chris_b

Surely that's to be expected at pub gig level? With so many treating these gigs as a hobby, a fun night out with their mates, they probably haven't put in the hours or effort to develop their own sound. I see a lot of very talented players in a pub bands. As long as the band doesn't sound bad I'm happy. The usual problems I notice are the balance of the instruments, timing errors and poor song choices. For me, signature sound come a long way down the list.

This. I have no idea what bass JD is using and I don't care. The bass lines and how he plays is the important thing here. I don't sound like him, or want to, but I'd really like to "busy up" a little and groove like he does.

This. . . . .

Well. . . it might be the obvious thing to do and it's a thing you could do, but IMO it's not the best thing you could do. I would seriously have a look at a Barefaced 112. The SC, or BB2 will beat most 15's for tone and thrash them for volume, clarity and transporting.

If you were that easily convinced you didn't need another bass then you didn't! Good decision making.

That's OK. I made the numbers up to illustrate my point. 37? I've only owned about 13 basses in over 50 years and that includes my buying and selling spree of 4 basses in 4 months a couple of years ago. I'm happy you have a sound you like. I'd never knock searching for "that" tone, but I bet if you had stopped at 10 and spent the rest on lessons, toffee wouldn't come into it and you'd be getting even more complements.

No idea, but Booker T and the MG's Green Onions was probably around that point.

If you find the answer to that question you've cracked it. Gear is 10% of the equation and your creativity and technique, ie what you play, is 90%.

He's messing with my head again. . . . . . .

My first suggestion would be a second 8ohm 210p MB Traveller cab. If you like the sound of 1 then 2 will sound very good and a used cab in good condition would not break the bank. If you are looking at a single cab alternative then either one of the Barefaced 112's or a Two10 would work. Further on down the line, 2 BF cabs will be the best rig you've ever used. IMO that Orange 212 cab isn't even a match for one of BF's single 12 cabs!

Lighten up. . . . if you guys are hurting after playing then you're doing it wrong!!!!

Delta Lady, Darling Be Home Soon, The Letter. . . . . Joe Cocker

Take the action down a little, lighten up your grip and lighten up your right hand technique.

No controls on a bass isn't the end of the world. We all have a matching set on the front of our amps. How many players have pre-amp pedals? Then again instruments in an orchestra have got by without controls for hundreds of years.

Dingwall, again, with its 37" B string.

The definitive cover of Hallelujah was Jeff Buckley's 1994 version. Joe Cocker, Get By With A Little Help From My Friends. Delbert McClinton, Standing On Shaky Ground. Eva Cassidy, Over The Rainbow.

Don't know about you, but I always get a positive and happy vibe when watching Joe Dart. Love his sound, what he plays and all of the guys he is playing with. It's not about the gear.

I've got a set of TI flats on my P bass. I know they are an expensive initial outlay, but you won't need another set in 20 years, so they get cheaper over time.

Sounds like a cue to write some relevant comments on his FB page.

Some do. Some amps have 50% switches which I believe include or exclude valves from the power amp.

That is the definition of a bass guitarist. I know there a lot of guys here that just signed up to play like their heroes, but there are also guys who want to be bass players. No one has a problem with the concept of doubling on electric and double bass, so why not include keys. Check out super serious players like Alex Al and Brandon Gilliard, Nate Watts etc.

If you are really interested in synth bass lines, I wouldn't be looking at pedals, I'd be checking out the likes of the Moog Sub Phatty.

MEC and SD a re good brands, so I'm not going to say they were crap, just not my preference. I'm not sure how it helps the OP to know what I didn't like 30 years ago.

I prefer to dwell on the success stories, but if you want to hear about the stuff that didn't work out . . here goes. . . when I removed my average sounding, lifeless Fender pickups I put in a set of MEC's (from Warwick via the Bass Centre). IMO they were OK but nothing special. I then put in some SD's (can remember which ones). While it was getting better, the sound wasn't quite what I wanted, so I went over to Chandlers who put in a Bartolini P bass pickup. . . . and that was it! A great full, fat tone. Tons of low mid punch.

I put Bartolini into my P bass. That was in the late 80's so I don't remember which ones, but they improved the sound 1000%. My current passive PJ5 has SD's in. An Amazingly good sound. PS I've seen reviews that claim Bill Lawrence pickups are the best. He was an innovative designer and designed pickups for Fender before going out on his own.