TimR

I'm sure stereo TVs didn't start becoming mainstream until the 1990s. In the 80s I was using older gear. I think this is where the 15s sound more bassy than 10s argument comes from. They really used to. IIRC most cabs were sealed as well.

Neat idea. I'd be tempted to use straight jacks and drill through the jacket for the rings. They'd be more comfortable in your pocket and the keys would still hang down.

Nice one Jim. That's 31 of us raising an average of nearly £80 a gig each. Well done everyone.

Unit, I totally agree with both statements. I just think if you play something because you like it then it's fine to say it's because you like it. Don't play something because it's the 'best' or 'better'. There's no such thing.

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1442009512' post='2863864'] I have no idea what your Ibanez is, but you say it isn`t the best you have tried, but it fits your budget. That is fine. The neck is thinner against what? Then you say you prefer the sound. So it isn`t the best bass you have tried, but in your opinion you prefer the sound. You prefer the sound to what? What bass have you tried that is better than the Ibanez, but doesn`t have the sound you prefer?The neck is thinner against which basses you have tried? Surely the Ibanez must be the best you have tried as it has the neck you like and the sound you prefer? Why are some of the basses you have tried, better than the Ibanez? You haven`t really quantified anything, but gave the same sort of answers as other people who haven`t apparently answered in previous posts. [/quote] You've completely lost me there. If you put two basses next to each other and said one has a thinner neck than another one, then you can instantly prove whether it has by measuring them. That's a quantifiable measurement. Everyone will agree. It's physical. A fact. No doubt about it. If you put two basses next to each other and said one bass is better than the other then that is subjective. Purely an opinion. It's not measurable or quantifiable in any sense of the word.

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1442006599' post='2863840'] Basically, the only reason that seems acceptable to you, if someone just says they are a poseur? While same may, that is not the reason why people buy Fender over Squire. Lots if reasons have been given, even if it doesn`t meet your criteria. Why should people need to look at the reason they buy the bass? If it makes them happy to have that bass, why do they need to look at themselves to justify it in a quantifiable way? [/quote] They don't. Until they use the wording better. If someone says the Fender is better than the Squire then tell me why they're better and why I should buy one and not the other. Where have I said that's the only acceptable answer? I've said it's as good an answer as any of the others and it's an honest answer. Do I think the Ibanez is a better bass than all the others I've tried? No. The neck is thinner and I prefer the sound. It's easier on my wallet, ears and fingers, and mine is a nice natural finish. Of those only two are quantifiable. The fact I like the sound and think the wood looks good are just a taste thing.

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1442002536' post='2863802'] He has quanified it, as he has used it. He has told you that the Double Rectifier is better, so he has qualified it. He doesn`t have to explain it too you why it is better, as that is not the purpose of the video. As he is experienced, I am sure he knows what he is talking about. Seems like you jeust want to argue for no real purpose to me. [/quote] Well no. I'm not arguing with anyone. He actually qualifies and quantifies why the Peavy gear is better for the other band. It's cheap and inexpensive doesn't sound as good as the high end gear BUT it's easily replaced when it breaks or gets stolen. So that's WHY it's better for them. There are lots of posters in this thread and on the forum who'll discuss what's better but never say why it's better in a quantifiable way. Saying omething sounds better is just opinion. Saying something is easily replaced or more robust is a quantifiable fact. That's pretty much why the discussions never end. Something cannot be better just because it sounds different.

Because he hasn't qualified or quantified it. Simply saying x is better than y without saying why isn't very objective. Using the word better is incorrect, when really it's I prefer or I like.

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1441997290' post='2863731'] Not really strange at all. You should be able to define better yourself. Better doesn`t mean anything but better than the item you are comparing., and that is up too the individual. ... [/quote] Which is why we can discuss it forever. Because what one person defines as 'better' is different to what another person defines as 'better'. Because we all have different tastes and requirements. (As has been said in the last few posts) So the discussion is circular...

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1441986668' post='2863588'] Right at the start he says the better gear sounded better, so even though no one cares in the audience , you're gonna sound better with good gear! [/quote] That's a strange thing to say. It's kind of self evident. Better gear is better. Until you define what 'better' is, it's a silly statement.

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1441968049' post='2863318'] I once built a 4x12 guitar cab for a chap who had a Marshall endorsement deal. It was essentially internally a replica of his mesa boogie cab dressed up to look like the Marshall cab he was meant to use use. The Marshall cab was an absolute pile of junk with horrible cheap vintage 30s (a really naff version which appeared to be made specifically for Marshall) and the build quality was diabolical. He refused to play with it hence asking me to make him a fake. [/quote] That's a perfect real world example for this thread. It's not about the name, it's not about the price, it's about the quality and not all gear is built the same. Yes, gear is generally better now than it was but there are still manufacturers who live off their reputation but manufacture in China without the proper quality control. The problem is the variance between manufacturers, even between different models (particularly of group electronics) from the same manufacturer but from different factories.

I think the thread got derailed very early on with lots of righteous indignation. This is the bit that quite interests me in the original post and hasn't really been answered. [quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1441286405' post='2857556] So what compels us to still talk about what instruments and backline we need to play the crow & fiddle on a gloomy Saturday evening? ... [/quote]

[quote name='lowhand_mike' timestamp='1441805065' post='2861914'] very true, though in our case its the whereabouts of the singer [/quote] Yes. Usually our drummer has already moved the pool table by the time I get there (on time). And the singer is nowhere to be seen until he arrives with 5mins to spare and goes straight to the bar.

You'll need a few Blur and Oasis tunes.

It'll probably be a bit daunting at first but as you are a solo player you will probably get by with simplifying the parts (if necessary) and learning any solos. What is their gig/rehearsal ratio? I played with a band which was more of a hobby band and the players tended to meet just for their own pleasure (and a social beer afterwards). Gigs tended to be for family and friends, locally two to four times a year.

As has been said, a few times now. Sticking the 12" on top of the 15", without plugging in the 15" will solve your problem immediately. Mainly because you'll then be hearing what the singer can hear. Raise the cab and turn down.

I tried to mix a trace 15" with a Warwick 210 with a horn. Strangely it sounded quieter. I ditched the 15"

It does if your lead is 500m long. Otherwise. It doesn't.

[quote name='Dropzone' timestamp='1441632801' post='2860401'] I just presumed that the electricity went down the cable regardless of cost. To be honest I didn't even know you could get four to two pin speakons??? [/quote] It does. It's just not very good at jumping across gaps.

[quote name='4-string-thing' timestamp='1441639018' post='2860468'] The singer may well be "The Star" but the overall sound should be balanced.... [/quote] ...like a huge game of human Jenga where the drums and bass are those two blocks on the bottom you can't move and the guitar and singer are perched on the top ready to tumble down if anything happens to the two at the bottom.

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1441623951' post='2860277'] Indeed, but all the american musicians who grew up in the 60s learned their wisdom from The Beatles on TV! EDIT: Sorry, I am being a bit sarcastic. There's loads to be learned from gigging, but I'd say it's mainly "stagecraft". I'm sure the Beatles had this in spades, and it's a big reason for their success. Was it more important than the music they wrote though? I don't think you learn how to write music by playing covers in a pub, but maybe I'm wrong? [/quote] Some people don't seem to. They just copy without understanding. A lot of people do though. Luckily.

[quote name='Thunderpaws' timestamp='1441621219' post='2860235'] And I don't see why not, if you can afford it. And I don't see why an advanced player, or a pro, should have to either. And, cheaply produced expensive basses?! Fender tried it and failed. Value for money is not the same as cheap or expensive. [/quote] I think the premise of the thread that no one 'has' to.

[quote name='Thunderpaws' timestamp='1441619332' post='2860209'] This thread has some really sttoopid posts and some cracking posts. To me, to a great extent, most of this can be blamed on the marketing departments and magazines. This doesn't just go for musical instruments but sporting gear, cars, houses, etc... When we start out we are encouraged to buy a beginners model until we get good end ugh to buy a more expensive model. companies need us to progress so they can sell more units. [/quote] I don't agree. If they wanted to make more money they'd just produce expensive basses cheaply. I don't see why a beginner or intermediate should have to shell out £2k for a bass.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1441617260' post='2860182'] An excellent slew of advice here which I can't really add anything to, so I'll offer a new perspective. Buy a Zoom H2 or similar and start recording your band. Rather than relying on opinions (the singer's, your own, comments from punters) you can actually listen to how you sound. It's not a black & white thing and recorders often struggle to capture the true sound of the bass, but it's way better than nothing. [/quote] That's a good idea. There are plenty of cameras (not phones) that now have good quality sound as well. Then you can watch to see who in the band is shoe-gazing as well.

This is typical of non musicians. They just assume because it's music and you are a musician then you can play it. It's our job to make things that are very hard to do, look very easy. I think you just need to 'manage their expectations'. The big problem is they have a very clear idea in their heads of what they want. It's very unlikely that what you eventually produce will be anything like what they're thinking of. I don't have any advice other than offering to add the tunes to the setlist but explain the funk aspect might be a problem. Then the ball is in their court.