Bottle

I play with two different drummers at our church, both about the same age and stuff, but a fair difference in ability. I do find it easier to lock in with our original drummer, but then she's pretty good at keeping a solid meter, and she has some experience in a recording environment, playing to a metronome or click track. Our other drummer has come on leaps and bounds recently, and has that desire to improve - rehearsals seem to go much better these days since he's been going to the gym to work on his stamina etc. I find having a real heart to honour those who have made the effort to turn up to rehearsals and to learn the material in their own time makes a big difference, but I know I'm guilty of winging the rehearsals sometimes too :/. My own personal practice involves learning some new songs with a bit of noodling in between, nothing really structured TBH. I haven't felt that this has held me back terribly, but I could do with a more disciplined approach to practice, especially if I'm the reason why some songs take longer to get down. I like the idea of just drums 'n' bass for a practice session - bit difficult to arrange outside of the normal rehearsal schedule - but it could be good for both of the drummers and for me and the other bassist. HTH, Ian

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1253395' date='Jun 2 2011, 12:45 AM']I voted #2 as expected but if you put a cream pearl pickguard on it then I'll vote #1[/quote] +1 for this, but I kinda like the contrast between this and the black pickup covers

PG + Black Pup covers (but change out the tort PG for a proper three-ply pearlescent/MoP white?) HTH, Ian

I was never that motivated at school (or encouraged) to pursue any sort of musical ability. I guess it wasn't until I was at uni and crewing for my hall's events team that I got into live bands and music. Certainly hearing and feeling the bass through a big PA rig was awesome - I just got on board with the stool-loosening qualities of the bass guitar Didn't pick up a bass until I was in my early twenties, when a mate lent me a bass to try out (a big, heavy DIY bastard of a bass). Wasn't my ideal cup of tea, and took a lot of effort to learn, plus not really having the motivation still to learn properly, I put it away after six months. I guess it wasn't until I joined my current church and saw the professionalism of the musicians that I decided to pick it all up again. That was a little over three years ago. Glad I did, opened me up to a whole 'nother world - you BC'ers have a lot to answer for, turning me into a right proper little gear-head! HTH, Ian

[quote name='xgsjx' post='1251070' date='May 31 2011, 08:27 AM']That is a sad story Rich. It is disappointing when the "older church goers" don't want anything to do with the new & just want a "religion" rather than to know God. It's even sadder that these poor folk drive away the younger generations who do have an interest in getting to know about God, go to a church & then after a short while leave & lose that interest they had. I used to go with my folks to a similar style of church when I was a kid. Became a teenager & never went back other than the occasional visit at Easter every 5-6 years. Then about 18 months ago the other 1/2 got in touch with some old friends that she hadn't seen for @ 10 years & ended up with us joining 2 of them at a house group (kind of a bible study) which then resulted in me & her getting saved. We never went to any churches to start with & then about 4 months later the house group had gotten too big to be held in a house, so our church was formed. Yes we do hymns like Amazing Grace & I Exalt Thee, but we mainly do contemporary worship songs with just the occasional hymn & we have been getting a lot of interest from the younger generation (teenagers) wanting to know more of God, 4 of which have became Christians in this past fortnight. Anyway, back on topic. Never got to play bass at church all weekend! I did have fun playing g****ar thru my pedal board tho. Distorted wah on an acoustic is an interesting image! [/quote] +1 for Rich too - that's a sad indictment of the state of the Church these days +1 for xgsjx too - I'm really encouraged by this testimony, and it's great that you're seeing fruits in this area. Keep up the good work there, feller . Interesting effect on the acoustic guitar there! Had a great morning in worship on Sunday. Was playing again after a short hiatus whilst my incision healed. All good! Bit rusty, and fingers had softened up a little, but got through the first set fine. Then went back for more at the end of the service with a more spontaneous feel to it. Gonna take the bigger rig next time, could have done with a little more clean headroom plus the extra speakerage would have been useful for the drummer to use. Really encouraged by this thread in general. Good to see how many players have gotten their start in church, and many continue to be playing in that environment. Have a good week chaps Ian

[quote name='Mykesbass' post='1246173' date='May 26 2011, 08:11 PM']This is an honest, questioning post, NOT trolling. Why does there seem to be a need for being a "Christian ......." (insert whatever here). I have recently seen a "Christian Motorbike Club" (out on a Sunday BTW), and this morning pulled up in a car park next to a car plastered in Christian stickers, including "Christian Surfers". Now we have "Christian Bass Players". There doesn't seem to be the need for atheist, Jewish or Muslim versions of these groups, why the need to create this segregation?[/quote] A very interesting and thought-provoking question, and some great answers so far, better than I could have elocuted I don't think the label 'Christian xyz' is meant to be devisive, more it's an attempt by the OP to find other bass players who just happen to play in church / Christians etc. I think a lot of players have gotten started in playing by being in church or a church-run youth group. I know I got back into playing bass in my thirties after being out in the wilderness for many years! The church has given me an opportunity to serve God in a way that brings my faith out, and an ability to encourage others. Plus as I've intimated before in this (and other threads), it gives me an excuse to rip out the big rig From a musicianship perspective as well, we have several excellent musicians in our worship team / band - people who I respect immensely for their talent as well as their heart for worship. They have given me room to grow into transitioning from Bass Owner to Bass Player to Musician. We're all on a journey together is the best way I can describe the friendships that have grown within the group. It's widened my musical horizons as well, getting into bands and genres I wouldn't have necessarily discovered had I been a non-believer. I also listen to a lot of main-stream music just to be encouraged in exploring my musical ability. HTH, Ian

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='1245693' date='May 26 2011, 02:53 PM']I'd never go near a church but it does interest me as to the way you do a church gig, it seems like there is A LOT of audience participation, does that put you off?[/quote] Fair enough! Yes, you'd be correct, there is a [i]lot[/i] of audience participation - I think it just adds to the enjoyment of playing for God in the first place. Doesn't put me off in the slightest; in fact if the audience / congregation were still seated or staring back in stony silence, I'd have thought I'd failed in my job to get everyone up and moving. In the church I'm a member of, we positively encourage participation, otherwise what's the point? We're all in it to serve God as best we can - I just happen to have found a vocation in which I can let loose and make loud noises at the same time! Couple of weeks ago, when I had my big rig set up, our worship leader actually asked me to turn it [i]up[/i] a bit! Happy days Ian

[quote name='kevin_lindsay' post='1244583' date='May 25 2011, 06:31 PM']Playing in church is where I found my footing as a bass player. Instilled in me from the outset that listening to the other musicians and the audience, and being able to adapt to changes in mood, tempoand song structure, has set the foundation foe everything I've done since.[/quote] That has been experience too..... I also go to a jam night every now and then, just to keep from going rusty HTH, Ian

[quote name='JMT3781' post='1242723' date='May 24 2011, 10:57 AM']I owe so much of my playing to church, as i was let into that world really early on.. just regularly playing from the chord charts with different people every week was just great for my playing. Have also had some great gigs on that scene, done the big stages at soul survivor and new wine, aswell as led worship at some big events at cathedrals.. i'm really thankful i've the chance to be a part of it all[/quote] That's pretty cool! My journey seems to have followed much the same path. Not played any big stages yet biggest gig was St Barnabas church in Cambridge to maybe 200 people Would be awesome to tip up to a catherdral and play there, with the big organ as well (I think I'd need much more than 1000w to compete with a large pipe organ ), plenty of low end there!!! Just ask the organist to keep away from the lower register when I'm playing hehehehe Ian

[quote name='therose789' post='1241578' date='May 23 2011, 01:43 PM']WOW that would be a killer rig! ha sounds like a good mix of tunes, we do a lot of hillsong stuff, recently did an event with beth croft of soul survivor and did a load of their stuff was really fun to play. check us out at www.mynclc.co.uk[/quote] @therose: Thanks! Yerp, I think it sounds pretty good! Nice mix of songs there. Will check out the link, mine is in my siggie @AM: Cool stuff! 4x10's are the way to go (despite what others think!). There's nothing more satisfying than seeing the guitarist and/or drummer blanche when I wheel in the stack from the car Ian

[quote name='therose789' post='1241535' date='May 23 2011, 01:13 PM']ha aye i use my ad200 and 8x10 on sunday! i remember the first week i rocked up with it! the sound guy nearly wet himself[/quote] Holy Cow.....that's a fearsome rig! My dream is to quad-amp some day (my current rig can cope with tri-amping quite happily), maybe by adding a (high-passed) 4x12 Guitar cab to the mix..... but that would be limited to the studio . Music-wise we use a wide variety of songs from many places - Hillsong, Tim Hughes, some Godfrey Birtill occasionally, and recently several songs coming out of Bethel church in Redding, California. Plus we write and record our own material as well. HTH, Ian

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='1241489' date='May 23 2011, 12:49 PM']Sorry, been raptured, free wireless in heaven so basschat still works. Angles like Showing off with erb.[/quote] Damn All I got was a sodding harp Ian

Howdy I'm based in a church in Cambridge - we have yet to find a building to house us permanently, so for the moment we use the auditorium in the Perse Girls school for our Sunday morning service and for the odd rehearsal. Have been playing bass seriously for about three years now...BC has turned me into a right proper gear-head! I've been with my current church for about three-and-a-half years and with the worship team musicians for about two-and-a-half years now. Started out with the Ibanez and a Line 6 Lowdown 110, then graduated to an EBS ProLine 4x10 cab (bought s/h here on BC) and a GK MB500 head. Added another EBS cab (1x15), and another Ibanez bass (a 5 string ATK)....moved on some gear, bought more (a Squier P-Special etc). Get a few looks when I turn up to church with the full stack (it tops out at around 1000w ) HTH, Ian

+1 for Muse - Hysteria....mmmmmmm tasty Also Bon Jovi - Keep the Faith; has an awesome bass riff intro HTH, Ian

My Ibanez = mid-range Ford Mondeo, reliable, gets from A to B My Squier = entry-level Skoda with some after-market options HTH, Ian

Well, it'd have to be the Ibanez. Lovely thin and fast neck, sensible control layout and playability. Mods like a dream. Passive, but with some balls to it! I would save it, even if it meant I was standing out in the road in me birthday suit Has special sentimental meaning to me - first bass, etc. Looked after but well gigged, not precious about the finish, not looking for resale value, but a treasured possession. Still my go-to bass for gigging. HTH, Ian

That'd work . Easy enough to fit a change-over switch or pull-pot on a Squier, especially with a removable front control plate. HTH, Ian

[quote name='aldude' post='1219827' date='May 4 2011, 01:22 PM']I have a Compressore and Super Synth. I run both of them from a single Markbass supplied PSU - these are rated at 1.5A, whereas I think both pedals are rated at about 0.5A or thereabouts - no idea why the Super Synth should draw so much current though. I also have a 9/18V supply for other pedals, it would be nice to run the MB pedals off that one too![/quote] Not surprised by this - my Digitech Bass Synth Wah took a stonking 300mA, and that seems to be fairly typical of 'digital' or 'modelling' effects pedals. No good on batteries, and a big drain on a 9V PSU if you have other pedals in the chain. HTH, Ian

Big 'n' Heavy Bass cabs, think of 8x10's or 4x12's, 2x15's etc - everybody wants Neo these days Ian

[quote name='Shambo' post='1220518' date='May 5 2011, 02:48 AM']Series switch?[/quote] Done this to my Ibby - works a treat. [quote name='Monckyman' post='1220698' date='May 5 2011, 10:06 AM']One more thing though, as a long time P bass user, I have a bad habit of rolling the volume pit down between songs or in pauses etc. Cant do this on the jazz! Has anyone found a Volume/Balance-mix/Tone configuration useful? MM[/quote] In series configuration, the Neck pot becomes the master volume and the Bridge pup pot is disconnected. What you get is an increase in overall output, as well as a bump to the mids. Hum goes away too, all you're creating is a really wide humbucker with this config. Other option could be to look at the Duncan Jazz Classics or Hot Stacks, which are humbucking in a single-coil footprint. Gives you the option of coil-tapping if so inclined HTH, Ian

Can I say my current rig? Seriously, best purchase / acquisition was the SansAmp Para Driver, has really surprised me with its versatility, and has made my passive Ibanez sound huge! If I had to get another one, I'd get the RPM which is the rack mounting version of the pedal. Also, I'd say the Ibanez is my best loved and played bass, out of the three I've had, I've had the Ibby longest (my first bass too) and it's really easy to mod too. I've been toying with the idea of getting another like it and changing out the pups for a Duncan Classic and a Hot Stack in the bridge position I think I've got my rig to the point where I'm really happy with it. Gets me there and looks cool to boot! Look on the guitarists' faces when I turn up with four, yes [i]four[/i], cabs is priceless! Ian

Bit hard to see, but that's an MB500 hiding in the rack, feeding the EBS cabs (along with a SansAmp Para Driver, crossover and power-amp)

Just a little sommat I take along to church now . GK MB500 plus X-Over and Power-amp into EBS 4x10 and 1x15. And a SansAmp ParaDriver in there somewhere..... Might post this up in the GK pr0n thread too Overkill??? Naaaaaaaahhh Ian

An interesting and thought-provoking thread - great stuff, BC. I thought I'd add some comments. I don't have a need to lead to sight-read at the moment (and I don't believe the lack of knowledge is holding me back either); I've absorbed enough knowledge and theory through playing in church with some great musicians, being tutored and jumping in on a jam night that I feel confident enough in my playing ability that I can play something in my band context. I agree about the need to have a knowledge of chord shapes and structure i.e knowing the difference between Em and Em7, and the Circle of Fifths etc. I have the advantage that I have a folder with chord sheets for the music we play (when I say 'chord sheet' I'm referring to a lyric sheet with the chords written out above the words). Often on a Sunday morning I'll turn up without any idea what we'll be playing in a hours' time, and it will also change during the course of a service as we react to the mood. Having the folder is handy, but I don't rely on it, and will fit in with where the band leader is going. Yes, it's great to have the vocabulary, to explain and express ideas about a bassline - for example if someone gave me the song sheet with an A/C# slash chord, I'd know to play the C# and not necessarily the root note etc. But I also play by feel as well, a couple of weeks ago we entered a period of spontanaeity, with our band leader just using Em as a starting point. It was up to me to come up with a bassline that was appropriate to the mood, and also to lock in with the drummer. It helps to have good communication with the rest of the band. The point I'm trying to make is that the ability to sight-read is irrelevant [i]in this particular situation[/i]. I agree with Doddy's point about having a good grounding in theory, but we should seperate that from the ability to sight-read bass-clef/treble-clef notation, IMHO. I am sure that if I had the inclination to learn another instrument, for example the piano, then I would have to learn to read the dots, no question. Particularly if I was intending to pursue any thoughts of writing my own songs. I'm just open to fact that there are many people with differing abilities and requirements, from bedroom bassists to serious, professional musicians. I know I fall closer to the former, but getting out and making music, and playing with inspirational musicians is what is driving me currently. It's what works for you. HTH, Ian

[quote name='7enderhead' post='1201765' date='Apr 16 2011, 12:47 PM']These days, I play DGCF on all of my basses (standard strings), since I rarely used anything below the D.[/quote] Did this with the Squier when I first got it, again with the standard string set - worked fine [quote name='ezbass' post='1203650' date='Apr 18 2011, 02:52 PM']I've often considered doing this. I used to use a fiver but don't think I ever played below low D, certainly never open B (I'm not saying it's redundant, it's just that I had no call to use it in band I was in). In recent years I've just played four stringers but always seem to fit D Tuner. So going DGCF is tempting as I could drop the extender (no pun intended), however, I think I'd up my string gauge as I don't particularly the tension on the bottom string when I drop it to D (I use 100,80,65,45).[/quote] Depends on the string set, but I would consider using a 0.105" string for the open D. The rest of the strings should be fine with being down-tuned a whole step, though. Also worth noting is the possibility you'll need to slacken the trussrod off a smidge to compensate for the slightly lower tension in the strings. Having said that, the Squier behaved just fine without any adjustment - didn't get any rattle or fret-buzz. HTH, Ian