Huge Hands

In the past, I've been "let go" by a band because as a 6'3" ginger fat b*****d, I didn't fit their "image". I couldn't believe it, I even have nice t*ts too.....

I remember the keyboard player in an old band refusing to entertain the idea of me singing lead, by saying "when you sing, you go from a sh*t hot (his words) bass player to a mediocre bass player and mediocre singer...." To think I was only offering to cover until we got a proper singer To be honest, I have done my best to work on it since (that comment was a bit of a motivator!) I still occasionally sing lead on something at rehearsals but happy not to have to do it live. Lots of backing vocals though - and to the point of in the latest band - a lot of really close harmony stuff. Pitching that for a whole song and playing bass is hard for me!

Funnily enough, I'm the other way around. After about 10 years of getting used to flats on DBs, EUBs and guitars, I find myself hating the feeling (and sound) of rounds on anything I pick up!

I think what some have to remember is that the stereo effect is only really an effect for those in the "sweet spot" - i.e. in the centre of the speakers. I used to be a sound engineer in a large (1,500 seats) venue where the room was very wide and not very deep. Therefore, your front of house PA effectively became two mono clusters, one for each side of the room. I used to get sick of trying to explain to our in-house keyboard player that although I thought his bottom end on the left/top end on the right wide pan of his piano was great for me at my desk in the middle of the room, it was giving two different experiences to punters at the wide extremities of the room. I would therefore pan both channels up the middle as mono! Of course, in such a wide room, the stereo field was good for theatre effects - being able to throw surprise noises and delay effects around the room. Not so good for a general rock band, IMHO.

I seem to remember that when I ordered mine in January - the order status thing never changed from "processing", but they did turn up. I can't remember how long it took, but I equally can't remember being upset about it.

It's a bit personal preference in my experience. The advantage of getting separates is that if you run out of channels and want to upgrade your mixer, you're not necessarily having to shell out for a new amp too. There is also redundancy if your desk fails, you don't lose the amp too, so can just borrow another desk. However, as the others have said, having integrated kit often saves on space and cabling, so if you think you have everything you need, may be the better option for your circumstances. EDIT: As the above have said, maybe look for powered speakers and a "passive" desk - this way the amp module in the speaker is likely to be well matched to the cab, and you can change your mixer to your heart's content.

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1436957056' post='2822279'] Got a tilt back stand, pointed his combo at his head...he turned down straight away... [/quote] I did this years ago for a mate's band when they asked me to turn up to a rehearsal as the "respected sound engineer" and try and work out why they were getting complaints from venues and not being re-booked. Halfway through the next track he slammed his guitar down and stormed off. "I'm not playing with it like that - it is giving me a headache!" "Now you know how your punters feel" is all I had to say.....

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1436825068' post='2821250'] Wasn't FQ largely just famous for being related to Tricky? [/quote] I went to see him at his height in Nottingham around 1997ish when the Maverick A Strike album had just come out. The band were really good, but I do remember some incoherent rambling about Tricky (I think Tricky had recently released some material accusing FQ of trading on his name). He also spent all night having a pop at his drummer, saying stuff like "you're as s**t as Ringo Starr". As a drummer (at the time) myself, I didn't think the drummer was doing anything wrong and was a bit miffed at the Ringo slate, as I liked and grew up on Ringo's drumming! I was really surprised the drummer didn't get up and belt him one! Suffice to say we left the gig thinking it was great music, but FQ was an arrogant tw@t. Just my opinion of course.

I wanted the Bassbone V2, but it looks like it is not beng released in the UK until all of the V1s have been sold. I did look at the OD, but felt that the V2 would be more what I wanted. In the end I got Bright Onion to make a simpler selector/loop switch without gain controls. It is working fine, but am still keeping an eye on these. I am interested to hear how it goes - please update ASAP!

I like fretting my runs/scales in the same hand shape, so it's good for keys such as Eb where you can do a standard scale shape from the fourth fret on the B string without having to detune or play open strings and different hand shapes, which opften confuses me, especially if I'm trying to jam by ear or sight read. I know to some that will probably sound lazy, but it works for me! I also like the low notes for effect now and then. 5's all the way now for me - I even chose a 5 string EUB.

I tried "New Skin" a few years ago and found it felt a lot more diluted than Superglue. Unlike the OP, the burst blister skin had totally come off, so I was left with raw skin only. I found with Superglue it gave a nice thick layer that I could play with, but it would crack up and come off so I would have to put on more coats and blow dry whilst the singer was waffling every 3 or 4 songs. I did nearly get stuck to a string at one point when he didn't waffle for long enough! New Skin wasn't providing strong enough a layer to play with for my liking, hence the Superglue. As for the hygiene bit, the blisters had been burst for about 24hrs when I did the gig - I don't think anything bad came of it from that one. It certainly saved the gig for me!

At least she's not claiming any Jamerson tracks this time!

Funnily enough - I play in 2 sight reading bands each week, and also dep here and there (nothing too pro) and I only got 9 out of 15! My failings were the chordal stuff and cadence etc. This is where my theory has always let me down. Time to get some deeper theory training methinks....

I remember my mate telling a story that a mate of his was sat in a registry office waiting for a wedding to start when his phone rang. He had "Final Countdown" by Europe as his ring tone. He was just laughing with his girlfriend about "imagine how embarrassing it would have been if that went off during the wedding" - when ten minutes later the doors flung open and the bride walked down the room to that very same song blaring over the speakers!

Erm, the neck seems kinda straight. There is a bit of zinging and pinging occasionally when fretting, but I'm putting that down to the very bright round wounds and new frets it came with. I'm loathe to touch it at the moment as I have a history of making guitars worse than better when I tamper with truss rods! I certainly don't think there is enough wrong with it for me to want to mess with it. I've been playing with it on and off all afternoon and it is great for what I wanted it for, and certainly worth £50! In answer to landwomble's point, I haven't tried it plugged in yet - I'm not sure I'll ever need it for that!

Wahey! About 6 days after landwomble, I finally received my 5 string HB acoustic today. The only issue I can see with it is two bubbles under the lacquer, both at the neck end of the rear panel. They are both tiny and unnoticeable unless you're looking for them, so no probs there. The thing is fun to play, and is perfect for what I want it for - picking up and playing along when a good tune comes on the telly or having a practice noodle now and then! One happy customer here!

[quote name='Harlequin74' timestamp='1432306712' post='2780292'] Well we are only in Crowborough/tun wells , so can we borrow yours please......from time to time [/quote] Ha ha, sorry mate, this band is based in Central London, and he's from north London. I think it would be a bit far for him. If you want, I can put my boxing gloves on and have a shot at for you?

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1432295486' post='2780112'] Unless you tell people they're over-playing, they'll continue playing in the same way. [/quote] I have had to do this with the last two keyboard players we've had. I seem to be the delegated voice for this as everyone else is too chicken. It is probably also because most keyboard players we've had are actually trained piano players, so feel they have to use their left hand and just trample over and muddy up the bass player's range. The current one is learning, but keeps looking like a child who has had his toys removed for being bad when we tell him he needs to play simple organ/chord swells rather than New Orleans jive piano on everything...

[quote name='landwomble' timestamp='1432283751' post='2779936'] My shorty P bass and 5 string acoustic attempted delivery this morning - bloody quick! [/quote] From what I can gather. I only ordered my 5 string acoustic a few mins or hours after you, but mine was only acknowledged at their German export to UK centre this morning. It's a amazing what a little difference in ordering time makes!

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1432054160' post='2777630'] In hindsight, maybe the 'order confirmed' is the point of no return. I'm trying to remember how it went for me. Certainly I have received everything I've ever ordered, but I've only mentally thought that I've got it when it's been dispatched. But, I can't remember if anyone ever didn't receive their instrument once they'd received the 'order confirmed' email. [/quote] I just got home from a rehearsal to find an "order has been shipped" mail, so it looks like one is on its way!

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1432050181' post='2777579'] Quite often there is more than one. If I remember correctly, it's the dispatched email that confirms that you're getting the item. I think the confirmation of order email can sometimes be rescinded. [/quote] I'm getting that sinking feeling as that is exactly where I am now... I've had the "order received" mail and "order confirmed". I'm now waiting for the shipping confirmation. I'm surprised they would go as far as confirm the order if I'd missed the boat with stock? Wow, two sailing puns in one sentence.....

I just got the second "your order has been processed" email - so I'm guessing there was more than one and I'm getting one! Let's see how many pieces it is in!

[quote name='landwomble' timestamp='1432037986' post='2777425'] Quite happy to take a punt at under 20 quid for a shorty P bass and 50 for an acoustic 5 string, [/quote] Ha ha, I just had a go at ordering the 5 string acoustic too before my browser updated with your message. I got a confirmation too - unless there's more than one I guess I'll be disappointed!

I have (paid for ) two of these - 4 months on and I'm still loving them. Enjoy!

[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1431697914' post='2774093'] Edit: to add: monitor sends should always be pre-fade, and you should have mon level knobs on the channel strips. [/quote] I agree, that is what you would want, but I've just read through the manual and I can't see it specified anywhere as to whether they are or not (nor does it say it is post for the FX). I would never assume with a "budget" desk, as I'm thinking this is. If they are pre-fade, great, if not, then the wired bodge I metioned would be needed to totally separate the mixes and still use the internal amp for the tops.