Hi Folks

[Gray]

Hi All,

Just to introduce myself.

I'm Graham, and I've been playing bass for about 15 years. I've played styles of music from Jazz to Reggae to metal to etc etc.

I teach music theory in a college in the sunny North of England.

I'm a bit of a gear anorak (comes from being a sound engineer as a living) - currently basswise

Ibanez Musician Basses (Fretted & Fretless versions)
Ashbory Rubbery Thing

Akai Deep Impact
Akai G Drive
Akai Hexacomp
Boss Tuner

Markbass LMK
Ashdown mini 15 + mini 48 cabs

Cheers

[Bassmonster]

Hey Graham, welcome to BassChat, gear anorak eh!, you'll fit right in here

[Thunderthumbs]

Hi Graham.

Whereabouts in the North?

And the Ashbory.....what's it like to play then? Thought about them a few times but never played one.

Cheers,
Pete.

[Gray]

Hi Pete,

Living near Huddersfield to be precise.

The ashbory is a brillant instrument but is has some substantial 'quirks' in terms of playability.

1) Intonation - Very hard to get accurate intonation due to scale length above about the 7 'fret' - the dot markers on the neckside are hopelessly inaccurate. If your not switching instruments you get used to it but going to the ashbory from a full scale fretless results (for me at least) a few bars of 'jazz improv'.

2) String Squeak / Talcum Powder issue - without the application of talc playing results in all manner of squeaks and a very 'sticky' feel. This means that wearing black for gigs is right out.

On the plus side its got a totally unique sound with a wide tonal range and the short scale allows for some impossible stretches.

Other than that its worth having just for the 'wow' factor. I use mine as a backup live....

Cheers

Graham

[Thunderthumbs]

[quote name='Gray' post='114881' date='Jan 6 2008, 07:00 PM']...This means that wearing black for gigs is right out.[/quote]

Ha ha.....that's me ruled out then.....black suit with black shirt!

Oh well.