The Bassist and Guitarist thread

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pinkbikini

Active Member
Just found this thread.
Anyone on here playing a double bass? I play in an orchestra and concert band. Being able to read music (someone mentioned not getting to grips with the bass clef on one of the first few pages) is an absolute must.

I’m learning to read music (bassist here) - it’s slow-going (difficult to learn new tricks in mid-50s). It is very rewarding though. A useful bi-product is that it’s forcing me to slow down and concentrate on technique as well. Never tried upright, but our neighbour has one stored in their shed (!!!) so might get the chance to give it a go.

You play in an orchestra thought - there’s probably a bit of a gulf in our abilities!
 
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Drago

Drago

Legendary Member
Hofner have filed for bankruptcy.

It works a bit differently in Germany and, for the moment, production continues but the future of the company is now very uncertain :sad:
 

DRM

Guru
Location
West Yorks
Hofner have filed for bankruptcy.

It works a bit differently in Germany and, for the moment, production continues but the future of the company is now very uncertain :sad:

I saw that, the trouble is, you can't really trade on the fact that Paul McCartney bought one in 1961, but they do make some beautiful Violins, Violas & Double Basses, hopefully they can keep going.
 

De Sisti

Guru
I’m learning to read music (bassist here) - it’s slow-going (difficult to learn new tricks in mid-50s). It is very rewarding though. A useful bi-product is that it’s forcing me to slow down and concentrate on technique as well. Never tried upright, but our neighbour has one stored in their shed (!!!) so might get the chance to give it a go.

You play in an orchestra thought - there’s probably a bit of a gulf in our abilities!

It is now more like a small chamber orchestra, totalling about 27 members, down from 54 in pre-covid times. The concert band, full of brass and wind instruments is flourishing, with a few new members recently joining. It is up to 45 at the moment. Oh, I am the only bass player in each, so I have to keep good rhythm, otherwise I get called out. No bad thing, as it ensures I stay focused (especially with practicing at home).
 
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Drago

Drago

Legendary Member
Had a nice Alan Entwistle P bass pickup knocking about for ages, a proper UK one not the far eastern under licence jobs thst aren't wax potted.

Finally pulled my finger out and fitted it the Sire Marcus Miller. Took a bjt of careful filing of the pickguard and some soldering, but all done and it sounds highly spiffing. Surprised at how hot it is.
 

Tashman

Well-Known Member
My daughters band had their guitarist close a car door on her hand over the weekend but then still play on for their gig on Sunday. Bless her she was in so much discomfort and in the end had to cut the second session short as she simply couldn't grip the pick any longer. Fair play to her. It was a beautiful shade of black and blue.
 

winjim

Straddle the line, discord and rhyme
Early night for me. Merry Christmas one and all.

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Drago

Drago

Legendary Member
Mrs D got me a gorgeous Ashbury-Rathlin octave mandolin for crimbo. It sounds delicious, sort of halfway between a mandolin and a sitar. Norwegian Wood sounds lovely on it.

I love the mandolin by struggle offtimes with my big hands. This is much better suited to my Ross Kemp crushing dimensions.
 

DRM

Guru
Location
West Yorks
So I've been having a go at a proper set up on the Squier Classic Vibe 50's Strat, after ordering some radius gauges, and a set of Fender Bullet strings, checked there's no rough bits in the nut, set the neck relief and string action, just a fraction of neck relief, strings set to 1.25 mm on treble side, 1.5 mm on bass side, set the trem floating, and set the pickup heights as per factory spec, the reason for trying the bullet strings, was I've found that the normal ball end ones dig into the alloy of the trem block, making tuning hit and miss, the bullet ends fit perfectly in the block, so I stuck a little copperslip up there too, lubricated the nut and saddles, now the strings are claimed to be brighter, and have more chime on a strat, but you would think Yeah, Yeah, whatever, but blimey it fair sings now, also cleaned & polished up the body & neck too, whilst the strings were off, a couple of hours well spent.
 
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Drago

Drago

Legendary Member
I've a 50's CV P Bass. Very nicely finished bit of kit. Mine had a bit of an accident with a mudbucker pickup and now sounds like the Devil clearing his throat.

Strings and a set up to personal taste make a huge difference.
 
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DRM

Guru
Location
West Yorks
I've a 50's CV P Bass. Very nicely finished bit of kit. Mine had a bit of an accident with a mudbucker pickup and now sounds like the Devil clearing his throat.

Strings and a set up to personal taste make a huge difference.

The Classic Vibe series really punch above their price point, I've got the CV 50's Tele too, it weighs a ton, but it sounds great too
 
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