chris_b

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1437858839' post='2829633'] I'm now looking into getting a lightweight amp head [/quote] Cut to the chase. . . . every company has a lightweight amp and 99% of them will sound good. A few of them will sound great but you'll have to play them to decide that. I don't know what you want to sound like but I've owned about 6 lightweight amps in the last 6 years and finally settled on an Aguilar TH500. It suits my P bass and flats sound and works very well with my Berg cabs. My other favourite was the Genz STL 9.2.

Does anyone use the volume controls when gigging? And if so, why? When we're playing my volume controls are on the end of my hands.

My thoughts on using small amps? I used my regular amp (550 watts) into a Berg AE112 for acoustic duo gigs and added a second AE112 for most of the other bands. For me the issue with quiet gigs is that the bass stands out more so has to sound better at lower volume. As good as you can make it. That's why I'll always use my best gear and just turn the volume down. If you've just won the lottery you could look at the AER Amp One, but, being sensible, if I couldn't find a good 112 I'd happily use your amp and the AE212. That would not be a problem for me because the sound would be top quality.

[b] soli[/b] (ˈsəʊlɪ) [i]adj[/i], [i]adv[/i] [b]1. [/b] (Classical Music) [i]music[/i] (of a piece or passage) to be performed by or with soloists. Compare [url="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tutti"]tutti[/url] [plural of solo] It's all out there. . . . . .

Rather than spending hours putting together a "tape", Spotify has playlists you can download onto an Iphone which you can then run through a PA on the day.

+1 I don't have a practise amp. I use my TH500 into an AE112 with the volume down. I wouldn't want to spend any money on an amp just for practising.

He was an intimidating guy. They wanted Jim Capaldi for Blind Faith, but Ginger heard Clapton was forming a band and didn't wait to be asked. Eric said, There was a knock on the door and it was Ginger. He moved in and took over the drums. If I'd have known it was that easy to join a top band back then I'd have done a lot better than I did!!

It really ain't like it used to be. My Mum also says that and my kids will say it in 30 years.

Dives are fine. Fights are not. I've seen fewer fights in "dives" than clubs with an entrance charge. In the early days I was given some good advice, "No matter what happens, never look anyone in the eye and never stop playing."

Most of our gigs still start at 9 but we do a few 10.30 starts and 1 o'clock finishes. I can get up when I like the next day so it makes no difference to me.

She should be able to fold the right hand side of the chair down and I'd recommend a light bass, hollow would be better and a good strap.

As well as Markbass, GK and TC I'd also suggest yo uhave a look at Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2 or 9.2 amps. Along with several other companies Genz were put out of business by Fender when they restructured, but Genz amps are amongst the best out there, although only in the classifieds these days.

[quote name='Old Newbie' timestamp='1437717680' post='2828408'] Am I to understand then, that even a small-handed person such as myself, would find them no more difficult to play than an ordinary 34" scale bass? [/quote] No more difficult than playing any other bass or even an upright. Small hands should make no difference. You just have to adjust your technique. No one should be stretching their fingers to hit a note anyway. You should move your whole hand to position your fingers over the note you want to play.

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1437563594' post='2827031'] it's possible to entertain a room full of people, and please a landlord, without playing the same old covers [/quote] You'd think/hope so, wouldn't you. A few years ago I was gigging a guitarist's new album of original songs. On the first gig and after a reasonably successful first set he came back stage and said, We're playing the usual set next. They've been asking for some numbers they know! Like it or not, audiences do not think like musicians. That's why the list of the most popular songs is made up the way it is. I play popular and obscure songs, originals and covers and we get compliments because we don't always play the obvious songs, but there is no difference between any of these songs if the audience doesn't like or react to what you are playing.

The original Mustang Sally is a great number recorded by the fantastic Fame gang session players, including Tommy Cogbill on bass. The only problem with this number is that it's usually played very badly. So play it properly and it becomes one of the best grooves around. . . . which is why it's so popular with audiences.

4 amps failing in 5 years with exactly the same problem? That's not normal or even a coincidence. Could be gremlins, sabotage or maybe they just don't like what your playing. Seriously, it's has to be something you're doing to them. Have these amps all failed with the same cab? If a speaker has been replaced with the wrong ohms you could be damaging these amps in the same way.

There are quite a few, but these are pretty close to the top of the list. Spoonful by Howlin Wolf [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LFjHo7Cdrw[/media] Stay With Me (Baby) by Lorraine Ellison [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pDBuPK0_DU[/media] Piece Of My Heart by Erma Franklin [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUM161EgKdI[/media] America by Simon And Garfunkle [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W773ZPJhcVw[/media]

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1437331924' post='2825140'] They're pathetic snobs, hung up on technique at the expense of musicality. . . . . Half of them can't even play a straight four in the bar without throwing in all sorts of inappropriate off beats, etc. When you ask the to keep it simple/solid, they look at you pityingly. [/quote] You've just dissed the Funk Brothers, most of the Cutting Crew and Tommy Cogbill. Nice one.

Wasn't there one in the classifieds recently?

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1437308956' post='2824973'] This topic is begging for a blind shoot-out along the lines of Lozz's Precision test. One for the next SE Bass Bash? [/quote] Already done. . . last year or was it the year before? The differences were on a par with. . . do you prefer yellow socks or red socks. I didn't hear anyone say that they would be changing their amp as a result of anything they heard in the test. I started when you could only get valve amps and there were a lot which sounded crap. So IME, valve amps do not always sound better, D class amps do not always sound worse and you can't generalise about SS amps either. As I said, they all lack oomph? No. Are some better than others? Of course. Anyone generalising? I don't believe them.

I recently rehearsed with a modern blues and Americana project. Think Crusaders/Keb Mo/Delbert/Robben Ford/Bonnie Raitt. It never ceases to amaze me how good players can make basic grooves sound so good.

In answer to your question, this nonsense doesn't even qualify as an "urban myth". Play your gear knowing that you get a good sound, on stage and in the room. Another cab is always a good idea. You tone improves 500% when you add a second cab. There are many guys out there incapable of getting a good sound out of any amp. Generalisations are pointless in this discussion.

210's are equally good, but again I'd always use 2 of them playing with a band.

Double gig bag? Way too heavy for my poor old shoulder.

+1 The only musical thing I'd change about the 80's is the horrible compressed and processed drum sound everyone used.