EliasMooseblaster

Currently my amp setup is entirely made up of second-hand stuff from this very parish! These days I drive Chris B's old Bergantino 2x12 with (one of) Merton's old Ashdown CTM-100s (I believe he's acquired at least one more since...) - the only thing I bought new was the speaker cable! The pedals I bought new - partly because Ibanez Bass Tubescreamers and the Korg Pitchblack+ don't crop up very often secondhand. I also received a Bass Big Muff as a very generous gift from a very kind friend, which confused the security staff no end at Berlin Schonefeld until I remembered how to say "ja, ich spiele gitarre." The Korg PB+ is the combined tuner and A/B switch, which I bought because most Cherry White gigs these days require me to alternate between 4-string and 8-string.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1473082271' post='3126677'] No no no, he wants to know how tall they all were ... [/quote] Can we keep the poll open until I've booked an in-store gig in a Dutch branch of [i]High and Mighty[/i]?

[quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1473012343' post='3126047'] The neck pickup on a Rickenbacker is in basically the same location as that of a Gibson EB-0 - EB-3 bass. The classic Rickenbacker tone (Squire [i]et al[/i]) comes from having a reasonably low output single coil pickup in that location and another in the same position as a P bass pickup, as per the picture above. [/quote] Another thanks for that one - very interesting, and I'd often wondered whether the Ric "bridge" pickup was in roughly the same position as the pickup on a Precision, so thanks for confirming that! Does make me wonder why more people haven't built Precision-style basses with an extra pickup next to the neck.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1473076893' post='3126590'] As I said in my very brief previous post I think a lot of the "blame" unfortunately lies with the attitude of Leicester audiences towards out of town bands. ... So sorry Leicester, but on the strength of my experiences you are a sh*t audience for lesser-known bands. [/quote] Thanks for elaborating on that one. I'd been hoping to drag Cherry White back up to the East Mids in the near future, but based on your experience I might give Leicester a miss and focus our efforts more on Derby and Notts. Useful to be able to find these things out in advance!

In terms of audience size and amount of publicity, then the Planet Rockstock set last year was probably my peak with Cherry White. I've checked the second option as I reckon there were over 100 people in the room that Sunday morning, but probably no more than 150. For sheer audience size I reckon it's vying with Togfest 2014 and however many people were trying to cram into the Red Lion in Dereham earlier this year...and then possibly beaten by the short sets we played at the Covent Garden Arts Theatre, which book-ended a comedy night.

From a public point of view, I don't know if there's ever been one - your average punter is oblivious to "the guy/gal playing that other guitar." But from our own strange, insular point of view, I'm inclined to agree with those who say we're living through it now. I'm not sure when it began, but I certainly think it's still ongoing - there are some people out there doing fantastic things with bass guitars (and indeed upright basses), whether it's straightforward virtuosos spanning the spectrum from Wooten to Sheehan, or people like Steve Lawson combining their bass with electronic trickery to create vast, colourful soundscapes by themselves. We also have growing numbers of companies who make basses, bass amplication or bass effects almost exclusively, and examples like Ashdown demonstrate that this isn't restricted to the top-end, boutique corner of the market. Plus, modern bass luthiers are arguably quite a bit a more adventurous with their designs that modern guitar luthiers - sure, extended-range, active, headless, fretless, and other exotic guitars exist, but I feel like their uptake hasn't been as widespread as the variants on a "standard" bass guitar design. It's increasingly hard for your lead guitarist to dismiss the bass as "the easy guitar with four strings" when you can now quite easily buy a bass that has more strings than his Strat or Les Paul! It's a good time to be a bassist.

Yep, colour me interested as well!

Sorry folks, but I've gone and screwed up on the dates once again. Afraid I'm only just coming back from a holiday that day (but it was a [i]very[/i] cheap flight...) [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]01. Hamster - Tea, coffee, pastries etc. Might also bring my Parker Fly 5 and Gibson EB5, maybe my SVT-2 Pro and Barefaced Big Twin II[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]02. Silverfoxnik - BC Rich Eagle, Hayman 4040, Schecter Diamond P5, Ampeg V4BH amp &amp; 115 Classic cab[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]03. TheGreek - not sure what I'm bringing yet...[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]04. Happy Jack - I'll be there with a love that will see you through[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]05. JapanAxe - probably everything in my signature. Orange Valve Tester - get your tubes tested for free![/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]06. Macdaddy.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]07. obbm[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]08. Billy Apple. Spectors, Marshall valves and EAD[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]09. Nancy Johnson; Thunderbirds/Whatever amps I'm running.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]10. TrevorR - Wal MK 1 Custom, Wal Pro IIE (well, I had to...!), Ariapro2 SB700, Markbass LM2 and Traveler 2x10 and 1x15[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]11. Bluejay - cameras, video equipment; no basses, unless someone asks to see a specific model. I will also be there as BGM's reporter[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]12. NickD - Maruszczyck Elwood L5A, TE Series 6 1x15 Combo, Zoom B3.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]13. Rumblefish - Rumblefish Bass,Fender Roadworn Jazz, Acoustic 370 amp,Acoustic 1x15 cab.Copy of Herbie Flowers single.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]14. Bottle - the usual: Ibanez bass, 1x12 Cab, 1x10 Combo, Pedals[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]15. alexclaber - Barefaced things and a RIM Custom 5 and maybe an old Warwick Streamer[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]16. Ordep - Fbass, Zon, amp, pedals etc[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]17. moooper-Warwicks,Sei Flamboyant 6,Genzler Amp,Eden maybe[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]18. chimike[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]19. Sibob - '71 Precision, Xotic XJ-1T 5, Maruszczyk Jake custom. If I'm gigging, my Markbass/Barefaced rig[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]20. timmo - Clover Avenger, PJB Bighead[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]21. louisthebass[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]22. Graham - G&L Tribute L2500, USA SB2, GK MB500, EBS Neo 2x12, can bring an EBS HD350 too if anyone's interested [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif](<--- YES PLEASE! - ChunkyMunky)[/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif].[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]23. sockdeluxe_mikey - Custom Shop Fender Jazz Bass, pedal board with goodies on it, Markbass/Barefaced[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]24.WalMan - PB1680 well it would be rude not to [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] Probably 2 x US L2500, Gen3 BigBaby2 &amp; Tonehammer 350 as they'll be going straight out in the evening[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]25. Cetera - Wal Mk1 Geddy Lee &amp; fretless, Spector NS2, Spector Euro, Hamer Impact, Yamaha BB3000, GK800RB, GenzBenz Neox212, Pedalboard[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]26. Grangur - I'll bring some Warwicks (see sig) and a One10 &amp; LM3[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]27. Stingray5 - Tune Basses: TWB-6 and SWV-4. SWR WorkingPro12 combo. BOSS GT-6B.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]28. Jabba_the_gut - Not sure yet.....but something home made[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]29. zero9 - Strata + 4 x PJB cabs + Acoustic Image amp[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]30. Barneyg42- Status s2 5-string headless + Markbass LM3 + Schroeder 212pl and possibly my old post office red series 1 Status 5.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]31. EssentialTension - Lakland Decade, Peerless Retromatic B2, Takamine B10 (probably for sale if not sold by then), Mesa Walkabout Scout.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]32. Churchie - Retrovibe Vantage, Ashdown ABM amp, Ashdown 210 &115, various pedals [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]33. ChunkyMunky - Musicman Bongo 5HH, Yamaha TRB5ii fretless, Genz Benz Shuttle 12.0 (maybe a Barefaced Big Baby I, if I can get it up there).[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]34. Andy - Wal JG Custom, Wal mk1, Sandberg Electra TT4 (incredible bass for the money!), Phil Jones Briefcase 150w or Markbass 2*10[/font][/color]

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1472225082' post='3119640'] The Freddie-Krueger effect.. Wow, I could go on! [/quote] The Diane Kruger effect?

Having done a couple of voice-over jobs for friends and family, I will admit that I've been tempted to record a demo reel and knock on the doors of a few casting agencies. (Then perhaps I can become the Classically Trained Actor from Monkey Dust.)

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1472169052' post='3119160'] [b]I don't really know what a rubbish venue is. [/b]There are gigs that aren't that great , bad logistics and unappreciative crowds. But that goes with job. [/quote] Then come to Camden, my friend...

I'm fairly sure that by that age it was The Who. Little has changed since.

Update: I done made a demo video with it: http://youtu.be/i835vhn4664

[quote name='Number6' timestamp='1472038064' post='3117875'] I use 66 Nickels for my delicate pinkies [/quote] I must admit I tend to use Nickels in preference to the SS ones if I can get them - they are a bit easier on fingers and frets alike, and a little less harsh-sounding when they're on fresh!

Well, only until they've worn out after I've bought the bass. Then they all receive a baptism of cheese graters (or "Roto 66s," as they're technically known)

How about a Vintage VS6? It's an SG copy (set neck), and nowadays they come with Wilkinson humbuckers which are very good for the money. Just popped a ruler against the nut on mine and it looks to be about 43mm.

I certainly went through a phase where they broke more often - never regularly, but I certainly went through quite a few (never an 'E,' but more than my fair share of the other three). Always with fingers, and for that matter almost always with the picking hand...though I do remember a 'G' giving up on me after I attempted to nail a whole-tone bend... I think the last occasion was at a jazz gig, when the 'D' just failed mid-song. Finishing that set with three strings was an interesting experience. Wasn't long after that I changed my right-hand technique and I haven't broken one since. That was in 2006, if memory serves, so here's to another decade of not needing a backup...!

Fortunately, Mrs Mooseblaster has dabbled in music a bit herself (she plays a bit of guitar and clarinet, and was taking drumming lessons when we first met) so the instruments have not been frowned upon. I'm more concerned that the soon-to-arrive Mini-Mooseblaster might take an interest in poking, prodding and scribbling on them. Perhaps the more expensive ones might need to take a sojourn in the cupboard!

[quote name='Trueno' timestamp='1471342963' post='3112250'] I do the "white-eared elephant" for a party piece. [/quote] I usually find this is met with a polite but firm "thank you sir, can you leave the shop now please?"

The melody from [i]In the hall of the mountain king [/i]by Grieg.

[quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1471347325' post='3112302'] Was in the shop when you were trying this out. Sounded pretty good to my ears! [/quote] Now there's a curious coincidence! (And very reassuring that I'm not the only one who was impressed with the sound of it!) You weren't the chap trying a bass out in the other corner when I came in, by any chance?

[quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1470819769' post='3108654'] The TF is a terrific bass. I had two, a fretted and fretless, and only sold them because I wanted to go back to 5s. [/quote] I must admit, I initially thought the fretted version seemed a little pointless - in a "surely it's just a glorified Am Sp P/J bass?" way - but having found how tonally versatile the fretless is, I have promptly eaten those poorly chosen words!

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1470579226' post='3106849'] Mrs Mooseblaster sounds like a good'un! I tried a similar thing with mine, fishing for a Series I Alembic. It didn't work. Bravo on the new bass! [/quote] Oh, if I were aiming for something with an Alembic-sized price tag, she might well have told me to keep saving! But I remain delighted that she encouraged me to go out and buy the thing. [quote name='merlin' timestamp='1470768577' post='3108328'] Oh my dream bass,still saving the pennys here, [/quote] Keep saving. It will be worth the wait!

[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1470234952' post='3104362'] Yes, the 'one more hit' sub category of GAS [/quote] Well, since that last post, I got my "one more hit!" Finally pulled the trigger on that Tony Franklin fretless ([url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/289582-nbd-fender-tony-franklin-fretless-precision/page__fromsearch__1"]NBD thread here[/url]) so I think...at least for now...I can change my vote to "GES." (Am I in denial? Probably, but I'm glad I've scratched the itch for now...)

Glad to hear that you did at least get some useful feedback and another booking out of it (it's always good to know that my slightly jaded view of the world can often be wrong)! As SP and SS rightly point out, those pauses can be a killer - but they only become a problem if there is silence between the songs. The suggestion of having multiple guitars on stage in different tunings is probably the best way of minimising those pauses (I usually have to switch between 4- and 8-string basses in Cherry White's set - having an A/B switch in your chain can be a lifesaver!), but also making sure somebody's on hand to talk to the crowd is the best way to stop them from switching off. Daft as it might feel, planning what to say during the retuning gaps could be the best way to keep them engaged.