martthebass

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.

I find mine pretty versatile but have to admit that I tend to gravitate towards tone full on on the the bridge pup only. It suits some of the punkier/punchy stuff I do better than my other basses. All round it isn't as versatile as my Status and reminds me of the Single pup Stingrays I've owned in that respect. Then again if I turned up at a punk gig playing my Streamline I'd expect some odd looks. I wouldnt be happy if it was my only bass but for what I use it for I couldn't think of a bass to better it. In terms of ergonomics you either love it or hate it, there are no facts in this regard, only opinions.

With the 'Day Job' I always indicate to a prospective buyer that the posting won't be made until the weekend.................managing expectations.

Mmmmmmm......unknown pleasures.

I tried one, and opted for the LM3 in the end as it suited the MB cab I was using at the time better. Ironically with the BF compact I'm now using I suspect it's brightness would be a better fit. In short make sure you consider the cab(s) as well.

[quote name='RandomBass' timestamp='1378642133' post='2202642'] Currently one of those Vintage Jazz copies. Hardly high-rent, but having been playing their Jaco fretless version I find the neck superb - better in fact than than my US jazz neck. So looking to swap the Jaco for a fretted. The other thing I'd really like in my arsenal is some talent. [/quote] I succumbed to one of those VM Jazz 77s last week. That's why the new amp will have to wait!

I Fancy an amp swap out.....those TC Electronic RH450s look nice.

Shadow Play Joy Division.......I miss those old tunes

Necks are standard Fender. I replaced mine on my old Affinity P with a Fender Licensed Mighty Might with no mods. Scratch plate on the P isn't standard - Howard (BassDoc) has the template to make though.

+1 on the Wilkies. I had a set on my 70's Frankenfender. Worked just as well as the Schallers on my other basses.

My Status with not a gramme of wood on it never goes out of tune, honest guv. My MM and Rick do to lesser or greater extents, the MM holds tuning for months, the Rick for weeks.