colleya

Well not really NBD as I've had this for a bit, but it too a while to get it the way I wanted. I originally brought this from here to try out all of the unusual in one bass (short scale, headless, fan fret). The silver wasn't really to my taste, so off came the neck and it went into the spray booth at my good friends at Northroad cycles for a surf/seafoam green refin. Hell, if you're going to play in an 80s cover band then why not go the whole hog? Here it is before: And after: The good: It weighs bu**er all and balances nicely. Fit and finish is very good. Nice neck profile. Comfy contours. It sits really nicely in the mix with the band. Adjusting to scale (for the most part) and fan frets isn't a problem for me. The not so good - compared to my Sandberg Cali TM5: I can't get the action quite as low. Playing solo, the pickups are a bit woolier, however it does sit very nicely in the band mix. It's a little harder to play up at the dusty end, although that's probably a combination of my sausage fingers, poor technique, and time needed to adjust to the scale. The control knobs are also hard to intuit. A couple have a physical centre indent, which I like. However others don't so it's hard to tell where you are on the dial. The locking jack socket is a right pain. That's probably going to get changed. I've had it at a couple of rehearsals, no gigs yet due to world cup related cancellations. Looking forward to trying it out.

This is exactly the approach my band has had for the last 12 years, which I think is the major contributing factor to it lasting. Reading some of the stories on here makes me appreciate just how lucky I've been. We're not affected by shifts etc, but the drummer is moving further away and the guitarist is retiring at the end of 2023, so that will be it for us. I'll be back looking for a band with the same level of commitment and fun. No idea how that will go after so long, but at least I've got loads of notice.

Bas helpfully dropped in on an effects thread I started to offer advice and ultimately flog me a pedal. Really easy transaction, pedal was in great condition and fairly priced for both sides. Another great basschatter to deal with. Cheers! Andy

Just checked this out, it looks pretty spot on. Now to find a second hand one. Cheers!

Hi everyone, I'm a complete noob where effects are concerned so I'm after some advice as to how to achieve a particular sound. I play in a 4 piece 80s cover band, bass, 1 guitar, drums & vocals. This makes covering some 80s tracks a challenge as they're pretty synth heavy. I'm after some way to get the soft attack and delay 'swell and sustain' type sound of a synth bed underneath the guitar. I'd imagine that I'd be playing simple chords. I've watched lots of synth pedal vids on YouTube but haven't been able to find anything that does the trick. For reference, the keys part in this cover is the sort of thing I'm after, preferably without having to remortgage the house. Thanks in advance, Andy

Just done a super quick and easy deal on a bass with Vin. Everything you'd want from a purchase. Great comms, quick delivery and an all round smooth process. Cheers!

Bought Alan's PJB bighead. Arrived in what can only be described as immaculate condition. Highly recommended.

Ker-ching?

We had that at Ewood Park (Blackburn Rovers). Big corporate five a side tournament on during the day. Bar was packed as we set up but the moment we started everyone buggered off home. By the time we played 'I think we're alone now' it was true!

Cheers! I'd never used the headphone setting so didn't know to check it. The button doesn't press very far and isn't recessed when it's engaged so I just didn't spot it. Feeling pretty foolish about it today. We do stick pretty much to a gig a month. It was something we agreed to when forming the band. We've all got jobs, families etc and are lucky enough to be able to play as a hobby. This level of commitment balances well for us. It's good for me as gig booker too. We have 4/5 regular venues that we play 2-3 times plus a couple of new places each year.

Me neither. It's well worth checking out as it doesn't depress fully when engaged. There's only a couple of mm difference between on and off, it's pretty proud and easily pressed accidentally (as I found out to my cost). As @Lozz196 says, I'm feeling pretty foolish now.

I remember that! There's been a significant tidy up. Lots of kit still in situ but much better organised. The proper junk has gone and the rest moved to the back of the stage. We hide it all behind the pull up banners that the rest of the band lovingly call the 'Nuremburgs'.

Nope, we're significantly older and grumpier than them! This is us: https://www.facebook.com/JumpTheSharkBand/?v=wall

It's a great setup. A little tight on headroom but they put on 3 bands a week and the landlord has put a lot of thought into how it will work for the venue. Built in PA is pretty punchy too.

Well, now I'm about 50/50 relieved that it was a single button fix and bloody annoyed at myself for not spotting it last night! Thanks!

Finally made it back to the Polished Knob in Todmorden last night to play the thrice cancelled booking that should have originally taken place in April '20. A mixed night overall: The bad It was pretty quiet. We normally play Saturdays and it looks like that's the busier night. There were about 30-40 people in having a good time but another 30 or so would have tipped it over the edge. Plus I always find it more difficult to summon the energy after a full day at work. We've only played together once since the end of August. It was pretty good considering but you could hear the 'joins' in some places. It wasn't as polished a performance as the Knob deserved. Amp failure. Plugged in, unmuted and....... nothing. Did the usual idiot checks, swapped the cable and still nothing. Turned our background music off and could just about make out a static-y, fuzz pedal type noise that didn't change volume when I played with the input/output dials. Of course, I'd forgotten to pack my backup power amp pedal. Fortunately the DI was still working fine, so I went through the FOH and turned the bass up in my in ears. Checked everything today and it looks like the problem is with the speakon connectors on the amp (DI is fine, headphone out is fine, cab works with other sources (originally thought it was a cab issue). **Edit** Turns out it was user error. There's a 'headphone' button on the back of the amp that is proud when disengaged and slightly less proud when engaged. It'd got pressed in the amp bag and I didn't spot it (never used the feature). If I'd posted about it on here at the time then I'd have had the answer in 10 mins (like just happened) but I was too busy swearing! The good The pub has its own PA & lights, so no lugging it around and a quicker setup and pack down. Raised stage means that you don't spend the entire night worrying that you're going to get your mic knocked into your teeth by enthusiastic dancers. Despite the kit issues and basically setting the bass levels by guesswork, feedback was that it sounded pretty good. A little FB clip here: https://fb.watch/8ottck_Xkx/ We decided that the first gig back at our regular venues would be a freebie. It's not much, but if these places shut then we've got nowhere to play. The landlord last night gave us the cash and told us to donate it to a charity of our choice, so the Booth Centre in Manchester will be getting a few extra quid in their coffers.

Had an issue with my RM 500 evo 2 at last night's gig. Plugged in, unmuted and....... nothing. Did the usual idiot checks, swapped the cable and still nothing. Turned our background music off and could just about make out a static-y, fuzz pedal type noise that didn't change volume when I played with the input/output dials. Of course, I'd forgotten to pack my backup power amp pedal. Fortunately the DI was still working fine, so I went through the FOH and turned the bass up in my in ears. Checked everything today and it looks like the problem is with the speakon connectors on the amp (DI is fine, headphone out is fine, cab works with other sources (originally thought it was a cab issue). Quick video of the problem here. Amp was new in Spring '20 so an email went off to Ashdown customer services today, but I wanted to see if anyone else has had a similar issue and might know of a fix?

Our first gig in 18 months at the Railway Hotel, Royton on Sat 28th August. In a weird twist, I could have filled the date about 4 times over. We've had loads of enquiries in the last month, are now fully booked for the year and have even taken some for 2022. Normally I have to go hunting for gigs for the next year around October time, but it seems like they're finally starting to come to us. Superbly well looked after, load in of about 15 feet from car park to stage, loads of power and a great crowd. Hotter than the sun too, I turned round towards the end of set 2 and it looked like our drummer had been swimming fully clothed. I got to try out my Basschat lockdown acquisitions (Sandberg VM5 and TKS 212) live for the first time and was very happy with the sound. I even remembered how to plug the PA in. Several rough edges, not least of which were my backing vocals having not done a full 2 sets worth of singing for ages. However we got loads of great feedback and a couple more bookings for next year. I'd almost forgotten about that post gig buzz that stays with you until about Tuesday.

Just bought a pedal from Ade. Super easy, thanks!

TL:DR - It's great, can't wait to try it in a gig situation. I bought this cab from @wayne58 of this parish a couple of weeks ago. Always loved the look of them and this one was dangerously close to home, so I took the plunge. Cameron was a pleasure to deal with and the cab is immaculate. Lovely bit of oxblood cloth too, it's a looker. I've had the chance to try it out at a couple of rehearsals now. The Polished Knob (no, really) in Todmorden should have been its gig debut tonight but extended restrictions meant we were two days too early and the pub had to cancel. So it's rehearsal room only impressions with my rootmaster 500 head and Sandberg tm5. So far it gives me the sound I've had in my head for years. Fat without booming, clear without harsh treble. Deep without mud. I got it because I wanted to move more air without turning up. I was after more presence, if that's the right word, and it certainly does that. Happy boy.

Bought Cam's TKS cab in a super easy deal. Great communication and the cab itself is in superb condition. A great guy to deal with.

Jo bought my Barefaced cab. Super easy sale and a great bloke. Thanks!