dmccombe7

If the boards were exact same i don't get why you changed it ? dave

Must admit i like that low end thing that you talk of @mcnach. I've never really tried the bass on passive mode to be honest. At the very least i'll have it on active mode but all EQ centred. Because the treble control becomes your tone control you can't go straight from active to passive and have same tone like my Thumb bass. I have been running my VM4 with pick ups on centre point with a slight boost on bass. Thru the Mesa rig it gives me a deep warm tone. Not my usual or preferred tone for a bass but it suits my band at the moment. Normally i'd go for a more hi-mid punch to a treble edge sound with a fair bit of low end depth. If i turn the PU selector slightly to the P pick-up i do get more edge on the tone. It doesn't take much on the bass to get a tone i need or want. Such a versatile bass. Plus i'm using flats at the moment on a trial run. Wasn't sure about them on Sat nights gig but hearing the various youtube clips posted by audience with phones i'm really liking the tone i have. My perception on stage while playing is different to what i hear on the clips. Weird !!!!! Dave

I'm more a 70's & 80's guy but agree on the enthusiasm, talent and experience. Same for me. This is the first band i've been in where the money is great. Its an odd experience too. As you know, and stated many times, i was never in it for money but now that the money is "available" i'm finding that it's having more influence than ever before. Dave

To be honest its the only Peavey amp i've liked. You really need the footswitch to get the full benefit but i used to mix the 2 channels with one set with a very punchy mid tone (para EQ channel) and the passive channel set with a nice low warm tone. Mix the 2 together and it was a WOW factor for me. Then use the Graphic for room requirements. It was like having 2 amps in one. Bloomin heavy tho Dave

2-4-6-8 Motorway by Tom Robinson Soldier of Fortune by Deep Purple

Thanks Blue that's very much appreciated especially from someone with your amazing experience and talent. Its simply a great fun band to be in. We have a great laugh doing this. Drummer is ex-Glitter Band from 90's era so he's played some major venues around the world incl Wembley Arena. Longest i've been with a band since i got back into playing 9 yrs ago. Coming up on 2 yrs but its been hard going getting the right people that fit with us. Keys have been a problem getting the right personality as well as good player. With the right audience its amazing fun to watch people singing all the songs from my teenage yrs. This is the music that started me off buying singles back in 73 onwards. I was a big Sweet and Bowie fan. Many thanks Dave

The really good news from our gig on Sat night is that the promoter has been asked by many of the folks there when or where we are playing again. He wants us back for Easter at a different venue. Here's a wee clip from the gig. Really needs good headphones to appreciate it plus keys player only had 2 rehearsals to learn 30+ songs. He did a great job.

Pretty sure the guys at Overwater would offer help. After all its their reputation that's being questioned here. Any time i contacted them they were quick to reply and Chris May is a top bloke as far as i'm concerned who is always ready to talk bass with anyone. He certainly know his stuff. Dave

To be honest i struggled to find any P basses they've made. The J basses i found with head stock truss were more like special J basses with custom woods (expensive ones) The majority with body truss adjust. The PJ basses i found all had the body truss. Maybe its down to what people ask for in their custom spec altho not sure if anyone would specifically ask for one or the other ? Dave

That's a good point as Chris had basses made up to show Tanglewood what they could do so its possible it was one of those early designs for Tanglewood. Still made by Overwater altho the seller does state it was a custom order with Overwater. Weird one. Dave

Not all Overwater basses have the truss adjust at body end. Looking thru Overwater Gallery there are some headstocks that look very much like it plus the neck on the P Overwater had a black nut from what i could see. Couldn't see any standard P basses on their gallery. They either had the full 3 band EQ or 3 pots rather than 2. If the seller has evidence that it was purchased from Overwater it should list all parts used. Overwater will fit any parts you suggest rather than their own. Its totally up to the individual I'd be surprised if Overwater made a mess of any finish, their basses are first class. I have 2 off them. Dave

Mixed feelings about gig last night. First up the van i hired had an engine management light on that they said wasn't affecting the running of the van. Once on the motorway the power died every time we hit a hill. From 60-70mph down to 30-40mph. It did get us to the gig eventually. Torrential rain and extremely windy when driving a high sided LWB van. Once in the venue it appears the venue didn't promote the event so it wasn't very busy. Everyone that was there was really into the gig tho and we had them dancing from early on till the end. ( two 1hr sets ) Because the venue was not as busy as expected the promoter struggled to get the money to pay us the agreed price. At half time he told us and said he would pay us 2/3 and would sort out the remainder later. (Guys in the band know him and he's true to his word) He said if we wanted to pack up now he would understand. Obviously we said we would play the gig as agreed. End up he paid what he had and said he was starting with a new venue and would pay us the extra at the first gig we play there. Band sounded great last night. Bit of a boomy wooden stage tho but manageable. Promoter said we were the best band he'd seen in that venue so high praise. Lot of people asking for photos with the band at the end too so that was nice. (70's Glam covers band with full costumes etc) Back to trying to get the van home. Loaded up and about 15mins into the journey the dual carriageway was closed due to an accident. That held us up for about an hour or so. Once we got moving it was nurse the van home time. Finished the 2nd set around 11pm. Got changed, sorted out the money within the band as you do, loaded the van and headed off around 12:30. Dropped the drummer off along with his drums PA and lighting (only 2 off us loading and unloading the van at his house so that was hard going. Finally got home at 4am. A 75mile journey that i can do in my car in 90mins took us 3.5hrs. 3hrs later had to take van back to hire company before 9am with a few choice words on van. They didn't really care. Used my Sandberg VM4 with flats and still not sure about them. Was difficult to decide on them with stage being a bit boomy. Sounded ok out front at sound check tho. One thing i did find was that my fingers seemed to feel tight and quite stiff causing me to struggle with playing the exact bass parts in some songs. Had to miss out some notes on faster parts. Not sure if it was down to all the lifting of gear when loading the van or just the stress of a van that wasn't working properly. Could it have been the flats causing a problem moving across the strings ? No idea. Anyway i'm absolutely knackered today Dave

I did miss it but great read too. So looking forward to the new book Dave. Love your writing style. Just makes me laugh. Dave

Loved those old Peavey heads and that's an odd pick-up configuration. Most people would have the P pick-up at the neck position. Wonder how it sounds. ? Dave

STOP IT................ Also my fav Genesis album and era plus fav prog album ever. Never get tired listening to that album. It has a feel good factor for me every time i play it. Saw and met them all back in 80's. Had a great chat with Phil Collins as well when he sat and had tea and cakes with us. Sad to say i even have all the band autographs including manager and Tony Banks wife as well and all in my Seconds Out music book. A personal treasure for me. Dave

You really do have it all. Bowie, Queen and now Prog. Not that i'm jealous but i hate you Kidding of course.👍 Dave

It always seems to be bass players that want to start a Prog covers band. Other musicians are just not good enough

Yep that was always my problem playing it. Eventually managed exactly as you say .......in my head. Was only in the house. Never managed to get a band that would gig Prog covers. Dave

Would have to be the original California Jam or Live In Europe versions for me. GH is still doing an amazing job these days but that raw power from 70's just does it more for me. I preferred his tone back then. I did consider Suppers Ready too but same as you probably couldn't remember it all especially with that weird timing part 123, 12, 1, 123, 1, 123, 12, 1, etc. (think that's it) Dave

Like @Raymondo i've bought all 3 books and thoroughly enjoyed them all so i won't be disappointed with another. Most books i've ever read from any one author except my wife's Terry Pratchet stuff that i occasionally read on holiday mainly because they are there. My point is you need to write more books so i have yours lying around on holidays. Aim for same number as Terry P and i'll be happy. Dave

Cheers @jacko got them on my fretted Sandberg VM4. Been thru x2 6hr rehearsals plus practising 1-2 hrs most days at home approx last month. It did take me a little getting used to them at first as your fingers move so freely on them. Did miss the zing from the rounds i was using but not enough to put me off them. Most songs we play the zing gets lost in the mix anyway. Dave

I'l be trying out flats at a gig tomorrow night for the first time in 35 yrs. Depending on how it goes will decide whether i remain with them. To be fair they sound good in rehearsals so i'm expecting same at gig. Dave

OR "ok we'll leave"

I've only just gone back to flats after 35 yrs and in the house the thud but within the band setting they sound really good at louder volumes. La Bella Low Tension flats 40-95 lights I also have my EQ almost flat on the amp with a little bass boost on bass. Sandberg VM4, If i ramp up the high end / treble on the bass i get a really nice click from the frets / strings when i dig in. Fingerstyle with no nail attack here either. Obviously the sustain isn't same as rounds i was using but we don't play slow songs where bass rings out on notes. Not sure if that helps at all. Dave

I'll be getting my order in for the follow up. 1st one was a great read and the 2nd sounds like its gonna be just as much fun. Dave