"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 03 Dec 2007 03:27:31 GMT, "JoeSpareBedroom"
wrote:
"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
. ..
I messed around with one of these yesterday and had a lot of fun with
it.
http://www.steelguitar.com/webpix/stdpix/d10ebapr.htm
Don't know that I want to learn a whole new technique though.
Kelly has a good reputation, and for acoustic instruments, Fishman
electronics are highly regarded. But, there's one thing to consider with
acoustic basses, and it's true regardless of the brand: When you're
playing
alone, it'll sound plenty loud to you, even without an amp. It's an
illusion. It won't hold its own against other instruments, except maybe
a
flute. Bass needs more power to go anywhere significant.
I don't expect to play with others - this is just for my own amusement
and trying to keep the fingers nimble enough - I've been having some
problems with dexterity and need to exercise them more.
And I hate the exercises the therapist recommends.
Bass would certainly do it. But (there's always a "but"), do you envision
sitting or standing while you play?
That's a good question - probably a combination of both.
Hollow body instruments can present problems if you play while sitting. The
body has a sharp bend where your right arm hangs over the edge. If the edge
presses into your wrist/lower arm in just the right way, it's painful enough
to make you want to stop playing.
Even a solid body bass with a smooth, round edge can be a problem while
sitting, depending on where the edge lands on your arm. Be sure you spend
some time in the store, sitting with the bass in a chair that's similar to
the one you'll use at home. You should be able to play without bending your
wrist too much. Otherwise, fatigue sets in quickly and you won't want to
play.
By the way, the Kelly bass isn't really an acoustic in the same category as
this style, for instance:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ass?sku=511994
What I said last night about lack of sound projection will be even more
pronounced with the Kelly and others that have a thin acoustic body. So, an
amp is almost a necessity. You can learn to milk more sound out of an
unamplified instrument, but it'll still only be enough for practice.
Finally, take a close look at where the neck meets the body of a bass. For
instance, compare these three:
http://www.michaelkellyguitars.com/dragonfly.html
http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?...ollectionID=12
http://www.peavey.com/products/brows...%20Bubinga.cfm
The three examples show various levels of access to the last few frets.
Although bassists don't play down there often, you may want to. He did, and
his basses always had enough of a cutaway to allow it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4kzCoLNAjo
Anyway, if I were starting over, I'd go for a solid body. Don't fall in love
with the wood. Get something that's really comfortable.