stewblack

As some of you know I've been trying out various different preamp pedals. Last night I used the Behringer BDI 21. At home it seems a bit meh. Doesn't really do much. At the gig it was amazing. A really full rounded sound with that little bit of mix cutting grit. Now, it may be one of those situations where the alchemy between pedals, bass, and amp produced the perfect storm. My always on was the JHS Pulp n Peel into the BDI. The bass my Cort with the built in MarkBass active circuit. Either way it worked. Lesson learnt; never trust the bedroom sound, always test it in a live situation.

Tonight the Behringer BDI is doing the heavy lifting. Into the HB Block and Barefaced Compact.

Thank you. So much.

You have taken a great pedal with a bland finish and turned it into a boutique beauty! I have zero artistic skill, but I might let a friend of mine lose on a few of my cheap pedals. This is a great idea 💡

As you say it's very DEVOesque. I like Seggs Tape and what I've heard of The Caries Company. I've always enjoyed spiky, stripped down new wave and this genre adds a quirky creativity.

Sovereign Reggae. It's a new start up so I'm proceeding with caution. The last reggae band I joined was 'reggae' in name only. I know it's a broad genre, but I have my tastes and the set list didn't mirror them so I bailed. However the band leader agreed with me and so set up this iteration with a more rootsy direction.

Joining a reggae band next week. Currently learning a bit of Bob M.

Middle 8 of Reasons To Be Cheerful. Looking at different examples of Norm's bass lines for my lessons.

Ooh and @JapanAxe homemade valve amp too. Wow.

Wonderful to meet done new faces and a joy to see the old ones. Really is the highlight of the year. Thank you @scrumpymike , his family and friends for such a great day, wondrous food and good company. Highlights for me were getting to have a play through the Laney Digbeth courtesy of @MichaelDean - the valve emulation and tilt control are superb, and it's a real looker too, and @stevie cabs were a revelation, absolutely stunning in every respect but especially when paired with his Trace Elliot.

Excited to see you all tomorrow. Can't believe another year has passed.

How was my gig? Cold. That's how. Absolutely bl00dy freezing. The pub has the world's biggest smoking area, essentially a courtyard with a tent roof. So we played outside.

If a pro is someone who earns their living from music then I am one and you have out earned me by a very long way!

Just having a cuppa having made it home from my Thursday Bandeoke in Bristol. Chaotic drunken night but no knob-heads so that was good. Been playing my Epiphone Embassy lately. It's a hard bass to put down. Sits in the mix, light on the shoulder and easy on the hands.

Tonight's preamp courtesy of Joyo. Specifically the banTamP bass.

Barefaced cabs are the best I've ever used. And I've had a few.

Tonight's slimline special

30% of at JPTR for a couple of days

It's happened to me too. Irritating.

So cool man. But that drive when you're ill - you have my sympathy

Last night's preamp was provided by demon FX. The Harmonic Booster has a lovely flexibility, with bass and treble and a parametric mid range, but it's secret sauce is the character control which alters the whole sound.

Just started a month of Sunday Bandeoke gigs at a new venue in Bristol. Quiet start which picked up as soon as the punters began to join in the fun. Hopefully it will continue to grow and become a residency.

We're just suffering a massive downturn in pubs/bars and very few actually specialise in live music in the first place. We have pubs desperately trying to turn around a failing business. So they pay a booker to fill their calendar with bands. The booker doesn't give a damn, just needs the calendar filled, so books anything he can get. The venue doesn't understand music does not have any facilities (stage, lighting, PA etc) so doesn't attract a live music audience and so the pub ends up in more financial trouble.

I too played a depressingly empty venue last night. It used to be buzzing, a great gig, but alas it's on its arse these days. Luckily the band I was with really clicks; all top musicians, all in fine form. We had a blast. This was my rig and boy did it sing.