cameltoe

It's definitely not a curse, so don't worry there. Having a good ear is a gift, and has allowed you to get this far with limited knowledge, (if I interpreted your post correctly) which is not something many people could say. I play by ear, but of course I understand my limitations when it comes to lack of theory. I'd love to read a couple chord charts and be able to throw together an awesome funky walking bass line on the spot. But I'm still learning here, (2 years) so I hope I can overcome my limitations. Having said that, the fiddle player in our band is a theory geek. He can read music very well and knows enough scales to play pretty much anything. BUT he has no ear at all. Which means a lot of his playing is incredibly pitchy. Of course, he's just reading the notes/ playing from memory after learning the notes, so he hardly ever 'listens' to what he's playing, which means he never adjusts flat/sharp pitching, and it can happen time after time. He literally cannot hear it! As far as he's concerned his finger is in the right place, so he's playing it right. If you WANT to learn to read, best do it! But don't question a 'good ear', it's a great thing to have and I bet many musicians who have studied and can read music wish they had your ability

I posted on here a while back about trying to find a really vintage sounding fuzz. Very creamy and thick without too much character in the fuzz, just allowing the sound of the bass through. The Fender Sub Lime was suggested and that's pretty much bang-on what I'm looking for, but it's just too DAMN BIG! I'm not really interested in a Big Muff- I'm using my gutarists Russian muff at the moment, and have also used a regular muff, and I find they have a very distinct 'Muff' sound. A bit nasal for my liking, just a bit narrow in tone, and doesn't seem to let any of your regular tone through! Nothing too wild- something really laid-back and chilled out, with plenty of low-end. I've looked at loads on Youtube and can't find anything I like as much as the Sub Lime.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='811591' date='Apr 19 2010, 05:41 PM']Yeah mate and they are lovely too, a breeze to p,lay, and as for your question, It hangs perfectly, does not neck dive not even when playing sitting down, it balances well on your leg. Try one mate or if you are ever in London, get in touch. here are my Squier beauties in all their splendor: [size=4][b]50's Precision[/b][/size] [size=4][b]60's Precision[/b][/size] [size=4][b]60's Moo-Mooo Jazz[/b][/size] [/quote] Well I'm in London next month, as it happens. That 50's P is just beautiful. Is it a Seymour Duncan in there? I need to do some thinking really. I bought the Fret King Perception that was advertised on here a while back and it's an absolutley stunning bass, plays beatifully, but it's a bit too heavy for me, and it sits awkwardly on me too. I'd love to trade it for one of those, second hand really, so as not to lose too much money. I noticed there's one in the For Sale section for £200. Problem is I'd love to try it first.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='810895' date='Apr 18 2010, 11:07 PM']I didn't mean to attack the Fender MIM but all the ones I have seen have had lousy neck pockets and paint jobs. In some cased the tuners were not even aligned properly on the back of the headstock, whereas all the CV's I have seen are perfectly manufactured and flawless in terms of constructions, even the wood used sound a lot better, more resonant and a heck of a lot lighter. Only problem with the CV's is the cheap wirings and pots £15 max will sort that out!!!. Apart from that they are ACE and I really do believe they are a class above MIM but if all of you that forked out for an MIM want to keep convince yourseves you've done well, be my guest, I'd rather buy sensibly than blindly just because it says Fender as opposed to Squire. Rant over [/quote] Ahhh you've got a CV 50's Precision haven't you? I need this bass. What's it like when stood up with a strap? Does it balance well? No dreaded neck dive? From my last two basses (not precisions) I've had real comfort issues due to poor balance, neck dive, weight etc. A regular precision fits me like a glove, I could go round wearing one all day. I'm hoping it'll be the case with these.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='810895' date='Apr 18 2010, 11:07 PM']I didn't mean to attack the Fender MIM but all the ones I have seen have had lousy neck pockets and paint jobs. In some cased the tuners were not even aligned properly on the back of the headstock, whereas all the CV's I have seen are perfectly manufactured and flawless in terms of constructions, even the wood used sound a lot better, more resonant and a heck of a lot lighter. Only problem with the CV's is the cheap wirings and pots £15 max will sort that out!!!. Apart from that they are ACE and I really do believe they are a class above MIM but if all of you that forked out for an MIM want to keep convince yourseves you've done well, be my guest, I'd rather buy sensibly than blindly just because it says Fender as opposed to Squire. Rant over [/quote] Look, you are not helping my GAS for a CV squier at all! The main difference I've found when i've tried the CV's is the neck doesn't feel as good. I love the way they look, and you're right, if the output is a bit weak it's nothing that a few quid won't sort out. They're lighter cos they're made of Basswood instead of Alder, which I guess is a personal preference thing. I'd prefer the lighter weight, but from the CV's I tried only last tuesday they don't seem to sound as good unplugged, which may be down to the wood. I also tried a couple of 'standard' Squiers, (1 affinity, and one 'special' with the Jazz and P pickup) and the CV's are head and shoulders better than those. Yes I'm arguing cos I own an Mexican Standard, but aside from the CV 60'S Jazz, (which was close) the others I tried didn't feel or play quite as well as my MIM. I say [i]quite[/i]. They are finished exceptionally well though, and I'd give you that over a Mexican standard. I was in my music shop to find a suitable replacement for the Mexican Standard, and after trying a couple of MIM Classic 50's series precisions (which felt a good notch above a Mexican Standard, and I recommend you try at some point) I put a deposit down on a Road Worn precision, (again, MIM) which felt absolutely amazing, and unlike anything else in the shop. Absolutely blew both the Classic 50's out of the water. I've got no problem with wearing a squier badge at all, and it seems to be the first defence by any squier owners as to why we're not all playing them. I simply chose the bass that felt best in my hands, and most comfortable to play. I HATED the concept of the Road Worn series, and was determined not to buy that bass. It was also in Fiesta Red, which had turned a nice shade of Salmon Pink with all the 'Ageing'! But I bought what I thought was the best I had tried in quite some time, and not 'blindly' at all. Having said all that, I'm absolutely gagging for the Squier CV 50's precision, and will probably get one at some point.

We're not the ones who said it did matter, it was you! I only the other week tried several CV precision and Jazzes, and yes, they do vary a bit. A couple felt like nothing special, but the olympic white 60's jazz felt awesome.

[quote name='bh2' post='808914' date='Apr 16 2010, 09:18 PM']Hmmm... not so sure about that one.[/quote] Me neither. They are very good, and I've tried several alongside Mexican Standards and other MIM gear, but for me the Mexican's did have a bit extra about them.

Bast**d

butterscotch all day long! How can you not?

How'd you find the D'addario Chromes? I've been meaning to do much more experimenting with strings, as I do like warmth of nickel but do find them a bit zingy from time to time. Definitely more growl to your sound than with roundwounds. What's the tension like on them compared to roundwounds?

Ah Cock! You've brought the GAS back! That's it- I've got to get one of those Classic Vibes! Either that or the 51 reissue- although you don't hear nearly as many good things about them as you do the CV.

You should try the Road Worn series (see my other thread) After GASSING for a classic '50's in Honey Blonde, and getting my local music shop to hold one back (plus a Sunburst one) I ended up going for the more expensive Road Worn in faded Fiesta Read (salmon pink!) I didn't like the colour, I didn't like the whole fake relic'd thing, but it was head and shoulders above both the classic 50's to play and feel. I have a MIM standard, but the classic 50's felt significantly better than that, and really, at £499, not much more expensive. I can't praise the Road Worn enough though, but it is more expensive. I was obsessed with getting one of those Classic Vibe '50's precisions a while back- I love the look of them! Never, ever heard anything but good things about them either. Plus it's got the tele headstock and a maple fretboard! Lucky boy!

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='806281' date='Apr 14 2010, 05:19 PM']The amp had a "growl" knob and a sticker that said "Hear this Gorilla growl", which i found rather embarrassing[/quote] I want that on a T-shirt!

Believe it or not the first bass I ever played with my band was a 70's Rickenbacker! Didn't have an amp, so it either went through the crappy Peavey thing they had at the rehersal studio or through the PA. It belongs to my brother-in-law who played a few years ago in a decent local band. He actually gave me a great piece of advice, and was the reason he bought the Rick- "Once you realise that bass playing is your thing and you're going to do it for a while, spend a decent amount of money and get a really nice bass- don't bother chopping and changing cheap basses or messing around with midrange basses you may or may not like- take your time, save up and find one that you love" A good piece of advice I reckon, and especially considering his bass is worth a lot more than he paid for it. My actual first set up was an Epiphone EB-O and my Hartke vx3500 combo, which I still have. Only two years ago- still a noob! I'm yet to adhere to his advice- I've been messing in the midrange!

No worries, just kidding What I'm after is a percussive thump from my P bass (what it's good at!) that sits nicely in the mix and can drive a band along. I also need to be able to have fairly good note clarity- not trebely clunkiness, but enough tonal clarity that it's evident I'm actually playing notes! DR Sunbeams seem to be the ones to go for, although I have heard people mention Thomastik Infeld roundwounds.....

[quote name='discreet' post='806008' date='Apr 14 2010, 01:25 PM']Will try these, sounds like just my thing - thanks. [/quote] Oi! My Thread! Thanks, I'll try these, they sound like just my thing. Gonna give the Sunbeams a go I reckon! If I find them lacking a little snap I'll try the Lo Riders. Just trying to get away from the 'zing' of the D'addario's. They do have a sweet spot that they hit after a couple weeks of playing, but too often that doesn't last long enough and before you know it they're dead I'd like to go for a set that gives me the sound I'm after fairly soonish after restringing, and that keeps that sound for a decent while. I notice when they're in their sweet spot as I hardly have to adjust my EQ when the strings are performing. Sunbeams seem to be the way forward- cheers for the advice!

I didn't have the chance to strap up and play it standing, so I'm hoping the neck dive isn't too bad, but honestly, when I was interested in getting a Classic 50's model I really didn't think you'd be able to tell much difference between that and a Road Worn. I thought I was being clever by going for a Classic 50's, as it would be essentially the same guitar at a much lower price. Believe me, it's not! I'm hoping this isn't a fluke, as I was really impressed by the feel of this guitar. And for the extra ££ they cost new, it's nice to know there's some substance behind that price, rather than just missing paint. I've got to pay the other half of the £699 before you guys can see it I'm afraid- for now it waits for me behind the counter!

Awesome player! Remember seeing him on that Elvis live from Hawaii concert they had on the BBC a couple months back. Crazy stuff.

I've been gassing for a Classic 50's P for ages, and got my local music shop to put a couple aside for me when the next batch came in. I just went down there yesterday to try them both out, and what did I buy? A fiesta red Road Worn. I'd had the pleasure of trying this guitar out a few times whilst i'd been in the shop to check the progress of the Classic '50's, and everytime I picked it up I absolutely loved it, even after trying pretty much every bass in the shop. However, the £899 price tag put me off quite a bit in comparison to the £499 the Classic 50's would cost me, and after checking the spec on the fender website it didn't seem like you were getting alot more for your money, other than Fender paying a Mexican to get the sander out and drill a couple more holes. I'd always been dubious of the whole Road Worn thing too, it seemed a bit desperate! I had a good play on both a honey blonde Classic '50's and a sunburst version, hoping they would feel the same and I would like them as much as the Road Worn. Unfortunately they didn't feel as comfortable as how I remembered the Road Worn to be, and also seemed to feel very similar to my Mexican Standard I already own. A bit better quality, the neck was more comfortable to me, but essentially they felt like the same instrument, albeit with a TON of laquer all over it! After spending a good half hour on both these, I picked up the Road Worn again and was absolutely blown away by it. It just felt in another league. Way more comfortable, it felt like I'd owned it for ages, and, crucially, it didn't feel anything like my Mexican Standard! You could tell it was a different quality altogether- it sounded better unplugged, it rested easier on my lap, everything about it felt better. It was also way, way lighter than both the classic 50's, which leads me to think they may not be identical specs to the Classic '50's after all. Anyway, I'd already previously managed to haggle to shop owner down to £799 on a previous visit whilst discussing the Classic 50's, and whilst sitting there with the Road Worn in my hands, struggling to work out where I'd actually get the extra £300, he knocked a further £100 off the price and offered it up at £699. I had to have it! Whether the specs are different between the Classic 50's and the Road Worn, whether the QC is just a hell of a lot better, or whether it was just a case of finding a 'good one' I don't know (although the shop owner had previously had two other Road Worn precision's in stock and he seemed to think they were all as good as the one I bought) -All I know is it felt leagues above both the Classic 50's, so for me it was easily worth the extra £200, and I'm chuffed to bits I made that decision, even in spite of myself not actually liking the whole Road Worn idea, or 'Salmon Pink' Fiesta Red! Now I'm gonna have to show everyone my 'brand new guitar'.......

Road Worn- Amazing bass.

[quote name='throwoff' post='771340' date='Mar 11 2010, 11:23 AM']Ok here is what I have however I'm going to make a statement first. This is my personal recommendation, I am familiar with every item on this list personally and feel the quality of the overall rig is great especially in your price range. I have used thomann simply because everyone knows them and they have a good 30 day money back deal so if you ordered this exact list and tried it you can return it. Even if you dont use this exact list be aware everything on it I would call 'essential' ie even if you order something totally different I believe you would need something to fill each space. [u]First and foremost desk and speakers[/u]! [b]Peavey Pro 15 messenger speakers and a TMix powered desk.[/b] This is bundled together with the speakon cables and gives you 375W per side into 15" full range speakers. For this budget its nigh on impossible to get something with subs im afraid without a massive loss of overall quality to the components and to be brutally honest you dont need them for a straight vocal PA. I use 15" tops and always mic the kick and often run a bass DI in small venues and I dont bother taking my subs 15's can handle it! The desk does have 2 unpowered outs as well so the option is there to add Powered subs or passive subs with a power amp later. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/peavey_pro_15_messenger_serie_bundle.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/peavey_pro_15_mes...erie_bundle.htm[/url] PRICE £525.33 [b]Speaker stands[/b] 2 with a bag (I still use a set of these I had over 2 years now! quality for the money) [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_bs2211b_boxenstaenderset.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_bs2211b...staenderset.htm[/url] PRICE £37.20 [u]Mics! [/u] [b]Drum Mics Superlux DRK A3 pack[/b] I still use these for my drum mics (a bigger pack admitedly but the same range) 3 mics; one kick 2 snare/tom Ideal for smaller gigs as a kick can be essential. snare probs wont use too much if your drummer has a nice one but always have the option [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/superlux_drk_a3.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/superlux_drk_a3.htm[/url] PRICE £24.50 [b]T-Bone MB75[/b] As the name suggest this is a rather naughty SM57 copy. Rumour has it they are made using old shure machinery in China and having side by sided my one of these with a 57' I'm not sure thats just a rumour. Great for guitar cabs, random instruments you might need. I have used this on snare, guitar cabs, tambourine, brass and even as a vocal mic its just a great all rounder. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_mb75.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_mb75.htm[/url] PRICE £28.13 [b] BeyerDynamic Opus 29 (bundle)[/b] I chose the bundle version simply because you get a 6m XLR for about a quid! and an extra cable is always helpful. For my money this is the best budget mic on the market today. I have 3 of these and an SM58 which was my original mic set for vocal. The 58 invariable got left in the box, I just think these sound nicer [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/beyerdynamic_opus_29_s_bundle.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/beyerdynamic_opus_29_s_bundle.htm[/url] PRICE £34.48 [u]Cables +Stands![/u] Now the boring bits that hold it all together! [b]10x SSNAKE SM10[/b] Basic 10m XLR cable. Does the job and buying 10 means you should have spares (essential as the first time you gig without at least 2 spares 2 cables will break!) They come in a bunch of colours if you fancy it (I use red ones for kick and snare just to keep them in my eye) But traditional black works! [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_sssnake_sk233-10.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_sssnake_sk233-10.htm[/url] PRICE £57.20 (for 10) [b] Millenium MS 2002 low stand[/b] Short stand for kick mic (sometimes guitar cab but more often than not kick!) [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_ms2002.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_ms2002.htm[/url] PRICE £12.61 [b]4x Millenium MS 2005 regular stand[/b] You said you have a couple already so I put down 4, gives you 6 total which is plenty for most occasions. Tough and reliable stands [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_ms2005_mic_stand.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_ms2005_mic_stand.htm[/url] PRICE £33.76 (for 4) [b] Mic clips x4 [/b] Old fashioned rubber bits. These are strong gripping and have no moving parts like some of the budget spring ones ie they wont snap! [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_mikrohalterung.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_mikrohalterung.htm[/url] PRICE £10.16 (for 4) TOTAL! £763.37 OK I went over budget! But this as close to it as I can get! Of course as people have said you can always go second hand and a lot of people do, I have found some bargins on the bay and elsewhere but you dont usually have a returns policy! Some stuff I bought and wish to God I could take it back even though it was very cheap just because I'll never use it. Mic's especially and speakers are liable to be 'ragged' and with the amount of counterfeits on eBay I would be wary. Anyway thats my suggestion. I found it quite enjoyable If anyone else wants me to do something similar just drop me a PM[/quote] Monitors? Dude in all honesty, what people here have been touching on is correct. 500+ people is a crazy amount, and I can't see how a 750w desk running only two speakers is gonna be anywhere near enough. What this guy has recommended is probably as good 'bang for buck' as you will find, but it's still a small venue PA. It's similar to what my band uses, and that's just for pubs/small clubs.

Wow £27.60......yeah not cheap, but if they last twice as long as £14 strings then i'm happy. Are these silk wrapped on the ends? Anyone got any words of advice as far as gauges go? I want the tension to be low. I usually use whatever has the 100-gauge E. Can be anywhere from light to medium. Whats the deal with cloth wrapped strings?