Hi from Leicester

[Ian Somerville]

Hi

Have played guitar on and off for thirty years or more.

Bought a Fender Mustang bass during lockdown and am doing enjoying learning to play. 

Still at beginner level. Playing along with fairly simple stuff and trying to find out what playing bass is all about.

Am thinking of adding a long scale bass or medium scale so will no doubt be seeking advice about that on here soon. 

[SpondonBassed]

Welcome Ian.

[Richard R]

Welcome aboard!

[Reggaebass]

Welcome Ian 👍

[Jonse]

Always good to have a fellow Leicesterfarian on here 👍

[Geek99]

I’m in coalvile (not a typo) - welcome 

[Reggaebass]

17 minutes ago, Jonse said:

Leicesterfarian

Love it, Did you make that up or is that the official term 😁

[Jonse]

19 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

Love it, Did you make that up or is that the official term 😁

 

Think I just coined it. I think it's 'Leicestairian' officially but my version is much cooler ✌️

[ezbass]

 

Plenty of guitar players here (they just keep it quiet) so you’re in good company. Needing advice on spending your money on new bass related items? Oh, you’ve really come to the right place.

[Reggaebass]

18 minutes ago, Jonse said:

my version is much cooler

Definitely ☝️

[Richard R]

39 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

Definitely ☝️

I was waiting for @Reggaebass to comment on Leicesterfarian. 😁

[Ian Somerville]

Many thanks for the welcome from everyone.

I didn’t realise I was a Leicesterfarian Jonse!

Proud to be one and I guess I better get listening to Aston Barrett and Robbie Shakespeare (RIP)

[ezbass]

10 minutes ago, Ian Somerville said:

I guess I better get listening to Aston Barrett and Robbie Shakespeare (RIP)

Absolutely!

[Bassfingers]

Welcome Ian - from another "Leicesterfarian"! - That might actually stick - better than Leicesterians.

[Ian Somerville]

Thanks Bassfingers. Seeing quite a few Leicesterfarians on here makes me think of a question. Where is the best place in Leicestershire/East Midlands to have a bass set up done? Might be useful to know for the future.

[Bassfingers]

22 minutes ago, Ian Somerville said:

Thanks Bassfingers. Seeing quite a few Leicesterfarians on here makes me think of a question. Where is the best place in Leicestershire/East Midlands to have a bass set up done? Might be useful to know for the future.

Hi Ian - I can recommend Howard Smith over in Clarendon Park Road area. Nice chap and knows his way around most stringed instruments. 

 

http://www.howardsmith.co.uk/

 

I'm sure it won't be long before you are setting your own up however. Plenty of great advice and support on here 👍

[Geek99]

On 28/12/2021 at 18:48, ezbass said:

 

Plenty of guitar players here (they just keep it quiet) so you’re in good company.

What with the lynchings … and that new use for both tar and feathers 

[Jonse]

10 hours ago, Bassfingers said:

Hi Ian - I can recommend Howard Smith over in Clarendon Park Road area. Nice chap and knows his way around most stringed instruments. 

 

http://www.howardsmith.co.uk/

 

I'm sure it won't be long before you are setting your own up however. Plenty of great advice and support on here 👍

 

Further to this I can recommend Tom from https://www.dontfretguitarworks.com/

 

He's based in Countesthorpe and did a great job on my P bass. Howard passed me on to him when he was too busy / on holiday. Howard taught Tom apparently. Think it cost me £40. 

Edited December 30, 2021 by Jonse

[Ian Somerville]

Hi lads many thanks for those two great contacts 👍

I would like to be able to do set ups myself eventually but don’t want to risk messing things up at the moment.

[Bunion]

9 minutes ago, Ian Somerville said:

I would like to be able to do set ups myself eventually but don’t want to risk messing things up at the moment.

If your going to get it set up properly then just before you do, get on the web, look for some videos and have a bash.

It’s really not that hard once you get into it as long as there are no problems with the bass. 
There are some decent instructional videos out there from some top luthiers and professional techs. 
You might surprise yourself. 
 

[Nickthebass]

On 28/12/2021 at 16:26, Ian Somerville said:

… trying to find out what playing bass is all about.

There’s a great interview with Rachel Loy (Nashville bass player, songwriter, producer etc.) I read yesterday where she compares stunning an acoustic guitar to playing the bass..

 

”It’s like an endless windshield wiper that has zero impact on the song. Then you pick up a bass and you hit a big old note, like, “What now, motherf***ers?” [Laughs.]

 

https://bassmagazine.com/artists/rachel-loy-nashvilles-finest

Edited December 31, 2021 by Nickthebass

[Ian Somerville]

Hi Nick thanks for sending that link 👍

I really enjoyed reading that but it made me think about why I got a mustang bass. I was thinking it would be more manageable and easier to play having played guitar but there she is a fairly slight petite woman with her P bass!

I will look out for long scale basses to try.

 

I do know what she means about acoustic guitars and I love the power of the bass through an amp but I will take my Martin guitar to my  grave. It’s good to have both.

[bassbiscuits]

Another Leicesterfarian here (we’ll just over the border into Harborough district nowadays)

Howard Smith is highly recommended. He’s done all my bass and guitar repairs and set ups since I moved here 18 years ago. Top man indeed.

 

Welcome aboard @Ian Somerville

 

 

[Bunion]

On 31/12/2021 at 11:34, Ian Somerville said:

why I got a mustang bass. I was thinking it would be more manageable and easier to play having played guitar 

Just relax and let it sink in, suddenly the bass that seems so simple (what’s the bassist moaning about) as a guitarist is now sinking in. We may be more involved than you think 😂🤣