Double Bass Bash Derby Oct 2nd

[TheRev]

It's good.... at first i thought it was less natural sounding than my Bassmax, but now the Krivo sounds better than the Bassmax - certainly at high volume.

[Beedster]

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1470250769' post='3104518']
Just a timely reminder that the bash is a couple of months away at Risley Park Hotel, Derby Rd, Risley, DE72 3SS. It's an easy run in from M1 Junction 25. Sunday 2 October from 10.30. The morning will be a meet and greet, set up stuff and walk round. In the afternoon we propose to have some informal 'discussions' so that we can share advice on various topics. For example I'll bring some preamps and we can discuss these and their benefits/uses. So are there any other topics that you would like to discuss.

£10 will get you tea/coffee and a buffet lunch and all welcome, especially newbies and those contemplating starting out on DB.

Please add your name to the list if you will be coming.
[/quote]

I'd love to come to this, but frankly I don't want to spend 8-hours in the car to talk pre-amps or anything else for that matter, we can talk about gear on BC. If I was going to drive that far I'd want to do one thing and one thing only, play lot of different DBs. I'd happily bring my three up if it felt like it was worth the journey?

[Owen]

There will be loads of playing each other's basses. The preamp stuff will only happen when we have all played everything at least twice!

[Happy Jack]

Unless someone brings an aluminium bass, in which case it will get played three times.

Then polished.

[Beedster]

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1470375800' post='3105518']
There will be loads of playing each other's basses. The preamp stuff will only happen when we have all played everything at least twice!
[/quote]

That's good to hear. We need to start recruiting then, at present there's not a lot to choose from (no offence folks)?

If experience is anything to go by, if people start to try out amps and and pre-amps, those of us who just want to play instruments acoustically are going to be drowned out by a 300w slap-fest, will there be either a separate room for each or some amplification-free time?

Edited August 5, 2016 by Beedster

[stingrayPete1977]

It was NOTHING like a regular electric bass bash last time, I played every bass there if anyone can find the picture of the group shot you will see how many basses there were, more than anywhere I've visited so far that's for sure.

[Beedster]

Apparently my comments above are ill-informed and unwelcome (according to a PM from one of the organisers)? Fair enough, perhaps they are, but they were made on the basis of what's in the thread, and i guess in that respect I've got my opinions and he's got his. I won't however be attending the event if that's the type of attitude that will be on display on the day. Having said that, from the above it looks like not many other members will be either, perhaps because as it stand it doesn't appeal, and because comments regarding what should and should not be included on the day are clearly unwelcome?

What a shame, it was in my diary despite the 8-10 hour drive.

Chris

[Beedster]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1470380251' post='3105538']
It was NOTHING like a regular electric bass bash last time, I played every bass there if anyone can find the picture of the group shot you will see how many basses there were, more than anywhere I've visited so far that's for sure.
[/quote]

That response is exactly the type of constructive approach the organiser should have taken Pete rather than a rude PM.

But I stand by my point re noise, given that of the four people who have indicated that they are bringing gear, three of them have indicated either electric gear or amplifiers, it was entirely justified. 75% of the gear so far has the potential to be noisy and bass players, whether electric or upright, like volume! Not a good environment to play something acoustically, and I'm as interested in trying different strings as I am different instruments to be honest, choosing strings is the most stressful part of playing DB after all

Edited August 5, 2016 by Beedster

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1470352722' post='3105498']


I'd love to come to this, but frankly I don't want to spend 8-hours in the car to talk pre-amps or anything else for that matter, we can talk about gear on BC. If I was going to drive that far I'd want to do one thing and one thing only, play lot of different DBs. I'd happily bring my three up if it felt like it was worth the journey?
[/quote]

I can see your point Chris but perhaps the tone of your opening gambit was a little harsh?

There was plenty of unamplified playing last time and even as an electric bass player mainly I'm happy to have a no electric basses rule, as soon as the Status Mark king crew arrive my ear plugs go in!

It would be nice to see a few more names on the list and a few more basses that I agree with, I'd like to see more people who want an introduction to upright to come along too.

[Beedster]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1470386009' post='3105597']
I can see your point Chris but perhaps the tone of your opening gambit was a little harsh?

There was plenty of unamplified playing last time and even as an electric bass player mainly I'm happy to have a no electric basses rule, as soon as the Status Mark king crew arrive my ear plugs go in!

It would be nice to see a few more names on the list and a few more basses that I agree with, I'd like to see more people who want an introduction to upright to come along too.
[/quote]

My opening point was simply honest, and probably said out loud what a lot of people were thinking Pete.

Re nice to see a few more people, yes, 6 is not going to make en event is it? Perhaps the organisers need to speak to Nik (silverfoxnik) about how to do these things properly, for example polite PMs to members asking if they'd like to attend, asking what they'd like to see/do/hear on the day, and whether they'd like to take an active role? If I were organising this DB event the very least I'd have done would be to PM all the likely suspects, and given that neither myself or a couple of other who should be on the list didn't receive one, I assume that didn't happen?

[keeponehandloose]

It was a good day last time. At the moment I dont have anything different to show so I think I will be saving the diesel this time round.Unless somebody is bringing a King Moretone.

[Silvia Bluejay]

My impression is that we are getting up to speed now, and deciding what to offer.
As a lefty upright player who has never had the honour of seeing a lefty DB, let alone playing one, I'm not going to be able to play other people's instruments, but i'm looking forward to listening, learning about both acoustic and amplified playing, and soaking the atmosphere! I'm pretty sure there won't be any loud, mad slappers. (Anyone playing rockabilly, by the way? I discovered I like it a lot when I attended Lee Rocker's masterclass at the LBGS a couple of years ago.)
We don't PM potential attendees for the other bashes; we tend to use PMs from organiser to organiser if there's anything to clarify before announcing it publicly, but most of the organisation is done on the relevant Events thread. The difference is that there are many more bass guitar players than double bass players on this forum, so the DB bash will be smaller; also, the most successful bashes tend to be the ones close to London, due to sheer numbers.
Chris, I hope you will reconsider and come along. To the others who are planning to stay at home, please don't - come along too.

Edited August 5, 2016 by bluejay

[neilp]

I can see I'm going to be a bit of a misfit at this, being almost exclusively a classical player, but I'm coming anyway, to broaden my horizons and meet some new people, put faces to names and maybe come away with some new insights. I think we should all bear in mind that it's an impossible task for the organisers if we all demand exactly what we want. I'm hoping to play a few nice basses, meet some interesting folk and generally have a fun day. That'll do me

[Silvia Bluejay]

That's great, Neil. Incidentally, I'd love to know more about bowing (at least bows can be used with either hand with no modification!), so I may ask you a few questions while we are there.
If anyone feels like sayng a few words about the basics of bowing, for instance, they'll have my eager attention.

Edited August 5, 2016 by bluejay

[neilp]

Happy to do that, I'll bring a few bows too. Q & A on bows/bowing might be easiest?

[Silvia Bluejay]

Anything that suits you best! I'll be all ears (and eyes). Thanks

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1470386631' post='3105604']


My opening point was simply honest, and probably said out loud what a lot of people were thinking Pete.

Re nice to see a few more people, yes, 6 is not going to make en event is it? Perhaps the organisers need to speak to Nik (silverfoxnik) about how to do these things properly, for example polite PMs to members asking if they'd like to attend, asking what they'd like to see/do/hear on the day, and whether they'd like to take an active role? If I were organising this DB event the very least I'd have done would be to PM all the likely suspects, and given that neither myself or a couple of other who should be on the list didn't receive one, I assume that didn't happen?
[/quote]

There was another thread started ages ago where all of your points were raised and an open invitation to anyone offering suitable services was made, suggestions of a luthier giving basic services on site were made for example, I didn't realise there was an inner sanctum that needed private consultation regarding a bash?

You've already said you don't want to talk about preamps or anything else for that matter so what are you proposing, walk around in silence trying each others basses then leave? Lol

[stingrayPete1977]

I've got some bows you can try Bluejay, German wooden one and a carbon French, I'll bring them both.

[Silvia Bluejay]

Excellent, thank you! I'll jot down a few newbie questions to ask for a start , and see where they take us. (I do have a cheap French bow which I've used on my uprights a few times, to get the feel, but I'm sure good ones will feel different!).
I'm looking forward to the bash! and there will be photos and footage, of course!

[Beedster]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1470392484' post='3105667']
There was another thread started ages ago where all of your points were raised and an open invitation to anyone offering suitable services was made, suggestions of a luthier giving basic services on site were made for example, I didn't realise there was an inner sanctum that needed private consultation regarding a bash?

You've already said you don't want to talk about preamps or anything else for that matter so what are you proposing, walk around in silence trying each others basses then leave? Lol
[/quote]

Well given all these consultations have resulted in a grand attendance of six over a thread of four months (that's recruiting about at about one member every two weeks), it was clearly not very effective. I will travel if I see value. I don't. I'm guessing many others feel the same. Organisers, organise it. Answer questions publicly not by PM, put on an event via on-going consultation and respond publicly to comments, don't just hire a room and cross your fingers.

And Pete, there is an inner sanctum mate, there shouldn't be, but there is.

[Happy Jack]

And I've lost my key ...

[Owen]

There is no inner sanctum. If there were I would by default be in it cos I am one of the organisers. My wife finds the idea of me and organiser in the same sentence endlessly amusing. It will never be a huge event. The vibe is relaxed. It will be full of comments like "Gut strings? Can I try them? Crazy.", and 'So that is what my bass sounds like through a stack of 4 x PJB 4x5 cabs." Life is too short for anything else.There will be no extreme slapping (but possibly a bit of RnR action). Chris, we would love you to be there with us.

[sarah thomas]

I'm definitely coming along. It was a great day last time, so friendly, helpful and the buffet was astoundingly good value. I'll bring my German flat back, Kala UBass, Yita bow and AI combo. Chris, there wasn't a lot of interest in the Superlight last time (too many wooden elephants to play with) but if you change your mind and would like to see the skellybass again, I'll happily bring it. Looking forward to October! All for a tenner. Unbelievable.

[bassace]

Oh dear, there's no inner sanctum but all events need a bit of organisation. In this case it's Owen and me: Owen's the guy with the ideas and helms the event on the day and I book the room and pay the deposits. Simple. The last Bash was simple and completely informal and unstructured. We wondered whether this one should offer a bit more. You'll see this in the other bashes, SE for an example, which started as a get together and over time became a well organised event with shoot outs, talks, demos etc and all the better for that.

I don't usually have a lot to say leading up to the event but felt that at the beginning of Sept I should send a wake up; after all we need a minimum number of attendees to cover certain costs.

When I see an item for sale on BC and if I can say anything positive to help the sale I will. I see plenty of ads for products I don't like or who's price is a bit heavy. In that case I keep quiet. It won't help this event by expressing a contrary view so vociferously.

Pete, I owe you an apology. I ran your setup idea past Owen and I was of the opinion that we couldn't justify, let alone afford, a specialist to attend unless we had cash to spare, which on the initial showing we probably won't have. But apologies for not keeping you in the loop. However, last bash, Keith, Mr Bassman, did a much photographed sound post adjustment and there will be people at this bash who have knowledge enough to give setup advice. And a lot more. After all, that's what bashes are all about.

So put any suggestions for the day here and they will be sensibly discussed and considered. It'll be a great day.

[Silvia Bluejay]

Updated list - feel free to amend if I've left out any info!

1. Bassace. Bryant Solo DB, Felix preamp, Puma 500 amp, OneTen cab.
2. Happy Jack (TBC). Andreas Zeller DB and a KK BabyBass (plus, if I'm feeling mischievous, a Takamine TB20)
3. Bluejay (TBC). Cameras and video equipment
4. Owen
5. Neilp. 19th century unlabelled German bass, Meghan; it has acquired a beautiful Pete Barnaby mechanical C extension, and I've bought a Smooth hound wireless rig.
6. StingrayPete1977. Gedo DB half carved and stagg eub both with Spiro weichs. Yita carbon bow.
7. TheRev. East German ply workhorse with Krivo magnetic pickup, EA Doubler amp, Fishman Platinum Analogue pre and BigE/MAS45 double bass cab; I can also bring my other preamps (Fishman Plat Pro and Fdeck series 3) if anyone wants me to.
8. Sarah Thomas. German flat back, Kala UBass, Yita bow and AI combo.