chris_b

This one of many great songs that when you know what gear was used on the original you're still no closer to sounding like that yourself. 99% of that bass line is Bakithi Kumalo and the years of playing in too many crappy South African dives. I doubt he's played that Washburn since his first Paul Simon pay check. I did read that he gave it to his daughter when she expressed an interest in bass.

These days Country ranges from Jim Reeves to Jason Aldean and beyond. From 4 to 5 strings, any bass will do just fine and the same bass can cover everything. Thud and clank can work but clarity is important. But mostly it's how you play the song sound that counts, so just play good lines.

You can slap on a fretless bass. . . . or. . . . do whatBakithi Kumalo does now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev0wfe6zzi0 As the others are hinting, even he can't play the break on the record.

I was in a Chicago Blues band and the brides father booked us after seeing us on a gig. I told the rest of the band we shouldn't be playing a wedding but they insisted we do it. The wedding party gathered in the car park smoking or the bar. We played to an empty room for the whole night! I've seen a few bands fail to understand that audiences do not go to weddings. They are guests and that requires a totally different mind set.

In the early 70's I was at a gig in Manorhamilton Sligo Ireland. There were about 9 in the band when it started and this number went up and down during the night. They all played different instruments to give the others a rest or rather access to the bar. One of the guys went home in the early hours to milk the cows and came back later to finish the gig.

+1

From the start Lindy Fralin always got good reviews. I tried SD and Bartolini pickups on my P bass about 30 years ago and the Barts are still there. There are loads of Fender replacement pickups that sound amazing, but, to my ear, Fender pickups have a sound that just takes me back. Not all of them are great pickups and you'd have to do some homework to find the ones that were the best and suited you but when I plugged my Fender Jazz in for the first time and got that Fender sound again it was like a time machine back to when bass just sounded right.

Sold John my Thunderfunk amp. Great guy to talk to and deal with. Many thanks for a good sale.

Playing with dots is a skill and playing without dots is also a skill. The good players will be able to do both but it's not a given that if you can do one well and you can do the other. I've played with military trained musicians, especially drummers, and they can read fly sh*t but playing "once more with feeling" is totally beyond some of them. Still, my vote is to send her a couple of numbers to "learn" and run the audition.

The basic advice is if you have an 8 ohm cab and you just want more volume, get another of what you already have. But if you really want a 410 then the Barefaced Four10 is the one I'd suggest. You'll get great tone and they'll hear you in Newquay. On the other hand any of the BF 112's or 212's would sound seriously good too. I've had a few good nights in the Driftwood Spar in the 70's. Is it still there?

The last valve amp I owned was a Mesa 400+ and that didn't do it for me on many levels. I also go back as far as the 60's where there were many valve amps that didn't sound good at all, so after years of using great sounding non-valve amps I'm not naturally a valve fan anymore. Undecided is the best I can offer on valve amps when compared to top quality SS and D class amps. I always run my amps clean. No overdrive or distortion in any part of the signal chain. The conversation always seems to centre on what sounds better "overloaded". As I don't run amps like that I don't find a lot of relevance in these threads. So does anyone have any insights into comparisons between non-valve amps and valve amps that are not overloaded?

[quote name='progben' timestamp='1501157854' post='3342910'] For example: there's a million Ed Sheeran's out there (some far more capable than him and with better songs) and yet he's making millions and they're not. Why is that? [/quote] "Better" is such a meaningless description when applied to a song. They've got to write songs people like more than they like Ed Sheeran's songs then they'll make their millions.

So no solo's then! There's being a great musician and there's being right for the gig. Not the same thing. While she doesn't sound right for the gig she's worth an audition. Then decide.

Both bands that I gig with at the moment play a mix of their own songs, covers with their own arrangements and straight covers. One guy is gigging his latest all original album. It goes down very well. I presume your covers were hits or at least very well known songs? There are no pitfalls in replacing some of them with originals other than the strength of your song writing. Audiences don't care who wrote the song. All they want is a song they can like. Don't lose your objectivity. If you've written a dull song make it better or don't play it.

I'd start with Bergantino. Wembley loudspeakers are good but this is a custom unit so they will probably have to go to Berg to source one anyway.

All Right Now can't sound good on a Fender? You can't play a Cure song without the help of half a dozen pedals? I guess JJ Burnell should have played Walk On By on double bass because that's what the original hit was recorded on. How can this be making any sense? You guys are so stuck in your tunnel vision you should take a step back. . . and. . . breath. . .

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+1 . . . . and your next band leader might be standing in the audience, so make that guy notice you and be impressed. Play every gig like you're auditioning for your favourite band.

In answer to the question, all of the above. Bend your fingers to get the tips even and work at it until it's second nature. On the other hand. . . . do you really [i]need[/i] to change anything?

[quote name='Steve Browning' timestamp='1501072040' post='3342242'] I guess there a few here who wouldn't have wanted to stand next to Peter Green and play Albatross. [/quote] . . .. or ZZ Top, Status Quo and U2. I'm still waiting for their call!!

Professional musicians or semi-pro's . . . . this is played out in many spheres. There are photographers and those who take snaps; gardeners and those whose idea of heaven is to pave the whole thing over; rally drivers and Sunday drivers, etc etc.

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1501060423' post='3342089'] I would say anyone with decent technique and a professional level bass and amp/cab can pull these off adequately. However to be more than adequate you will need possibly a little more from the bass in your hands [/quote] My view is that anyone with a decent technique and a brain can nail these songs by the power and presence of their playing alone. Playing Motown sounding like Lemmy or JJ Burnell would be an interesting interpretation but if you can play the songs right then [i]your[/i] sound will work. Some of the songs in your list were recorded on a P bass so no onboard EQ and only 1 pickup on the original. If you are saying that not copying the tone on the record makes your playing just adequate then I'd strongly disagree. As I said before, you can play every song with a different tone if you want to, but that isn't necessary. It's your playing that will make or break the song and make you a good or just adequate player.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1501053034' post='3342006'] . . . . as my partner says when I ask her about the sound of a new amp or speakers or I mess with the settings "bass is bass, all sounds the same to me" [/quote] Maybe she is right! It's all the same to me too. As long as you sound good then I don't care either. Whichever way, I'd always prefer the truth. I played both my P and J basses on a sound check last week and the drummer, who's also a bass player, said he didn't hear much difference between them. So it seems I really do sound like me no matter what I'm playing!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1501022201' post='3341932'] Aren't there other seniors here that are in the same boat as me?[/quote] Me too. Easily done with the right attitude, ability and contacts. It's getting tougher but I'm hanging on.

If you want more tone how about a pre amp pedal? Probably better result and flexibility .