BobVbass

Richard Thompson is a funny artist - his acoustic stuff is awe inspiring, amazing and brilliant but I've always found his electric work to be, well a bit average really - I think maybe the acoustic guitar is a better medium for the way he plays. I'm still trying to play 1952 VBL after ten years. Git.

Hi Alex, have a look on here at Kent Armstrong pickups - they're miles better than the shaller and made to fit your fingerboard witha bit of velcro or some such

[quote][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] in my experience keyboard players are a right royal pain in the arse[/font][/color][/quote] absolutely agree! the experience I've had with KB players ranges from OK but blasts over everyone else to absolute psychotic pedantry - I think mainly because almost every keyboard player learns solo on a piano from music so they generally lack the skills to fit in a band environment musically but also have less experience of gelling with the rhythm section that bassists, drummers or guitarists, who almost always develop their playing within a band, do

I use the srm 150 - excellent piece of kit, sits on a mic stand, loud as my old powered wedge - very impressed - also seems very feedback resistant

I've a set of Thomastik Weichs she's welcome to have if that will help and funds are short - used but still with plenty of life in them...happy to post them or drop them off somewhere

[quote][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]My chamber bass is set up with solo tuning , then I have an orchestral workhorse, another that 'pungs' along with a sound perfectly set up for jazz, and then an all weather ply bass ! My electric bass is for playing in the odd show/pit work, black acoustic is my weapon of choice when I have a pile of music to sight read and work out fingerings for DB ! ...thats my story and Im sticking to it !![/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]( I didn't mention my EUB as I have just sold it ....ambitions for a 5 string DB ....so yes room for one more !! [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] )[/font][/color][/quote] So really if they all are for specific use you're running at half capacity!! Think of the risk you're running by not having a backup for each of the above - you need to immediately go and double your bass portfolio!

yep they go for about £450, maybe £500 on a good day if they're spotless with a case

I think they were just a band that made it very very big. That's all[font="arial, sans-serif"][size="2"][color="#333333"] [/color][/size][/font] A good indication of their songs and talent I think comes from the diversity of style - most people, I think, would be able to find a Beatles song that they think is a good song whether it's Something. Helter Skelter or Love me do; I think that's probably rare with any artist.

<- that one - always play my Lakland these days; better built, better sound nicer to play - still wouldn't sell it tho so it sits in it's case under the bed

I think everyone is furiously agreeing with each other using slightly different view points. To get the best results: Practice with a decent Mic (SM58 standard or better), monitor and PA - it's a slightly different but essential technique you need to master from singing unamplified. Take some lessons to learn diaphram control and breathing techniques, this will increase your vocal strength and control. Then work on your pitch and harmonies. Good Voice; Crap equipment = Crap Sound Crap Voice; Good equipment = Crap Sound Good Voice; Good Equipment = Happy Bass Players

typically if your voice is thin, then you need to work on breathing and diaphram control

Practice breathing deeply and fully (and work out where you'll do it in the song) Pay attention to not pushing your voice too hard while maintaining projection - let the Mic do the work Warm your voice up don't jump straight in. Do some vocal exercises and practice holding notes; Oohs and Aahs are especially good for this Then practice, practice some more and practice. Did I mention you need to practice a lot?

[quote][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]We have a kitty and these things come out of that.[/font][/color][/quote] Ewww get it a litter tray!

yes I do backing and lead and walking basslines at the same time - only took 15 years practice

Anyway...... What about a Fender Precision Lyte? Smaller and errrm lighter than a P bass, I seem to remember they were quite nice... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FENDER-PRECISION-LYTE-BASS-/121047820753?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1c2f0329d1

Interestingly the best P basses I've played have both been copies - my current Lakland and a 90's Fenix years ago. Of the 5 or so US P basses I've had I've found them all perfectly playable but lackluster, the Jap P basses have been better (I've had 4 of those, including the Paisley I've still got) but still not superb, the best of the lot was an early Mexico one The Arias, yamahas, ibanezs and washburns I've had have all been largely pretty good, easy to play but not me Anyway all that goes to show errm if you want a decent Fender get a Lakland

I have to say with an awesome name like Bob half the battle is won already. You can't fail Personally as a first instrument I'd go for a decent, in use, secondhand eastern european ply bass from 60s-80s ; Boosey and Hawkes, Framus etc. - around the £800-£1500 mark will get you something playable, then perhaps add in £200 for new strings and a decent setup when you're ready. all the best

what's the problem with the action? have you adjusted the neck relief and adjusted the bridge?

Yes it takes a while to tune in. It's all mostly recorded on a four track in one take with echo provided by placing a speaker in a tiled room ( the original echo chamber) and recording the effect.

Happy Xmas everyone - hope you all have a great day

Kathmandu Rucksack so both my hands are free to carry other stuff as part of my 'let's get out of this hell hole in the least trips' gig exit plan

[quote]You don't need an SUV or an estate to transport your gear. Quite frankly you could put your basses in decent gig bags and put them in the back of the Mini. I get all of my stuff in my Hyundai Coupe without dropping the back seats-bass on the seats,everything else in the boot. [/quote] Exactly this, I used to take al manner of crap to gigs, now I find the more I do the less I take, I like to be out the door in two trips. All my gear, 2 basses in hard cases, hartke head, 2x12 cab, rucksack of cables and crap, mic stand and my share of lights fits in the back of my vw lupo with room to spare I only take my CRV these days for my double bass

You probably want this in double bass for sale..

Rock this town stray cats - Lee Rocker awesome T-r-o-u-b-l-e old Elvis song but Travis Tritt does an awesome version with some nice bits Sweet Home Chicago from the Blues Brothers, the late Mr Dunn in excellent form. I'll even fling in The Timewarp from the lovely, and totally bonkers, Mr O'Brien for some Transylvanian Transgendered TransString Travelling

The Goodies cast list for their White Christmas special used to make me smirk Emma Dreaming Arthur White Chris Muss Jess Likedee Juan Swee Hugh Sterno Wendy Treetops-Glissen Ann Children Liz Ann "Two Ears" Laybelle Cindy Snow Emma Dreaming Arthur White Chris Musswith Avery Crease Miss Carr Dai Wright Mayor Dazebee Mary Ann Bright Ann May Hall-York-Rhys Mrs B White