stingrayfan

Thanks for all the nice comments. We did them all in a day, so they're not perfect but good enough for us. We did bass and drums live (with a couple of minor punch-in repairs), then overdubbed guitar, vocals, b vox and some handclaps/tambourine. I got the engineer to add extra compression on the mix to make it sound richer but it's pretty much what we sound like live.

[quote name='Machines' post='97628' date='Dec 2 2007, 02:45 PM']Love the bass tone, the guitar sounds like it's coming through a 10w practise amp though, way too fuzzy for me .[/quote] That's guitarists for you. You tell them to back it off but will they listen?

[quote name='dexter3d' post='97400' date='Dec 1 2007, 08:48 PM']I don't want (and I'm not able) to start a 4-year BA degree in conservatory[/quote] If you do though, could you give me a shout? We're thinking of getting one of those Victorian ones done next year. Sorry, couldn't resist. I'll get my coat (and wicker furniture).

[quote name='Johngh' post='96105' date='Nov 29 2007, 12:52 PM']Mark King is one of the few players that did more to show Joe Public that the Bass can be played in this way than anyone else. Most people think that Bass is just there there to go bum de bum de bum !!!!! Mark changed that, and I think he was also responsible for inspiring a lot of people to take up bass who maybe would never have bothered.[/quote] He's a great musician, no question but I actually prefer his fingerstyle than his slap. He's got an amazing feel for damping and leaning into notes. Use that all the time. But I agree, the YouTube showboating is a bit boring to watch after a while. It's often about know when not to play that when to stick another 14 notes in.

Just finished some new demos for my cover band using my G&L L2000 Tribute. The overall compression's taken a little bit of the edge off the sound but I think it still sounds great. "Chelsea Dagger" is with a pick, the other two tunes are fingerstyle. Click [url="http://www.wagthedogband.co.uk"]HERE[/url] and follow the "Hear What We Sound Like" link. Thoughts appreciated. The bass in question is this one:

The only thing I don't really like about a pick is that it robs you of a lot of control. Great for chugging 8ths, but not so good for anything that requires damping or ghosting. Or maybe it's the way I play...

I met Tigran at the SE Bass Bash and tried out a Jazz he'd modded with the Villex pickups. It sounded great - like the bass had been supercharged. And all without a battery. Nice work. Anything that makes us sound better is welcome here, I reckon.

[quote name='King Tut' post='97517' date='Dec 2 2007, 10:13 AM']+1 for trios - more room to play, easier to organise, more money each per gig. Col[/quote] Spot on. Going back to a four or five piece now would be a right pain, I think.

[quote name='BeLow' post='97138' date='Dec 1 2007, 10:59 AM']We were asked if we would play a local conserative club but we were asked if we would do a 1 hour taster session for them for free as they are not sure how a rock band will go down. This caused some debate in the band, I can't help thinking we are being fleeced a little bit, however my view is that it is also a free rehearsal.[/quote] Offer them the first gig half price as a special offer. Don't do it for free though, sets a bad precedent and also makes your band look a bit desperate. Lower your prices a bit while you're making a name for yourself. If the going rate for your local pub's £200, offer to do it for £150 and tell them you'll bring a crowd. That's what landlords are ultimately interested in; more punters.

[quote name='TheBigBeefChief' post='97418' date='Dec 1 2007, 09:42 PM']Foreplay???[/quote] It's a Coldplay tribute band.

[quote name='steve-norris' post='97423' date='Dec 1 2007, 09:50 PM'][url="http://craftedinjapan.co.uk/photo_995846.html"]http://craftedinjapan.co.uk/photo_995846.html[/url] If i had £410 that's where it would be going, can,t go far wrong for that sort of money, seen them go for more S/H[/quote] They could do with the cash - they've ceased trading!

[quote name='Vasquez Rich' post='95334' date='Nov 27 2007, 10:02 PM']Am getting a bit frustrated... my last band (a great band in my opinion and def the best band I have ever been in) ground slowly to a halt for many varied reasons... have been trying to get something going ever since, have hooked up with a coupla guys but it's been frustrating so far, I have even resorted to recording stuff myself even though my guitaring and drumming is rough as a dogs proverbials. Richard[/quote] Get a new band going and get back out there! Recommend a three-piece. So much more fun.

[quote name='TheBigBeefChief' post='97369' date='Dec 1 2007, 07:50 PM']A very topical point. I want a new bass for Christmas, but she's threatening to leave me if I get one. She already says I'm a terrible lover, have no money and that she's only with me out of pity. I feel blessed.[/quote] Tell her an <insert make and model of bass here> will instantly make you a rich rock star and a better lover. It's all how you sell it. Haha.

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='97307' date='Dec 1 2007, 05:54 PM']2005 4003 MG with VTC[/quote] Is that the soft-top with a 5-speed gearbox? As Alan Partridge would say: "It's a Mini Metro, they've just re-badged it, you fool". Actually that first one is the nicest Rick I think I've ever seen. Must be the binding. Normally I think they look as attractive as Anne Widdecombe but that one looks cool. All they need to do now is re-design it, so there's somewhere to comfortably put your right hand, and they've got a winner on their hands.

There's no getting away from it, for punky pop, you can't beat the sound of a P bass with a pick. I don't really like P basses or picks too much but having heard [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTEN359V8pI"]this[/url] by new band The Wombats, I'm becoming a fan.

Two of me in a band? What a nightmare. I'd be bossing the other me around all the time. Edit: for a typo. One sentence and I can't get it right first time.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='97292' date='Dec 1 2007, 05:19 PM']LOL better than Amy Winehouse's garden Welcome TheBigBeefChief [/quote] Front or back garden? I'm thinking the front one would be a big job involving a sit-on mower. Welcome BigBeefChief. Tell your girlfriend that owning more basses may make the sound improve. At least 5 of them.

Bet they hiss.

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='97117' date='Dec 1 2007, 10:17 AM']Cant make it tonight - with child. Have a good one. I won't use the traditional salutation knowing your luck.[/quote] Yeah Nik, break a [s]leg[/s], [s]cab[/s], [s]string[/s], er... just have a good gig!

How about this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Encore-BB-Blaster-PK40-BASS-Guitar-Starter-Package_W0QQitemZ180183136284QQihZ008QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Encore starter kit [/url]for £100. All you need to see if your 12 year old likes bass, easy enough to sell on in the local paper, if he/she doesn't!

[quote name='barneythedog' post='97104' date='Dec 1 2007, 09:37 AM']The amp seems a little under powered, and I HATE the way it clips so easily, I have to be very careful with the setting of the input gain. Press the DEEP button or boost the bass and on comes the clip light. It has been said that you should set the gain so the clipping light flashes when playing hard, but I'm never happy with this as when that light comes on I can HEAR it clip, which is not a sound I like.[/quote] I really like my Profet 5.1 but I too find it can clip too early. The output is very sensistive to the gain, i.e. adjust that slightly and it makes a big difference between quiet and loud, which is a pain if you have to back it off during a gig. Agree that it's not the loudest amp but it's a good workhorse that does me proud for covers gigs. Worth pointing out that they're also pretty heavy. On the plus side, it's a lot of amp for the money, and has a much nicer sound (to my ears) than Ashdown and Hartke. The contour gives a nice scooped Trace Elliot sound too. I use the mute switch all the time and the treble boost button is really handy at gigs when it gets too muddy. Also the dials are metal and don't feel like they'll drop off tomorrow, which I couldn't say about my old Hartke 2500. All in all, it's a good working amp for not much money but don't expect the earth!

Blimey - it's "pimp my bass". Sure it sounds mighty fine though, being a G&L. Actually how does it compare with the L2000s? Pickups and EQ look the same, so I guess you get that Stingray type growl, but how does the cutout affect it? I've got a bad GAS problem with G&Ls at the mo... A week after getting the natural L2000 Tribute, I've just pulled the trigger on a US L1500. <thinks> Must stop now...

[quote name='colda' post='96612' date='Nov 30 2007, 12:38 PM']easy, 4 fingers = 4 strings anyone who plays more that 4 must, by definition, be an inbred mutant [/quote]

I see from those lights that I'm clear to land.