JapanAxe

Compilation CDs for the car, playlists for the iPod Rough 'maps' of each song's structure More detailed notes for any fiddly bits Transcription (if you have the time/software/whatever) = another route into your brain

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I concur with all that has been said. If it ain't fun, don't do it. You can give plenty of notice so that your band-mates have time to replace you, and of course you can advertise for your own replacement in these very pages.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1420812924' post='2653765'] Hardly surprising that Watford Valves would diss Hot Rox, as they are direct competitors. Last time I got a valve from WV it arrived in a jiffy bag; last one from HR came in a stiff cardboard tube padded with bubble wrap. [/quote] [quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1420813839' post='2653781'] I didn't tell them that I'd spoken to Hot Rox, I said that a friend had suggested that the TAD valve would probably be the best option. FWIW, the guy at Watford Valves was more helpful than Hot Rox, and is a gigging bass player (with many different amps by the sound of it) and certainly seemed to know what he was talking about in relation to bass amps specifically, whereas Hot Rox gave me the impression that they weren't so sure, despite being very pleasant. The guy at Watford Valves then spent quite some time chatting to me about various bass-related things, which was nice. In the end I ordered from them, because I felt like they had earned my custom. [/quote] OK fair enough then!

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1420803940' post='2653570'] Right, I spoke to Watford Valves this morning, who told me that the TAD valves that Hot Rox recommended are chinese and basically the same as the Ruby's! They recommended that the best option would be to go for a Tung-Sol, or possibly an EHX. Apparently the EHX would be a bit brighter and give a bit more punch, and the Tung-Sol would give a slightly thicker warmer low-mid range, which is more what I'm looking for I guess. So I think I shall order the Tung-Sol shortly, and I'll let you all know how I get on! [/quote] Hardly surprising that Watford Valves would diss Hot Rox, as they are direct competitors. Last time I got a valve from WV it arrived in a jiffy bag; last one from HR came in a stiff cardboard tube padded with bubble wrap.

I'd rather have 3 or 4 rotary tone controls (that's knobs to you), but it will be interesting to hear what the starting-point sound is.

Any good for metal?

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1420602998' post='2651222'] [list] [*][size=4][font=Arial]What we are looking for[/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=Arial]What we want out of band experience[/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=Arial]The type of band we want to be in and if it's even feasible[/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=Arial]The type of people we want to work with[/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=Arial]Do I have the experience needed for the type of band I want to play in[/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=Arial]How far am I willing to commute for gigs and rehearsals[/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=Arial]How important is gigging and pay to me ( If those things are not important your looking for a "for fun" only band)[/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=Arial]Do I know how to work well with others, can I be part of a team[/font][/size] [/list] [/quote] I had a bit of a review of all this last year and ended up winding down my own (as in run-by-me) band a bit in favour of doing as much depping with other bands as possible. Loving it!

Welcome Organic! Some advice (useul or otherwise):[list] [*]it's hard on the fingertips even though I play acoustic fingerstyle on medium gauge strings [*][color=#0000FF]- I find I fret with a different part of my fingertip when playing bass, so no surprises there.[/color] [*]getting an awful lot of string squeak which is annoying, I take it it's practise that's the cure for this(?) [*][color=#0000FF]- string squeak comes mainly from roundwound strings and/or high treble settings.[/color] [*]recording by miking up my amp gave a disappointing, thin sound (found most mics roll off a lot of bottom end). Getting much better results by DIing but still not as good as it sounds playing through an amp [*][color=#0000FF]- when you say DI, do you mean bass straight into DAW, or have you tried the DI out on your amp?[/color] [*]I prefer the sound of a precision or a rickenbacker. May try fitting a high mass bridge with brass saddles to get some more oomph. [*][color=#0000FF]- closest approximation on a Jazz will be neck pickup on its own, but if you like a Precision, get a Precision - then swap the necks![/color] [/list]

[quote name='Old_Ben' timestamp='1420486340' post='2649937'] If you need to have a band meeting, probably best to have someone in the hotseat with some paper outlining what needs saying / deciding and writing down any decisions that get made, If there is no structure they'll end up like a bunch of people sitting around having a [b]chin wig[/b].... [/quote] Would that be a false beard then? [size=4] [/size]

I don't suppose they would do a passive version with a split pickup, olympic white paint and torty scratchplate? Oh, wait...

Option D: Tell Mrs Bad Sign you have saved up £700 to treat yourselves - you intend to spend your half on a playable Precision to replace your current plank, and you hope she enjoys spending her half on whatever she desires.

[quote name='Ant' timestamp='1420361355' post='2648325'] Could get max to cook up another one of these, super steep drop off of everything above 5khz [/quote] Nice fabric!

Out of my 2 gigging amps and 4 basses, some pairings work better than others, or at least better for different bands or types of music. [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1420325301' post='2648192'] ...we all know how well Ampegs/Precisons work together. [/quote] Strangely, I prefer my Precision via my Genz Benz!

I have had good results recording bass via a Behringer GI100 connected to the speaker output of a practice amp - it simulates a 4x12 cab, so doesn't lose much (if any) bottom end. They go for £25-£30. Only trouble is, the output is balanced, so you would have to rig up some kind of adaptor lead.

For stubborn marks I recommend this:

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1420293367' post='2647615'] A few lessons from a teacher is always going to be well worth your while. Learning some basic theory is also well worth the time and effort. Having said the above, you can also do a lot on your own to achieve the goal you mention. Try playing along to some simple songs that you like. With trial and error, try to work out the bass lines. There are lots of clips on You Tube with bass covers of songs, where the bass is easy to hear. Once you learn some basic theory, the penny will drop and you will begin to recognize certain chords and patterns that come up often. Until you do get a teacher, a good site to slowly work through (start at the very beginning of the lessons) is : [url="http://www.studybass.com/study-guide/"]http://www.studybass.com/study-guide/[/url] [/quote] Beaten to the StudyBass link by 3 minutes!

The polite and considerate approach is to audition them separately, with enough of a gap that one can't hear the other while they're waiting. Don't forget to assess their [i]timing[/i], not just pitch and power. It is murder to work with a singer with 'off' timing!

In the audience I spotted (I think) Adam Ant, Shane McGowan, Brian James, and Rat Scabies.

All good stuff so far. Just to expand on the 'bass image' theme, do you know what the [i]band[/i] image is? If this is a pub covers or functions band, this won't really matter, as everyone rehearses in their street clothing. If it's a band that may have a more focused image (e.g. death metal), first ask yourself whether you can live with this, even if you treat it as dressing-up; then make sure you don't go blowing it unnecessarily, e.g. Coldplay-fan-style beige trousers and loafers to a metal audition. Really this shouldn't matter, but probably does!

Convert it to a 2-string, replace the pickup with a cheap Jazz unit jammed into the cavity at an angle, and put it on eBay for £269 as suitable for people with fat fingers. Don't forget to drop a hint about the possibility of it being an early Fender prototype!

[quote name='Jigster' timestamp='1420127763' post='2645866'] Beat me there JA - not until 1980 for me - would love to have been at those early early gigs I once saw Mick Jones at Hammersmith Metropolitan tube - can you beat that? [/quote] Mrs Axe and I once saw Patrick Moore at Paddington Station. He was a big bloke!