casapete

I'm always amazed by the price of PA mixer amps compared to bass amps. PA amps -6 ,maybe 8 channels with full tone controls,maybe 2 graphic eq's,digital effects,2x300 watts output etc etc,yet costing same or even less than bass amp head- 1 maybe 2 channels,1 graphic eq,no fx,1x300 watt output - you get the idea. Is this just economy of scale or what? A while ago I had to use an old Peavey XR600 PA amp into my bass cab, and it sounded bloomin marvellous! Loud as hell, great tone too! Think I remember a well known jazz/blues guitar player using similar set up too - clean and loud, thats whats needed. So if you see a bargain PA head anywhere, bag it for a spare bass amp,and you may be impressed.

You could try this - www.youtube.com/watch?v=N51LoewE175 The bassist plays the solo, then it is shown at how its done at a number of slower tempos. I know because its on my list of stuff to learn too!! Good luck.

[quote name='thebeat' post='464973' date='Apr 17 2009, 01:20 PM']While i love listening to music and playing it, i have to say that i would never dream of having a band practice in my house and am amazed at some of the comments coming from people about how the neighbour should have approached you before going to the council and how they're some sort of anti-noise extremists with no lives because they want some peace and quiet when they're in their home...why should the complainer have to approach the noise maker? It should be bloody obvious to the poster that someone was gonna get pissed off eventually...i mean a whole band in an unsoundproofed living room? c'mon! no wonder they didn't bother approaching you, did you bother approaching any of them before you decided to have practice sessions in your house? Everyone should be entitled to live in peace and quiet in their own home without some selfish person making their life hell...[/quote] +1 to the above. I live in a Victorian terraced house, and the lad next door used to rehearse with a full acoustic drum kit every night just when my girlfriend just got in from work/early evening. I think his parents thought I would be tolerant knowing I was a pro musician, but as I tried to explain to them it was like coming in from a noisy factory and still hearing it in your home! We could hear every part of his playing, was just like being in the room with him, no kidding! Despite many friendly attempts in person to compromise with them over this, I eventually rang my local council who were very helpful - gave me a basis on which to attempt to get it stopped. After writing a polite letter to the neighbours stating the next step was to involve the council, the drumming ceased. Unfortunately the whole family have since blanked us, which is really sad but thats the outcome. Think the parents bought the lad an electric kit with headphones - pity they had n't shown this consideration sooner really. I try to adopt a 'live and let live' policy regarding noise. Occasional birthday party celebrations/house warmings etc are all part of our lives. Do think though that regularly making neighbours lives a misery however you do it is pretty selfish behaviour, and does cause a lot of trouble. Like the previous post, I also believe we should all be entitled to a peaceful home environment. ( God-hope this does n't sound like the Daily Mail/Express readers posting on here!!!!)

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[quote name='Jobiebass' post='462336' date='Apr 14 2009, 05:55 PM']My gear MASSIVLY outweighs how good I am. But I have a lot of spare cash and I like nice things so why not spend it on things you love? Check my sig.. you would have thought id have been in a band at some point gigging.... oh no, 100% bedroom use. (Edit: and down the practice room.) closest ive got to a gig is the other night I asked a bassplayer after their set what bass it was cause I play... she threw it on me and made me play infront of everyone. bit unnerving to say the least as it was a 1955 Gibson Les Paul Bass and ive never stood infront of 150 people and played before. ive got a pic of the bass on my phone if anyones interested. But yeah, im a sh*te bass player compaired to my gear... to prove a point, I just paid £875 for a 2nd hand Roland electric drumkit even though I cant play drums. But how I see it is like this... you buy 2nd hand, play it for however long you want then generally you can sell it for the same price you bought it. Much better then money in the bank. edit: Cheeper Gear seams to loose value much more then mid/high end 2nd hand stuff.[/quote] Think someone's having you on with the 1955 Les Paul bass bit - Gibson did n't make 'em till 1969.

After years of hiding the fact that the love had gone, the last child moved out of the house and Mum&Dad announced they were getting a divorce. The kids were distraught and as a last resort hired a marriage counsellor in an attempt to keep their parents together. The counsellor worked for hours, trying all of his methods, but the couple still would n't even talk to each other. Finally, the counsellor went to a cupboard and brought out a beautiful double bass, and began to play. After just a few moments, the couple started talking. They discovered that they were n't actually that far apart and decided to give their marriage another try. The kids were amazed and asked the counsellor how he managed to do it. He replied - "I've never seen anyone who would n't talk during a bass solo".

Would have loved to do it ,but am working on the 27th. Based near Hull too, so only 50 miles away - bugger! If you ever need a dep this way/anywhere, let me know. Know most of your band's stuff etc. Cheers, Pete.

Absolutely. Thats maybe why we all love a modest bit of kit that 'does the job' though isn't it ? I love reasonably priced basses and amps that are up to the mark more than exotic overpriced stuff that scares you silly when you take it on pub gig.

The trumpet player in my band is clearing out some bass gear ( after buying it a couple of years ago with the intention of getting more gigs!) He's asked for some help in selling it. The stuff is listed below - do you think the prices are realistic? I feel they may be optimistic in the current climate. All the stuff is in top virtually unused condition. Fender Standard Squier Jazz Bass - in antique burst,with gig bag -£150 Behringer 4500H amp head - £130 Harley Benton 4x10 cab - £100 Acoustic/electric bass - will find out the brand,but will be budget!with gigi bag - £60 Any help / advice will be much appreciated - cheers.

Try www.wdmusic.co.uk They currently have some for around £25,depending on which Jazz you have though. If they can't help,then their US site may have some.

Heard a story about a Black Sabbath roadie falling out with Geezer Butler shortly before a big gig. Mr Butler apparently walked onstage,the band then launched into their first song (which was in E), to find his bass had all four strings tuned to Eb.

[quote name='99ster' post='456441' date='Apr 7 2009, 02:24 PM']This is the stuff you want - [url="http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0990512000"]Fender Color Restorer[/url] I've had great results with it...perfect for restoring the finish on vintage guitars.[/quote] +1 - did the trick for me on an old Hofner.

Voted for Precision - maybe not as versatile as a Jazz, but just has the right vibe. Love 'em both though. Fender truly defined things with the Precision&Jazz,( as well as the Telecaster and Strat gui**rs). Despite trying lots of others, its always a Fender or a close relative (Musicman / G&L etc) that I revert to.

Freddie King - there's a great compilation called 'Stayin' Home with the Blues' B.B.King - 'Midnight Believer' album, with The Crusaders J.J. Cale - some of his songs are great to do, as are Tony Joe White's. Bobby Bland Bonnie Raitt Eric Johnson etc etc...

I've got a black no-name strap with a pocket for plectrums built in near the neck strap button end. Probably for gui***ists but works for me if I have to use a pick.

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='454992' date='Apr 5 2009, 10:49 PM']I have constantly griped about this in several bands (and sometimes get support from others). Over and over again I say 'It's too fast, it's got no dance, it's just running off, no feel'. Sometimes, if I'm copying the original bassline which for a standard tune I might well do, I have to say 'I can't play this line that fast' and then before I'm accused of being not good enough to play it 'that fast' I have to point out that the line was not written to be played that fast and if the song was going to be that fast it would have had a different bassline. If you are going to play a song at a faster (or slower) tempo you won't necessarily use the same line at that altered tempo, it may need a different line. Am I right?[/quote] Spot on. Lots of soul/Motown songs are examples of this - play them too fast and the wonderful basslines lose all their meaning/relevance to the song etc. So often I have to adjust the line accordingly. Stuff with a 16's feel seems to get drummers off on one! And songs played in 8's really suffer from being too fast! Maybe we should compile a list of tunes that suffer the most from excess speed (!) - will kick off with a few obvious ones from my experience with covers bands - Honky Tonk Woman Everybody needs somebody (Blues Bros) The Best Living on a prayer Mustang Sally Chelsea dagger Like a virgin My girl Sunshine of your love Smoke on the water Signed sealed delivered Summer of 69 etc etc.......

Last night (on a rare Saturday night off !) thought I'd go and see a couple of local pub bands doing covers. The first one I've got a dep with next week - they do classic rock stuff, Stones, T.Rex,Cream etc. The second were doing more indie covers-Kings of Leon, Kaiser Chiefs etc. Both bands were okay, and went down well with the audience. Anyway, why do most bands play covers so much faster than the original versions? Okay, I know that live most of the original bands probably increase the tempos a tad, but cover bands always seem to be off like f**k!! IMHO the majority of great rock songs are written with specific tempos/keys in mind, and altering them just ruins it! Classic example is the Stones 'Honky Tonk Woman' - grooves like hell at the original speed,turns into crap when played too fast. When the drummer in my band is away, I have the job of counting songs in - always do this a bit slow as drummers tend to come in a bit 'bright' despite the count. Always amazed at the difference doing songs at the right tempo can make. Anyone else noticed this,or is it me just being an old fart?

Yikes! Some of the prices on his other items are equally disturbing - 60's fuzz face for £1650, Boss CE1 chorus (USA voltage!) £850 etc etc. Trouble is, when people see gear advertised in this way they assume that is the going rate and it then everything ends up at unrealistic levels. Oh well, nothing new I suppose...