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I've always been an originals player. I like writing songs, whether that be on my own or with a writing buddy. If I only played bass, then writing songs could be a bit more difficult. But I play a few instruments & try to understand the parts of the ones that I don't. I've considered playing covers many times just for the money, but a couple in an originals set has been about as much as I can play. Saying this, I don't do either anymore!

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1417643111' post='2622667'] No im not but lets have a think about this one. There are probably more bass players who would pick a valve amp over a solid state one at the same price point. Many people buy small practice amps and as seen in guitar land there is a big market for the old style small valve combo's Many little solid state amps and large ones too have a tube emulation feature which for the most part get it wrong. Little modelling combo's have features that try emulate other all tube amps. So why not just make a small valve combo at a price point?. I don't expect this to be the greatest thing ever or to out sell all other amps but fact is its a viable option. I honestly am surprised at my fellow bass players lack of support for this. [/quote] I had the choice of valve or ss combo. I went for the ss as its more versatile. If I wanted a valve sound, I could add something like a Sansamp, DHA or some other valve pre or amp modeller. I never did though. The moog bass Murf could give that subtle bit of grit (or loads of) whenever I wanted a more rock style. If it's for home use, have a look at some of the combos with amp modelling, or get any combo & add something like a zoom or line 6 multi unit. Or if you have an iPad, you could do what the likes of Pino is doing & use it for all your modelling & effects.

Lozz makes a good point about the settings. If you've got the VPF turned up, then that's gonna increase the bass & decrease the mids. If you're using a bass that already has a midscooped sound, then it's gonna get very lost & if the bass on the amp's eq is also turned up, will further restrict how far you can go before you get farty sounds.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1417605115' post='2622101'] lol, one man's guff is another man's classic, a fine singalong for a pissed up Saturday night crowd [/quote] That's true. And if it brings in money & you have fun playing it, then it's a win win.

That's a party? I thought it was a terrorist attack at a fireworks factory!

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1417537454' post='2621495'] I have the same trouble on 2 4 6 8 Motorway, I use the edge of my picking hand to choke off the note, never played this song but it sounds like you could mute the bottom E by just touching the E string when you fret the A string, I could have the wrong end of the stick though, like I said I've never played it [/quote] There's a simple solution for that one. Stop playing such guff!

Depending on which band, I did find the VLE useful for getting a good blues bass sound & using the VLE & VPF together got some good sounds in my electronica band. They're actually quite useful & don't just replicate turning the treble down (VLE) or turning the treble & bass up (VPF). I think they work on different frequency bands from the EQ section on the amp.

Lozz gigs one in a 9 peice band & from previous posts has said he has no trouble with volume. If you're not sure, guess what I have for sale.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1417530111' post='2621391'] But that is too much work for a fundemental skill, IMO... sometimes rehearsals themselves are at a premium so to spend this on a weak link seems a waste. I wouldn't be keen, I'd rather put the time in elsewhere ... Some players lag because they are flagging..so pacing the set might help but they might just not be fit enough for the job. I think any drummer that isn't match fit and lacks time..let along groove, isn't putting the time in. [/quote] It depends on how long he's been playing. If there's potential for him to become a good drummer & is already a good band member, then why not work with him. If he's been playing for yonks & isn't improving any, then I wouldn't stay.

It depends. If the band is for having fun down the local & you get on well with the drummer, help him. Why is he not good at timing? Get the band to practicee with a metronome to tighten up your sound. Work on just a couple of songs for an entire sesh until they're spot on.

That was an interesting read. Andy sounded like he didn't have a scoob about 1/2 of what you was on about (nor did I), but managed to fix your problem! The power of Basschat!

[quote name='Cherchez la Femme' timestamp='1417454500' post='2620495'] I did something similar by wedging a sock/glove (can't remember which!) under the strings by the bridge. It'll look bloody awful onstage, but it worked for me (recording at home, I might add...) [/quote] A more common thing that looks a good bit better is a sweatband around the neck at the nut.

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1417461218' post='2620598'] Wouldn't it need to be 16 ohm? Please correct me if I'm wrong! [/quote] Ok. 6 ohm + 16 ohm makes 4.36 ohm. The way I thiught about it was using the retro 210 being a 12 ohm cab & you can use 3 for a 4 ohm load, that would mean 2 make a 6 ohm load.

In theory you could add a Barefaced retro 210, as they're 12 ohm. But like is said, you've either not set things up right or your band needs PA. I've never struggled with the 2x10 version.

Have a listen to some of the original old blues folk like BB King, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Cream, Bobby Bland and also some of the more modern style stuff such as G Love & Special Sauce or The Black Crowes. I started out on blues. 12 bar is a good start, but it can get a good bit more complex if you wish.

That's the first time I've heard that song. I'm surprised Jamiroquai never covered it! Anyway, Youtube has a video of someone playing the bassline. Hopefully helps on any bits you're not sure on. Looks like he uses his RH middle finger for muting the low E rumble. http://youtu.be/GP_wZyNZeIY

2 options spring to mind. The easy option is like Steve said, get a booster or pre amp pedal. There's the Boss that he mentions, or you could go for something like a Sansamp or similar. The other option is a little harder & that's to fit an active pre to your bass. You'd remove the passive circuitry from your bass to do so, but it would mean you don't have to carry a pedal about to get more sounds from your bass.

Get a 5 string & be done with it.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1417336137' post='2619162'] Sorry I missed the joke first time. 🌚 [/quote] It's my sense of humour. Sometimes it's a bit too dry.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1417261147' post='2618617'] I know I'm being an insufferable smart arse, but I didn't, maybe it was mentioned in this thread, if it wasn't it should have been [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/247193-hits-with-cover-versions/page__st__30__p__2578219__hl__cover%20versions__fromsearch__1#entry2578219"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/247193-hits-with-cover-versions/page__hl__cover%20versions[/url] [/quote] I didn't know Rod's version was a cover until ET mentioned it. The posts were just my humour.

If you ca get them all to agree that covers are just for jamming on & not to play them down the local, then that's a start. Choose songs that you can make sound like what you want the band to sound like & don't play note or note versions.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1417251031' post='2618515'] Huh? Written 1967 by Mike D'Abo, demo version recorded but not released. Released 1967 by Chris Farlowe. Released 1969 by Rod Stewart. Is that not correct? [/quote] It probably is. But everyone knows it's Rod Stewart's song. Even the Stereophonics said it was a cover of Rod Stewart's!

I was going to ask what kind of band, but going on your last couple of posts I'll guess. it's a thrash metal band? 3 guitarists in a band are gonna either have you tearing your hair out because you can't hear yourself, or you'll love it because they know how to fit their sound into the band's sound & all work together. My word of advice. After the 2nd session, get rid of anyone who's not showing a keen interest (regardless of how nice a guy they are), it'll only hold your hand back from getting past jamming. & don't have more than 1 cover to jam at rehearsal until you get some songs written or they'll all start bringing "let's cover this" & before you know it, you're another rock covers band with a crap selection of songs (I've been down this road once before). Jam. Make your own grooves & have fun.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1417250341' post='2618506'] Two years before Rod Stewart was the Chris Farlowe version of Mike D'Abo's Handbags and Gladrags. [/quote] How did they manage to cover it before it was written?

Elbow's version of Byonce's Independent Woman.