chris_b

A stool is a good idea. I've used one in the past. A semi acoustic bass will only weigh about 4-5lbs.

How heavy were the basses you've sold? I can easily manage 81/2 lbs but get uncomfortable with 9 1/2 lbs. I guess the real answer is either a Hofner violin bass, or similar hollow bass, or one of those straps that fix around both shoulders or your waist.

As you're upgrading from a 210 the BB2 will be much louder, bigger sound, clearer and have better tone. The BB2 is "similar" to many 212's so it will easily cover a 210's performance. You'll get more volume from a BB2 and you'll get more definition and clarity. When people say it's like having a blanket taken away from in front of your cab. . . . it's true. I like modular rigs. I've 2 Super Compacts. I can use 1 or 2 depending on the gig. I'd get the BB2 and start saving for the second one. Your safety net is that Alex knows exactly what he is recommending (so you really can believe him) and you get a 1 month return policy with every cab.

Blame your tools. That always works.

Little Feat - Let It Roll

[quote name='Churchie' timestamp='1457632207' post='3000465'] but can't seem to get a big enough boost to make my sound distinct enough over the lead guitar. [/quote] I think there might be several "issues" here. In any band, especially a trio, the bass shouldn't be going up and down in level with the solos or guitar parts. Neither should you be filling out the sound when the chords stop. In a trio the spaces are as important as the notes. No problems are fixed by adding a pedal. That's just trying to paper over the cracks. If you feel your sound is indistinct at one part of the number it is probably indistinct in the rest of the number, and maybe all the numbers. So I think you don't just need to work on solos but your whole sound. I'd start by loosing the pedal. You don't need it. As Lozz says, put everything back to 12 o'clock on the amp and push some mids and low mids. Experiment with small step changes to your EQ. Do you use the low note thing that Ashdown amps have? Turn it off. Be brave and you'll improve the dynamics of the band 1000%. I play in many trios and the guitarist can stop (to retune, talk to the audience or just scratch his arse) and leave me and the drums playing. We don't change anything when that happens. If you and the drummer are playing your parts properly the number doesn't droop or loose anything when the guitar stops or changes what he plays. I don't know your gear, but the other thing to focus on when you decide you need better definition and clarity in your sound is to think about upgrading your gear. You may have out grown what you are currently using.

The secrete to GAS is to GAS for something you need, not something you don't.

That's when you realise you should have had a backup.

A Roqsolid foam guard cover for my SC was £45. £50 if you wanted the printing. . . still cheaper than BF but not by as much as is being indicated.

[quote name='tonyclaret' timestamp='1457763669' post='3001596'] Was going to get a TKS S112 [/quote] Your profile says you've got a CN112. IMO that's one of the best 112 cabs around. Why would you need another 112 cab?

If your technique is correct small hands won't be an issue when playing bass and having small hands doesn't require a thin neck or short scale bass. Esperanza Spalding can play an upright bass with no effort. Checkout how she plays upright and electric basses. How you hold the bass and how high you play the bass makes reaching the strings easier or harder. If you can't reach the lowest string without stretching or feeling uncomfortable hold the neck at a higher angle until you can. Some people play with a sharp angle to their wrists. I find it's more comfortable and easier to play if the wrists are straighter. Whether you use 1,2,3,4 (1 finger per fret) fingering or 1,2,4 depends on where you are on the neck and what the next note is. Generally use 1,2,3,4 higher up the neck, above the 10th fret, for instance, but I'd always, always use 1,2,4 fingering below. Don't stretch (ever), so don't fix your thumb to any spot on the back of the neck. Always move your left hand to place your fingers over the correct fret. Aim to move your left hand for every fret change. Watch videos of Rocco Prestia and Travis Carlton. They'll play whole lines with one finger, just moving their hands to the correct place. Move your hand a lot and your fingers a little. If your left hand is moving properly then you'll be hitting all the notes without stretching. Always focus on your fingers and the note and in the end your hand will follow.

I guess you should try to turn this to your advantage. Try to get a local gig (promote yourselves if you have to) and advertise the hell out of it, including this "issue" and make people come to see you to find out what all the fuss was about.

They do. Venues have told my bands that if we play the gig half a mile down the road we won't get booked at their venue. It's business. You don't split your customer base or audiences. It's tough and "unfair" but totally predictable. The tribute band is trying to sell tickets and they see a band doing the same act playing for free at the same venue. Sorry, if this was me I know that I'd be doing the same thing.

At this level it's pointless to just rehash the records. That's what cover bands do. The artists live show has to be so much more. Dynamics and arrangement do this. The arrangements and performances fit GK and the songs like a glove. Count me as a fan of this "overblown", exciting and lively style of playing and performance.

It's a standard approach. Especially in the theatre. They won't allow a touring version of any play planned or actually running in the West End. Even school Am Drams get refused.

And here's another fantastic clip from the White House in 1996. . . . [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp4BPNDYjGg[/media]

Amazing band, amazing arrangements and an amazing drummer. Amazing 5 string bass playing.

Call Alex and explain.

I would imagine the UK/US exchange rates aren't working in our favour at the moment.

[quote name='jimbobothy' timestamp='1457452666' post='2998730'] I really don't know why some venues have the level so high, they must know about their duty of care and potential hearing damage? [/quote] As soon as one gets sued and looses the case they'll all put limiters in.

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1457441345' post='2998550'] Ironically I woke up even deafer than usual this morning, having used earplugs at a rehearsal for the first time ever last night. [/quote] Did you forget to take the plugs out?

Firstly, don't do 1 finger per fret. Start with 1,2,4. Next get him into a band ASAP.

Glad they got the treatment started early. Bill Wyman, the guy who made me want to pick up a bass.