ambient
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[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1439801299' post='2845772'] In my (unfortunately extensive) experience of this issue, I've yet to come across a magic bullet - your problem is far more likely to be a bunch of inter-related issues, not something that can be fixed by a visit to a physio or osteopath. That's definitely a good place to start of course, but I finally got things under control by obsessing about lighter basses and rigs, changing the way I play, visits to the osteopath, and (above all) doing Pilates for the last four years. The majority of my problems were related to my posture and to how I stand and hold myself (don't start with the ooo-er missus). If you want a brief taster, follow the link in my sig to my YouTube channel and watch the presentation I did to two Bassbashes last year. Good luck. [/quote] Posture is where I'm coming from with my Alexander technique recommendation, and playing in front of a mirror/teacher suggestion. A lot of people don't realise how important it is, not just with being a musician, but good physical health to have good posture. We go out buying lightweight basses, and comfort straps without addressing the real problem, which is we are playing all cramped up, standing at an uncomfortable angle, with our bass either up by our chin, or down by our ankles. Often we don't realise that we are putting stress on a particular joint or limb, until it's pointed out to us.
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I've been told by various people, that clubs especially have budgets for entertainment. So if a band I'm playing for is approached by a club, for instance there's a tennis club in leamington spa that has asked one of my bands to play for them, and it's for free, or in the case of the tennis club, you get a meal, then I ask myself what's happened to the budget ? A meal that they're selling for £4 costs them pence, I'm not playing (plus travelling to and from leamington spa, and giving up an evening of my time) for a meal that costs pence.
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[quote name='bigd1' timestamp='1439800899' post='2845770'] We are doing a job, we are employed by the venue to provide music for a set time. Would you accept not being paid from any other employment, or even some money and free whatever? I find this quite insulting as a musician, I know it happens. People seem to be under the impression it doesn't cost any thing do what we do. I agree with what most have said NYE is the biggest earner of the year for the venue, if they want inexpensive entertainment wish them luck with the search. It's not unreasonable to expect pay for a nights work. [/quote] Agree with everything you've said.
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Try here [url="http://www.stat.org.uk"]http://www.stat.org.uk[/url] rather than osteopaths. Practice sitting without a strap. Get a teacher for a lesson or 2, it may be technique related. Practice in front of a mirror, and look for obvious signs of stress with your posture.
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[quote name='dadofsix' timestamp='1439778174' post='2845687'] Nothing wrong with doing shows for charity if the show is done right and the charity is a legitimate one. <><Peace [/quote] That's the problem though, in my experience a lot aren't done right, and just seem to be a way for the venue to make money from beer sales etc, and provide some free entertainment for it's members. They'll maybe pass a bucket around with donations going to a charity, that to me at least is not a charity event.
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In like new condition. The only bass distortion pedal that I actually like ! It enables you to get and save up to three distortion sounds that you can call up, and then tweak further if you want. You can also add an expression pedal, enabling you to morph from one distortion to another. Unfortunately I need the cash to put towards my university fees, so I'm going to have to make do with the distortion sounds in my other effects, but this is one that I will come back to in the future. I'd like [size=5][b]£90[/b][/size], that includes next day postage. <p> [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=1]The Soundblox Multiwave Bass Distortion Pro inherits the power and clarity of the original Soundblox Multiwave Distortion and adapts it to the unique frequency range of the bass guitar. Bassists can effectively combine complex chords and intervals with distorted tones — multi band processing eliminates the mush and allows each note to ring clear and true. The pedal also features single band processing for more traditional distortion sounds. It’s the perfect pedal for both the studio and stage.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=1]Users have access to 23 modern and distinctive distortions and an additional clean boost/EQ mode. Distortion curve types range from “normal” overdrive for traditional sounds to “foldback” and “octave” for more aggressive synth-like tones. Each distortion type is further customizable via the 7-band equalizer, drive control, and separate mix knobs for clean and distorted signals. This advanced sound control alleviates the tendency for low-end reduction associated with most bass effects.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=1]Six user presets, accessible via three footswitches, assist in the speedy recall of any custom tailored sound, and a traditional expression pedal input facilitates the seamless morphing from one user preset to another. A MIDI input allows external access to presets and parameters, and, as with all Soundblox products, it is compatible with the Hot Hand ring controller.[/size][/font][/color][indent] [size=1]I have tweaked around with the Multiwave for a while. It's a pretty amazing unit! I'm pleased to see such an innovative approach to distortion unleashed on the public—very cool.”[/size] [size=1]—Billy Sheehan, bassist for [i]Mr. Big[/i][/size][/indent] [b] MULTIWAVE BASS DISTORTION INTERFACE[/b] [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=1]Roll your mouse over hot spots (+) on the panel controls and ports to learn about each one.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=2][/size][/font][/color] [b] I/O PORTS[/b] [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=1]Roll your mouse over hot spots (+) on the ports to learn about each one.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=2][/size][/font][/color] [b] SOUNDBLOX PRO MULTIWAVE BASS DISTORTION FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS[/b][list] [*]Diverse Sound Palette — Featuring 23 varieties of our unique distortion algorithms with an added CLEAN BOOST + EQ mode. [*]Multiband Processing — Signal is split into multiple bands and distorted individually for unprecedented sound clarity. [*]State-of-the-art DSP — Our proprietary 56-bit Digital Signal Processor, the SA601, and crystal clear 24-bit converters. [*]6 User Presets — Easy to configure user presets in two banks selectable via 3 footswitches for quick access of your favorite sounds. [*]7-Band Equalizer — Ultra-precise 7-band equalizer for in-depth tone control saved per preset. [*]Extended Control — An expression input allows morphing of sounds between preset banks. A MIDI input allows external access to presets and parameters. [*]Motion Control — All Soundblox and Soundblox Pro pedals are ‘Hot Hand Ready’ and can be used with any Hot Hand motion sensor to extend the capabilities of the unit. [*]Active Analog Bypass — Bypass is fully routed around the DSP and active input ensures zero signal degradation. [*]9V DC power supply included. [*]Dimensions: 7 in./17.8cm (length not including I/O jacks) x 6 in./15.25cm (width) x 2 in./5cm (height, including knobs). [/list] -
[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1439760842' post='2845613'] I agree with the majority on this one. NYE is a time to be with family and friends, and to let your hair down. If you're out working then your pay for the night should adequately compensate your inability to do this. Free beer is a con - I can personally name 2 gigging musicians who don't drive, and for whom this might be an attraction. Fortunately they know the value of a pound in your pocket, and don't gig for nowt. Same reason I don't do charity gigs - everyone else gets paid for their time and effort, musicians are no different; we still have to eat/pay mortgages/maintain gear/pay for school shoes etc...the sooner venues realise this, the better the world will be. [/quote] I don't agree with charity gigs either. In my experience they're usually a bit of a con, with the landlord/venue using it as a way to entertain his clientele for free. A band I play for has been offered one in December by a Masonic lodge. [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1439767013' post='2845661'] No you don't. NYE is free soft drinks and a meal and £1k minimum. Come on guys, please don't lower yourselves out of desperation for a gig. Sure play a Saturday night or charity gig for whatever you want but nowadays most pubs/clubs NYE is 'tickets in advance' gigs. [/quote] Totally agree with you, unfortunately there are too many bands out there who fall for the "exposure thing".
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Bump for the addition of some photos.
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It's frankly ridiculous doing a gig for low fees, and getting something else in payment. It only encourages landlords and venues to cut fees back. A band I play for keeps emailing me about gigs where they have been offered no money, but meals and the passing of a hat around. I tell them no, if I'm playing somewhere then I want money. I don't drink either
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Best way to relic nickel bass machine heads??
ambient replied to bassgurumonster's topic in Repairs and Technical
Wee. -
Last price drop. 😊
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B.U.M.P. -
Best thing is to break the line down to one section/bar/riff/part-riff at a time. Even if it's just a couple of beats/half a bar at a time, get that bit right, then move onto the next bit, etc. Maybe get a teacher, and work on songs that you want to do with him/her. A good teacher should be able to see where you're going wrong, and help to correct that.
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That's the good thing about some of the bass specific distortion pedals, you can blend the effected sound and clean sound, keeping the lows.
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[quote name='tobiewharton' timestamp='1439553391' post='2843824'] [size=2]Here's Andrew Gouche with his fretwrap behind first fret. Six string bass, no floating thumb and it's just intended to clean things up. I find mine useful.[/size] [size=2] [/size] [size=2]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J5d5knOKjs[/size] [size=2] [/size] [size=2]Tobie[/size] [/quote] Nice, thanks for posting that. 😁
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Second Hand Bass with considerable damage on arrival - what you would do?
ambient replied to Naetharu's topic in Bass Guitars
Some people's idea of what's acceptable to not be mentioned, and someone else's can be entirely different. My Modulus for example is 16 years old, but looks like it was maybe built last year. Someone else can own an instrument from new, and after 6 months, and it can a right mess, but to them it's acceptable, and 'the norm'. I like it when you see sale adverts here they describe the item as 'mint, except for......', and they go on to list various dents and bumps. -
[attachment=198456:11207274_10153033434075418_4009209930343941999_n.jpg]
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Bump. Partial trades welcome, let me know what you've got.
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Bumparooooo !
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Bumparoo !
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I'm selling a Diago power supply, and 12 daisy chain things. There's an advert in the sales section.
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Bumparoony
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[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1439391605' post='2842422'] The Gruvgear Fretwrap is to stop open strings ringing too much and it damps overtones, etc. I had one for a while but find it pretty useless as a mute because it only works on open strings. Once you've fretted a note it's out of the picture, obviously. You might suppose it would be useful for ERBs (as said above) as string muting is more difficult with these basses, but I'd say that development of the floating thumb method would be far preferable as it's effective on [i]all [/i]notes, fretted and otherwise. Pretty much a chocolate teapot as far as four-string basses are concerned. You could always use the tried and tested 'stick a bit of foam under the strings at the bridge', but you're committed to having the strings muted all the time unless you want to faff about in and out with the foam while you're playing. I'd say floating thumb if you're serious about your string damping and muting. But I prefer palm muting myself. Gruvgear also do a thing like a rubber flap which goes over the strings at the bridge [i]à la[/i] foam rubber, but I've not heard anything good about it. As always, your mileage may vary. [/quote]. As you've said, I tried one briefly but found it a bit of a waste of time. I had to play a Stuart Hamm tapping piece for an exam at uni, that was the only time I found it useful. I use muting quite a lot, but find it betterer to use my left hand or right hand palm or forearm.
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[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1439376259' post='2842218'] With the exception of a drum solo, I'm not sure what instrument would ever play completely solo within a band context. You always need a rhythm and bass line to accompany a solo. As I wrote before when the bass solos you need something to fill the rhythm and bass function that you lose when the bass isn't fulfilling that role. It can be done to very good effect but it's hard and you don't often hear it. Possibly because the other instrumentalists don't understand what function the bass actually does. Just roots isn't it? [/quote] But to my mind, the function that most members on here assign to the bass, is just one. The bass can exist and can solo beautifully outside of a rhythm section, just listen to anything my Michael Manring. Too many people listen to music with their eyes, rather than their ears. They see an instrument and have a preconceived idea regarding what it's function or sound is going to be, or should be.
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[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1438856137' post='2837993'] I agree. I'm really hoping you have misunderstood what some posters have written. I really can't believe anyone actually does believe bass should only be a supporting instrument. Particularly any decent bass player who regards themself as a musician. Scary. [/quote] I have to agree with you. I can't believe how some people can be so blinkered and narrow minded with regard to music. Music is, well music, what does it matter what instrument produces it ?
