FinnDave

If you set the strings too low, the magnetic field of the pickup(s) can have a damping effect on them.

My idea of a 'high end bass' is a Fender US standard. My Precision was unmarked when I acquired it (in exchange for a Jazz in the same condition) but 40 or 50 gigs later and it has a couple of dings on it. I was not too happy the first time it was knocked into the drumkit, but now now I just worry less about it.

Just back from our first time out this year. Odd stage that resulted in me & the drummer at the back with the rest in front of us, making it difficult to hear what was going on. I am on some strong antibiotics that left me feeling rather out of it and actually wasn't sure which song we were playing at times! Added to that was uncertainly about whether Jenny would be there or not as her mother died yesterday, but she was there and dedicated the set to her mum. Bit tearful at times but she sang her heart out. Rebooked so must have sounded OK out front! *Morning after additions, to tie in with several other current threads: I used my little Ashdown 180 112 combo and left the ABM500/Barefaced at home, more appropriate in a small venue. I took a spare bass but didn't need it. Our singer needed her security blanket so the music stand was back.We played two one hour sets.

Mine's the same, also on Firefox. Just check/uncheck all. I assumed it is because I am there as a musician and not as a band.

I.m definitely going to be using the phrase 'the pub band vertical' as much as possible at tonight's gig. I'll probably get thrown out for being drunk and disorderly!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1421345822' post='2660236'] It doesn't matter really does it? Fender have been releasing awful new models every year for as long as I can remember, no one takes any notice providing they keep making 3tsb Jazz basses and Oly white P basses they will shift more units than everyone else and at the same time probably get into more debt [/quote] Agree 100% (he says, with a sunburst Jazz and a white Precision within arm's length!)

Another favourite of mine is the opening to Aki Kaurismaki's [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkgujWgU1xI"]Rikos ja Rangaistus[/url] (crime and punishment). I met the singer when he played near my home in Finland a few years ago and he speaks no English at all! [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkgujWgU1xI"]https://www.youtube....h?v=qkgujWgU1xI[/url] The song is great but the opening of the film could be disturbing for vegetarians.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1421332947' post='2659997'] I find it helps these days to do the mushrooms [i]after [/i]the rehearsal. [/quote]

There's a branch of Lakeland in Witney, I must ask where the bass section is next time I get dragged in there.

[quote name='phil.c60' timestamp='1421331581' post='2659956'] Classic at last night's rehearsal: guitarist trying to work out why he can't get his amp to light up. I was just about to say "But aren't you still holding...." when he realised he was pressing buttons and flicking switches with one hand while in the other hand was the mains plug for his amp. Inserted plug in wall socket and all was well. [/quote] I did something similar at rehearsal a couple of days ago. Plugged into an extension lead, carefully checked it was attached to a mains outlet and switched on, then rechecked several times as the amp was not working. Finally realized that I had not switched the amp on.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1421322462' post='2659781'] I saw that when it was originally broadcast and haven't laughed as much since. That's what the British find really funny - animal incontinence on live TV. [/quote] I remember it from the original as well. And I agree, you just don't get this sort of quality on TV anymore. However, I am concerned about the dog/speaker incident as my band has a Jack Russell 'band dog' (belongs to the harp player) who on one memorable occasion stood in front of the band at an outdoor gig and barked and yelped along to our version of 'My Dog'. There's a video somewhere, I think. The little bugger would be an ex-dog if it pissed in my Barefaced cab though.

Is it too blindingly obvious to mention Ry Cooder's work on Paris Texas?

[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_Cj2TtFd_E"]Could have been worse[/url]

I've always liked the soundtrack to 'Continental Circus' but I have never seen the film.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1421271242' post='2659306'] ... or a very small pencil. [/quote] I believe that can be treated these days, though probably not on the NHS. Meanwhile, back on topic....I was under the impression that an excessively high action would make it impossible to set the intonation correctly, being able to slide a (perfectly healthy) pencil between fingerboard and strings sounds excessive to me.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1421254073' post='2659008'] 2. I can't ever recall playing a guitar or bass in a shop that was set up in such a way that it was impossible to form any kind of opinion on how good it would be if set up to my preferences. [/quote] I can, I have experienced basses in several shops that took so much effort to play it was impossible to tell what their full potential would be.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1421250217' post='2658941'] I try to use my ears to control my knobs. [/quote] I find I get fewer odd looks from the audience if I just use my fingers.

It wouldn't take a shop long to set up each bass coming to factory spec, Fender issue a booklet with their basses detailing basic set-up, it might not be perfect for everyone but at least it ensures that the instruments are playable. I would never buy a bass that was too badly set up to be able to tell if it was any good or not.

[quote name='2stringsmcginty' timestamp='1421243973' post='2658852'] While wearing a 'born in the USA' T-shirt? [/quote] No, that[i] would[/i] be discerning. I prefer to display my designer shirts from the House of Wychwood (brewers of fine ales).

[quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1421237040' post='2658700'] So a person who buys a Fender can't be discerning? [/quote] I play (and therefore have bought) Fender only (plus a Squier which is at least half Fender) and I am not in the least discerning. I also ride a Harley Davidson, case proven.

[quote name='Moos3h' timestamp='1421235132' post='2658678'] Careful, they scare easily. But they'll be back and in bigger numbers... [/quote] I'll be OK, I will carry my sacred Fender truss rod key to ward them off.

I have a Jazz bass but have never noticed whether the knobs have markings on them or not. I don't think I can bothered to take it out its case just to check.

I have heard tales of these non-Fender basses but never really believed them to be true. Perhaps one day I will cross the county and visit South Oxfordshire so I can see such legendary beasts with my own eyes.

Just get knurled knobs like on a Precision, nothing to keep you awake at night then.

[quote name='Phil Adams' timestamp='1421228501' post='2658560'] Ann Murray made a mint from her song SnowBird. (Sorry, scraping barrel) [/quote] Many bands make the mistake of upping the tempo when they cover this song. They should remember her personal motto: 'Never Hurry.....'