chris_b

Our band leader came up with the logic that we were being paid for the gig so it was work and we could carry on rehearsing in his shed/studio. The rest of us weren't so sure. Since the gig's been cancelled we have opted for a lay-off until the end of lockdown. It'll be a great gig when it happens, and the rehearsals were fun, just not now.

I would imagine the magic is in the pre and power amp.

First learn the song. The bass line should fall into place after that.

I'd be interested to look at the new Sadowsky basses when they appear. My real wish is for lots of gigs.

Another acapella song, showcasing a great voice. . . . . .

For my last recording project I DI'ed a TH500 into Logic. Two seconds to set up and the sound was much better than any of the preset tones the band suggested. My Lull PJ5 with flats and foam sounded the Dog's. Sadly "personalities" killed the project half way through the rhythm section stage!

I'm jealous, I would love to be in a band playing Alan Spenner bass lines. He was a great bass player. I used to see him playing the pubs and clubs in Kokomo. Apparently he was Bryan Ferry's favourite Roxy bassist.

At the end of the 90's I bought an SVT 3 PRO and Ampeg 210, 115 and 410 cabs. The 210 was my favourite of the 3 but I couldn't get away from a woolliness and lack of clarity that I didn't like. I put the amp through my Mesa Boogie RR 210EV and 115EV and it was like some one had taken several duvets off the rig, the sound/tone was great. Clear as a bell and full at all frequencies. It's not a scientific test but IME Ampeg cabs are OK if you want that sound but not much good if you don't.

Depends. Always get the feel right, stop and start together, then it's up for grabs. I have no problem playing the original bass line, or parts of, when it's needed. If it's a cracking line I'll be up for it, but many numbers don't have unique lines, so there's no point in slavishly following those. My attitude is, it's me playing in the band so you get me playing the songs not copies of the 25 original bassists.

Love listening to the voices and harmonies of these guys . . . . . . . .

If you’ve mastered Sir Duke, have a go at Master Blaster, a great song with a cracking riff in the middle.

Aretha is one singer I’d have liked to hear singing in person and l’d love to sit in the middle of a gospel choir at full blast.

A great sound will make me love any bass, amp or cab. I’ve been playing my P bass almost exclusively in lockdown. Fallen in love with that P bass “something”, all over again.

@Al Krow is selling one right now.

Try a Barefaced Super Compact.

Hell is full of banjo players!!

These threads are full of people who think their choices and preferences are the best and other players choices are not as good as theirs. Big and heavy amps can be great, as SS and D class amps can be. If you are a better player it doesn’t matter what amp you prefer. Audiences and band members will appreciate you with whatever amp you turn up with. The market takes no prisoners. The fact that heavy gear is so cheap means there are more players who prefer other types of amps. The guys are not “poor deluded souls”, they are just making personal decisions that are very relevant to them.

Feed the power cable through the handle and you don’t notice it.

Bass heaven? Sitting down to a meal in my dining room with Chuck Rainey, Nathan East, Paul McCartney, John McVie and Duck Dunn.

Get a Lakland 55-01 and upgrade the pre amp.

What problem are you trying to resolve? Don’t change anything until you know what is wrong. It isn’t problem to have the saddles maxed out. If the previous guy played like a gorilla then that’s OK. If you play like a gorilla, it’s OK. If the neck is bowed adjust the truss road, if the action is too high adjust the saddles, but you don’t indicate there is a problem.

I put my 2u SS head in a 4u rack case. IMO the extra space is good for ventilation and air flow.

I started on an SR5 and moved on to a Lakland. Both great basses but my preference is firmly with the Lakland. if I was starting to day I’d also be checking out Sire and Squire.

I don’t change gear for no reason. There always has to be a reason. I buy gear that I think it is going to be to better than what I already have. If it is then it stays, if it isn’t then It goes.

Unplug the lead. Carry spare batteries. Replace the batteries before they run out. Carry a screwdriver if you have to take the back plate off. Managing active basses is as easy as learning a U2 song!