chris_b

The first thing to do when you join a new band is [i]don't [/i]stop looking for a new band. Until you've sorted out all the details and given it a few months to see if it's working as you expected.

The PF500's had serious problems in the early days but that should have been fixed for the last few years. I haven't seen reports of anyone having problems recently. I wouldn't buy a second hand one unless the seller could prove when it was bought, but new ones should be fine now.

My friend had a proper guitar, a Futurama and a Watkins Dominator, so he got to play the guitar parts. I had a crappy Spanish acoustic so I had to play the bass lines. I was a terrible guitarist anyway, so it was one of those happy accidents.

[quote name='Raggy' timestamp='1475150570' post='3143452'] Ah nuts, I was thinking of moving on my SC's to get a Retro cab setup to help with my barracuda bass sound. Sounds like Retro's would work with the Ska sound but not the punk [/quote] Put a Super Midget on top of one or both SC's.

[quote name='Earbrass' timestamp='1475145968' post='3143385'] People who are very good at stuff are seldom happy with their performance - that's why they are so good, they are constantly driven to improve. [/quote] +1 I always used to think, I can do that better. Now I'm older I think that should have been better, but that's as good as it's going to get.

Find an American Standard that you like p[laying and upgrade the pots and pickups if you have to.

Staff in music shops haven't changed much in 60 years.

I'd put some flats on the fretless.

[quote name='zawinul' timestamp='1475056115' post='3142607'] Apart from getting different strings or raising the action which I don;t really want to do, [/quote] I guess this reads as, I don't want to do either, rather than, i don't want to raise the action! More appropriate strings and a resultant set up is the only thing I can suggest.

Why is it so difficult to change the strings?

My first indulgence was a Mesa Boogie 400+. Great amp built for me on special order, but not the best choice when you're only playing every 4 months or so. Then I decided I preferred the sound of something else. I lost a fortune selling that amp. The next and last indulgence was a Rob Allen MB2. A beautiful sounding instrument and wonderful to play. I really didn't think I'd have such a problem with it being fretless [u]and[/u] a 4 string. If only it had frets or a B string I'd probably still own it. Buy with your head not your heart. I knew that. . . . !

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1475003078' post='3142253'] Are we sure he is recovering from a stroke at the time of this clip. . . . you hire Chuck Rainey because he does what he does. With his background, he will be hired for what he brings to the party [/quote] I believe this is after the stroke. The video was supposed to highlight the idea that many of the best players do not always follow "the rules". And it doesn't bother them or their playing at all, so don't get hung up on right and wrong. There are many ways to be an effective player. Most of the great Rock players were absent when the rule books were handed out. edit for spelling!

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1474997961' post='3142189'] The real right answer to this question is really to [b][u]get a lighter bass[/u][/b]. Until i find one with the same core tone as my current one i'll keep hauling it while i'm able. [/quote] That's what I thought when I was gigging my Road Ready EV Mesa cabs. They were way too heavy for me, weighed about 99lbs each, and I knew it but they sounded so good I thought I'd use them for a bit longer. Then I damaged a disk in my back and life became very difficult. Like the right time to use ear plugs is while you can hear everything clearly, before any hearing loss, the right time to get light weight basses and cabs is when you still find it easy to lift the heavy ones.

Average is good. The below average and above average people I've met have usually been pretty level pegging in the PIA department. Thank God for normal people.

I probably shouldn't have chosen that clip. He's recovering from a stroke and can be seen to be struggling at times but his technique is good enough to have made him an elite and world class bass player for the last 50 + years.

I'm a long time Lakland player so I'd say the 55-02 would be a great starting point. I'm guessing you'll be using pedals? How you use those will have a big effect on your sound. Also, IME the best sounding bass recordings are made with a good DI and good ears operating the desk.

I'd also recommend GHS Precision flats. I've had a set on my Lull P bass for 3 or so years and they are still sounding good.

[quote name='therealting' timestamp='1474816284' post='3140723'] I've heard those are quite tough on the fingers, and I have issues with my hands as it is. Do they come in a lower tension / smaller gauges? [/quote] There are lots of different sets. I'd adapt and just lighten my touch. According to Bob Babbitt Jamerson played with a very light RH technique.

As we learn about this stuff many of us progress to bigger, better or just different gear. The more you know the more informed choices you can make. Sounds like you're ready to move on.

Pre 57 Precision? You need La Bella 0760M Deep Talking Bass "Original 1954" flat wound strings..

I'm gutted I missed this. Sounds like the most comprehensive bash so far. Instead I was stretched out on the sofa nursing my lower back, again.

High arched fingers are important if you're playing a guitar and playing many strings at once. On a bass a low arch is the most you need. I'll use low arch and fingers resting on all strings. That's also good for LH damping. Here's a Chuck Rainey video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TAFWwqeHko

[quote name='therealting' timestamp='1474760893' post='3140370'] I feel like it would be a shame for Fender USA to stop making their core line, especially when apparently they'd just started to really get it right. [/quote] Exactly. Fender have finally addressed their issues and then they bin the model. Strange decision, but this is where they should have been in 1975. I was going to say that Fender know their business, but, after getting so close to Chapter 11 maybe they don't.

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1474762872' post='3140382']Fender bass has to so many people, who just think that is what a bass guitar should be…! [/quote] Yep. Far too many people listen to bass with their eyes. They really should know better, but IME it's been that way since the 60's, so is unlikely to change. Thank goodness for the high quality replacement and upgrade industry that grew out of the reality of owning and playing a Fender in the 70's.

If I'm remembering correctly, that was last year. The Berg CN212 was the winner. None of the cabs sounded shabby and I could have gigged with any of them.