paul_5

Definately learn the lyrics - I find that words serve as 'cues' for 'that bit that comes next' better than counting bars (unless you're playing from a score)...

5 stringer (most of the time). I believe in space in a piece of music, but also like to be heard 'cos there's a reason I picked that note/mode. More than happy to sit on a groove. Don't like 'widdly' guitarists / egotistical singers and have sacked a fair few in my time. Also like to tinker with effects.... more and more. Love valve amps and eye contact - especially when the drummer flashes you THAT grin, and you know that you've nailed the groove - priceless.

I had the same problem with my Zoom 3000B - I spent ages setting everything up so that it sounded great into Cubase and headphones, then got to a gig and spent 20 minutes hastily resetting patches. Maybe things have moved on since 2003, but I've reverted back to single units that just make one sound (but do it really well). Granted I've not got the pallette of sounds to choose from, but I never used 70% of the zoom sounds (I used to play keyboards, and opted for bass instead - please don't try to make my bass sound like a cheap keyboard etc...). For me multi FX pedals are a good way to determine which effects you actually want to use. Then you can start GASing for 'real' pedals This never stops. [b]Edit for spelling.[/b]

That sir, is spectacular.

Another OC2 fan here, also a dirt box of some sort. Currently an MXR bass blowtorch - really quite an angry box. Also a home-made one that I'm developing to do an even wider spread of sounds - vintage valvey tones up to 2 stage fuzz. Mmmmmm, dirt. I tend not to gig without some sort of distortion - even for quieter jobs, as it can really add something to a performance - and not just the obvious THBBBBPPPPPP either, set properly a good distortion pedal will fatten up your sound or help you to cut through a busy mix. So yes, OC2 and a dirt box. I've got a load of other stuff, but these two are ALWAYS on the board.

My first 5er was a Hohner B Bass V, which was pretty good (basic active EQ), and was right for the sort of things I was doing years ago. I found that I had a lt of hand problems though - turns out that the strings were too close together and my hand was 'cramping' all the time. Now I'm playing a Blade B15 with a wider string spacing I absolutely love it. A 5 string opens more positions for playing ( two octave scale with only one position change in the LH), also the chordal possibilities expand, as you can cover a wider range of notes in one position. For me it's a no-brainer. PS McNach, that's a beauty of a bass! G&L stuff plays as nice as it looks.

welcome aboard matey blokey!

[quote name='Sean' post='1108399' date='Jan 30 2011, 06:06 PM']In my gig bag right now... Zoom H4 for recording the gig Deoderant x 2 (roll on and spray) battery checker Assorted plectrums 12 jack to jack leads of various length (12" - 24') 2 spare mics Earplugs spare tuner Spare power cable 3 x 9v PSUs Anti-bacterial hand sanitiser Multimeter Fuses Condoms Assorted cable ties Gaffer tape Ball point pens - lots in various colours Sharpie markers - lots in various colours A small thick notebook A PowerMonkey with all the adaptor bits Pliers Assorted screwdrivers Multitool - cheap one Batteries Spare speakon/speakon cable (1m) 10m XLR mic lead Business cards (own band plus a few of other bands) Tube of Zovirax Allen keys - loads Adjustable spanner A small torch Cuddly toy (really, a tiny one) Ibuprofen Asda Smartprice Dark chocolate Two 1m bungees Stanley knife Microfibre cloth A toothbrush and mini-tube of toothpaste (hotel freebie type) Plastic cutlery One of those planet waves tuner winder things Earphones 3 x £1 coins As essential, I have to add my Pandora - I couldn't live without it and it's so much better than any other similar product out there. Auralex Gramma Pad - lives in the car A folding sack-truck or trolley - I got one of [url="http://www.bigdug.co.uk/trucks-trolleys-c22/sack-trucks-c122/aluminium-folding-sack-truck-p1692"]these[/url], exactly the same from Aldi a few years ago for £14, in fact three of us in the band got one each. They are great, I saw them in Focus DIY last year for £30 and thought they were steep for that price. If you do get one I would recommend dismantling it and lock-tite all the nuts and bolts, I actually replaced all the ones on mine with those self-locking nuts.[/quote] I know roadies and sound engineers who carry less than this! How much of this is [i]essential[/i]?

If you don't use it, then there's no point having it. Sorry mate, I'd sell it. I've got one bass and one amp - both are expensive, but I can justify the outlay as they got constant, regular use. I had this dilema a while ago. I sold off everything I wasn't using and bought kit that I use all the time now. Just makes more sense, also Mrs_5 doesn't complain too much of having kit all over the house anymore. Win all round

besides bass, amp and leads I don't really like playing anywhere without some sort of hearing protection (this ranges from ear plugs to a big stick with nails in for errant drummers) and some sort of distortion unit - even at church.

£1000 for a MIM Jazz bass? The 'Stagg' strings are just the final kick in the balls!

[quote name='Doddy' post='1106182' date='Jan 28 2011, 01:33 PM']Another reason to not bother with Tab sites then [/quote] Doddy immediately sprang to mind when I read the title of this thread, not surprisingly it's already been used as Anti-Tab ammunition. More power to your elbow sir, younger/less experienced players are denying themselves the 'ear training' that comes with working out a tune from scratch - great training. See also Bilbo's signature...

[quote name='Stuee' post='1099617' date='Jan 23 2011, 01:40 PM']The Trace Elliot ones were not popular a few years ago, I know that much![/quote] I know a highly qualified and [i]very[/i] busy sound engineer who calls them Trasssssssssssssssssssssse Elliot!

Turn the bridge pickup off for starters!

We played through generators a couple of years ago - they kept tripping out. Eventually we asked a steward to sit with their finger on the 'reset' button. Nobody died.

The LA 2 band compressor/gate may be of some use it you're miking up kick and snare drum live. I'd be tempted to make you an offer for it, as I can never have too many compressors, as I prefer to compress through outboard kit when I'm tracking instead of relying on plugins later on. Not sure what it's worth though.

I've played pub gigs where the mainstay is 2x45s (minutes, not songs). I've also done more unusual stuff where w played for 90mins non-stop. I don't wear a watch when I play, so some gigs feel like 15 minutes, some feel like a year...

[quote name='pietruszka' post='1104439' date='Jan 26 2011, 09:50 PM']First Ler, now Herb. Primus fan at all? In my Britain it'll be compulsory.[/quote] Yes, absolutely. Only now that I'm really starting to analyse my playing style do I realise how much of an influence Les etc... had on me during my formative years. I suppose it's the whole '3 is the magic number' thing, in that everybody has to contribute to the material to maintain the vibe and energy. Primus just do it in spades. I also like Rush and the Police for the same reason - lots of space to fill, so everyone works just that little bit harder.

Either Tim "Herb" Alexander or Danny Richmond.

Now sorted, cheers BC.

Where was this thread last week?, that's what I'd like to know! Don't try a search for 'double-thumbing' on a work terminal. Explaining what I was doing to the head of computer support is not a meeting I'd like to repeat.

Amateur guitarists with more attitude than gear, and less manners than talent are ten-a-penny. Sack him. Life is too short to waste your time trying to work with time-wasters who simply want to play (unless it's something REALLY special); same thing goes for carrying dead weight in a band. That is all.

I've played all of the 'big names' (not just in music shops, but in studios and on gigs) and ended up buying none of them, just didn't have 'my sound'. On the recommendation of a colleague I bought my current bass unseen and loved it. I still do. Every time I pick it up it feels as good as it always has. Just got lucky I guess.

Great idea - great tunes too. Thanks for that.