Martin E

We've all been playing together as a six piece for several years, we're all mates and too long in the tooth to start squabbling about a few quid here and there, We hire a rehearsal room with all the gear and it comes out of the band kitty, so effectively an equal split.. Rehearsal during the week means a quick bite to eat and a dash to the studio after work for several of us so it's a godsend hiring a room with all the gear set up ready to go. I've never been convinced of the benefit of taking your own gear as the sound in a small enclosed studio is nothing like a typical venue which give us enough problems with their varying acoustics anyway.

By coincidence I bought a nice 2004 vintage SR900 yesterday. It has a through neck and yes they seem a bit heavier than the bolt ons but mine still only weighs 8.5 lbs. I tried several of the current versions in the shop which felt much lighter than this.

Perhaps he thought a little damping would improve your cabinet.

Full marks to Gibson for an excellent website. Loads of photos and information to browse through.

I have had a set of TI flats for the last few months on my Sterling SB14. First time I have used flats and am so far delighted with the results. Plenty of solid bass thump and yet am able to dial in sufficient treble on the preamp if need be so the best of both worlds. Coming from using light gauge roundwounds they are fine for me but they are low tension.which may not suite everyone. I have to say the bass sounds absolutely dead played acoustically but they make sense once plugged in!

Thanks for posting. I could listen to him talking all day. A wealth of experience and common sense plus he seems a nice guy.

Wow! If Liberace had played bass I'm sure he would have had one of those.

Thanks - these all look very good. By coincidence my lad has asked for a mic stand for Christmas so I've ordered one of the Studiospares stands for him which I can checkout initially.

A 2,000 watt head and a 1,000 watt 2 x10 cabinet? Are these good old British Imperial watts or plastic Chinese ones?

Thanks very much chaps. I will investigate all those.

I'm looking for a good quality mic stand. Is there such a thing as an ' industry standard' like the Shure microphone? I've seen/used loads over the years with plastic bits broken off , those with feet too short to stop them tipping over, tiny knobs difficult to tighten etc etc. For the first time I actually need to buy one of these and there’s dozens on the web. So any advice please?

Checkout the Sterling SB14 if you see one S/H. This has a slightly downsized and lighter weight body and a nice slim jazz profile neck. All the same MM features but in a package that would be ideal for your lad I would have thought. I've been using one for a few years as my main gigging bass. Everything else seems heavy and cumbersome in comparison.

Very nice, never knew she sang. Now you point it out she does have really small hands doesn't she

Er, I think that's what I regularly use in our rehearsal studio... Small Trace combo, 15" speaker. Sounds OK, there is a mid shift control I normally use to get some clarity otherwise it can be a bit boomy, but it's in a small room. Not bad I suppose, loud enough to be heard over our noisy drummer. Sorry I can't be more positive, it certainly does the job in a studio though I couldn't get too enthused about it. Probably a good buy if cheap and will last for ages as it's Trace.

I used an LM2 for many years and now use an OTB. As you would suspect the LM2 has a modern uncoloured sound with plenty of controls to shape it as you wish. The TB is an old school amp with limited scope for tonal variation, They both have masses of power and are easy to carry around. You won't be disappointed with either but at the moment I am loving the old school warmth of the TB.

I've been using light gauge Stadium Elites for years, cheap and cheerful and absolutely fine for my purposes. Always wanted to try flats but put off by the cost and increased tension. The other week I finally I got a set of light Thomastik Infeld JF344 flats. I have to say they were a revelation for me, only a tad more tension, smooth on the fingers and a lovely fundamental bass tone. Three gigs in and I'm still convinced this is the best thing I have done in years. I need a range of tones in my covers band but for me with an active bass it's easier to dial in a little more treble if you need it rather than constantly having dial out inherent roundwound brightness. Fab...

I'm 65 and there is a certain irony belting out Sex on Fire and Get Your Rocks Off at my age but it's still just as much fun as ever. Stamina seems OK but lightweight bass cabinets seem to be getting heavier...

Reminds me of a Glen Baxter cartoon 'Having inadvertently strapped on his guitar upside down, to avoid any further embarrassment Casper started playing as normal. The notes were all in the wrong place but fortunately nobody seemed to notice.'

We have two Bugera valve combos supplied in our rehearsal studio and our guitarist will choose which one happens to be playing games on the night. One will refuse to give a clean sound or the other will not do distortion or both will be more interested in relaying the local taxi firms radio messages.

You can analyse forum etiquette and psychology but just remember you have probably, just like the person you are engaging with deliberately chosen to adopt a pseudonym so that you remain completely anonymous. You just can't apply or expect normal social etiquette when both parties have deliberately chosen not to be identified.

Save money and get your mum to knit one.

Just curious what instrument was being used by Aloe Blacc's bassist on Jools Holland last night, a twin pickup telecaster style bass of some type. Anyone know?