janmaat

It really depends on how loud everyone else is. I am very happy with my 2x6 Minimark since it weighs only 10kg and that's the same as the bass in my other hand - plus, it has a DI out. But I would be more happy with a 4x10 + head which indeed seems to cover most situations, but I'd need a car which I don't have.

In non-PA venues you obviously need something that works with your setup, so your drummer and guitarist and audience and all can hear you - the bigger the better. In crap-PA venues you need something large enough to make your drummer hear / feel you. Many crap PA venues who DI the bass have no speakers appropriate for low freqs so it's nice to be able to provide that; means you are basically in the same situation as above. I have frequently played in venues that size, and even though the bass goes through PA you can hardly ever "feel" it anywhere in the venue, so I wish they had an insight and would get a 8x10 instead of the 1x15 most such venues provide. In good-PA venues you only need a DI box, and maybe a tiny amp as extra stage monitor. I find it surprising that people seem to thing the bass amp should "fit" with the size of guitar amps. It is the loudest non-amplified instrument that sets the levels, and in rock setups that's usually the drum kit. Depending on how loud your drummer and his kit is, you should be able to create nice solid balanced rhythm section. - A "good PA venue" mic's all the drums.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='1349795' date='Aug 24 2011, 01:10 AM']I like the bucket bass but I couldn't play any of the stuff I play on it, I would need at least 2 strings, preferably three. I also sing so I prefer to not have to change position too much so I don't have to think too much about intonation. I do like the concept though, and I agree that the cheaper you can do it the better. Also people are always impressed if you can get a tune out of something as simple as that. It's guaranteed to make money. [/quote] I guess the "coolest" and a sure money maker in the UK, because not seen before, would be a bass balalaika.

EBS microbass, if you want some more features (I love mine)

+1 for the double bass or the bucketbass [url="http://bucketbass.com/"]http://bucketbass.com/[/url] and yes, I have done it a lot, and yes there is a bucket bass and a double bass for grabs sine i moved away ... both cheap

ska venues: [url="http://www.allska.de/locations/body_locations.html"]http://www.allska.de/locations/body_locations.html[/url]

[quote name='51m0n' post='1349213' date='Aug 23 2011, 05:29 PM']Again I dont think he is wrong, the loudness wars have also meant a massive reduction in the ratio of RMS to peak in a track, or how much the volume changes when something loud happens (like a kick drum transient), leading to far less punchy sounding CD's. Ironically this is as a result of record execs wanting to have the loudest track on the radio when heard in a car....[/quote] +1 everything today gets compressed to the max, and as loud as possible, with the bass covering all the lows at full blast, just with a tiny gap to leave some bass drum through. Modern pop music is all about the "max" sound, where the whole music is as loud and full as possible, not about good sounding instruments. A while ago I was with some youngsters listening to stuff on that laptop, crap speakers etc., and was trying to introduce some old music - like, Leadbelly. Was incredible how impossibly thin that sounds in a modern music environment. Then someone puts something modern on, and bang! the room is full. But then, loudness is not music.

big fan of the EBS here. It serves just for so many other great things so worth the dosh.

[quote name='JTUK' post='1349487' date='Aug 23 2011, 09:05 PM']But it is true that european tastes are far less influenced by the latest fad from London/UK, IMO. They like what they like and will support that.[/quote] true - Germany's neighbours include Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Swizerland, Italy if you want, France of course, Luxemburg, Belgium, Netherlands. And then, there are also Sweden, Norway, the UK, Spain, Russia, Ukraine... Yes, the UK is just one of many, and we don't know much about it on average (just like vice versa).

Well I live in Berlin now... after 6 years of UK, and I am fluent in German (hey, I AM German) Don't become drunk and disorderly - drunk, yes, but drunkenness does not excuse disorderly or noisy behaviour here, I found that a serious cultural difference. Don't - mention the war (nobody except Brits does on the continent ever). Apart from that, enjoy! As for gigs & stuff, well paid gigs is hard... having a laugh is not... And you should really go to Hamburg... There are one or two Irish / English pubs on Reeperbahn & surrounding streets that sometimes feature live bands. The coolest place to rock in Hamburg is Lehmitz - where bands play on the bar (no kidding) if that's your thing. [url="http://www.myspace.com/lehmitzreeperbahn"]http://www.myspace.com/lehmitzreeperbahn[/url]

flew with Easyjet to Berlin today. Two basses in Hiscox cases checked into hold, together 19.7 kg - the fender jazz 5 and the olp mm3. Then my minimark bass amp as hand luggage. No problem at all.

depending on the instrument and what you want to achieve - a shed ?

as for oils, there are many options at your local wind instrument shop been using some odour-free almond oil they sell it as "blockflötenöl" (recorder oil) but you really only need to oil your instrument after a thorough cleanout. I have cleaned an old rosewood guitar finger board that was SOOO greasy had to use soap to get rid of that thick layer of black dirt made sure to not soak the board wet dried it thoroughly and gave it some oil is very nice now.

Well behringer - your know where the hook is. I had a look at their guarantee specs recently. Only 1 year - you must have kept the original packaging - you must not have opened it up yourself - and worst of all, all parts that "naturally wear off" such as faders, pots etc. are explicitly exempt, which means the guarantee does not cover anything that can actually break - so no guarantee at all. but i guarantee you the thing will break. money spent on behringer kit is thrown out of the window.

Was joking in the band practise, the more members in the band the less costs pP for the rehearsal room. Obviously the other way round once you get paid gigs - that's when it's time to get rid of some. What's the ideal number of players to a band to you?

love my EBS

I think everyone should at least have a basic knowlede / experience of any other instrument in the band, if possible. Nothing beats a little swap around now and then, good for creativity & mutual understanding. I don't understand why people are so shy to try other instruments, or look down to any of them. EVERY instrument is hard, and easy - just like every language. I am here to make music not complaints.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1324467' date='Aug 2 2011, 04:24 PM']I hate it when the bass player and drum launch into an improv when there is a gap for whatever reason-usually because it ends up being a really lame 'funk' thing.[/quote] +1 don't. get a spare guitar, or a spare guitarist, a guest musician to jump on board, practise a piece without guitar, or get some really good jokes ready to fill the gap. oh that reminds me must start a thread with gap filling jokes.