s_u_y_*

[quote name='jono b' post='162287' date='Mar 23 2008, 05:57 PM']I prefer the 100s, they're more comfortable IMO.[/quote] That's why I always go for 45-100. 105 requires that little bit more effort to fret than I'd prefer. At the mo, I'm loving DR Sunbeams but I am trying to get around to all the string manufacturers I can find.

[quote name='molan' post='161929' date='Mar 22 2008, 07:31 PM']There was a real implication that he thought I couldn't afford it and the whole process was a waste of his precious time. I really didn't want to give him my money and walked out of the shop.[/quote] I've felt this before at a few places. What I find is that I have to tell them I have a certain amount of money to spend and then proceed with my enquries. I find if you don't do that they usually won't give you the time of day. Sad... but true.

That is pretty bad. If I were you I'd write a polite but firm letter outlining your experience and on how let down you feel as a customer (also this would help you release bit of steam). If you wanted to be extra cheeky, you could mention you were a moderator of a popular UK bass guitar forum, giving them a link to this page. You should give them the benefit of seeing how that attitude will affect their business, otherwise they'll never learn. I wouldn't condone naming and shaming. However, if their reply was arrogantly rude... I don't see why not. It's depressing to see guitar shops shoot themselves in the foot like this, especially in the face of an uncertain economic climate and increasing competition form online sales.

Yep... they've packed up and decided to just keep it as an internet shop. Time will tell whether or not they can carve up their own niche in the market. One thing which made me sit up was the fact they don't sell Laklands anymore (Perhaps a fact noted by GAK maybe now they started selling them?). Anyone know the reasons why?

A Japanese Fender with through-body stringing. Never seen that before. I know it is a special edition, but I wonder if that was retrofitted? Either way, a gorgeous looking bass.

I can see why you'd be happy. I think the DJ with the rosewood fretboard look like sex on a string (or 4).

In that case, I'm glad I got mine earlier this year. Also, with the bump in prices for brand new the MIA Fenders, unless a recession hits us pretty bad anytime soon, I was expecting a little spike in second-hand prices.

[quote name='dr.funk' post='160487' date='Mar 19 2008, 08:44 PM']Hey s_u_y! I remember you posting on the other thread I posted about this a while ago, very useful so thanks again! Best of luck with your dissertation. Your rig sounds lovely but I think I will be limited a bit financially, mind you the hartke sounds pretty good to me. Thats good news about the practice rooms, would definitely be better than having to rent somewhere. Do you do to the jazz jam on Tuesdays? If so any good? Cheers Chris[/quote] I've heard about the jam nights. Never been though... my jazz standards aren't up to scratch to be honest. Thanks for the best wishes. I need all the luck I can get to finish this on time.

Hey! Good job getting in UCL. 'Tis my last year there, and I'm in the middle of doing my dissertation. My public transport rig consists of a Mark Bass Little Mark II and a UL110 Epifani cab. It has a small footprint, and easy enough to take around London with a small trolley. But I think your Harkte combo and DI solution is ideal and definitely more value-for-money. Most venues around here have PA (though a lot are quite bad). At UCL there's a new guy in charge of the Live Music Society here, and he organised a Battle of the Bands to generate money for some new rehearsal rooms (My band won btw... ). So hopefully if you meet any new people in halls, there should be somewhere fairly inexpensive to rehearse next September. This new guy in charge seems to be much more band orientated than the last people, so maybe next year he'll put on a lot more band events. Good luck with it all mate.

Welcome!

[quote name='mewsie' post='159525' date='Mar 18 2008, 12:40 PM']I am shallow, I admit it. Well, something like that needs to fit in with the decor, right? Right?[/quote] I understand. I have Mark Bass head with a yellow and black colour combo, which matches my Epifani cab with a yellow and black colour combo, which matches my Warwick Rockbag with a yellow and black colour combo, and also matches my rucksack in which I carry my stuff... in a yellow and black combo. Though I swear only the first two were intentional. Incidentally my favourite colour is green. A green amp would be cool.

Wow... great eBay link. 2 for the price of 1 by the cheapest around here.

[quote name='Cantdosleepy' post='158974' date='Mar 17 2008, 03:02 PM']I bet if you tried to play [i]Portrait of Tracy[/i] on the real Bass of Doom, ghosts would come out of it like in [i]Raiders of the Lost Ark[/i] and royally mess your stuff up. 'It's beautifullllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!'[/quote] Sorry to stop your dreaming mate, but I'm pretty sure PoT was played on his fretted Jazz.

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='158715' date='Mar 17 2008, 12:01 AM']No problem s_u_y and I'm glad to hear you're sorted out! Look forward to meeting you up there....[/quote] Likewise mate.

[quote name='Forcemaster' post='155663' date='Mar 11 2008, 11:54 PM']BIG BOTTOM![/quote] Now THAT'S an idea. If we can sort out a drummer/drum machine, with could have a Big Bottom jam, ala BX3!

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='155230' date='Mar 11 2008, 12:39 PM']Alternatively, if you can make it to Ravenscourt Park/Stamford Brook I can give you both a lift also, given neither of you plan to bring big amps.[/quote] Hey there mate... I think I'll take you up on this offer. It's only about 30 minutes from where I live. Thanks! Just to let you know, I only plan to bring a bass and a gadget or two. Wahey, I'm sorted! [quote name='silverfoxnik' post='155228' date='Mar 11 2008, 12:32 PM']Hi s_u_y, Depending on numbers travelling on the day, Walman, Merton and me are travelling up in a minibus from the south coast, so we could probably rendezvous with you somewhere south of London if that helps? What gear are you planning on taking? Nik[/quote] Thanks Nik for the offer. I would have applied anyway if I couldn't find something a little more straight forward for me. It's a great idea. Always good to reduce your carbon footprint... good job!

Yes... I've had a few gigs that didn't turn out the way I thought. This one gig, the rest of the guys were backed up in heavy traffic and were 30 minutes late. Since we were bringing the drums kit down... the soundguy wasn't too impressed, which of course is fair enough. However, he seemed to be severely hungover (a bit of substance abuse maybe?), laid down flat on the stage and was in a foul mood. So the rest of the guys turn up, and were extremely apologetic. The guy asks where our amps were. At the time we preferred to use Line 6 amp simulation. A snide comment ensued, "Can't even afford proper amps!". Things weren't looking up at all. We did our soundcheck with a few more tuts and sighs from the soundguy. Then it turns out he's also the promoter! "That's it..." I thought, "we'll never play here again". We went out for a quick meal before the bands started and were absolutely dreading the gig. Then we got on stage. I have to say, whatever the guy was on didn't matter. The onstage sound was fantastic, and apparently out front was just as good. The place wasn't packed out, but the audience seemed to geniunely enjoy the set and we managed to get some atomosphere going. We even managed to get quite a few of them up and dancing! After the night, the soundguy/promoter came up the our bandleader with our bit of money and said "next time... don't be late". Had some great gigs at that venue after that, so really thankful we weren't blacklisted!

Sounds interesting!

Started off as a piano player... but found more and more people were in need of a bass player, so I made the jump. I really only get to play piano during Christmas time because I know this woman who likes to put on Christmas shows for her church.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='158252' date='Mar 15 2008, 11:37 PM']PS. I love the way this thread is developing, its covering all there is to know about bass. Nice one Guys!![/quote] +1!

[quote name='aryustailm' post='158174' date='Mar 15 2008, 08:37 PM']Guthrie Govan wrote about a session where the producer had some fancy gear showing him he was 9/64's of a beat out. They edited the playing to be exactly on the beat and it sounded worse for it. More accurate, but less musical. What looks good on paper (or sequencer) doesn't always sound good.[/quote] That's what I mean. Imperfections [i]can[/i] help bring a piece to life. But like mcgraham said "when you're recording, thats you recorded 'forever', those bum notes aren't going anywhere". For the most part, we do strive for a "perfect" take. The question is should we iron out any imperfections in a pursuit for accuracy, or leave them in. I think that's a question that we all have dealt or should deal with as recording musicians.

[quote name='mcgraham' post='158150' date='Mar 15 2008, 07:50 PM']If it's a studio recording there is no excuse for mistakes IMO. But I love to laugh at mistakes I have made on live recordings. Mark[/quote] Mistakes may have been the wrong word. I'm not talking about discernable mistakes. Perhaps imperfections might be better to describe what I'm describing. Take Bohemian Rhapsody for example. Was watching a documentary about Queen. They showed a the take on the record for the piano. The actual take isn't that great. Quite a few duff notes and noticeable spill from other instruments. An imperfect take... but it didn't stop loads of people buying the record though. Another example is Walk This Way by Aerosmith and Run DMC. The guitar hook is played early. Again, people bought the record. This is contrasted to the use of Pro Tools by a lot of bands today. Where everything is processed to be as perfect as possible, where natural variations in note volume or note length are ironed out. You have software which autotunes the voice. You also now have software which corrects the timing of an instrument recording! These are two very different ways of approaching recording. I guess the background of the artist/band must play a major part in which way they operate.