Adrenochrome

Hi Mel, 45-105 is fairly heavy for standard tuning. I can't emphasise enough how being as fit and healthy as possible will benefit you - but I don't know what you are and aren't able to do. I'd advocate long term health (yoga/swimming etc?) over short-term fixes for pain etc.

Once you've listened to all the above give FIXED a go...

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1380228090' post='2222665'] Fair point if you're a professional musician but otherwise don't we run all of our hobbies and interests at a 'loss'? [/quote] Probably the vast majority, not quite all. Music was a hobby that did run at a loss, then as my wife gave up work to start a family that hobby then gradually changed to something self-sustaining. I guess I'm a true semi-pro in that sense, so apart from the occasional good cause, I won't get out of bed unless being paid . (I'm playing [i]next[/i] weekend for free BTW, and at the end of the month).

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1380217296' post='2222492'] Doesn't anyone here just enjoy playing for the enjoyment of it? mercenary lot! [/quote] Yes, most of us do. I just can't afford to run at a loss, it's that simple.

So far I've used my cheap Aria ABG, both through my tiny Trace 1x10 combo (~30w I think) and through a PA. It looks the part but I think a solid electric bass actually sounds better. Of course having the ABG means I can just plug into any PA and play without needing to bring an amp if I wanted, as it's just about audible.

I've used them for years on and off and never had to return anything, so can't really add much input, sorry.

All my basses are covered in minor scratches/wear marks and dings, and I wouldn't have in any other way! Have you never played a gig where there's been people dancing and falling over into the band, crowd surfing, or you've had to dive past someone to fiddle with the desk to stop feedback etc etc? If you play mainly pubs and a few rock clubs like we do, you don't use expensive work of art basses, so my basses aren't investments at all.

Hopefully the end to heavy, unergonomic basses that don't have decent fret access. There's no need in this day and age.

Anyone know if it's setup/strung for low tunings?

Everybody has different needs and expectations. I CANNOT afford to play music for a loss, so you could regard me as mercenary. As long as my total outlay is covered by gig money then I'm fine. I can learn songs quite happily at home but I go along to band rehearsal, 3 a month on average, because it helps the others and we have a laugh and get to know each other. We also socialise a bit together so we are a proper band rather than strangers.

Many of the P sounds I like come from the quarter-pounder pickup. Which is no surprise considering I like more modern tones.

First song I learned properly on bass was I Wanna Be Your Dog by The Stooges.

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1378044678' post='2195017'] Pick, fingers, thumb, get it all down and never be stuck for the 'right' feel/tone. [/quote] This!

Welcome!

Just as an observation, don't feel that for "hard rock" you have to dumb-down your set too much. We get a number of bookings precisely because we [i]don't[/i] just do the played out lizzy/dc/jovi numbers. Sure we do a few predictable ones but we love almost all the songs we play and have really put some work into developing our set with the best suited person singing each song. Most of our audiences appreciate some of the authentic details in the arrangements that many covers bands miss.

Just avoid doing too many obvious numbers... Our current set, all proven, many go straight into the next song, all 4 of us sing so loads of harmonies etc: Set 1 Burn - Deep Purple For Whom The Bell Tolls - Metallica Anastasia - Slash Shot Down In Flames - AC/DC Open Your Eyes - Alter Bridge Knights Of Cydonia - Muse Creeping Death - Metallica She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult The Trooper - Iron Maiden (I sing this) Blackbird - Alter Bridge Enter Sandman - Metallica [cheesey play it in rotation] Set 2 Cry For Help - Shinedown Slither - Velvet Revolver Blind Man - Blackstone Cherry Aerials - System Of A Down Everlong - Foo Fighters You Could Be Mine - G n R Fool For Your Loving - Whitesnake [based mainly on the late 80s version] Through Glass - Stone Sour Man In The Box - Alice In Chains Embers - Delirium [1 of our own] Children Of The Grave - Black Sabbath Hallowed Be Thy Name - Iron Maiden Encores: Rebel Yell (drummer sings), Toxicity, Cochise, Rainbow In The Dark, Out In The Fields, Youth Gone Wild.

Our drummer got a full skin done online. It looks excellent - our logo is white on black so no too 'busy' I think, also worked well on our backdrop.

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1377173659' post='2184277'] I could do that. Would drop B sound terrible with 105 gauge strings? [/quote] I've done it in an emergency and it was 'passable'. There's a reduction in volume, and you might have to play quite near the bridge.

There's all sorts of things going on. The P pup has a huge low-mid emphasis which results in 'audible' bass (but not necessarily low bass). The J pups are more full range so you might need to roll off the treble to appreciate the bass that (in the vast majority of J basses) [i]is[/i] there. Also the acoustic sound isn't always indicative of the amplified sound.

Not my thing but no hate at all from me either. WoT's with the tort pickguards do look 'right' and fit the general sorts of music he plays so there's an example where it works.

I had a Jazz of that vintage. Very nice neck, just a little bit shy in the bass region. I should have kept it and upgraded the pups...

I can't be sure but it sounds like the input gain might be too high, can you try reducing that and increasing the master volume to make up for it? If that means that it sounds okay but too quiet then you might need an extension cab - you can get really good Peavey Black Widow 1x15s cheap as chips used.

It's a super-slick video and the band comes across really well. Job done,

Happy Birthday Clarky!

I don't think it really matters that much. People enjoy a piece of music or not, and the image and authenticity of the band might be a factor in that. I've enjoyed listening to the clips in this thread at a very stressful time, it has enhanced my life briefly - that's enough for me.