martthebass

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1381576210' post='2240802'] This. As evidenced by the Rick comments and the fact that they're one of the few instruments I consistently get on with. [/quote] Regarding Ricks, hate the neck on mine (it's a real fight compared to a P or Jazz standard), the shape may be pretty but is hard work. However......that tone makes it worth it. Talk about love/hate.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1381440930' post='2239311'] To be honest I think it's the reverse - I keep meeting people who really, really, don't like how they sound. I've never known a single brand to polarise people so much. You get brands that people aren't keen on all the time but it's rare for people to have such a strong dislike of a brand's core sound. You see a lot of them for sale in the classifieds. . . [/quote] I think stuff that's popular will always polarise opinion. I use a Rick through a BF, two marmite items in close proximity, I consider that 2 negatives must make a positive ;-) On the finish side, having owned a very fluffy Border Collie and now a Cocker Spaniel, I find the finish perfect.....used to take ages getting the dog hairs off my MarkBass cab!

[quote name='martin8708' timestamp='1381094109' post='2234367'] Maybe it's the Precision bass ? I have six P - bass's and they all sound slightly different . Also the Markbass 800 tends to be more middley than the LittleMark 2/ 3 . Maybe you could borrow a different P bass to see if it was any different. [/quote] Could be, but the same P bass sounds superb through a TE rig c'est la vie. The said P bass has now gone in favour of a Jazz so hopefully this problem won't raise it's head again......really miss the P bass though.

[quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1380975771' post='2233008'] Sorry, but I think that anyone using backing tracks is taking the piss, cheating and ripping off the audience, if you're not good enough to play it live then don't play it. Supported [font=Arial, sans-serif]The Rockin' Berries not so long ago, not only did they turn up late, but insisted on using their own P.A. just so the could use backing tracks. they ended up playing only a 30 minute set of 60s covers, not even their own hits, all with backing tracks and still walking away getting their full pay. [/font] [font=Arial, sans-serif]At the same venue the following year, we supported the [/font][font=Arial, sans-serif]Abba tribute band Abba Arrival. Totally mimed the whole way through, full band as well. Pointless, unless they were incapable of actually playing it live. [/font][font=Arial, sans-serif]Both bands won't be playing at that venue again[/font] [font=Arial, sans-serif]If you have to use backing tracks to make yourselves sound good, then give up and let those who can play live do the gigs.[/font] [/quote] You are entitled to your opinion, fotunately that is what it is.

£246 for my Squier jazz VM77 that I picked up for Jam Night work. Much better than I expected, about the only thing I'd change is the pups at some point as I sure the bass could accept some better ones. I'm sure it'll get used on gigs just as much as my Rick and Status....it certainly doesn't feel £1000 cheaper than the 75RI Jazz I used to own.

From the pic it seems authentic enough, but yup would need some clearer ones to determine whether it was really a pucker 1973 4001 in Azureglo.

I didn't know anyone had posted that video of us on YT :-0

Up here in the whippet and flat cap North Pete those places still exist.....ok you have to like bingo but you get to see alternative cultures close up ;-). Folk/blues........I'd rather not comment :-)

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1380905840' post='2232323'] I wouldn't be that offended if at an event where the 'band' used tracks, but then I wouldn't be taking any notice of them either. It is the same as a disco... doesn't stop me going and enjoying myself, I just don't give it any credence. [/quote] I respect your point. If I had paid or expected to see a fully live band I would be a bit miffed if a duo with backing tracks turned up. On this basis selection and education of the pub/landlord is a prerequisite. Regarding the 'Credance' part I try and find the positives even if it's a singer with backing tracks and give the act the attention they command. I stopped being a musical snob many years ago, I have no choice I've played Brown eyed Girl AND Mustang Sally in the same set on the same night.....

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1380880970' post='2231802'] I'm going to go the other way I'm afraid Mart. The guy i used to play for wanted to use backing track drums and i refused to do it, if i can't play of the drums and interact with the band it's not for me, I'd rather do an acoustic version than a rock version with backing track drums :-( [/quote] Tomato,tomato Pete. Don't get me wrong I prefer live but the only way to get work up this way (it seems) is to be in 5 bands and if you're lucky you then get 3/4 gigs per month. Having hit the big 5-0 this year I no longer seem to have the time or the energy to mix that with the day job (plus the empty nest syndrome means less time for all the rehearsals And I need to keep swmbo happy). Moving Back to a duo seems an option into getting into the single act market and I'd rather be playing Saturdays this time of the year if only to get away from the bloody X Factor ;-)

Just looking for a bit of validation really. I always played in 'live' bands until about 12 years ago..then up, up in my neck of the woods, work dried up somewhat. Shortly after leaving my 5 piece rock covers band I joined a duo (to become a trio) consisting of guitar, bass (obviously) and vox along with backing tracks. This worked well for 10 years and then folded for various reasons. For the last couple of years I've played in 2/3 live bands of various genres but work has started to get hard to find again and the recent re-surrgence of cheap (and generally poor) single acts has opened up the market for part live again. Because of this I find myself in a duo with backing to fill in the free weekends between live band gigs. What's the BC feeling on this am I 'selling out' or 'keeping myself busy'? I'll always admit I prefer the buzz I get from live but I don't dislike the backing side of things if the act is done well.

Being (just) the wrong side of 50 I get numerous shoulder, wrist and elbow issues after 30 years plus of playing. When its at its worst I move on to my Status because it's lightweight and I can place the neck to where it feels most comfortable and it stays there.

Thanks for the great suggestions guys. I'd love to go down the midget route but don't have the space (or the cash) for it, plus I suspect it would get left at home other than for the 'big rooms'. I've thought about selling on the BF and getting a BFC with the HF unit but I'm not sure how much hat would help (plus trying to find someone willing to sell/trade is highly improbable). Looks like the Gramma pad first off then!

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1380320373' post='2223926'] +1 What does your rig sound like on a gig? If it sounds OK there then you haven't got a problem. [/quote] Hi Chris, again it's room dependent. If the room is full of carpet and (dare I say it) flock wallpaper it struggles a bit. On a proper stage with shiney floors absolutely no problem.

[quote name='Iana' timestamp='1380312814' post='2223810'] Markbass are great, really honest sounding heads IMHO maybe a new cab would be a consideration instead? [/quote] I have thought of that lana but tbh the BF is just perfect size and weight wise.....I feel I need to persevere with it.

[quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1380226677' post='2222645'] I always liked the sound of the Markbass LMII through my Compact but the Streamliner 900 is a little warmer and seems to give greater weight to the notes. Of the two, I prefer the Streamliner although the LMII is still excellent, so unless you're just fancying a change, the LMII is great with the Compact inmy opinion. If you want to change I can certainly offer my opinion that the Sreamliner is well suited to the Compact. Having said that, my Mesa Walkabout is always first choice with the Compact, with the Streamliner as back up. The Streamliner is a superb match for the Midget though as well. Frank. [/quote] Interesting. I think the problem I was finding with the Precision in this combination was it was a little too warm, or more accurately lacked definition. My active basses and Rick didn't suffer in this respect. I don't dislike the MarkBass sound per se but haven't been overwhelmed by its sensitivity to acoustics with the BFC. When the acoustics are 'good' the sound is superb, punchy, well defined mids and no flabby bass but it seems when the room is against it there's not much I can do with positioning/eq etc. It seems perseverence is maybe the order of the day at least for the moment as I could be laying out significant cash for little or no benefit?

A few months back I was having problems getting a decent sound out of my LM3/Barefaced Compact/Precision combination. I subsequently found much of this was due to the poor acoustics of the practice room which just sucked the life out of the upper mids and highs (unfortunately not until I'd parted with the Precision in favour of a Jazz....no worries I've gone backwards and forwards between these 2 standards for 30 years). Anyhow it has still sown a seed of doubt on whether the LM3/BF is a good match; the BF suits me well size and weight wise so if something moves it'll be the MB. I've been thinking maybe a Streamliner 600 or a TC RH450 but would I just be spending money for the sake of it? No easy way for me to try these combinations out so any comments would be useful guys.

Hi Bob, At this stage if you've got an iPad or iPhone (or an android phone) I'd be inclined to pick up an iRig connector (just a few quid on the bay) and download the Amplitube app (there's a free version that gives you the gist). You can download a number of pedals pretty cheaply and listen on the headphones - the quality isn't too bad - it certainly will give you an idea what works and doesn't for you and your sound. A side benefit is that you can play along with songs you drag in from iTunes and can use it as a bass trainer as you can slow songs down without a pitch change.