The harshness could most likely be the electrical parts, I have similar with my Mustang basses, the Squier having way more top end than the JMJ. A look at the schematics showed 500k pots in the Squier rather than 250s that Fender usually use, so similarly a KiOgon loom with 250s is waiting to be installed.
Yes, I had the CMD121P combo with an NY121 cab, then a Little Mark 3 with two NY121s. At the time I too was rather heavy handed but they didn’t care, handled everything sent their way.
I think the best thing to do is to show the rest of the band your second last paragraph, then take it from there. Is it a song where one of them can drop their own instrument and play bass for example, whilst you go to the bar and get the drinks in, make it part of an act where the band keep the song but you take no part.
Same for me, problem on the electrics, which were fine when I did my pre gig journey check at home.
Squier/Vintage/Harley Benton all do perfectly decent basses which can be very affordable used - my old Vintage Tony Butler Precision cost me £120 and it was a great instrument.
It’s def worth it Mark, I’ve only ever needed a backup once, sadly I didn’t have one with me that day but fortunately the bassist in the headline band let me use his.
Great pics @peteb, re these, and maybe a strange enquiry, what are the trainers you`ve got on, have seen a few pics of people with those ones but can never find exacts on Amazon etc.
Def agree if a song isn’t in a key the singer can sing in.
Really hate it when a singer vetos a song with the phrase “because I can’t remember the words”.
Then learn them asshat.
If the width of the Precision neck is the stumbling block then one of the Mustangs with the Jazz width neck would suit well. The JMJ is a Precision width neck but due to shorter scale and lesser string tension I find it much easier to play than my Precisions.
I have a similar experience, also have the VHS of the evening. Sure drinking did make us better, but only in our minds, in everyone else’s ears the truth was heard and it wasn’t pleasant.
In my band we tend to rather sarcastically refer to the singer as our leader and most important one. He gets it, he’s not a sensitive chap so fully understands we’re having a laugh.
I recall reading an interview with Glen Matlock (he of Sex Pistols fame) and he said that the integral piece of equipment for his sound wasn’t the bass or strings but his Fender amp.
Now thinking about this I’d probably say a Tech21 pedal in one shape or another, be it BDDI, VTDI or Para Driver they all have the Tech21 sound and this has been pretty much a constant with me over the last 20 or so years.
So, what’s the integral piece of equipment for your sound?
Yep I’ve a couple of shirts that are only worn when on band duty so as to fit in with the overall image, never wear shirts otherwise as I hate them (too many years in shirt & tie at work account for this intense & permanent hatred).
Will work fine, quite possibly the best of both worlds, older heavier (both in weight & sound) amp, newer lightweight cab with the power handling capabilities of todays gear. I did it for a while with an Ashdown ABM amp and a Barefaced Big Twin.
Same, I loved mine but was way too heavy, used to have to keep it in my car all the time as couldn’t get it up the stairs to my flat on my own. Did sound great though.