mike257

Can't stick the video on as mini-Mike has just gone back to sleep on me, but I've tracked through a U5 before and they're wonderful things, would definitely be on my studio shopping list. I'm pretty sure Alex (Mr Barefaced himself) used to use one as the centrepiece of his live rig - U5 into a massive power amp and a BF cab.

[quote name='Stan_da_man' timestamp='1365621765' post='2042042'] *Cough* Opposites. [/quote] Disappointed me, sad to say. And I LOVE Biffy. The new material did come across better live though, and they're really growing in to these big venues, the stage show and standard of production on the Opposites tour is stunning! Back on topic, nice review Milty. Sounds like very much what I'd expect from a Thom Yorke project, which leaves me wondering how much input the other guys have had, but I'll be checking this out for sure!

Yep, chunkier strings should give you some of that tension back, if you're making a permanent switch on one bass it might warrant a small tweak to the truss rod as it adjusts to the different tension on the neck.

[quote name='paulconnolly' timestamp='1365119251' post='2035752'] Gateacre is quite close to home but not convenient during normal office hours and their opening times seem a bit eclectic to say the least. Whilst they are " the oldest music shop" in Liverpool I've no reason to suspect they are any better stockwise So this thread is over - I'm off to Stringbusters . [/quote] I was about to suggest Moran Sound too - they have a decent selection of strings in (although I don't play a 5 so couldn't tell you off the top of my head - worth a quick phone call though). It's also much more pleasant to visit than the big'uns in town. It's a little family run business and there's always a warm welcome. They're very happy to help, make time for the kids when I've been with the family in tow, and don't make you feel awkward for browsing round the expensive stuff when they know you're only buying plectrums. I try and go there for all my little bits and pieces, even if it costs a pound or two more than online - they always knock me a couple of quid off for buying multiple packs of strings as well. EDIT: I remember them telling me they liked to keep flats and those funny nylon wound bass strings in "just in case" so not inconceivable that they'll stock fivers too. Plenty of Rotosound hanging on the wall.

There was once a (rather scathing) review written of my old band that contained the killer line "And no, Mr Bass Player, flailing around the stage like a lunatic does not equal passion". I like to enjoy myself on stage - not my fault if the critics can't hack it!

I know Easyjet specifically allow you to purchase an extra seat for instruments (within certain size limits) - you enter your own passport number and some specific text as the passenger name. Will work out cheaper than paying their hold baggage charges every time!

[quote name='EskimoBassist' timestamp='1364070682' post='2021687'] When they stopped selling them at the time there was some story about it being to conform with new EU guidelines and that at some point a redesigned unit would be available to the market. Wouldn't hold your breath as it's been a while, I'd just cough up for the Diago if I were you - I did for my powerstation and 5 years on its still going strong. [/quote] I've already got one - wouldn't have minded a spare though. Bit of a kicker coughing up £60 for the same box that cost me about £15 first time round though!

Have they stopped altogether? That's a a shame if so. I know they went through periods where they didn't always have a regular supply of them but they'd always turn up eventually.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1363958003' post='2020119'] I had one of the Indonesian Squier P specials too and also have a USA jazz. Whilst the Squier was excellent value for money and was almost as playable as the US jazz after a bit of tweaking I thought the quality of the pickups on the jazz blew the Squier ones out of the water. If I'd kept the Squier long term I'd certainly have upgraded the pickups. As it turned out I found a US P bass deluxe which made the Squier redundant and I sold it on but it was, as I said, very very good value. [/quote] I've got one too, first bass I owned and still gets played now 14 years later. I've swapped the pickups for Wizards, the bridge for a Badass II and replaced the pots but its the awesome neck that makes it a keeper, not just the sentimental value. Great basses for the money they cost.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1363631401' post='2015029'] But... which one is he? [/quote] The one at the back.... we're bass players, remember

About.me is a good one for setting up a basic profile of yourself for networking. Can have a bio, photo(s), skills tags and it allows you to add links to external sites and social networking profiles.

GStrings+ tuner is a winner for me. Use it all the time for my basses/guitars. The free version is fine but I used it that often that I shelled out the couple of quid for the "plus" version to support the developer. If you record yourself at home, there's an app called TouchDAW that can remotely nearly any recording software on your PC/Mac. Can control the mixer and everything if needed, but great just to use the transport controls if you have to be physically removed from your keyboard when playing your instrument.

I can imagine the size causing the problems. I've got a George Dennis pedal which isn't enormous but I could see myself struggling to have a decent level of control with something physically smaller underfoot.

Once you're done looking at the Diago, go and look at the Johnny Shredfreak power supply. It's the same unit sold under a different brand name at under a third of the price. I've got one and have used it to power a large board with around a dozen pedals (including thirsty ones like a Line 6 tonecore) and never ran out of juice yet!

When I've done them I've plugged straight into the PA (literally, not a DI box to be found) and got on with it. Whilst the PA likely won't be huge, you won't need tons of level on the bass in your typical open mic setup. Saying that, I always take my Sandberg for anything like that as I know the preamp will give me a decent level to the desk and some tonal control - a passive bass would probably be fine but I felt more comfortable using something active.

I'm surprised nobody's posted the infamous video of the guy trying to smash the bejesus out of one of those "fragile" plastic Behringer stomps and barely managing to scratch it. They're tougher than you might think. On my mobile now, but if it hasn't appeared by the time I'm back at my computer I'll dig it out on YouTube!

Yeah, I think the stick they get is a little unfair. It's cheap gear that generally costs a lot less than the alternative and does what it says on the tin reasonably well. Some bits (like the SansAmp clone) are awesome. I got a good 8 years heavy use out of a V-Amp 2 doing demos at home before the input jack gave out. Hell, I was doing some maintenance work for a BBC local radio station and they had Behringer comp/limiters across their DAB antennae feed! Can't be that bad....

That's what we're here for! Feel the warm embrace of BC, we'll all nerd out with you!

I'd never done it until about 12 months ago - had always played original music. One of my regular clients in my splitter van was a function band and they asked me to do a couple of dep gigs on lead guitar, then to join the band. It's actually massively improved my musicianship as I'm learning and playing things I never would have before, and the gigs are enjoyable as the band are such nice guys to be around that it's a pleasure to do. The end result has been that between the function band, my splitter van and some other odd jobs, I've been able to take a redundancy package from my increasingly depressing day job and I now make my living entirely from music. I've got slightly less free cash (but surprisingly not [i]that[/i] much less, so far) but get to spend a lot more time with my young son, and I'm a lot happier for it all round. I'm still writing and recording original music and will be throwing a new band together soon to play it, but I also get to play music to appreciative audiences with good people whose company I enjoy, and improve, learn and grow as a musician while I'm doing it. I appreciate that it's not for everyone, but it's working for me right now!

I love the black/maple combo, even if it doesn't pass the Nigel Tufnel "How much more black could it be?" test. Every time I see a Sandberg pop up in that awesome blackburst finish they do I start googling "Where to sell a kidney". Having said that,the two black basses and two black guitars I own all have rosewood boards. Not a fan of black hardware though, I think it looks kind of cheap and tacky.

If you're up for spending a grand, I'd consider looking for a (used, because they're no longer made) Yamaha SA2000. It was around for a few years in the late 70's/early 80's before being replaced with the SA2200 which is reportedly a lovely guitar too, but not [i]quite [/i]as lovely as its predecessor. It was Yamaha's top-of-the-range effort to show Gibson et al how it was done and is a stunning piece of kit. My brother acquired one and I've pinched it for a few extended loans ("Yeah, sure I'll bring it back at the weekend" ) and done a few gigs and recording sessions with it. It's the nicest guitar I've ever played bar none, and gave a great showing when compared to a mates recently purchased Gibbo Custom Shop 335. If you can find one, it'll be near enough on your £1k budget, but definitely worth a look. You'll be glad you did!

Got to agree with some of those recent posts - in most gigging contexts, the band is there to entertain whoever happens to be in the room. If they feel that they've been suitably entertained then we [s]soulless clown-whores[/s] entertainers have done our job. You can be your own worst critic, but if Joe Public had a good time then you've done it right - [i]even[/i] if you know you could have done it that little bit better. EDIT: I seem to have completely and udderly missed the dairy jokes while I was typing this!

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1363721321' post='2016588'] I am also lucky enough to have a music room , we are in the process of refurbishing it , we have bought a lot of brick faces and are 'tiling' a couple of walls to give it a blues club , cavern type feel , I will post some picks up when I get some work done [/quote] That sounds really cool! Look forward to seeing some pics of that.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1363714624' post='2016462'] Nice! Where's the hot tub going? [/quote] I took the photo sitting in it