tayste_2000

Awesome I'll book my train ticket for August to come try it I had a chat with Clarky recently as whilst as you know I'm no DB player the Ampeg Baby bass is on my list of things to own (think it comes from living in Venezuela) Do you think this would be the sort of thing that would suit me if I wanted to dabble in DB, I believe they aren't that pricey and the size and weight makes them a bit more suitable for my modern city flat living Thanks for the write up.

Loudest 120w I ever heard, glad it's sounding the business for you, now you just have the imagine the 200w version on top of an 8x10 doing pub rock

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1373129363' post='2134030'] I have three full sets I can send. Does it matter that they're not in the right packaging and I don't know what brand they are? [/quote] Yeah not a problem

[quote name='Wooks79' timestamp='1372953759' post='2132108'] When we say 'digital modelling' what sort of ear are we talking? I only ask cos I watched the rig rundown for Billy Corgan's stuff recently and he has loads of old amps digitally recreated for him to use live, and wondered what stuff like this is more widely commercially available without having the income of Bily Corgan? I'm all for it in theory, but when I've played with the little things like a POD or a sansamp, it's not quite done it for me, but it is something of consider if I found the right kit... [/quote] i tried running a Pod into a 400w valve power amp and it still didn't do it for me You'll never get that heft of a proper valve amp with a simulator but same goes with all these small hybrid heads that are all the rage. Now simulators can get everything they do and more.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1372950373' post='2132060'] I use studio headphones and my little studio monitors to create patches, almost lab conditions. Had no problems geting levels right. I always eq & level test and tweak with the bands' music playing. Had no problems with that so far. [/quote] My only comment would be that live is far from lab conditions, don't get me wrong I'm all for what you're doing, I ran my pedalboard for years where that was my tone and the amp didn't matter and I would send this to the front of house and just use whatever piece of crap they had available on stage. I found it much more satisfactory to have an amp, but I was rocking a 200w valve head and 8x10 and have transport for such a rig through friends who tour manage (taxi'd around for a minimal fee) but as I don't drive I have often considered a rig like this and actually went as far as working it through with an Ipad which saved even more space as I carry the Ipad everywhere (obviously this approach is easier and cheaper if you already have an Ipad) and I have to say with apps like Amplitube and Jamup the sound quality (imho) is every bit that of a Pod. The monitoring here is key really, if you can manage with wired IEM go that route and get a decent molded set, then down the line look to change this element to wireless, that way you can always hear yourself and if the PA can't take the bass, someone somewhere at the gig will have something you can use.

I would suggest a happy medium of a POD and then something like a Berg IP cab or powered cab. You will need to be trying your patches out with something like this as you'll find the difference between setting them at home and then using them live to be massive and you'll likely have volume jumps all over the place.

Largely the assumption that there is going to be a decent PA there, hell a PA. I have in the past done IEM only gigs, as long as you've got In Ear Monitors you can bring just a DI box, because the risk to yourself not being able to hear yourself is reduced and then you can argue like many young musicians do, well this is all my parents could buy me for Christmas, it's your job to make it louder Its certainly something I've considered in the past, you can get some seriously killer tones out of the POD

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1372944914' post='2131937'] As to the rest of your post, Steve, we talked about this a fair bit on Sunday but here's my tupp'orth anyway. If you're in the happy position of not having to sell anything, and not (yet) being under domestic pressure, then keep what you have and perhaps make some strategic purchases (a decent Precision, a Hofner Verithin and a starter DB). Right now you are (musically) more-or-less a free agent, with loads of experience and good industry contacts. Whatever your band situation today, tomorrow will likely be different and you can't know what band opportunities will suddenly be thrown at you, or what kit you'll need to make them work. The "[i][b]back to basics[/b][/i]" comments which frequently emerge on these and similar threads tend to ignore the fact that some people are gear-heads and some are not, that some people have more of something (time / space / money / energy / enthusiasm / whatever) than others, and that for some people [i]having a clear-out[/i] and [i]thinning the herd[/i] and [i]getting back into single figures[/i] and [i]going back to basics[/i] are simply a wonderful excuse to go out on the next shopping spree. [/quote] A Verithin would definitely not hurt, the only domestic pressure I'm under is the wife going will you stop talking about all these basses you own and don't like and I don't know why you're buying another one you'll only sell it, she also thinks all the Original Shape Overwater's I own are ugly Oh and for the record Verithin > Starfire so that's saved me more than a grand when I go shopping for a hollowbody.

Again I appreciate the kind words

[quote name='Legion' timestamp='1372939123' post='2131838'] I think it sounds like you've lost yourself and your mind is flying in 15 different directions at once thinking "I want this, I want that" grasping for things. Stop trying. Declutter... [size=3]de·clut·ter [/size] /ˈdēklətər/ Verb Remove unnecessary items from (an untidy or overcrowded place)<---your mind. [/quote] Thanks, which would lead me to my thinking on the 3 basses I want to keep being correct (the Overwater and Ric will never leave me due to sentimental reasons) and then just crack on with playing and enjoying what I'm doing instead of thinking about all the things I *could* be doing if I only spent another 16 years learning the instrument again

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1372937700' post='2131810'] This is the bit for me: [i]I think this is where the lack of direction comes in, I love the new band, the music is great, the guys are great, everyone has a job so I'm not stuck paying band expenses on my own and it's easy to do and relaxing (I'm not stressed about this, that and the other to do with the band) and overall I enjoy greatly every minute we spend together. But it is a very different pace to what I've done for the past 8 years which ate up every minute of my spare time and all my spare £££[/i] My view of this is your only problem - if indeed it is a problem - is spare time. There`s nothing wrong with your band, you obviously love buying/selling/playing basses/amps, so I don`t think music-wise you have any issues. You`ve just more time on your hands now, and as previous set-ups have taken all your time you look to me to be focusing on your spare time as being a fault of something being wrong, whereas to me, it looks like a bonus of things being right. [/quote] Yeah I can definitely see this, I'm actually going to the gym 2-3 times a week (which I never did previously) which has essentially replaced the 3 practices I use to do a week with my last band, one thing I have found with my spare time is I enjoy listening to music more, I have time to sit there put a record on and read a book which is nice but then i feel a bit guilty I should be playing more. [quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1372937742' post='2131811'] All sounds to me like this has nothing to do with equipment. Kind of sounds like you've lost your voice. Do you know what you want to say through bass/music? [/quote] Good point, definitely feeling that, in the last band I knew who I was, what I did and how I wanted to sound now I can do anything and I don't like it [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1372937910' post='2131815'] With regard to the double bass; it's easy for somebody else to tell you you should pursue it, they're not the one that'll have to spend loads of money on more gear (and have you seen the price of the strings?!!). OK, so you had a brief go & had your ego massaged a bit, but is it REALLY something you've ever thought about doing before? Do you have plans to play the sort of music where a DB would be essential, or are you just going to be spending your time learning to play it with no real point or goal to it when you'd be better off concentrating on what you do with your electric gear? The chances are it'll end up as just another bit of kit not getting used that you might take a beating on when you inevitably sell it on. (BTW, I'm currently spending money on gear with no real idea why I'm doing so - deep down I know it'll all be up for sale again within six months). [/quote] A really good point, I could see myself with an Ampeg Baby Bass and playing some latin jazz, but it would be more of a playing along to it at home, or doing loungey jazz ala Oceans 11,12 & 13 soundtrack but again just at home. [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1372938002' post='2131816'] I think you are in mourning for the band you were in and I think you have other personal issues bubbling away in the background. One thing I would say is that constant gear (or other materialistic) acquisition never ever leads to lengthy happiness...just a quick "high". [/quote] Actually got no personal issues bubbling away, very happy at work, recently married very happy with that, was thinking of moving/buying a house but I lovely my flat so much and it costs bugger all to live in so oddly it's the constant wondering about what to do musically that's getting me down. Thanks guys

God damn that is long

So I'll try and keep the bragging and whining to a minimum and the post as brief as possible. So had some major changes in the past 6 months that have left me direction less. I left the band I'd been in for 8 years, I had all my amps stolen, I joined a new band So at the time of leaving my band I had 5 Overwaters (3 in that Original Thunderbird/Jazz shape) and a Rickenbacker. Everything was detuned a step and a half and I'd just invested in some very pricey Circle K strings which were playing havoc with my setups (previously been down a step with standard strings just detuned so massive shift in tension). Basically I thought, how am I going to join a band with basses like this, it worked fine when it was my band, touring all the time and playing our music how we wanted to sound. But leaving that meant joining someone else's band (playing their music) or finally caving and playing covers, because I'm sure as hell not starting again and putting another 8 years into a band. So I bought one of those Fender Mustang pawn Shops, went an did my audition, got into my new band which is like a modern Talking Heads (took the Mustang and a badly setup Ric to the audition) at the same time my Matamp's got stolen (2 200w valve heads and my 4x10) leaving me with a 2x12 and an 8x10, both useless without the heads, so after much umming and ahhing I sold the 2x12 and put the 8x10 up for sale thinking I'll just start again. Whilst doing this I stumbled across a 1970's Ampeg B-15 which has always been a dream amp of mine and something that I felt would always be of use for me (small jam amp, small gig amp, recording amp, home practice amp) and for me, it's pretty damn small and light weight. So I picked that up and am very happy. I took a look at the collection and decided I was going to keep the Ric (long story but a gift from my father so I will never sell it, but at the same time in 13 years I've had it I've used it in 3 band practices and 1 gig), my 5 string 36inch scale Overwater that was my main bass for the past 5 years and this new Fender Mustang. Got them all setup and sounding amazing (Ric and Mustang have got flats on and the Overwater has got rounds on, so I've got vintage 4 and modern 5 sounds covered and can copy whatever I need to inbetween that). So I was absolute in selling everything, though some how I ended up buying more (thought every bass player needs a p bass so I bought a Lakland Donald Dunn, and within a month have sold it). So in looking to just have these 3 basses I've sold one Overwater, got another in a shop on a commission sale, waiting for a guy to come round and potentially buy another 2 off me and I recently picked up a short scale that I don't know what to do with and will likely sell. This new band are very happy with the tone I have with the Ric as my main and bringing out the Overwater when I want a bit more bite or having to play some really fast picked lines and the extra string tension helps. They feel the 30w of the B15 is loud enough for what we do and mostly its 1 practice a week and so far I've had 2 gigs with nothing on the horizon (doing a 3 track ep in the next few months) I think this is where the lack of direction comes in, I love the new band, the music is great, the guys are great, everyone has a job so I'm not stuck paying band expenses on my own and it's easy to do and relaxing (I'm not stressed about this, that and the other to do with the band) and overall I enjoy greatly every minute we spend together. But it is a very different pace to what I've done for the past 8 years which ate up every minute of my spare time and all my spare £££ So I've tried to get into sessioning but that isn't a world you can just break into and with a fulltime job blah blah blah, it's difficult to really do what is needed and I think a lot of it was to help justify owning loads of instruments. Then this weekend I met up with Happyjack when helping him get a bit of a rare Matamp. It was a great day, I tried loads of basses, lots that I'd been considering buying and we talked about this conundrum that I have. I picked up an Antoria EB0 style bass off him and am ever so grateful for the deal we did, but I've got home and taken it to band practice and played it and it just feels like another bass I own that I don't know what to do with it like the other 3 Overwater's I'm selling currently. Further more I think he cemented my feeling that I want/need a decent vintage hollowbody (Guild Starfire sits on my list like the B-15 did) and a decent P bass. Then it got really complicated, he was jamming away on his double bass and asked me if I wanted a go, I said no I've never played one before (true, only every touched a DB twice before in my life and I mean touched as in put my finger on it) he gave me a few pointers and I started playing. Now I don't want to brag and I'd rather Jack drop by and repeat his thoughts but he was (very?) impressed at how easily I went to the bass and my use of a reasonably correct technique having only been told how to do a minute earlier. He basically said I'd be doing a disservice if I didn't at least attempt to pursue DB, which made me think is selling my unlined fretless overwater because it's too hard a bad move? Should I be working on expanding what I can do. I'm very much a bass player, I don't play other instruments, I do what I do very well but what I do is not fanciful soloing, crazy fretless finesse but decent solid grooving or rocking out. I've got a new Matamp GT200 coming in the next 2 weeks to go on my 8x10, which I'm happy with, it's a dream rig like the B-15, but will it get used? Or if it does will the B-15 get used anymore? I guess with all the above, I feel a bit like I retired from playing, I play for fun, I can chase tone if I want, I can use a stupid amount of pedals if I want but I'm doing everything in my comfort zone and I wonder if I'm doing a disservice to myself and my (potential?) abilities. So with all that in mind, what do I do? Am I in a rut? Am I on the verge of happiness? Do I need to expand the other areas of bass playing (fretless, DB etc) P.S. I am sorry for the rambly post but basically thinking out loud and hoping some older guys have had similar experiences and very much looking for an open discussion where the above background is key. Thanks

Ampeg B-15 & 1960's P Bass Ampeg SVT & 1970's Jazz Acoustic 360 & Fretless Sunburst Jazz Suit & Double Bass

Glad it's working out for you

Dibs next time it's up for sale Wish I'd have been able to play it at the weekend

Thank you

Facebook page is setup, please like and share around. https://www.facebook.com/WeNeedStrings

Bought a Lakland Donald Dunn Bass off me, great guy, no issues. Would happily deal again

Have you all got the address from the website? I've not had as many pm's as I would have thought given the comments?

[quote name='pietruszka' timestamp='1371998872' post='2120451'] Very good point pete. I have an old set of ukulele strings which I was going to put in anyway. They get used or they don't! Dan [/quote] Any and all strings are welcome, they will be sending to as many musicians as they can.

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1371998432' post='2120443'] Ste, I can set up a box in the shop if you want? I average about 10 restrings/setups a week on basses. Are guitar strings any use? [/quote] That's great mate and I can bob by to collect every now and then

If you've got an ipad or iPhone then an irig and jamup with bass pack This means you can carry this rig anywhere with minimal effort, it's a tiny cable, the amp sims and fx are great you can play along with YouTube, spotify or iTunes etc etc i do most of my practice on one of these.

The address to send strings to is on this page http://weneedstrings.com/central-donation-location-for-the-uk/ Had a lot of people sending stuff, hopefully it will start to arrive next week.