chris_b

You can always turn the amp up but there is a difference between loudness from the amp and putting some weight into the note when you pluck the string. Most people play better when they play harder. I don't mean digging in, IMO digging in too much usually makes you sound worse, but striking each note with confidence and firmness. As you're paying your tutor to train you and give you advice I guess you should try to do what he asks.

If you have tinnitus your hearing has been damaged. That doesn't mean you have to stop playing. It just means you have to take extra and proper precautions when you are around loud noises. Always use good ear plugs when you're playing in a band. Don't have the volume on headphones up high and turn your car radio down. I have no idea what "musicians" ear plugs are, but they don't sound like they are working well enough or the ringing wouldn't be getting worse. I've had tinnitus for 30 years and for the last 20 I've made sure that it doesn't get any worse by first using foam plugs and then ACS custom plugs. IMO moulded plugs are the best. They are expensive and well worth the money.

Do it properly, get some lessons from a good teacher.

Unless he's agreed otherwise, this guy should be providing a full service to you. He's not doing that so I'd get someone else.

Maplins do rubber feet for cabs, but I'd call Alex first.

Neo 112 cabs at around 30lbs each and at least 2 of them would be my first suggestion for light and loud. There are some Bergantino 112 cabs in the classifieds that would fit the bill and sound fantastic.

[quote name='largo' timestamp='1462874389' post='3046415'] Surely you need dampening to stop panels vibrating not bracing. Won't bracing just strengthen the panels, so they can be thinner with the same strength? [/quote] I guess the braces act as dampeners in making the areas of unsupported panel smaller and less likely to vibrate as a result. I know that Acme cabs use a bracing system that pushes the sides out slightly, something that the old plane builders used to stop the panels on their aircraft vibrating to pieces.

A wig?

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1462872241' post='3046391'] I tried a DOD Meatbox through a Mackie Studio monitor last week. It was moving around the desk like a slow hovercraft. [/quote] I'd suggest that is the sign of a cab that isn't designed very well. As I understand it, BF cabs are braced so the panels don't vibrate, so the cab won't move. All of your sound/volume/tone comes out of the front of the cab and doesn't get dissipated by vibrating the box.

Play along with a lot of Stax, Atlantic and Malaco records. And keep at it. You'll get good in the end.

Thinking about it, over the years I've been fired surprisingly few times. Most bands had run their course and folded or I was the one that quit. In all that time I can only think of 2 bands I was sad to leave. That's not bad for over 45 years. The guitarist in the acoustic duo changed from playing blues and ragtime to authentic English civil war songs and I didn't see much room for a bass of any kind. Was I pushed or did I jump? A bit of both really. One band leader thought I didn't have the commitment because he got a gig on the day I asked him not to, months before, and I didn't chose the band. The rest of the band was fired for various silly reasons over the next few months. It was a good band, but that guy really was an a****hole. One band had a drummer who, while having a good reputation was a nightmare to work with, decided he wanted to work with different musicians. He quit and his price for coming back was that I was fired. The singer obliged. They are still going and after a few more personnel changes don't sound very good. In this case I like gloating. Nothing much has changed in 45 years. Bands are still a mix of selfish idiots, a***holes, dreamers, talented players and normal people.

The band leader's an a***hole.

I've been using strap locks since the mid 90's. Always Dunlops and I've never had a strap accidentally come off any of my basses. When you do something that works, keep doing it.

I've played many of these numbers in some very good bands. I think a [i]bad[/i] band is defined by [i]how[/i] they play rather than [i]what[/i] they play.

[quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1462724466' post='3045203'] Wet wipes????? [/quote] In case things get messy.

. . . plus you're only an hours drive from Bassdirect.

I'd save your money and go to the SE or the Herts bass bashes instead. You'll see more quality basses there than in all the shops in London.

My first suggestion would be for Barefaced. Next up, Bergantino cabs were some of the best I've played, check those out. Bass Direct has a used Genz Benz 212. I haven't heard one but I've not seen a bad review of GB cabs.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1462438857' post='3042965'] Not if you're in Status Quo. [/quote] . . . . or Dusty Hill. He could have a roadie run on with a different bass if the key changes.

About 15 years ago I was at the The Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City and realised I was standing next to Yoko Ono. She's about 4" 6" in flat shoes. I was going to tell her off for breaking up the Beatles but decided to let it be. (see what I did there?)

I've had conversations (PM's) with several TB members from the US, South America and Hong Kong. I have never been in a fight with anyone on TB. My experience is that everyone I've talked to and posted with has been a regular, helpful, normal guy, from Jim Bergantino to a player just starting out in Sao Paulo. My experience with Basschat is that I haven't been on Off Topic for several years and I don't miss it one bit.

I usually go for the fattest strings the company does. My DR's were 45-130.

For that money you could get a much better cab. The Barefaced Four10, Super Compact and BB2 cabs would kill any MB cabs. If you want an MB rig I'd always get separates then you can easily upgrade later. Also I'd start with 1 Standard 102HF. Larger cab than the traveller and better tone IMO.

Steve Lewinson was also the bassist and musical director for the Eurythmics.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1462104880' post='3040265'] There are a few standard bits which you'll get if you've heard the track before but I think a good version is from Letterman. [/quote] Good call. All the right bits joined up with proper bass playing.