Hot Tub

Mrs Hot Tub suggests "We Care A Lot" by Faith No More. OK, it's only one note, but at least she's showing an interest in bass!

Can I make a really stoopid suggestion? Does the RBW300 have a built in compressor? (Try PULLING the gain control). Same thing occurred on my Linebacker combo and the compressor sorted it.

I don't see it as a problem personally. My advice - for what it's worth - write and play what you like/want, but listen to everything!

After many weeks of weighing up alternatives, measuring the spare room (no, really!), discussions with Mrs Hot Tub, I finally got my new combo today - the MarkBass CMD103H. Three words describe this little beastie: [b][i]Holy - Dancing - Jehova!!![/i][/b] Piccy attached, and I'll attempt a full "review" in the near future. Meantime, many thanks to Mark at Bass Direct. Top bloke! (Edit: Sorry it's a cr@p picture - will do a proper one when Mrs HT is back with the camera!)

The Shine electro-acoustic got a good review in BGM a few months back, and I've been gassing for this type of instrument for some time. So, popped into my local geetar shop this morning, had a play, and bought one. Very nice it is too! The SRP in the window was £219. I got it with a heavily padded Ritter acoustic gig bag and a set of strings for £186. I'm reasonably chuffed! It's aksherly a very nice instrument. Incredibly easy to play, and unplugged it's got a nice throaty sound, but it really comes alive when plugged in. I reckon that for the money it's hard to beat. Try one, if you haven't already. You won't be disappointed!

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='261032' date='Aug 12 2008, 05:23 PM']....Billy Jean is a fabulous groove that sounds easy but is a bitch to get the feel right....[/quote] Oooooh, I just played Billy Jean, & damn doesn't it sound good! What a groove! I'll be doing that one again!

Gawwwd, I must be really sad! My V940 is "Thumper" and my Artisan B5 is usually referred to as "The B*****d".

Constant Sorrow by The Soggy Bottom Boys. It's from the soundtrack to the film "O Brother Where Art Thou?"

The Star & Garter are ressurecting their jam nights - first one tomorrow night. I'm gonna go along just for a sniff, to see what the standard is like. If it's absolutely pitiful, then I'll maybe take my bass along next week. Anyone else in the area fancy popping in, I'll be the fat ugly Scotch bloke in the blue GSX1400 t-shirt.

Wow! Many thanks for all the good advice folks (And cheers ped for putting it all in the right place!) I don't "need" to spend a grand on this, but that's roughly my top whack. If I can get owt for less than that I'll be well happy. Front runner at the moment is the GK Neo 1001/212. Downloaded the manual at work and it sounds like what I'm looking for. Will definitely look at MarkBass kit too. Hmmmm.... need to arrange some test drives.... And benwhiteuk was absolutely right: Looks are definitely the most important factor

Aye, it's a fair bit of lolly, but I want something good quality that's going to last. There are size/transportation issues which I need to consider, although weight itself isn't too much of a problem. stingrayfan - Thank you, that's a very kind offer. But... erm... No.

Not just at the moment, but in the near future I'll have up to about a grand to spend on a new combo. I play mostly 5 string fingerstyle, 70s/80s rock, blues, northern soul, bit of improv, etc., and I'd like something which will recognise the fact that there's a low B there. I'm looking at things like the EBS NeoGorm, Gallien Krueger 700RB-II/210 (possibly the NEO 1001/212), Hartke VX2510 (possibly the VX3500), etc. Would much appreciate your thought, recommendations, and advice.

[quote name='Rayman' post='247603' date='Jul 25 2008, 10:23 AM']I wouldn't mind having a go at Spirit Of Radio myself, did you pick it up just by listening to the track?[/quote] Yes, that's all. Mind you, I've been listening to it on and off since Permanent Waves came out, so I know it pretty well. I guess it just filtered down into my subconscious over the years, so that when I tried to play it it was quite easy.

Well cover me in double cream and call me Ermentrude! I only just played it! And it was damn near perfect! OK, OK, I know, it's not the most complex Rush arrangment. But I found it lurking in the depths of my MP3 player and thought, "Fine, I'll give it a go." Talk about inspired...! I thought I'd maybe get the roots figured and take it from there, but I played the whole damn thing - all the runs, all the fills, everything! Have you ever sat down to play something new and it's just sort of come to you? Isn't it a wonderful feeling? Just wanted to share a happy moment. It's the little things. As you were. :brow: :wub:

I started with a pick and now I just can't do it; nor can I slap. Fingerstyle only for me I'm afraid. When I've tried with a pick recently I find I just don't like the sound - too hollow and tinny. FWIW, I don't think there's a "right" or "proper" way to play. Whatever suits you and gives you the sound you want and lets you best play the music you like is the best technique for you.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='244868' date='Jul 21 2008, 10:08 PM']I asked my missus to play blindfolded, long story short one is now red.[/quote] Tea------>screen

Started using an old curly guitar cable which I found lying around, and oh... my... gawwwd! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't heard it with my own ears. It's amazing! The difference in the sound of my bass is just astonishing. It sounds deeper... richer... fuller... just amazing. It's the sound I've been looking for, and I found it in an old curly cable. Try one! You won't be disappointed.

Give an infinite number of monkeys an infinite number of typewriters and wait for an infinite length of time, and eventually one of them will produce a shakespearean play. Give an infinite number of monkeys an infinite number of musical instruments and wait for an infinite length of time, and all they will ever do is play jazz.

I've read through most of this, and there's a lot of issues. I think I can distill all of them down to this: 1. If you're a professional musician, why are you pharting around on the amateur scene? 2. If you're an amateur musician, why do you want to be treated like a pro? 3. If you're an amateur musician and you want gigs, DON'T turn up for auditions with anything other than a 4 or 5. Simple, innit?

[quote name='Sarah5string' post='228745' date='Jun 28 2008, 10:03 PM']Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh... I've gone and done something a bit stupid.....[/quote] Erm.... no you don't, and no you haven't. That's a rather tasty bass, and may I agree with all the others who've said, "Oooh, suits you sir!" Erm, I mean... Ma'am.

[quote name='ped' post='209124' date='May 29 2008, 07:37 PM']Lovely stuff. Was she sober? What kind of stuff were you playing? Hold onto her matey!! ped[/quote] Yup, sober! I was playing stuff like Green Onions, Soul Man, Midnight Hour, some ZZ Top, some AC/DC, Addicted To Love, The Devil Went Down To Georgia, gawd, loads of other stuff. Playing along with backing tracks, and she loved it!

I usually play very quietly or with headphones on, but our neighbours are on holiday this week, so I persuaded Mrs A to let me use my amp in anger for 10min. She came into the spare room and watched and listened to me play and was absolutely blown away. I ended up playing for about 40min, and my dear wife was speechless. Eventually she said, "I know you come up here and play bass, but I never realised you were a musician." Y'know, I really, really, love her! :wub:

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='190868' date='May 2 2008, 09:19 PM']These fella should have been handed a bass blindfolded and not told what it is. I'm not so sure they'd be saying the same thing.[/quote] PRECISELY my point! You said it far better than I could - thank you!

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='190862' date='May 2 2008, 09:12 PM']Are you saying the unbiased journalist and the musicians they pay (who are unknown outside of the bas playing community) of Bass Player magazine would attach a disproportionate amount of praise on an instrument just because some dead hippy once played a couple of notes on tiny percentage of the parts which now constitute said bass?[/quote] Yes. And I don't think there's any conspiracy at all. I think it's just... well... shallow.