paul_5

I'm running an SWR SM400 with the 'mid scoop' taken out. They've been out of production for about 20 years though

I've got a 1st Gen BF Compact, and never noticed any lack of low end. We play pretty loud (both guitarists have 100W valve amps, and drummist's kit is the size of Pluto) and I can do everything I need to with a single cab.

Not bad. First gig (with this band) for nearly 2 months. Pub was in the middle of a refit, so no carpets or soft furnishings; very ringy room. Good to get some new material played live and breath a bit of life into it.

We do a few Maiden numbers (Trooper, Hallowed, 22 Acacia Ave) at the moment, and I love every single note of them. 'Arry is a god. If you're going to only listen to one Maiden album for the rest of your life (not that I suggest you do) then it'd have to be Live After Death - it's like a 'greatest hits' but with more background noise.

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1472846621' post='3124822'] Thats because he has used a Jazz bass since 1980 [/quote] Apart from a brief dalliance with a Wal from 1985 to 1991(ish)

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Rics use 300kΩ pots (everyone else uses either 250kΩ or 500kΩ), so that'll contribute a subtle nuance into the mix. FWIW I've always loved the sound and look of Rics. Tried an original 1979 one once, and haven't wanted one since; the least playable neck I ever tried.

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1472752987' post='3123954'] The Barefaced speaker has so much bottom end, yet weighs so little! [/quote] Yup, 'tis witchcraft!

I got Meg White. I think the internet is broken.

If the amp is set to 4Ω, then that's the MINIMUM impedance that the output stage expects to see. Anything over that (e.g. an 8Ω cab) is fine; you'll get a reduced output from the amp, so it won't be as loud (so you'll have to boost the master volume control to compensate), but a 1000W amp should still have tons of power, even into an 8Ω cab. No smoke or flames though.

Jazz basses (one fretted, the other one less so) into an Aphex 1404 optical compressor, then through a DHA VT1 DI/EQ to an SWR SM400 into a Barefaced Compact. I use this for everything: festivals, club gigs, pubs, recording etc... I've got a few home-made effects in the chain too for some extra frippery, but mostly it's the top line setup.

Rush. They still are.

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1472153759' post='3118987'] Get yourself a valve amp [/quote] Good point; if your guitarist is using a 100W Marshall (or similar) with 4 EL34s in the power stage then all you need to do is to remove the 2 valves on the outsides (leaving him just valves 2 and 3) and it'll drop to 50W maximum. Win! On second thoughts it's safer to just walk away.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1472065410' post='3118202'] If your not making your living from playing music you can quit anytime for any reason. If playing in any band is your only source of income,you don't quit until you find another band that can pay you at the same level. Blue [/quote] Wise words.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1472021533' post='3117664'] I've never had an issue with them but I use protools. Sometimes it takes me a few minutes to remember how waves central works though [/quote] This. My Waves plugins are my 'go to' plugins (they're actually set as 'default' EQ and compressor on each new audio track on my system) and the RBass and impulse reverbs are amazing. Waves Central is a necessary evil - folks crack software, and this is the price we pay for it; it's more straightforward than other software licensing though.

Keep hydrated and do some gentle stretches, maybe even a banana or 2. I know - calm down, right!

I always liked Maiden's TOTP performances - here's one from German TV. Not strictly a bass 'mime' though... https://youtu.be/orr4MhDpvOM

Anything by the White Stripes or the John Spencer Blues Explosion

I broke 3 bottom Es and an A. I know. Turns out that the 2 basses in question had 'bridge issues' that were responsible. One was my first bass at the tender age of 17, the other was only a couple of years ago and I should really have checked...

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1471378612' post='3112704'] Paul, what did you think of the Dunlops? [/quote] Love 'em. They were a bit of a risk (as all flats are, really), but I took a gamble and it paid off.

I put a set of Jim Dunlop flats (45 to 105) on my fretless, and there was very little difference in the tension - the Rotosound Steve Harris (50 to 100) needed a significant of truss rod adjustment, even drop-tuned a tone (D, G, C, F). I seem to remember Ernie Ball flats being quite stiff too.

My fretless neck is flat, next to no relief, and very low action. In fact, I think I even shimmed the neck.

Most O/D circuits are just tubescreamers to be honest; if it ain't broke...

And check your smoke alarms too!!!!!

Music is my sole source of income. It's not all from gigs though, I teach a couple of days a week as well.

Get on your timekeeping asap - timing is the key to (nearly) everything. Get a metronome or drum machine/app and practice playing steady, solid parts; once you've nailed that, everything else will fall into place. Even the wrong notes, but that's OK, we can work on those later.