Paul S

+1 for Roqsolid. They are very good quality for the money - I had some made for my Trace Elliot cabs, complete with green piping - and they are great.

+3 (or 4) For me quick sound bites aren't fulfilling unless from music that I am already intimately acquainted with. I'll play a new record over and over, warts and all. Most often the warts disappear and I get to appreciate aspects of the tracks that didn't initially appeal. I have a CD in the car at the moment by a surf band called The Razor Blades that, on first listen, I didn't really like - surf isn't a big thing for me generally. Now, having played it all the way through several times, I love it. More often than not music that appeals to me instantly is the stuff I get fed up with quickest and don't return to. I think that is one aspect of playing in a covers band that is so appealing. I listen to music that I wouldn't have ordinarily listened to until I am really familiar with it and get to appreciate it more. Well, except for Mustang Sally.

[quote name='spinynorman' post='640566' date='Oct 29 2009, 10:33 PM']You can rehearse the between songs stuff too much. I've been to see The Hamsters many times and it's getting to the point where I can recite the patter with him. "... Purple Haze ...", here comes the story about the Devil's chord.[/quote] +1 there re the Hamsters. The 'don't have to do drugs, just get up out of the chair quickly' gag has been in the last 3 or 4 times. And that walking round during the encore with the wireless kit after swapping instruments has become just too tiresome. 10 years ago I thought they were the mutts but these days seem a little pedestrian, sadly.

I've just changed a couple of basses over to flats. Put some TI flats on my Fender Jaguar and it sounds beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Like a different instrument, almost. Put some Rotosound Tru Bass black nylon flats on a Franken p bass and it sounded nice and warm but not really what I wanted - I lost all the attack of the p bass, it seemed, plus a good deal of the sustain. Plus, until I got used to the feel, it did seem a bit like I'd strung it with earthworms. I've just this morning taken posession of Lateralus462's Squier VMJ fretless. Plugged it in with the fitted steel flats and it sounded great. After lunch I changed them for the Tru Bass flats I had on franken p and WOW!! I'll say that again. WOW!! It talks, sings and makes all the noises I ever hoped a fretless would make. I just need to learn how control the beast now. Plus the flats that were on the fretless are now on the franken p and it sounds back how it should. Happy chap here!!

Just bought Chris's fretless VM jazz. Met at services, bit a chat, swapped dosh for bass. Well pleased with transaction - Chris is a gentleman, no BS, good communications - all in all it was a pleasure doing business.

I am also fairly new to gigging and performing live. I have found that as I get more proficient and also more relaxed I have the confidence to to look up a lot more these days and this now adds more to the enjoyment of being up there doing it.

Bass and amp for me. I have nothing against effects in principle and I do have one of those multi-effects things which I used for a while initially but, after getting a decent bass and rig, actually like the sound of that on it's own. I must admit, though, that my main problem with effects is not knowing exactly how to achieve the various sounds I hear on records so I just steer clear of them.

Also maybe Jailbait, Wishbone Ash then the story continues... Jaihouse Rock Riot in Cellblock 9 Jailbreak

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='636060' date='Oct 25 2009, 12:38 PM']Four middle-aged blokes hacking out Feelgood-esque blues rock in the middle of a crowd of 14 yr old indie-poppers and their little friends. All the doting parents kept giving us sidelong glances, and I'm sure I heard the words "Kiddy-fiddler' more than once. Hence the hasty excision of 'Good Morning Little Schoolgirl' from the set.[/quote] We had a similar thing when playing at a scout charity night. We usually do a Rory Gallagher-esque version of 'Messin with the Kid' But then we started getting silly and tried to think of tunes to play - the best of which was Ides of March and 'Vehicle' - 'I'm the friendly stranger in the black sedan, won't you come inside my car'.. any more suggestions?

+1 I was always told that if something sounds too good to be true (£1000 prize money no strings etc) then it inevitably is. I'd walk away with no second thought.

We just went through this process here at home. I looked at dedicated instrument insurance and it was usually >£!00. Joining MU is, what, £150? To get us extra cover on our house insurance for high value items taken out of the home up to a value of, say, £3K added an extra £20 or so to the premium. Seemed the best solution to me.

I use a Peavey TKO 80 - sounds brilliant even at low volume and cost me £50.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='623860' date='Oct 12 2009, 12:01 PM']It's quite tough to pitch it to so many people because there is a wide variety of standard.[/quote] Quite easy, actually - Paul S = lowest denominator. Words of one syllable or, preferably, fewer.

Jay bought my Hohner B2A - lightning quick payment, no BS, good communications, all in all a pleasure to do business with! Enjoy the bass, sir.

Yup - huge thanks to all the organisers for such a fantastically rewarding day. Nice to put names to faces and chat. Also answered lots of questions I had regarding various bits of kit that look interesting but the only way to know for sure is to look/have a go. And thank you, particularly, Jakebass and Bassace, for showing me round those awesome double basses. I need to do some serious thinking - more than I realised.

[quote name='Merton' post='621862' date='Oct 9 2009, 05:52 PM']Names will be recorded so we can contact you after the event [/quote] Brilliant. See y'all later

I will need to leave before the draw - if I get a winning ticket how would this work?

Been given some cash for a present and instead of just losing it in weekly spending I've decided to put it to one side for some double bass lessons before deciding whether the instrument is for me or not. Does anyone know of anyone local to me? I am in Benfleet, which is kind of right between Basildon and Southend. I am guessing I will need to travel a bit. Maybe even as far as Chelmsford Ta.

And a Hi from Benfleet.

I'm going to be selling my Hohner B2A but haven't got around to putting in in the for sale section as I was going to take it to the SE bass bash. Here is a pic. [attachment=33889:B2A3.jpg] Looking for around £150 incl. Hohner fitted hard case. Lots of mojo but plays really well - there is possibly a grounding issue that doesn't show up anywhere I have played it but someone else reckoned it buzzed. PM me if you are interested I can send more pics plus details.

Or even keep some in the toilet? But can you use it afterwards to make drinks? Reserved especially for [i]those[/i] guests, maybe.

ta.

Yeah - pretty damned cool when George Benson or the guy above does it but maybe not when playing along to 'Smoke on the Water' bah-doodn-doodoo-doodoo-doodoo-doodoo etc

No idea why it happens but I pretty much always either hum or sing the bassline while I am playing it. Sometimes even when I am trying to explain something to the rest of the band or get my head around something and it is just me, which does make me feel a little silly. Anyone else do it? And does anyone have any explanations?