Skybone

The new CITES regulations are going to make this more and more difficult for buying instruments from overseas. Dealers should be doing something about licences, but where does that leave the private individual???

I admit it, I should know more than I do, but never really have done much about it. Other than having some friends showing me bits'n'bobs through the years, I'm pretty much self taught. I had one formal lesson many, many years ago which was a catastrophic failure, so never really sought out anymore. Maybe if I'd had more formal lessons, maybe I would be better than I am, but there again, maybe if I had, I'd still think I should know more.

Yup, been there, done that. Another "financial pickle" situation (though not desperate), and the realisation that my treasured bass was worth far more gone that sat in it's case. It kind of made some sense at the time, as it was one of the few instruments I've ever owned that actually was worth more than I paid for it. With the "profit" from selling it, I bought another bass (that I didn't get on with, and sold soon after). I do wish I still had my old 4003, but, I needed the money.

[quote name='paddy109' timestamp='1490887994' post='3268844'] Just to update - I met up wth the band. They were great, very relaxed and happy to take time showing chords and structure of songs! As suggested I kept things simple and playing a different genre wasn't as challenging as I imagined. By the way I also got the gig! [/quote] Great stuff.

Watched the highlights show yesterday, and TBH, I was thinking the same thing about the basslines, but I suppose the intricacies of the jangly, intertwining guitar lines don't require anything more then a relatively simple bass line. I thought Jesus & Mary Chain were good, Warpaint's music wasn't my thing, but the bass player was very good (and played a Ric). Goldfrapp's bass players Plexi P bass was very nice indeed.

Try it both ways, before and after, and see what sounds best to you. Could always try it in various points in the chain too, after any Dist/OD/Fuzz, before any modulation effects? Experiment.

[quote name='christhammer666' timestamp='1490081493' post='3261925'] i have no desire to pay £2000+ to record albums I have no desire to pay £3000+ to tour abroad to play to 50 odd people I have no desire to sit in a pub ad talk about my band like were metallica I want to rehearse with a set of guys on my level pay gig and just enjoy the music. is that so wrong ? [/quote] Nope

Get well soon, hope it's not too long before you're back to normal (avoiding any reference to "it'll pass" Sorry). Shame you had to sell your upright, but if it funded your Jazz, then fair enough. Still think using an upright (electric of course) in a rock band would be a "Unique Selling Point" (and sound quite cool).

Some people think it's cool to not look after their guitars, kind of a "relic" vibe. "A good workman looks after his tools" says a lot.

Or you could always turn up with your upright bass if you wanted to something "different" into the mix, especially if you're more comfortable playing it than a bass guitar. If they are playing "dark, melodic rock", then it could well fit in quite nicely (and be something novel at a gig - people will remember the rock band with the upright bass).

I've spent most of the 30-odd years I've been playing, doing original material. The times I had played covers in new bands, I've always found I got very bored, very quickly, especially when one or more of the other band members criticise it at the end because a couple of notes weren't nuanced as the original. Sort of joined a local covers band after a number of years away from being in a band. Lo and behold, it was excruciatingly dull. Been working on getting an originals band going. Far more gratifying and fun.

The nickel wound ones are available in 5 string sets.

Fender 7350's on eBay: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Set-of-Fender-7350-Stainless-Steel-Bass-Strings-7350ML-7350M-Available-/332151995303?var=&hash=item4d55cd3ba7:m:mLCYWWfeDm16mh5FAGmJNPw"]http://www.ebay.co.u...Dm16mh5FAGmJNPw[/url] £13.65 a set.

I use Warwick Red Label Stainless Steels for a while. They were good, lasted well, but for a 34" scale set of strings, the taper on the lower strings started before the nut. I started using Fender 7350M Stainless when they were cheaper than the Red Labels. IIRC, the last set(s) I bought were something like £13 each. They sound good, last well and I think they're serious value for money. I have used more expensive strings in the past Ernie Ball, Roto's, Elites, the Fender's are at least as good as. You may notice some difference if you're used to some of the higher end brands, but I think that the Fender's are pretty good.

I like the Rockinbetter's, but the only thing that they have in common with Tokai was the UK importer. I did like the Thunderbird when I tried one, the Jazz & P were nice too. The MIJ Love Rock's were superb though. Kind of wish I still had mine.

[ur][url="http://www.shirtysomething.com/"]http://www.shirtysomething.com/[/url][/url] Shirtysomething in Nottingham are ace, and run by a bass player too.

I went with MusicGuard.

I could never remember the words at rehearsals, and had to rely on the old music stand, then mess up the music cos I was concentrating on getting the words right. The best thing I found for remembering the words and the music was recording them separately, that way, you can concentrate on each part, with the benefit of learning them as you go. Worked for me anyway.

So far, it's been 3 years, 3 bands, no gigs. Band 1: Good bunch of lads, good results, rehearsed once a fortnight, but one guitarist (band instigator) left because he had to relocate for work. Band disintegrated after. Band 2: Guitarist 2 from Band 1 & I started again, new guitarist, drummer & vocals. Rehearsed fortnightly again, but rehearsals descended into chaos, singer couldn't sing, drummer (although talented) wanted to play guitar (plus didn't have transport, so I was the taxi), guitarist wanted to play bass, everyone else wanted to play covers. Guitarist 2 & I quit. Band 3: Guitarist 2 from Band 1 & I regrouped, spent time writing new songs etc. Took our time advertising & selecting people, found a drummer who's not only a bloody good drummer, but a sound bloke. Found a second guitarist who was good but couldn't commit. Working on songs & looking for other people to get involved, probably looking for a singer next (will free up the guitarist). Looking at starting gigging later in the year.

I've had mine for nearly a year now, and I still think it's an amazing piece of kit. Like Noir, I'm not using an overly overdriven/distorted sound, but I do have a few patches with a fair bit more drive. Overly distorted sounds can get mushy, and will get lost in a band mix, but the same will happen with a "real" pedal and a "real" amp. I don't have many octave/harmony sounds setup, but the ones I do sound great. I do have a 5th up harmony patch, and that sounds great, and tracks really well. Again, I've not played with the envelope filters too much, I should really experiment with them a bit more. The Wah pedals sound great, but I have experienced a "drop" in volume when switched on. I'm looking into how I can boost the signal so I can use the wah more, though an envelope filter might be a better idea. TBH, I haven't used the 4 Cable Method, I completely bypass the amps pre-amp, and send the POD straight into the power amp. The amp I use at the rehearsal room has a "Power Amp In" socket, but you could use the Effects Return socket. Sounds good to me.

[url][url="http://www.originalscratchplates.com/"]http://www.originalscratchplates.com/[/url][/url]

I'd say Helix, but I use a POD HD, so I guess I'm biased.

Welcome.

What like Lowhead? Hi and welcome.

Kay basses Macgregor amps