Skybone

Bill Drummond & Jimmy Cauty's book, "The Manual, How to Have a Number One Hit The Easy Way".

Kevin help us...

Kind of in a similar situation as well. I have an old Hartke head & a 2x10 cab, but been thinking about getting a Class D combo (half the weight & just 1 trip to load in!). Current faves are either an Ampeg BA210 combo, a Fender Rumble 500 or the new Hartke HD500 combo. Also been looking at the PF350 head as well & keep my existing cab as it's reasonably light (one hand carry). Main criteria is having an effects loop, as I'd be bypassing the pre-amp (using a HD500x as a pre). Unfortunately, my budget says 'keep the Hartke'.

Have you looked at the Hotone Nano heads? Or then there's the Ampeg PF20 & PF50 valve heads. Matamp still do the Minimat, head, though it is more of a guitar head, they will adapt it for bass use. Remember though, valve 15 - 30w is still louder than Solid State 15 - 30w. It may be wise to invest in an attenuator as well (or find a head that has one incorporated into it already). An attenuator will make it easier to use cranked, however, you still need to let enough power through to power the speakers so the don't "crap out".

TBH, I think the first port of call for finding out about the bass would be to head over to the Wal website. http://walbasses.co.uk/

I between one of three at the moment. Rush Black Sabbath Hawkwind (early & Lemmy era)

I use the ACS ER20's, really good, and not too expensive.

The current version is growing on me as well. More of a Tobias leaning, and a nod to the Victory with the headstock.

I really like these. Took a while for them to grow on me, but they did.

Have you got a USB audio interface?

Trace Elliott is a classic example.

100% with some very educated guesses

I always found recording the vocal really helped me remember the lyrics. Record the backing track(s), then overdub the vocal. It really helps when you only concentrate on 1 thing, then you can combine them later.

RIP Malcolm

We had our first proper rehearsal with our new singer. Only did two songs, but they both sounded so much better with the vocals on, and her vocals really are superb (especially considering she's never been in a band before!).

I kind of have a bit of a love/hate relationship with highly figured guitars. Some of them look amazing, but some of them look far too over the top (if you pardon the pun). Some of them completely look wrong, and take away some of the visual impact of the instrument itself. One has to wonder where all this high grade, highly figured timber comes from, and why it's only surfacing now.

It's actually only a 3dB increase that produces a perceived doubling in sound level.

There's Electro Music in Doncaster, always worth a look, they always used to carry a really varied stock.

Really fancying some semi action, been looking at either the Warwick Star Bass, the Italia Rimini bass or the Gibson Midtown. All over the budget (yours & mine!), but hey, they're nice to look at. Good news about the new bass.

Plays like a slab of greasy animal fat, with a yellow tinge and a salty aftertaste?

The biggest one I regret getting rid of was my old 4003. Regret selling a couple of guitars, there was a 1979 Ibanez Artist 2619 that was gorgeous and sounded superb, and then there was my old MIJ Tokai Love Rock (with the proper "open book" headstock), swapped the original pickups for a set of BKP Emerald's, and it not only played superbly, but sounded fantastic too. Also regret selling my old Westone Thunder 1A, it weighed a ton, but sounded immense.

My last gig was 8 years ago, it seems to be something of a theme... Was in a couple of bands in the late 80's/early 90's, did a couple of gigs, joined another band, which then metamorphosed into another band, did a load of gigs with them. When that band imploded, I kind of stepped away from the music scene for a bit, concentrating on life in general and a "proper" career. During that time, I did a studio recording course, so I picked up a guitar, which then led to writing a bunch of songs, which then led to recording said songs, which then led to another band. Did that for a while, did some recording with the band, got a few gigs out of it. Had to pack that band in due to having to relocate for work because of the recession, couldn't find anyone who was interested in what I wanted to do, so knocked it on the head for a while. Started looking for a band properly about 3 years back, but everyone wants to do covers around here (not knocking covers, but it just isn't my bag). Finally found people who wanted to do original stuff, but then that band imploded. Tried to get something going from the ashes of that, but that quickly turned into a disaster. Now, it's back on track with a good guitarist & drummer, a good few songs written, just need to get a singer on board now.

Take a leaf out of Liam Gallagher's book, and wear a cagoul.

Quite tempted by the "hard foam" gig bag/cases. They offer the protection of a hard case, with the weight of a gig bag.