chris_b

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1483525262' post='3207831'] Remember you're part of the rhythm section, not a soloist. If people notice you, you're overplaying. Keep it simple. [/quote] I understand your point. . . . but, IMO there's a difference between over playing, being boring or invisible and playing enough of the good stuff to get noticed. Good bass players do get noticed for their bass lines and stand out because of their playing. We should all aim to be noticed and heard.

Hey. . . you're looking over my shoulder?!?

People hear thing differently, then explain them differently. I've never know what "dark" means. Players are also capable of not being able to get a good sound out of gear. . . then they're just as likely to blame the gear. This seems to happen a lot with 5 string basses. IMO woolly means lacking clarity, indistinct. Woolly seems to mean "vintage tone" to some.

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1483473319' post='3207489'] Loved the tone and that bass player was an absolute treat. Weird to watch but boy he could play. [/quote] Stan Sargeant. Plays with Al Jarreau and currently with Keb Mo.

Sorry for your situation, but as Dave says it's just stuff. When you're back on your feet there will be better stuff to buy. Good luck.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1483468152' post='3207401'] Very true,the top teir musical communities are usually exclusive clubs and they never let outsiders in. [/quote] Don't I know it! You can sometimes get in if you're good at what you do. Talent and ability might get you through the door, if they see you play. . . but you do need that first break. This is why I'm always against the "no one ever notices the bass player" mantra. Every time you play a gig you're auditioning. You are putting yourself out there for others to see. One of those "others" might be a band leader looking for a replacement or somebody forming a band, over the years this has happened to me several times. You'd better make sure they are impressed because this could be your source of new gigs and the chance might not come around again!

This is very sad news. I only met him a couple of time but Vic was a great guy. Always friendly and always helpful. . . even after I'd been playing the same riffs for 2 hours comparing my Lull to a couple of other basses in the shop.

I've been turned down for bands because I wasn't the same height as the rest of the "vertically challenged" band members or as pretty, didn't look good enough in Spandex and once because I didn't want to cut my hair in a DA and quiff, but I've been turned down the most because of my age. The first time I was told "you're too old" I was 20 ffs!!

The last audition I did that got me into a band was in 1985. Since then it's been a long list of one door closing and two doors opening. Every offer to me for over 30 years has been by word of mouth. I don't know any bands that advertise for new members, so IME every new person is already known, wanted and has the gig before the phone call is made. That makes it extremely difficult if not impossible to be an outsider and break in to the local band scene. I usually get my deps from people I know or who know the guys I play with. For the few where I'm not known I'll provide Youtube's of me playing. Unfortunately that can be a double edged sword for an old git like me!

I see problems for bands and live music all around in the South East. The nature of entertainment generally has changed. There is a lot of competition for the pound in our pockets and the quality of live music is very variable. Attention spans are getting shorter. There is total access to music online so seeing a band isn't special any more. People are drinking at home, coming out later and spending a lot less in the pub. Audiences don't want to be blasted out of their seats by a loud unbalanced racket. Neighbours have total control and are using it to stop loud music. Most landlords and pub managers aren't very good at that job let alone being a good music promoter. A lot of the local gigs have either been knocked down as a result of huge town centre redevelopment or they're now Tesco and Sainsbury's Express shops. I don't see how it will get better.

There are many #1's. The better you do them the better you'll be as a bass player. Perfect timing, know every note on your fret board, serve the song, listen, be on time and "leave something on the table", ie add some original and unique lines to every song you play.

Love 'em.

Is this active? IMO flats are good on passive basses but waste the range and breadth of tones you can get out of a pre amp.

I have 4 amps: 2 Aguilar TH500's, a Mesa D800 Subway and a Thunderfunk 750. If something comes along that sounds better or has relevant options I'll try it. If it works for me then it will take over as #1. I bought the D800 because it was 2 ohm and the reviews were strong. It sounds very good but I still prefer my TH500 on the gig. I'll be selling this soon. I've had a Thunderfunk since 2007. First the 550 and now, for the last 5 years, a 750. It's so good it will probably be the last amp I own. It runs at 2 ohms, which used to matter when I ran a Berg 312 rig but that's not so important now with the Super Compacts. It sounds huge, clean, clear and full of tone. The TH500s sounded fantastic with my Berg's and are just as good with my Barefaced cabs. They are my go-to amps. Nothing has come close in the last 2 years. After 9 years of Bergs AE and CN cabs I've moved to 2 gen 3 Barefaced Super Compacts. Happy or what!! For me this gear has a synergy. It all works together so well.

. . . . I can't play 35" basses because I have small hands. . . . . I only have loss of hearing in one ear. . . . I don't need earplugs yet.

For 2 weeks now my wife has been asking me when I'm going to buy the Sadowsky Will Lee 5 I tried before Christmas. I told her I didn't think I could as I only bought a Mike Lull M5V Jazz a month ago. Apparently, she doesn't think that is a good enough reason not to buy the Sadowsky!!

Email Alex and ask his opinion about the other cabs you've spotted. Personally I'd only add another Barefaced cab. They are pretty unique and adding the wrong cab could ensure that neither is working as well as it should. That really wouldn't be a good use of your cash.

What's the problem? Just sell one to restore harmony and balance.

On my 5 string I move my thumb around between the pickup, B string or E string. When I played 4 string it was either pickup or E string. Seems to me this is a solution looking for a problem. Watch your favourite players on YT. Hardly anyone uses fully floating thumb. Most people, including most top pro's, seem to be able to mute the strings without this technique. You've got to be anchored somewhere, either your forearm on the edge of instrument or all the way up at your shoulder. IME it's easier to use the moveable anchor. Also I think you get better control of each note with a grip between a fixed thumb and the plucking fingers.

Basses that shook the world? I'm biased. . . IMO the first 2 on the list are 51 and 58 P basses, the third is the Jazz, the fourth is the first 5 string bass and the rest come next.

Can you buy tapered flatwound strings? I'm not sure I've seen any of those.

I'll start the list with Charlie Chandler in Hampton Wick, the ex-Chandlers guys in Richmond and The Bass Gallery in Camden. I changed the pickup on my P bass to Bartolini and got a huge improvement in the tone. Later I added a J pickup and only got a small improvement. So small I didn't think it was worth the money I paid out! Have you upgraded the existing pickup yet? I'd suggest you think about that as a first step.

Joe Cocker's version of With A Little Help From My Friends. It's got to be on a short list of one for the best cover.

After the banking crisis, Brexit and the impending oil price hike, it's pretty pointless comparing current prices against a decade ago. The price is the price: people will pay or they won't. . . . so, I played a Fender Am Pro Jazz V today. If they're all like this then Fender might have finally come up with a 5 string bass that can compete and win! About time!! It had a reasonable set up, a lowish action and had a very clear and even sound across all strings. I'm not looking for another Jazz but if I was this would certainly have enough plus points to get my attention. If anyone's looking for a 5 string Jazz this should be on their audition list.

I played a Fender Am Pro Jazz V today. If they're all like this then Fender might have finally come up with a 5 string bass that can compete and win! If anyone's looking for a 5 string Jazz this should be on their audition list.