vsmith1

I've uninstalled Flash on my Mac - too tired of vulnerabilities, multiple updates, resource usage.

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1444598344' post='2884475'] [/quote] As I had a 2 stroke Benelli in the 70's - I can say they were rubbish - poor and unfathomable electrics, a clutch so firm that would have given me a left arm like Popeye if I had kept it and being a petrol - created its own fog bank at times.

Adding to the love for Snarky Puppy - saw them last year at Band on the Wall - stunning. I dithered too long this year and Manchester was sold out - unsurprisingly.

I'd suggest getting their set list - if you select some songs from their set list then they will be confident and that will boost your confidence. Just ensure about any key changes from the original are known by you. Further to that, then I'd recommend songs like Dakota, She Sells Sanctuary, Teenage Kicks, Bohemian Like You - all in our current set list! As well as Sharp Dressed Man, Mustang Sally, Chasing Cars. Most of all - relax and have fun!

+1 For Audioslave

I have a book Bass Riffionary see [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bass-Rifftionary-Various/dp/0571529437/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439545948&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=bass+riffionary"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bass-Rifftionary-Various/dp/0571529437/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439545948&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=bass+riffionary[/url] and set up a Spotify playlist for it: [url="https://open.spotify.com/user/vsmith1/playlist/1ZuBAwTzT7U8dDzQc2V8Gq"]https://open.spotify.com/user/vsmith1/playlist/1ZuBAwTzT7U8dDzQc2V8Gq[/url] There are lots in the book that have already appeared here.

I'd suggest: Brick House, Commodores Cissy Strut, The Meters Dazed and Confused, Led Zeppelin

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1436301562' post='2816954'] Calais disruption is causing loads of postal delays from the Rest of Europe. It's not Thomanns fault. After all, they are not French truckers! [/quote] French Truckers - where is the Rev Spooner when you need him?

I thought about this, then saw that a pair of mics or a mic that fits into a iPhone/iPad would cost almost as much as a recorder! Most of the recorders come with a screw hole for attaching to a mic stand or tripod. I've also got an action cam recently so my currently thinking is to get a recorder and mount both of them on a stand (mic or lighting or speaker) and then let them both run during a rehearsal or a gig. My thoughts it will be cheaper overall and a lot easier to just press the record button.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1435506424' post='2809473'] Crikey, that was quick. It only seems a little while ago that he was diagnosed. A very sad day indeed. [/quote] Agreed- very rapid. RIP Chris Fortunate to have seen Yes twice - in very different guises : once at Stoke football ground in the 70s with Patrick Moraz and it rained (SAHB were brilliant as well); then the Union tour at the NEC In my book it is the definitive end of Yes - without Chris and Jon - leaves only Steve the remaining core member

Hmm...and there's me thinking I'll stick an action cam on the headstock for some gig and rehearsal action footage. Scores -(a lot) on the fashion front by all accounts then...

I'd add: Hand gel - keep those strings clean Ear protection - sometimes you just need some quiet Microfibre cloths - clean this and that Sync lead for the phone and laptop; camera and laptop or card reader

[quote name='A.G.E.N.T.E.' timestamp='1431387346' post='2770861'] I use the Ultimate Support GS-1000, and it´s great. Light, surdy, stable and my favorite feature...foldable. [/quote] I have this and a Hercules. I bought the Hercules first, but the Ultimate really folds up well without any neck sticking out. So the Ultimate is my choice for gigs.

[quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1431339674' post='2770079'] Good job your pocket didn't have a lot of lint in it! It is possible, and quite easy, to start a fire using an AA battery and some foil backed paper from a stick of chewing gum. The 9v Procells I have came with little rubber caps on one of the terminals, so I keep them, just in case. [/quote] I did a bushcraft course one time and they had PP3 plus wire wool as a great fire lighter - of course the wire wool would still work if it was damp (but not rusty!). Bit less effort than some of the other fire starting techniques.

I have it generally 75% on the P/Js but will up it a bit when on the J pickup.

Brill - thanks for that.

I'll say that my pet peeve is Go Your Own Way. Not sure whether it is because it is repetitive or I don't feel I do it well enough (by my own standards) or something else. Just glad to finish it each time. I don't mind Dakota - the challenge I set myself to find different places on the fret board to play E, B, A!

Nice review. I'd be as worried about the almost invisibility of the knob and their settings against that backdrop artwork! The only thing that puts me off is the 15V power.

I'm not big on vocals in my listening - very happy to have instrumental stuff from electronica, ambient, fusion jazz, prog, etc. And whether it's my ears or brain (probably both) I don't seem to get the vocals much anyway. I rarely seem to get all of the lyrics just by listening. But music I can't enjoy is mainly due to awful vocal styles: from death metal to opera. Fortunately our female lead vocalist is good and she has the casting vote effectively when we consider new covers.

Both the 4- and 5-string basses are P/J style and yes I change the blend of pickups and very little changes on the tone. I vary from (mostly) finger style to plectrum and I get some tonal changes with some pedals - which I use judiciously. (Though the new Aguilar Octamizer is just so tempting!). I also move my plucking hand between bridge and neck to get some tonal changes. The big question is does anyone notice? Well I do and it builds my confidence to think about it, plan and execute it. I have a friend who plays in another local band and says he loves my tone and wishes his bassist would have a bit more punch.

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1430236540' post='2759346'] Not claiming to be an expert in this by any means, but my experience is thus: ● never had strings go rusty ● my instrument lives in its case when not being played, never sits out. ● I don't wipe the strings down, because back in the day when I played guitar I found that doing so only left wee bits of fluff in the strings, which were a pain to remove. ● I find a set of strings lasts me about six months before showing signs of deadening. ● I use nickel strings ● The only prerequisite is that I always wash my hands before playing. ● from my experience, Ernie Ball stainless steel strings are just the worst, they go dead quickly, they have the most squeak and handling noise and unremarkable tone. I hate them. Others love them though, so fair play. [/quote] +1 with a few additions:[list] [*]My basses do stay out at home - pick them up and play! [*]I use Elixirs - coated strings and they last me longer but are more expensive in the first place [*]Thoroughly agree with washing hands - and stay away from eating crisps, nuts, etc. all of that salt, oils on the strings don't do them any good. [/list]

Agreed - but it's just another tool - along with using apps like Capo and Anytune to help detect what is going on, slow down sections, change the EQ to accentuate or (when practicing hide) the baseline. I also use Guitar Pro if I can get it and TAB, chord sheets and transcriptions - but with most things the quality is very variable. I'd say that I'm still a learner and my endeavours to copy other baselines is part of my learning, though when it comes to playing in the band there may be compromises.

I still get intimidated, but with perseverance I try some baselines from out current set list - as long as I can remember. These usually include Come Together, and some I-IV-V stuff. As personal fretting favourites I like to try Taxman, Come As You Are, and try some picking. I like the idea of trying without plugging in first then plugging in later. First for the feel of the instrument and some natural acoustic sound. I also end up trying, particularly with more complex pickup and EQ sections to try the same bass lines with different settings. For example, I tried a G&L M2500 and just couldn't get the amplified sounds I wanted - my little brain just couldn't cope with all the switches etc.

I have my Line6 Sonic Port and always have my iPhone so I could in a total rig failure use that DI'd into the desk. I've only ever had one string failure in 5 years and that was at a rehearsal. I carry a spare set, but couldn't be bothered at a rehearsal as I had my fretless - I just switched to that for the rest of the rehearsal. But I don't usually have a second bass at a gig, so probably would restring in the break.

Thought that this was a good programme and a but too close for my comfort at times. I did love the Richards quote about "will you two stop bitching" [him and Jagger]. Keef's reply, "Go tell the bitch then".