Roland Rock

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1964-Fender-Jazz-bass-SPARKLE-GOLD-64-Vintage-RARE-U2-/270741667264?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f0975fdc0#ht_14212wt_1139"]Tasty[/url] Original custom finish? Cool

I'm sure that many of you already know about this, but I thought I'd share my own experience. I have been reading Alex Claber's articles in BGM, and decided to implement a piece of advice he imparted - to turn my (2x10) cab on its end so that the speakers were vertical, rather than the usual horizontal. Luckily it has feet on both one side and on the bottom, and the reduced footprint meant I could rest it on my head's flightcase to raise it up a bit (no scrounging for beer crates at the bar) Unfortunately, it meant I had to put the head on the floor, as it would no longer fit on the cab. The result? I wouldn't say a huge increase in volume as such, but a marked increase in [i]clarity[/i]. I could hear every note coming through the band mix as if I was playing alone at home. I'll do this at every opportunity in future. note - it was a venue I hadn't played before, so that could be a factor too

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1970-Fender-P-Bass-Precision-Faux-Alligator-Case-/160576452456?pt=Guitar&hash=item25631a3768#ht_83930wt_1139"]This[/url] is a lovely Precision - and it seems it has been taken on tour with Metallica

[quote name='umph' post='1184734' date='Apr 1 2011, 02:04 PM']ahh i saw this one in johns workshop. Really not a huge fan of the red iron amps, it looked like it was made out of spare bits he had lying around![/quote] True, but John did concede that all of the parts were of high quality. Most importantly, I now have an amp which is reliable and sounds great.

[quote name='bigjohn' post='1184719' date='Apr 1 2011, 01:55 PM']Just came across this thread! Seems like a pain in the arse has had a happy ending. Your amp sounds sweet. I'd have never of guessed it started life so messed up And you do need a bit of umpf to play with Nick Chambo is a great guy - his mate John Wood is also a fine chap who repairs solid state amps as well as making bespoke valve HiFi. We're so lucky to have top men like them around here.[/quote] Cheers BJ - you're right, it had a happy ending. I'm loving the amp more and more every time I play. It's a shame I need to bail out of the band +1 about having Chambo local - he's massively knowledgeable and bonkers in equal measure (in a good way)

Hey BB5, Some great advice here - I especially agree with Risingson - you are obviously passionate about your music and add a lot of value to this site. I think that your passion is also bound to show through in your playing - perhaps you need this fresh start to reappraise your strengths as well as your weaknesses as a bass player, and after a while, you'll have a more clear idea of what type of thing you want to play. Out of interest - you mentioned that they said your chordal knowledge was lacking - do you mean that you need to work on playing bass chords, or that you need better chord/scale knowledge in order to create basslines? What kind of band it it - jazz/funk/soul?

Love a bit of Cymande - and this one has a gorgeous laid back groove.. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v="]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=[/url]

This might help [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=109355"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=109355[/url]

I've been obsessing over this [url="http://gilyaronguitars.com/page10.php?view=thumbnailList&category=14"]Gil Yaron P Bass[/url] I really like his ethos and he seems to be passionate about getting things period-correct. His [url="http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bass-place/139356-57-precision-bass-build.html"]build threads[/url] are fantastic. I'd love one like that sonic blue early 60s one, but preferably with a maple board - anyone know if this a 'period correct' configuration? What little feedback I can find seems positive too. Anyone know anything about these? btw - This is in the 'fantasy' category at the moment - I don't know how much these are, but I do know I can't afford one yet

[quote name='Shockwave' post='1206673' date='Apr 21 2011, 05:47 AM']A female front singer for that kind of band just does not do it for me. Your singer in particular is just not suited to the material, no grunt to the voice. You need someone that can move around the stage and communicate with the audience, she is unable to do this if she keeps reading lyrics from a music stand. Even if she knows some of the lyrics to some of the songs, she cant truly rock out just in case she forgets the lyrics without them directly in front of her. Sorry [/quote] +1 I couldn't have put is half as well myself. The audience needs a charismatic focal point edit: typos - not used to new phone

Hi David, Welcome to BC. Sounds like you're embarking on the GAS journey of a lifetime. Enjoy.

A drummer, when comparing me to their previous bass player: "You have less frills and more bollocks"

Anyone tried the Polytone Minibrute? I've read good things. I was very tempted once, but ended up going down the EA route instead.

I picked up a Sound City 50 Plus and a massive HH 4x12 Cab for £120. When I moved house, I didn't have room for it, so donated it to the music department in a school in Nottingham. It's still there as far as I know.

[quote name='Dave Vader' post='1198255' date='Apr 13 2011, 03:15 PM']Holy f*** that can't be real? Surely nobody is that rich/stupid? [/quote] I like the quote: "Even though the Dragon is the most expensive cable we produce it actually has the highest customer return percentage" They claim that people "return" and say "these are great, I'll have two more please" Probably more like "I'd like to return this please"

[quote name='Low End Bee' post='1197927' date='Apr 13 2011, 11:11 AM']Pick players. Embarassed that you can't play fingerstyle and fit in with other bassists? Simply screw a couple of these on to the end of your plectrum and you'll be envy of all. [/quote]

When the 9v battery on my bass died mid set, in an act of desperation, I wired my bass directly into the mains to get power. One unexpected benefit was that a small electric shock was administered every time a string was pressed onto a fret, and the immediate, instinctive release made for a fantastic fingerstyle funk technique. I'm working on a prototype now that does not make one's hair stand on end.

[quote name='geoffbyrne' post='1196582' date='Apr 12 2011, 10:14 AM']If you go to the Volo, contact Simon who, with his wife (bass player!) Candy, organises the gig & he'll fit you in with some other players. There's a J bass on the stage, but as I said, most guys bring their own instruments. Peavey backline. Let me know when you're going & I'll come over from Loughborough. G.[/quote] Nice one GB, will do. I have a couple of months of fulfilling current band commitments and welcoming new baby, then I'll get onto the jam thing and give you a shout.

Agreed re. the EQ. Alex Claber did an interesting article in BGM the other month. Something about Fletcher Munson Curves, where the practice (low) volume may sound fine at a certain EQ, but hoik up to gig volume at the same settings and it can become really boomy/bass heavy. As the good Doctor J has prescribed, turn it up with flat EQ, then boost the mids a bit and even cut the bass if necessary. Edit - just saw you don't have a mid on the amp - try cutting both bass & treble, or boosting the mid on the Ray (if 3EQ)

What a stunner! It looks like someone has used the ashtray as an ashtray!

Thanks for the replies. The Greyhound sounds great, Kev - unfortunately Sunday afternoons are off limits due to the family thing. I like the Volo - played gigs there, but was unaware of the jam night. I'll pop in one night. Also, thanks to a PM, I can now contact Colin Staples directly, so I can ascertain whether I'll need to bring my own bass. I don't mind, as long as I don't have to bring my amp, but would hate to be the only one with my own instrument (other than the house band) and look like a precious numpty!

With an ever expanding family, I will unfortunately have to pare back my time gigging. It's a shame, as our band were just getting to where they need to be, with gigs around the country for decent money. Alas, my time spent at home helping out is more valuable in the present circumstances. Looks like they'll need to get a replacement in. I want to keep playing, but can't commit to regular practicing/gigging. I then thought about an established blues jam in Nottingham, run by a guy called Colin Staples. I've been to this before as a spectator, and the format seemed to be regular house band play with a selection of guitarists throughout the course of the night. My question is, what about bass players? Can I just turn up and ask to sit in? Do I need my own bass? Any other groundrules I need to know? Any advice from people who have played at this, or any other blues jam would be appreciated. Thanks

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