chris_b

+1 That's why they say, start learning on your second bass and make it easier for yourself.

Sad news. Canned Heat were a great band.

Not sure which number to choose. My aim, when depping, is to be the best bassist they've seen, including their regular guy, but I'm not trying to pinch anyone's job. No one will offer me any gigs if they think that is going to happen. I'm friends with all the bassists I dep for and I wouldn't crap on my own doorstep! I had a situation recently when I was asked my availability for a gig in the same email that went to the regular bass player. I answered that I was good for that date and the next day got cc'ed in an email telling the regular bass player not to bother because he'd not replied in time and I was on the gig!! This is all the work of the band leader, but I feel very uncomfortable about this. Players talk to each other and if you are a wrong'un they'll mark your card in an instant. If everything is above board then fine, but I'd never stab anyone in the back in order to get a gig. Was all that waffle #6?

Start with one octave, then expand it out to two octaves and keep going till you're fluent across the whole neck.

Start at the lowest note of the chord on your bass and play up to the highest note. Then come back down again. Work through all chords.

Start slow and speed up. Play them in every key!!

When you walk away from a rehearsal you have to get the whole band to agree and accept that what you played that night is fixed in stone until after the gig. Emphasize that there must be no spur-of-the-moment changes, then stand your ground and refuse to incorporate the changes when the come.

I was my destiny to be a bass paying superstar.

Only if I'm getting paid.

Keep the bass you play the most and sell the rest. Then you'll have the funds to make the trip worthwhile. Are you taking requests? Try one of those Xotic Pro basses and let me know what they are like. Ta.

I am embarrassed by the noise I make when I try singing. Apparently it's nearly as bad as my whistling! And, if I'm honest, my solos are to be endured.

You have 2 8 ohm cabs. The amp requires a minimum of 4 ohms and that is exactly what it gets with these cabs. You don't need special cables, rewiring or to do anything. Just get 2 speaker cables and plug the cabs in, either both into the amp or daisy chain the cabs, one from the other. Either way is fine.

I know, I didn't word that well. I was just using your post to kick start my point.

Maybe you have a loose wire resting on the cone? Have yo taken the driver out and had a look?

Fuzzy notes doesn't sound right. Maybe the driver has a problem or there might be an issue in the amp.

Oh yes. Hit that low note. Own the ending of the song.

The definition of wisdom is "the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement". IMO that has nothing to do with literal interpretation, or narrow fundamentalist thinking. Drivers are defined by a dozen or more Thiele/Small parameters and these can appear in any number of permutations in the finished article. It depends on the aim of the designer. Many of those permutations will work well together as a "happy accident" others will work together because the designer knew exactly what he was doing and designed them that way. My Mesa cabs could have been happy accident or design, I don't know. They worked so well together I don't care. Other driver mixes can be equally successful. The biggest sound problem bass players have is a bad room and the other band members. Listen to the cabs. If they sound good they are good. That's wisdom.

IME Trace Elliot watts is only a thing with Trace Elliot owners. To the rest of the world a watt is just a watt.

Seems like the singer is suffering from a lack of confidence. I play with a singer who fiddles around with the unimportant stuff when he's stressed. I ask him why he wants to put this pressure on the band before a gig. That usually settles him down and we are OK. Is the rest of the band with you or with the singer? You're the bass payer, the logical and sensible one, so it's up to you to lay it on the table. Your band needs x songs for an x hour set. List what you have that is ready, then ask the band how they propose to get the rest up to scratch in the time available. If they need 18 songs for 2 hours, at 2 hours a song. . . lay out the maths and ask them how it's going to work! Tell them that running through the whole set at least once, maybe twice, before the gig is a prerequisite to doing the gig. Don't threaten to quit but stress the effect that a shambolic gig would have on your reputation and chances of getting other gigs.

Define "struggle". Define "house practice"! Sounds like you are playing a lot louder than I do at home! The difference between 8 ohms and 4 ohms at home shouldn't be so noticeable. Are you sure the 400 is the watts and not just the model number? You can connect 2 8 ohm cabs or 1 4 ohm cab and your amp is at it's max. That's fine, but you can't mix 4 and 8 ohm cabs because that will look like 2.67 ohms to your amp and that is beyond what it can handle. I don't know Behringer amps but depending on how clever the designers were, but at 2.67 ohms, you might see the amp just power off when it gets too hot or you could cause damage to the amp.

If it's "really fun to play". . . . play it anyway. Take it to rehearsals and enjoy it for itself. Maybe the subtleties and possibilities will emerge. Having 5 strings doesn't mean you have to use them all on every song. Play all your 4 string lines and see what develops. The number of strings you have available and the number you use on a song don't have to line up. Often I just use 3 stings on a song. I don't know anyone who thinks a 4 string bass is "too much" or keeps a 3 string bass at hand for those songs. I'm easily confused, so I prefer the familiarity of having the same fretboard under my fingers, no matter how many strings or notes a song or band requires.

Stub, when I look at a 5 string bass I see notes and possibilities. You seem to be focussed on counting the strings and imagining problems. You're not even taking it to rehearsals! Don't fight this, sell it and stick with the 4 string bass you're happiest playing.

+1 for Nordstrand singles. Have you discounted Fender's Original/Vintage or Gen 4 Noiseless pickups?

The head will probably get hotter than it was designed for and will power off. That should do no damage to the amp. If the designers weren't so clever or were cutting corners the amp might sustain some damage. You shouldn't do any damage to the cabs. If you don't know always play safe and stick to 4 ohms.

Switch the Two10 to 4 ohm and run with the 8 ohm One10. I believe Quilter have said the BB800 will run at 2.67 ohm but I can't find that documented anywhere. If you wanted to run a 310 it might be a good idea to check with the distributor. Otherwise you are limited to the usual 4 ohms for your amps.