peteb

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='775842' date='Mar 15 2010, 11:23 PM']Hi Pete, Depends on which one of Michael's sound clips you like best. If you like the cleaner focused sound with more bass boost, go for the 2eq. If you prefer the three-dimensional sound of the 3eq, go that way. I know what you're saying about the Sterling - Same goes for the Stingray 5 up until early 2008. Both of these models have the ceramic magnets in the pickups & sport a highly bright and aggressive sound. I actually like that sound, but also love the warmth of the alnico magnets in the Stingray 4's (the 5er also has alnicos now!) Now I have my 3eq/piezo Stingray set up as I like it, I'm not too bothered about getting a 2eq, but there's always that nagging doubt...[/quote] Thanks for that Rich Answers a few questions I've always had about the difference between the ceramic & alnico pickups and why I seem to prefer the sound of the 4 string rays to a couple of my mates' 5 strings! May have to consider a 4 string ray if I decide to go down the route of a more traditional option - still can't make my mind up whether I prefer the 2eq or the 3eq thru! Cheers - Pete

Not a great deal of difference to my ears with those settings tbh Perhaps someone can explain something to me? I've always fancied a Musicman and indeed had a Sterling for a while, attracted by the smaller body size. The Sterling was a nice enough bass but I couldn't really get on with the sound and the neck was not quite right for me (thru very playable) I should explain that I started with Fender P basses and then graduated to various actives before settling on Warwick Streamers. I have been after a more traditional looking bass for a potential project that sounds a bit different, but of course not too different! The Sterling sounded a bit thin to me - would I have been better going for a Stingray and if so which one?

[quote name='Chris2112' post='774656' date='Mar 14 2010, 08:29 PM']I love the video in the OP. Probably my favourite video of Billy and Paul. Beautiful melody, fearsome chops, wonderful feel, awesome tone. Billy and Paul have always been a winning combination, but their experience here is really showing. To be honest, it's better than 99% of the stuff I hear today. I absolutely love the part where Paul's solo ends and the unison line comes in together. It's also a fair clever way of doing things, with Paul ascending and Billy descending. Of course, this is to be expected from elite musicians. I've had the pleasure of seeing both Paul and Billy live on numerous occasions and they always entertain. Also, having been front row in these shows, I can confirm that they're both gentleman, and Billy shook my hand and was really cool despite the fact I was whooping and cheering for him all night.[/quote] I am very much a fan but to be honest I think that this clip is OK but certainly not the best thing they've ever done. It’s just a live set piece that is trying to be a little bit different from what the audience might expect with a bit of extra showiness thrown in, which, seeing as they are on a stage is perfectly acceptable! What is strange is how some people here seem to really resent this, seeing it as a gratuitous display of musicianship and showmanship (which of course it is) and therefore conclusive evidence that anyone who is better than them is in fact rubbish and deserving of all the scorn their bitter little hearts can manage!

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='774542' date='Mar 14 2010, 06:47 PM']In fact, I think I'll get rid of the 604's and buy an 8 x 10". Job done. [/quote] That's pretty much my approach to this particular problem!

A bit obvious but don't you carry any flightcases with you? That’s what our guitarist puts his 4x12 on to ensure that he can hear himself (along with everyone in the room / town)!

[quote name='BigRedX' post='774169' date='Mar 14 2010, 11:03 AM']From my personal experience all the new Fenders I saw come into the local musical instrument shop where I helped out in 1978 and 79 were without fail rubbish. Many of them were so poorly assembled that they needed stripping down and completely rebuilding before they were fit for sale.[/quote] That's how I remember it I used to think of Fenders of that period as a blank canvas - everybody seemed to pretty much rebuild 'em when they got a new one in those days

[quote name='witterth' post='774187' date='Mar 14 2010, 11:29 AM']I had a fender precision fretless just like clarkys, lateish 70s ( see his thread, so close it really could be the same one! ) it was good, but in '85 when I sold it, to fund a stingray I only got £250 for it. a rubbish price for the time.looking at todays price for the same kit, makes me feel a bit neausous!! at the time no one wanted to know. Ahh well, for what we cannot change..... eh?[/quote] But that was the going rate at the time! Along with most of my mates I've bought & sold 70s P basses for that sort of price.... Prices of 70s Fenders didn't really increase until the 90s and the advent of Britpop - but not before I completely stripped and customised my remaining 78 precision, making it worth a fraction of what it would be now!

[quote name='thepurpleblob' post='774215' date='Mar 14 2010, 12:01 PM']If that was aimed at me then please do me the courtesy of actually reading what I wote. I didn't knock the band, or even as much as say I didn't like the OP's clip (fwiw, I enjoyed listening to it - and I have heard much more unlistenable, self-indulgent bass playing). If you want an example of flawed logic then I much prefer the "if you don't like it then don't post" line of thought. Without some lively discussion and (friendly) differences of opinion then these forums would be dull and, probably, have died out ages ago. BTW... I can't imagine a more niche act than Victor Wooten. It doesn't make him a bad person (or bad musician), just that (admittedly guessing) 90-something percent of music listeners won't have hear of him or (mostly likely) like what he does when they do. Which was my assertion. Apologies for offending anyone.[/quote] I think that you are arguing with Andy here when you are pretty much saying the same thing (thru if no one ever disagreed on a thread it would get a bit boring very quickly)! If you go beyond the mainstream pop (not that there is anything necessarily wrong with that) or the latest X Factor karaoke act then pretty much everything is a niche act – the narrower the niche the less recognised the artist will be among the general public and the more devoted the aficionado are likely to be!

[quote name='thepurpleblob' post='773182' date='Mar 12 2010, 09:30 PM']They're very good at what they do, but...... and here's the problem for me..... ask ten random people in the street who Mr. Big are and I bet you not one will ever have heard of them. I hadn't until recently and I still couldn't name a single or album by them. A muso's band - for better or worse.[/quote] But a musos' band with a number on hit in America and many other countries (no 3 here)! These 10 random people may not know who Mr Big are but a few will remember the tune to 'To Be With You' - the same 10 people will not know of any punk band from the last 30 years with the [b]possible [/b]exception of Green Day!

[quote name='Rich' post='768213' date='Mar 8 2010, 04:59 PM']I was astounded when it said that Saxon are still touring. I sincerely hope that Biff Byford sounds better than he looks.[/quote] That will depend on whether he's got his singing teeth with him!!

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='766168' date='Mar 6 2010, 04:03 PM']I think Lemmy's tone is bloody awful. It put me off Ricks years ago. i do know its Ricks can do other tones though. Then again, I cant stand Motorhead ;-)[/quote] I would like Motorhead if they got a proper bass player and a singer who could sort of.... actually sing! I know that this is the opposite view to that taken by most Motorhead fans.....

[quote name='Wil' post='766195' date='Mar 6 2010, 04:38 PM']Amen to that! I'm uncool, but I don't care that I'm uncool. This makes me cool, but acknowledging this makes me uncool again. And the cycle repeats forever![/quote] I disagree - if you don't care that you're uncool.... then that makes you cool, acknowledging it just adds a a sense of ironic cool...! Just the way that it works....

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='764749' date='Mar 5 2010, 08:54 AM']Someone once told me that if you're mingling with the crowd, they should instantly know you're in the band.[/quote] I think that is the ideal for most bands, to stand out from your crowd without having to try too hard! Hopefully just being yourself should achieve that That's the trouble with having an agreed band look - there's nothing less cool than looking like you are trying too hard!!

[quote name='jonsmith' post='766175' date='Mar 6 2010, 04:09 PM']That drummer's kit is large in every way (I think he's quite tall).[/quote] Like his kit, the drummer is large in every way as well - 6'4" and until quite recently 17 stone plus!

Some friends of mine are looking for a new bass player to play in a Rush tribute band following their previous bassist emigrating to New Zealand! They are very good players (as you might imagine) and play the big Rush fan conventions, etc Oh, and the drummer has the biggest drum kit that you are ever likely to see!! If anyone is interested, please PM me with your number and I will pass it on… Cheers - Pete

Just bought Mark's Pandora from him - very smooth sale and a nice helpful bloke....

Hi Pete Please send me a PM if you see this, a friend of mine is trying to get in touch with you Cheers - Pete

Funnily enough I was in there last Tuesday whilst killing some time before catching a train home They seemed friendly/helpful enough, shame to see another shop go!

[quote name='3V17C' post='756896' date='Feb 25 2010, 11:40 AM']yeah i'm a 'gearstalker' too.. and also I tend to judge a band on the quality/brand/level of gear they have before I've heard them play a note.... any one else guilty of this?! c'mon.. own up!! (my assumptions on said bands are normally correct though it must be said!!) peace c[/quote] I think that everyone does that.... including punters!

Perhaps you should explain to your singer that it's meant to be "in your face" - that's the point...!

Just noticed this - forgotten that I had a feedback thread! Just to say that it was a pleasure to deal with Adam (attitudecastle).....

Hi Wayne You may remember that you got the SVT from me as I wanted a smaller lighter spare rig for much the same reasons as yourself! I still have the big Boogie/SWR rig for the band with the big van but for smaller gigs Ipicked up a s/h markbass 3x10 combo I always thought that the markbass was a compromise and I think that you said you were not convinced by MB, but it is worth considering because: a) it's reasonably light and I can get it into the back of my not particularly practical car; it's plenty loud enough for any gig; and c) everyone I've played with since I got it have been impressed with the sound of it and through I prefer the boogie or the SVT, I have to say that it does get the job done and does not sound at all bad! Cheers - Pete