Cat Burrito

[quote name='Delius' timestamp='1376350327' post='2172790'] Can such a lightweight amp really sound any good?? Is it a good bet? Along a similar line, Ampeg Portaflex PF350 + PF210 looks interesting, if rather less powerful (actually from the photos the cab looks a bit flimsy).[/quote] The first point is "yes", amps have changed a LOT over the last 1o-15yrs and you'd be amazed what quality of sound comes out of things we wouldn't have given a 2nd look at back in the day. Secondly the Ampeg Portaflex stuff generally gets raved about on here. I tried one in rehearsal and it was great. I even considered trading my Orange stuff in for the Ampeg but I think the Orange stuff is serving me well still (& more expensive). To be fair most things around now are superior to the older stuff and coming from me that's a surprising recommendation

I read up on it first but when I went to Richer Sounds (everybody is recommending them for a reason!) and they talked me into a different set up. A great recommendation! I also invested in some really good laptop speakers too so I can actually hear the bass on things like YouTube. The ipod dock is a must (I think mine was about £15) but I use the turntable a lot. Funnily enough the CD player has probably been used about 12 times in 4 years

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1376295051' post='2171696'] Is this just going to be set up permanently in your rehearsal space and never used for gigs?[/quote] Possibly & this did occur but equally it's all unchartered waters so we could well be carting it around for some gigs. Who knows? Everything is still early stages and we've no intention of rushing into buying something at this stage as the drummer's boss could kick us out in a few weeks / months or it could roll for years. The thread was as much to see how other musicians coped (possibly more so) rather than see if we could grab a bargain on here as we're not ready just yet to buy into something.

I wasn't sure if it was a wind up at first but I'd heard wedging a tennis ball down between the body and the bridge makes a difference... so I did it and I never get feedback issues

I was looking at these just yesterday and wondered if one would be loud enough for a rehearsal with a fairly quiet 3 piece - small kit & guitar? The YouTube clips looked pretty decent

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1375867450' post='2166572'] I don't think the Starcaster bass qualifies as part of the Pawn Shop strategy - it technically never existed (beyond something like 4 prototypes) and so in practice is a brand new model as far as Joe Public is concerned. [/quote] To be clearer it was more a reference to them pushing less conventional models rather than affiliating with any of the current ranges. I guess my point was they are trying to break with convention a little more lately

OK, sensible reply then - I think the answer lies within any genre being diluted. The early disco stuff was great music but once it catches on, the bar is somewhat lowered and acts of a substandard nature kick in - this is why a genre sucks. I remember in rock circles the debut Guns 'N' Roses album coming out in 1987 and it was fresh and exciting. By the time Nirvana came along we had 1000s of clone bands who were mostly awful so Nirvana broke through. Same with Britpop, any genre. I guess this is why Disco sucked even though a lot of it was actually very good.

And yet Kev, also it would seem answered the question!

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1375871447' post='2166640'] Royal Mail is getting insanely expensive[/quote] I didn't think I'd be the only one to notice this

Makes sense with all the pawn shop series that these would get an airing. To damn them with faint praise, I'm interested but wouldn't buy one

It's been mentioned in passing earlier but I was really impressed with [url="http://www.joinmyband.co.uk/classifieds/"]http://www.joinmyban...uk/classifieds/[/url] I guess any of these depend on your area and who is advertising but I had two contacts recently when deciding to join a more locally based 2nd band. One bloke was very nice, talked a good fight & then never called (having checked me out online saying I "looked cool and played great - just what we need") so not sure what happened there and the other mob were the lot I'm with now. Met for a pint, had a jam and it's shaping up nicely. One of my better online band member search experiences

I can't top the cola trick but for screws I've just given them a gentle rub with a dry green kitchen scourer which has always done the trick

If you look at the photo he's not even a person, just a drum kit!?!

Playing just slightly the wrong notes can also achieve this objective - different angle though

I appreciate the replies so far. I'd considered the potential fall out / split later, I guess what we'd be looking for is a simply idiot proof setup that isn't rocket science to setup / use and doesn't break the bank. Hopefully people will keep the thoughts coming. Cheers

I'm playing in a fairly quiet 3 piece (guitar, small drum kit & upright bass) band that has just managed to secure a rehearsal space at the drummer's work. The downside being we don't have a PA system. It occured to me tonight that we could have a band kitty with the money we are saving from not renting a professional rehearsal studio and get a little PA system. I've no idea about wattage etc but we are quiet (the singer was able to sing mic free last week and almost be heard over the band!) and wondered if something like this [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/peavey-audio-performer-pack/5296"]http://www.gak.co.uk...ormer-pack/5296[/url] would be sufficient. The other option is to pick up a 2nd hand bargain if there is a good deal. Presumably we sell it and split the money if the band folds and could use it for small pub gigs. Any experiences / pointers shared will be gratefully recieved, ta

I think BigRedX makes an excellent argument here (overlooking the need to be heard is less of a problem when miming! ) and I certainly agree that genre affects playing style / technique. But joking aside I hadn't thought about the rubbish live amplification of days gone by. Jamerson was of course mainly a studio player so different breed of cat there. I'd also argue that it depends on the bass. I use fingers largely on my P-bass but certain basses like Hofner and Rickenbacker seemed to work better (for me at least) with a pick. The age old argument appears to be starting up again and once again I feel compelled to say the better player is always one who can use a variety of techniques. And I say that as someone who really can't slap!

Those Korean Squiers are great instruments. Only you can answer this really but a done up vintage Squier would always beat a new MIM Fender in any game of Top Trumps as far as I'm concerned. Ultimately it comes down to whether not having the Fender logo on the headstock bothers you or not. Don't get me wrong there are some really nice MIMs out there but reading your post it sounds like your bass has a lot of really positive plus points for you

I play in a little 3 piece 50s rock 'n' roll band and anything along the Elvis / Buddy Holly / Eddie Cochran vein would probably fit that mould

Just a Fender Precision and an upright bass for me. Can I have the cash equivalent for the other three?

I reckon you are along the right lines with Squier, with a decent set up (if not done by the shop) they sound great & play like a dream

That vocal really detracts from the misguided message...but that's enough compliments from me!?!

I like old strings personally but we're all different. I only change them when I buy a bass, to get the roundwounds off and get flats on

I nearly did a similar thread myself. I picked up my first new bass in 3yrs as I decided 2 vintage Fenders is OTT so I picked up a Squier CV 50s P bass. I restrung it with my trademark heavy flats and figured it needed a set up. I took it to my local dealer who sorted it out. I plugged it in the shops Ashton practice amp and WOW - I had my sound. I took it to rehearsal instead of my upright bass and it felt like one of my Fenders. I just need to sell that old Jazz now.

I guess it relates to the bass guitar as that was of course originally fretted. You wouldn't refer to an upright bass as fretless because the assumption is that it has no frets anyway. That'd be my understanding at least