JTUK

I take 2 and they are J5 type basses. One has a fuller Marcus M type J bass tone which is the one that gets the gig done if all else fails and the other is my preferred bass with a more vintage cooler tone. I am happy to play both as per my whim and the sound of the room and everything else. I always have strings in the bag but don't expect to break them at all. However I did use LB some super steps the other month and that broke on the brdige after 2 days use..and at a gig. I found out there and then that you need to be careful how you anchor them at the bridge and therefore no problem after that...so far. It was on the one gig that I took the one bass on.. such a low key thing etc etc ... but it can happen through bad luck. I think it depends on the show whether you have one or two basses, in the main. I can bet if anyone has a prestigous gig, they'll be thinking 2 basses min.

Well, trust is always the key. I phoned around a LOT to get the guy who does my stuff. He is a one man band and tells me when he is free to give my amp attention. He doesn't sit aorund waiting for me to call, of course, but will say pop it in and I'll get back within the week. which is fair enough by me. I'd recommend my guy to anyone..he even told me my input stage was designed wrong..or rather he wouldn't do it that way, but was pretty impressed with the components that were used. He has a design background..bla bla.. I'd PM his contact number to anyone in Kent or Maidstone. My mate always uses Chandlers and likes them

I take two J5's which sound pretty different and I'll decide at the gig which is my main bass that night. I have my preference but it isn't until I have sound-checked that I make my decision.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='1173688' date='Mar 23 2011, 07:07 PM']Maybe an SVT3?[/quote] If you must have Ampeg..then it is lighter at 26lbs.

hmmmmm the drummer would be doing/playing whatever the MD told him to do... He wouldn't be playing at that level without serious chops and not being able to play to spec. Blame the MD for the production/arrangment if you like.

At least it hasn't got that useless graphic squeezed into a one unit space. If you change you'll miss the valve IMV. LMll is more than useful at lower volumes, but loses its soul when louder, IME. I am not sure if a Sansamp can compensate there...some may argue it does but I haven't tried it. If only for practise, then maybe an old SWR 350 to lug around and bring what you know and love for special times and dates.

This might be unpopular but the traditional Ampeg EQ stage is awful or rather limited, IMV. The only thing that saves it is the valve power amp so if you don't have that..????? But..it you can get along with the Ampeg pre section then I'd say 26 lbs for an amp and power amp is ok.

Aren't we confusing energy in the music with running around like a demented lemon. Not at all the same thing, IMO. Our biggest failing, IMV, would be lack of real banter with an audience, consistantly.. but I think it safe to say we really connect at the end of the show, IMO. I would love us to have both but I'll setlle 99 times out of a 100 for the way we can finish and this is the right way round, AFAICS... We know a pretty popular band round here who never have to finish a song as it is all singalongs and audience partations.. That works great once when you see them..but must be a bit tiring after a while. But sure, on this level you don't have it all..great frontmen that can sing... or someone who can whip an audience up..which is itself a talent, but struggles ( relatively ) to hold a note. Sooner or later, the lattter will kill a gig It is a difficult balance to get.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1173398' date='Mar 23 2011, 03:18 PM']The bandleader always gets a bigger cut in the function bands I work with. I'm offered the gig for X amount,and I choose to accept it or not. It's the same with the rest of the band. I know roughly how much the bands go out for,but if I accept the gig and the amount I don't feel I have a right to complain about the split.[/quote] If it is his name and eveyone is a dep or rotated as per availbility this has a lot of advantages. For years I never had to bother at all about gigs, I just agreed to do them for whatever fee we talked about and rocked up with my gear on the day and that was the end on it. Now I am a lot more active getting gigs and accept that some people can't or don't do negotiations that well etc etc ..but if it starts to run up costs then they should be acknowledged by the band...and paid for collectively.

We get a very powerful ( IMO ) finish through our drummer and am torn between the nice balance and groove as I see/hear/feel it in the first set with a real step up in energy and power in the second. With this goes the volume and control that I would really like to keep but the finish is so good, that is the trade-off. We are still trying to manage it better..but we really can't complain about the response the finish can get... so who is right in this..? Band quandry for us...

[quote name='endorka' post='1173246' date='Mar 23 2011, 01:23 PM']If people are putting in extra hours above and beyond the average band member, then I think they are justified in asking to be paid extra for this. It can take a lot of time, money & stress organising gigs. However, the same could be said for your contribution with the website. Jennifer[/quote] This ..as long as everyone thinks it is fair. The website is a band cost as well and they should pay their share.

[quote name='Beedster' post='1173118' date='Mar 23 2011, 11:40 AM']See you there [/quote] Sure... hope Bob is playing too.... he mentioned they might be.

[quote name='Beedster' post='1173111' date='Mar 23 2011, 11:33 AM']Everytime I go to Martin's place it costs me a fortune! Well, I'm a fan of beer and I live in Kent. As they say in the US, "you do the math" [/quote] If he did amps..????? maths=Nackington Lane, Fri 22 July.

[quote name='Beedster' post='1173100' date='Mar 23 2011, 11:23 AM']LOL, gotta laugh haven't you Clarky's bang on the money there, as is JT re Simms (I know Martin's work well as he's done a few basses for me last time I was down there he was doing just what you suggested JT, replicating a '62 neck for a certain well known bassist....). The way it ended with the fretless was that I slowly fell out of love with the Sadowsky tone, and I have to say, Sadowsky necks, so I stuck with my old Fender fretless Jazz until I managed to separate Shaggy and his wonderful fretless Precision which is now shacked up very happily with Clarky. And funnily enough, as Clarky also suggested, I can get most of the fretless tones I need from my Yamaha EUB, which I prefer to a fretless bass anyway. Not much help really was I Zenbeh! C[/quote] ha ha... He likes THAT story. I saw the body to that as well... including thumb dig-in points .. But he now has a greeting lounge with a a nice Glock in the corner. I am just trying to invent a reason to pop over P.S Kent Beer Festival...you a fan..??

[quote name='burray' post='1173046' date='Mar 23 2011, 10:32 AM']What's the rush? If you want to purchase in this way then just apply for a 0% credit card for however many months. Bosh.[/quote] There is that of course. It seems a good schemeto me, and maybe shops like it even more. I guess I have a few more days to think about it.

[quote name='Clarky' post='1172930' date='Mar 23 2011, 08:48 AM']I know Chris well and I can tell you how it ended. He went through a bunch more basses (many via me!) and has ended up with a vintage 1965 Precision as his workhorse, a MM Stingray HH for his functions band, and he uses his Yamaha upright for fretless or when schlepping along his DB isn't viable. So this thread is REALLY out of date [/quote] ha ha I met him last month and I'll bet that even what he had then has changed muchly.. Bag Ends, anyone..?? My suggestion is still relevant for changing goals...maybe

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1173027' date='Mar 23 2011, 10:20 AM']two bands: both doing covers, the latest is a Santana tribute band still 90% in the making, we don't have bogs, I don't even know how to make a blog tbh, but we have made a few enquiries with pubs and clubs and we've been given a bit of a run around with the paying fees that some of the guys in the band have been unimpressed with.[/quote] If you area talking about London, then there will probably be plenty of bands they don't know, they can takle a chance on for little money. In our negotiations, they all talk about web sites, demo or contact details and they are trying to weed out..what they perceive as.. the weak and chancers. You need to get past this and convince them that you aren't a chance but if the competition is cheaper..and more plentiful, then they'll probably use you as a later resort. Personally, I think a myspace type page is not a great way to impress as it can imply a thrown together solution but at least it is a start. Pubs incurr costs on startup...maybe they need to be convinced that the band is more than serious than most and worth a booking. Have to admit, not been up to London so often of late, but I doubt it has changed much in terms of too many bands.

You say that..but where are they? And besides, you know what GAS is like..I want.....NOW..!! I guess I will get measuring the boot to see how it might fit..if it gets past that test, then an AE212 is a cheaper way to go than 2 singles.

yes...I did check... shame, I have a TH pedal but am a bit ante all SS heads with regards the 'warmth' atm. For example, people say the LMll is warm but I just don't think it is my version of warm. I would say typically a harder sound even if you couple them with pillow speakers like Epis...IMO.

hmmm AE212, if it has a good low end, something like 2xGS112's plus a bit more bite.. and if easy enough to get on a back seat, then..?? Any more thoughts/experience out there?

Does it have a valve pre..?

Chris, I know this thread is old, but I would look into Sims scanning everything into a neck and body and you can finish it off with electronics if you want All that will be missing is any kudos in a name. He isn't too far from you... and I'll introduce you if you want and pop over there with you..etc etc ..

FWIW, I don't think the LMll is warm enough ..certainly not in the combo mode, ie with MB 2x10 speakers. Great combo but a more modern sterile sound. Needs a valve in the pre, IMV. sterile might be too strong, but a hard or harsh sound is about right. This might be right up some peoples street but, not the OP's, IIUIC.

My meths just evaporates so that is the time to replace it... I don't do anything other than soak but then the strings are never rusty .. I wouldn't want to complicate things with wipes, so if the soak doesn't work..they string are put aside as not to be used on anything that matters. [b]Gub[/b] cut the string down to 3 winds round the post.... the gauge figures here as well, but too long is better than too short. AFAICR..I leave a 4"/100mm tail to wind..typically..but you may want to be sure about this before cutting a NEW string.