chris_b

I remember when tank tops were cool.

There are many good humorous songs. By Monty Python, Charlie Drake, Tommy Cooper, Bernard Cribbins, Paddy Roberts to name but a few.

I had far more issues with valve amps than I've had with SS and D class put together. D class is a mature technology. You haven't heard a major touring band that hasn't been running D class powered FOH in 15 years. If D class didn't hit the spot in every category those PA guys wouldn't be using it. D class amps are the new standard for bass for a reason, they are reliable and sound good.

I don't do many auditions but on the most recent I was the only one who knew their material. I was even having to prompt the guy who wrote the songs!! The audition before that I was hanging around for an hour before anyone else bothered to turn up! 99% of what I do is word of mouth. It's a much better way of doing things.

If a heavy bass is bothering you now it will only get worse. IMO modding this bass is money down the drain. Sell it to someone who doesn't mind heavy, and find yourself the bass that fits your requirements out of the box.

I was driving home after a gig and found myself in a forest somewhere in Berkshire. It wasn't the way I came and I was very lost. I couldn't read either of the maps, because I'd left my reading glasses at home!!!

Always check your route. I once arrived for a gig at Blues At The Farm, Billericay when I should have been pulling up at Blues On The Farm, Chichester!! So I was 100 miles and 3 counties away from where I needed to be!! I was 3 hours late for the gig. Fortunately it was a festival and the other bands agreed to change the running order!

I was going to watch, to see if anyone I know is playing, but decided I see enough old fogies when I'm gigging.

I learnt. . . . If you think something is too loud it definitely is. The right time to get moulded ear plugs is when you don't have hearing issues. If you think something is heavy, it's probably too heavy. Heavy does not sound better. Play like every gig is an audition for your favourite band. 100% is the only acceptable number when you are playing. You'll meet a lot of idiots and aholes, so be nice to people, even the ones who don't deserve it. Prove you are better than them. Networking is more important than tone. It doesn't matter how good you sound if you ain't got a gig.

I like good melodies. IMO the best 2 lines in Rock are; She was just seventeen. You know what I mean. Shakespeare would have been proud to have written that.

Many instruments have scarf joints where the headstock is joined to the neck. A scarf joint is not a bad design, but is a good one. It works well if you want to set the head of the bass at a different angle to the pull of the strings; ie Gibson, or you just want to strengthen the neck where the headstock joins.

Good choice. This rig will keep you ticking over for as long as you want. Your next upgrades will because you want to change things rather than because you have to.

You are right. When maturing you start to appreciate the finer things a lot more than whippersnappers possibly could.

There's nothing wrong with bolt on necks. Anyone who has a problem with these instruments needs to choose a bass of a different design, one that works for their particular application. Anyone who has chosen a bass that doesn't fit their requirements should be blaming themselves not the instrument.

He was a great player. Very sad news. Check out his website. Scott played on many hits from Glenn Campbell's Rhinestone Cowboy to Stevie Wonder's You Are The Sunshine Of My Life.

Does it? I never knew that!

All my basses live in their cases and only come out to be played. Seems to me permanently keeping 6 basses out on stands is the problem for the wife. I agree with her. You are taking up too much room.

My go-to for most gigs is a BF SC and SM and a BB2 and SM on the louder gigs.

The plants and cacti thrive in our conservatory. I would never put my gear out there.

1-2-4 means Index, middle and pinky. So instead of trying to cover 4 frets with a finger span, which is what 1FPF would do, you cover 3 frets, or root (index) and octave (pinky). 1FPF is basically a guitar technique. On a bass it can work higher up the neck, where the frets are closer together, but lower down the larger spaces between frets can require stretching to reach some notes. If you have shovel hands you can cover more area but most of us don't and need a technique that makes playing easier, less tiring and the lines flow more easily. 1-2-4 does that. Also, make sure your thumb (and whole hand) easily moves up and down the neck. If you anchor your thumb you will have to stretch to reach some notes, but if your thumb follows your fingers your whole hand will be moving and it will make your playing less stressful. +1 for the turmeric.

I had a 400+ and Mesa 115EV and 210EV cabs. That rig sounded great but caused all my back problems! I had heat dissipation issues with my 4u rack. I had to drill holes in the handle plate to stop the amp overheating. I'd start with replacing both cabs with a Barefaced 610 or a BT3. Think about the amp later.

Given a choice I DI post EQ. I've not had any problems from sound men on this. They are quite happy with the post signal I send to DI.

I just don't understand how people can treat playing bass like playing a round of golf! No wonder you all get disillusioned and fed up if you are only playing with people who think the same way.

If you are having problems with 1FPF you should switch to 1-2-4 fingering. It cuts out the stretching. Also reposition your thumb, ie move your hand, so that your fingers are always over the note you want to play. Don't stretch. Any technique that is causing you pain is wrong. Your teacher should know this and should change his advice.

What fingering system are you using? I hope he's not got you on one finger per fret!!