lonestar

I’ve been bemused over the years how unprofessional bands are, particularly in the hiring and firing area. When working regularly as a dep I’ve had the experience of learning a whole set, having been promised loads of gigs as the supply bass player, following a very good audition/rehearsal. “Send us a pic and some bio for the website”. Ok done. Then nothing, tumbleweed, nada. No communication or response until browsing said bands FB page and I see that they’ve just played a lovely gig with their new stand in bass player. Had another bunch of time wasters who just never got back to me after another good rehearsal and when the “ex pro touring drummer” finally picked up the phone they were going to have a rethink and probably call it a day. Next week Facebook again “here’s our new brilliant bass player. Why can’t bands just be upfront and not waste everyone’s time if you’re not the guy/gal/other for the job ?

Old folks Boogie for a recording session next Saturday. Jeez it’s tricky like most little feat songs. Already done Skin it back and Walking All night. I thought that this’d be the easy one.

Me too Fat beams sound great and last for ages. I buy the direct from the US via ebay. Still cheaper than the UK price if you only buy one set and don't get stung for duty/ups fees as I did when I tried to buy two.

I found the turnaround after the middle 8 particularly tricky. Definitely took more than one listen.

Sorry Got my point in the wrong place. Always do setups in imperial as I’m a fender man and my feeler gauges are ancient !

You could check the nut height: fret at 3rd fret and measure gap on first fret. It should be around .76mm or 3 thou in old money

Relief is normally measured at the 7th/8th fret. 10 thou in my setup

I’ve played in lots of covers bands I don’t always like

I think with zero frets, an idea I wish was used more often, the nut height is set for you. My Sadowsky has an “adjust a nut”, ie two little screws to adjust the height. Otherwise it’s nut files and a feeler gauge.

I only have imperial feeler gauges so I set 10-12 thou relief at 7th fret and 2/32in on the G,fretted at the first fret, and 3/32in on the E or B on my five string. Pretty much fender or Sadowsky specs I think. Nut height is 3 thou at first fret with string fretted on the third.

I’ve recently recorded Truckin’, Franklin’s Tower, Sugar Magnolia and Touch of Grey for an album project. first half here I was never really a DeadHead but really liked Jerry’s melodic guitar playing and the whole hippy Californian: hey it’s all going to be cool, tune in turn on trip out vibe(see also Spirit)! However having learned these tunes I’ve also discovered what a lovely melodic bass player Phil Lesh is.

This. Try Blues for Allah too

I heard rumours of a 5 string Electra TT ?

Funny that. the one in Glasgow that I tried back in August was noisy and the guy there said that they were still all like that. He’d said that they’d sent all the first batch back because they were crap and his was a new one. The one I finally bought from Thomann a couple of weeks ago however was absolutely fine.

Thank you Sir My wife said something similar about a sharp intake of breath when I got the credit card bill.

It’s a Sadowsky Metro Express

Thanks. Currently £699 on Thomann

First gig with the Metro Express last night. Really enjoyed it. I think it sat very well in the mix, was easy to get the sounds I wanted and it suits the type of stuff that we play: soul/jazz/funk.

First gig with the Tesco Express. Really pleased with it

I was tempted by that colour but it didn’t look as nice on Thomann’s site. From everything that I’ve read, and there’s been lots, JJ seemed the best option, plus I’m a big Jazz bass fan. I emailed thomann to see if it was the latest batch with no noise issues and they confirm that it was. I’d definitely check first with whoever you wish to buy from. https://m.thomann.de/gb/sadowsky_metroexpress_21_5_vintage_obmp.htm?o=1&search=1632071111

I read that Roger said thathe has the pickups wound by Dimarzio or EMG on the NYC ones.

My one has pickups and tuners with "Sadowsky" on them. I notice that the Metro Express bridge looks different to the Metroline one, however all works well. I'm very pleased with it.

I played this last night for a couple of hours at a band rehearsal and was very pleased with it. That preamp is quite hot but really nice sounding and controllable once you get the hang of it. Nice even tone across the strings and punches well in a band mix. I did find some slightly rough fret ends when sliding up the neck so I’ll get busy with a fret file on those when I change the rather crappy supplied strings at the weekend.