Leaderboard

My TC Signature StingRay arrived this afternoon. I must say I’m really very pleased with it. It has passive electronics (series; parallel; single coil pick up settings. Boost on the volume control (or cut if you use it that way round), and passive tone control. It weighs around 8 lbs, has a nicely figured two piece swamp ash body, roasted maple neck with a very dark ebony board. All the hardware is black, including the hardened steel strings through bridge with mute system. The sound through my Mark Bass LM3 and 2 x 10 Traveller is great - I think I prefer the series with the tone control around centre. It has a perfect Musicman sound, looks, feels and plays excellently - the neck is, as always with roasted maple and the Musicman oil and wax finish, incredibly slick!! Some photos……

Phase is a moderately complex idea, so for anyone not familiar. Speakers (anything making a noise actually) move backwards and forwards travelling fastest in the central position then slowing at the ends of travel before turning round and going back the the other extreme where they slow and return. That creates pressure waves in the air that radiate out into the room. At the back of the speaker the pressure wave is reversed and the air is pushed in the opposite direction. It is 180 degrees out and if you let it mix with the air at the front you get cancellation and no sound. Many other things can delay the sound including distance and the air can be any amount 'out of phase' or not at all so you can get anything from double the sound from an in-phase sound to complete cancellation (which is what sound cancelling headphones do) Any time delay in the sound leads to phase cancellation but the 'phase' is dependent upon the frequency of the sound. Higher frequencies go through more phase change than low frequency ones in the same time. In a ported speaker the mass of air in the port is bouncing on the air in the cab; it is resonating if it is in action and like a bass string it only does this at one frequency (sort of) The trick of the designer is to set this up so it does this just as the speaker is dropping off in its frequency response. Once the port starts vibrating it pushes back at the air inside and if you get it right the cone of the speaker stops moving and all the sound output is coming from the port. So at the tuning frequency you aren't going to get cancellation/phase issues. The speaker isn't making much sound at that frequency. Above that frequency the port output falls really rapidly so phase cancellation ceases to be an issue. Finally all this is happening at the very lowest frequencies the cab can realistically reproduce so the phase shift isn't great and frankly our ability to discriminate sound at those frequencies is really poor. Any issues would be swamped by room acoustics as the bass bounces off every hard surface (floors, ceilings and walls) and takes many differing routes to your ears, each far greater than the distance from rear port to the front of the speaker. That's why I don't think you can hear a difference and I'm completely with Bill on this one; if you want to sell a speaker put the port where people like to see it. People buy with their eyes. That's the simple picture (I'm sure the experts are wincing here at some of the generalisations but I'm trying to be clear)

Always willing to show off my wall. ☺️

Make sure they know you've arrived and you're in charge. Arrive at least an hour late with a bottle of Jack on the go. Spot the smallest member of the band, throw your car keys at him and tell him to fetch your gear. You need to tell them how lucky they are you've shown up, their music sucks and from now on things will be done your way.

Strangely I’ve never weighed any of my basses, I’m not too bothered what they weigh 🙂

Just took delivery today courtesy of@waveydavy Wonder why I didn’t try one years ago, absolutely amazing. thanks again Dave.

I'm a solo performer, so take all this accordingly. I have just received my NHS Vaccine form to say I'm double dosed (as opposed to using the app) as I predict venues I perform in will start asking for this in the next couple of months. If I was in a band I'm afraid I would be insisting in lateral flow tests before rehearsals and shows. However I would rather be in band with careful unvaccinated people, than utterly blasé vaccinated. I know of several vaccinated friends who have been whacked by corona recently and frankly I'm not surprised as they have completely given up on any behavioural care. As it is I test every 3 days and will test and provide result if asked to do so by clients or employers. I REALLY do not want to catch Corona again and will do everything I can to protect my lung function. Similarly One of my parents can't have the vaccine so I will do everything I can to limit exposing them.

After a week of frustration waiting for a Bass Terror, I cancelled and ordered from PMT and got next day delivery. So now I have a Bass Terror sitting on top of a GR Bass AT212 slim cab. Modern tech and vintage sound 🙂 For those who are unfamiliar with the Bass Terror, it's a 500W RMS class D amp with a twin valve (12AX7 and 12AT7) preamp designed to sounds like the Orange AH200 all-valve bass head.. The 'unclean' setting gives a lovely classic Orange growl which is exactly the sound I wanted to get, ideal for the blues rock 'power trio'. The clean setting seems to be what it says and should allow me to get the range of sounds I need for the covers band using my pedalboard. Is it loud enough? Well, I've got the master volume at absolute minimum AND the 6dB pad switched in with a passive bass, and it's still a bit too loud for bedroom practice. Quarter volume sounds loud enough for band practice, and that's with the 6dB pad still switched in. I did consider the Little Bass Thing (which seems to be a basschat favourite) but I'd swap having a proper gain control and the very convincing sound of a two-valve preamp for valve compression any day. Came with a lovely padded bag (big embroidered Oraneg logo) with shoulder strap etc. The only downside is that it feels a lot heavier than 4.6kg/10lbs, possibly because it is so compact. My prediction was that this would be the dog's danglies, and it seems to be delivering.

Despite spending an uncomfortable night in van battered by the rain and being kept awake by a dance tent that had opened up a portal to Hell we had a good one, the sun shone during all bar one song. I was a bit nervous having been drafted in at short notice after the untimely death of the previous encumbent , I have depped for them many times but nearly two years off did make it feel a bit seat of the pants.

My main gigging bass, a Spector Euro435 is 4,26 kgs - 9,39 lbs. It is never been a problem I suppose partly because due to onstage gymnastics it spends quite some time in the air thus not weighting my back as much 😄 😄

Had myself a custom bass built. Beautiful!

Person applies for job. At the interview states they won’t follow company procedures & rules. Door.

Im not even going to listen to this😂 IMO Guns and Roses only had one good album in them! But what an album, I think if you only created Appetite for Destruction, you could die happy, a perfect Album.

Welcome to the forum. That is a pro level instrument, so you have saved yourself a bit of faffing buying a beginner bass and finding limitations with it and losing money on that, upgrading etc.

I had one and LOVED it. I never got on with the EQ but passive with decent strings it sounded great and was a photographer magnet! Mine had the EMG pickups and not the later stock generic ones. One of my favourite recordings I have with it is actually playing a bit of 12 bar blues, I found the tone really versatile. My only small issue was the string spacing was too tight for me, so great for fingerstyle but I expected it to be a slap machine, sadly not for my terrible technique. Listen to Hoochie Coochie Man by clive mustang on #SoundCloud https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/Fw9Rv

Sorry, am I missing something? What exactly is the issue here, this seems like perfectly acceptable behavior?

I think most people go about their lives doing risk assessments without thinking about it. What the pandemic has done is make them do the assessments more consciously. I'm not a denier but think the risk of catching it and the risk of having it may have been overplayed a bit.

Eric Clapton to Ronnie Wood: I could have had your job. Ronnie Wood to Eric Clapton: But Eric, you've got to live with them!

A totally unnecessary expense for an originals band. Just about every gig I have done over the last 20 years (many hundreds) the PA has been supplied by the venue and in most cases has been far superior to anything a band could afford. The number of gigs I have done during this time where the there was no in-house PA are literately a handful and all were in venues that don't usually have bands playing; and in each case it was cheap and easy to hire in a suitable PA system. The money would be far better spent on merch - T-Shirts CD/Vinyl etc, where unlike a PA the costs can easily be recouped if the band are suitably entertaining.

Fixed

I hope that Mike doesn’t mind me jumping in early with his photos. It’s quite beautiful. Just a little setting up and she’ll be ready to come home.

This bass has come from my wife's step dad, who brought it in 75 or 77. Just having a play on it now and wow its so smooth and set up well. Only needs a clean up. I found the patent numbers on the head stock 2,573,254 and a number 699813 on the plate connecting the neck and body. Can't find model number. Can you guys help me?

Which @Maudemeans I’m now thinking of that for mine 😂

I've got the same(ish) one. It's always in my gig bag...well, apart from when I'm using it of course

I use a circuit breaker - also use it at home. Same as this: https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-13a-fused-plug-through-active-rcd-adaptor/63731?tc=OA7&ds_kid=92700055281954484&ds_rl=1249401&gclid=CjwKCAjw3riIBhAwEiwAzD3TibvJqSWpV_U9XJQHvJWCVFNaoXazJhJ9SmWbsKIDts18-NItn8X8zhoCW-oQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Small Town England - New Model Army

Now for the fun bit. As I see it there's three options for a simple reverse P mod. Put the EA part below the existing DG part. Put DG part above the existing EA part. Or the simplest, and my preference to keep the core tone of the BB but with that reverse P vibe as no part of the pickup has moved drastically. Just flip the two parts over. I will need to make a new scratchplate to accommodate the reverse P which is no big deal and luckily the chrome on the reverse of the pickup ring is quite acceptable so I can just flip it over an countersink the screw holes. The front has slightly rounded edges where the back doesn't, but it looks fine in the flesh. Front, Back, Nothing will be irreversible, just flip the pickup, ring and refit the old scratchplate, and it's back to standard so I've no worries there. It will just have a large rectangular pickup route rather than a pair of smaller P ones. So do folks think this is worth doing, or am I just bored and stupid?

A very cool bass you have there, it certainly won't hold you back and it should encourage you to pick it up more often (an often overlooked criteria when it come to a first instrument). As you'll know, Brighton has a very vibrant music scene. As things start to open up more, don't be afraid to get stuck in down there.

relax, you're all wrong. There's only one drummer that could replace Charlie and that man is Steve Moore What? It's been a good 5 minutes since this video was posted on the forum 😀

Nothing wrong with a Sandberg @Puzzler cracking basses, got two myself! Would also suggest to have a lesson, gives good grounding and someone to "bounce off". I will never do my basses justice so don't worry about that! Great advice here from the members as well. Welcome and have fun........

I also ordered one and paid everything (price for bass, shipping, and VAT) at the time of checkout. So, there should not be any more costs when it arrives on Monday. The Vault is really good and much, much cheaper than getting it from UK retailers (cutting out the markup for distributor and retailer). For example, for the EBMM Stingray Special 4HH BFR "Kingpin", Bass Direct wants £3699. Now look how much it costs you by ordering directly from EBMM (again, all charges included!): Cart Subtotal (1 item):£2139.28 GBP UPS Expedited:£111.02 GBP Duties and taxes:£530.66 GBP Order Total: £2780.96 GBP Savings: £918.04 Links: Shop Ernie Ball Music Man - Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special HH - Kingpin (music-man.com) Musicman Stingray Special 4® HH, BFR Kingpin Bass Direct - MUSICMAN, MUSIC MAN, - For sale, UK Basses specialist, USA, Birmingham, Manchester, London, Ernie Ball, Active bass

In a 1hr set about sixty percent of the photos were of me playing the headless which I only had out for a couple of songs, which is a bit embarrassing. Singers don't like that though, neither do lead guitarists!

Ibanez blazer a 70’s/80’s P pickup bass Fender Jag Stang a Guitar with and offset body. and “Oof that’s lovely…” and “mad” because it’s a lovely mix of designs.

After 18 month lay off , I've had 4 gigs in a month , and it's business as usual . Last Friday was a sort of last minute dep at a Holiday Camp , and it was heaving . I've had both jabs , and frankly , apart rumblings here on Basschat , no one I know who's out playing again , mentions anything . Everyone I know is just cracking on .

quite a modest collection, from left to right- 2007 Fender jazz 2004 squier jazz 2001 20th anniversary squier p bass cheers

A bit of Culture

I don't get why anyone thinks GnR vocals are awful. (current track excepted). For me, Axl is, and will always be, one of the greatest rock frontmen of all time. Slash once called him the man of five voices. Personally I think he undersold it.

I went on a bass maintenance course, rather than the build course and Jon was brilliant. I took 2 basses, both of which had a full neck off set up guided by Jon as part of the course. He's an absolute gent as well as an amazing guitar builder. As a result I've shipped out my Fenders in favour of 2 of Jon's creations. Meet the Shukers.

On skimming this thread it seems the main question here is if a dead drummer can dep for an 80 year old drummer? I can confirm that is not possible.