Greetings from Birmingham

[Warren Knight]

Hi all. I'm 40 this year and despite owning a bass of some sort for over 25 years, I've never really seriously taken it up. Guitar was always my main thing and originally the bass was just for getting simple lines down on cassette 4-tracks demos, writings songs for bands I was in at the time (thrash, hardcore and punk rock mainly). 

 

I later got heavily into reggae and dub and eventually started doing live analog dub shows - the desk/reverb/tape echo became my main instruments. I programmed the drums but tracked guitar, bass and keys. This was my first proper foray into bass playing and in 2008 I bought myself a USA Standard Jazz S1 and played it with my thumb in an attempt to emulate the tone of the great Flabba Holt. That project later became a live band and I ended up back on guitar, working with a seasoned reggae specialist on bass. 

 

Not played much music live in the last ten years except for accompanying a pop/soul/disco choir on acoustic guitar. I really want to get into bass and start playing with other musicians again! 

 

I've dusted off my old copy of Ed Friedland's Bass Method Complete Edition and have been slowly working through that for the past few weeks, along with working out some bass lines by ear and jamming with drum loops. Never had a bass amp so I'm just practicing by plugging straight into my MOTU interface through studio monitors/headphones. 

 

I'd like get an amp sorted soon to start jamming with others and practicing at work (quiet shop with plenty of downtime). Plan is to get a lightweight 10 cab with a powerful-enough head so that I can just pair with a bigger cab when the need arises. Haven't a clue what exactly but I've been thoroughly enjoying educating myself on this forum with endless cups of coffee. 

 

More than happy with my Jazz, even if it is a little heavy at 10.5 lbs (my guitars are well under 8). I've just ordered a wide, thick padded strap which should make things a lot more comfortable. 

 

So that's it for now. Thought I should finally sign up and say hello after so much lurking! 

 

Cheers,

WK

[Reggaebass]

Welcome Warren 

[Frank Blank]

Welcome @Warren Knight

[SpondonBassed]

Welcome Warren.

[MartinB]

Welcome! 👋

[Richard R]

Welcome aboard! 

 

A few Brummies on the forum, so you're in good company. I'm over the border in Solihull. 

Check out the marketplace for practice amps etc. And if you're free next weekend there's the Midlands Bass Bash up in Nottingham,  come up and say Hi.

 

 

[Warren Knight]

Thanks for warm welcomes, appreciated. 

 

On 18/04/2023 at 07:40, Richard R said:

if you're free next weekend there's the Midlands Bass Bash up in Nottingham,  come up and say Hi.

 

 

 

Ahh, I would've been up for that but working all weekend for my sins. 

 

I've got a jam booked in a few weeks with some old pals which I'm well excited about, it's been ages since I've played with other musicians! Probably a reggae / soul / funk tip knowing them. 

 

There's no bass amp in the space we're using so I've arranged to borrow some kit from a good mate for now - an Ashdown ABM 500 and BF Compact 15. He's looking to shift the cab so it's a handy try before you buy arrangement.