chris_b

I preferred the sound of my LM2 with the 2 filters (VLE, VPF in the off position.

Threads like this just prove how tribal we are. Which I find endlessly interesting.

Get proper moulded ACS plugs and save your hearing.

I don't get the "4 string was used on the original, so that's what I need to do" comments. Sometimes I play songs that were originally recorded on double bass. Why would I buy a DB for those songs? Forget the gear used on the original recordings. That is irrelevant. What bass feels right to you? Use that bass and make the songs yours, not carbon copies of someone else's ideas.

I had an LM2 and 2 x GS112's for awhile. The cabs were pretty heavy, but sounded very good. If you can lift it I would guess this rig will sound good as well.

Yep, Leo Fender, and his team, invented the Precision but the bass guitar was Paul Tutmarc's concept. There is quite a bit of information on Talkbass about Tutmarc and his basses.

That's what it's like to be going deaf, and there's no coming back from that! IMO any downsides from hearing protection is a small price to pay for playing in a band AND keeping your hearing.

You need to play better basses.

ACS Pro (17 and 26 filters) plugs for me. Most of the guys I know, who do not use hearing protection, are well on the way to hearing aids. . . . most of them are guitarists! The guys with sense, bass players and drummers, are nearly all using proper protection.

Play the bass that is right for you. I moved to 5 string basses in 1996. The additional notes, positions and sounds are now integral to my style and technique. In nearly 30 years no band has made negative comments about my gear or their music being played on a 5 string bass. It's the right instrument for me.

The delusional aspects of the MM, NME and Loot Musicians Wanted ads cannot be overstated. Fortunately I've been working by word of mouth since the mid 80's so have totally missed out on the world of online ads.

I thought I was GAS-less. . . . until I heard a Tec-amp Puma 900 this afternoon. I really liked it!!

I think you are overthinking this. There are top rock bassists using fingers and others using picks, so both work. How many is "many pedals"? If you have EQ issues I would look at what all those pedals are doing to your sound.

Just rediscovered this one last night. Great 5 string bass lines. Love this one

Most of the people at my gigs are checking their phones to see when they should take their medication.

Ry Cooder banned smoking at his 80's Wembley Arena gigs. It was a very early anti smoking stance which IMO improved the gig no end.

If you want dirt, get a pedal.

Back in the 80's I was in a great Chuck Berry/Dave Edmunds boogie band, and for many years we started the second set with Little Lisa, followed by Bad Is Bad.

This. . . . The playing, the music and the people are the exciting bit.

Network, network, network. Show up on time, have reliable gear and know your instrument. Practice until you can't get it wrong.

In my book a hobby is not "trade or professional use". If "commuting" to your place of work is allowed, I'd be interested in an insurance company's opinion about us using our cars to get to and from the location of a hobby. My guess is they probably wouldn't want to know when we drive a car full of friends to watch a football match (even if we accept some petrol money), or drive to a golf course. I know several people who drive to the local Unii to invigilate in the exams, for which they get paid. None of them declare it as a "second job" to their insurance company.

Probably nothing. When they are working I would imagine they get paid well enough to cover lay-offs. For what it's worth. . . . a quick search lists Darryl Jones net worth at $8 million.

Same here. I always carry spare batteries and fuses. So far I've supplied batteries to 2 guitarists and provided fuses for a guitar amp, and a PA. I've also had a guitarist and a coupe of drummers borrow the screwdrivers I always carry. Never used any of those for bass, touch wood!

My batteries last at least 12 months. I change them every year. A system simple enough that even I can make it work.

I don't do GAS. If I find something better than what I'm currently using I might buy it, but it has to be better, not just different or more shiny. For the last 10 years I've been using the best gear I've owned; a Mike Lull PJ5, Aguilar amps and Barefaced cabs. When you get to peak tone there is nowhere to go, so I stop looking and just enjoy what I have. My sound got a big thumbs up from the band this afternoon, confirmation that I don't need to change a thing.