thumperbob 2002

I have an LM3 and LG1000- both very light and loud- use a Sansamp for tone anyway Bob

Markbass heads are superb- but Schroeder 1212L cabs are really really loud and light- and small- i tend to just use the amp flat anyway so mainly for power Bob

I have a LG1000 and the pre section is a little weak- though if you use, say a Sansamp bass driver you can really boost the pre section which will give a lot more volume. I also use 2X 4ohm cabs so use the full 1000W- though dont really believe it is rated at that- plenty loud enough though- you can also boost the volume by using the EQ Bob

[quote name='BigRedX' post='812572' date='Apr 20 2010, 02:10 PM']There is no "perfect tone" that will work with every song in every genre. Anyone who thinks there is needs to have their musical horizons widened. The closest you can get to to have an appropriate tone to complement the song and the other instruments.[/quote] I would agree with this though with my gear- suppose 3K+? I just look for two sounds- back off the front pickup a little for fingerstyle and use both full on for slap or more classic bass. Really I think you can get too hung up on "tone" ( which will be different for every gig anyway ) Can make my Warwick sound like my Fender sound like my Low End- all about the right style of playing for the song. Think this is more important and now spend more time playing than looking at different "tones" which can be a lifetime struggle. Bob

[quote name='crez5150' post='811017' date='Apr 19 2010, 08:48 AM']Nah.... If it's for promotional purposes I'd look at other avenues... Flyers on tables with web/contact details. The function band I play with put pop up banners (floor standing) all over the place at corporate and wedding gigs. This is more visible to the punters and it doesn't look sh*t on stage. I think if it's an originals band then the backdrop is the way to go[/quote] Yeah we have a couple of these pop up banners- works really well- no messing about with gaffa, curtain poles- tacks with a backdrop- take seconds to put up and look really professional. Our sax player does these wedding fairs and has a couple of them up and a CD on- we get lots of work. We tend to have one at each end of the stage. Bob

Had loads of valve amp ( and SS for that )- there is something about a valve amp that just "does it " Saying that I have sold my VBA400 ( again too heavy for many gigs )- If I was just playing 1-2 per month that would be OK but as I`m not it had to go. I think I have my best sound now using a Sansamp Deluxe plus my Schroeder cabs ( the amps are really just to power the speakers.) Very, Very Light- no thinking at the end of a gig "bloody hell- now I have to cart that to the car/van!!" Bob

Got both a Warwick NT 5 and a Fender Deluxe Jazz 5- both great basses- still cant touch my Low End though- even though that was the cheapest of the three!! The Warwick is a 34" and is a bit too long for me whilst the Fender and Low End are perfect- really easy to play and very versatile sounding- probably prefer them to the Warwick all in all. bob

I am a wealth manager and hate dealing with my own investments- but love managing clients monies. When I was pro I wouldnt dream of practicing unless it was to learn new numbers etc- I considered 28 gigs per month enough!! Bob

We`ve all done this I am sure but will you regret it?- of course you will. I have two Schroeder cabs- a 2 X 12 and a 2 X 15- can carry them each in one hand- two trips at most into the venue. Will go so loud with my Markbass and LG amps- can effectively drown out the band. You really dont need any more than a 2X12 nowadays. Your present rig will be classed as over the top in most circles. A hassle to move, transport and set up. The worst thing is at a gig thinking that you have to take it all down at the end of the night. Dont do it!! I think more people will be impressed with a megalight rig that sounds amazing nowadays. Bob

Image is everything really - we just might not realise it. I couldnt care less about cars but for my business I have to have something german so I have got rid of my BMW and bought a merc. If I retired next week I would have a ford focus or something like that. How people perceive you is really important in business and it is almost impossible to change someones initial reaction. Same goes for basses and gear- though this is in reverse for me- I know what I like and know that a jazz type bass looks far better for a soul band than my Warwick thumb. Now that I have found my Low End Jazz I have one that sounds as good as a Warwick, plays as good but looks as conservative as a jazz. I cannot believe that any punter would know what a backline is anyway. Was in a band a few years ago and we had big, powerful looking gear- mainly because it was cheap.. As we were moving this into the venue (small working mans club ) we could see everyone looking and even though we were not a load band by any stretch of the imagination ( never even tripped the DB meter!!) did we get complaints and told to turn down?? What do you think? Bob

I have a Warwick Thumb NT and I would have one of the singlecuts in a nanosecond- looks fantastic!! But I t5hink it would make what is already a heavy bass just ridiculously weighty. Wonder how much they are? Bob ( think my Low End Jazz is the best looking bass in the world.)

You need a Sansamp bass driver straight into your effect return- about £100 should sort it- great tone at any volume. Bob

Loads of good gear on the old ebay- I would look for a trace elliot 15" combo- one with a 7 band graphic- should pick one up for about £250 -heavy but a lot of sound for the buck- get yourself a squire Jazz and you are done- for £500!! Any more than that is just really not needed. But it will happen. Once you have that level of gear it is all in how it is set up and your fingers. Bob

I have always done well out of playing- since I was 15 I have been in bands playing 3-4 nights a week ( consideredthat semi-pro ) and when I started working after college again I always played 3-4 per week- mostly within an hour of home. I was fully pro for three years and was playing5-6 per week but travelling up and down the country and abroad. Definitely a young mans thing. For myself I am happy with having my own business and playing 4 times per month now. I suppose I looked on playing in bands as having my own business and whilst I would prefer being pro to working for someone else it is very hard work and unless you are very lucky you will struggle financially. The good thing is being so young you have nothing to lose and I think a lot of employers will like a degree, whatever it is in. For myself I would certainly employ someone with a music degree- it is a sign someone can learn and can be part of a team. Bob

"BUT I have a bass which will never lose money" Never say never my friend. A bass worth 2-3K can [u][b]always[/b][/u] lose money, however unlikely you might think. Bob

The vintage market, like the share market has more to do with fear and greed than anything else. Just when all looks lost and the blood is on the pavement is the best time to buy. Is it the best time to buy a 64 jazz?- no- because they are the basses people want. Therefore they are priced on a premium. Barclays shares are now £3.57- I put half our companies reserves in them when they were 46p- that was spring last year. If I bought a 64 jazz at say £10,000 would it be worth £78,125 next year? Doubt it- of course you dont get the same risk/return when comparing shares to vintage instruments- which really are depreciating assets in any event. Ity always makes me luagh when people talk about shares being too risky- it is like reverse psychology- the best time to buy is when everything is going wrong - like last year- the best time to sell is when everyone is happy with their performance- this is truly when I am most fearful. A vintage bass is an enjoyable investment I will agree but not the best investment- they are too specialist and illiquid for me- not that I wouldnt like one.................... Bob

Thanks Major- I have been looking forward to this one Bob

Just bought a Low End Jazz bass off a nice chap on here- paid £700- a little tlc later and it plays better, looks better, is cooler and sounds better than my Fender Jazz 5 deluxe American. Mind you, Low End 5s are 3000 dollars in the states- so I suppose it should be good, but wow - what depreciation- worse than my Warwick Thumb- and my BMW!!. Bob

Too old!!- I`m 48- been playing for 30 odd years and still feel 25- all about the mind set- looks like they are probably too old for you- short sighted prats!!

really good- dont think our brass players are up to that standard though- great timing on all of it Bob

Done loads of gigs with famous people- met some very famous people whilst I have been "out and about"- some would blow your mind... but I cant say..... Last thursday at one of our monthly residencies one of Journey South- the one who doesnt play guitar- was doing a very drunken dance- by, that lad can sup!! Years ago at a gig in liverpool Sonya ( Stock Aitkin and Waterman girl )was in the audience and had the most recognisable shape to her face- from a distance you would know exactly who she was. Bob

We are all human so are never satisfied- its called evolution. Bob

Yeah I agree with most here. Listening and working out by ear simply from the record is the best way- it will be difficult at first but you will get there eventually. The problem is there are so many sites on the net that make it easier- youtube for one- that you can be in a band with no ear at all! There will always be people that can do this easier than others- It took me years to be able to play by ear well- some bass players/guitarists can do it straight away. I can play along with a song and ( most songs ) know it by the time its ended ( in a fashion ). Wish my reading skills were better though they seem to be progressing. Bob

[quote name='JTUK' post='771454' date='Mar 11 2010, 11:59 AM']Of course certain songs have certain parts which have to be hit.. I mean you can't fundementally alter the bassline to 'I wish' that much but that doesn't mean everyone else has to ape the parts of the song. I maintain there is far more scope and enjoyment to be had from doing things your own way but you still have to get it across. There isn't much point if it doesn't work but if you want to hear the record, put on the CD. The best bands round here...IMV.. are the ones with players in it not the ones that play Queen's greatest hits or copy bands. We are a new band but haven't had any issues so far and will be putting in originals if they are strong enough. It is all about the tune and how is comes over. If you go down well and attract people, then that is all there is to it.[/quote] In my experience- done most of it -playing for more than 30 years- in loads of cover bands- + some name bands-touring Uk and abroad-if you are paid to entertain the punters as a covers/fuction band ( call it what you will ) the first time you put an original song in the punters will leave the dance floor in droves. Its all about horses for courses- just a little time taken to learn, say 30 songs, if you get the material right you will get gigs and get paid. If you dont- that means dont put originals in ( there are specific gigs for those )- any you will only have one chance - wave those cover gigs bye bye. I was in one particular original band who required gear and funds for recording time. We learned a full covers set and made enough money to fund the original band. We would never have put any of our original songs in the set. bob