uk_lefty

Does anyone here use one for bass? How does it sound, and have you upgraded the tube? I like the idea of having a tube/ valve overdrive pedal and these seem like a good cost effective option...

I'd be careful with weddings, definitely need to be well prepared. I've seen some wedding bands that you think aren't that good but their set list is huuuuuuge. Realistically your wedding band needs to be able to deal with the mother of the bride demanding her favourite Elton John song while the best man wants you to play some iron maiden. It is the biggest day of their lives for the couple and probably their nearest and dearest so I would want to be a slick operation that can pull from a massive range of songs, especially if going for "big" money. It's why my band won't play weddings!

Thanks guys. Looks like I have a few options: 1. do nothing - not keen because I can't hear myself play and it's all clanky-ness. It's not a gig but it's my time to fit my playing in with everyone else, so it needs to sound remotely like what I play on a gig; 2. Cut the mids and treble to get out the clanky-ness. Might give this a proper go if I get chance 3. Take my own amp, when I'm not in a rush this should be the best option but loading and unloading late at night... Not sure it will be every week

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1509555963' post='3399895'] I have one that works well...yellow finish. From what I've read they're good pedals, reasonably priced.. [/quote] Yep, am sure the ones that work are suitable. I bought one in 2006, died immediately and the shop couldn't replace it so I took a refund. Bought one just over a year ago, it died immediately and it was better for the shop to send me another (postage cost more than the pedal) but that died too! I got a refund and had two duff pedals. Settled on a hartke, cheap and effective.

Not a perfect bass meaning one bass to do everything, however I got a Kramer five string fretless for my eighteenth birthday and it still gets gigged over fifteen years later. The pickups are cheap korean factory standard and could be vastly improved but it is the bass I know best. It's 80's hair metal appearance has meant it hasn't been suitable for quite a few bands I've been in though. As for fretted basses I bought a beaten up MIM Jazz five or six years ago. The only original parts left are the body and neck, but it just feels right and I keep going back to it time and again. In its current state it's worth nothing second hand but it makes me wonder whether any bass will truly replace it in full, or whether a superb new bass means this goes to get defretted or it wears flats for the rest of it's days.

My gig rig has been two fifteens for quite a while now... Just gone down to one fifteen. I really want to love the SVT at the rehearsal room, but first I just need to make it useable! Used an old and badly treated version in the past and with my jazz I could get it sounding ok but never clean.

For the first time last night I used an Ampeg SVT that hadn't been thrashed to death. A glorious, tall standing behemoth that excited the entire band as we tried out a new rehearsal room site. The amp had the look and feel of a 70's radio but was in perfect condition, probably brand new and retro looking. When I've used these before I've always found I needed to really crank the volume and stand quite far back just to be heard in the mix. I have never been able to get clarity and even tone across the range (I like to fly around the fret board) and I just couldn't get rid of the clanky-ness in the sound. That would have been great for hard rock or punk but my band plays a range of covers and the time became, for me, annoying quite quickly. I should add I was playing a p bass with flats, which must have put in some "clank" but I just couldn't dial it out. To fill out my sound I had to use my pre amp pedal, something I don't think I should need with a top of the range amp. Am I doing this wrong?? How do I dial out the clanky-ness, and is a clean tone at all possible with these? Will be taking my jazz to the next session in case that makes any difference.

Behringer bass chorus pedals. I've bought three over the years. All of which had the same fault, they stopped doing the effect after five mins playing. Never want another of their pedals after that experience, though I believe most their gear to be ok and some excellent value for money from what I hear.

At least there are some left handed versions!

Doesn't a new member in an established band have to learn and play the older material? Once they've mastered that they can start suggestions on things but I wouldn't be too keen for a new person changing the direction. With covers bands you do need a theme and a flow to the set,if the songs fit the overall feel and set them fine, but if it starts to become disjointed maybe point out that it tramples on some of the staples of the existing set that people come to see your band for.

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1509158594' post='3397075'] the million dollar signing on bonus might have had a bit to do with that too [/quote] Yes, but if he was in it purely for the cash he'd have said nah, 1.5m, you know I'm the best you can get... Or I would, if purely in it for the cash!! In short, it may have helped but I don't think it was everything to him.

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1509211991' post='3397370'] I just write the key and the chord sequence if not blindingly obvious on the set list and take it from there. I usually just glance at that between songs, I'd feel very unprepared if I needed to read the chords as I played them. [/quote] I do this too! Got so many songs we could choose from I can't remember it all sadly. A glance at a sheet where there's a tricky bridge part or whatever does Jo harm and nobody notices.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1509096890' post='3396548'] Are the pasties available for a Right Handed eater as well as lefties??? [/quote] I have to eat them upside down.

Headache inducing nonsense. Nice bass, terrible demo.

Fender modern player range was fairly cheap to start with. Maybe the seller just needs cash in quickly? We've all sold things for less than we wanted just to get gear moved. I can highly recommend Dawlish as a place to visit, lovely pasties, make a day out of it!

I was in a short lived project where the guitarist and singer didn't drive, so I'd offer to drive them. They were both very good the first few jams but then it became a boozy night out for them, tanked up before I picked them up and sozzled when the drummer had to drive them home. It wasn't very productive when it was their band they were trying to get off the ground. I don't mind people having a can during rehearsal but being drunk to the point of forgetting songs or playing endless versions of the same song is unacceptable for me. Not because I'm a dead serious muso looking to make my mark, or make money, I just find it disrespectful to people who are putting in proper effort.

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1509086059' post='3396464'] Cliff Richard? I didn't know he was a shredder. [/quote] Be careful what allegations you make there!

I've got the RM 500 head with an RM 1x15 cab that handles 500w so basically the same thing but in two bits. Personally having the eq flat then giving the tiniest adjustment is fine for me. I really rate them, great value too.

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1509003384' post='3395863'] Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply - some food for thought here, so I'll scoot over to YouTube and listen to some demos. Judging by your comments, I may be underestimating just how heavy these bad boys actually are! [/quote] The weight is only part of the equation, it's the size that means you're stretching to lift it (for a small to medium height chap like myself) and if you need to go up and down stairs with one you really need a mate at the other side of it. I lived in a second floor flat when I had my trace 300 watt 1x15 combo and 2x10 speaker, and rehearsed in an upstairs room! If I did more recording I'd probably get one. But for gigs I have ashdown lightweight stuff, not as good a sound but light, portable and it's not old electronics.

I think also we have most of us met that type of musician and so I am very keen not to come across as that type when suggesting songs or arrangements in my band, I try to do it in as respectful and non ego way as possible. And I will suggest songs with rubbish bass parts if it fits the band.

I've had it in the last few years with a drummer. An odd guy, harmless but odd, who just didn't get the concept of what the band wanted to do, despite having a good ten or twelve song set list. I've seen him about since in rehearsal rooms, up to the same tricks... Going off and spending ages complaining about bits of kit etc. for the whole night while the band waits for him, being the loudest voice in the whole building regardless of everyone else. The band leader at the time handled a polite rejection well and just felt that the guy was looking for some friends and some recognition. A bit sad really as he was an ok drummer, just not someone you want to have in a group with you for the incessant talking, having to be centre stage (literally, wanted his drum kit front and centre for gigs with the band behind him) despite it still being his try-out, and not listening or understanding what the rest of us were trying to put together.

I've never played a bad trace combo or head at over 150 watts output. They're all over the marketplace and gumtree etc for excellent prices because of the weight. I've never had a better sounding amp and when we have a trace in our rehearsal room I don't bring my rig out the car, I just love the tone with any bass playing any style, though I don't like trace pre set eq shape but luckily you can turn that on or off. A trace is definitely giggable. If you get a 300 watt combo you will likely never need more output than that for a gig, but you might struggle to get it down low enough for bedroom playing. Do not underestimate the weight though! O can shift some weight but the size and weight of old trace really did for my back and led it to be sold, sadly.

Was the heavily relic'd fender jazz his Jaco bass? CME to think of it that got re finished... Trujillo is a monster of a bassist and comes across as a thoroughly decent person. I have watched his bass audition for Metallica on YouTube a few times, not just for the quality of his playing but the genuine child like happiness of being chosen to be their next bass player.

I'm seriously considering a Sire bass and while I'd prefer if most of the models didn't have the Marcus name on it I don't think many people will actually know who he is or even be able to see it from off the stage. Luckily the basses are quite generic in appearance, it's not like it's the Gene Simmons Axe bass! Just got to choose which bass, they all look excellent and the options for lefties are superb.