Sibob

Gifts are allowed if they’re unsolicited (however you are allowed to state a preference if asked). However, strings are allowed regardless, as they’re a consumable. Si

2019 lineup, L-R: - ACG Krell E-Type 6 headless - Lakland Skyline 55-01 w/US Bartolini Dual Coils & NTMB Pre - Bass Collection Jive fretless - Lakland US 44-64 - 1971 Fender Precision - Lakland US 44-94 passive P/J - Fender Mustang

Just to clarify a few things, Scarletts currently come with the following software/plugins: - Ableton Live Lite 10 - Pro Tools First - Focusrite Creative Pack (more details here: https://focusrite.com/Pro-Tools-First) - XLN Audio Addictive Keys - Red Plug-in Suite - Scarlett Plug-in Suite - Softube Time and Tone Bundle - Access to Plug-in Collective - 2GB of Loopmasters samples You can read more about each of those around halfway down the product page for each Scarlett in the range, for example: https://focusrite.com/usb-audio-interface/scarlett/scarlett-2i2 Happy to answer any other questions of course Simon // Focusrite

To my knowledge, they’re not shortscale strings though?! The few people I know who had a JMJ from new said that the wound part of the the string was round the post, suggesting the stock strings are full-scale. Really poor show from Fender if so. Si

I would say they’re medium, very comfortable IMO. I would consider low tension to be (unsurprisingly) La Bella Low Tension Flats and Thomastiks, with medium tension being La Bella 760Fx flats as mentioned & D’addario Chromes. High tension are things like Rotosound flats, which are just horrible (for me). But the La Bella Mustangs are the only ones I know specifically designed for that bass Si

If you’re keen for flats, then La Bella actually do a Mustang set which have more silk at the ball-end for through-body. I have them on mine and they’re brilliant. Bass Direct sell them. Si

In my mind, the thread started with assessing the actual recording of the band, not how good they/the song is, purely a discussion about live recording setups. How you've managed to turn it into something overly negative is almost impressive*. Si *It's not

Revisiting this, I've just ordered a Gruv Gear Gigblade Edge guitar bag. The internal dimensions state a length of 43.5", which would fit the Mustang perfectly. It's not a full-on top-of-the-line bag like their Gigblade 2 or the Mono M80 cases, but it's a big step-up from the disappointment of the Fender FS610 that came out a couple of months ago: https://gruvgear.com/products/gigblade-edge Should arrive on Thurs, so I'll report back then. Si

Not sure marriage will get you a free bass, but you never know! Si

Well I've just ordered what I think will be the last of my personal 'allowances' to myself set out last year, a decent gig-bag for my Mustang bass. If it fulfils the need, then that is properly it for the year, scary stuff! lol Si

Exactly, it's all in the marketing.....which is another thing a 'professional musician' usually has to be an expert in, even if just their social media presence. Si

I asked about teaching for a reason, I know very few ‘professional musicians’ who are JUST musicians. Most teach, write, make gear, produce for other people etc etc. I think you can continue, but simply expand upon the things you do already. But also, as above, it’s not unusual for amazing musicians to have a job. Mike Bendy works for Apple, Bryan Beller was a VP whilst still playing, Juan Alderete worked in data before he got the Mars Volta gig (I think). There’s a romanticism about being a ‘professional musician’ that sometimes forgets that music is about life, not really the other way around. Si

Did you ever teach bass/music? Si

Same as a lot here I do a lot of wedding/corporate stuff. But originals I play for Jocee: And, although on hiatus, Corybantic too: Si

Absolutely, I’d consider the Gibson at maybe £500, but any more and I’d save for a Serek. If you zoom in, the Gibbo looks pretty rough, bad lighting maybe. Si

Nope, that’s just how a passive Sterling sounds with Mr Dart, I agree with @kyuuga Si

You would have failed the Tier 2 challenge (don’t buy any music gear), but still on for Tier 1 (don’t buy any bass gear). That said, you’re on thin ice if you can use said pedal with bass Si

I’m adding a Trickfish amp to my 2020 wants Si

The shortscale Gibson Jr looks fun, £1k though, and no TV Yellow. Si

3 months, so not too bad! It really does! Will be on Jocee’s next EP Si

Lock him up! 😂 Who else will but all the Serek’s and 55-64’s? Si

Even if you install something like Reaper, if you have no former knowledge (ie transferable skills) of a DAW, then you'll want to get into the habit of watching tutorials and Googling certain processes. With regards to setup, I've never had an issue with setting up Pro Tools First, however I am on a Mac.....I've not tried specifically on PC. I think as I've said before, if you're looking at band type demos, then I would look at Reaper or Cubase LE, because they're the products that will support you moving forward, Reaper is fully featured, and Cubase has upgrade paths. My opinion of Tracktion is that it's fine, but isn't as fully featured as Reaper and you will eventually have to relearn another DAW if you outgrow it. But obviously each to their own. If you should have any further issues setting anything up, please do give the Focusrite tech support team a call/email/live chat. They're there to help you at any part of the process, including software setup, especially helpful if the issue stopping you doing what you need to do is simply a Windows option (more common than you think) as opposed to anything in the box or what you're doing: https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/requests/new Si // Focusrite Media Relations

Absolutely, it's all meant with some tongue-firmly-in-cheek. However as you point out, addiction can be a crippling illness, and an addiction to acquiring (buying) 'things' can be as damaging to some people as alcoholism, it might be finances effected rather than health, but you take my point. For me, my addiction to buying things is very mild and entirely manageable, and so this is simply an exercise in restraint. In other news, my challenge has just gotten a lot harder......as my Lakland 44-64 and Noble Pre (which I ordered and paid for last year) have arrived. Now, aside from my allowance of a decent gig-bag for my Mustang bass, there is zero gear incoming for another 11 months 😶 Si p.s. It made me a lol a little to stop your post short: 😅

Whilst I love my '71 Precision, I wanted something a tiny bit more solid (it can be a little rickety), but mostly I've wanted a C width neck P-bass for a while. Lakland was the obvious choice for me (owning a couple already), so last year I ordered and paid for a 44-64. It arrived a day before I left for NAMM typically, so I've only just plugged it in (sounds awesome) and it's first gig will be this weekend. La Bella were also brilliant and sent over a set of 760FS flats over to Lakland for me, simply so I could have them setup at factory, rather than redo it all when it arrived. It joins my US 44-94 custom passive P/J & my upgraded 55-01. Cheers Si