martin8708

Nice set up , I have a similar rig , Vanderkley MNT212 and Markbass Tube 800 , this was so I could be heard in a ( rather loud ) 2 guitar band . Probably a bit overkill for the current quieter stuff I am doing , but very clear detailed sound . Is the MN 210 suitably loud enough for your needs ? Cheers Martin

I love the old school stuff , but Adam Ant , Roland Gift and Kevin Rowland lacked the vocal power of the younger performers. Mr Ant was visibly relying upon his back up vocalist midway through the track . As much as it pains me to say it , but Paloma Faith was the saving grace of the Jools Holland show .

Most of the "sound " will come from your fingers / pick / thumb style of playing . ( grabs a tin hat and runs for the trenches ) never needed much more than a good Precision .

I only had one ( or two at max ) till I joined Basschat . Never needed a back up bass in 25 years of gigging . Only needed one Combo amp , since joining basschat I've been through 5 heads and 6 cabs . Mind you , I suppose there are worse things to spend your money on .

[quote name='Tandro' timestamp='1356131793' post='1907380'] -In: An awesome Warwick Streamer special edition Markbass cab -Out: I've no idea what you're talking about [/quote] Hi Tandro , still got that '87 Streamer I sold you a few years ago . I still see you like the Warwick's . Cheers Martin

hmm In and out ; Alleva Coppola KP5 Antiguan Fender Custom shop Pino Paladino Markbass LM3 and 604 Stack In , 63 Precision Vanderkley 212 Cab

Our current drummer , ( Graham , you are a Godsend ) plays keyboards and sings as well. He is a bloody good drummer who really lifts the band , he also listens to the bass and the guitar and will frequently make suggestions for us to try different timings or arrangements . ( can you imagine that , a drummer telling a guitarist how to play ? ) but he really knows his stuff. Fully agree that cr@p drummer = cr@p band .

1982 was the first year of the Vintage Re issues that Bill Schultz and Dan Smith introduced at Fender to try and get the factory back on track , and repairing all the damage the CBS management had done . Its a 30 year old bass with a nitro finish , so the woods have had time to breath . I have a black 57 Re issue from the early 80's and its the best Precision I own . I would not sell mine for £1500 , I would much rather keep it .

I know of at least 2 guitarists who now just do solo pub / eateries venues and I am starting to see the logic behind this move . They don't have the hassle of getting everybody together for rehearsal / gigs and they play the music they enjoy and get to keep all the gig money . I don't know if I getting old and sentimental , but there seemed to be more band loyalty in my earlier years of playing .

Played both guitar and bass equally for nearly 30 years , they defiantly complement each other with regards to fretboard knowledge and timing / rhythm . Playing guitar allows you to work out songs easier and allows you to read what the guitarist in the band is doing ,should he go into unfamiliar songs / jams . Being able to play more than one instrument makes you a much more rounded musician , go for it.

Brits are pretty poor at haggling , we get offended if the offer is too low , and many feel too embarrassed to make lower offers for goods, but in other countries it is almost expected . By offering an item for sale , you are opening yourself up to deal with the public , some will pay full price and some will try and get a better deal , some will take a bigger risk and throw in a " lowball " offer , if its too low you can always say no . Most of us probably know the realistic price of guitars and amps , so if the price is good , I tend to go for it , or make a close offer in an attempt to shave a few quid off the price , Their is absolutely no point in getting arsey about an offer, good manners don't cost a penny.

I gig a 212MNT cab, had it for about a year , powered by a Markbass Tube 800 . Cuts right through two greedy guitarists like a butchers knife . I can actually run the cab at lower volumes because I can hear what the bass is doing despite the guitarist best efforts to hog the whole sonic spectrum. Not as deep ( subby ) as my old Markbass Cabs , but not as muddy either. Thinking about a single 12 for practice /rehearsal . ( apologies for lack of techno - guff , if it sounds good , I like it )

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1353830824' post='1878730'] flakiness is not committing to the band, when that is what everyone else does and expects from you too. [/quote] There are many levels of commitment to a band . I learn the songs ,turn up for rehearsals and gigs , help with bookings and promotion of the band . However , I also have a day job, a mortgage , bills to pay and I even have other interests outside of music . My livelihood comes before the band , being a bass player in a pub band won't put a roof over your head .

Sorry you quit the band . Would have been a great excuse to buy that Orange 8x10 that's for sale here on basschat.

Everybody in a band has different hopes / expectations / aspirations /level of commitment because we are all different . Do we perceive flakeyness as some one that just exhibits different behaviour to ourselves ? I always try to think of myself as the " normal " one in the band , but I'm sure some people think I am the outsider or the person who muddies the water of the band puddle . As they say , communication is paramount , but mind-reading is preferable .

A bit down and a bit left for me .

Hi Molan , I am have to agree that the Custom Shop seems to be pulling out the stops on their newer models . I have bought ,and subsequently sold a few CS Strats in the past , but I recently bought a 56 Heavy Relic Sunburst Strat in lightweight ash , and its absolutely spot on the most comfortable , playable , resonant lightweight guitar I own . My CS bass of choice would be a 59 or 62 Precision in Heavey Relic Sunburst , Torty pick guard , chocolate brown Brazillian Board with clay dots . The Custom Shop instruments are definitely a few notches up from the Standard American instruments . They are incredibly well set up , stay in tune forever , and just 100% playable straight out the box ( not allowing for individual preferences in set ups )

The X factor is first and foremost a TV show , just like Blind Date , Jeremy Kyle and Top Gear . If you don't like what's on the telly , use the remote and watch something else . I don't really think Simon Cowell is wholly responsible for all the poor quality / bland music that is out there at the moment . Like wise , there are some great new musicians that make the big time purely on their talent and hard work .They will probably have a far greater longevity than any of the Cowell artists . I still think that Susan Boyles first audition is one of TV's great moments , where she shoves everybody's preconceptions right up their backsides and make the judges eat humble pie . Pure TV gold. Sorry I'm not technical enough the post the YouTube link.

Bought a Project turntable and a TLC Fatman valve amp about a year ago and having a great time rediscovering the magic of Vinyl . I'm no sound engineer , but there is something a bit more magical when Pink Floyds " The Wall " or my mums old Dave Brubeck albums are cranked up on the turntable . I enjoy the nostalgia , the physical involvement of playing albums , even the hiss and clicks give the music a rawness and edge . Then again , I still use film when I take photographs . A small bonus to having a turntable is that lots of people will happily donate their vinyl collection for free just to get rid of there albums .

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1352741280' post='1866858'] Aw, dont give MrF a hard time guys. Its a bit bewildering being in a band for the first time, as I am finding out!! I just wish our guitarist could tell me what key he is playing in at all :-) But I am finding that having to work it out for myself is really improving my 'ear' which can't be bad:-) [/quote] +1 to this . Everybody was a novice at some stage in their musical journey .

[quote name='Mr Fretbuzz' timestamp='1352670910' post='1866008'] Only met the guys once and they seem ok and the good thing is that they are willing to give a newbie a chance... Unless they're desperate :-). Yep, had some experience tonight of working out how to change the notes so all is good so far :-) I'm sure I'll learn a lot ..it will all be experience, good and bad [/quote] It sounds as if they are quite decent chaps , and I'm sure they will take the fact that you are a newbie into account . As a fairly average bass player myself , showing willing to learn and fit in with other band members is vital . Just by doing your homework ( learning the songs ) ,be punctual and reliable for rehearsals will count for a lot . Don't be ashamed to ask for help , if the guitarist is as good as he thinks , he will probably know the bass lines to some of the songs . Just enjoy the pleasure of playing with other musicians , It is in their interest to get you up to gigging standard , so learn all you can from these guys . All the very best . Martin.

If you can show him that you can play his set list in his chosen key , you will be the better musician / person for it . Singers will quite frequently change the key of a song to fit their vocal range , so it is no bad thing to be able to shift a song up or down the fretboard . More importantly , do you get on with the other muso's , it sounds like you don't really like this chap which may be more of an issue than the key changes in the songs . Good chemistry in a band counts for a lot in my book . All the best . Martin

Perhaps it is just a case of " empty pub syndrome " , if there are no punters or audience then some people are more inclined to take the p1ss and just lark around and not put any thought or effort into playing . This does not do you any favours as the landlord / bar staff will label you as a crap band and will not be asked back . It is still worth being 100% professional , we have played to empty pubs as well , but the landlord really enjoyed the gig and gave us further bookings on busier nights. On the other hand , maybe the guitarist / drummer were trying to sabotage the gig , just to try and bring any unresolved issues to a head and encourage a reaction from you , ie , resign from the band . Maybe you just have immature band mates . Being in the middle of a Volume War is not much fun , I fully sympathise .