martin8708

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1363069748' post='2007749'] No need to change, the Spyder sounds fantastic through the ML112's. Just need to make sure that the "mid voice" switch is in the up position, and mids at about 11 to 11:30 (o'clock). [/quote] Good to hear that your happy with the Spyder, I could never get to fully understand the EQ section of that amp , and I just seemed to get a good sound straightaway with a Markbass head . It's great to see amp and cab builders getting involved in basschat , I am far more inclined to try new gear from bespoke builders who interact with the general public , so hats off to Roger . After being stuck in the "mud " for many years , Mark at Bassdirect put me onto a great Vanderkley 212 Cab which is great for the big gigs , so I am looking at the ML112 for smaller gigs and rehearsals . Cheers Martin

[quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1363231632' post='2010250'] People hear with their eyes. Nobody will be impressed that you sound good on a cheap bass. They'll just assume you're an amateur for not having a better instrument. If you like the Fender logo, put it on. Just don't try to sell it as such. [/quote] One of the best sounding guitarists I have seen locally plays an cheap Epiphone copy of a Gibson 335 going through a Carlsborough Lead 90 amp ( you could probably pick one of those amps for £25 , or free to a good home ) I thought he had a great sound and the audience certainly enjoyed the gig . I did not notice anyone getting disgruntled by the use of his cheap gear.

As a past owner of an Ashdown 550 Spyder , I found that particular amp to be very stong in the mids and struggled to get a full bass sound . See if you can borrow another head (my personal favourite is Markbass ) and you may find that you don't have to turn down the upper mids . All the best Martin

Reminds me of boy racers who stick "turbo " or "gti" badges on their clapped out Vauxhall Nova's . If it makes you happy , put the decal on , but I would be far more impressed by some-one getting a great sound out of a cheap bass .It would also make me think twice about my own need for expensive instruments .

This is a very tough decision to make , especially if you're in a great band with a great bunch of musicians . I fully sympathise with your predicament , I'm sure quite a few of us have given up bands for various personal reasons. Sometimes really good stuff can come out of a bad situation , so keep positive and don't sell the gear , keep in touch with your band mates , there could be a re-union in the pipeline later on .

[quote name='iceonaboy' timestamp='1362254091' post='1997692'] Yeah, we used to be a two piece with a drum machine ( ) and we had to get by . We tackled all sorts and as you say , when there is a fancy keyboard or horn part, you strum and the audience gets it. kazoos are not given the respect they deserve! The unsung hero of cover bands [/quote] We started with a drum box , but soon dropped it . ( It packed up ) We would take tambourines and maracas and other small percussion instruments and hand them out to the audience who would join in with the songs . Great way to get a free percussion section and audience participation as well.

[quote name='iceonaboy' timestamp='1362251936' post='1997654'] + 1....A really good song, no matter what style it is, can be stripped right back and played on an acoustic guitar, so a band can cover any song. All you have to do is put your stamp on it. Gets harder when you are tackling Kraftwerk songs right enough [/quote] This one thousand times . I did 10 years in a duo with just an acoustic guitar and bass and we would tackle most songs , the audience probably realise you don't have a three piece horn section, but fill in the gaps in their minds . It also teaches you to improvise , I've done a few sax lines with a kazoo taped to my mike . If its a good song , with good lyrics , it will stand up on its own.

We are trying to get a small 3 piece band together , and in my folly I bought a pair of EV Stage 200 PA cabs for a pretty good price from fleabay . They are well used and seemed fine when I tested them at home with low volume guitar / mike going through them . Took them to rehearsal and halfway through the night , noticed very little volume coming from one of the cabs , no big bangs or sparks , and I just thought it was a loose connection in the cab . At home I tested the cab , the horn still works , but the 12" Driver ( Proline EVM 12S ) is as dead as a parrot pining for the Fjords . When connected to the amp , their is no hiss or pop , just total silence . Moving the paper cone in and out a bit does produce some scaping noises , I'm a bit reluctant to push too hard in case I damage the cone . Any advice on possible repair or replacement would be gratefully received . Any recommendations of speaker repair companies also appreciated . I dont really know enough about the mechanics of speakers to start taking this one apart . Pictures below . Many Thanks for any help . Martin

The action on my Balladeer is comparible to my Strat , you can pick up old Balladeer's and Legends for not much money on 'bay . Given that these guitars are probably 30 years plus old , the Spruce tops will be nicely " seasoned " giving a lovely open sound . Good enough for Cat Stevens , Brian May , Ritchie Sambora , Paul Simon and Adrian Legg .

[quote name='redroque' timestamp='1361277856' post='1983705'] Both great bands in their time and liked by people at the time. As you are obviously all (most) under 25 and were not born when On Through the Night and New Jersey came out, you are clearly well qualified to throw ridicule at music your Dads listened to. In 15 yrs time, remember your attitude when your children laugh at the old man tripe you are currently listening to And ducks Too close to 50 to call and toured in the 80's with as much hair as I could muster. Thank goodness these days I can save a fortune in gel and spray Saw Bon Jovi at Hard Rock Calling last year ( I think ) and they are headlining at the Isle of Wight festival . [/quote] I saw Bon Jovi at Hard Rock Calling a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the show , great audience interaction which the American bands seem to have in bucket loads . Bon Jovi is head lining the Isle of Wight festival , so they must be doing something right . I 'll vote Bon Jovi as the better band , I have never seen so many guitar changes in a gig as much as Ritchie Sambora , pure gearstalker heaven .

My best. "P" out of my six is my Black 57'. AV re-issue . I have tried a CS Pino and lovely as it is , the neck of the 57 feels more natural to my hands I've had a few fellow muso's play the 57 at Jam nights and they are all comment how good it feels Mind you , it's taken 10 years to get the bass played in .

Singing ( and playing acoustic guitar ) I love the whole singer / songwriter / guitarist thing Cat Stevens , Jim Croce and Ray la Montaigne to name a few .

I'm one of those Luddites who does not have a mobile phone ( shock horror ) I stay in touch with band members by landline and our weekly rehearsal and now even by that new e-mail thingy . All the bands in the 60's 70's and 80's. seemed to survive just fine without a mobile phone . When I have to endure some other person having a conversation on a mobile phone , the majority seem to be entirely without fact or substance , so I'm quite happy as I am . PS , never missed a gig or a rehearsal , I use a calendar .

I'm 48 and keep going back to look at the Cardinal Red Jeff Ament Thunderbird . If I had a spare 3 grand lurking around , it would be on its way to me now. I believe the Lull T-birds are very light and well balanced , unlike the Gibbo counterparts . I don't really give a sh*t about what people think , I still go skateboarding at the local skate spots because I enjoy it and have done it since I was 12 years old . Buy the bass , wear your best rock and roll T shirt and enjoy gigging it.

Well , I like em , so much so I have two of them , used to be three , but I sold the Adamas . The steel string is a Balladeer that I bought 30 years ago when I was an poor student , I was in a guitar shop and this guy brings in the Balladeer to try and trade against a shiney new guitar . The assistant behind the counter was a real dick , and offered very little for it , so I got chatting to him and offered all my ready cash for the guitar , and its been with me ever since . I thought I would go one better and get an Adamas , but to me the feel + sound of the Balladeer was better . I bought the Classical guitar version about 5 years ago for £200, it has a gouge in the soundboard from some ones over zealous finger nails , but the playability and depth is fantastic for a 200 quid guitar , plus it has an on-board stereo amp . Other Acoustics owned ( and subsequently sold ) are a Gibson J185 , Brook Creedy , Larrivee OM , Yamaha acoustic , Bernabe Classical . If you avoid the cheap Applause range , I think the proper old Ovations are great guitars for the money .

I feel pretty much the same if the band I 'm in is falling apart at the seams , or I become victim of a band re- shuffle . Pack down the basses , £1600 is a great budget , so immerse yourself in acoustic loveliness . I'm sure the urge to play bass will return , once it's in the blood ,it stays with you .

Hi Marvin, it depends what the other various things are. You could just be preoccupied with other things and music is just taking a back seat at the moment . I tend to play classical or acoustic guitar when not in a band , sounds a whole lot better than plonking away on a bass on your own , so maybe another instrument will re- ignite the spark of music. As previous posters say , there is no law that says you have to pick up your bass and play , take a bit of time out from it. All the best .

Always wanted a JV Squier P-bass , never seemed to be any around when I had money a year or two ago , now they appear regularly on the for sale section , and I'm skint.

Apart from the beverage choice , I'm pretty much the same . My " sound " comes from turning up the volume loud enough to be heard in the band .

Who ( or what ) is JLS ?? Sounds like an alco - pop drink . ( Wicked ! )

Singing whilst playing bass is similar to playing drums and singing , the temptation to sing every word on the beat is very strong . Playing guitar and singing is quite easy compared to playing bass and singing . Try and treat the vocal as a separate entity to the bass line , much like a keyboard player can split the melody line from the bass line . Learn the bass line until you can do it in your sleep , then slowly add the vocal line on top , keeping the bass line steady . Takes a lot of practice though . Good luck Martin. Edit , put yourself on a strict diet of early Police records ( yes , I still listen to records ) to get inspiration from the master of singing over complex bass lines

Bought an EA Whizzy from Tom , great cab for a great price , well packed and promptly delivered . Smooth transaction , many thanks again . Oddly , this is the third item that I've bought from Clarkys bass emporium Many Thanks again Martin .

I'm sure it was BigRedX who said that the older we get , the music becomes less important and the people we play with become more important . This is definitely the case for myself, I would rather play average music with a great bunch of guys . But then again , I enjoy gigging , it's a great escape from my day job . It's a bit like looking for a job , always seems a lot easier when you have a job rather than when your unemployed .