mcnach

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363777903' post='2017335'] I'm interested in why so many players on here seem to be in covers bands. Is it because you enjoy it more than originals? Can find a good enough originals band? Doing it for the money? The challenge of having to be so versatile? You are in both originals and covers - why? The crowds are better than originals? Not meant in any way to be inflammatory, but I can't ever imagine wanting to be in a covers band. We do a few covers in a couple of bands, but they are vastly different to the originals, apart from Walking on the Moon which we did for fun once, and it wasn't that much fun anyway Another thing I find hard to understand is covers bands who chuck in a few originals into the set. What does that achieve? [/quote] I'm in both, although my covers are "specialised", as in only songs by RHCP or only songs by RATM. Those are fun and easy, that's part of the appeal. Some may not have been technically easy for me, as the RHCP started out when I could barely slap,, and I saw it as a challenge to help me learn... but they were easy in the sense that well, you just play what it's on the song, and that's it. I do add my thing here and there, but I don't have to think of a good bassline for a song. It's also fun in that people are familiar with the songs, and if they are fans, the reception is awesome (and if they're not fans, why did they come to see you? ) The originals, on the other hand... it requires more work. I'm never satisfied with my basslines, they seem uninspired to me... and sometimes I try to compensate by making them busier than they have to... until I hear a great simple bassline and go back to square one. But it's a good challenge, it's dynamic, songs change, evolve... and it feels good to create something from scratch that people who never heard it before go "hey, I like that!"... But it's harder to find good gigs for originals bands. At least good gigs. We have played lots of sh*tty gigs, and I am sure we are not done yet. After three years, we have progressed and play mostly better gigs, the band makes a bit of money that pays for promotion, recording, etc... but we played lots of sh*tty gigs for no money, or a beer... all for 30min of "glory" hoping there will be one person in the crowd that might go home and decide to check us out online and come to our next gig and bring friends... I like to have both the covers and the originals, as both have different pros and cons.

Cool speech, liked it!

You will want to be friendly with the midrange, and you will love something that allows you to adjust easily the midrange, to best fit in with the other instruments and find your sonic space

I had a few, including the OC-3 and the MXR... I kept the OC-2.

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1363534441' post='2013728'] The standout bit for me is quoted below. Even if this weren't a grey import JH seems to be saying there is no manufacturers warranty for anyone outside North America. There are other laws in the UK which should allow for some redress should things go wrong of course, but interesting that RIC wash their hands (presumably in non-biological soap) of responsibility for the rest of the world. [/quote] eh? I don't like the guy, but... his point 1) rather than the 2) you quoted covered that... no? [quote] [size=2]1. If it was new and legally imported into the U.K. (It isn't)[/size][/quote] [quote] [size=2]2. If it was new, the guitar was registered, and you were [b]resident in North America[/b] (It isn't and you aren't)[/size] [/quote]

It's... dare I say it? Entertainment.

Ha! I think he is awesome! He is always pulling faces etc... I like it

I had come across both of these guys separately... and like both, for different reasons. And now I find they did a video in collaboration. I really enjoyed it, so I thought I'd share. Have fun! [url="http://youtu.be/-HgJ2uHd2Zo"]http://youtu.be/-HgJ2uHd2Zo[/url]

[quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1363377470' post='2012176'] www.rothkoandfrost.co.uk [/quote] thanks!

No, not worth the hassle for stringthrough. I bought a Westfield Jazz for £40 a few years ago, fully intending to replace at least the pickups... but it was nice enough as it was. The body was solid wood, not sure what, regardless... it was good. I gigged with it a few times and it even features on a DVD If it feels nice and you like the sound... that's all you need. I personally detest locking jack sockets, 'though. If the original is not making good contact or feels a bit loose... I'd replace it, but for a smiliar one, just of good quality. BUt that's me.

are all bassists in a band? No. Some are in more than one band

Very nice! Now that's a cool decal. Where did you get it made?

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1363303625' post='2011469'] There's a simple answer, if you don't like them, buy something different. Like DIngus, I've had (and do have) several Stingrays and don't have this issue in a live or recorded situation. The problem with all basses is if you overscoop the mid range, the upper notes sound less powerful (when stood right in front of your rig) than the lower ones when you're playing with a band. The Stingray has a naturally scooped sound (as does a Fender Jazz and various other basses) - if you overdo the bass EQ and cut the mids (on a 2 band Ray this happens automatically if you put the treble and bass control on full), the lower strings will appear to sound louder than the upper ones - however they actually don't out in the room, although you might not be as present in the mix as you would want if you have the mids scooped too much - the way to get the sound back is to avoid excessive EQ adjustment. This phenomena can be achieved on many basses, but particularly a Fender Jazz with both pick ups on full (scooped sound again). I believe it's an EQ setting issue. I have a Markbass LM3 and if I put the VPF on full (scooped sound) I can create the 'weak G string' sound - well certainly in terms of the sound in front of the rig. Stingrays also respond to having the pick up level adjusted correctly (as per Musicman FAQ info). [/quote] I have a Stingray and a 2003 SUB. Neither of them seemed weak on the G to me. I find what you said about the EQ interesting, as I like midrange and I never boost bass and treble much. I seem to have the bass control at about a quarter to a third of its travel, and the treble maybe a tiny bit more, and that has a lot more bite than boosting both to max, which many people seem to do. The pickup on my Stingray is quite angled too, much closer on the treblier strings. Now, another curious thing. My SUB was great. Very punchy D and G strings. Then my G string broke and... it was the string set the bass came with when I bought it. I have no clue what the strings are. This happened at a gig, I quickly put another G string on, from a D'Addario XL170 set... and my G string was gone. Much much quieter. Ok, I thought it was probably not well matched to the others... so I set out to find out what the strings were. I never did find out... I was in between Ernie Ball and DR Fat beams. I tried the Fat Beams... Nice strings, same gauge as I had... but the G string was... weak. Oh no! Now the pickup on this bass was not nearly as angled as the Stingray's, and it sounded balanced. So I angled it more, so that the treble is closer to the strings, and then lowered the pickup a bit, equally. It seemed much more balanced. I used the bass tonight at a gig, and the G string sounded every bit as good as the others. The conclusion for me is that I remain sceptical about the idea of a "weak G string"... Yes, it can happen, but it's something that can be contributed to by a number of parameters that we have control over: strings, pickup set up and EQ. My guess is that the people who complain about a weak G do not use/want a tone similar to the tone I want... in that case, maybe it's not the best bass for them?

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1363273496' post='2010835'] because the stock Fender bridge is a piece of garbage. [/quote] however, it works for me... go figure.

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1363215889' post='2010102'] I think there's a difference between might not enjoy and don't feel safe. Safety is paramount in any workplace whether it's casual work, hobby work, primary income etc etc. everybody has the right to walk away if they don't feel safe surely. [/quote] True. But they have played there before, knew the score, and still booked another gig... It can't have been THAT uncomfortable, or else, why rebook? Also note that they have not have any issues regarding payment yet. It's all second hand...

[quote name='TommyK' timestamp='1363191888' post='2009513'] My band are supposed to be gigging this Saturday night in a pub we have played twice before with no issues... however.. It has become renowned over the last couple of months for becoming the local gypsy fraternity's boozer and some of them are pretty unpleasant/violent characters to say the least. Our usual rent-a-mob fan base ain't keen. It is also St Paddys weekend which could add to the fun?? Also I have a mate who plays in a couple of other bands locally and he told me that the landlord hasn't been paying everyone their agreed fee at the end of the night. (They have always paid us ok up until now) We are a female fronted pop/rock/funk covers band and my gut tells me to pull the plug on it. Never done that before though.... Thoughts/advice appreciated. Thanks TK [/quote] I feel it's a bit too last minute to cancel without a solid reason. I would still do it, just be alert... and in the future do not book gigs there if you feel nervous about the place.

[quote name='p58' timestamp='1363094672' post='2008284'] Friend of mine built for me custom instrument selector. My Stuart Spector Euro LX5 has very hot output, way hotter than my passive Fender Jazz Bass, so I wanted something that can adjust the volumes and I wanted to have it a bit fancy (pots with light etc.). [url="https://plus.google.com/photos/104146856705988679512/albums/5823559421929540209?banner=pwa&authkey=COXTnOaTp_C86QE"]https://plus.google....COXTnOaTp_C86QE[/url] [/quote] I don't need one, but that's pretty cool!

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1363043471' post='2007645'] Good grief, look what that's done to the frets. [/quote] and to the kitchen! The walls are all bent too! edit: I should have known somebody would have beaten me to it...

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1363025244' post='2007191'] Ha, but this was in Inverness [/quote] Oh, then it makes even more sense, I've played there!

End of March I will be driving from Edinburgh to Maidenhead... If the bass is somewhere near Maidenhead on Friday 30th or Sat 31st March... I could show up to the gig and bring the bass up North.