mike257

[quote name='4-string-thing' timestamp='1321810238' post='1443304'] The threads title is "I want you to use a pick" not "how about trying a pick" or "perhaps a pick might help with definition" How would you like it if someone in your band said " I want you to stop using that rig of yours and buy my mates ancient Carlsbro/Laney/Fal combo"? [/quote] And the OP has clarified more than once that it was a suggestion, not a demand. Suggesting an alternative (and perfectly valid in this and many other contexts) technique is not remotely similar to asking someone to use a crappy rig. Surely everyone in a band is entitled to make a suggestion that they feel may benefit the overall sound?

I'm stunned at some if the attitudes in this thread to be honest - the OP said that a band member suggested (not demanded!) that he try a pick for a few songs as the sound might suit it better, and the response for half the forum is as if the keys player in question had asked to spend the night with your mother! Pick vs fingers is an endless debate, but different things work in a different context, sometimes even in different sections of the same song, but is it really beyond the pale for a fellow band member to suggest trying something slightly different to see if it works? The question could have been answered with three minutes of playing in the practice room. I'm sure its not meant as an insult to or rejection of the OP's playing style. Have none of the naysayers hear ever suggested that the drummer try a different feel, or the guitarist use a different sound? Thrown up an idea for a vocal melody? I thought the idea was that everyone wants the band as a whole to sound its best, surely the easiest way to settle something like that is just try it and let your ears be the judge.

I'm another one, I write, chop veggies, and play drums left handed, but pretty much everything else, including guitar and bass, right handed! I've tried it the other way round, just felt wrong!

Another good option for a car with tons of space is a Citroën Picasso - my Dad used to have one (old shape, don't know what the new ones re like) and the back seats came completely out, gave a massive load space, nice high driving position too. Got a good ten years out of it pretty much problem free before he moved it on, I borrowed it for a good few gigs and it was great.

I've got a giant long-wheelbase high roof Transit, kitted out as a proper splitter van ( 4 rear seats, back windows, bulkhead to separate load area) and although its an awesome gig machine, and great for camping/road tripping with the family, I'd echo all the above warnings - it's very thirsty at the pump, more efficient when you're doing long motorway trips, but stop-start urban driving really drinks the juice. Also had the above problems with insurance - trying to explain to insurers that a heavily modified Transit van is my day-to-day family/commuting/leisure vehicle just seemed to be beyond their comprehension. In the end, I could only find one company prepared to give me a quote, which doesn't give me much clout negotiating a good price. It does make things easier shifting music stuff, and next year we're driving to France with the kids (and new baby) and have no worries about throwing everything but the kitchen sink in to take with us, so it as its benefits!

Used to practice in the same gaff as Cathedral, and man, could you tell when they were in. Thunderous bass tone rocking the whole building, I'm amazed they could hear anything else in the room. Great catch fella!

Thanks guys! The Spike is more than I'm looking for really, I've got a fairly decent audio card (EMU 1212M) for when any 'proper' recording needs doing, more just looking for a quick and cheap way of getting a direct guitar signal in for quick songwriting demos so the cheap and cheerful USB piece is a great shout. I've got an older version of asio4all floating about somewhere but will grab the latest when i pick up an interface, cheers for the tip-off!

My recent forays into low budget practice room recording have been pretty straightforward really. Mic the kit and take a bass DI, track rhythm section with bass in drummers headphones Overdub guitars Track the vox Mix! If its not practical to track live, I always prefer to get a really solid take of the rhythm section as a foundation to work from, and build on that.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1319720186' post='1417691'] A quick search produces this, but I haven't used one, so... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Guitar-USB-Interface-Link-Cable-PC-Recording-USB-/220816864817?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item3369b5f631#ht_2849wt_954"]http://www.ebay.co.u...1#ht_2849wt_954[/url] [/quote] Was looking at those, it appears to be exactly the same as the Behringer one, just missing the bundled software, might just take a punt on it. I only need something for quick and easy demos so it'll probably do the trick. Cheers!

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1319907382' post='1420035'] I've just been shown this pedal,and it's great. It held it's own against a Tubescreamer,maybe even better in some aspects. [/quote] Good stuff, it's reassuring to hear good reviews first hand from someone who knows their onions!

I'd jump on Facebook and make a post here: [url="http://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolBandspage"]http://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolBandspage[/url] It's a cracking little community page frequented by bands, promoters and all sorts, and requests like this often pop up and get results. Well worth a try! If I spot anything local going on that might be able to squeeze you in, I'll give you a shout! Mike

I've always gone pitch -> tone -> time but as its been said there's no hard and fast rules. On guitar I always stick my wah right at the front before any drive pedals, but on bass always preferred it after my ODB-3/Hyperdrive.

Got a Thumper and an 84 in my souped-up Squier, sound fantastic and Andy provides excellent customer service too.

Let us know how you get on! I've dug mine out after reading this and going to try using it as a delay pedal until my Deluxe Memory Boy arrives. Also going to try out the 'Slow Gear' sim on one of our tunes, I've got one little part that's crying out for it. Rehearsal tonight, hopefully I'll get it set up nice and quick, don't want to be one of those guitarists who's always dicking about with his pedals!

Haven't tried it, but I've got one sitting unused in a drawer that I've just realised could fill some holes in my guitar pedalboard that I'm still saving up for. I wonder how well the tap delay and the whammy work?

They're supposed to be kind of 'keywords' relating to what your topic is about. If you hover your mouse over tags in an existing topic title, you'll see an option to 'Find more content tagged with xxx'. That way, if you're interested in Precisions, Kittens, or Dime Bars, you can click on the tag and find all topics that have been tagged with that keyword!

Good luck! Are you going to make a club-necked J while you're at it?

After years of trusty service, my home recording setup is falling apart around me - my PC has suffered a catastrophic hard drive failure (don't worry, the music is on the other two drives!) and the input jack on my trusty old Behringer V-Amp has packed in. As all it's used for is knocking up very rough 'song-on-progress' demos for the guys in the band to learn, I don't need super hi-fi, and it would be nice not to be tied to the EMU 1212 sat in my PC. Has anyone got any experience of the various 'guitar-to-usb' solutions floating around the low budget end of the market? I only need rough demo standard, and it'd also be nice to be able to throw it into the missus' MacBook and use Garageband for a few bits too. Any thoughts on things to try out (or horror stories to avoid)? Cheers, Mike

Can't knock that! Might go for a couple of sets when payday comes, all my basses need new strings on, but I can't justify dropping £50 on strings when I'm not playing bass in a band at the mo. Cheers for the heads up!

Wizards in an old Squier here, and love it. The naysayers may disagree, but if the bass feels good enough in your hands that you're going to keep on playing it for the forseeable, then it's worth taking the plunge.

Everyone seems fairly impressed with the Line6 M-series (M5, M9, M13) - looking to get my hands on one for a play, there's plenty folk on here got good experience of them.

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1319218045' post='1411519'] Dunno about that... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QL-6eTHSHQ[/media] [/quote] Laughed myself silly at that - well played, that bloke!

I've never been one for sussing out profiles and measurements, and couldn't tell the difference between them all - just know when it feels 'nice' - but I think a J neck on a P is a great combo. My trusy old Squier P-Special has exactly that, and 14 years on I keep coming back to it because it plays great. Why not measure up your neck pocket, and try to pick up a cheap-ish J neck off the 'bay? Never know until you try! Scratch that, just seen the basses in your sig - have you tried one of your Fender necks on the Hohner body to see if they fit ok? Might be a quick easy way of seeing if it works for you!

That's the first Tele bass that I've really liked the look of - nice!