chris_b

But, which one is best if all you want to do is play bass lines and sound very much like a bass guitar?

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1479665084' post='3178273'] I always liked Bing, myself. That laid back, cheek puffing style of his was a winner. [/quote] Especially with his kids.

Mods. . . just delete the whole thing!

Imagine if/when your hearing sounds like that when you have no plugs in?

In the cut throat West Coast studio business you don't become a first call bass player on thousands of hit records by not being one of the best. She made her Motown claims and doesn't seem to have added further information so it's difficult to know exactly what was going on there. Until we know more it's pretty easy to throw insults around but impossible to back any of them up with facts. Get a grip guys.

I don't know Zoot cabs but Thunderfunk amps are a work of art. My 750 has the 800 upgrade which lets it run down to 2 ohms but I believe the standard 750 can do 2.67. Email Dave Funk and find out. Either way I've owned a TF since 2007, first the 550 and now the 750 and they have sounded fantastic through every cab I've owned since then. Amps come and go, Aguilar x2, TC x2, Markbass x2 and a GK but a TF remains. Good move.

I always keep my plugs in my gig bag. That way, if I'm playing, I've got them. These days I can't play without hearing protection, so I carry foam plugs as a backup in the gig bag and also accessories case.

I had a Vox Foundation. 18" cab (weighed a ton and no handles! How did that get past the design team!!) and 50 watt amp, which caught fire in the studio on my very first recording session! IMO On the gear front, these are far happier days. I would suggest a quality 112 cab and a good 350 watt amp, but If you want to go lighter than the GK then rather than breaking the bank, I'd look at the Barefaced One10 and an Aguilar TH350 or maybe a GK MB200 amp.

Sad news. The Dap-Kings were a great band.

I've used ER15's for about 8 years in some pretty loud bands. I'm thinking about getting new ones and the PRO17's look interesting.

IMO Lakland and Mike Lull make Jazz and other 2 pickup basses that sound a lot better. Maybe replacement pickups would improve the sound of your Jazz basses.

OK, but it's a technique tip that is good even if you don't have any hand problems. I'm getting some arthritis in the base of my left thumb which is concentrating my focus on things like this. Obviously it's for you to decide if the info you get is appropriate or not. Good luck with sorting this out.

OK, so I'll say the usual. . . if your fretting hand is stretching you're doing it wrong. Always move your whole hand to place your fingers over the note and never [i]reach[/i] for it. Don't play with your thumb anchored to one place. Your left hand should always be "on the move".

Even though I have reservations, I'll still record it and watch later. These guys are legends.

Members of The Stones, Faces, Who, Led Zep, Eagles and many others had a tendency to let "off steam" while on tour. I think it's great that the Stones are still touring at this level and drawing the audiences they do around the world. I know people who saw them playing at the Eel Pie Island club before they had a record deal and they have always been a fantastic live band. Live there is no other band, but I wouldn't hold out much hope of a defining TV performance. They are in their 70's and the soundtrack probably won't be kind to them.

I'd agree that splitting the bass cabs across the stage isn't a good idea if you want to get the best sound for your bass. Edit: There is no upside to your cab placement and as you are finding out there are a few downsides. Both 12's stacked behind you will probably fix the problem for you and the rest of the band and the audience will still be able to hear every note.

So do you want to gig the Jazz? If you do and want the band to be happy with your sound maybe an outboard preamp, like the Sadowsky, will give the J some extra oomph which will enable it to compete with the Precision.

I play a P bass but after reading your posts the best advice I think I can give you is go back to your Jazz. I don't see the point in chasing a sound you can't find when you already have a great sound with the Jazz. But if you really have to sort the Precision sound I'd start with changing the amp. I don't think your cabs are the problem. I used an Aguilar TH500 with my Berg cabs and it worked well with both my P bass and Lakland. The Mesa D800 Subway has a great tone and clarity and punch.

Neither cool or not cool. Just another design decision.

The GHS Precision Flatwound 5 string set I have on my Lull PJ5 sounds pretty good to me across all strings. They are about 5 years old now and are still good live. I recorded with them earlier this year and through Logic with foam under the strings the B sounded fantastic. I don't play the B string much above the 7th fret so my experience might not be a good fit for your problem.

I thought I didn't need to worry about solo's and never made the leap to constructing a well crafted, intelligent bass solo and I know I've lost gigs as a result. These days, being a good meat and potatoes player can leave you on the back foot when you're up against some of these Uni educated players. The "twiddly" playing bit of my brain never developed and as I say I wasn't picked for a pretty good band because of that! My advice is always be the most complete player you can be. Even if you're just playing with your mates, try to be competent in all aspects of bass playing.

You then get to the stage where your damaged hearing seems to get even more damaged more easily! There's carelessness and there blind f***ing stupidity. No discussion, if you're playing occasionally or regularly in a band you [i]need[/i] hearing protection.

Thanks josie.

The moral is, always play the gear that sounds and plays the best to you. I've tried several very expensive basses and preferred the less expensive bass I already own. A few years ago I tried to down grade my gear to less expensive stuff but it didn't sound right, so everyone has their tipping point where the cost and playability are in balance.

Sad news, again. It also means our band leader will be digging out all the MA songs we haven't done for years.