chris_b

Why does everyone want to play in the dark? The sky's the limit with stage lighting but at least get a couple of boxes with about 4 bulbs each and put them either side of the stage pointing back at the band. If the gig isn't professional enough to have some sort of lighting for the band, bring your own. A basic 2 box system will look fine and a bunch of dark shapes huddled in the corner looks so amateurish.

You have a bigger problem. If the stage is so dark that you can't see your fret markers then the audience can't see you. Get some stage lights, look more professional and you'll also be able to see your frets.

Running an amp at 4 ohms does not make it less reliable than running it at 8 ohms!!

Listen again to SHA. It's a great country rock tune. Most people I've heard play it as a grungy rock thrash and trample all the life out of it. Also listen again to Mustang Sally. Wilson Picket and the Fame guys swinging like a thingy. These songs get slated but they are great songs. They get such a bad reputation because they're usually played so badly by bands who wouldn't know a subtle groove if it hit them in the face.

An extension cab will usually only raise the height of a rig and not increase the footprint. If space is an issue I'd get a couple of good 112 cabs. I used to use 2 Bergantino AE112 cabs. Only slightly bigger than your combo and a great sound.

Over time Bootsy's focus changed from bass player to bass playing front man and then star of the show. I think people can like all of them or one and not the others without it being a problem. Bootsy Collins wasn't with James Brown very long but I was fortunate to see that band. What a night. It was at East Ham Odeon and their second show of the day. They came on at about 2 am and played all night.

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1464329751' post='3058423'] I cannot literally hear the guitarist at all, and we're a seriously loud 3 piece rock band. [/quote] I hear a lot of bass when I play with my plugs in, and my cabs are at about waist level. Do you have cabs higher up? maybe up around your head? Maybe you can't hear the guitarist because you're too loud and drowning him out or maybe you're both in the same sonic space.

I'll go back and check covers sometimes. I might change what I'm playing as a result and I might not. My charts are usually worked out correctly from the start. I'll play some covers note for note and others will be "my take". I prefer when the band follows the chord structure of the original cover, unless we're using a new arrangement. I'll usually hassle if bands cut corners or are careless or lazy.

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1464340377' post='3058546'] I still start with a totally blank canvas and can do whatever I want. [/quote] I've been in many bands who were only writing and performing original songs and in reality you'll rarely get a "blank canvas". If the song is already written you get to put a bass part to the song and that might give you creative input or no scope at all.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1464313797' post='3058412'] gigging really improved my playing. Every time I pick up a bass I'm playing something creative. [/quote] +1

Are these the moulded plugs? Did you get a pair? Swap to the other filter?

Well, do what you prefer but I think it's all just bass playing. I have managed to play in both covers and originals bands (a few did both) for most of my playing career. IMO there are no downsides to either style. They are all just playing songs.

Try and get some bass in the PA for outdoor gigs.

It only took Fender from 1966 to hear what their customers were saying. Even with good QC Fender will still put out some instruments that don't meet the standard. With an output of something over 200,000 instruments a year it's always going to be a possibility.

From similar threads on Talkbass Fender turned a QC corner around 2008.

Different words but Melody Maker was full of adverts like that. One of the best ads I saw just said; [i]Bass wanted for Chicago Blues Band.[/i] That was Peter Green's ad when forming Fleetwood Mac.

[quote name='Bolo' timestamp='1464196139' post='3057469'] Frudua made a decent setup video where he shows what's going on. About 3 minutes in. [/quote] That's what we're talking about.

I haven't sent much through the post but I've not had any problems with DHL (so far. . . . touch wood, fingers crossed!!)

Also to be fair, he can go lower than I can on my B string. He uses a split system of the MB200 and ONE10 for the low end and another powered cab (can't remember the name of that one) for the mids and high end. It all sounds excellent to me when in full flight, but he still feels he has this "issue" in the low notes.

[quote name='honza992' timestamp='1464170399' post='3057080'] the MB200 is cheap and cheerful. Has anyone played both? Care to comment on tone? [/quote] I know a keyboard player who's using a ONE10 for the low end of his sound, being driven by an MB200, and he doesn't like it. Too sterile according to him.

I'd suggest the TH350.

Marc, if you want to check out the local history, there is a ferry trip on the Thames from Kingston to Hampton Court Palace, Ham House, Orleans House, Syon Park and the Steam Museum at Kew. A bit of culture at the Richmond Theatre or The Rose Theatre in Kingston, Sport at several top Rugby clubs in Twickenham and Richmond (if the season has started) Horse Racing at Sunbury and Esher and there's the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.

Aah. . . . the Mulberry Tree, that takes me back! Also the gigs at The Crown and Turks Head, just up the road in St Margaret's. Sadly I don't think any of them are still active music venues.

Yep. Don't let the strings twist when you're putting them on.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1464032984' post='3055993'] But, re the male singer, sometimes a good frontman can carry a band better than a good singer, [/quote] +1 You could always turn the mic down! Maybe he'll improve if you're rehearsing enough? Choose songs he can sing and that suit his abilities. If you leave now and the singer returns you've shot yourself in the foot. I'd carry on with this band but you need a plan B. Look around for another band, just in case. The 2 bands can overlap.