chris_b

The live music scene isn't dying, but it is seriously contracting. If you're feeling the "heat" and want to continue you've got to raise your game and get better than the competition.

As you've found out, a great audience reaction doesn't mean the band is playing well. It's good that you can hear what needs to be done. Play the tape to everyone in the band and put all the "issues" under the microscope. Tell them that not fixing everything is not an option. Be prepared for push back. Timing separates the good players from everyone else.

I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

Of course you judge yourself and the band on more than the audience reaction, but the main objective is that the punters always come away thinking they had a great time and we were the reason. Promoters like that as well. My cover band usually goes down well which, over the years, has caused some complacency. Now we're in a process of rebuilding the set and focusing on how we play it. We got sloppy and now we're tightening everything up. Some of the band members are not comfortable being analyzed, but it's working and I think were playing better than ever and the reaction to us is improving. Compliments are the litmus test for a band. Whether we deserve them or not, I'll take as many as I can get. But there's no rose coloured specs here.

I've recently heard BF cabs being played with a TC RH750 and a GB STL 9.2 and both sounded fantastic. I have used an LM2, which is close to the LM3, and always got a good sound out of it. My Aguilar TH500's have sounded great with a fat, warm vintage vibe, through all the cabs I've used, including a BB2. These are all shades of great. I think you've got to hear the amps before you decide.

Merton is selling his Barefaced SC g3 cabs for the same reason. I wonder how many people are moving about on your (and his) side of the stage? How would your rig get knocked over? When I set up there's just me and access to the drum kit on my side. Also, how loud do you play? My bands are pretty loud and I had no trouble hearing my 2 112 cabs and that rig didn't even come up to my waist. I found no need to vertically stack my 112 cabs. Back in the day, we used to stack 2 412 cabs and a valve amp on some very iffy stages and I've never seen a stack come close to falling over.

Which bass do you like the sound of the least?

Foam works in the studio because it evens out the notes and prevents unwanted resonances. What foam takes away can be added by the desk, but for live work I prefer the dynamics of undampened strings.

Jack, If you included 3 tone sunburst and rosewood fret boards you'd be exactly right. Scale: I prefer 35" but my Wal at 34" was fine. So scale isn't necessarily a deal breaker for me. I could go longer without much trouble, ie 36" but I wouldn't be keen to go shorter, ie 32" or 33". That would depend on the instrument. String spacing: I was given a Yamaha 5 string to play on a gig and I had the most miserable time I've had in years. The strings were so close together it was unplayable. I prefer room to stretch out so 18-20mm is good for me. Weight: These days I can do 3 sets with my 8 1/2 lb Lull but 2 sets is a stretch on anything weighing more. As the years go by, chambered Sadowsky basses are becoming more appealing!

Check out his web site http://www.wynguitars.com/pricing/

Over the years there have been loads of "no one cares about the bass player" threads, which I think just isn't true. In the last 4 gigs I've had 3 guys come up to me and compliment me on my sound and playing and 4 ladies who told me that they were dancing to the sound of the bass. We [i]are[/i] appreciated, [i]what[/i] we play and [i]how[/i] we sound is important. My dep is a very, very good player, but the band tells me they prefer my playing. It took them about 3 years to bother to tell me. So don't assume silence means that people aren't listening and appreciating.

My preference would be to replace the cab. If there really is no budget for a new cab then give Phil Starr a PM and find out which replacement speaker would sound best. We're told that in order for the cab to sound good the speakers will have to match the cab. Then were told that most of the popular makes are designed to a budget, not to a technical spec. As most of these cabs sound OK, what I take from that is there is so much leeway in cab design that getting it right, down to the last millimeter, isn't necessary to get a good sound.

Too many blues bands in the UK seem to be playing ideas from the 50's. Based around lead guitar and limited interesting grooves and arrangements. Listen to some of the US guys touring Europe, like Lucky Peterson, Sherman Robinson, Coco Montoya, Bernard Allison. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alzAG7rCAQA"]https://www.youtube....h?v=alzAG7rCAQA[/url] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhr36kVaDoc"]https://www.youtube....h?v=Mhr36kVaDoc[/url] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atr73gUUn5Q"]https://www.youtube....h?v=atr73gUUn5Q[/url] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7UdvncZAtw"]https://www.youtube....h?v=X7UdvncZAtw[/url]

Graeme, thanks for a good sale. Cheers Chris

Good version. Great band and with Vail Johnson playing some fantastic lines.

[quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1427405412' post='2730115'] With regards to the TH500, any one run out of headroom or find it gets hit if driven moderately or hard. There just does not seem to be enough metal in there to keep a 500W (even a Class D) cool at those power levels. [/quote] With the right cab they get as loud as you like. I trust Aguilar to design and build a quality amp. I'd like to hear about it if you think those guys are cutting corners.

You don't seem to be aware of the music has been played for the last 100 years under the umbrella term "The Blues". It has gone through significant changes since the 1890's and is continuing to evolve on a yearly basis.

I use an Aguilar TH500. Apparently the fan can get a little noisy on some, but mine doesn't cause me too much trouble. I have no problems with the EQ. Everything is flat and the Drive off, and distortion is not a common issue. I've only heard of with 1 amp with a problem.. I'd also suggest the Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2. They have a very good tone section.

That's all good, but you've got to find a way to modify your technique and play with less force in both hands.

[quote name='Thump' timestamp='1427300709' post='2728579'] How long did it take you to build up enough hardened skin on your fingers so as to not be in pain when trying to play? [/quote] It didn't. I play for hundreds of hours a year and I don't have blisters or callouses. If you're in pain when you play you're doing it wrong. Never mind your fingers, you're risking RSI.

For the last 20 + years I have covered everything you've listed with just one of my fretted 5 string basses. IMO anything else does not come under the heading "need".

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1427045792' post='2725035'] It would be awesome to see someone play a funk gig with a BC Rich Widow! [/quote] Pointy basses can get funky . . . . . Jerry Preston. . . . . . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABLwmYI09Lw

I had some time out. When I came back I excluded Off Topic. I should have done that years ago.

We used to do numbers by Etta James, Ann Peebles, Betty Wright, Bonnie Raitt and Koko Taylor. Also by Keb Mo, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Lucky Peterson, Johnny Laing, Brook Benton, Delbert McClinton and Jon Cleary. There's a lot to choose from out there.

Only 20 mins? I've lost years on the sodding internet.