Norris

Yeah, sorry. I know it's short notice, but if you're around North Leicestershire at a loss for somewhere to go tonight (and are not going to see Dick Venom ) come and say hi

What strings to use?

Who are these beetles of which you speak?

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1367223453' post='2062624'] Or the Beeb stops reporting on daft subjects? [/quote] One person's daft subject is another's essential news... And while we're talking about the BBC & license fees: I can't stand reality shows, 'talent' shows, period drama and soaps. Unfortunately it doesn't stop them being popular with the ovisites, meaning my telly is full of cr*p most of the time. But hey, big shrug, there's still BBC4, the Internet, my album collection, and Real Life[sup]TM[/sup]

[quote name='DaveFry' timestamp='1366967077' post='2059496'] [/quote] No wonder he was such a virtuoso - he has 3 hands!

My copy of [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0967601509/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]The Evolving Bassist[/url] should arrive today - the DVD will take an extra day or two (cheaper bought separately!). Can you give me any of your other 'essential' recommendations? Not only for exercises & technique, but also for compilations of slightly easier classical or jazz music to play. I realise the Evolving Bassist book has some recommendations, but I am interested in what other books you have found useful. I haven't invested in a bow yet, so everything is pizzicato - but it's only a matter of time before I get one. And what the hey - why link in some useful YouTube channels/links too? This thread could become a useful resource for n00bs

The only customisation I've ever done is adding Schallers to every bass. Even my cheapo Indonesian Squier has its stock pup - which sounds great imho

I've borrowed my guitarist's before. It can be a little too greasy if you put too much on, but play it in a bit and it just cuts down the friction & is a bit more gentle on the fingertips. TBH, I usually just wipe my fingers on my forehead. I've not got particularly greasy skin, but it just helps to cut the friction a bit. Edit: That's on roundwounds. I'm sure you won't have a problem with flats

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/GHS-Fast-Fret-Strings-cleaner/dp/B0013HJJMO"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/GHS-Fast-Fret-Strings-cleaner/dp/B0013HJJMO[/url] ?

Get a second hand Peavey Databass - if you can find one!

One thing doesn't seem to have been mentioned is that the strings on a 5/6 are usually physically closer together than a 4, and the neck is likely to be wider to accomodate them all. If you're a beginner this could be a factor. If you're moving from a guitar it probably won't be an issue having the closer strings, although the wider neck could be. If you're just starting out in music you might get on better with a 4 stringer at first. It also depends on the style you like to play. A 5/6 will need probably playing more precisely, whereas a 4 stringer can be thrown around a bit more. It's easier to give the bottom E a damn good thwang for the last power chord if there's not another string sitting below it waiting to be hit by accident Edit: BTW, all my basses are 4 strings - not felt the need for more (yet!)

I've never had any issues with deliveries or the goods arriving in good condition. However do make sure you order the right stuff - the website is not always clear, and even the 'frequently bought together' items do not always work together. (e.g. If you're buying a DMX lighting controller, email them first and get them to confirm that it's works with your lights ) Update - Ha! Didn't notice the zombie thread!

[quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1366244331' post='2050170'] On paper, this is where it's at, although I often find that places putting on originals bands don't have any punters. They are working under the misapprehension that bands will bring 'their crowd' whom they can actually sell some beer to. Of course originals bands are out to spread the word to waiting punters, who aren't there, because the pub round the corner puts on a covers duo on Thursday and has Karaoke on Friday. Much more fun (so I hear!). Again, many pubs have a set crowd. Unless you do gain a few followers who will turn up to wherever you play, you will be playing to that stock crowd time and time again, and each place has its own vibe. Some places keep booking you, and the same faces just drink and chat and peer over at you between songs, and some places go wild from the word go. I don't get it sometimes. Song choices are important, but just as much so is performance, particularly a good front person. No matter how much us musos try to deny it, punters [i]can[/i] tell the difference between a good band and a bad one when they hear one, to some degree or another, but without fail, a band of average players who are a bit boring to watch will always be considered second to a band of average players who appear to be having a whale of a time, and know how to involve the audience in the fun. So to get on point, I suppose that 'what the punters want' is to be entertained. Play as entertainers, and it won't matter much if you're playing Summer Of '69 again, or Tales of Topographic Oceans. Just make it as fun as you can. Landlords? Just turn up on time and don't get too pissed seem to be the only two solid rules. The rest is down to their personal taste, although more often than not, having a sensible approach to volume knobs will pay dividends. [/quote] ^ Wise words ^

Lighting engineer & rehearsal nagger (i.e actually do some) Edit: Oh, and band's facebook page

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1366185437' post='2049240'] Good point. I think this is a major factor in why some people think that the very top-end pickups sound "better" than the "just good" ones. Maybe they are trying to justify their decision to spend more money than they needed to? [/quote] Squier/Fender anyone?

[quote name='Looper' timestamp='1360140167' post='1965299'] My first bass, a Franconia jazz copy. Being my first I had no idea how bad it was until someone gave me a Hohner p-copy which played like a real bass. Still, I wouldn't mind getting it back now, just for sentimental reasons, we had some good times together. [/quote] My Franconia Jazz was actually quite a reasonable bass, certainly streets ahead of the Kay SG plank that preceeded it.

My first ever bass was a Kay SG copy in translucent red plywood. The action could be measured in inches and every bit of chrome was pitted and flaking. I can't remember what it sounded like as it was so long ago. And ... (riot gear on) ... I really disliked the feel of an early Musicman that a friend bought and have I never touched one since.

I had one many years ago - it eventually fell to bits (can't remember if it was Neutrik or another brand). Now I just use the volume pedal on my GT-6B between sets I get no pops at all - just the occasional silence when I forget to 'floor' the pedal again after the break!

Then to complicate things, your equipment won't draw it's full rated power all of the time unless you are driving it flat out. A lot of equipment will draw a lot of power when you switch it on, then settle down to a fraction of its maximum power. However as I said, if you draw too much power you will blow a fuse (assuming the correct one is fitted). I'd still look to either overheating within the amplifier (a gig will be more hot & humid than a rehearsal - assuming the audience has turned up ), or voltage drops due to long extension cables and/or spur sockets. The thing is it doesn't seem to be affecting any of your other equipment. I don't think you've mentioned what type of amplifier your guitarist has - is it valve (which might be affected more by under-voltage situations)? If you have a multi-meter you could (CAREFULLY!) check the mains voltage at the problematic venues - try without any equipment plugged in and again with everything plugged in & powered up, and compare.

A thinner flex would be prone to overheat if you try to draw too much current through it - which is why there are different fuse ratings available to protect from risk of fire and/or electrocution. The current you draw depends on the power, but as BigRedX says the equipment power rating (i.e. my "2kW PA") will not be of any help as it also depends on the voltage. Power = Voltage x Current ...... P = V x I If you can remember your maths you can re-arrange this to show the current: I = P / V V = 240 volts in the UK, so divide the actual power rating (in Watts, as printed on the back of your equipment, probably next to the power cable/socket) by 240 to calculate the current draw (in Amps). Or to put it another way, you'll draw 1A for every 240W of mains power. e.g. a 1000W incandescent lamp would draw 1000/240 = approx 4 amps I doubt whether drawing too much power would cause issues with your guitarist's amp - the highest rating fuse that fits in a UK plug is 13A and if you draw too much current the fuse would just blow. In my pub covers band we run the PA, guitar amp, bass amp, monitors, (LED) lights and footpedals off a single socket with no problems. This makes it easy to ensure we are all through a circuit breaker and have no earth loops. I'd look more to overheating as the cause of the cutouts & maybe point a fan at the back of the amp on your next gig as an experiment. As the guitarist's two amps are identical, they probably both suffer the same design flaw

I proudly wave my Squier logo in the faces of the gear police. I have a Fender US Jazz and a Gibson Thunderbird sitting at home gathering dust...

I'm not much of a singer, but one of my numbers is Come Up And See Me (Make Me Smile) - it just takes practise & having nailed the bass part so you can concentrate on the vocals.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1363958003' post='2020119'] If I'd kept the Squier long term I'd certainly have upgraded the pickups.[/quote] I've heard/seen a few people say that, but my stock pups sound darned good to me and the audience, including lots of musos. The P has a lovely tone, the J not so much so but doesn't get used most of time anyway. I originally bought the bass as a donor for a self-build project, but haven't got the heart to start hacking it about having played quite it a bit and got so much pleasure from it

Glue them all together into a 4-necked monster!

Main bass: Squier P-bass special (Indonesian), cost £150 second hand - I prefer playing it to my Fender US Jazz and Gibson Thunderbird that stay at home, and will proudly extoll its virtues to anybody who notices the name on the headstock. In fact I prefer my Mexican fretless Jazz to the US one EUB: Rocket (Stagg) EDB 3/4 - plenty good enough for my novice use Amplifier: Peavey Databass, cost about £300 second hand back in the 90's. I've GASsed for an Ampeg rig in the past but realise that my little combo does/sounds everything I need it to - especially fitting neatly into the boot of the car Home studio mixer: Behringer Xenix X1622USB. To be honest I've not used it nearly as much as I would like/should, but it sounds good to me, and certainly no issues with reliability There is some cracking budget & second hand gear out there. To hell with badge snobs I say!