Len_derby

One of the first 'rock' concerts I ever saw, Camel supporting Stackridge. Probably be about 1972. What a pair of bands.

I play in a church band and up until now we've had a PA for vocals and used separate back-line amps/cabinet/combos for instruments. Luckily, we've got a new PA system (which I'm helping to install this week) which will allow everyone to play through it, including me on electric bass. The budget didn't stretch to DI boxes (but it did for monitors, I'm glad to say!) so I've got to sort that out for myself. I have an 'old style', unprogrammable Sansamp DI Box, which has been fine in other settings. However, as I'll be able to sell-on my cheap and cheerful rig I leave in church I'll have some cash and GAS that I can use on upgrading my DI. What I'd like if possible is a single box that can DI and includes a tuner. The ability to run in phantom power from the PA would be good, but I think most DI boxes will offer that. If it matters, I will be playing active and passive basses and sometimes with five strings. I'm not really a user of effects, so that's not a great consideration. Any tips anyone can give will be gratefully received.

[quote name='pendingrequests' timestamp='1335262621' post='1628077'] How would it compare to the neck on the US Jazz? less chunky, more? [/quote] Hiya, I'm a bit late to the party on this one but anyway. I've got a Japanese Fender Precison 1957 reissue. It looks very similar to the photograph in your first post, right down to the gold scratch plate. I also have a Japanese Fender Jazz 1962 reissue. The neck on the Precision is noticeably bulkier, both in width and depth. So, if you haven't tried one of the Precsion necks yet I think it's a good idea to do so. Some people just don't seem to get on with the wider necks.

I didn't go last night, but some friends did. It sounds very much like the old joke is true. 'You play this town twice in your career, once on the way up and once on the way down'

Whilst I agree with the comments about preparation and practise, I think in the end you should make a jump and go for it. For me, I know that if I waited until I felt 'really ready' for things I wouldn't have ever done much. After all, what's the worst that can happen? If you see an opportunity, take it.

I know you'll be really peed-off but hopefully the damage is just cosmetic and maybe even repairable. But, you've got a stunning bass that needs an admiring player to give it some TLC. I took mine out yesterday to play at church and it helped to ease my hangover. [quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1334575389' post='1617770'] And to top it all off one of our own BC members posted one for sale at the weekend for £75 less than I paid. [/quote] Regarding this bit. I've learned over the years that whenever I buy something (new or used) I stop looking in the market place afterwards for a while. You'll almost always see something that would have been cheaper/better/more convenient. Hey man, you've got one! Enjoy it!

[quote name='Jambo10' timestamp='1334526635' post='1617335'] Pubs around here just aren't paying the same now. A few years ago you would get minumum £200 for a pub gig, heading towards £300 Now pubs only want to pay £150! Problem is, years ago 20 pubs 20 bands, everyone got a gig. Now 10 pubs and 20 bands....the pubs can dictate to prices, supply and demand I suppose! [/quote] Yep, it's a buyer's market. There's a pub in Derby that offers £50 for 2 hours of music on a Sunday night[i] and [/i]requests that acts bring at least 20 people in 'to ensure the likelyhood of further bookings'. It's a nice place, and has a decent (small) in-house PA. They have no lack of takers at that fee, and some of them are pretty good.

At any given time there will always be some fashionable 'hot' products that will probably sell with the minimum of effort by the seller. Ones that come to mind at the moment are Gamma Pads and anything with the word Barefaced on it. It's just the way a market works. The less desirable a product (for whatever reason, and fair or not), the more effort a seller will have to put in.

What about the use of the word 'collected' in an ad and no clue where the seller resides? Slightly off topic, what makes me laugh is when a self-appointed basschat Plod jumps in with 'Forum rules state you must show a price' and quite clearly the vendor has put FT and suggested the trade options they're looking for. I've even seen that message when the price has been included!

And from Derby.

All sound advice above. Have you got a venue yet? If not, I think picking your area is important. The open-mic scene in Derby (which I know you are close to) is just-about saturated. On some weekday nights there are two or even three open-mics running simultaneously in a mile radius. Last Tuesday night I went to both open-mics at the Brewery Tap and then the Old Silk Mill (three minutes walk apart). To be honest there was probably just enough audience and performers to justify one of them. More chances to get a go though!!!

[quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1333992800' post='1609343'] Just won a cheeky little thing of eBay tonight I'll post some pics when it arrives [/quote] Well done! I'm looking forward to seeing what you got.

Thanks for that reminder. One of my all-time favourite bands. I first saw them in '74 I think. The 'Up for the day' tour, supported by Deke Leonard's Iceberg band. I still catch them when I can and enjoy having a joke with Martin Ace.

As said above,there are a lot of a-holes in the world. But, looking at it from a different perspective, it only takes a small amount of politeness, attention to detail and empathy to 'get on'. Onwards and upwards mate.

Hi Snorkie, welcome to the forum. The blues bass is alive and well the world over Have fun, Len

[quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1333140759' post='1598130'] Starting to warm to the idea of sourcing a Yamaha BEX4 and converting it to fretless, shame they're not easy to come by either lol [/quote] A sound choice my man There's quite often Epiphone Jack Casady semis floating around on the 'For Sale' thread. Have you considered one of those for a de-fret?

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1333117257' post='1597720'] Only [i]some[/i]? [/quote] I was trying to be generous.

[quote name='GregHughes' timestamp='1333095235' post='1597151'] 5 String is what I've been looking at. I think that would be what I would get as would prefer to learn the one which is going to give the sound I want. Anyone recommend a good entry level model to get me started? [/quote] Try this site. [url="http://www.andybanjo.com/index.html"]http://www.andybanjo.com/index.html[/url] A good 'advice' section with info on different types of banjo. I bought mine from there. I went for a 4-string with 'Chicago' tuning. DGBE. as on the top 4 strings of as guitar.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1333108317' post='1597489'] Disappointing... First gig in Sheffield for Dick Venom & The Terrortones at the South Sea. Nice Venue, decent sized stage efficient PA and the people running it were all very pleasant. However it didn't seem particularly well organised or publicised. The total audience that wasn't other band members or venue staff can't have been more the 20 and most of them appeared to have come to see us. The last band on who very kindly supplied the bass rig ended up playing to us and 2 other people. Not good. Just looked at their (very confusing) Facebook page. Until late yesterday afternoon there was no mention of last night's gig anywhere AFAICS. [/quote] I've experienced that sort of thing in Sheffield at several venues, both as a player and a punter. The only place that had any consistency, in my experience, was The Boardwalk. But that's gone now. An odd town in some ways.

Welcome Woodie. That's a very nice list of gear. Looks like the horticulture business is a lucrative one! Have fun, Len.

[quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1332794120' post='1593306'] I like the look of the bex, very pretty, and a bit of googling shows they did do a fretless version but it seems more likely to find rocking horse poo. [/quote] If you're working within a strict budget what about defretting or neck replacement for a fretted bass you like the look of?.

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1332790812' post='1593223'] Apart from the 'look', there are no real advantages in using an acoustic bass. [/quote] That's the one. Although they are good for having around the house for off-the-cuff practise and trying things out. I just hope the post originator's 'band leader' isn't too blinkered about this and throws his/her toys out the pram insisting on an acoustic bass.

Sad times. I've been going there since the '70s.

I've got a Yamaha Bex. I bought it off Tom the EssexBassCat on this forum. A very nice bass, if you like the styling, and typical Yamaha high quality. I don't think they're still made, but worth a look I think. If you want you can come look at mine. As well as the obvious soap-bar there's a piezo pickup under the bridge and a pan knob to blend output between the two. Here she is, 'Mavis'

Welcome. Have fun.