Len_derby

Welcome Boomer. That SWR cabinet looks a monster.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='1206902' date='Apr 21 2011, 11:29 AM']There is a whole lot of credible stuff out there, mate.[/quote] Absolutely Bilbo. It might be outside your budget but burray is selling a lovely looking Yamaha BB414 on this forum for £210 delivered. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=124074"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=124074[/url] If I could justify getting it I'd be all over it like a rash. If you have any doubts about buying a Yammy check out the thread on the Gear/Bass Guitars topic on this forum, titled 'Yahamas'. Anyway, that's just my opinion. The main thing is - get a bass!

Welcome Michal. If you want to expand your 'modest' gear this forum will give you lots of opportunity!

[quote name='big25g' post='1204636' date='Apr 19 2011, 12:12 PM']Hello, I was in Andertons on Saturday and they had loads of these Bass Collection, Basses and has some really nice looking Rickebacker shaped ones in stock. I had a go on the P bass they had while trying out some pedals, and it was really nice. Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on them. Here is a link to the Rickenbacker [url="http://www.basscentre.com/bass-collection/BC016.html"]Bass Collection[/url] p.s. I'm back from a long time off playing bass and in a new band and back to browsing the forums, while rebuilding my gear...[/quote] Hey, glad you've come back into the light! Good luck with it all - let us know how it goes. My personal advice is to look at what's available 'pre-owned' rather than buying new. There are so many good instruments, at all levels of price, for sale on this forum. I've both bought and sold here and it's always gone well. As recent threads here testify, a new bass straight form a retailer often needs some kind of set-up work. In my experience you're more likely to get a bass 'ready for action' pre-owned from a Basschater than from most shops. Anyway, that's my 2pees worth.

I like it when people tell me 'we missed you'. (That's when I've not been there, not because the sound mix was crap and I couldn't be heard...) Or are they just mssing me 'cause I always get my round in? Whatever, it's nice to be loved.

Couple of months ago I was playing my CIJ '62RI Jazz and I couldn't help noticing that the slight but persistant pickup hum had stopped. I left the stage and tripped over my trouser leg sprawling over a table full of beer belonging to a group of Outlaws. As I drifted off into unconciousness I realised that the dragging trouser hem had caused an extra earth, so cancelling the pickup hum. Shame the bass was smashed to bits over my head.

[quote name='BenTunnicliffe' post='1197064' date='Apr 12 2011, 05:25 PM']Have you checked out this website? [url="http://freebasspart.pv24.pagesperso-orange.fr/Bass_Players.htm"]http://freebasspart.pv24.pagesperso-orange...ass_Players.htm[/url] I can only imagine the amount of time the guy has spent writing them all out.[/quote] Wow, what a goldmine. Just goes to prove that there's no obsessive like a French obsessive.

First bass - Encore Precision Goto bass - Squier VM Jazz My bass - Fender Jazz

We played one of our usual pub venues, but for the first time at this place we had a support act. To give them lots of support we sat in the audience for their set. The front-of-house sound was good. Our soundman does a quality job. It's his PA, he's an ex-BBC radio sound engineer, and takes his role seriously. When we went on it was a sudden shock to be hearing ourselves through the fold-back and standing close to our backline. Very disconcerting at first after being treated to a nice warm front-of-house sound for 45 mins. An interesting experience.

AAArrrrgg. This thread has just given me terrible GAS for another Yamaha. I don't think anyone's mentioned fretless, so I'll just put my oar in for the BBN4F I've got. Black, and strung with Rotosound Tru-bass black nylon coated flats it looks and sounds the Dog's

[quote name='parker_muse' post='1194100' date='Apr 9 2011, 09:59 PM']What do Yamaha have to do to break into the top tier of bassy conciousness?[/quote] They probably ask themselves that question a lot. I'm with you on the quality. I've never picked up a Yammy bass or guitar that hasn't impressed me. Could it possibly have something to do with cultural snobbism? Compare basses with sports cars and (to a lesser extent) motorbikes. The Japanese make excellent versions of both sports cars and bikes. But for fashion/conciousness/desirability they almost always lose out to the flashy European makes.

[quote name='fifeq' post='1192450' date='Apr 8 2011, 12:10 AM']My friend is looking for coverband for the last weekend of May. some Rock Pop. More details to follow.[/quote] Here's a link to the Horse and Groom (Derby) website. This pub, in my opinion, has the best local cover bands that fit the Rock/Pop mould. It's got links to band websites. [url="http://www.horseandgroomderby.co.uk/whatson"]http://www.horseandgroomderby.co.uk/whatson[/url] Also, I recommend The Sandmen [url="http://www.myspace.com/sandmenuk"]http://www.myspace.com/sandmenuk[/url] They're really good, but mostly blues/rock rather than pop/rock. There's a vibrant band scene in the East Mids, so you shouls have no trouble finding bands.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='1193478' date='Apr 9 2011, 02:41 AM']i think its a sign of great musicians when you blend in with them but you stand out at the same time... they make you sound good.[/quote] So true. The mark of a good musician is that they make the band as a whole sound better. As bassplayers specially we should always remember that.

[quote name='bh2' post='1191993' date='Apr 7 2011, 05:11 PM']Kind of Blue... bang![/quote] Yep, this was the one for me too. The bit of 'So what' where the full band 'swings in' has to be one of the peaks of human creativity in any artform. Or have I just started drinking too soon for a Thursday?

I've just concluded a pedal for pedal trade with Simeon. All good. A grand chap to do with business with.

I suffer from cold hands at the best of times. It's a real downer when your fingers are too cold to follow instructions from your brain properly. A lady fiddle playing friend of mine knitted me some fingerless gloves. According to my daughters I now look too much like Albert Steptoe.

[quote name='tom1946' post='1187599' date='Apr 4 2011, 11:48 AM']I actually blushed when I read this It's a church band and that's what we do so on Sunday our keyboard player can't even find his music! Needless to say it's never all right.[/quote] Don't be too hard on yourself Tom. I'm in the same boat. I think of all the musical scenarios I've been in over the years playing for a church is the one where it's hardest to do a decent job. The odds are stacked against us in all sorts of ways. I reckon that if I didn't also have a 'normal' band to play in I'd be a straight-jacket by now! With the secular band we have total control over the choice of material and its arrangements, can take as much time and care as we need to get it right before playing songs live, and we're not subjected to head-in-the-clouds meglomaniacs (aka clergymen&women). Mind you, playing in a church does help you build some skills. Such as transposition on the fly when the keyboard player launches off in an unexpected key.....

[quote name='Luulox' post='1185260' date='Apr 1 2011, 09:04 PM']I am pretty new to listening to jazz and i have only a few jazz cd's, miles davis, John Coltrane and a single Paul Chambers cd. I only took an interest in jazz when i took up the bass a few months ago and i really enjoy the stuff i listen to but one thing puts me off, Bass solos! i understand this maybe quite sacrilegious on a site dedicated to bass, but i cant get into them at all. one minute Miles is doing great things with his trumpet and the next thing you know a bass solo pops up and drains the enthusiasm for a great song out of me. It seems like they are put in to punish you for listening to jazz. i now have new respect for the drum solo! Is it just me? Cheers Pete[/quote] I can see your point of view here. However, the horribly compressed sound of most CDs doesn't do justice to the live sound of a double bass. If you experience a decent double bass solo live, you'll perhaps see the point. You feel it as well as hear it. So much gets lost with those tacky silver beermats.

[quote name='lojo' post='1182138' date='Mar 30 2011, 01:15 PM']Most likely to do with crash cymbals at ear level in some cases[/quote] Yep, I always felt the cymbals did the most damage. Of course, we all wear proper earplugs now don't we.

Thanks for the string info guys. Think I'm going to have to get me some flats.

I've got Bronzed roundwound on mine. You guys that use flats, are they specifically made for acoustics or just standard flats? As for using an acoustic bass live - I do it sometimes. Always through an amp, I've never DI-ed one (yet). My experience is that you need to fiddle with you EQ to avoid 'boom' or even the dreaded feedback. Covering the soundhole is supposed to be a guard against feedback but I've never tried it myself. As you're thinking, there are some situations where an acoustic bass looks right in terms of blending in with the rest of the band. I've also got away with playing at 'acoustic' open mic nights without the mutterings I might have got with my P or J.

I always loved his records. I think 'Riptide' was my favourite album. The first time I saw him was in the early '70's in a band called Vinegar Joe. It had two lead singers, Robert Palmer and Elkie Brooks. Brilliant.

[quote name='Rixy' post='1173690' date='Mar 23 2011, 07:09 PM']I believe that I am a decent bassist. I've been called "very good" by others, but I don't want to get cocky. While this is nice and all, I don't really have anyone to play with. I have friends, but they're not into music like I am. I'm really into the current UK Ska/Reggae/Punk scene: Sonic Boom Six, Mouthwash, JB Conspiracy, Jimmy the Squirrel, Stuck in 2nd etc. and it would be really fun to get into that kind of music. Problem is, I barely know any musicians that are into that kind of music. I have a friend I jam with sometimes, but he tends to go out of key all the time and frequently bends notes. I'd just be happy with a simple offbeat jam, but once again I'm kind of stuck in a rut as I don't know many people with similar tastes to mine. I was going to put up an advertisement, but I'm wondering whether I'd be able to play with other people in the first place. The only amp I have is a Roland Microcube. I fear it wouldn't have the volume to hang in with other musicians. I'm completely skint, and while I can play proficiently I can't even afford a decent intermediate bass. I guess what I'm wondering is what did you guys have when you started out playing in bands? Many I'm over thinking and I should just get out there and play? I'd really like to play some form of reggae or ska. I wouldn't mind hanging in the back and laying down some low riddims. I don't really expect to be Les Claypool or Victor Wooten. Do you guys have any advice on my little dilemma?[/quote] Only just seen this. I'm PMing you with details of some friends of mine in Derby who are looking for a bassist. I used to play with them but wasn't able to commit at the time (but I'm not the bassist who's just left). They're mostly rock, (covers + originals) but with quirks, so not exactly what (you think) you're looking for, but from what you've said I think you can cut it. They used to practise at The Music Shed, where they have plenty of back-line for hire. But, don't know if they still do. They've had gigs at the Bless and in Spondon. If they don't give you a fair crack at it I'll personally go and give them all a slap, and I'll tell them that.

[quote name='kevin_lindsay' post='1174712' date='Mar 24 2011, 02:34 PM']As well ascend usual Allen keys, screwdrivers etc, I always take the following to any gigs I do: Towel Liquid soap The reason? To remove the grime from my fingers amassed during gear set up on stage. Some of the folks I played with kind of thought it was strange, but when they too went on stage with clean hands, every one said they felt better when playing. Or maybe myself and the folks I play with are just wierdos? Hahaha[/quote] Yeah, stuff to clean your hands. One of the pubs I play at regularly gives out free food in the interval. Usually pizza, samozas etc, and no cutlery. I only ate once without cleaning my hands afterwards. Disgusting greasy smelly strings. On the spares/tools bit, I'm pretty much the same as most of you. The best string trimmers I've ever found to carry around are Shimano cable cutters, designed for bicycle gear and brake cables. Light and lethal.