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@chris_b Not treating your customers like mugs or insulting them? Showing some expertise? Just trying to make a sale with knowledge and interest rather than assuming you deserve it? Not telling the customer what they want without listening to their actual needs? Those things cost nothing. I'd rather shop locally, but I'm not going to be treated like a mug in the process.

A few weeks ago me and a mate went to a couple of gear shops in Bristol. My mate wanted to buy some for of drum machine. He'd narrowed it down to the Roland Aira TR-8, the TR-09 and the Arturia DrumBrute. We went into PMT first, they didn't have the DrumBrute in stock. But the guy was mega enthusiastic, without being annoying, he gave a brief and knowledgeable rundown of the workings of the TR-8 and then left us to it, popping back every 10 mins to answer questions etc. We had a quick poke about with the TR-09, but counted it out. Chatted about gigs and stuff with the PMT guy for about 20 mins and then we left. We then headed to Elevator Sounds, a synth shop a mile or so away. After being stood in the shop for 15 mins looking at things the owner sighed, looked up from his laptop and asked if we wanted to try anything. My mate asked about the DrumBrute they had on display. Owner sighed again, wandered over, switched it on and pointed at some headphones. He then went back to his laptop. Meanwhile I was looking at all the modular synth stuff. He had a used module I wanted at a decent price. I asked about it, he replied with no enthusiasm "urgh, If you want it that means I'll have to get it out of the rack... "Don't bother" I said I'm not interested now. I asked my mate if he was getting the Drumbrute. In a loud voice he said "F**k this guy, we'll go back to PMT". and off we went. I'll never go back to Elevator Sounds. EDIT: The guy lost nearly £600 in 2 easy sales.

Is that Anton Du Beke on Les Paul as well? 🤔

Yep, they made the Squier PB-331 in black, white and sunburst. They also pop up slightly earlier than the E-series... below is mine, it's an A-series dated '85 (plus, I believe, Fender Japan made them in late '84 under the Squier JV series, though likely not exported... and they also came as regular Fender Japan models, but that's another can of worms). Great little basses.

Me - Do you sell Rotosounds? Them - Yes Me - Why?

I'm not wasting my time with a shrink when I could be running through the streets with ten mini capes flowing in the breeze behind me.

I've just ordered ten. With a five pound saving on each one I've just saved fifty quid in a matter of minutes. I can now get a 'free' set of flats with the money I've saved, and still have some left over.

So yes, anyway - this was today... The songs are coming together, so I had a bit of time to do some A/B-ing. Basically, as they have the same pre, the characteristics are the same - the richness & clarity. But the WB-100 is bigger and 'bloomier', whereas the R-400 is more focussed. So no surprises there, then...

Sorry Mate, but that's a contradiction. He either does a good job, or the frets are buzzing. You can't have both. Don't know what he had it for, but if it needs adjustment it would have taken nothing to do it. If the frets need leveling, he should have called you and got your agreement to do it while he had it.

I kinda feel sorry for the staff in music shops. I also feel enraged about the staff in music shops. I remember having a good chat with one of my friends (somebody who has worked in the one of the music shops in the midlands for many, many years). I said it annoyed me that whenever you go into a music shop and ask to try something out or be shown how something work, 9 times out of 10, the staff are clearly winging it. They have no idea how or what the device/software does... and even start telling you a load of horse shizz in the hopes of selling you something. His response to me was that the guys in shops cannot possibly know everything about everything they sell - and it looks worse because customers have often done research before getting to the shop (who would have thought eh?). I said that I agreed - but even the nominal level of understanding is rarely displayed. What angers me is that these same shop staff are usually sitting on their derrières - they could be learning about the products that they are selling in the times where the shops are quiet. I understand that not every member of staff can not be clued up on everything - so how about divvying up the products so there is at least one member of staff that has some understanding. I would have a lot more respect for a member of staff that says to me, "I can't help with the product in depth - but if you wait for xyz, they will be able to take you through it all in detail...." It's funny - the desire to be clued up seems to have vanished. A guy I knew, sadly no longer with us, could never afford any of the equipment that he was interested in but had a real passion for synths. This was back in the day before all the information was available to download on the manufacturers websites. He would often contact the manufacturers and purchase the operating instructions and tech manuals just so he could learn about the products that ultimately, he could never afford. Anyway, cut a long story short, he used to go into shops to play on this gear - and his knowledge of everything blew the shops away - especially when they found out that he was showing them all the advanced and deep editing features. Before long, he had given up his job of fruit machine repairs and went into music retail. Within 6 months, after the synth reps came in and saw what this guy was capable of, they were fighting over him to join them. Shortly before his death (very sad botched appendix operation), he was consulting on the embedding programming aspect of much of the stuff found in modern DSP. I often think about him - and his passion for learning - compared to the guys selling stuff that they haven't spend 30 seconds looking at or even having a brief look through the instruction manuals. It's though it should be a given that anything should be instantly usable to the nth degree with zero learning curve. Very sad. So yeah, it upsets me that the selling staff are mostly clueless about what they are selling...

There's an album i haven't heard in a while - it was brilliant tho wasn't it? Must get on Amazon and find a copy...

We used to play Girl Like You by Edwin Collins. Practically a one note bass line for 4 mins. I used to read a book during that one. Audiences liked it though.

If it's like I'm visualising it's reasonably common, though a pic would help to confirm. I've seen it on basses and guitars at all prices points (cheapys, Warwicks, US Fenders amongst many others) and it's simply where the wood has moved. Being three different pieces of wood they can all move at different rates and directions. There isn't a fix unfortunately, but it usually doesn't result in anything too disastrous. In extreme cases the wood can burst at the seams, but 9 out of 10 times you just get the lines like your'e seeing now as the wood has already moved to the position it wants to be in. People don't really think of body wood moving/warping, but it's actually quite common. That being said, if sending it back is an option, I'd definitely do so.

It'd be really useful if people described how they use their boards and the logic of the signal path. There's so much variety and so little overlap between boards, that I often have a really hard time imagining what combinations of pedals are being used and what kind of noise can be achieved.

Can I join in? Some wonderful suggestions here and so much I can learn from all of them. This little gem also springs to mind

Saw this on Instagram the other day - not the usual “any good for metal” finish...

I had to...

Not sure why I just went back to Dire Straits with good headphones, but I've been blown away by the sparseness of John Illsley's * bassline on "Ride Across the River". It's a dark broody song, and one can easily see a heavy bassline working well, but there's nothing at times, and then two notes on an off-beat, and then three notes where your ear fills in the next three that should be there but aren't. Perfect "play the rests as well as the notes", and "less is more". Any other suggestions for perfect minimal bass? * or maybe someone else according to one of the posts below

Just got this through my email... https://www.amplifiercoversonline.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=580&products_id=7373 Seriously?!

Less than 24hrs after spotting this in the for sale section of the forum, I had this little baby hanging on the wall in my studio and a massive smile on my face. I have to say a big thanks to @Kev for being the easiest guy in he world to deal with, a quick drive about a third of the way across the country and a late night meet up at a very dark motorway services I was on my way home with my new toy. I have been playing Warwicks pretty much exclusively for the last 20 years and had a $$ for a few months last year but I thought it lacked a bit of individuality and a little something tone wise, but a very nice, very versatile bass, but it got moved on in the end. This thing however is a totally different beast. Firstly the tiger wood top and swamp ash body look beautiful. This bass is No30 of a limited run of 85 made in 2010 and within that 85 only a small No. were made with this specific hardware. Instead on the standard two MEC humbuckers it has two Bartolini humbuckers and a 3 band MEC preamp as opposed to the normal 2 band found on a $$. This combination makes this thing sing, being able to push the mids really brings it alive compared to my experience with the standard $$. Suffice to say I am very very happy with it and will stop gushing and show you some pics. @Kev I dont know what you were thinking parting with this, but thanks again for making it so easy... and you cant have it back

Forgotten where I got this arrangement from now, but have tweaked it a little. Played on my custom Broom acoustic bass. Sorry about all the gurning.

Bought the MXR Bass Octave Deluxe, Bas was very helpful and gave great advice. Extremely quick next day delivery and excellent price. 10/10, would buy from him again and definitely recommend.

$2 fee plus whatever standard rates USPS or FedEx charge to deliver / insure. I got a pedal over here for something like $25, check their site for any more info.

I read this thread with great interest as I have noticed a similar problem with my Sandberg JM5 (tuned E-C). It was great to see all the potential fixes documented here so a personal thanks to all those who contributed. I may very well go down the route of a hi-mass bridge too. I see you went with the Fender one, so just wondering what people's thoughts are regarding alternatives? Anything particularly recommended or advised to stay away from? Cheers.

Just traded some stuff for an Epiphone Embassy in antique ivory with a Hiscox hard case. Popped some old GHS Precision flats on it and bingo I like it. Unfortunately no full volume rehearsal til next week.

Once I'm done with it, and assuming Mrs. WoT doesn't give in, we'll work on a road trip for it :-)

For now, we just have the B112-VT cab to pair with it. There is discussion for a matching cab but that has not been finalized, The amp will be available in the UK but I don't have an exact release date as of yet,

Yes definitely. I've certainly had 'Fenderitis' since deciding to start looking at getting one a couple of months ago. I've looked at Laklands, G&L and others, which arguably could be 'better', and at least as expensive. This Schecter is the first thing I've looked at that has made me seriously consider a U-turn, and I haven't even touched one yet, which shows how much I like how it looks at least. If I was spontaneous and went by gut instinct, I'd be ok. Unfortunately I usually obsess for ages over what crisps to get from the petrol station.

I don't have a problem at all, even taking into account my 7 or so hours playing each day. I use fingerprint activation on my phone to switch it on and for Apple pay and online banking.

Yes... I'd go trans red with a white guard. Would look killer with an amber tint on that maple neck. As would trans blonde and a decent tort guard. * Please, no jokes about trans blondes...

Love it! back at ya - https://www.audinate.com/sites/default/files/PDF/large-scale-houses-of-worship-avnw-orlando-150616-pres-audinate.pdf EDIT: taken to PM to avoid derailing!

Hi folks, the name's Brendon but I have been known on the internet as BreadBin for coming up 20 years. I've been playing bass on and off for nearly 30, nearly sold my last bass last year and then realised what a mistake that would be. Fast forward 6 months and I now have 14 here with number 15 arriving in a week! I can't resist an eBay bargain but will run out of space soon, although I do live by the guitar shop mantra of the correct number of guitars is the number you already have +1. I reckon I can comfortably get 18 in my music room so will be hitting the classifieds shortly..

When we looked at having a cover on one of our albums we contacted the writer, who advised that permission from them isn`t required - Guns N Roses didn`t ask his permission for a cover of his they released . However I think it needs to be registered with PRS so that the writers get their share.

I assume BigRedX is talking about outboard preamp rack units. Most preamp pedals have bypass switches from what I've seen. Basically an EQ is a preamp. But like Lozz said, EQ pedals should be flat and transparent with the EQ knobs centred, whereas a preamp might still impart a bit of its own flavour. Also some preamps might have special contour, voicing or deep switches that make changes that would be difficult to replicate with simple EQ controls. Not to mention a bit of overdrive, which you may or may not be looking for!

Apologies in advance; I don't have any knowledge of the licensing situation. Great cover though man, the arrangement is super nice!

If you just need the EQ sound for some songs (or parts of songs) and use the standard passive tone the rest of time, then an EQ pedal will probably be more useful in that it will have a bypass foontstwich, whereas most outboard preamps are designed to be permanently affecting your signal.

Happy to help Marc!

Excellent, that's good to know!

Whilst we`re on this subject, let`s not forget some of the really good shops, with great staff in them, Coda Music in Stevenage, PMT Northampton, Andertons, Gig-Gear in Harlow to name a few. I`ve had great help & service from these, especially from Coda.

I struggle to think what kind of punter a lot shops do take seriously and even what a guitar shop is for these days. I took the condescension and poor service for granted when I was a kid, on account of looking insufficiently like a member of Guns N Roses, but at this point I've been playing 30+ years and have actual disposable income and play every week in two bands. I buy gear. I don't want to repeatedly put the boot into PMT, but they seem to be utterly clueless. If you are demoing a pedal, at least have some knowledge of what the controls do - Strymon El Capistan - dunno, dunno, dunno - it's 300 quid so find out! Provide an amp and bass that can give some idea of what the pedal will sound like (MXR Bass Distortion through a practice amp and dead strings? No thanks). Get the bass guy to help with bass sales, not the trainee who gleefully tells you he knows nothing about bass gear. Read a bit.They had never even heard of Darkglass as recently as last year (blank look). I know there are more guitarists than bassists, but show some imagination and stock more than entry level Ibanez, twenty different Jazz basses and a couple of Musicman. How about not cramming them in the corner at the back of the shop too? With online trading rules guaranteeing returns, there's almost no point going into a physical store unless the store can add value. Chain shops like this have huge economies of scale (although apparently not enough scale to make stocking TC pedals viable. Really?). If they bothered to keep up with where the market is - what players are talking about and what gear people are excited about, shared some of that enthusiasm and stopped pretending that it's still 1989 and the only true music is classic rock, I'd seriously consider being a customer again. Rant over. I should drink less coffee.

I like those too - the ones on Musicman basses feel particularly satisfying and robust - however similar ones on cheaper basses do not -- rather like the same analogy with machine heads/tuning pegs etc. I suspect it may have something to do with the quality of the pots they're fitted to also. They come in black as well - and the original ones fitted to Stingrays had flat tops, not domed (the reissue Old Smoothie has them). The very early Musicman Stingray basses from 1976 had what are called radio knobs and they do indeed look like something from a radio (black plastic with a silver top). Funnily enough, possibly because of their rarity, radio knob Stingrays are quite sought after. I've never even seen one other than in photos.

Rudy Sarzo was the first guy I saw using that finger as a pick technique. I've tried to work on it on a few occasions but never really got it down. I used to play a version of Hot For Teacher in a band 30 years ago. We used to play original material but did HFT as an encore. We had to drop it in the end, as we were billed at a gig in Birmingham as 'the band that plays a great version of Hot For Teacher'! You need a hell of a drummer to do it justice! I have just listened to the clip above and the bassline is pretty much how I remember it. Probably easier than you might think at first, the little runs every second line of the verse are just a partial blues scale (starting on the 4th). You just need to work out what he plays under the solo. The solo'd bass track will help a lot.

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest a Who song. Yep, with John Entwistle on bass and everything: Admittedly this is dredging right down to one of the few good tracks off probably their weakest album, but even though the bass tone is completely over the top, the playing is surprisingly restrained, especially by The Ox's standards.

This is all well and good but will it help me play bass, sing backing vox and do the Mud Tiger Feet dance simultaneously without having a meltdown

Here are three that I play with my little band - great songs, real less is more stuff.

Yes, exactly what the entertainent industry needs is more people who keep quiet and don’t have an opinion on anything. That’s entertainment. The saddest part of this is the reaction of so many who are outraged by one man speaking his mind. Remember when having an opinion and talking about it was a regular thing? What an utter shambles the world has become where speaking openly and without fear draws the ire of those who’d rather live in a bubble with the precious fallacy they’ve cultivated around their sacred cows. Let the man speak. If you don’t like it, tough. Learn not to get offended by opinions other than your own. There’s a lot he said which was a little uncofortable to read but I’m guessing he got to where he is by being a straight-talker and not someone scared to upset a Beatle or two. Consider that maybe they tried harder and did better because of his directness. Being a producer is a lot more than just “Well done, boys, you’ve just recorded your first number one!”