uk_lefty

One tactic I had, not so much a leave behind marketing piece, but something to help keep the gigs coming in, was to find out which other pubs the venue is networked to. So if you get a good lead on a place that has covers bands every Saturday and pays say £250 which brewery chain are they in, where are their other pubs.... That way you can go to their "sister" pub and say Glynnis at the Dirty Swan in the town centre has us for March, do you have an opening for April? A bit like the old home improvements door to door tactic of "you may have noticed our vans down the road nearby"

I see these every now and then on eBay. So either try to find another or see if Ashdown can do a front grille/ cover or badge so you could match up a different Ashdown cab but keep the look consistent. No guarantee they will do it but if you don't ask you don't know.

I know!!! I want so many.... But since buying a US made Stingray most others are just nice shapes and colours and don't have a comparable complexity of tone from the pickup or feel to the neck. I even tried a new US Jazz a few months back and just thought it was not up to much. I think I need GAS therapy!

I left behind a plectrum with the band name and logo on it and a Facebook page link. Two problems there. First up you can't "click" that link, and second it was written so small you could barely see it. A QR code leading to a site with content about the band would be far, far better!

I haven't regretted selling basses. There are some I sold for amounts that look crazy low now, but at the time it was right. In the last few months I've sold two: my MIJ Jazz and my 1984 Aria. The MIJ Jazz was the most beautiful jazz bass I've ever seen but something about it just didn't click with me so I sold it to a BC'er. The Aria was a restoration project that again just didn't quite click and I replaced it quite quickly before selling it to a BC'er for less than the amount I sank in to the restoration. I regret neither. I've got some cash in my pocket that I am yet to spend. But what this has done is made me play my MM Stingray a LOT more. And that is no bad thing. I'm quite happily shedding gear at the moment. I'm thinking less is more for me at the moment. It's nice to collect stuff but it's also fairly pointless.

Classy headstock, I like the 3+2 arrangement and the black hardware.

Ashdown Rootmaster. You can bypass the EQ with a switch on the front. I used to before my Helix days just because my Sire sounded so incredibly good with its onboard EQ. Now with my Helix I don't bother with the effects loop I just go straight to the input and sometimes use the amp EQ, sometimes don't depending on what I want to achieve. Also, they're going crazy cheap at the moment despite being excellent amps.

People on here with the model T love it. Like most brands I've noticed their prices have really shot up in the last few years. It's a shame because they do a good left handed range but they're just too expensive for me to take a punt on, considering they'd need to be specially ordered by most retailers (in left handed at least). The Stiletto Studio range does look nice but am pretty sure the price has doubled over five years.

I bought a Stingray in 2018 and though I don't sound like Pino on it... It's fretted... But it makes me very happy. It's a fine bass. Buy a Stingray.

Fair enough. I just can't listen to songs I've played over and over for five years that I used to really like. Now I either associate it with the memory of a bad gig or realise I've played it very, very wrong for too long!

You definitely want only a smaller proportion of those songs. But try to find something in them you like, it might not even be your part but if the drummer does something you like just wait for that bit and let that give you energy to smile through it. Or put your own twist to the song if the circumstances allow. But being in a cover band that plays songs you like... Well, you won't like them after a year or so of playing them!

Doesn't matter how you got there 😊👍

Tell us the advice please 😄

I think that's what we have to accept as bassists. We will not get the exact sounds. We can try to get close but it gets to a point where "that'll have to do". I wrestled with synth tones for an 80s covers band, what I made at home sounded pants with the band, and now I've done a few sessions with a pop-rock band and I've gone for stock Helix fuzz sounds and just fed them into my wah pedal with no clever signal routing or processing and it's done the job more than adequately. Also playing with a live band the energy to play with and your dynamics are worth far more than getting the exact tone off the record, time is spent far more effectively on learning the song than on chasing tones that we know are from other instruments.

Was pondering selling mine... Then started playing with a pop-rock band and realised how stupendously useful it is. My PC died a few weeks ago so instead of faffing about trying to create patches I've been using a lot of the stock BAS presets, as well as a few decent sounds I'd made, and it just works. In a second audition last night I went from hairy fuzz for songs that are synth bass driven to plummy round vintage bass tone with a bit of reverb at the tap of a few buttons in the next song. The Helix just works and doesn't have to be complicated.

Did I mention that 2x 15s also looks awesome?

If you like your Ashdown stuff then I'd recommend stacking up two of the Rootmaster 115s. While these are typically rated at 250 or 300 watts I've somehow acquired one that has had a bit of an enhancement and is 500w rated. I used to have another and stacking them up gave me nice big round bottom end. No idea why but I moved on the standard cab at some point. Then I wanted a second cab again and got a deal I couldn't turn down on an RM 210. Its a subtle difference but the 15 to me just sounds more full.

When you go to pick it up just have a look about. Is it being kept in a damp shed? Is there a knackered car on bricks in the driveway? Does it smell of cat pee? Do you think you will get out of there alive? Seriously, all the best advice has already been given. Just shop around, there's bargains to be had if you're patient. I snagged an excellent 2x10 combo with 12 band EQ, valve pre, loads of features in brand new condition a few months back. But I spent ages trawling eBay looking at stuff the rats had run out of bits to chew listed at £500 and more.

If anyone finds the stonking bargain they got on an RM800 out of Germany isn't quite doing it for them.... Let me know. I'm in the market for another Rootmaster!

I don't know if it's because I've had it for 4 years or more, or because it's just so well designed.... I bought a fantastic feature rich Trace amp a few months back (122H GP12 300watt combo in mint condition) for the 80s sound. It's bluddy great. BUT, for sheer ease of use, plug in twist a knob or two and get perfect tone for active, passive, fretted or not... You just can't beat a Rootmaster. You just can't.

Fair do's

I think the stuff they sell on eBay is mostly B stock of some sort. I've had an eye on them for a while and unfortunately I've been too sensible to indulge recently.

I like the knobs.... Looks like an Eden!

I used to play (field) hockey quite seriously as a goalie. I "retired" a long time ago but still play a bit not in goal for fun. As soon as anyone finds out about my past I am volunteered as gk for every game, especially very low standard teams travelling goodness knows where. Keep your secret a secret or you will never be free of your past!

Could have been left in its case more often than not or meticulously looked after. I picked up an 80s/ 90s amp a few weeks ago that even smells new because it was left under a cover in a working men's club and got used about twice for a failed run of open mic nights. I've also seen a 70s Fender with a brand new looking neck but a sun faded body. It had spent 30 years hung on a wall and not really played. 80s Japanese made basses are incredible value for money. You've got something that will last a good while longer but it needs to be played!