see if I can find this.

Blimey @Delberthot, you make it sound that I'm on some jihadist mission to rid the world of bass players that dig in Point of the OP was that I realised that I could make the sound I want using a technique that, although I knew to be good practice, had previously not felt right.

Nice one Lozz. Let me know how it goes. I'm sticking with it, but still got big meaty flats on!

Can't argue with that! (Well, I'm sure on here someone can but it won't be me )

And have you, or your bandmates noticed any great difference in the sound?

That's exactly what I thought, but watching him has changed my mind. He was getting a powerful, driving sound, and, from having a good view in a relatively small venue (Concord 2, Brighton) am confident he was playing with a light touch - he was just stroking the strings, a bit like the demo videos you see of fusion players with ramps on their basses, which is what I thought this technique was all about.

This is the very reason for my OP. I have been very much the same, including blisters (with flatwounds!), But watching Nick made me realise you could sound right on any song without getting too physical. Turning up shouldn't make you louder if you compensate with the amount of energy you use in the right hand. After last night I would seriously recommend you give it a go.

So, just back from first rehearsal since deciding to give this a go - and not too bad. Only got stuck in once and caught myself doing it so backed straight off again. Drummer thought I may have been just a touch too loud, but said feel and sound was fine, guitarist thought that the sound had more clarity (only using rehearsal studio's H&K combo), and to his ears, a less compressed sound. Going to chalk this one up as a success, but the real test will be when adrenaline kicks in at a gig!

This. Which is why I can't stand the concept of "battle of the band's".

Ale in an ice box?! Philistines!!

Yes, know what you mean, but at nearly 54 I thought it was probably time I tried to get it right!!

That's what I always thought @Lozz196 but watching Nick last night made me realise that it can be done. I know I'm going to struggle, but really going to give it a go.

Saw the Temperance Movement last night, great gig, brilliant front man and every song had groove and feel to it. Bass player is probably better known around here from his work with Jamiroquai, and I must admit, I was a little surprised by his pedigree. What really stood out for me was just how much energy and drive he created without much physical effort - i.e. not digging in. Now I know this is good technique, but I've never mastered it. Having seen what Nick could do I think it is time to turn the amp up and give it another go!

Might not have upset anyone, but saying you don't want to plug in must certainly have perplexed a few. I've certainly been greeted with a certain level of disbelief when declining the offer to be plugged in straight away.

Quite right. Who needs cricket when you can watch shinty Vs hurling on BBC Alba!!

Ooh, can't really agree with you on this - many of the posts are criticising specifics, not attacking different genres. My post was about inappropriate bass playing - one highly skilled and respected player doing the wrong thing in the wrong song.

Sorry to be pedantic, but this has been bothering me. This is surely late Dire Straits, not early? Apart from that, great post, which has led to one of the best responses to a music based post on here for ages.

Classy, classy pop song. Will have to check out the baseline later.

Papa Was a Rolling Stone - same three notes, same pattern for the entire song, and still fabulous after all these years.