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Had a couple of pre-amps from John - a J retro that I bunged in a Fender GL (then stupidly sold not long after) and a recently aqquired 'special order' U retro (no PU balance pot, battery indicator LED) which is currently installed in my 1981 Aria SB700 & doing the bizz in my 80s tribute band As already stated, John is an absolute Gent and a pleasure to do business with - top bloke! Cheers Dave

Just to add (as I don't think it's been mentioned yet) that one of the most important (and often overlooked) elements of effective slap bass is your non slapping hand technique (ie your left hand for right handed players & vice versa for LH players) It's this hand that, when properly employed, provides the crucial damping (to both aid/add syncopation and to keep things under control) and actually provides most of the percussive effect. Time spent developing your fretting/damping hand technique will pay divedends - just remember, it's not all about the thumb! Cheers Dave

Brian May's tone and melodic style stick out like the proverbial sore thumb

[quote name='D.I. Joe' timestamp='1340802755' post='1709794'] We do quite a few weddings so we're used to these cons. You're right though, they are a pain, especially agency fees [/quote] Another thing I forgot to mention regarding payment - as it comes via the agent through the admin organisation of the business owning the venue, it can be/is a lot slower than being handed a wad of £20 notes @ the end of the night! This may also be worth consideration?

My 80's tribute band have a slot at a holiday camp in North Devon (on the back of the first which we did in April and another last month we have now been offered regualr slots right through the summer till the end of October) Pros: Regular work Short set (we only play for an hour as you're a component of the evening's entertainment programme) In house PA Cons: Lots of hanging about (we have to be set up & soundchecked before 6 but don't play till about 9.30 - 10ish due to afore mentioned entertainment programme) Required etiquette is similar to weddings as opposed to pub gigs (ie a more professional approach is needed but not a problem if you're already used to it) Agent will take their cut (these types of gig are always done through agencies) Other than that it's good. I'd also say to be sucessfull in this area you would probably need an angle to sell yourselves with (ie we are an 80s band and have the image to go with the setlist) Hope this helps! Regards Dave

The 'Smart Basses' were essentially off the shelf 'custom' builds - ie you selected from a pile of options (active/passive, pickup configuration, circuits, hardware etc etc) mated to a universal body style/shape. This is why you would get the previously mentioned 'wide' range of prices as individual basses could vary from a single pickup passive design with standard hardware to twin pickup active 3 band versions featuring mono rail bridges etc etc) Therefore withou disclosing the specs of your particular bass it's impossible to say what it might be worth to an interested buyer Cheers Dave

[quote name='pobrien_ie' timestamp='1339660626' post='1692013'] Somebody to Love by Queen..think there's a choir in that. [/quote] Great shout! Although the studio version never featured a choir (it was simply Freddie, Brian and Roger's vocals double tracked which, in their own words 'sounded big') check out any of the youtube clips from Freddie's tribute concert to see the remaining members of the band (with George Michael doing an epic job on the mic) performing with said choir - should do the job! Cheers Dave

John Richard Deacon

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1337780297' post='1665339'] I am v. jealous... always wanted one of them but could never justify getting a 5th bass. [/quote] Honestly Dave (less the cost of the u-retro) the bass cost me less than £300, for that money (and there are others around for similar outlay), they are seriously good bargains (thru neck, fantastic build quality, highly comfortable, even came with a hard case!) - get yourself one! (you won't regret it & even if you do you'll be able to move it on without taking a hit)

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1337774356' post='1665187'] Difference is you went out and got a beautiful Aria for the job, and I spent 2 years thinking about getting one, and never did [/quote] You're right I did buy that bass for the gig, it's an 81 SB700 into which I have since bunged an east u-retro pre-amp (was a bit of a tight squeeze as the SB700s are passive basses so have quite small control cavities) - it's a great bass, plays lovely, looks the part, and (with the u-retro installed) has the sounds to match!

Indeed - spot the difference!

Me with my newly joined 80s tribute band at a recent gig (Dave V's old gig!) Cheers Dave

[quote name='Jambo10' timestamp='1337546109' post='1661839'] If it's just a full on rock kinda gig, we start with Queen's fast rock version of We Will Rock You [/quote] Used to play this very version as an opener with one of my old bands - quite possibly the best show starter ever devised. The only problem being, where do you go from there?!

sonic blue(s)?

Just completed a deal with stu (he bought a Boss loop station pedal off me), great guy to deal with, no messing and prompt payment once we'd 'shaken' on it Recommended to anyone - top bloke! Cheers Dave

Humm, seems I'm (just) a bit late to the party here as Nicko left me some very nice feedback back in 2009! I've known Nick for a good few years now (anyone remember the jaydeesupernaturally days on yahoo!) and have dealt with him (buying & selling) a few times over those years - an absolute top bloke and genuine bass nut to boot! Definately one of the good guys!! Cheers Dave

Best of luck for Wednesday Dave, hope it's a gud'un! Best Regards (New) Dave

Nices basses! Mansons is a great shop - Adrian (& Ralph) are great guys and have looked after me very well over the years, would recommend them to anyone Cheers Dave

Lookin good Rich - lovely bass!

[quote name='Dave Tipping' timestamp='1328555176' post='1529051'] you def. want to drop the D [/quote] +1! [quote name='Dave Tipping' timestamp='1328555176' post='1529051'] More importantly get working on your harmonies! [/quote] +2!!!!! Cheers Dave

PM sent

Stanley Clarke "Together Again" - epically melodic! Queen "In Only Seven Days" - a beautiful JD song from the 'Jazz' album (some other great slow stuff on that album too including 'Dreamers Ball' & 'Jealousy') Level 42 "Leaving Me Now" - one of MKs most tasteful recorded lines IMO Cheers Dave

[quote name='allihts' timestamp='1320703920' post='1430427'] Queen - Live at Wembley '86 [/quote] Sorry have to disagree here, as a massive Queen (& JD in particular) fan I have to say I was so dissapointed with the 'Magic Tour' output ('Live Magic' followed by 'Live At Wembley' some years later) Don't get me wrong the shows were good (I was at both Wembley and what was to be the last ever Queen show at Knebworth) but the recordings are trerrible If you want to hear Queen live at thier best, then it's 'Live Killers' (78 European Tour) all the way Cheers Dave