T-Bay

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1497560486' post='3319175'] Well done, sorry about the migraine, but the bass looks great. I've been away from home all this week, and after the 5-6 hour drive back tomorrow, the first thing I'll be doing is getting the Thunderbird out. The Fenders can wait! [/quote] Not surprised! I had a quick half hour and am falling in love with the tone, it will be even better with a bit more volume as I had to have it very quiet tonight. Only issue so far is that it doesn't fit any gigbag/ hard case I have so need to track one down.

Just goes to show that being good at making stuff doesn't necessarily mean you are good at PR. It's a shame that makers feel the need to protect their products so aggressively. Whilst I understand the frustration they must feel it does seem that in the case of Ricks in particular it backfires as it makes it hard for owners of genuine kit to sell it on which could put off potential buyers. It has alway been the case that there are good and bad examples of customer service but as the old saying goes, someone who gets good service tells one somebody, someone who gets bad service tells everybody. And that is much easier to do in the Internet age.

A lot of discussion on here have comments about preference for low or high action. From playing other people's basses I have realised that my low is pretty low compared to some others. So I was wondering how other people measure their set up and what do people count as low or high?

[quote name='davepb24' timestamp='1497557739' post='3319151'] Cheers guys...might learn how to spell Tear while I'm at it :-) guitarist mate hss suggested a jam, might just take him up on it [/quote] Go for it, it's great fun but also the best way to learn quickly is to play with others.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1497498599' post='3318659'] Pic please. Blue [/quote] As promised: Sod's law that I have had a migraine this afternoon so feeling pretty grotty and not up to a long session. First impressions are positive, it's had some life and I knew that when I bought it. It's what could be termed 'well gigged condition'. Sound is very nice but need to crank the TE up a bit to get a real feel for that and that will have to wait until a time where my head won't explode if I do. Build quality is very good and compares well with the Fender I have. And as to the big question - neck dive, the answer is............... NO! It feels completely neutral and a couple of ounces wither end would make the difference I think. Lightweight tuners could make a difference but I don't think they are needed really. The neck is nice and fast, I need to lower the action a bit to get it spot on for me but it's ok where it is for now. So am I glad I got a Gibson? Hell yes! A scruffyish one cost me the price of a new Epiphone and I am happy compromise on condition a bit (if it was perfect I would worry about gigging it anyway). Would I buy an Epiphone? 100% yes. Just can't wait to get a proper session in now. Blue and FinnDave - it's all your fault (in a good way) and thanks for posting your experiences.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1497498599' post='3318659'] Pic please. Blue [/quote] Will do! It's marked as out for delivery now so should be waiting when I get home from work.

The Gibson arrives tomorrow :-)

I have never owned one or played one for any length of time. I have played with three for around 20-30 minutes and found that enough to know the shape/ layout just doesn't work for me. I have crappy old joints and maybe that's the reason but I can't imagine bouncing around for an hour and a half to two hours with one.

Seeing Downshift in Lichfield on Friday, then nothing booked until Placebo (again) and Royal Blood later in the year.

I got a wilkinson bridge off eBay for very sensible money and it's ok quality wise.

[quote name='Adrenochrome' timestamp='1497364136' post='3317554'] Suspect Device by Stiff LIttle FIngers. [/quote] [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1497364206' post='3317556'] pretty much everything The Stranglers did. [/quote] My very thoughts above ^^^^^. A lot of sex pistols stuff is so loose you can build a good bassline through it and make it sound amazing.

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1497369595' post='3317621'] What were the problems before? I gigged for a year and a half with behringer powered PA without an issue, now I use the XR16 mixer, which has to be one of the best products of its type around (apart from obviously anything with a higher number), and behringer speakers which are ok. Teh others in the band use behringer microphones. They are ok, I wouldn't say they were in the same league as the TC one that I am using, but they are ok for a working pub band. [/quote] I bought a Behringer amp as a cheap backup, it was second hand off a guy I know very well but was just completely unreliable. Sometimes it worked perfectly, other times nothing. Then I bought a cheap Behringer distortion pedal but the noise was so awful I sold it within a week. Maybe I have been unlucky.

I am now torn, as it's purely for backing vocals at 'pub band' level I am leaning severely towards the Behringer. I have bought Behringer twice and both have been unmitigated disasters though. Third time lucky?

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1497277519' post='3316960'] I am just doing ours with WIX, great mobile friendly platform with great modern templates and its all drag and drop. Also you can buy mailboxes and domain names with them. I signed up for a free account and two days later was offered 50% off their packages, it is ridiculously cheap per year. [/quote] Can I be cheeky and ask how much?

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1497282536' post='3317007'] IMHO - a 60 watt amp should be OK for rehearsals. It's not a gig, and shouldn't be done at gig volumes. YMMV! [/quote] +1 I have done a few rehearsals with a 15w practice amp (to be fair it wasn't great), we never crank the volume too high. No point.

Thanks everyone, I know what to look for now!

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1497246094' post='3316711'] https://www.facebook.com/bpmrecordsderby They might be a starting point for advice. [/quote] Didn't know that was there! There was always a little niche place on the arcade on the other side of Sadler gate in the 89s/90s and I think that was called bpm records so guess it's the same one. They were brilliant.

[quote name='fleabag' timestamp='1497215541' post='3316643'] Oh hell. I read too slow and it chips, too fast and it melts. I'm thinking Bertbass already - cheers Mick The perspex is on its way so i wonder if i can send that bit of sheet to bertie with some measurements ?? [/quote] You want high blade speed but slow progress. You also need the finest teeth you can get. A metal cutting blade is the way to go.

Go slow, put tape back and front to stop splintering, use a very sharp blade, go slow, use cutting fluid and did I mention to go slow?

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1497210076' post='3316588'] If you want a BV mic then it's worth thinking for a second whether you want a cardioid or super cardioid. the difference is in the pickup pattern but a cardioid is generally much more tolerant of poor mic technique. The super cardioid is better at rejecting feedback. If you are a loud singer that jumps around a lot as I am then the cardioid is the one to go for. If you are quieter and prepared to keep your head still whilst playing bass and singing at the same time then go for a super. The mic to beat is definitely the AKG D5, much better sounding than the SM58 but it's a super cardiod, however they also make a cardioid version the D5C. I've two D5's so I really trust them. The Samson SM58 clone is the Q7, really cheap and incredible for the money, slightly more top than the one it is trying to copy but with a bit more handling noise. The Behringer XM8500 is ok but there is some poor soldering on some I've seen. Easily fixed if you are handy. Don't go for the cheap Shure's, well made enough but the sound isn't good. I've also used the Sennheisers and they are another good sounding rock solid mic but the E835 isn't up to the same standard as the AKG D5 and the 900 series are pricier. If you did want a Shure the Beta58 is a nice thing. Big upgrade on the 50+ year old SM58. Wasting your time, buy a D5 [/quote] Thanks that's very useful indeed. I am certainly not the stand in one place sort so it looks like I need a cardiod type. What would be your suggestion for one of those? Is the D5C you mention the best alternative to the D5?

Thanks all, plenty of options it seems.

Need to get my hands on a microphone for backing vocals, not looking to spend stupid money if possible. I have seen the cheaper Shure range but was wondering what others use. Does anyone have any suggestions for decent kit at sensible money?

And how do people package them up safely to post?

[quote name='Jigster' timestamp='1497197552' post='3316466'] Hey, you could always have a look at the going rate on [url="https://www.discogs.com/my"]https://www.discogs.com/my[/url] [/quote] That's is brilliant! Thanks, had a look at a few and it will be worth my while by the looks of it. As always, some higher, some lower than expected.

[quote name='ZilchWoolham' timestamp='1497196915' post='3316461'] In that case I'd say you're in luck! Unplayed and unwrapped records are the easiest to grade, and of course very desirable. [/quote] Sounds good! I went through a phase of buying stuff with no,intention of playing it, often I have the regular album/ single then a coloured vinyl/ picture disc/ some freebie attached one as well. I will keep the ones I have played but may as well let the others go and fund some stuff I want.