chris_b

Excellent. Now to start looking for gig number 2.

Exactly. This is my point. If you think these are the best. . . . buy them. Don't buy something else because they are cheaper.

Many do and can. As I just said, it's all about preference and choice.

Some people are not going to like some stuff. Maybe it doesn't fit with their aims and preferences. At the end of the day, they just prefer other stuff. That doesn't mean that the stuff they like is "better" or the stuff they don't like is "worse". It just means they are the same as everyone else and have a preference.

Buy a set of good flats and it could be a once in a decade event. That makes even an expensive set of flats a good investment. I use DR rounds and I try to keep them on for as long as I can. They are expensive and I don't have the longest pockets but, again, as an investment in making me sound as good as I can sound, I think they are worth it. IME there is only one rule for bass strings: Always buy the best. They will make you sound better.

+1 Your preferences and prejudices may want to lead you into other areas but, IME armed with enough time, an open mind, a good pair of ears and the manual, most bass players can get a good bass sound out of most gear.

I have 34" and 35" basses. While I can see some might feel more comfortable on a different sized bass, I find there is no practical difference when playing either of these scales. I bought my basses for various reasons, mainly the tone, so scale length didn't enter into it. If I want to bring the nut closer I just alter the angle I'm holding the bass. Don't be put off when looking for a new bass, just play an instrument and see what you think of it. Then find out what the scale length is. If you need or prefer a 30" bass then ignore this post, we inhabit different bass worlds.

Then my "classic internet comeback" is that addition to the debate you were looking for.

That's not a downside. It's a consideration and a factor you take into account. This is the running costs that you accept before buying any bass. You don't buy a Range Rover and then complain the mpg isn't as good as your Skoda!

I reckon you're set with that amp. The DB751 would be hard to beat through Barefaced 10's. Was 4 410's a typo? I'm not sure what gigs anyone can be doing that would need more than 2 Four10's. Anything bigger than that and the FOH should take over. 4 would look impressive but you couldn't plug them all in or you'd start doing structural damage. I'm currently using 2 Two10s and I can get louder than a stupidly loud thing. Certainly sounds nice, fat and punchy on every gig so far.

Any bass with the Sadowsky name on it will be the best bass you can find at that price point, and now there are 4 price points rather than 2. A lot of manufacturers should be very worried.

It was a long time ago, but I've been in bands whose names were so awful that I denied I was in them. I spent 10 years in a cover band with a name so appallingly cheesy that I (and the rest of the guys, who hated it as well) just referred to it as "Steve's band", the name of the band leader. It was a busy band but that name!! A good names encapsulate so much, they just work on all levels. Musicians will hate bad names but they usually don't matter to the public.

This irrational dislike of Markbass based on the look is not shared by most bass players, 99% of bands and 100% of audiences.

Why note for note? SRV played most of the covers he did in his own way. That's the way you do it.

There's got to be over 1000 12 bars out there. I can play them all.

Send Sadowsky an email. They know.

I use my regular amps (they turn down) and a Barefaced One10 cab. I gig with these and didn't want to spend any cash on specific gear to play at home. If you don't gig this might be more expensive but IMO it sounds better because practice amps never use premium components, have top quality EQ or have amps or cabs and drivers designed to good sonic principals. Even with tinnitus I'd still check out ear phones. IMO you can hear better at very low volume levels with ear phones.

I've played 2 of the songs listed and I'd happily play the 3rd if it went down well with the audience. Last Friday's gig was more to my taste but yesterday we played a lot of "old" stuff that went down a storm. Same band, two different gigs and two different sets. Two totally different and successful sides of the same coin.

+1 By definition a tribute band would usually stay true to the original but a cover band doesn't have to at all.

The only measure of success for me is how much is the band working and what kind of work is it doing. Whether it's an occasional gig down the Dog & Duck or an international stadium tour, a shaky video your girl friend shot on her iPhone or a million selling CD, your success or otherwise can be measured by these two things. As to who has heard of who. . . . ! If your favourite band has heard of The Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Who or any band of that ilk then you've been influenced by Willie Dixon (look him up). One of the most influential bass players ever.

As has been said on another thread. . . . this is often a problem with people who want to be in a band for a hobby and just play what they want or like. If he won't come to terms with the compromises needed to marry "his thing" and the "band's thing" then you need to start looking for a new drummer.

Aguilar prices are more likely a direct result of a policy to make all their products in the US instead of doing what most other manufacturers do, shipping production into the 3rd world, where they can make use of non-unionised and underpaid labour costs and a low tax business environment. Where are Ashdown Rootmaster cabs made again?

Always saying "No" is indicative of a problem. Either you guys are suggesting bad songs or the drummer has to start accepting some of your choices. Tell us some of the songs he has vetoed. What songs does he suggest? If he's a good enough drummer to work around and not just fire, change the rules and tell him that he has to agree to something or the rest of you will impose songs on him.