dave_bass5

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1495148854' post='3301722'] The DB Technology stuff sits between the Alto/Behringer stuff and the RCF range but they're owned by RCF, we've got the RCF735s for FOH but the DB 10" ones for the wedges and they sound pretty good, the 12 or 15 inch ones would be cracking and worth the investment over the Alto imo. [/quote] Based on advice on here last year my band went from someone old Peavey 1x15's and desk/power amp , to a pair of DB 750's. Amazing transformation and so lightweight. I can now carry both speakers at the same time, as opposed to struggling with one Peavey speaker for the past 14 years. Sound wise they are great. The low end has a nice tight kick to it. No issues with putting our kick drum and a bit of bass through them. In fact we did one gig where the whole band went through this PA and we got shouted at to turn down. We were very loud but not in a distorted indistinct way. We paid about £350 each for them and its the best investment the band has every had.

A bit late to this thread but here are my views, based on also wanting a bit of tube warmth and not OD as such. I had a BBDI (second version, but NOT the new MKII). I loved it to death. It took me a while to realise the Blend knob is the key to getting a tone i wanted without getting lost in the mix. Just a little goes a long way. I swapped it out for a Paradriver, but never really clicked with it. Went back to the BDDI. I tried a VTBass (mk1) for one gig and hated it, back to the BDDI. I then heard about Darkglass so got a VMT, liked it enough to get the VMTD (first version). Liked it even more as i was going through a phase of wanting a bit more dirt to my tone, but still missed the Tech21 tone after a while. Then i got the VTBass DI, for home use, and fell in love with it. I was a bit apprehensive as i hated the VTBass, but i had been borrowing a friends VTBass to try at home and it sold me on giving it another go. To me this is the most versatile of the lot, and im amazed at warm and thick the tone can be, while still getting the tone of the bass. I did then start to miss the DG tone, so got another VMT. Quickly sold that to get the VMTD Ultra, didnt like that so brought my VMT back. These days the VMT does live duties, as i feel it works well for what we do. The VTBass DI is still better, but i find its more of a complete Pre amp, so better for home use for me. The DG tone seems much darker, but works well with my GK MB800 head. IMO a Markbass head (especial the older ones) and a BDDI/VTBass is a killer warm tone, that many seem to agree with. I expect when i start using my Markbass F1 head again then ill start taking the VTBass DI back out.

Oooh, timely thread (well, ive only just noticed it). Im using a iRig HD at the moment with my ipad pro. Its ok, i dont think i have any issues. Was thinking of getting the One Pre though, as it seems like it uses a more readily available cable (ive had ot replace the IK lead twice so far). Anyway, im trying to find out if the One Pro sounds any better, and has better latency than the iRig. All i need is to get my passive bass in to Ampkit or GB so i can play along with Spotify when learnign new songs. Im well aware any advice could be biased from someone that works for one of these companies, but i dont think id get poor info from someone as respected as Si :-)

Thanks for the replies. The one im looking at is about £80 so yes, worth a punt. I have been using computer speakers and while they are loud enough the bass sounds like a guitar (for obvious reasons). So yes, i want a bass tone but at a very low level. It will go on my sons shelve next to his PC speakers so anything larger than a 1x8 would be overkill. I do plan on using a Markbass F1 head but will be very, very careful with the volume.

Does anyone use one of the above for home practice? Im looking for some thing very small (smaller than a 1x10) just for the odd occasion i dont want to use headphones.

The most versatile one Ive had (and still do) is the VTBass DI. I know its not the best but its the one i use for home practice the most, and you can turn the cab sim on and off. Personally i dont pay much attention to the cab sims, other than they are just part of the overal EQ system. sometimes ill have it on, sometimes not, but never on just because I'm not using a cab etc. I do have a DG VMT and as Danny said, it is a bit darker sounding, which I find is ok for live gigs with a rig, but a bit too dark as just a preamp without a rig. to me this is an addition to a preamp rather than an all in one.

Ive only ever owned 2 MIM's, and both were horrible to play. I did gig a Squier CVP for about 3-4 years with no issues at all. Must have done well over 100 gigs with it. In fact i still have it and it works perfectly. To me the neck feels like one of the most comfortable P necks ive ever played (apart from my Sanblasted P neck). Very slim and finished in a nice gloss. The only thing ive not liked about the CV's is the bridge spacing. The HM bridges are 20mm between string centres, as opposed to 19mm that i find more comfortable. A Gotoh 201 sorts that out though.

I did this a few years ago. I brought a Behringer BD21 for this reason. Worked extremely well except it felt very strange hearing my sound only coming from in front of me through the monitor.

Cheers guys. Plenty to chase up, and maybe one or two i wont bother with.

With a new band on the horizon im having a geographical shift south of the river for rehearsals. I need some recommendations on rehearsal studios in the Clapham area, if anyone has any. its about half way between mine (Southwark) and the guitarist (Norwood). Not looking for anything fancy, just a clean environment with decent vocal PA and drum kit. Not worried about back line as we will use our own. Im able to find some, but id rather get some first hand experiences before booking anything if possible. cheers. Oh, and we could do with a drummer as well :-)

I dont do a lot of recording (or playing music for that matter) but i do like to tinker around in Garage band on my ipad pro. I came across Korg's Gadget app yesterday and was impressed with the Youtube videos i saw. I dont see much talk about this app, and its hardly cheap at £19, so i thought id ask the experts here to see what you guys think, especially compared to Garage band. Not actually worried about the cost, just wondering if its good enough keep up with GB as far as song writing goes. Im very partial to the old Korg sounds but dont want to go down the route of buying any softsynths. This would be purely for fun, as i also have Sonar on my PC for any serious recording.

Just use any cab and put an Ashdown badge on it, no one will take it then :-). Actualy, bolting to the floor is exactly what my mate used to do at his rehearsal studio. He did try concrete blocks in the bottom of a open back cab but people would still move the cab around (expected i suppose).

My band got a pair of these last year. I cant tell you how fantastic we think they are. Coming from an old pair of passive Peavey's that almost takes two people to lift each one, i can now carry both of these on my own. Very loud, and has a very nice punchy low end. works well with the kick drum. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Technologies-Opera-Active-Speaker-Monitor/dp/B00LIZDI78 These were recommended to me in a thread i started on here last year. The company are a sister company to RCF so have a good background.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1490384890' post='3264849'] I've been with my current band for over 5 years. We around each other a lot because of our gigging schedule. There all really cool fun people, however we are not friends or mates. We're business associates. Blue [/quote] Yes, i get the impression that your gigging style is more business orientated (and i mean no offence) than mine. Me, ive known these guys for 20 odd years, we have always been in bands together, so they are real mates first. I wouldn't take advantage of them, but that question has never really come up.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1490359659' post='3264572'] What are the chances of finding a band that want a bass player that needs collecting and dropping home, maybe one that is happy to store all your gear between gigs, collect you for rehearsals etc etc? I'm not saying they don't exist, I'm not saying my band wouldn't collect me if I couldn't drive or my van was broken but they are few and far between and the chances of it not turning sour if gigging regularly would be slim. [/quote] I found two, and count my self lucky. In fact my main band only had two drivers, as the singer didnt drive either. Never rehearsed though.

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1490358872' post='3264565'] No problem Dave, not a dig at you but more at what I considered to be an arrogant post digging at the OP, like I've already said, we don't know what circumstances mean he can't see himself getting his licence! [/quote] No problem. We have had threads like these before and it does seem that some look down on those that dont drive, and i understand that i would be much better off with my own transport, but the logistics have just worked for me over the years. I pay my way and dont expect door to door service, i even spent £1000 on a second rig to make it easier for everyone concerned, and the others (all long standing mates, in both bands) understood all this. I guess for some it just works, and for others not. Saying that, had i been a driver i wouldn't have stuck with those bands quite so long, but i guess i made the choice and cant really complain about it.

[quote name='bassjim' timestamp='1490357191' post='3264551'] Its a hard life sometimes. But the fact is "that" function or pub band are not going to have a whip round just to help you out cause you're a nice guy that could do with some help when there is a very capable person ready willing and able with transport. [/quote] Wow, ever heard of mate/friends etc? not everyone is as cut through as the people you play with by the sound of it.

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1490356203' post='3264538'] Time to grow up and learn to drive............. apparently [/quote] The thing is i live in central London and walk to work, so i have no need of a car during the weeks, and living where i do i would hav eot pay for a parking permit etc. The GF has a car so it would be pointless me learning to drive now, as i just dont need a car. In the past it was decided that no matter who drove we would only split the petrol expenses between two cars, as we could fit all 4 member sand all the gear in two cars, so again, there was no real need for me to have a car,and pointless me learning to drive if i didnt have one.

[quote name='Rexel Matador' timestamp='1490127989' post='3262486'] I’ve been thinking about trying to join a covers/function band. It would be nice to make a few extra quid playing music. Most ads I see state that your own transport is a must. I can’t drive and don’t really see me learning any time soon. So I’m just curious as to basschatters’ experience and/or opinions on this. Can it be done without a car? Well actually, I know it can, because my bass teacher does it, but I’m still curious as to what other people think. [/quote] Im 54 and cant drive. Ive been gigging over the past 20 years doing functions/weddings etc, but as i do depend on lifts it has reduced my opportunity to join good bands or leave the ones im not happy in. At one stage i had two rigs which i would leave with different drummers from the different bands i was playing with. That saved a lot of hassle. The past couple of years my GF has been our singer, and as we live together its been great. Its helped a lot being in bands with mates, but i know i would have been a lot happier if i had been more independent.

Its been over 3 months since i played bass. I keep looking over at my Vanderkley 115MN6 and it seems such a waste not getting used. It will again one day. Talking of heads, i felt my 115MN6 really came to life when i first used my GK MB800 with it, as opposed to my MB F1 head. As much as i love MB heads ive grown tired of them.

Ah, my first BF was a Retro two 10 and that didnt even make it to a gig. At first it was a huge jump up from the 1212L i was so used to, especially in the low end, i loved the more room filling low notes, but after a few rehearsals i really couldnt get on with it and went back to using my 1212L while i searched for something different (the BB2 as it happens). I genuinely believe (although no doubt im way off the mark and not wording it correctly ) that my pick playing is causing the mids to not quite be strong enough, so these full range cabs are overpowering the weak mids with the nice deep low end. This is probably why i feel better with a more coloured cab. I did notice that when i played finger style the BB2 sounded so much more even, but unfortunately 99% of my playing is with pick.

Glad you're getting on with it Gary. I too had compliments both from band and a few audience members during my time with it, so i know it was a good cab, it just wasn't for me.

[quote name='Prince_phil' timestamp='1486545975' post='3232575'] Hi Im looking to buy a single cab to use for most of the gigs I do and from what Ive read the Big baby 2 seems to have a good combination of size/weight/freq response. Is there anything else that I should consider? I dont really want to spend more than a BB2 would cost and it seems that for the moment Barefaced seem to have the edge over the other brands- but Ive obviously not tried much! Im tempted to just order one and take advantage of their returns policy if I dont get on with it. I play 4/5 string passive jazz basses/electric upright/synth bass and use a markbass LM2. Music varies from funk/soul/hiphop to bluegrass.. Thanks for any advice! Phil [/quote] Personally i didnt like my BB2 much. Lovely cab, just didnt produce the tone i wanted. This was with a MB F1 head and also a GK MB800. I could quite easily have lived with it had i no other options, as it did a great job as far as volume goes and was so light, but it just felt very low end heavy to my ears.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1488484908' post='3249432'] What band would be willing to pay more for a dep? Why would you want to accept any less as a dep than the regular guy? [/quote] The band i used to dep with paid a flat fee of £150 for a dep. Sometimes that was more than the rest of the band got. We did a small tour of Scotland once, and after expenses etc i was the only one to make money. so yes, it can happen.

This is a dilemma. If its a design fault, and it might be an isolated one at best, then you need to decide if you really need string through body, at the expense of losing a good bass. It sounds silly that it doesn't work as advertised, but in my experience string through body is not a deal breaker.