ambient

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1452901561' post='2954702'] I understand the OP's need to de-bulk his gigging setup as much as possible to take on public transport. Unless I am also singing (in which case I need another box of bits and a mic stand), I can get all my kit from car to venue in one go. The one thing I have never been able to further downsize is my Hercules stand, which supports the bass from the headstock. I have a lightweight A-frame stand, but I just don't trust it to keep my bass from getting knocked over on stage. [/quote] You're correct with my wanting to downsize the stand for travelling. At home I use this, which is great - [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002BG2DQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002BG2DQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage[/url]

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1452901371' post='2954699'] I would stay away from practicing the fun stuff you already know.Practice in your area of weakness or where you know your challenged. [/quote] Exactly.

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1452900805' post='2954694'] Any recommendations for a decent, cheapish, stand for a jazz bass? I've had a couple of near misses recently, left the bass propped up against the side of the sofa, only to hear the thud of the headstock hitting the wall a couple of minutes later. [/quote] I use one of these - [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002BG2DQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002BG2DQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage[/url] They're very well made, and will suit and shape guitar or bass.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1452879075' post='2954420'] Completely missing the point of the thread! [/quote] Excuse me for being dim, but it seems to be what everyone else is talking about, I've obviously misunderstood.

I posted a similar thread a few weeks ago. The main things are if the shop is well known, and has a good internet presence, then there's more exposure for your instrument, so it should hopefully sell faster, and you don't have to worry about posting it etc. There's obviously the commission thing though, and make sure that they're not being too over optimistic with regard to price.

The band Yes. I was just making a pot of coffee and they were playing one of their songs on the radio. I have tried, On recommendation I've bought 2 or 3 of their albums. I don't get them though.

It's a one-off, not another one like it, well there's a relief. Built by someone with similar DIY skills to myself .

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1452505287' post='2950466'] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181985686347?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true&clk_rvr_id=964917996993&rmvSB=true"]http://www.ebay.co.u...6993&rmvSB=true[/url] Looks a good deal at £3500... The only reason I haven't bought this and sold my MK1 fretless, is that I have a fretless 6 on order and the MK1 will be easier to sell to pay for the new build when the time comes. [/quote] It's not as nice as your fretted.

I've 'discovered' a lot of new music over the last 3 or 4 years, and most of it has come from Amazon's recommendations. Steven Wilson and Porcupine tree being one.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1452815850' post='2953854'] IIRC, Number6 bought one and found it flimsy and not fit for purpose. I've had a Hercules Mini, but the bass is held at too shallow an angle and thus takes up too much stage room, which defeats the object of a small-footprint stand. I'd buy a bog-standard generic folding A-frame type stand. Not too much of a pain to carry but will hold your bass securely and is relatively compact. Can be got for less than a tenner. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_gs2001e.htm?sid=4cddfa951f45096fbe45103a0771e121"]http://www.thomann.d...e45103a0771e121[/url] Problem is, you can't beat physics. A small stand is likely to be less secure than a larger one. [/quote] Thanks

[quote name='Josh' timestamp='1452811302' post='2953820'] I've vowed to never buy anything from PMT Online after my experience with them, summarised in my Facebook post from almost 2 years ago in regards to a USA Fender jazz I bought on finance with a £570 deposit: "Well that USA Fender I bought back in April turned out to be a dud (through-body stringing furrels fell out upon changing the stock strings, dull tone, average playability) so I arranged to have it sent back and be refunded, it took about 2 weeks to have it collected which was dealt by another company; Dolphin Music. [/quote] I've had 2 Fender 5 string jazzes, both had the falling out ferules. [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1452814028' post='2953839'] Most of the large scale online retailers are simply not close enough to their stock to know what they've got, they have to go by what's on the screen and bar codes, which can be wrong for so many reasons. The amount of times I've bought and paid for 'in stock' gear online only to get an email saying something like "Good news, your amp will be with you in July" is simply ridiculous. The only online dealer who can be trusted are Thomann, who are also generally the cheapest, most efficient, and most polite if you have to deal with an issue. [/quote] Thomman are fantastic. Their customer service is brilliant. You also get a 3 year warranty, and they pay shipping both ways of you send something back for repair.

I was originally looking at the Hercules Mini.

Anyone use one ? They look great, and get some really good reviews. I'm looking for a lightweight collapsible stand for gigs. [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TYHM0DA?psc=1"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TYHM0DA?psc=1[/url]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1452806497' post='2953760'] Happy to! But not happy to pay return postage. [/quote] It's not as described they should pay. I'd feel inclined to contact trading standards or CAB.

It's not as described, send it back, simples. You get 2 weeks when you buy online anyway. As long as it's sent back as it came.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1452654112' post='2952112'] I say it is a matter of respect and one of the reasons your generation will never generate the amount of great musical artists as mine. Sorry guys, I had to "dog" the OP and I did. Blue [/quote] It's purely taste. I have every respect for what the Beatles, and the Stones did. I just don't like their music. I listen to a lot of jazz, and an awful lot of classical, and contemporary classical music. Do I respect Miles more than McCartney, or Cage more than Jagger ? No, I just prefer their music. Each is as important in advancing music in their particular genre as the other. I don't listen to rock and roll, I don't listen to funk, blues or rock music. I still however respect the originators of that style, or rather those that moved it along.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1452653193' post='2952108'] I couldn't name 1 Megadeath song. But I'm different, I'm evolved. While I don't know Megadeath,I know Lemmy started the band back in the mid 70s. Megadeath didn't mean all that much to me because it didn't matter. The reason it didn't matter was Lemmy had already sold me. The fuss is, Lemmy was the real deal, he wasn't pretentious and had this glorious perspective on rock and roll.He seemed to be a no BS kind of guy. C'Mon guys, get with it. Learn something about and respect history. Blue [/quote] I've never heard of megadeath. It's a taste thing, and nothing to do with respect or anything else. I know for a fact, that probably 90% of what I like, most on here won't have heard of, and wouldn't like if they heard it. I've listened to the Beatles, my parents are of that generation. They're not a band that I personally like, I do like the very occasional track, but not the band. It's the same with the Stones, though I don't actually like anything that I've heard by them. Bands from that era, the only one that I like is Pink Floyd. This is a thread about bands and artists that people have never caught on to.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1452638067' post='2952012'] The Beatles and Elvis Presley. I only really know the tunes that I've had to play. Maybe 20 or so. No idea what albums are which etc. [/quote] I'm with you on this. Some Beatles songs are OK, most not. Elvis, never seen what the fuss was about, I maybe like the one about the cake.

Rock or heavy rock. I couldn't work out what all the fuss was with Lemmy. I thought he'd died years ago, and can only name one song, the ace of spades.

People keep mentioning top quality equipment. Off the top of my head, 4 of my tutors at uni were most definitely pro, they played Fenders, musicman, cort and aria basses. It's how you play what you play.

Versatility. You need to have an approach where you can do whatever you're asked. So if you're asked to sight read a part you can, if you're asked to play off a chord chart you can etc, etc. Most players have a portfolio of skills, so teaching, playing, writing etc.

It doesn't go very high, I know that. I find Talkbass to be an excellent repository of info on things like this. I'm pretty certain there will be a Tone Hammer thread with several hundred pages.

What I did before I bought my Korg, was to make a list of ones that were in my price range. Then just use Google for reviews. I particularly like the ones in Sound on sound, they also usually give you other options too.

Write a list of what you want to do, then make a timetable, apportioning time for each thing that you want to do, but be realistic when doing it. 15, or 20 minutes each day will soon add up.