stevebasshead

The rackmount one is quite nifty for anyone using both a passive and active bass on the same gig:- It has has two independant channels so if you take the OUT from channel 1 and feed it into the IN of channel 2 you can use an active and a passive at the same gig. You'd set each channel up to it's optimum setting for each type of bass and then and turn either Ch1 or Ch2 on depending on which bass you're using, obviously turning the other channel off. The buttons are side by side so it's a two-finger, one push operation Just to note too, that being a rackmount it's really meant to plug into the FX loop of your amp (line level) rather than have an instrument plugged directly into it. Lovely bit of kit, it is.

You'll be fine, it's nigh on impossible to actually damage electronic equipment by playing a bass through them, the only thing you might notice is a loss in some bottom end because guitar amps/pedals etc. sometimes aren't designed to pass all the bottom frequencies through, 'cos they're not necessarily needed for guitar. It doesn't mean you won't like the end results, it's just something to be aware of. It's only mechanical devices such as speaker cones that need care. You're using a bass cab so you're fine, whereas a guitar cab would suffer at prolonged high volumes. This is because bass frequencies need the cones to move back and forth by a huge amount compared to guitar speakers and either the rubber surround linking the outer edge of the cone to the frame will fail or the voice coil will overheat and fail.

From what I can see some of them have no access to place the cables in the holes other than threading them through whereas others have a slit to press them through from underneath. Just something to bear in mind, although it shouldn't do any harm to add your own slit to a solid-type one if you needed to.

[quote name='bremen' post='188112' date='Apr 29 2008, 03:29 PM']Novel use of the word 'often' there ;-)[/quote] Hehe, our sound man is also a part time bass player so I thought I'd be diplomatic in case he hangs round here

Two rigs would be the optimum way to go but it can be done with one amp if the amp has 2 channels that can run simultaneously. Or if not, it can still be done if it has an FX loop. Take a stereo splitter (one that splits L & R into two separate output leads, rather than those which send L+R [b]combined[/b] to each output lead...). Plug it into the Ric-o-Sound and then: [u]2-channel option[/u] plug one each into the 2 inputs (via f/x pedals if you want) and EQ and blend the two channels on the amp to taste [u]FX loop[/u] Plug one lead (via f/x pedals) into the amp direct and plug the other via f/x pedals into the FX return. You'll probably need a booster of some type in this line e.g. a preamp pedal, to bring the signal up to line-level (F/X loops tend to run at Line level rather than instrument level). To blend the relative volumes of the direct-to-amp signal and the via-f/x-return signal, use the preamp pedal's volume control. It's simpler than I've probably made it sound. On a small stage, like most pub venues, using a single amp actually makes more sense because you will hear the same blended sound that the audience (standing further away) will hear. Two rigs really only makes sense in a gigging situation when you can get further away from them - stand too close and you'd hear the different sounds from distinct sources making it weird to play and/or tweak mid-gig. At least that's what I've found. Also makes it easier for a sound man if you use one amp. Expecting him to blend two mic'd or DI'd rigs to your taste can be a bit hit and miss as they're often concentrating more on vocals and guitars than the finer points of our chosen instrument!

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My band got booked to play a christening of all things (we're Indie covers and originals.) We went down a treat though and the wee baby didn't bat an eyelid at the noise, much to our surprise. Not too sure it's wise to expose a baby to loud music (albeit 30+ft away and we're not stupidly loud by any means - quality matters more) but there were no tears or crying. Thought that would be a one off but we've just been asked back to do another christening at the same venue - are they breeding just so's they can book us? We also accidentally played [i]a funeral [/i]once. We were in a pub near Sunderland, quite a smartish venue, and noticed a well dressed crowd, lots of dresses and suits. Never gave it a moments thought and played the first set which we ended with one of our own called "Burn Them and Spit Upon the Ashes..." where we get the audience to join in on the chorus Then in the break we heard they were a funeral party, but luckily no one took any offence and they were [b]all[/b] up dancing their hearts out in the 2nd set. Turns out the lady who'd died was a regular and they asked us to dedicate a song to her. Davy, our singer, sang Green Day's "Time of Your Life" and substituted "I hope she had the time of her life" at an appropriate point...cue grateful tears from her friends and relatives. Steve.

Great gig, John, and nice to meet you in person. That's one damn fine sounding rig you have there and it's nice to see and hear a Bolin out and about in the NE (there can't be that many!) Me & my mates enjoyed ourselves, you played a good spread of material (I'd love to get a Terrorvision song into my bands set too!) and you all looked like you were enjoying yourselves. I liked your drummers gizmo too, it added some really authentic percussion sounds to the songs he used it on. Catch you again sometime, Steve.

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I'd suggest making your EQ changes while the band is playing to see what works best in the mix. Often what sounds right solo'd doesn't sound right in the mix and conversley what sounds wrong solo'd sits perfectly in the mix.

[quote name='ahpook' post='178164' date='Apr 16 2008, 06:38 PM']this is great... the guitarist on one of the bands is now spitting the dummy somewhat that i may not be able to make practise on sunday... i just can't believe it. a doctor's told me not to play until it's healed, and he expects me to risk tearing my finger open.[/quote] Could be worse, at least he knows you're there. One of the bands I used to play in, the guitarist was in such a world of his own I could've played a completely different song, let alone actually be there, and he'd not have noticed. Luckily (and despite the jokes) most of the guitarists I know and have played with have been pretty tuned in to what everyone else is doing. Doesn't excuse him from being such a prick in this instance though. Ask him to rip his own finger open if it's not such a problem...

[url="http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/Joeys%20frameset.htm"]Try this one for great advice, also includes specific advice for Ric's which are a bit different from the rest[/url]

[quote name='Muppet' post='172167' date='Apr 8 2008, 12:46 PM']Who makes Ricky cases? They seem pretty indestructable too.[/quote] Actually I find the standard Ric cases tend to be too brittle, notably where the feet are mounted. Three of my feet are pushed right in despite being very careful with everything I own, not just my pride and joy. I've seen mention elsewhere about the Ric cases feet issues, I think it was on the Ric forums. Steve.

There could be hope for your old mixer yet! Mate of mine spilt beer all over his TV remote and it stopped working. I fixed it by opening it up, making sure it was all dry and then spraying the circuit board, both sides, with electrical contact cleaner spray to remove the sticky residue. Fixed and working in minutes. The Gadget Show (Ch5) have done tests with things like mobile phones etc, immersing them in water, drying them thoroughly and in every case they worked again. Hope this helps, Steve.

[quote name='The Funk' post='164210' date='Mar 27 2008, 12:42 AM']The only way to keep stage levels down is to remove power amp tubes from the guitarist's amp.[/quote] Or put one of those perspex 'forcefield' affairs around your drummer

[quote name='synaesthesia' post='164233' date='Mar 27 2008, 04:11 AM']My basis of computation was if I needed a dep on the night what would it cost me to get cover to fulfill the gig - double, triple? Can I find one at short notice to cover the gig on Xmas/Eve NYE if say, my drummer sprained his wrist? (which he did, thankfully he sent his schooled drumming son to cover); multiply that by the number of players, add your overheads and you have your fee.[/quote] That's a damn good point, I wonder how many of us 'pub bands' consider that when we're being booked for anything other than regular pub gigs?

[quote name='thedarxide' post='164379' date='Mar 27 2008, 11:30 AM']The middle three make no sense. I can understand having 12,7,6 but anything else is just stupid. You're not seriously going to need any other sound in one song are you? What's the Yes song with the triple, Awaken? I think that's 4 fretted, 4 fretless and a 6 string guitar.[/quote] Altered tunings would be the only reason I can come up with for 3 otherwise identical necks...but then it'd be easier on your back if nothing else to buy a Line6 Variax which can switch tunings/sounds etc mid song too. The triple neck bass is 4 fretted, 4 fretless and a 6 string bass (strung in octave pairs) but was originally a guitar as you say. Was made buy Wal for Rick Wakeman who gave it to Roger Newell when he played in Rick's band. Then Rick took it back when he rejoined Yes and gave it to Chris Squire who restrung the guitar neck as a bass.

If it helps I use rechargeables in my AKG bug transmitters (2 of). I'd easily get 3 gigs out of them but to be 100% safe I just leave the transmitters on after each gig to drain the batteries by the morning. Then they get charged from an uncharged state and I know for sure they'll do the next gig. I've got a spare pair which I alternate with so I've always got one pair in use and one pair charged and ready to go for the next nights gig. Never ever had a problem. I also carry a pair of disposables just in case. I was a rubbish boy scout but the phrase "be prepared" seems to have stuck!!...

[quote name='subaudio' post='157485' date='Mar 14 2008, 03:15 PM']If the LS2 dosent work I will be dashing around Denmark Street tomorrow trying out all your sugestions. Thanks again [/quote] If it doesn't work, I've just received the weekly Sound Control email where they've an offer on [i]this weekend only [/i]on the Tapco (Mackie's cheaper range) Blend 6 mixer. RRP is £89, but they're selling them for just £19.99...

I use one of these [url="http://www.hartnollguitars.co.uk/products.asp?id=1699"]http://www.hartnollguitars.co.uk/products.asp?id=1699[/url] in my rack two mix two preamps together. One has a low output (same problem you're having) so I use the mizer to bring it up to line level. Very clean boost and under £20.

I went last year and it was pants for basses/bassists then too. There were more basses in Guitar Guitar in town. And they don't charge for entry...

If you're down to the sticky residue then ordinary Mr Sheen will get that gunk off and [i]should[/i] be safe enough on any finish. Works a treat to remove sticky labels from CD jewel cases etc too. Fake edit: [i]<Other furniture polishes are also available>[/i]

Great little units, you won't be disappointed. If you're going to be leaping about be sure to use the little sticky velcro pads they supply so that the bug stays attached to your bass rather than bounding around on it's hinge

I found resting my thumb on the low B instead of a pickup helped, so that effectively I was playing a 4 string until I deliberately wanted to play the low B. So only at that point did I have to really think about playing the new string, if you see what I mean? Odd thing was, after playing 5's for 18 months I found it just as weird going back to 4's but as you already sussed, it's all about practice. Now I can hop between them with barely a thought. Which is just as well considering the contents of m'head.