Norris

Dammit if I didn't just have to go and look at a spare set to find out! ... Ernie Ball Regular Slinky's. I just look for the yellow day-glo packet! I tried a lot of different strings when I first started playing a lot. I have used EB's for about 20 years because: - They hold their tone for ages - They are available in most music shops - They don't break (often) - They don't corrode (if you remember to wipe the beer & sweat off after playing) - They don't break the bank Not the cheapest strings, but definately value for money considering the length of time they keep their tone. Of course, now I have a fretless I need to find some decent (& affordable) flatwounds...

"Finger Memory, How long does it take you to get something down?" - I find it takes slightly longer with each passing year I can identify with phil_the_bassist. Often I'll be playing a number and accidentally engage the brain, at which point I'm f***ed. Practising over & over puts the lick into your subconscious, and the intrusion of conscious thought can be it's undoing. Anybody else ever been engrossed in a track, then suddenly thought "Where the hell am I? What am I doing? Sh*t! What comes next?!"

I'm torn. I think the GT-10B might be a bit overkill for what I need (and also a bit on the costly side). I'm keen to try to Korg and the GT-6B. I'm still not sure on the Zoom - it's the footswitches themselves, they seem too small and close together. Now I just need to find somewhere in the Midlands that has any of the pedals in stock so I can try before I buy. I'd be interested to hear from anybody that has managed to compare 2 or more of these pedals, from both a sound quality and usability perspective bearing in mind I'm going to be using it live

[quote name='cheddatom' post='227773' date='Jun 27 2008, 08:45 AM']What about a Zoom b9.1ut? I don't know if they're out yet though.[/quote] [url="http://www.imuso.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?StockCode=EG02373"]iMuso[/url] are listing them. they don't show stock levels though

Thanks for the suggestions so far. That Korg pedal looks rather good & is half the price of the GT-10B and nearly half the Zoom pedal price. (£124 from [url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Korg---AX300B~ID~4563.asp"]Sounds Live[/url]) Any comments on the sound quality/ease of use? Is it easy to set up without using PC software? (Not that that's really a problem) The Zoom looks like it could be prone to mis-stomping in the heat of a gig - the switches look rather close together. I struggle enough with the borrowed GT-5 to hit the right one at the right moment! (BTW, does the Zoom sound twice as good being nearly twice the price of the Korg?! ) I have had a short play around with a Pod XT Live, but think life is too short to master setting it up! I couldn't get a decent octaver sound and was reluctant to download software to do so, especially as it said I should have latest firmware. I don't want to break a borrowed pedal trying to upgrade firmware! Anybody tried the GT-10B yet? How does that compare to the Korg & Zoom? Much better than the GT-6B? Would I be paying through the nose for the 'Boss' badge? As you may tell, I'm relatively new to using effects, having survived reasonably well for 20 or so years without them. Upwards & onwards though. All comments are [b]very[/b] much valued. Keep 'em coming...

Guy Pratt's twiddly ending phrase to Learning To Fly off the Pink Floyd Pulse album. I took me days to get my fingers round it and to get it to stay in my head!

I have a Boss ME-50B, but it can't do what I want it to. I need a compressor, chorus, delay & octaver at least. However, I need it to be able to switch between effects seamlessly. The ME-50B can't do this, as it has a moment of silence as it switches between patches. I'm not keen on the lack of display, as it's difficult to know exactly which patch I'm on without being able to name my patches. Also, it's difficult to record the settings for my patches as I can't tell the exact parameters, there is no midi backup, and no foot operated bank switches. (Anybody want to buy it off me now that I've painted such a rosy picture of it?!) I'm playing the Pink Floyd track Happiest Days of Our Lives (the bit leading into Another Brick in the Wall Pt 2), and need to switch between a multi-repeat echo, single-repeat echo and flat sound (cancelling any echoing repeats) as I'm playing. I've played around with a Boss GT5 which can seamlessly switch between echo patches, but it's a bit lacking when using the octaver as being a guitar pedal it has trouble locking onto low frequencies. I'm considering the GT-6B & GT-10B, but have you got any other recommendations of pedals I should try? Ease of use and reliability are more important than cost, although that is obviously a consideration. I also need at least 3 patches per bank, preferably more. I will be DI'ed into the desk, so a connection from the pedal would be good. I don't really need any amp/cab emulation. Thanks in advance...

[quote name='bubinga5' post='212384' date='Jun 4 2008, 11:36 AM']This is the most comfortable strap if had.. Brooklyn Gear[/quote] Mine is VERY similar to that one & I agree - the most comfortable strap I've ever had (Mine is slightly narrower at the ends & has no branding/logo)

Someone has given me a kit, still in original box with instructions and everything. The "CD-J SUPER-MIX" kit contains circuit board, active/passive switch, socket and internal gubbins to convert a Fender Jazz to active. It was made by Ampro Electronics from Wallington, Surrey - circa 1987. I am NOT going to fit this to my bass - especially as it involves routing out a cavity for the battery, but wondered if anyone has ever heard of this kit, whether it is recommended and if it is worth anything. Obviously, these days you would probably just buy an active bass in the first place. I'm not a fan of active guitars myself, having had batteries run out on me way too many times in the past (hence my old Aria is 'retired'!).

I've been a member for a few weeks, but not got around to saying hi before now. I've been playing semi-pro since 1985, playing in several bands around the Leicester area: - The Billy Walsh Show Band (1985) - like every other Leicester muso! - The Chase (1985-present) - popular pub covers trio - GMT (1995-1998?) - pub covers 4-piece - various others Currently playing my Fender Jazz, US standard, bought new in 2000. Current amp is a Peavey Databass - lacks a little true depth, but very pokey amp for it's size + fits in car boot easily Recently bought an ME50B pedal, but have been using a GT5. I'm on the lookout for a cheap fretless, along the lines of a Squier/MIM precision. Also looking for amp change as I need something a little better for DI into desk - considering Ampeg BA300/210, but was disappointed with the sound of the BA220 (100W version) I tried out today. Hope the 220W/300W ones sound a bit better. OK, time to browse the basses for sale... Norris