chris_b

Love it, and I love the powerful sound Marc Van Wageningen gets out of that Fodera.

+1 Does your playing need to improve? This is no magic wand. It requires that you put in the hours to make it work. If you do, you will improve as a bass player. I'm currently taking lessons, for the first time in my life. I can play most of what I've been asked to play, but I needed help to dig me out of the comfortable rut I've been inhabiting for decades, ie change the way I think. I play in bands and gig most weeks and I saw a benefit from week one. IMO improving your technique should be an objective, even if you are only playing as a hobby .

Anything by Stevie Wonder, Incognito, Steely Dan, Keb Mo and Eric Clapton. For working on your technique, timing and groove.

What sort of festivals are you playing? What did all the other bands on the bill use? What was their sound like? I've done about 5 this year from small to large and we had FOH every time. Short of bringing 15 SVT's there is nothing you can do to make the sound work for these gigs. They are always full FOH for a reason. If some brain-dead promoter is making these decisions there's nothing you can do about it.

Good luck with this. I'm still waiting for a reply from the message I sent in May!

Good move.

IMO an LM2 into a 212 should be pretty loud. Mine was. I'd suggest you change your EQ. I used to run with the tone controls at 12 o'clock and boost or cut slightly from there. I also had the filters off. They are fully anti-clockwise when they are off. Your EQ could be killing your sound and definition, leading you to think you need more volume.

I'd have done this a slightly different way. Your D800 and an SC or BB2 now and save up for an SM later. For 2 SL112's I'd try the TH500. IMO they are a perfect match. The D800 will easily drive the SL112's, They are conservatively rated so don't run the amp past about 1 o'clock on the volumes and you should be loud and safe. Probably leave the deep switch alone though. Save up for a third SL112 for the very loud gigs.

I answered a couple of Melody Maker ads in the mid 80's and it's been word of mouth ever since. Do what ever else you think might work, but IMO networking is the best way. It goes something like: meet as many players as you can, impress them with your skills and personality and keep reminding them you're looking for a band. I guess it's easier for me because I live in SW London, a musically busy place, but if you live somewhere more isolated you've just got to work harder.

I understand, I actually gave up playing completely at one point when I couldn't balance the family, job and band. Recently I saw two top session/jazz players, one had a Squire P bass and the other had a Sire 5 string. They made those basses sing. So it's not about the gear, it's how good you are and what you can do with an instrument.

. . . and don't forget the lube!

You have gear that is good enough for playing at home. You don't need anything else, except maybe some better headphones. Then get out of the house and start playing in a band. That will decide what upgrade path you need.

Over the years I've sold stuff but it was always replaced by something better so, no looking back. With my current rig I think I'm almost there and sounding better than at any time in the past. My go-to gear is a Sadowsky Metro Jazz RV5, through an Aguilar AG700, through 2 Barefaced Two10's. Depending on the band I can switch in a Mike Lull PJ5, an Aguilar TH500 or 2 Barefaced Super Compacts.

+1000 So true!!

I wish I'd bought a Sadowsky 20 years ago.

Wow. This is sad news. I first heard her songs as a teenager standing in clubs waiting for the bands like John Mayall and Geno to come on. Sad news.

I'm currently playing with 2 bands who are playing approx 80% originals and 20% covers. It varies on the night and the gig. The other 2 only play covers. They are all good bands with great players and playing very good songs. IMO there is no difference to originals or covers, playing both is the best approach to being a good bass player. It's always disappointing to see the originals guys dissing the covers players. Blinkers are never a good accessory for any musician.

The first time I was told I was too old was when I answered an ad in Melody Maker. I was 22!!

I use a lap top bag for all my accessories. Ideal for all those small bits.

This is always the down side, ending up using unfamiliar gear, but as the house band bass player on a jam night I can hear when people are struggling with their sound through my gear. The thing is, most of them never actually sound bad. In reality you can have the worst sound in the world but everyone will still be impressed if you play a blinder.

Really. . . you don't need to "fill" any spaces. Strategically spaced gaps are essential for making the notes sound even better. As long as your rig isn't underpowered, ie just 1 x 112, you should be fine. You only need to sound full and fat, with good low mids and enough definition to clearly hear every note. Don't overplay or fill in all the spaces. Less is always more effective.

You should be good if the keys doesn't use his left hand and the guitarist stays away from the low mids. Which Hartke amp do you use? I'd clock up a few hours with this band using your current rig before I'd start trying to second guess which new rig would be better. Try all tone controls at 12 o'clock , then start dialling back some of the highs and pushing up the low mids. Only a click or two should do it.

You might be over thinking this. Bass has a support role in Blues (old and new) so just get a good sound and play well. Listen to Pino, Carmine Rojas and Sean Hurley, and you'll hear totally different sounds and styles. I'd just use my go-to 5 string active jazz bass with rounds and my regular Aguilar/Barefaced rig. What you play will be twice as important as what you sound like. More importantly, find a drummer who knows the difference between a 4 on the floor Texas shuffle and a Purdy shuffle and can play an interesting pattern on a slow blues.Then youonly need a guitarist with a brain and a singer without an ego. . . good luck with that search!!

Looking at my gear, currently residing in the front room, I bought my basses from Ebay and Basschat, amps from Basschat, cabs from Barefaced and Basschat, all accessories came from Basschat, strings from the Bass Gallery and Basschat, my tuner from Guitar Guitar in Epsom (the old one broke and I needed a tuner for that evening) and I have my basses serviced at the Bass Gallery. The price is important but I find that local shops just don't sell what I want to buy these days.

It was their starter for 10?