thumperbob 2002

I have a Shroeder 1212L - I was a skeptic for 30 years about little lightweight cabs but after using this for 4 gigs am now a convert- cannot see how you would need any more than this- really!! Bob

I have both a warwick thumb 5 nt and a marcus miller 4 jazz fender ( though made in japan ) I love both but obviously both are different animals. For gigs I play the Jazz- sounds great ( both are versatile basses - depending on how you play them ) Main reason is it looks better- more classic but more importantly is worth 20% of the warwick ( but is not a fifth of the bass ) - so travelling with it- playing in close proximity to sharp objects ( cymbals- other musicians ) doesnt worry me at all. I really think the sound is more down to how you use the instrument than the instrument itself- with two pickups there is no excuse- just takes time to get it right. I think there is something to be said for sticking with one bass and really getting to know it- not that I`ve done that too much!! Just find something you really like- dont worry too much about the cost- though obviously this will not limit you which is good. Cheers Bob

Hi All Used my Schroeder 1212L for the third gig last night- overall was really impressed initially but cannot believe how well it sounded last night- with my MarkBass LM2. Really warm- punchy as hell and very loud. Playing in a soul band doing the classics using a Marcus Miller Jazz. Many people commented how great it sounded. I imagine the speakers have sort of worn in and give a warmer- less harsh sound. Still doesnt sound at low volume ( in my front room ) really that good but as a gigging cab- couldnt be more pleased. Another gig tonight- feel a bit tired- last night had some drunkards wanting our band to do I want you back as a tribute to the man- like we would do that! Cheers Bob

Bit of a typo Im afraid- though does sound rather large ( and miles warmer than my schroeder 1212 + markbass LM2 ) cheers Bob

[quote name='Raggy' post='518603' date='Jun 19 2009, 04:51 PM']Does anyone know of any music shops in the Wiltshire area that stock the VBA400? Am itching to try one out. Ta[/quote] Dont know but I have one with the 45 X 12 cab and it is immense!! Miles better- warmer and more powerful than my Mark Bass LM 2 But a little on the heavy side for the gigs I do- hence my schroeder 1212L + markbass rig. I dont think you`ll be making a mistake in buying one. cheers bob

Gig went well on Saturday. Band mates were amazed with the weight and size of the rig. All in all about 100 capacity- small venue. The Cab( Schroeder 1212L ) filled the room easily- Mark Bass on about a 3rd volume. This is all with the rig on a seat at the back of the small stage. Bass freqs came through well. Really cut through with a warm, phat sound - I used my Marcus Miller with both pickups on full- normally I would have 80% bridge pickup but this rig tends to sound better this way. Great for slap and really warm for fingerstyle. With a better sounding room probably wont even need 3rd volume. Thinking about selling my Marshall VBA 400 rig now- wonder how much I`ll get for it? Cheers Bob

My band has started playing miles more gigs than I thought we would- 8 this month and so instead of carting around my Marshall VBA 400 and VBC 4x12 rig I decided to get some sort of lightweight rig. Now I love my rig- really warm and chunky sound with great presence but its really heavy. A bit of a pain if you are playing more than twice a month. I thought it would be good exercise carting this around but was curious about these lightweight rigs I keep hearing about. So was my back. So after reading reviews and messages on this site I purchased schroeder 1212L from SHX and Mark Bass LMII from Bassdirect. Both really good people to deal with- fast delivery- very knowledgable etc. The rig turned up today- both at same time. Really light and small- the amp came with a courier who just passed this little box over my doorway- I was a bit taken aback- seemed a bit alien to me. The box with the Schroeder in was about the same size as an old Peavey 2x10 I still have but when I took it out the box it seemed really small. And rediculously light. Plugged it in- surely cant be any good I thought- well as you can imagine ( for anyone with the markbass amp ) I did have a bit of a surprise- massive sound- it was my tone with everything flat and goes louder than I need- much louder. My jazz sounds great. Two main disadvantages- there is a little bass lacking with the cab when compared with the marshall ( though I have been told the speakers will wear in over time ) and now I will be doing no exercise at all!! Overall really impressed- a bit amazed with the amp- warmer than warm sound!! Lacks a bit of a the sheer rock`n `roll image of the Marshall rig obviously but will surprise the hell out of my band members- especially when I walk into the gig carrying all my rig at once!! Lets see how it deals with a live gig- like Saturdays. Will keep you posted. Cheers Bob

As the man said- as I am not a pro musician anymore and play in bands strictly for fun- on my watch no one gets sacked- they either step up or quit. Been sacked a few times from different bands- always because I was`nt bothered and cancelled gigs etc. In a pro band things are a bit different- I suppose it depends who is also in the band- the band I`m in now are all nice guys who talk about problems etc- there was talk a while ago about sacking our guitarist ( a good friend of mine )- he had a lot to learn and, as he had`nt been in a band for like 20 yaers did`nt have much of a clue. Now he`s hardly eric clapton but has stepped up and has improved massively- still got further to go but will get there. You`ll do much better than playing in a frankly very dated, unfashionable tribute band- do something creative- how about a band that does not take off another band- how fresh is that?? Cheers bob

you know the Marcus Miller tone/ sound on Jean Pierre? Thats me that is- as subtle as it gets ( or as subtle as I get!! ) Bob

I have the VBA 400 and the matching 4 X 12 - I play through a Marcus MillerJazz and Warwick nT5 I`ve been playing for over 30 years- in mostly funk and soul groups. Whilst the gear is terribly old fashioned ( heavy!! ) it is very powerful and warm- suits my style perfectly. The EQ is not that great but all I want is a warm tone with power- I use the EQ flat anyway. I`ll be keeping this forever!!

Hi I use a zoom h2 handy recorder which is perfect for recording how the band sounds to a pair of ears- however I have just bought a Roland vs 1680 which is a digital recorder/ mixer plus effects- this will record 8 tracks simultaneous- with over 16 tracks in total- got it from ebay fro £190- bargain- takes a bit of learning ( and I had a profession recording studio in the 80s! ) but digital is better than analogue any day - unless you are a luddite!! Have recorded a few of our gigs and can master/ add effects/ tweak sounds later in the comfort of my own home- making a cd for the band and because time is not of the essence ( or you are paying by the hour ) the results are professional enough to sell. #cheers bob

[quote name='Waldo' post='297525' date='Oct 2 2008, 01:11 PM']+1 Whilst I don't like dinging my gear, whats the point in buying it if you're not going to play it? I love Warwicks, I have a lovely 2002 LTD Corvette Jazzman. French walnut body, swirly bubinga top and real abalone inlays. Yum.[/quote] I`m not saying I dont play it- just that I gig my Marcus Miller more ( I suppose I would as I am in a Soul Band ) If I was in some R and B or jazz group I think I would gig the Warwick- just doesnt seem to suit a Sam and Dave track or Jamieson song- plus with 8 people on stage I always bump into someone ( or they bump into me!) cheers Bob

Hi I`ve had two Thumb nTs- one a 4 string- ( early 90s ) and one a 5 - bought two years ago- best basses I have ever had and I`ve had a lot!! The only thing is, to gig them as they are so expensive, it would break your heart. Can still remember the first nick of a hi-hat- now I use my marcus miller-doesnt sound or play anything like but I know a nick or two doesnt matter. cheers Bob

Ive got a Warwick Thumb NT 5 that was labelled at £2415 when I looked- would never have paid that but I got an amazing amount for my musicman in p x- strangely though I dont use it for gigging- much prefer my Marcus Miller 4 which was about £450 used. Bob

I`m staying on the Strand London on Monday 15th- does anyone know if there are any good bands playing around this area tomorrow night- could be anyone as long as its a good night? cheers Bob

Played our second residency at the Highway in Hull. Good night- about 100 in. Last week we made a mistake ( I did! ) and turned up for the wrong night- there was another pretty dire band on who were supposed to play 3 out of four Sundays- seems they were sacked after playing one gig- we were asked again if we would like to do all the Sundays but declined again- once per month is OK for us at one venue. Overall a good night but our drummer at this place always seems to be in a bad mood- makes me laugh but our brass players dont like it. Anway I feel really tired today- my Marshall Rig sounds great but is very heavy- I think if I were playing more than 2-3 times per month I would look for something lighter- but I love Tube amps- I have a VBA 400- possibly a lighter cab would do it?- I think it would make a difference. Cheers Bob

[quote name='OldGit' post='277363' date='Sep 4 2008, 09:04 PM']Yeah well there's your guidance .. how much money do you need to earn before she says it's OK ... One way to deal with the Marriage Maintenance Matters is to alternate one NYE playing and one at home ..[/quote] I have just turned down two well paying gigs- £200 per gig ( should have been this week and next week ) as my wife was saying I have been playing too much- (3 times per month ) So when she asked for the money for a new carpet I said we couldnt afford it- I said that to earn £400 in my hand I would have to earn about £850 before tax etc so it was a shame I couldnt do these two gigs. A lesson learnt for my wife and you can guess what the answer will be the next time I am asked to Dep!! cheers Bob

Another gig at The Weir in Hessle- we had a new girl Lisa who is absolutely gorgeous ( and 20 years my junior ) singing a few songs ( she is a better looker than a singer ) but everyone really enjoyed themselves- the crowd thought she was great and overall we sounded pretty good- our new keyboard player was certainly up to speed with the set and has a great harmony vocal- so my mike will not be coming with me from now on- hurrah!! I have sung harmony for years but really I dont enjoy it at all and would much rather be concentrating on my playing. Had a few chinstrokers from other bands in this week who were very impressed with my sound and playing ( marshall VBA 400 and VBC 4 X 12 and Marcus Miller Jazz. ) They said it was a great sound and was surprised that I was not coming through the FOH rig- said I was very precise. Couple of the guys ( in a well known pro band ) remembered me from when I used to be pro some years ago and we had a bit of a nostalgic conversation. Things aint what they use to be- THANK GOD!! Roll on Sunday our other monthly residency. cheers Bob

Played a Private Function in Hessle for a guys 50th- the chaps a bit of a flash harry and drives an Aston Martin. Just when we were about to start Kippa our singer announces "Tony ( the guy who is having the party ) I think I have knocked your car outside- its an Aston, right?" The guy looks worried. Kippa continues "Yeah, I`ve knocked off your number plate, infact I`ve got it here." He then produces a private plate, shows it to the audience ( about 100 )- cue much laughter- the plate says in DOT letters - TWAT. Could have easily gone the wrong way but our chap Kippa knows how to read an audience. Anyhow the gig went fine- our tightest gig yet- my rig -Marshall VBA 400 rig and Marcus Miller- sounded superb as always. I am always a little unsure whether to use both pickups full on or focus on the neck pickup- it sounds great both ways- but I always use the bass passive and never use the active circuitry. Roll on Sundays gig ( our other monthly residency ) cheers Bob

[quote name='ironside1966' post='264479' date='Aug 18 2008, 12:42 PM']I can understand why people disagree with me. But in the nicest possible way, being a professional is completely different to how you think being a professional is when you are a armature or even semi pro A band is there to offer a services to clients, they are not pop starts there is no good throwing your dummy out if things don’t go your own way. As I said if you don’t want to play ball cancel. This is some one big day remember it is no good to any one turning up putting petrol in the van then going home. I do not advocate doing a gig at all costs especially if there is risk to equipment or life. Sorry the management turned out to be dickheads, hope you feel you went about things the right way because Any well done for acting like professionals[/quote] I have been pro in the past ( 5 years straight ) and semi pro ( still playing 4 gigs per week ) for 25 years. I have never cancelled a wedding- it means too much to the 2 clients. I think the lads did the right thing in dealing with the venue in that manner- the venue is not the client- the bride and groom are. I think that the sound contantly tripping isnt something that didnt go the way the band would like but didnt go the way the bride and groom would like. The venue should have some tough questions from the clients and at the very least discounts should be sought ( most people ) only get married once and something like this will not be forgotten in a hurry. Sometimes you have to bite your tongue dealing with hotel management who tend to think that professionally ( just because you are in a band ) you are on their level ( or below ). I`m thinking now of the many As***les I have dealt with and ITS GETTING ME MAD!!

Did a fairly high class wedding in my Soul Band Soul Patrol- more bentleys and Mercs in the car park than I have evr seen. Nice crowd- we did well playing in a large marquee with no sound engineer- vox and brass only pa with the rest just backline- sounded Ok but really by the time we went on - 2 X 50 min sets- everyone was half cut- free bar but I was driving. Forgot how much hard work weddings are though- ( I had to sort the sound out for the speeches and announcements- lots of waiting around ) I suppose thats why we charge so much for them. Our singer Kippa was half cut too and was just mauling the audience and forcing them to sing and also taking the piss out of them- in a friendly manner though- they loved it- all these posh people going mad for it- we must be doing something right Helen our part time vox was on form - what a voice!!- the best singer I have ever worked with - and I`ve worked with a lot of pros in my time fnar fnar. My Marshall vba 400 and Marcus miller sounded great- It sounds great everywhere ( more or less flat eq )I have realized. cheers Bob

I`m a little sick too of carting around my marshall vba 400 plus vbc 4 X 12- it is incredibly heavy but it sounds great and is built like a battleship. Why pay gym membership?? its the only exercise I get!! cheers Bob