Len_derby

Basschat is your friend. Since I've joined this place, apart from consumables like strings, I've not bought from anywhere else.

Welcome Marty. Hot-rodding and Rockabilly go well together.

Thanks Pete! It's interesting to hear that you haven't found anything yet that ticks all the boxes.

Welcome Gavin. Enjoy the forum.

Has anyone got any experience or advice to share about pickups for banjos? Up 'till now I've been playing 'unplugged' or placing a mic near to the strings. Ideally I'd like some sort of pickup device I could DI or plug into an amp.

[quote name='Mr Fretbuzz' timestamp='1365008382' post='2034102'] That is odd... 30.3 but the home page says its their only long scale bass?? I'm after a 34 inch semi-hollow..oh well, back to Gibson, Gretsch and Epiphone then [/quote] I've been very happy with my Yamaha Bex. There's one for sale on here. By Basschater Valahaf, I think.

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1363079254' post='2007874'] Thanks guys, all help gratefully received I am in a band but we play and practice very sporadically (3-4 gigs a year, practice almost once a month), I'd like to meet a few new muso types to play with a little more regularly... [/quote] Hi Andy, I notice on your profile 'interests' you put church. Do you play in a church band? If not, have you thought about it? Playing in a church band accounts for about 70% of my playing and it ticks all the boxes in terms of keeping sharp etc. Plus, and this is a big plus, I've got involved in various musical activities through networking with church musicians. For example, I got asked to join a ceilidh band. Not something I would have contemplated but it's been a great experience.

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1364831497' post='2031411'] I am also interested in powered monitors, as I am moving my studio to a small shed sometime in the next year, and want new monitors to mix to, small and active and as uncoloured as you can get. [/quote] Regarding monitors, have a look at this thread. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/198786-stage-monitor-which-is-small-powerful-and-high-quality/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/198786-stage-monitor-which-is-small-powerful-and-high-quality/[/url] I bought a Behringer B205D. Very good and about the size of a domestic toaster. If you're ever over my way drop in and have a look.

This is a great forum, love it. A lot of the 'high numbers' posters seem to fall into one of two categories. 1. Middle-aged men who take themselves very seriously. 2. Middle-aged men who think they are comedians. For me, the most entertaining part of Basschat is the interactions between these two tribes.

Last night was the blues duo at the King William, Milford, Derbyshire. Had the pub not been on the A6 getting there and back would have been a non-starter due to the snow. The crowd was modest but very appreciative, with a kind of 'sod the weather' blitz spirit. The journeys took longer than normal as I stuck to major roads where possible.

Here's an advantage of the stuff no one has mention yet (I think). I'm just about to set off into Derbyshire for a gig with my Behringer PA amongst the gear in the car. The weight's going to help in this snow (maybe...)

Welcome John, enjoy the forum. A very East-Yorks sounding user name too. Len

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1363965819' post='2020276'] That's not at all what I'm seeing here in Nottingham. The scene is way more vibrant an energetic these days than any time I can remember in the past. [/quote] Agreed. I think we have to remind ourselves about how bad it used to be. It does seem, in my experience, to be a very localised. Of the places I know well(ish). Nottingham - BRX is correct. Very vibrant. Derby - pretty active for a small city so close to Nottingahm. Chester - patchy and very conservative in what's on offer. Winchester - apart from The Railway and the Irish themed pub (Rosie O'Grady's?), as dead as a Dodo. All in experience, opinion etc.

Welcome Lewis. Enjoy the forum. I like a short and sweet intro. Some folk do tend to blather on.

I've bought a Behringer B205D on the strength of what was said in this thread. I'd endorse all the good things said above. My only criticism so far is that it doesn't look or feel amazingly study and might not survive much of a drop. But, at the price, that's not a major quibble. It fits perfectly in a dodgy fake Nike holdhall I got from Egypt too. Thanks for the heads-up Basschatters!

Welcome Frankie.

We did a private birthday party last night. A varied selection of music, as requested by the client. Top of the 'must have' list was Stairway to Heaven. It was actually the first time any of us had played it live for real. The evening ended with us jump-starting one of the party guest's cars for them. ('all part of the service madam'). We were encouraged to help ourselves to the curries and beer from a local micro-brewery. A good night all round.

After a great weekend with old friends in Wales I decided to revisit some of my past and aquired a copy of 'In search of space' by Hawkwind. Listening to it an hour ago I was amazed at how much detail I could remember. I know I've not heard it for at least 30 years. But, most disconceringly, I recognised some of my own so-called 'original' basslines. What a band they were. Seeing them as a teenager in the early 70's felt like a real rite of passage. Adjust me. Adjust me. Adjust me.

Welcome Geoff. I too started playing when I was at school in the early 1970's. Good times. Enjoy the forum.

Very interesting. I don't know, but maybe emailing Paul Jones via his BBC page will get results. If he doesn't know it might spark his curiosity.

I was in Winchester last week visiting my daughter and thinking what a dead town it seemed live music-wise. I hope it goes well. Shame it wasn't last week.

Another call for Yamaha here. I've got a BBN4F that's been great value for money. One went for £168 on Ebay last month. It's got a lined fingerboard, but if you don't like them you can always close your eyes.

Congratulations Dave, a happy low-ender! How does the 'B' string compare to the other 4 in terms of volume and tone? I've got my eyes out for a budget 5er and this sounds interesting. I've never played a Peavey instrument but know from experience that their amps and combos are very durable and great value-for-money.

I would aggree with Dingus and bremen. I've had cheap Squier and Yamaha basses and been happy with both. But, as with everything, try before you buy if you can.