dmccombe7

Oddly enough i bought my Warwick from Sound Control in Glasgow and when it developed a fault with the electronics module when you went from active to passive there was a very loud speaker damaging pop sound the bass was initially sent to Moon Guitars in Galsgow who couldn't do anything as the electronics were silicone encapulated modules. It was then sent to Bass Centre who were main distributors for Warwick who also couldn't sort it and finally returned to Warwick who replaced the module. It took about a month if i remember right to be returned to me but Sound Control gave me the pick of the shop while mine was away so i picked the other bass i was looking at a Warwick Streamer with gold fittings. Was very nice and better balanced than the Thumb but didnt have the tone i wanted. I got a really nice apologetic letter from Germany in broken English plus a lot of goodies thrown in incl sweatshirt, 3 sets of Elite strings, several advertising posters, pens and some other bits and bobs. Bass was great up until a few yrs back when same fault appeared and Warwick no longer sell the encapsulated modules so i had to have a MEC pre-amp fitted. Not sure the bass sounds just as good so i might put it back in and get the EMG pre-amp fitted. The Thumb bass has some sentimental value as my new girlfriend (now my wife) went with me when i went into Glasgow to try as many basses as i could and she also liked the look of the Thumb and thought it sounded best. Maybe she was just being nice and supportive, a YES DEAR kind of support Dave

I originally started with Elites which came with the bass plus Warwick sent me 3 free sets when i had an electronics issue with the bass and it was returned to Germany for repair. I quite liked the Elites 35-95 that came with the bass. I have tried Warwick red labels and they were ok but didn't last long. Used the NYXL's on my MarloweDK last night and they felt ok but i was too close to my amp to hear the top end clearly which is an issue with this particular venue. I have to just set up at soundcheck and go for it hoping i've got it right. Once i hear some of the vids taken by same guy every time we play i might get a better idea how they sounded. Certainly didn't get too many issues with finger blisters on plucking hand altho i was trying to play a bit lighter but i just get caught up in the moment with some songs I want to see how long they last and it might just be a trade off of tone V's longevity. Dave

The Cave in Paisley Glasgow with the punk band last night. Love playing this wee pub gig. Start at 6 finish at 9pm and home for 11 after stopping for a kebab. Audience always up for it and a great night was had. Dave

I know i'm getting a good mix when the SE listens to my on stage tone then sets up his channel to match and goes between the two to get it right. Luckily i've had a few SE that said the bass tone from my Mesa was so good they didn't need to change the desk from a flat setting. I liked that Some venues tend to have a preset bass tone set up that is thunderously deep with no definition and i need to work with the SE to get the tone i like. Some are great and happy to help, others think they know best and can be a bit defensive. You need to be careful how you word it. Diplomacy NB : just to put into context i'm generally talking pub / rock venues rather than larger theatre sized venues. Dave

In the 9mths i've experienced 3 that have been poor or just not quite there with the sound. They're usually at venues doing lots of different styles of bands so maybe its just that they dont do many punk or 70's Glam Rock cover bands or maybe i'm being too much of a critic. The gigs have all gone down well so its maybe just from my own perspective on stage or from vid clips that i'm noticing things. Its hard to tell from phone vids as the recording quality isn't usually that good anyways but i have gone out front at sound checks and had to tell SE to adjust levels. Guitarist also had to do it on occasion. Dave

I've had Elixir nanowebs on my Thumb bass for god knows how long now. Can't remember the last time i changed them. I dont play that bass very often these days even at home. I'll try the NYXL's tonight and see how i get on with them. Failing that i might go back and try a set of elixirs but from memory i found the tension a bit too much for me altho i'm fine with my Warwick when i do use it. I find that if my strings have too much tension i get more aches or pains on my fingers over a full gig. I've gone from 35-95's up to 45-100 at moment. Have tried heavier but just couldn't get used to them at all. Think they were 50-105 or thereabouts. I guess its all down to personal preference. If i can get a set that i'm happy with i'll stick with them. I'm not gigging every other night and strings will last me 2-3mths with EXL's if i'm using that bass every gig and practice at home. Dave

Sound "persons" can be a hit or a miss. I've had some great ones and some disastrous ones. I liked the comment about them being one step up the evolution from a DJ. That to me is spot on for most of them but i've had a few that were bass players themselves and the sound comes out brilliant with a great balanced mix with nothing overly loud. With ex DJ's the bass gets lost and even our guitarist has picked up on it during sound check and corrected it. Dave

That's the one. That looks very tasty too. Nice colour. Dave

No probs. I need to lighten up and that's me without a drink on a sat night. Afraid I don't watch politicians, they're too depressing. All good and apologies for taking it wrong way. Dave

Is that aimed at me ? If so I don't understand why the aggressive tone. A simple agreement with my point would suffice.

Got the NYXL's fitted to my MarloweDK and they have a bit more tension than the EXL190's but the gauge was 45-100 rather than 40-100. Had to tweak the neck a little to reduce the string height. Not a big issue since i bought myself a decent capo LOL Anyway the strings feel nicer on the fingers but not as bright as the EXL's but that's only in the house with my back up amp which isnt great to be fair. Gigging tomorrow night with it and will update my thoughts. This gig is the one i first noticed the change when i went from EXL's to MB Longevo strings and had a lack of definition. Hopefully the NYXL's will give me back the tone i like. I definitely like the feel of them. Dave

From a punk themed night for a venues 50th anniverasry of live music. Emergency Exit band has been going for 45 years now altho its only the guitarist from the original band. Great fun band that i really enjoy playing in.

We've noticed that on Fri nights its a hit or a miss as far as audiences go. Saturday nights are usually pretty good turnout but some Fridays have been slow even tho we get great feedback on the gigs from those present so i'm guessing its not down to the band Few of the venues we play have also mentioned they are finding Friday nights can be up and down. Either people are still taking precautions after Covid or they just cant afford to go out 2 nights in a weekend and most people prefer a Sat night out. Hopefully it will all pick up as time goes on but that's maybe just wishful thinking. Dave

I do like the look of those. Similarities to one of the Alembic basses but cant remember the name of. They do get high praise in reviews. Dave

That's becoming my fav set list. If you get a singer and start gigging let me know 😂 Dave

double posts for some reason. Dave

That's why i asked @Lozz196 what they were playing. Who are all those old songs you mention. All before my time I still have the Telstar single............from my Mum of course. Dave

I'm curious what songs you guys are playing without a singer. ? Dave

Remember trying one of those and the neck was very wide compared to my own basses. I just couldn't take to it at all. Dave

WOW i didn't know that about Lynott and Blackmore / Paice. BC is a hive of information. Cheers Dave

That's a great story. Well done. Whether you play at home, with mates or at gigs its all about what makes you happy and as long as everyone in the band is happy then job done as far as i'm concerned. I've been in bands that didn't want to gig only doing 1 or 2 gigs a year but it was too much travelling for me to carry on (1hr drive country roads 40 miles every Mon night) I really enjoyed playing the songs but there was no real drive for everyone to learn the songs properly because there was no real intention to gig. I always learn songs as close to the original as i can manage but others would turn up and expect to just jam it. That used to annoy me quite a bit. Now i prefer to be in a band that wants to get out and gig coupe of times a month. Dave

Problem i've had over the years is i played in mostly rock bands and altho there are some fretless players in rock they are few and far between and i just couldn't get that attack you get with a fretted. The WAL with its hi-end boost switch did come pretty close to be fair. I used my fretless P bass in a covers band doing Kansas, Saga, Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy, Magnum and a few other great bands and i dont think anyone realised i was playing a fretless other than a few seasoned bassists i knew. It was unlined altho my WAL was lined. Dave

Yep that is very nice. Dave

Well done, dont think you'll be disappointed with either. Both great basses. Look forward to seeing some pics. Dave

I go thru spells with fretless. I'm now down to just my Overwater Custom 6er fretless but rarely play it. Was a 50th birthday present from my wife and has sentimental value so will never sell that one. Over the years i've had various fretless basses Fender, WAL, Jaydee, Yamaha and Overwater but they are all just passing fazes for me. I always end up going back to my 4 string fretted Jazz style basses currently Sandberg MarloweDK. Dave