bigd1

I think people just haven't got money to spend on gear, as much as it's wanted just no funds around. I'm sure as the economy picks up so will the sales.

The only way to be sure of CTS or Ulnar nerve problems is a nerve conduction test, as has been pointed out your GP could be wrong, but only this test will sort it for sure. At the end of the day your GP is just that a General Practitioner they are not a nerve specialist or any other specialist. CTS can't be caused by any physical actions, mine have come about due to me being diabetic, but not a diabetics get CTS. Plus you don't need to be diabetic to get CTS. CTS is when you have a type of tube in your wrist, your nerves pass through this tube. If this tube for whatever reason becomes narrowed it causes pressure on the nerves, normally effecting your thumb, index and middle fingers. The condition is normally worse at night and this is when you would have splints to keep your wrists straight. Cortazone (no sure if thats the correct spelling) injections can help. Ulnar nerve is in some ways similar to CTS, again a tube that the nerve travels through. This nerve goes from your neck to your hand down the outside of your elbow. The trapping of the nerve is normally in your elbow area or less commonly at the wrist. This trapping is cause by as my specialist put it rubbish getting lodged against the tube and squashing it. This effects your little & ring fingers. Anybody can get Ulnar nerve problems it can be caused by resting your arm on the edge of the door when driving, putting your elbows on the table, desk when sat at one. I'm not sure about the causes if in your wrist as mine was in my elbow. I have found people seem to get these mixed up with repetitive strain problems, as far as I know RS is a strain and Physio can help with this. I think RS is a tendon problem not nerve (but I might be wrong on that) If playing is causing discomfort of any type, the first thing to do is STOP PLAYING and seek medical advise. It is probably nothing be be sure and get it checked by someone who will know. Hope this is of help As far as I know the above is correct, but I am not medically trained (well I am a first Aider) and is just the information I have been given when having these hand problems myself. Ta very glad BIGd

Sorry to here this but, you did the right thing going to the Doc. I've had Carpel tunnel, and Ulnar nerve opps. Carpel tunnel I've had both wrist done, each time about 6 to 8 weeks of not playing, Ulnar nerve no lay off at all. The Ulnar nerve compression was at the elbow, but as you have said it can be at the wrist although this is less common. What I would like to let you know is I have made a full recovery, playing now is a pleasure with no pain etc. I know the prospect of an operation isn't something anybody wants but if you have the same outcome as I have had it was well worth it. The nerve conduction test, if you have never had one is an experience. The test triggers each nerve or set of nerves in your arm/wrist, like I said an experience. I'm all will work out fine, all the best. Ta very glad BIGd

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1393925976' post='2385785'] I have a USA L-2000. I've always used Status Hotwire halfrounds. £14 a set - complete bargain; [url="http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/index_home.html"]http://www.status-gr...index_home.html[/url] Full flats are available too. Love the smooth feel and the quietness when you slide fingers across the strings. However, I've found that the G&L with flats or halfrounds can become a bit too dark and thuddy if you're not careful. Depending on what tone you're after, you may need to be prepared for some knob-twiddling to manage the G&L's rich and powerful pickups. At home, I'll use just the front pickup, or switch to both. At rehearsal and gigs, I'm definitely switching to both pickups, maybe even just the rear. A couple of times I've had to change to my MIJ Precision (fitted with the same strings) to get a little more clank/mid-range presence in a noisy two-guitar band. This was with a loud pub-rock covers band. More recently, I've been playing with a quieter country-rock/pop band where it's much easier to actually hear the bass. Even then, the G&L/halfround set up was sounding almost too chocolatey (!?) and was in danger of thumping away somewhere in the distant background. [/quote] I've never had a problem with sounding to thumpy. I can always cut through, playing in a loud Rock & Blues band plus I've done local amateur dramatics pantomime with as I've said no problems re sound. It is I think a matter of personal choice, what I like sound wise, you might find not at all to your taste, but I've never had any completes.

I use La Bella Deep Talkin flats, these go for about £40 a set. I know that sounds expensive but, I haven't changed then for about 5yrs. They still sound great. You could buy Rotosound, they sell for around £25 a much better option if you are giving flats a first test run. I have used Roto's but really much prefer the Deep talkers, although that is just a matter of personal taste. BIGd

I don't have a L2000 but I use a G&L Asat that has always had flats on. I think pick ups are the same on the 2 basses. Mine sounds fantastic very big wide sound, and smooth, Love it. Hope this is of help. BIGd

I think some bands forget, they are at a gig to play for the punters. It makes no difference what money is or is not involved, your next great big paying gig might be watching. I don't know if this is the case of this band in the example we have been given, but some bands behave as if they can do what they want, because they are a good band.................. The punter is your only judge of how good/bad you are. From my experience some bands/musicians treat charity gigs almost as a rehearsal, because they are not being paid, or only expenses are covered. I feel this is a really poor attitude, you are a performer, people come to see you perform, not see you at the bar after just going through the numbers of a short average performed set. How you come across both on and off stage is noted by punters, they are very quick to form a bad opinion of what they would see as not getting value for money, yes even at a charity gig.

Count yourself, you just can't beat it.

Rules...... get a [email="F@cking"]F@cking[/email] life !!

As a bass player in a band you are always going to be a supporting instrument, not the dominant sound. I always think of the bass part being the foundation of the song/tune, everything else sits on top. A simple well played line will always sound better than an overly fussy mumble, thats not really contributing to the overall tune. Of course this is not law, bass can be a lead instrument in a group setting, although personally I don't really think this works.

Well you bunch of miserable sods, easiest job in the world to pick faults in something. Do you really think it was a bad show ?? I thought it was a great show, only thing not really my thing was Charlie. although I wouldn't say he was crap, just not my thing. I thought the playing was great & for a change BBC put out a good sound. Oh yeah. if I had a £14k bass I'd be playing it even if I had just one note to play all night !! Happy New Year you miserable *&^%$£*& Ta very glad

last time I was "spaced" it sounded well freaky man ! I'll get mi coat...............

I think I would just say "well thanks for that, time for a drink/toilet break" and leave him to feel good about himself. Some people know it all, they have been there and done it, and that's fine. They just don't need to tell me about it.

I'm having my Ulnar nerve released on the 9th January. From what the specialist explained it's a bit like Carpol tunnel (I've had both of those done) but the pressure is in your elbow, or some times at the wrist although not very often the wrist is the problem. I would go back a get it looked into, if left you could get un reversible nerve damage (not great if your a musician).

Ya very glad Dale (BIGd)