SpondonBassed

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1489396926' post='3256495'] Thanks, I can't see that on the mobile version [/quote] Aw, soz. I hope I didn't come across as being overly patronising. I'll never understand how folk get on doing everything through a pocket sized screen.

[quote name='briansbrew' timestamp='1489092357' post='3254390'] What if I plug the 2 holes with brass plugs, bit like the Sandberg basses with silver plugs.... [/quote] A couple of costume gemstones maybe?

[quote name='ians' timestamp='1489342165' post='3256192'] Got a call through friends of friends for a couple of functions in a localish well established cover band. Got the list today and they do a handful of 50's R&Rollers....Elvis, Chuck, Buddy etc. Just seems funny going through them in this world of instant pop music, X Factor, Beyonce et al. I haven't played this stuff in literally decades and when i did it seemed old back in the 70's. Just wondering what the vibe is doing this stuff...its almost joke music isn't it? Oh and by the way is Johnny B Good 16ths or four time with ghost notes...see Im taking it real serious...ha [/quote] It's still popular. Last year I auditioned for some lads in their seventies who were quite serious about it.

I never knew 'till today that he is the son of Mike Pratt who played Randall in Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) among many more TV roles. "Look out Jeff! He's behind you."

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1489269185' post='3255685'] Yeah, I saw that demo reel, I think some of that has the bass player I replaced. I've been with these guys for 5 years. Blue [/quote] Crikey! I'm not surprised he was replaced. At one point his bass is badly out of tune. PS, your band leader is superb.

Having flatwound strings and no inclination to pop the strings unless for accent I think I'm okay with what I've got. The sort of music I am playing doesn't need me occupying the upper frequencies. Playing at an open mic recently, the bass went through the house system anyway. Thanks for the comments.

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1489323548' post='3255994'] What's the name of your band? We've had Timmy Stardust play in town recently, and Hunky Davie are playing locally soon. [/quote] Hiram's band name is just above your post. It is hypertext linked.

[quote name='Chrismanbass' timestamp='1489314951' post='3255889'] They're usually called HF horns or Tweeters and It does exactly what it says really. provides high end, Useful if you wan't a biting tone or play slap to get that real zingy sound but it depends what kind of tone you're looking for some people like that some people don't neither is right or wrong really. FYI your Laney RB3 has one according to Laney's website [/quote] FYI mine hasn't. Might be a newer spec one that you've seen.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1488997588' post='3253626'] I've seen some of Mark's video clips. You might notice he's all over the bass, singing in perfect pitch and he's usually chewing gum. As far as I can figure, Mark is actually from another planet. Blue [/quote] He is. It's known as The Isle of White! It might be something to do with the limited gene pool. (That sounds unkind but I am only joking). Hahahahahaha.

Tempted. I even looked up the train timetable from Derby.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWSlqCGThJ4 Yup. Hiram's band isn't bad from what I've seen of the promo material either. I'd pay to see either band in the flesh. The only time I saw Bowie live was at Slane Castle on the Glass Spider tour in 1987.

Last year I was offered bassist with a band who's set was mainly Cliff, The Shadows, Eddie Cochrane, Elvis, Buddy Holly and the Crickets. I practised a half dozen or so from that set. Good wholesome stuff. The bass lines are not complicated but they are difficult to render faithfully. The music was from a time before bassists tended to take front of stage. I had to turn down the offer due to a difficult family situation that was developing more quickly than I was able for. Afterwards however I had a respect for BH that I wouldn't have got otherwise. He was just a little before my time. Since then, when any of his stuff is played, I take the time to listen.

I have never owned a rig with a high frequency driver. I can't see the point in them frankly. I wondered if I was the only one. What are the pros and cons?

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1489261172' post='3255611'] Good people, gigging , making money and most of all having fun. Blue [/quote] Yeah man. I can't argue with that. Many thanks.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1489142333' post='3254668'] I'm assuming you're all using a steel rule to measure string height, well I can't tell .2mm accurately even with a magnifying glass, [u]if anybody's using a different method please tell,[/u] as said before I use a pound coin under the 17th fret, different coin widths are available. [/quote] Feeler gauges. Halfords should do you a decent set.

Good luck. Nice to see a bassist rounding off the skills.

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1488856703' post='3252423'] I think it is all in your mind, 1/64th of an inch is not noticible as far as playing technique is concerned. It's your attitude and technique tweek that really made the change. So it's YOU that did the good work [/quote] Yes but you thought that. So that statement is also in your mind. Heeheehee. Joking aside, 1/64th is the difference between fret buzz and no fret buzz when basses are set low on action. It doesn't make much difference to the higher action set-ups admittedly but we weren't talking about that. High action has its place too but the OP has already been there.

[quote name='casapete' timestamp='1488848129' post='3252415'] I use forScore on gigs where I need access to parts / lyrics etc. Don't know how it compares to others TBH, but works fine for what I need. [/quote] When gigging, what's a good stand for the device? The folding covers that serve as stands don't seem fit for purpose. Note: I have avoided the words "music stand". Well almost.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1488820903' post='3252079'] So is this one any good? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-BB300-Bass-Guitar-Black-/132110888972?hash=item1ec26c300c:g:NZcAAOSwtfhYtDnw"]http://www.ebay.co.u...ZcAAOSwtfhYtDnw[/url] or this? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/yamaha-bass-guitar/282383485731?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41415%26meid%3D79dec41a5ab847d4aa64164ec97ba69c%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D132110888972"]http://www.ebay.co.u...%3D132110888972[/url] [/quote] If you look closely at the second link, in a couple of the photos you can see the tiny hands of the elves that made it.

[quote name='Monkey Steve' timestamp='1488812168' post='3251962'] yeah, sounds sensible...not sure the rest of them are going to go for it. The previous bass player played a four string, so it wasn't an issue for them, and they don't seem to be feeling my pain. Don't think I'm going to win this one, so I'd probably best get used to it [/quote] Capo? [I'll get my coat]

[quote name='joeystrange' timestamp='1488787873' post='3251654'] Does 1/64" (or roughly 0.39mm) really make that big of a difference? This is a genuine question, by the way, there is no sarcasm intended. I'm just not sure I'd be able to tell with that tiny change but then I've never measured or specifically set my action. [/quote] Yes.

[quote name='LITTLEWING' timestamp='1488743333' post='3251482'] Just for the hell of it I lowered my normal setup action from 6/64ths E - 5/64ths G down a smidge to 5/64ths - 4/64ths (@17th fret) and adopted a lighter playing style and over the weekend have suddenly become more confident and more accurate in my playing. Gone are the thumping fingers, nasty string 'clack' and with it that initial momentary touch of grunt in the note when the volume's up the steamy end. Watch and listen to guys like Nathan East, his fingers are merely stroking the strings and everything is so composed and in the pocket. (God, I hate that saying!!) Re-training and new discipline after all these years, but so worth it. It REALLY is all in the hands more than the instrument. [/quote] Good man. From what I read it's not for everyone but I found similar results to yourself. In addition I had to think about my plucking to get the best out of the reduced action. Lightening the touch is, as you say, helpful for confidence and accuracy but it also showed me where I was tending to pluck the strings inefficiently. I now pluck more or less parallel to the instrument body thereby wasting less energy and causing little fret noise. It is one style of playing and it complements my developing set of skills nicely. Have you also looked at your pick-up height? There might be benefits from a little adjustment now that you have modified your saddle height and style.

[quote name='King Tut' timestamp='1488745301' post='3251508'] Coincidentally, I went for a curry in Stony Stratford today. We sat on the next table to Terry Marshall - Jim Marshall's Son. Terry is well known around here from local jam nights - he's an awesome Sax player. My son used to build amps and had made a JTM 45 copy - they were chatting about it and Terry was telling my son how the 'T' in JTM stands for 'Terry' because 'JTM' stands for 'Jim and Terry Marshall'. A lovely guy who had loads of time for us! [/quote] That's a lovely anecdote. Thanks for sharing.

[quote name='gazzatriumph' timestamp='1488732158' post='3251364'] I've given up on bands now and play for my own enjoyment, [u]I dont know what other people think[/u] but in my experience there always seemed to be one person in the bands I've been in that ends up pissing me and most the others off. I take so much and then walk, always got on well with the other band members. Also sick of playing in classic rock bands churning out the same old boring numbers but it seems that's what pays. So unless an opportunity to join a post punk/80's alternative band, my kind of music, which is unlikely, I'm going to carry on playing with myself [/quote] Honestly? I think you might be shooting yourself in the foot to a degree. If you get pleasure from playing at home to yourself - fine. Job done. Bass isn't a great solo instrument however. Even Joe Dart underpins his fellow band members for the most part. Bass is best in an ensemble situation. I don't count playalongs as an ensemble. I understand what you say about friction with other band members. It is something that seems to go with the territory. It takes a degree of maturity to rise above personality clashes for the sake of a band and even then it is no guarantee. Good luck.

There are lots of tips in the Build Diaries on BassChat too. You might get an answer to your nitromors question there. PS; I'd love to know what sort of gigs it's been used at where pot shots are taken at the band.