chris_b

I'm not arguing, just pointing out that there are varying degrees of pro musician. If you have the desire to have a good working knowledge of theory and technique then there are no short cuts. Put in the hours and you will be a much better musician by the end. . . . except there probably isn't an end. To be a good player is a life long path and you can always keep improving. Also find a good tutor and take some lessons. There's nothing more focussing than having to sit in front of someone and prove you can play what they set you in the previous lesson.

I GAS to sound better, to do what I do better, not to own more stuff. The world of bass has gone through a renaissance in the last 15 - 20 years. New gear is always coming on the market, new techniques and styles are being developed by some very cleaver minds. I like to keep up with this instrument. Check everything out and occasionally you can find something that improves your sound and how you fit into a band.

Did you change to the RM500 because of any differences in tone?

If I read this correctly, the OP isn't talking about buying, he already owns these cabs.

What is your definition of a pro bass player? If it is the guy out of U2, Sterephonics or Thin Lizzy, then just know enough to play the songs. That's fine, but if you want to be the musician you claim, learn to become fluent in bass. The beauty of scales is that they are a shape. Learn that shape in every position and you've become competent. Learn all the scales in all the different shapes and how to put them together in interesting ways you'll be on the way to becoming the player you are talking about. You'll still only get to play the songs, but you'll sound better because you'll be a more confident, flexible and accomplished player. James Jamerson will be talked about while there are still bass players taking breath, because his simple lines were intelligently put together, because he knew his theory inside out.

I used a 210 and 115 mesa Boogie EV stack for nearly 10 years. That was a great combination for me. I also used a 210 and 112 Bergantino stack for a few years after that. Wonderful sound. Put the right cabs together and these formats will sound good. I'd expect your cabs to work together. You have the cabs, try them and let us know. I don't know TE but IME the bottom line is if it sounds good it is good.

Unashamedly nicked from a thread on that terrible Talkbass. . . . . Damn, I've got to practice harder! Ex-Prince bassist Sonny T stretching out. . . .

. . . . and the Richter scale of idiocy has a tenancy to rise after the pubs have shut!!

Sadly, no slavery no music I like!

I briefly had the D800 and really liked it, but only wanted to keep one amp so ended up choosing my Aguilar. I slightly preferred the tone. The WD800 might change my mind but I can't afford over a grand for an amp these days. I did a Reggae gig with the D800 and the bass boost button engaged. The band loved that sound.

I get Martin at the Bass Gallery to do mine. The last set up and fret level was about £80. My Sadowsky played itself after that.

If this was me, I'd probably sell the big rig and stick with the small rig, the amp and Super Compact. It'll be the same size as a combo, lighter/easier to move around and, for the size, probably louder than any equivalent sized combo you can find.

Before microphones singers used acoustic megaphones.

I played with a drummer once who enjoyed winding people up. From salesmen to band members, the longer he could keep it going and the angrier people got the more he revelled in it. I reckon we have discovered his twin!

If you really hit the strings hard and dig in, the cheapest solution might be playing with less force and using a softer right hand technique. Then again you might not actually have a problem. How loud is this buzz? I don't have a particularly low action but my strings buzz a little. I can hear it at home but it doesn't come through the amp on a gig so I don't worry about it. If your bass really has an issue and you are strapped for cash then sorting out your problems will be cheaper than buying a new bass or modding this one. If you can't get rid of fret buzz by the means suggested above you probably need to get the frets levelled. Find a good repair guy and ask his opinion.

These days most of my deps are for bands I know but when a new gig crops up I'll usually have a couple of weeks notice. Long enough for me to listen to and play through the songs. If I don't know a song I'll write up a chord chart so I can get the geography right. I'll also write out a set list with keys and intros and endings. My aim is to play the songs as well (or better) than the bass player I'm standing in for. The usual response from the bands is that they appreciate that I've put in the time and done the homework. That gets you to the top of their list. Some bands are not comfortable with deps. I've been told that deps can never be as good as the band member. That's a pretty naive view and I have fun proving them wrong.

Sorry, but it sounds to me like you're planning to spend so much on this bass that maybe you should have bought something different in the first place.

You don't need the dots. Chord charts and a good listen to every song on the list is all you need.

I found the the best option for me was 1 or 2 amps with 1, 2 or 3 cabs depending on the gig. I have a choice of several interchangeable and independently upgradeable rigs.

I have been on Talkbass since 2007 and have never been abused, slagged off or insulted. Every now and then I've had disagreements and people have disagreed with me. That's life! I've always found TB and the vast majority of its members to be a great source of information, opinion, experience and ideas. There are always things to learn, stuff to agree with and stuff to ignore. Isn't that the point? You take what's good and disregard the rest.

What brought this on? Gratuitously slagging off fellow bass players?

No. The only reason I'd do a gig like this is if the band is full of top players and there is a chance of other gigs leading from it. Other than that I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

I think your problem is in the "I take that to mean. . . . . " bit. Don't to read into these posts stuff that isn't there.

I haven't removed them but mine look like a cloth stretched across a wooden frame. From Ampeg to Fender to Bergs I've never seen a front cloth with anything behind it.

There probably is sound transferred through the bone (probably lower frequencies rather than higher frequencies) but take an ear plug out mid set and hear the difference. IMO they are definitely reducing the volume getting to the ear drum.