EssentialTension

[quote name='daveparker123' timestamp='1338243346' post='1671642'] OK, so if I write IMO or IME after everything I write, it makes it ok then? What he has written is misguided and probably based on very little experience. That's the problem with this site. People could be listening to the advice of people who have sh*t gear and think they sound good. [/quote] Or they could be listening to you shouting your mouth off, but I expect most of them aren't.

[quote name='daveparker123' timestamp='1338242963' post='1671631'] Do an A/B test with an all valve amp and a hybrid with a valve in the preamp and you'll see the massive difference. Come on guys. I know solid state amps are cheaper, lighter and cost less to mantain but please don't tell me they sound better! Perhaps some people are trying to convince themselves. [/quote] Sounds like you're trying to convince yourself as well as the rest of us, but ok, I'll remember that, even though I've already done years of testing. And which bass and which strings should I get so I can be like you?

I could hardly resist buying them - but I did resist eventually.

[quote name='daveparker123' timestamp='1338242700' post='1671623'] Rubbish! [/quote] Oh no it's not!

That was dreadfully dull - definitely the song was at the wrong gig. Why was Billy Cox any worse than the rest?

[quote name='philw' timestamp='1338236607' post='1671433'] Aguilera Guitars has closed down recently. I think Paul must have given-up the unequal struggle. Phil [/quote] Oh, didn't know, that's a shame.

Phil, I don't know for sure that he would do the job you want but Paul Aguilera at Aguilera Guitars in Edward Street might be worth a try - he builds acoustics so I imagine he knows what he's doing. I've only ever had him do small jobs for me, like a new nut, but he is local to you. It might be worth talking to him.

If there are other bands I put my bass back in its case and out of the way of others. If we're the only band I put it on a mini Hercules stand, out of the way of others.

[quote name='drewm' timestamp='1338199511' post='1670595'] Remember to take a gas soldering iron, as an electric one won't work in a power cut, and then you'll never get that headstock reattached. [/quote] In fact you could take a little primus stove and then, when there's a gas cut, you can heat up the soldering iron and have a cup of tea at the same time. Marvellous.

I've also got nail clippers and an emery board in my gigbag - no nail varnish though.

[quote name='stefBclef' timestamp='1338210251' post='1670815'] When you say fuses, what type of fuses are you referring to? Do you have a set of fuses that will fit a variety of amps? Or are they pretty standard? When you say DI, are you saying that even if you are going to be playing the house backline and PA you still bring your own DI box in case? Thanks [/quote] You need spare fuses for your amp, they aren't always the same rating and so you need the appropriate ones. Also 5 amp fuses fro the leads.

EH Black Finger

[quote name='leftyhook' timestamp='1338159520' post='1670336'] never think its going to happen to you....but it can! spare strings and soldering iron.....in the middle of a song when the dancefloor is full...?.o-h-h-h-h! get a cheap back-up. i snapped a string beginning of a set...first time I didnt take a back-up in ages. the A string. had to get through the set with mind working overtime. [/quote] I've broken a string at a gig only once in the last thirty years. I can get to the end of a song with three strings even if the dancefloor is full. I can change a string in hardly any time at all. I've never had to use a soldering iron on a bass at a gig - although I have used one on someone's guitar. Do you take a complete spare rig?

Likelihood of an amp failing is, I think, much greater than bass failing and more difficult to repair on the spot. So carry spare fuses and a DI.

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1338158927' post='1670327'] In nearly 10 years of live performing, I've only ever had to deal with broken strings (and that can be sorted in about 2 minutes if you've prepped your spare strings already) but I always take a spare with me. Some lout might stumble onto stage and crash into your bass and then you'll be shafted for sure! Some bugger might nick one, the headstock might snap off; god, there's a million things that can go wrong that can't be sorted on the night. A spare is always handy. You can buy decent gigbags designed to carry two basses and as long as you stick with a fairly light bass (RBX's are pretty light as they go) you'll not find it too hard to carry them around. Decent 2nd hand RBX's go for around £70 on ebay. Maybe grab one and then at least you'll have another one that you can mod and tinker with? Maybe experiment with bridges, pups, learn how to set-up a guitar? Truckstop [/quote] Now you've made me wonder if I need several spares - just in case.

... and what are the seven Ps?

[quote name='rogerstodge' timestamp='1338151006' post='1670194'] Thanks people, after a bit of fiddling about (oops now the g strings deafening) its ok, got a steady volume over 4 strings on both pickups [/quote] Excellent.

Well, it's going to be a rare occurrence, especially if you check your instrument regularly but a lead from pickup to jack can become unsoldered.

One bass is fine almost all the time - just carry spare strings and a soldering iron for those very rare occasions when it's not fine. And, of course, a screwdriver.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1338149242' post='1670162'] My cat's name is Mittens. [/quote] But does she have black blocks?

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1338147026' post='1670124'] And whilst I'd agree entirely if the subject were "bass instruments in music", I feel compelled to point out that I did qualify in my post that the comments were directed towards important factors in a bass guitar.... [/quote] I took you to mean bass guitar, as you said, but I still meant what I said.

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1338145041' post='1670094'] Y'know what? It's actually [i]so[/i] far down the list of important factors in a bass guitar as to be irrelevant. What's above it? Wellllll...... Ergonomics/design, Quality of construction, electronics, pick-ups, string choice, materials selection, hardware, fretwork, adjustability, stability, playability, "tone" (whatever that is!), reliability, durability... [/quote] I'd say those are all fairly unimportant too - it's only the choice of notes and their placement in relation to the beat that really really matters.

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1337852177' post='1666284'] No it isn't. If you were to pick one up you'd find it is a beautifully crafted, handmade in the UK vintage bass that, in terms of build quality, can hold its head high. It does have some deficiencies. It is very heavy, has a very wide and thick neck and a weak tone. But it isn't worth anything remotely like the asking price. [/quote] I agree on heavy and the wide thick neck but I don't remember mine having a weak tone at all - although it was 35 years ago.

I won't rate your rig because it's not a rig for me but I will say don't spend money changing the preamp or the pickups until you've tried them.