Mudpup

Spector and Ashdown sounded pants when I had them. Spector and GK or Benz is luvverly though.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1419977764' post='2644623'] Difficult... I guess you either take a party which will be a good payer etc etc ..and then work for it, or you do it cheaper for a pub and then hope the guy can pay you what he has agreed. I am half glad we didn't bother and I think we'd only come out for a regular LL/pub so we would be pretty sure there'd be no problems Walking round town this xmas period makes me glad I haven't got to put up with some of those people when they've had more to drink I hope it goes well for you guys.. If g/f is ill, I'd be have tempted to tell a few ppl I'll taxi them home.. I think it would be easy to pick up £100 for 90 mins work or so... [/quote] Phew, that worked out ok. We got paid the full £800 even though he only took £1200 on the night and had to pay doorstaff. He'd cheered up by the time we were away too. Athough he said he'd never pay that much for a NYE band again.

I've got a bit of a weird feeling one booked. Its a gig we've done about 4 times last year - the owner booked us for NYE at half time on the first gig - but he chipped our money at the last gig by £50 claiming he hasn't made enough over the bar that night. We rolled with it on that occassion but its left a worry over tomorrows one. He originally offered £500 (for a 4 piece), we countered with £1000 and settled on £800 as its only half an hour away. I tried to get the money upfront from him but with no luck, not surprised but it was worth a go. Got a feeling he's gonna plead poverty after the crowd has gone.......may be nicely surprised though.

Here's my first attempt. I can't be arsed with plugging all the little leads in every time I gig so consequently never really used pedals. Just picked up a wireless unit though which gets used all the time so decided to try and get a bit more organised. Father Xmas got me a Charlie's Pedalboard and I spent thus afternoon setting everything up. Just got to pick up a long lead to run from the EBS to the Ashdown to tidy things up and I'm done. [URL=http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/mudpup1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/IMG_20141228_232218.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj640/mudpup1/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/IMG_20141228_232218.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Nice tree....

Mark just picked up my gigbag today. Top bloke and highly recommended, cheers dude!

And gone.........

This is just about to be retrieved from the loft in line with the grand Pre Xmas clearout and its never going to get used by me so lets shift it on to a good home. Its a Protection Racket bass gig bag with sheepskin lining and is exactly the same as the one in the advert linked below (i hope psychoandy doesnt mind me using his old ad for the pictures - if its a problem, let me know and i'll unlink it) Its in mint condition. And the best bit is its free to anyone that wants to come and collect it from near Stansted Airport/Harlow/Bishops Stortford. If you think its too cheap and worth a couple of quid you are welcome to leave a donation with mudpup junior to go in his Xmas video game fund. Heres the link, drop me a line if you want it........ http://basschat.co.uk/topic/177889-quality-padded-protection-racket-bass-gig-bag/

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1417212800' post='2618367'] From what I can see, your choice of where to buy and locate potential buys is probably contributing to the overall poor experience, in addition to the poor service you get tbh. The first instance is just annoying and the ugly side of music retail. Those experiences happen. As for avoiding the second situation, if you're going to consider buying a bass after viewing it on fleabay first, it's unlikely to be a great experience. Maybe go to a specialist who cares enough to have their own decent website to advertise their stock (and expertise!) properly and somewhere that has sales assistants who offer good enough customer service that they don't have to flog off their cr@p on fleabay to a blind buyer as a last ditch attempt to get rid easily. Having (recently) dealt with one of the specialist Bass retailers in the UK, I couldn't have had a better experience. Superb communications, highly knowledgable staff, polite and helpful. Got my new cab and a great feeling from the experience. Difficult to find that quality from an independant, Jack-of-all-trades retailer that you find through an ebay link and popped in to (as proven by the old strings and lack of knowledge to give a basic setup!). [/quote] The first one was a triple fronted established music shop. The second one was a reasonably sized shop that advertises a specialist bass section (which is actually half the top floor) who also advertises on ebay. Interestingly, i visited one of the UK's premium bass emporiums fairly recently and had some shocking advice (actually told "thats only any good for thrash metal mate") when looking at a Spector USA NS4 bolt on. The point is that the proprietors seem incapable of putting themselves in their customers shoes. In the two examples i have quoted above they wouldnt have bought the items either and its their livelihood at stake. Complacency and laziness seem to dominate. For the trade cost of a set of strings and a quick setup they are losing business. If you go to buy a car, its clean, serviced and in the best condition to attract a sale so why do we have to suffer this second rate service. I work in sales am constantly surprised by peoples lack of interest and slackness in their chosen field.

This is the second time its happened to me and in these times of independent shops fighting to survive against the internet giants it constantly surprises me how little effort some stores put into selling their products. Roll back the clock about 3 years - its a significant birthday for me and i have some cash (£1500) to splash. Always wanted a Warwick Streamer so i hunt around and find one in a shop about an hours drive from me. I call the shop to check its ok to pop in and have a widdle on it a few days in advance. Turn up at allotted time and wander around for about 20 mins in the shop waiting for someone to say hello to me. I eventually give up and grab a bod to ask if its ok to plug the bass in. I am directed to a 15watt Ashdown combo and given a lead. The bass has 10 year old strings on it and a set up that you can drive a bus under and sounds crap. And the combo isnt working properly either. I politely ask if i could use a different amp and could they pop a new set of strings on it and give it a tweak so its playable to which they answer "not unless youre going to buy it". Anyone spotted the flaw in this approach yet? I go for a walk taking my dosh with me and buy something else a few days later. Now to todays experience. Saw a Musicman bass (think zingy, twangy, lively.......) on ebay that i was interested in - Xmas just round the corner - and its for sale in a shop thats in the way back from work. Pop in, locate bass, ask politely etc........ 2003 bass with the original strings on it again and in dire need of ten minutes with an allen key. Sounded like a rubber band. Suffice to say, i dont have a nbd to report. Is it just me being picky or do people just not know how to present a product to its best advantage? No wonder theyre all going bust.......

Ebs octabass pedals on amazon for 80quid for the next 30 minutes ish http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000UYTD5Y/ref=s9_simh_gw_p267_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1FAH8A7Z06YMEAVGN93T&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=455344027&pf_rd_i=468294

Thats incredible how he coped with the illness thru the tour! And heres possibly the definitive ACDC clip from the good old days.......straightforward hot and sweaty stuff http://youtu.be/Sj56AySck9E

[quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1416779658' post='2613580'] Found the same thing with a Gramma Pad. I now only use it when it's needed. [/quote] Had the same experience here....... Sounds pants in a nice room but in a room with boomy tendencies it tightens everything up. Played in a place on Friday thats a big echoey wooden building with big windows down one side and no fabric (and not many punters!) which i have historically failed to get any slam or definition in. Thought i would try the Gramma and it worked a treat, best sound i/we have ever had there. Conversely have used it in a nice warm pub full of peeps where the sound is usually great and it sucked all the life out if my rig. Use with care......

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1416681700' post='2612646'] As the thick kid in the class that doesn't know what this is, is it just a preamp, or something more? [/quote] Preamp, di box, valve amp emulator sort of, distortion sort of thing. I had one but didnt get on with it as a preamp.

It'll be worth the wait.....

I have a custom PM4 and its a keeper. Really nice modern gritty rock sound with the actives on, a little like a Stingray on the bridge pickup and a great Precision sound on the neck one. Pop the volume control and it woodies up a bit in passive mode. Great build quality too. I really fancy a hardcore aged white one too. [IMG]http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj640/mudpup1/Guitars/01471fe93b3f7949a34a03b76bb5cbe5.jpg[/IMG]

I am and use a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2 amp with 2 Barefaced Big Baby 2 cabs. Use 1 cab for small/ med gigs and 2 if you need to scare someone.

I have a stealthy matte black Sandberg - they do go a bit shiny over time at the rubby bits.

Dammit! I was beginning to think i wanted a Stingray and this has just confirmed it. Anyone want a Spector? - i need to raise some cash........ Liked the Ripper too

This always does it for me Paramore playing Aint it Fun at Radio 1 big weekend last year. Jeremy has a Gibson Grabber. Lovely gritty raspy tone...... http://youtu.be/AGMMlK0iMyw Oh and then Eddie Jackson on Queensryches Operation Mindcrime and also Empire. Spector Sansamp loveliness!

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1414676800' post='2592133'] Enjoy! [/quote] Hope to...... I am sick of standing on a zillion leads onstage. Now i know at least its not mine i am gonna trip over

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1414505175' post='2589938'] However the availability has gone form being available today to being available shortly… Did anyone get one this time around? [/quote] That Sony system just came back yesterday at Thomann - ordered one last night and the shipment confirmation this morning.

I run a Genz Shuttle 9.2 through 2 Barefaced Big Baby 2 cabs at almost every gig from big halls to smaller pubs. In theory its more than most would ever need anywhere - in practice you can use it in all sorts of different ways. I could easily get by with just 1 of the cabs at most gigs but find having a cab at ear level is really useful - i can actually play much quieter and hear myself if i need to. If its a boomy floor gig you can run the top cab alone to stop the place shaking itself apart and tighten the sound up and its also useful if its a small stage and you're stood right in front of the cab. And conversely if its a big enough gig its great to stand with your back at the stack and actually feel the sound hitting you (rather than just your ankles...) Its also useful just to have a backup - not that ive ever heard of a Barefaced going pop at a gig. You should have a plan B for everything in my opinion.

[quote name='Lw.' timestamp='1414603585' post='2591240'] Thanks to this thread I've decided to put my Korg GT-3 out to pasture & upgrade. Judging from the videos I think I like the TC Polytune the best but does anyone know or have an opinion on the difference between the normal one & the "mini"? I quite like the look of the bigger one but as the mini is newer is it also better? [/quote] I may be wrong but i think the mini may only work with a dc adapter (not batteries)