dmccombe7

Out of curiosity what style of music are you playing @machinehead Is that a Mesa head you're using in the pic. ? Dave

I'm hoping that's the case. My rounds do feel a little dull at home too at low volumes. The amp and cab def comes into its own when pushed a bit, more so the cab. Looking forward to trying it out. Good to hear others experience with flats. thanks for letting me know. If they don't work on my Sandberg they will probably end up on my Jazz. Dave

Decided to put my LaBella low tension flats on my Sandberg VM4 fretted today and get a little used to them for Sun rehearsals. First flats in about 30+yrs when i had fretless basses. Have to say i love the feel of them as my fingers seem to glide over them. My only concern is they have quite a dull sound compared to my Sandberg rounds or even the nickels i use. I expected that to be fair but i'm not sure how it will come across within the band. I'm hoping it will be ok tho as i def like the feel. Its a 70's Glam Rock covers band so this could be an expensive fail altho i will just swap them onto another bass if they don't work and go back to my rounds again. Might have a look at other types like maybe ground wound or similar if these don't work. Some investigation is required just in case. Here's hoping all will be well at rehearsals tho Dave

Remember taping their album from my mate around that time. Twelfth Night on one side and IQ on the other. Great albums from both bands. Pretty sure they also played my local venue The Heathery Bar in Wishaw around then too. It was the biggest bar venue in UK holding 200-300 if i remember right. Lot of the big bands played there incl Marillion, Iron Maiden (very early years), Jack Bruce, Pallas, Frankie Miller, to name a few Dave

Sounds like you're on top of your issues. Lot of great info in this. Dave

The man's a legend on BC. Think he plays bass as well. Seriously one of the god guys on here. Dave

Not as good as the Rutles

Good news that its manageable. As a simple quick change get a Gruvgear duo strap. When i had back problems i used one for approx 6mths and once my back muscles had strengthened thru exercise i dropped the extra strap from it and now used as a normal bass strap which is by far the comfiest one i've ever had. Bass Direct is where i got mine. They come in different lengths too.

I can only watch people like Jaco, Jeff Berlin, Victor Wooten, Michael Manring in small dozes rather than a full album. I really like Manrings material and have been almost tempted but decided i would just get bored with it and i couldn't play along with it cause i'm rubbish in comparison. So i just watch small clips on Youtube. Put them in a proper band and it changes it for me. I have several Brand X, Bruford etc type albums with some of these guys playing and it works far better for me Dave

All getting a bit involved and over-analysed. I just didn't like it. Same as back in 80's i didn't like some songs but i did like the majority. No change for me here then. Is it possible that when you are younger with a more active imagination you tend to listen to the words more and read more into it than the writer meant. I'm thinking Floyd, Rush 2112 and even Bowie's 5 years kind of thing back in my day. Now i just like a good tune. Lyrics don't have as much influence as they used to. Dave

Probably because at one time when we were younger we actually liked the show. With age comes a lack of understanding the tastes of the younger musical generation. Or its just the Victor Meldrew syndrome creeping up on us older chaps. "I don't believe it" Dave

I wouldn't say scrap it but maybe vary the style of acts for a wider audience. There are many new bands out there from all musical genres that could do with the publicity and show time. When was the last time we had a prog band, a classic rock style band or even a jazz rock band. Old genres of music i know but then again some of the material i've seen on the show recently has been done before. I usually record it when i realise its on and if i don't like something then i fast forward it. I've come across a few bands on the show that i otherwise would never have heard of. Band of Horses being one of my favs a few yrs ago. Dave

Yep i do the same. I buy a bass and think its the end of GAS and then after a few mths maybe even a year i realise my old trusty Jazz is still my fav bass. At the moment i'm on my Sandberg VM4 and pretty happy with that. Gives me a tone i wasn't expecting but i like it and it suits the band i'm in. Dave

There's a bass rig there. can't say i noticed.

Maybe its because us older guys feel excluded now whereas when we were younger we were "it" Its a bit odd that when we have people post their own music clips on BC almost everyone has something positive to say. Its very rare we hear all negative comments. Maybe its because we expect more from a show that's pushing acts with recording contracts or who have some backing behind them for whatever reason. Dave

Afraid i'm not with you on that. If i don't enjoy it i'll find it difficult to make a positive comment. I don't like searching for something positive in a band. If its not instantly liked or it has something that i enjoy then its not really for me. Maybe i'm the exception and its just me that doesn't appreciate the currents acts on the show ? Elbow were the only band that i could listen to. Afraid i just can't get into rap style music unless its commercialised for a more general audience. Majority of acts i saw weren't for popular demand IMO but maybe that's the point of the show these days. I used to enjoy virtually every act on the show but seems to have turned the other way for me. Each to their own. If its still getting the viewing figures then its working for them. Sorry Dave

An amazing voice and talent. Such a shame to lose her. Her voice would literally make the hairs on my neck stand and its not a style of music i normally listen to but incredible talent will do that to you no matter what style it might be. Great choice Dave

If you've got a worrying problem then Basschat is the place to be. Always someone willing to help and offer advice. Makes you proud to be part of it. Dave

Maybe that's an adreneline rush thing if its affecting you in so many different areas of the body. Do you tighten up with stress when playing ? I'm 59 and being in a 70's Glam Rock covers band so platform boots etc but only pains i get are sore fingertips by playing too hard at times. Not every gig, just the ones i'm really getting into. I have heavy amp and cab plus its usually me that helps the drummer with his flight-cased gear. I'm no fitness fanatic but i do walking every other day for 5miles or a little bit of cycling maybe. Someone on BC posted an exercise regime while back that was pretty simple to do and strengthened the core ie stomach and back areas. Sure you might recognise him below but i found this quite helpful.

I decided to start watching it but first act was dreadful IMO and i turned over to something else. Watched short clips of the rest of the show but not sure what they're trying to put across as a show. Are people actually buying that stuff ? I couldn't listen to most of it the exception being Elbow which was ok but not great either. Dave

Did you find out what gauge of flats GT used. Just curious. Dave

I should have mentioned the JPJ thing was well after Zep. Great to find out about Gary Thain using flats. The Acoustic rigs were quite popular back then. Did Jaco not use them as well. Don't really know much about the Acoustic rigs. Are they valve or SS. ? Something i noted with Trevor Bolder in some of his last tours with Uriah Heep he was using 2off Peavey Mk4's into TE cabs. Those were great amps with twin channels and graphic providing a fantastic choice of sounds from one amp. Dave

I've just bought my first set in 30+ yrs to try them again. I've gone for the LaBella Low Tension strings but i've not fitted them as yet. These were recommended as a possible replacement for rounds somewhere on this thread. Waiting for existing strings to wear out as they aren't that old. Dave