sykilz

Facially not similar but I now have the same hair as James from Metallica. I have also been likened to John Mcenroe who plays a bit of guitar when away from the tennis senior tour.

I had similar dilemma and got the Fender rumble 40 watt version at Peach guitars for £214. It's more powerful than you probably need at home but it sounded to my ears a lot nicer and fuller than the 25watt version. Apparently it's DI isn't too shabby also so you could go into a p.a. in theory if you need to play small gigs.

I’ve been a lifelong Metallica fan, but recently heard bad things about their live performances, however I got a ticket right at the roof of the O2 last year on this tour and went to the gig with lowish expectations, but they were absolutely on fire, the sound was superb even way up in the rafters ( the stage was in the round so nearer than a standard set up) and they seemed to be loving playing. I’ve heard nothing but bad reports about sound for gigs at Twickenham, and also Wembley and London stadium recently ( mostly from people seated at the sides) , indeed an older friend of mine after seeing ACDC left after a few songs and vowed never to go to an outdoor arena show again. My son made me go to see Ed Sheeran with him at Wembley stadium a few years back and his sound was good, but then hardly a complicated mix.....!!!!! ( and I actually really enjoyed it too)

Playing covers I mostly just used the P pickup because that gave a big open but punchy tone with two loud guitars it sat nicely underneath them in the mix, but for some songs I went with both pups and you could really get an awesome Duff McKagan tone which I loved. With some creative eq on the amp you could even get a Geddy Lee-ish tone. 👍

Just weighed the above pictured 414, and it’s a hairs breadth below 9 lbs, so the weight I remembered with the Hipshots of about 8 1/2 lbs ( with an approx 6 oz saving ) was about right. Certainly not a beast of a bass, but the sound is bloody huge 😉

The tuners saved me over 6 ounces, which considering it’s weight that’s at the far end of the neck, is well worth the money IMO. Sitting down...not so much, but wearing on a strap for 3 hours it was a good investment.

From memory it’s about 8 1/2 pounds, not too bad, but I did fit it with hipshot lightweight tuners when gigging it so it balanced better, now it’s a home bass the extra weight isn’t a problem. It’s not overly heavy compared to some P/ Jazzes or even other BBs

My 414 had been gigged for 3 years weekly in grimey pubs with a classic rock band, now retired for a couple of years from live playing I decided to clean and restring last weekend, wow, what a marvellous bass!!! And what a lot of filth I got off of it. Purchased from a guy called Mojo on here as I remember, I love this bass and it’s the last one I have now....it’s going nowhere....!!

Thought my £150 Yamaha BB would be among the cheapest, but apparently I've been gigging a vastly overly expensive bass !!!!

Agreed, I have a Ford Ka and can fit in ( with back seats folded down, but the front seat still useable!!) one 4x10, one 2x12 ( both t.c electronic BC series) two bass guitars in gig bags, a t.c bh500 amp head, bag of leads, guitar stands. And me!!

[quote name='Heathy' timestamp='1472192048' post='3119215'] When I was 16, Iron Maiden were my world. I don't recall there being any other bands around at that time! [/quote] Ditto.

For gigs ( unless you're going into a p.a as well ) it's usually better to have the larger speaker as you'll 'shift more air'

I got a plectrum from Steve Vai, from his 2001 gig at the Astoria which is his live dvd, I saw him about to do the rock star pick flick, stuck up my hand and it just hit me in the palm!!! Managed to hold on too, catch in a million!! Proudly framed and on the wall.

I've never been a massive U2 fan, I , for my sins, was a massive metal fan in the 80's and they weren't quite heavy enough for me then, however I was obviously very aware of their music, the thing is as far as I know, they formed the band as a bunch of kids at school, and grew up together, as people and musicians. I'm sure that if AC was ever seen as not being up to scratch then the others would have sorted something out, but he played what was needed for their songs....and I think that's what gets lost when a bands "peak" of songwriting was a couple of decades ago..( IMO!!)..at the time people bought records/c.d's......and they bought them because they liked the SONGS, not because the bass line is twiddly.And they bought a LOT of U2 records!! I don't know if AC writes any of the songs or parts of, but if you're in a band then you tend to have a chemistry, and that's, for me, the most important thing about a band. FWIW, heard With or Without You on the radio yesterday, and the whole song....bass line included....still just works perfectly.

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1467965353' post='3087559'] Have you heard Niacin? Bass, drums and keys. Some of the best stuff Billy has done. [/quote] No, but will check it out, thanks!!

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1467919384' post='3087368'] Main problem with being a Sheehan is that you need a Vai or Gilbert to bounce off and there aren't many of them, despite the rhetoric to the contrary. [/quote] ^ this, without a smoking hot guitarist, Sheehan is just a bit of a racket really. I love the guy, but when he solos I have to get a drink, whereas when he plays with the guitars I love the way he sounds.

I play a Yamaha and have tried to imitate some of his techniques and mannerisms when playing ,mostly because I think he looks cool, as well as my other bass heroes Steve Harris and Geddy, but obviously my talent level is waaaaaay below any of those guys and anyway I play covers in a pub band. But if I was better and doing originals then I'd copy him. I don't much care for his tone though. I've not helped much,have I.....?!!!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1467342060' post='3082968'] Saw,Kings X in a small bar Monday night. Haven't been that turned on in years. Got a chance to talk with and take pic with Dug, Ty and Jerry. Blue [/quote] Wow, lucky guy, have seen them 4/5 times over the years, whenever they come to England, love them to bits. Dogman!!!!!

Ah, see my ones,I think, are US ones as they don't say licenced on them...? Think this is where I got them,but they've gone up in price to £80 http://www.axesrus.co.uk/Hipshot-HB-6Y-UltraLite-Bass-Machine-Heads-p/20655csetof4.htm

I ,a non fan, took my son, a fan, to see them at the O2 earlier this year, and was blown away by how good they were,the sound was spot on, the band were tight and very talented, and the visuals were superbly impressive. Not sure a festival setting is best for them, but quite enjoyed it last night, think they're a ' better when you're there' band...!!!

Think it may have been axesrus....will check....but the model I got were these.... http://www.bassstringsonline.com/Hipshot-Licensed-HB6Y-Ultralite-Y-Key-Bass-Tuning-Machine_p_3095.html (These are really cheap but from the States)

I'll see if I can find the paperwork, can't remember!!!! They were not the big clover leaf types, they're the smaller 'modern' shape ones, but the pegs that the strings tie on to were proper size, same as Yamahas. They obviously alter the look of the bass slightly,but I like it, my very own signature model!!!

Mojo, the Yamaha BB I bought from you was about 4 kg, but i swapped out the tuners for some hipshot ultralite things, cost about £60 I think, and the weight saving was noticeable,also balances absolutely perfectly now. It's still a little heavier than my Mex jazz, but is more comfortable for longer periods...for me....because of the balance being better. Unfortunately I too have back problems,and realise everyone has different things that cause problems. Best wishes in getting a good outcome!!

Someone always traditionally says Yamaha BB.....and I have one, so........

[quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1466261107' post='3074506'] If your after an SR I would say wait and watch out for a 2nd hand SR500 [/quote] Definitely this if you prefer the Ibanez, the woods and electronics get much better on the SR500 and above.