dmccombe7

I get what you are saying but like motorway services its down to greed because they can. I normally don't use batteries and forgot to repack my power supply for some reason. I won't get caught out again plus the shop at bottom of the road sells them far cheaper. Didn't know that at the time. I also don't use motorway service fuel either and will travel into nearest town if required unless midle of the night or i'm in a hurry to get somewhere fast. That's rare these days tho. Cause i'm old Should always be prepared and usually i am. Dave

Now that we've gone thru 6 pages in this thread i've found that a lot more musicians passing either saddened, shocked or surprised me over the years and quite a few i had forgotten about. Its turned out to be quite a sad but interesting thread in that respect. Its also brought back some fond memories over the years of people i used to listen too that sadly are no longer with us. Dave

Oddly enough i was quite shocked at Michael Hutchence. I was never a big fan of INXS altho i liked them but i remember thinking it was very sad to lose him in that way and just thinkin what a waste. As you say he had it all. Maybe not happiness tho but so sad.

Fantastic news. Well done and you managed to follow the band even tho you had never rehearsed the songs with them. Those 3 songs are in our 70's Glam Rock tribute set list and i just love them. I once did 20th Century Boy for an audition and like you i just went with the flow and the band loved it. Glad you enjoyed it and that's what counts most. Now get out there and start a band. Thanks for sharing. Dave

I'm not so sure its grief in the way you lose a family member or very close friend. For me its just a sadness that someone i admired has now gone and that's the end of their musical output (albiet the vast number of "Best off" albums that will get released.)

Aye yir weird Ped. Different things affect us in different ways. Some people (including myself) get very upset when they lose a pet while others don't see what the fuss is all about. I guess i'm just a sentimental old git these days. People like Bowie it wasn't just his musical influence it was the whole image that i found fascinating. I was even in the Bowie fan club at one time as a young teenager. I think we all deal with things in different ways. Some show it more than others and others don't see certain events as important to them. Just means we are all slightly different. No right or wrong with that. Its just how it is. Dave

So what's the switch for as my VM4 doesn't have that. Is that to split the bridge pick up from humbucker to single coil. ? Dave

Liking the pics of the basses. That's exactly what i'm finding with the passive mode. It still has a great tonal range while acctive just gives it a bit more push. I'm also finding it sounds better with a touch of extra low end boost on the bass but not by much. With the strings being new i had the treble cut a little too but as the strings are starting to settle down a bit i'm bringing the treble back towards centre position. As for the weight and balance of the bass its perfect for me and can't fault it. Dave

Try this by Michael Schenker group. Michael Schenker, Cosy Powell and Chris Glen on bass Or this

If you've got a new bass why not post a wee pic for us. And remember and post your thoughts after the gig so we can all share in it. Good or bad points welcome on this thread. Dave.

That's an interesting point as i think John Lennon was robably the first famous musician i liked to pass away and i can remember being out with a girlfriend when someone told me and the DJ was playing Imagine. So i can remember that one quite well.

Not sure if this has been done before but can't remember seeing it before. If it has then Moderators can just close it down What musician that you've been a fan off has most shocked or surprised you and why. ? Any style of music, any musician doesn't have to be a bass player. For me it was Phil Lynott. Was a big fan of the band and his solo work and spent an afternoon with him playing pool and having a few beers. He was such a nice approachable guy. Dave

I used to be the same as i liked that driven sound from playing that bit harder. I generally play between the 2 Jazz pick ups but pain was getting to the point i needed to change. Dave

Yep that's all very well but they are buying from shops who already charge extra to cover their costs. I'm surprised so many of you guys think charging double for a 9V battery is ok in a studio. Maybe that's why they do it cause everyone apart from me thinks its ok. 😜 Dave

My thoughts exactly. In my earlier years i always loved the tone from Di Marzio's and that might be a good starting point for me. I've tried a P bass with SD Basslines fitted and they were nice too If i can get something like that with a humbucker style cover for my overwater J4 i would give it a go.I don't want to be routing or changing the woodwork just in case i need to refit the originals and that's my problem. Dave

Can't argue with that one tho

To be fair the studios i use are really good. Plenty of space, well lit, air-con, great quality PA and backline of Marshall amps and 412 cabs with either EBS, Aguilar or Ampeg SVT2 heads into Ampeg 810 cabs. Clean toilets no matter what time of day you rehearse and seperate hand washing facilities / mirror area (for the ladies of course). Various seating areas and TV room. Pretty good coffee vending machine with snack vending machines too. All for £35 / 3hrs. They do get some very well known bands rehearsing in there as well usually before gigging in Glasgow. Few weeks ago Steely Dan were in for a few days, Michael schenker has been in with Chris Glenn band, Kaiser Chiefs and even Beyonce was in once before playing Glasgow SECC. I guess when you have that clientele you need things to be good. Dave

Yeah i guess so but taking 100% profit on a battery just seems a little extreme to me. Adding £1 on is more acceptable to most people. I should really have had a spare in my bag but i tend not to use batteries and i simply forgot to put my power supply in that day. Don't think i'll ever be convinced that 100% profit is OK. They know they've got you if you need to ask them for one. Maybe the guy was pocketing a £1 from the sale Dave

Make sure they are priced appropriately. I needed a 9V battery for my tuner and the studio charged me £4.50 for one. I can get 2 Duracell ones for £4 elsewhere. I appreciate they need to make a profit on them but 100% is a bit much. Oddly enough the studio cost is £35 with 1st class gear supplied so its a bit of a shame they charge so much for the little items you might need. Would hate to have to buy a set of strings from them. I'd need a 2nd mortgage Just a suggestion to be realistic with the pricing of these things. Dave

Good point with the strings. I found the DR Sunbeam nickels were a bit rough. Currently i'm back on Fender nickels and Sandberg steels on my Sandberg. I have Elixir strings on my Warwick Thumb and they are smooth but quite tense but again that has quite a low action. Dave

Is that your plucking hand index finger ? I get it on my fretting hand index finger but my new Sandberg bass has a super low action at 1.2mm and i don't seem to get it. I also found lighter gauge strings or less tense strings helped too.

now that's probably a better idea cause if they dont work you've lost nothing but time 👍

Think where i'm coming from on the pick up change thing is that i have no real experience or knowledge of the replacement ones on the market. Altho not hugely expensive for a reasonable set for say a PJ bass maybe typically £100 set and then a pre-amp maybe much the same. So a total of £150 - £200 would get you an ok set for a bass. If they work and are exactly what you had hoped for then all good. On the other hand if they aren't what you expected you need to sell them 2nd hand and look for something else. There's a lot of ick ups out there and it could be a never ending story. McNach - you've obviously had a fair bit of trial and error as you know what ones you like or prefer and they are the "relatively" cheaper ones compared to some. I'm quite happy setting my basses up and doing all the intonation, neck, string height, pick up height etc but once you get into the pick ups and pre-amps its like a busmans holiday for me. Of course i'm retired now and have a lot more time so it shouldn't really be a prob for me these days and i have considered changing them on my Overwater J4 and my Fender PJ. The Overwater is a nice bass to play but the pick ups i'm not overly keen. It has the Joh East pre-amp with V, Bal, T & B pots but i'm not sure if its the pick ups or the pre amp or maybe both and at some point i might take the plunge and experiment a bit but i have no idea what will work best fro me in that bass. I don't want to change the woodwork myself but i did consider asking Chris at McIntyre Guitars for some advice and help fitting them if need be. I'm just not too sure and with getting the Sandberg recently its put me off bothering. Jings i sound like a right lazy git after reading this Dave

My young brother had a BB3000 i think it was back in late early 90's i think and it was a stunning bass. I was very impressed by it. It was black with gold metal round the pick-ups. PJ set up but can't remember if active or not. He paid a fair amount for it 2nd hand back then as they were very opular basses around that time. He sold it without telling me or i would have bought it from him. I've always quite fancied getting one. I've always fancied getting one but not seen one like it at a decent price. Love the tone from them. Mate has a yammy at the moment but its a cheaper one with same PJ set up and active. Not had a chance to play that one tho. At some point i think i will get one for my collection. They have a super clean mid punch but a nice warm tone too. Dave

To be honest the Sandberg reminds me of the MM sound but i'm no expert on MM basses whereas you are if i remember right. I run the bass with the treble back a touch pick-ups centred and occassionally a little bass boost but very little. That gives me a nice mid punch with depth that for me sounds is something i've been looking for in a while but never quite manage it. I usually end up with a bass that's more treble and bass than a nice clean mid. I'm really happy with mine. I've tried the P on its own and i don't think it sounds exactly like a Fender P but its pretty good and i'm happy with that too. Using the MM on its own you need to boost the bass a bit to get a decent depth but it gives lovely clear mids at same time. The bass will do a far more treble sound too if that's what you prefer. Cant see me ever boosting the treble with this bass tho. Centre mid point on the treble is as high as i would ever take the tone. Hope you enjoy yours as much as i am McNach. Dave