WalMan

Well then. Friday. Good night in a gig with space, a stage (with a riser) and even a backstage area of sorts (not a star on the bog door), house PA & lights and he generally tries to look after the bands. Reasonable crowd - better than many Fridays apparently. Described as "an eclectic set" by a friend there but all were enthusiastic. Guitarists adjusted tone settings, well the one mentioned previously (rolled off bass & more pushed mids) really helped the mix, well IMHO anyway. Videoed the lot, but for some reason the digital recorder I use for better sound than the camcorder was not running for the first set. A few new numbers in the set and it went fairly well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjUiob-8QWk - lets overlook my SNAFU's shall we <_< First go through live in the reworking (changed key as well) and in over 18 months since we last did it I should think. Needless to say I had got it right everytime at r/h the previous Wednesday. Saturday. Hmmmm, well we played fine but it was all a bit dispiriting really. Realised as it came up that this was the 6 Nations final w/e with three matches from 12, and it's a rugby pub, which is fine and I had spent all afternoon watching the matches, BUT by the time we arrived most in the pub had been drinking since 12 and were full and ready to go home for a little lie down. By the time we started @ 9:15 it had substantially thinned out and so we played two sets to a fairly high degree of indifference - so I fear that's another gig where the others will be saying what's the point, knock it on the head, when gigs are a trial to get. Of course that is until the last number when they wanted more. Sadly that request was countered with "sorry we've run over already" (true but I don't think it would have mattered). and we packed up, picked up the gig cash & fecked off. Smetimes I wonder what the point is. Perhaps we're all to old & should give up, sell up and let the kids get on with it

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1331825800' post='1579540'] What ever happened to Bassist?? It disappeared whilst I was on sabbatical from bass [/quote]It became BGM. Going through cupboards at home recently I found my stockpile of I think virtually every issue since #1. I ought to do something with them as they are using a lot of space, but can't bring myself to dump them in the paperbank, or work up the enthusiasm to set up an eBay listing for old copies - the thought of the time in doing that doesn't bear thinking of!

Ta for the suggestions. I shall have to investigate - or just get a Bass Collection PowerP

So as mentioned in the Tanglewater thread my drummer looked at the Classic J at r/h & said something along the lines of "that needs a mirror scratchplate". Now as I got it because I was after a cheap P type (OK go figure, but it has a P at the front pup) for the Lizzy look it got me to thinking "Now there's an idea". But of course life cannot be that simple because the Tanglewater is basically Jazz with a P at the front. So I can find mirrored P & J plates, but not a J plate with a P hole (that sounds wrong but you know what I mean!) So can anyone suggest where I could find such a beast, or will I have to get a mirror blank and cut it myself (not a good idea with my DIY skills)?

Yup. Put one on my Wal about 20 years ago. Never had a problem & a great little device. Particularly fun for confusing other bass & guitar players when you get practised in surreptitiously flicking down & back up again with your thumb mid song

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1331799781' post='1578894'] I have totally got used to the light strings now and really like the tone they produce. I have recently acquired a reserve set just in case! [/quote]Took this as my only one to r/h last night, forgetting that it would need to be detuned a semitone. Should have taken the full rig not the Orange Crush so it was all a bit farty & indistinct. Almost certainly more re the amp not the bass, but light dont help. I shall need to take it tomorrow to the gig & see how it goes there. Got compliments on the bass generally, though my drummer said "needs a mirror scratch plate" which got me thinking Is it a standard Jazz plate that I could just swap over? Edit: to which the answer is "probably, but it's a P pup not a J"

[quote name='Monckyman' timestamp='1331664779' post='1576889'] So um... not a bassist then? [/quote] DOH!!

[quote name='tbonepete' timestamp='1331667627' post='1576959'] [attachment=102427:IMG-20120301-00055.jpg][attachment=102427:IMG-20120301-00055.jpg]Well done WalMan, I too have a similar bass, although I bought mine secondhand, and in terms of appearance its just about mint, although it took some time, and a new nut to sort the action, intonation out to my liking ( way out of tune, very high action, and a nut that had been cut in a dark room using nothing but a sledge hammer, and a spoon!). Im interested to hear about the apparent difference in pup outputs, Would you mind telling me what height from pups to bottom of strings are please?. I keep faffing about with them, and think Ive cracked it, only to reveal something out of balance later. I know that its personal preference but If your bass has been set up by Chris, theres a fair chance its going to be at or near optimum set up. P and J passive completely new to me (an active 5er player from the start), but it looks so good, and individually the pups sound retrotastic!!! Great bass at any money I think. Cheers Pete [/quote]I'll have a look at the heights & report back. Re the pup difference, I think that is actually just tone. Initially I thought the J was lower output and a bit thin when wound back to that alone, and that it warmed up / got louder as the P was wound in. But actually I don't think there is anything on levels, it's just that the J is closer to the bridge so the P nearer the neck is/was bound to be warmer. I got drawn in when I said I had been looking for a P of some sort and think that I'll probably be using this with the pup knob more middle to P than the J end, but you never know, and to be fair it has only really been run through the little Orange Crush 25 practice amp, not the main rig and I suspect that has a fair bit to do with my initial thoughts. Also my Wal went Active in '96 and this is the first passive bass I have had since so I need to get back into reflective passive mode as opposed to active roar Tomorrow it is coming to r/h with the rig so we shall see.

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1331657829' post='1576732'] Crikey, that looks nice - are you able to PM me the price you paid? [/quote]Done...just don't say "you were!!"

My Wal is 30 years old and still going strong. The older of the two L2500's is getting on a bit and that still rocks out, so.....

Aaaah those were the days. Gigging with a pair of Marathons in a band that all used Shergolds

Have you looked at his other items for sale

[quote name='Jamesemt' timestamp='1331247679' post='1570427'] With a bad shoulder and a wide strap I can only manage about 8lbs. [/quote]Try a strap that goes over both shoulders and spreads the weight. I used a Slider Strap until I had my shoulder replaced a few years back. Also saw a new double strap on he Bass Gear stand at LBGS last week. It wasn't cheap and I can't see it on the site yet, but it was very new & either still in, or only just out of prototype. Seemed to hold the bass in a more normal position than the old Slider Strap I used to use

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1331557428' post='1574668'] It's a basschat rule that within six months of joining you must own three basses, have already sold at least two more on to other members and be seriously looking to replace your rig. You'd better get a move on! [/quote]True My name is Alan & until I joined BC I had used one bass for nigh on 20 years, changing amps every 4 or 5 years. Then I joined BC. OOPS!

Try stuff definitely. Depending on your budget I would also suggest you try G&L, US if you have a reasonable wedge, Tribute for less money and many will tell you there is very little difference in terms of results. If you can get past the Fender connection (L is Leo Fender but you probably knew that anyway) something like an [url="http://www.glguitars.com/reviews/L2000.asp"]L2000[/url] will give you plenty of switching options including Passive/Active. I got into G&L a few years back when I picked up my first fretted L2500, followed a year back by the fretless and love them to bits. IMHO they work beautifully in the classic rock / blues area, but go further than just that. They are an undiscovered gem, well I think so. Picked up both of mine, which are US models, for extremely good prices when you consider the current list - which gave me a nasty shock from an insurance value point of view when I found out what it was at the LBGS'11. Your biggest problem may be finding one to try.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1331492792' post='1573734'] Saw it on youtube [/quote]BU993R! I must remember to stop posting those!!

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1331486259' post='1573549'] There's confidence and CONFIDENCE. I have seen some dreadful bassists with CONFIDENCE. [/quote]I've not seen you at one of our gigs N I know some said that his session last week was a bit out there - turn off your phone etc - but the the basic premise was spot on I thought (which is taking it OT slightly perhaps). The gist was[list] [*]"Turn off your phone" you cant learn if you're fiddling with a phone or on the 'puter [*]"Practice" and practice and practice [*]"Listen" you can always learn stuff [*]"Be confident in what you do" If you show up unsure it'll show. You need the building blocks, but then go for it. [/list] Illustrated (sort of) by getting one of the youngsters up from the audience to play his bass, bassically (d'you see what I did there) hitting the low E and getting a rather reserved bunch (rest of the audience) to stand up and shuffle rather uncomfortably as we Brits are inclined to do to the beat. I [i][u]know[/u][/i] I am not as good as I wish I was, but deep down I also [u][i]know[/i][/u] that I am a lot better than I think I am. I just wish I could have the courage of my convictions to brazen it out a bit more, and to have done so when it really mattered years ago.

You needed to be at TM Stevens masterclass @ LBGS last Sunday. Preaching a great deal of the "believe in yourself" mantra. that I know I should pay attention to and not constantly do myself down

Got my black Classic J last week. Noticed that the volume pot is wobbling, but I suspect that is because it had two days of abuse at LBGS'12. Anyone know how the knob comes off to tighten it? Is it just a pull as I cannot see a retaining screw hole? Plays nicely and looks good too. Had apparently been set up for the show by Chris May, unfortunately with a lighter set than I use normally (38-98 as opposed to 45-105) but I shall live with those for a while before getting a heavier set on. Thought that the J pup was quieter than the P initially, but actually I think not after yesterdays noodle, it is just that it is thinner (probably not the right word) being back at the bridge. We also have to bear in ming I have been using active basses since the Wal was converted by Pete in '96 All in all I am currently pleased with the deal I got railroaded (mind it didn't take that much for the plastic to be flashed ) into late in the show last Sunday

Picked up a Classic J at the LBGS last week. Not used it in anger at a gig yet but spent a pleasant afternoon noodling on it whilst watching the rugby yesterday afternoon. Plays very nicely and I shall be taking it along to r/h and probably Friday's gig this week as it is just down the road

Friday was the prog band. Went pretty well though as ever for us we don't get together often enough really, so there were some rough edges. Had to drop a load of numbers in the end, and run two sets into one abridged version. Took far too much gear. Had three of four basses out, but in the end only used the Wal & bass pedals from the bass "pit" below. Week before did two nights with the band I do reglar stand in's for. Was pre warned of one new one, but that was a piece of p155 learnt in the length of the song tso no problem. Saturday night at a British Legion, which was a bit wierd for a rock covers band but there you go. Had a couple of people along from another club videoing the gig with a view to more work. Don't think the drummer (who is also a long term dep really) realised as he and I were sat chatting with them in the break and they were enthusing about how tight the band was, knew the stuff, no panicky looks in the middle of songs, etc., and he pipes up with the fact that neither he nor I were regular members & I hadn't played with them since New Years Eve....OOPS!

[quote name='lowregisterhead' timestamp='1331420280' post='1572764'] The first time I heard 'Love Like Blood' was during a souncheck in a venue in Germany when the engineer ran it through a huge new PA rig full tilt to give it a workout. The lighting guy was working on the power so the room was in complete darkness. Scared the cr*p out of me! Great band. [/quote]Love that song. I sort of do the bass line under the guitar parts when my lot do "Ready & Willing" Completely different song / band type, but it works and always gives me a little internal smile

Yup still get butterflies and tend to retreat into my shell a tad, so having MrsW chattering inanities ALL the way to the gig last night didn't help in my normal, driving on my own, bit of radio or a cd, chill. Stpid really after all these years but there's always a bit of something there in the pit of my stomach. Last night I thought I was heading for a heart attack the way my chest was thumping!

[quote name='bencooper' timestamp='1331220566' post='1569706'] Hello all, Firstly I'm glad that most of you had a good time at the show. Regarding the noise issues, I sympathise entirely. I would say the show this year was definitely quieter than last year's. However, this feedback has also come from exhibitors on the day too, so you're not alone. In light of this we're currently investigating ways around it for next year. There are some options, such as soundproof booths that can be used on a time slot basis (ie 15 minute sessions max before others get to use the booth), sound marshalls with dB meters who will strictly enforce the quiet times (to the point of possibly turning off the power to stands, liken the do at Frankfurt Musikmesse), ensuring all stands are equipped with headphones like the chaps from Strings and Things (Ernie Ball), Bass Gear and other exhibitors and so on. Obviously we've got a lot of time between now and the 2013 show to explore the options that best satisfy all parties, and if any possible visitors are concerned before booking a ticket next year I'd urge them to contact us either via the website or phone nearer the time and we can confirm what we'll be doing to keep the noise levels acceptable. I do think it's important for people to be a little pragmatic - after all if an amp manufacturer is demoing their high powered heads and cabinet stacks, well they'll want them to be loud at times to show off what they can do. Some noise is obviously part and parcel with a show like this, but all points are noted and we're striving to improve things for 2013. cheers Ben [/quote]I wasn't too desperately bothered by the noise MOST of the time, but then I had my ACS moulded plugs in, and I spent a lot of time in the theatre or masterclass rooms. So far as high powered amp manufacturers demoing gear is concerned perhapos they should follow Marshall's lead at the music show every year I have been to that and hire in a sound proofed cube. Still enjoyed myself again though, even if what I was hoping to pick up (another MONO strap) wasn't available, and the lovely people on the Overwater stand got me into all sorts of trouble at home with their pincer movement sale at the end of the afternoon ... well I am expecting trouble at some point. It seems to have been stored to be held against me for future use at the mo

Studiospares were advertising their own brand for around £29 recently IIRC