chris_b

Same here. I don't regret selling my Wal Custom Mk 3 5 string. Bought it 20 years ago for peanuts and made a killing when I sold it 10 years ago. Sadly that was a fraction of what they are going for now!!

I put Bartolini pickups in my old Precision and the sound improved 500%. So I thought I'd knock it out of the park and install a Bart pre amp. Cos pre amps really improve your sound don't they! IMO that added 5% to the sound. For what the whole exercise cost I'd have been better off just upgrading the pickups and staying passive. My first suggestion would be, if you have issues with your sound, buy a bass that sounds like you want it to sound. If you really need to start modding this bass, replace the pickups with a better set and see what that does for you. You could easily have fixed the problem with that one move.

The audiences don't matter. Not even the rest of the band. Choose the bass or strings that make you happy. Because a happy player plays better and that makes the band play better.

Depends why they endorsed the bass. Maybe it was a business decision and all they needed were some photos for the advertising. I don't follow signature instruments but, did Sting ever play his? I know that Nathan East and Andrew Gouche play theirs.

If you want to be musically satisfied, or in a better band, you've got to be picky. Keep looking.

I had rounds on all my basses for 30+years. Then I heard flats on the same model as mine and loved the sound. I now have rounds on the Jazz and flats on the P. One caveat, I don't sound like Mark King or Chris Squire, but I've used flats in blues rock bands and the other bands. Doesn't Steve Harris use flats? IMO if you have a good EQ on your amp you can play any bass and use any strings you want.

Maybe all music should come with a DBS check. Then we'll know it's safe to play.

For Motown, dance and covers I always use my Super Midget and Super Compact. I sometimes use the Super Compact on its own. If you want a one cab does all IMO the SC or BB2 is perfect.

Lots of choice, my contribution is to recommend you buy a good set of flatwound strings, my choice would be LaBella or TI, and a lump of foam.

In the same week I bought a Mike Lull MV5 Jazz with a Brazilian fretboard, and a Sadowsky RV5 Jazz. It was like having Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes in the same team. I told myself I didn't need both basses and I sold the Lull!! I never look back, but that was a decision I will always regret.

I play a 5 string so I wouldn't gig with just 110 cab, but I have used 2 One10 cabs and they sounded pretty good.

I've used ACS plugs on every gig for the last 12 years or so. I started with ER17's, then Pro20's. I also use them when I go to concerts and Santa Pod. I had a holiday in Atlanta and we went to a Falcons game. I took the plugs out for a second and the noise hurt my ears.

You are being pretentious if you have bought expensive gear and can't play it, or you turn up to a jam with a roadie and 15 basses. Take your normal gear and play the donkey off it. Get the work you are looking for because you are good at what you do and can show these guys that you deserve their consideration.

You can't select a song based on how angelic it's writer was. If you are looking for a moral compass, don't buy anything made in China, Indian sweat shops or vegetables flown in from Africa and don't vote Tory. That's stuff that really matters. I don't believe Clapton is a racist. Sober he has some stupid views, but he was a chronic alcoholic who would do and say anything depending on how drunk he was. He's played with Nathan East for 30 years. If he was racist I'm sure Dave Bronze would have been on stage instead.

Hey Lozz, sorry to hear this. These days thankfully we have options. Sitting down on a gig isn't very Punk, but if that's what you have to do, needs must!

I don't really care about the people who wrote or originally performed the music. IMO many were pretty flawed characters. I'm a song stands on it's own kinda guy. PS I don't like Quincy Jones. His arrangements were always about him and not the song. Like Phil Spector's production of Let It Be.

I went from no gigs a week to the equivalent of 16 gigs a week. I'm just giving an example of how extended amounts of playing time does not have to have a detrimental effect on your hands and fingers. There was no "punishment", just a lot of hours. The message is, there are ways of playing bass that don't hurt your fingers, hands or arms.

Back in the early 70's I spent 7 months or so playing the US airbases in Germany. That was 5 45min sets from Monday to Thursday and 6 sets on Friday and Saturday. I don't dig in, and didn't get blisters or callouses. I did get very bored, but that's another story.

You shouldn't expect to get callouses when playing bass guitar unless you are hitting the strings too hard.

OK, then a 5 string looks like it will come in very useful. All the pit guys I know use 5's. It is a very flexible format. I play with many different bands and while I've never been asked to play a particular bass, several have complimented my and said the 5 string gives their songs an added something.

There's a lot of hassle involved in changing all your techniques for a 5 string bass. Does the music you play have a need for one? IMO unlike 4 string basses, cheap 5's can be very patchy, so get a good one. I'd look to spend all your budget on a good used bass. I don't know Warwick, but Lakland Skylines, Sire and Fender Am Std V's of the 2010's are worth a look. Check out the used basses on Basschat, Bass Direct, Bass Gallery and Bass Brothers. Good luck with your search.

When I buy a bass I have it serviced and set up at the Gallery, and if required, I get them to fret stone and level the frets. The basses always come back playing better, smoother and faster. So, my experience is that keeping your bass in top condition makes for a better sounding and playing bass.

Lakland Skyline. . . a lot of bass for the money.

Have a browse through Bass Direct's used basses.

Jet Harris reincarnated!!