Legion

Beware free sofa's - unfortunately this one was larger than our old one, I hereby claim that pathetic justification for what I've done [attachment=100342:Trilogy.jpg] The unexpected new arrival being Wes's Custom Shop - like the Pino was...but somehow even nicer! [attachment=100343:59.jpg]

Clarky, really sorry to hear it didn't work out for the long term, but I guess Chris is right and some things just have a built-in lifespan. Of course bailing just because things are tough is another matter entirely...but you know in yourself when it's not right.

*innocent whistle* Seem to have somehow come into possession of a very reliced Custom Shop P bass, can't think how. Dealing with Wes was a real pleasure, and I can confirm the youthfullness. Even weirder to discover that we both met when some years ago I visited Mike Walsh to get him to re-finish an 80's stingray for me and Wes stripped the paint.

Not heard of them Mike, but I have used Planetmusic in Martlesham before. The bloke there that does the repairs/setups is Paul Hands - very good, and not pricey either.

Thats a nice looking sonic blue jazz bass bargain you have there that needs the neck repaired Nearly bid on it myself but managed to resist...

So many factors to consider...I've skimmed this a bit but it seems the issue here is knowing what to actually do with EQ to get what you want in real-life-every-changing-gig-scenarios. Of course the orignal source of your sound is a big factor so the right bass/pickups/strings would be a good start. Get some flats on that P? I don't want to derail but just trying different flats on a P bass will keep you occupied for weeks, and its a lot cheaper than buying amps/cabs/basses Obviously every gig will have a large quantity of variables that can impact your sound from a little bit to a lot. I've always optimistically assumed that with some knowledge, most bass amps inherently contain sufficient EQ to overcome weird acoustics and so on but I imagine some are more capable than others (i.e. parametric ones). The next problem is that all you can usually hear is whats on stage, not whats out front. I have no answers - god I'm helpful eh. I've rarely found a need to tweak EQ too much...apart from the time I had to use an Ampeg fridge, now that needed some extreme tweaks. Horrible thing (imo)

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1328127329' post='1522403'] That is serious saving and its the one amp I [b]need!!!![/b] Where did you import from? [/quote] Here we go....

I'm now on the second track and think it's great. I am a big fan of GYBE and Mogwai and your stuff is along those lines. I have friends who would also like this... Nice one!

Ditto all the above, Mauricio was a pleasure to deal with and the whole deal for my *sniffle* dark star decade was a breeze.

I like em, a lot. And as it's so easy to get them direct I've got no complaints. Glad you like them as well WoT. Black silks=classy

The 2 sets of JO flats I've bought recently came straight from Lakland off their website. No problems, no taxes or anything. Which at around £22 is good for me.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1326290778' post='1494971'] [b]How Did You Train Your Drummer?[/b] OK... A 'friend' of mine is in a 'band', and their 'drummer' is a lovely chap, turns up on time, learns the material, is technically proficient and has a very nice expensive new kit and transport. But he can't keep time. Not even for eight consecutive bars. He's all over the shop. Now the 'band' my 'friend' is in cannot afford the services of a pro drummer and would not want to go down this road particularly, but they are beginning to realise that they can't do their jobs to the best of their ability or even enjoy what they are doing if the drummer is unable to perform the most basic function that is required of him. The bass player in particular is sick of having to play the role of timekeeper and being made to look like a **** at gigs, when as is known, a halfway decent drummer makes all the difference. My friend's question is this: Have you had this problem, and what did you do about it? Can you train a drummer like you can train dogs, kids and spouses, i.e. by using a reward system? Or what? Thank you for reading... my 'friend' and his 'band' are very grateful to you! [/quote] I'm afraid I don't have a very useful response (beyond being sympathetic) but have been in exactly the same situation. Our drummer was a really nice bloke, with some good reasonable kit and transport etc. However, his timing was afwul and much though we hoped it would improve...it never did. We tried all sorts of things to help him along without tactlessly saying "you suck" such as using sequenced in sounds to lock on to etc etc etc. It never seemed to work and in the end it was just killing the energy of our whole set as he dragged the beat terribly and it didnt matter how much I tried to pull him along with the bass he wouldnt respond to anything. Always seemed to be in a world of his own. Towards the end he started losing commitment and making no input at all so I made the call that we sack him and get another (unanimous agreement once I pointed out the problems). After that I had a pro online drummer do a track for us and then the others understood what we had been missing. We set out on our search for a new drummer and struggled like hell. Eventually we found someone completely the opposite who was totally inconsistent, massively overplayed and wouldnt stop telling everyone else how to play their instruments. This turned out to be the final straw (ie excuse because it was too much hard work) for the keys player who left. The silver lining though is that myself and the singer/guitarist still get on great, still meet weekly and are gaining more and more momentum in writing orignals that we are really happy with and that have some consistent direction. Now, where to find another drummer.... and keys player and singer Hmmm. Hard work innit

As Alan Partridge would say... Textbook!

I bought an SG supreme not too long ago - done remotely via a shop. Hated it immediately and sent it back the same day (didn't even have to explain it to the girlfriend as she never even saw it!) Currently if I want that huge sound I just solo my neck position darkstar on the decade. Heaven. Pity really, I wanted to like the Gibson but the balance was awful, the sound terrible and I found even the neck profile bad as well. Maybe they're an acquired taste.....like jazz. Cue Bilbo

A violent 1000W of boneshakin' bass. Pretty small too [attachment=94474:Rig.jpg]

Awesome, looks like a complete set

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1322933205' post='1457511'] Here's Magnum porn thread (no moustaches) [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/157254-ovation-magnum/page__p__1398903__hl__magnum%20fretless__fromsearch__1#entry1398903"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry1398903[/url] [/quote] Interesting thread that I missed, thanks Clarky - nice bass that, unusual style.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1322932671' post='1457498'] Jas, how are you liking the Dark Stars compared to the Chisonics? I've had both (but not in the same style bass) and I'd agree there are some definite similarities. [/quote] I really like them Dave. I don't think they are any [b]more[/b] sensitive to hand positioning than the Chi Sonics (which already are IMO). The Chi Sonics certainly have a more modern tone to them, due to more mids I think. The Darkstars do seem to sort of "saturate" the more you dig in which gives a really nice fat rounded sort of drive to the notes especially at the neck pickup. The adjustable pole pieces are brilliant as well, so you can get a very even tone across the strings. Overall I think the Chi's are a great pickup but the Darkstars were worth the wait for me.

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1322832907' post='1456398'] Not that bad, mate Thats a rather sexy looking beast - reminds me a bit of a Magnum fretless but less angular. Very tasty [/quote] Not a bass I'm familiar with at all, I'll go look for some piccies - assuming I can filter out the inevitable ice cream results. [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1322843546' post='1456608'] I had to come back for another look. [/quote] Sneaky Dave [quote name='rapscallion' timestamp='1322929512' post='1457443'] Thats a lovely looking bass mate, Howards pickguard does it justice [/quote] Thanks, I had Howard make me a B/W/B pickguard as well, but I really like the tort so I think it might stay on there after all. Mind you, the black guard looks better with the ebony fretless neck but the all-black vibe is a bit too doom for me... [attachment=94390:dec3.jpg]

Ok, so I'm as bad as Clarky....and Beedster. Well almost. I've known for a long while that I wanted to get this setup so when the opportunity arose I went for it. I will admit that when they created the Chi Sonic pickups to replace the Darkstars they did a really good job because the differences are pretty subtle. I'm very happy with the bass, even if if was only an evolutionary move from my other Decade - being lighter, having Darkstars and an ebony fretless neck (both necks matched to the bass and factory made). New Pickguard courtesy of our very own Bass Doc and he did an excellent job, thanks Howard [attachment=94340:DarkDecade1.jpg]

The Bass Doc is on the case. Case closed

That's what I like to hear - never give in and fight hard. Keep going Flanker

[quote name='captain black' timestamp='1322319254' post='1449342'] Yep, PM Howard. He does an excellent job. [/quote] Excellent, will do - thanks for confirming my memory hadn't failed me

I've made an accurate template in thin card but don't have the tools to do a nice job - I'm sure I've seen posts in the past suggesting that a few people on BC can knock up pickguards but can't recall who any of them were! It's a pretty simple guard in B/W/B 3 ply. Any help much appreciated... was Bas Doc (Howard) one of the people? Cheers