casapete

Speakon connectors were a great breakthrough for bands, if only to stop the guitarist using his instrument leads to connect his cabs. After reading this I was unaware of some of the compatibility issues between 2 and 4 pole versions, so everyday’s a school day etc. There is something very satisfying about connecting your bass cab with speakons, that click when you know it’s locked in is reassuring. Not had one problem with using them ever, unlike jacks which can so easily fail. Strange to think that prior to their invention in 1987 we all used jacks - my SVT rig included! Also using Bose PA cabs which IIRC had XLR connections which seemed a step up from jacks at the time.

I’ve had Fender strings from RST for a while now. Was playing in Newark one day and went in the shop which is on the main pedestrianised shopping street. Prices really competitive, so have carried on buying from them via mail order.

LW was one of the best exponents of getting a great sound out of what was essentially a ‘student’ guitar, the Les Paul Junior. With just one P90 pickup, the tones he managed to conjure up were amazing. RIP.

I remember pre tuner days well! Still got my first one too, a Korg GT6 bought by an ex girlfriend for me as a Christmas present c1979. Still works fine, and can be used in-line too. Big dial and meter, groovy!

Nah, think the tuners are quite commonplace, even with some respected pro users so most people are over it now. 😆

I’ve used a Snark clip on tuner for years with no problems, and without one comment ever from band or audience member. As mentioned above I have it fitted so that it’s hidden behind the headstock of my Fender. My reasons for using it are these - 1. Unlike a pedal tuner, I don’t need two leads to use it onstage with my band. 2. Unlike a pedal tuner, it doesn’t potentially degrade my signal to my amp. 3. Unlike a pedal tuner, I can tune anywhere onstage, (or even off) with no need to use a lead. 4. It was £10 and I’m a skinflint. 😄

That came across to me too - something that is often missing in bands in more recent times. I think the ‘fun’ element of The Beatles was a large part of their appeal, certainly in their earlier years, and it’s great to see in the clip that even with all the strains within the band they still look like they’re enjoying each other’s company and want to be there.

Enjoyed both the songs posted above. Gary Brooker has always been a great singer IMO, and I’ve seen him a few times over the years. Firstly with Procul Harum in the mid 70’s, then with Eric Clapton and after that with Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings. Superb keyboard player too, as well as having a good onstage presence and sense of humour. Thanks for posting.

Fabulous stuff. Thanks for posting.

IIRC the bass on the EJ original was played by David Paton (ex 70’s band Pilot).

These days with IEM’s it’s easy to receive a pitch note during the count in or whatever. A singer I worked with many years ago was the most unmusical person I’ve ever known - he couldn’t keep time/ count bars etc and often sang a tad sharp too. One day for a laugh the band started a song in a slightly different key though and he knew straight away - probably learned it by rote so much that his starting note was ingrained in his head. Someone I worked for many years could sing any note he was asked for - I did test him out and he was astonishingly accurate too. Am guessing he has perfect pitch?

When I was a kid learning to play piano, time signatures were always a struggle for me. This has continued on in my later life, and I'm wondering after reading a lot of the posts above if this has determined the sort of music I like to listen to as well as play? Nearly all the music of the last 60+ years that I enjoy is predominantly either 4/4, 3/4, 12/8 or maybe 6/8. Also most of my pro musical gigs have been playing music for people to dance to, again usually in the time signatures I've mentioned. This may also explain why I don't do prog , metal and some jazz!! How boring am I.....

This was listed (again?) on FB Marketplace 22 hours ago for £110. (Not accusing anyone of any wrongdoing just for your reference.) https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/874285936721892/?ref=search&referral_code=undefined

You too Mart. There is a light at the end of the tunnel I think, it's just a matter of keeping strong and patient. All the best.

I’m feeling exactly the same as you Mart. My main band don’t usually gig during December - we play mainly theatres and panto season means most venues are taken up with that. However, December for me usually involves doing various festive gigs with either my acoustic duo or a 4 piece band. These include (amongst others) a great round table annual party, half a dozen gigs at a seaside hotel, and a NYE gig at a local venue. All of these are usually great fun and help make December enjoyable as well as keeping me an income coming in too. After the past 9 months, not doing anything over the festive period has just highlighted for me what a lousy situation we’re in right now. I really hope that next Christmas will be a return to better times for us all.

Well done Blue. This is the first NYE in 40 years for me when I’m not able to gig. The hotel where I’ve done the last half a dozen has now closed down too ( Covid was their final nail in the coffin ) so even without Govt restrictions I may have been struggling to find somewhere else anyway. Hope your gig goes well Blue, take care and stay safe mate.

Absolutely. How he carried on is just amazing after all the trauma in his life. A friend of mine did a support slot playing drums with a band on a UK tour with Roy in the late 70's (I think), when he was doing theatres & clubs etc. After the opening gig the tour bus dropped my mate's band off first at a very dodgy looking B&B. Roy was upset that the accommodation wasn't up to scratch and insisted the band were put up at the same hotel as him and his band, and ensured the rest of the tour was the same too. My mate says he was a really lovely man, very quiet and respectful with everyone he worked with. Legend.

Not sure about TC stuff, but the problems with the Ampeg PF500 were only with the earlier models, and the company sorted it it pretty quickly IIRC so don't let that put you off. Have you seen there is a MB LM3 up for sale in the classifieds? You said above that you'd liked the one you had before. Think it's going for £250.

Absolutely this ^^^^ I’ve used GK stuff for the last 15 years without one problem. There is currently a GK 1001RB (like mine) for sale in the classifieds on here for £380 including a rack tuner and case. These are old school design but still not too heavy (22lbs) and sound great! Loud as you’ll ever need when coupled with a cab that can take it too - 700 watts @4 ohms / 540 @ 8 ohms. I use a GK 410 8 ohm cab and it is loud as anything. Great price too, approx 50% of new price, and they’ve also just been discontinued too so grab it now!! I’ve also got a GKMB800 which is great too, but class D so maybe not what you’re after. Also got a Fender Rumble, again fabulous bit of kit and the 500 would more than do the job for you.

Interesting article, thanks for posting.

The folding thing does give your leg some gyp after a while Silvia, but sitting down certainly makes more sense. 🙂

If you’re currently struggling with the lower frets on your current bass, then I wouldn’t consider a Steinberger style bass to be honest. Usually full 34” scale length, they are notorious for having an awkward design/balance which makes the neck seem further away than more conventional designs. I loved my Hohner version but had to sell it because of this. The only remedy is obtaining a bracket which extends the neck strap button making the body of the bass hang better when standing, but they are hard to source I believe. Also whilst having a compact body they do vary in weight, mine being around 7lbs IIRC - not a boat anchor by any means, but not as light as you may have thought. Certainly try one out (on a strap!) before buying.

Nothing much to add to the previous posts, only that after an accident I was in a similar position to yours for a while. The reduction in weight of the bass coupled with a shorter scale worked for me, and enabled me to carry on working. I have a Dano Longhorn (30.5” scale) which weighs nothing and would be my recommendation. Paul’s Dano 56 mentioned above would also be ideal IMO, pretty much the same instrument with a more conventional look if the Longhorn ain’t your thing. They are a lot of bang for your buck, and in the unlikely event you didn’t like it then you would probably recoup your outlay too. Maybe also worth a look is the Ibanez GSRM20B-WNF. Short 28.5” scale length, and marketed as a ‘first’ bass but from some comments on here I believe they are highly regarded. Not sure of the weight though. Hope you find something suitable.