Marvin

True. 2 places I played several times have music, or is a music venue because the people running them just love music. Unfortunately, these people don't often own the building.

With changes coming regards planning, whether there's demand for live music venues will be somewhat irrelevant. The owners can make more money from other uses. There will be lots of pubs and music venues disappearing, and I don't see many replacements, the cost will be too high and there are more financially attractive alternatives.

When I had a rack mount compressor and eq i used the FX loop on my amp. Since I sold that set up I haven't really used effects that much. The last amp I had didn't have an effects loop so if I used the pre-amp pedal and/or compressor pedal they'd have to go before the amp input. I've got an FX Loop on my current amp and I might use it for an idea I've got...saying that it might not work

Up in the wilds of North Devon. Nearest known town is probably Barnstaple

If I get around to picking up my bass this is what I do. I just learn songs I need to learn or want to learn. For the last 10 years if I've been in a band it's been a covers band so that's all I need. The originals band I was in was a bit like being in a covers band as most of the material had been written before I joined.

Did anyone but one of these basses. Ashdown seem to be promoting them quite heavily on social media. It gives the impression that they've not sold well? Maybe they have sold well?

I've had a hiatus from bands, and ironically just before Covid came along I'd decided to get back into bands again. (Partly sparked by going to watch Editors in Manchester ) I will, when circumstances permit, be out gigging again. When that is who knows. It could be May 2021, but if it's later then I'm fine with that, I can wait. I've already been in touch with a few old band mates and there's the possibility of putting something together, so that's hopeful. Covid aside, my other reservation is whether there will still be places to play. Hospitality and entertainment have taken one almighty hit and to be honest I think there will be a lot of bands trying to get booked at a handful of venues. Getting paid is a whole other ball game. But yes, if it's safe in May, I'd be looking to get out there again. HOWEVER. I think gigging is a long way off in reality. Proper gigging, if it's ever to come back, could be over 12 months away. It's no surprise to me that infection rates remain stubbornly high when I see so many people simply ignoring social distancing. Through my work I see the people in my small town who are in and out of each others houses, the people who have friends or relatives staying over night, and all the other infringements. I don't think the virus is going anywhere for a long time. EDIT: and just as I finished typing, the people who live across the road have just had friends arrive and walked straight into their house. We're in this for a long time.

Thank Ray. I'm blushing

I bought a Behringer mixer from Ray. Quick replies, no fuss, posted and arrived quickly, well packaged. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from @RAY AGAINST THE MACHINEMACHINE again. many thanks.

I've bought from several of the bigger UK online music retailers, I can't remember having any problems. I recently bought a cab from HAM and at check out you can decide which day it will be delivered, which is very helpful. From what I remember G4M do that as well. One thing I noticed about the cab I bought was where it had come from. The packaging labels showed it had been to the Netherlands before arriving in UK. There are too many unknowns about buying from Thomann right now. Price, delivery time (which has always been excellent from them), right of return, warranty status - will any warranty be valid, or will you even get one. I thought about getting an amp from them recently however, it was the after sales unknowns that put me off.

I can't really see anyone wanting it any price to be honest. £2500 can buy some very nice basses...ones that aren't as aesthetically displeasing as that one.

This article has been bouncing around social media, it's complete garbage to be honest.

Staying out for the Summer by Dodgy. I can't stand winter, or autumn for that matter. Cold, wet and dark.

When the current measures are eased there will probably be live music. But there'll be a lot of bands chasing a very limited number of gigs. And they won't be like the gigs we've all loved in the past. Vaccine or no vaccine, Covid is here to stay and we'll still have to maintain these new 'behavoirs' to contain it. The best hope is that it mutates into a strain that becomes much less harmful, or as with SARS1, burns itself out.

I've only got about 10 mins left to watch of the 'interview'. I like Peter Hook, could listen to him talk for ages. That said I don't like Joy Division, New Order, his style of playing is a bit meh for me as is the signature bass...still thoroughly enjoyed the video though 😁

Excellent band. Wish I could get to one the gigs, but as usual by the time I finish work the venues are too far away. Oh well.

I think I would have clubbed the drummer with my spare bass if he'd done that to me.

Back in the early 90's I saw this band only a few times, but they were absolutely brilliant every time. These were gigs I loved, great bands, great crowds, venues packed to bursting, hot, sweaty, lots of beer. The Retreat were a genuinely great band, d

Best wishes to your drummer, sincerely hope there's no long lasting damage. I've got a circular saw and I really don't like them to be honest. I'm massively cautious using it. If it doesn't cut with just gentle pressure applied I stop. The power tool I hate the most are those large angle grinders. Used one when we built our extension, awful things.

I have some AKG K52's Light, comfortable, good sound and not very expensive. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B019EACGSU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_p.sWFb0CBB65Z

Very nice bass. Great for the money. I had one of those once, but I sold it. That was a few years ago and I still regret it. One of the nicest basses I've owned.

Well, I did it. It's been 2 years since I last played in a band (to be honest the last gig I did was disappointedly bad, hey ho) and after that one split up I sold my amp and cab. I had no intention of buying any more. But you just can't can you. We may be in the midst of a pandemic but we've got to be hopeful we can recapture some of the way we used to live. SO, in a spike of optimism I bought an amp from a fellow Basschatter some time back (Peavey MiniMax) and today a Fender Rumble 210 arrived, in the hope one day they'll be gigged... in the meantime I can attempt a few jams with my son who's learning guitar. I've been mulling over what cab to buy for months. I wanted to get something second hand however, living in the sticks most cabs were several hundred miles away and that's simply impracticable. It's a shame really, especially as there have been some Genz Benz cabs come up and I always wanted one, but it can't be helped. Several new cabs caught my interest. Markbass 151 Blackline, Markbass TRP 102, Ashdown RM 210t or the 115t, Ashdown 408 and the Fender Rumble 210. I chose the Rumble because I've owned Rumble Combos before and always liked them. I've had the Rumble V2 and V2 combos, and they've been great. So the Rumble brand is a known quantity to me, and when you're buying without trying that makes a difference. I did seriously think of getting a MarkBass cab, but from what I've read about them I'd really want to try one before committing. There are smaller cabs, but this one is still quite compact. It's also not very heavy, 17kg or 39lb. Matched with a 500w modern compact head, it'll cope with the gigs I'd be doing. For the last 18months if I've played my bass I've had to use headphones through my Zoom B1on. It makes quite a difference hearing your bass in an actual room again. Paired with the MiniMax it sounds really good. I've been playing around with it for a while and there are quite a varied number of tones you can get out of it. Turn the tweeter off, tweak the knobs only a little and you've quite a nice vintage sort of tone. Turn the tweeter on and you can go more modern. And then there's all the ones in between. The tweeter impressed me more than I thought it would. It's not brittle (not to my ears). There is that bit of a gap between where the 10's high end starts to roll off and the tweeter starts to make itself known, but it's not in a bad way, neither is it harsh. I prefer the tweeter at -6db on the switch on the back of the cab. It's good with the tweeter full off, but with just that bit of tweeter it gives it more bite. It hasn't taken me long to find the tone I like out of this set up. Obviously when you play in a band that tone might be useless but... This is all pretty much entry level gear, but as has been said so many times on Basschat, I wish entry level gear of this quality was around 20-30 years ago. My last set up (amp and cab) was more expensive than this. Sure it would probably hold up longer played at high volume but there's not a lot in it to be honest. There is only one thing that I wish I could do now, get in a band situation. I'm sure it'll perform well. I remember the first time time I took the Rumble V3 combo to a band practice I bored everyone senseless by constantly say 'Hell, this thing sounds good'. ELECTRONICS Wattage: 350 Watts @8ohms HARDWARE Cabinet Material: Lightweight Plywood Amplifier Covering: Black Textured Vinyl Grille Cloth: Silver Handle: Recessed Side-Mounted Steel Bar (2) SPEAKERS: Two - 10" Eminence® Ceramic Magnet & Compression driver horn with attenuator switch MEASUREMENTS: Amp Weight: 39 lbs. (17.7kg) Amp Height: 23" (58.42 cm) Amp Width: 19" (48.3 cm) Amp Depth: 14" (35.56 cm)

A few years ago I saw The Winery Dogs touring their second album. We'd managed to get to a really good spot near the front towards the side Kotzen was playing. I know, Sheehan was there and all dues he plays some unbelievable stuff on a bass, but Kotzen just ripped it up for me, he was outstanding, the band were amazing but he was incredible. I'd seen them play about 18 months prior at The Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton. Unfortunately I got stuck behind a pillar and could only see Sheehan, which wasn't that bad, but the sound was a bit meh and the heat was so oppressive you could see it was taking its toll on the band. Many years ago I saw The Real Sounds of Africa at a local Arts Centre. They were phenomenal, both in terms of musicianship and performance. Wille and the Bandits at a place called The Palladium Club in Devon. Small place, what a gig, they were on fire that night, the playing was great.

The Smiths were a great band of musicians ruined by Morrissey moaning over the top. I've always viewed him as one of those terminally irritating schools dweebs who think they're far above, and way cooler, than anyone else, when in fact the opposite is true. It's quite telling that some of the 'musicians' held up as being rebellious or cool in their day, have just turned out to be the conspiracy theorist and/or pub bores they were supposed to rebel against. Perhaps I've been lucky so far, I've never liked Morrissey, Ian Brown, John Lydon, Roger Daltrey... I'm sure there are a few more. As for the BBC, it's been on a downward trajectory since it had to apologise for Andrew Gilligan's piece for Today on R4. Now it's scared witless of rocking the boat of those in government, whatever the colour of their rosette.

I've used the MiniMax just using a pair of headphones and I was very impressed with the range of tones I could get out of it. The fan is a bit noisy but it's not an issue for me. I'm looking forward to pairing it with a cab.