Marvin

Seen one, unfortunately didn't get a chance to play it. It terms of looks, yes it knocks spots off the Fender. It looks stunning in real life, i'd have öne.

For the sound and money i think, like Lozz, a Hydrive 410. I saw a s/h öne in a music shop yesterday for £350...it also appeared quite compact.

Genz probably won't exist by the time i could afford what i wanted, really wanted a genz rig. Enjoy your new rig

I really do think if Carvin were more available in the UK they'd shift loads, I'm only ever hearing good things about them.

There wasn't öne when i was at school. I did visit my old school a while ago and they've got a few Encores and Squiers now, all in bad shape it has to be said.

I'm seriously considering turning it in on a band I'm in. I'm supposedly in because of the way I play but am being constantly pressured into playing in a way that is very not me...ie soloing etc. Just can't be arsed with it. And then there's the fact no one else seems to put any effort in. Thankfully however I've got another band, so not a total loss

My nearest music shop has a woeful stock of bass gear, it's actually got considerably worse in the last 4 or so years to the point there's little point going in there anymore. The next nearest music shop is Mansons, that's about an hours drive. I like the staff, they're always well mannered and helpful. Recently though I haven't found the stock they carry particularly grabbing. Also the area devoted to basses has shrunk lately, I hope this is only temporary. That leaves me really reliant on the internet. The last bass I bought, the Yamaha, I bought from Dolphin Music. Ordered and delivered in 36hours, suits me down to the ground. And with distant selling you get 7 days to return, which is a much better trial period than sat in a shop noodling around.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1382892092' post='2257636'] True, but at least in town you can get crack at 3am within walking distance. [/quote] Öne usually has to make do with vetrinary supples :\

Actually. Glamour models in Devon? This can't be right surely...?

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1382882236' post='2257494'] I often daydream about moving to Devon . You have an ample supply down there of two of the things that make life most worth living - women and custard. Are there many buxom and as yet unattached milkmaids in your neck of the woods ? ( Someone like Joss Stone but without the singing would do) . Please say yes and keep my dream alive. [/quote] Why yes, of course

CLARKY!!!!! Where are you???? Nick Cave tickets!!!!!

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1382879177' post='2257441'] So at last nights gig at a particularly sh*te pub, there's these 2 rather lovely very skinny but generously upfronted (?) girls, very drunk, dancing when one goes up to the guitarist/singer and shouts mid way through a song (like they always do) if she can sing. He smiles and shakes his head, so she moves on to the drummer and yells if she can have a go on the sticks. He shakes his head, she takes one look at yours truly and just walks away... charming. The girlfriend of said guitard then throws a punch at skinny girl and all hell breaks loose, guitarist amp dies and we set of the smoke alarm with the new haze machine, all for £60 each in a storm. Rock n Roll. [/quote] As a resident of Devon I am shocked at such behaviour...which pub? I need to make sure I avoid it, I'm a delicate sort

I prefer to wear a lounge suit.

I put Roto's on my P bass and didn't like them at all. I also put some Fender strings on my Ibanez (because apparently they're made by D'Addarrio which is what i usually use) and that failed misereably.

A couple of drummers i've played with have used them at practices. Can't say i've been mad impressed. Seems to me you have pay good money for anything half decent. I much prefer an acoustic kit in terms of sound and looks

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1382643768' post='2255027'] I would love it if this sort of thing ended up on radio one. [/quote] I agree, best place for it...I don't listen to radio 1. A demonstration by technically gifted people indulging in showboating and making music completely soulless.

I got the push from a band earlier this year by getting a text saying that because of the guitarist/vocalists family committments it was all on hold. Subsequently found out I'd actually been replaced. When I asked what was happening i got told honesty was overated...to which i replied that i would make süre people knew what a bunch of c**** they were. I'm now in 2 bands and they're looking for another bass player

A penguin classic? Marketing tripe from one of the most irritating individuals in music. I wouldn't even read it if someone gave me a copy for free.

[quote name='ChickenKiev' timestamp='1382430046' post='2251912'] My band has their first gig in December! Woo! Now that are we are starting to gig I'm planning to sell every piece of gear I don't need and am starting to assemble a suitable gig rig. I currently have a Hartke VX3500 combo amp which is serving me nicely during practice. For all those not in the know, it is pretty much Hartke's famous HA3500 head in a combo with a 4x10. There's a couple of things I'm not happy about though. Firstly, it is a pain in the arse to transport everywhere as it is huge and bloody heavy; I want something modular that I can break down a little bit easier in my car. Secondly, I hate hate [B]hate[/B] the felt finish on it. It gets full of bits like dog hair and tobacco, and it is starting to fray a little bit on the top. It looks like my amp is starting to rock a perm. Hartke's Hydrive stuff just looks awesome. The paper-aluminium cone idea just suits my needs perfectly and they aren't covered in felt. Hydrive is the way to go for me honestly. But Hydrive has a few different products in its range, which makes my choice very tricky. The Hydrive 210c looks like a solid little amp. It is loud enough that it can hold its own during band practices and it is pretty small and transportable. I was planning on getting a Hydrive 410 extension cabinet to use exclusively for gigs. The cab is there for a little extra volume but more importantly for a little bit of height during gigs. It seems a little bit pricey to get a 410 for that sole purpose right? I'm surely not going to get the most out of a 500 watt speaker. I've thought about that. As time goes on and gigs (hopefully) get better and my gear gradually gets upgraded, my Hydrive 410 cab will become a part of my future rig. Call it an investment for the future. That's all well and good, but I've run into a little snag with all my plans. I honestly can't bare the thought of not having a HA3500. It has a dual tube and solid state preamp. Going from that to the 210c's all solid state preamp seems like a huge step backwards to me as the tone I use during practice uses both preamps. Granted the 210c has some new features that might serve me well, but its a tricky one. Does anybody have any advice? Any Hartke users out there, past or present, that could speak from experience? Maybe some of you have tried both a HA3500 and a 210c and could potentially put my mind at ease. Thanks, Kiev. [/quote] What about getting an HA3500 head and 2 210 cabs, maybe the Hydrive ones. You'd have the head you like and easier to transport 410 equivelant...you may only need one cab at rehearsal. FWIW the touring bass player uses a Hydrive 210c on it's own, seems loud enough.

I don't work for the courier companies and neither am I defending certain 'work practices'. However, I have on occasion spoken to quite a few drivers and their call rate is quite stupid. The number of items per hour they're required to deliver is just impossible...it possibly explains why they drive like maniacs etc. Combine this with inadequate training and low wages...it would also explain the high turnover of staff for these companies.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1382364234' post='2251194'] This whole courier/shipping thing appears to be a total lottery. One person says "don't use Company X, they are useless and trashed my item Y". Another member then says "I've never had a problem with them, they are far superior to Company Z - who are really bollox"... etc, etc. Why is there no consistency between these service providers? Who regulates (or is supposed to regulate) them? I have sat on an aeroplane before and watched the baggage handlers kicking cases and bags all over the place. How do they get away with this? [/quote] It's the same in almost any logistics and freight operation. A university friend of mine worked for Comet in their warehouses one summer...televisions get a hard life before they get to a shop It's all to do with time and money.

[quote name='chriswareham' timestamp='1382363794' post='2251187'] Small claims court. Now that's a thought. As a contract computer programmer I once made a claim against a client who failed to pay their final invoice. On the allotted day neither they or their representative bothered to turn up in court (more of an office really) and the result was a default finding in my favour. If I claim against Parcelforce and they fail to turn up then they can shove their incompetent staff and T&Cs somewhere dark and hairy :-) [/quote] Just to point out you never dealt with any Parcelforce staff. You were sold the service by Post Office Counters staff. The two are different companies (Parcelforce is neither owned or run by the Post Office) with PO Counters acting effectively as an agent for Parcelforce. I should imagine your complaint would have to be focused on PO Counters for not making clear the T&C's of the service.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1382355743' post='2251000'] Yeah, it gives pleasure and gets you all excited !! [/quote] ...and a particularly unpleasant experience for an on looker :\

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1382355743' post='2251000'] Yeah, it gives pleasure and gets you all excited !! [/quote] ...and a particularly unpleasant experience for an on looker :\

I think it's to do with it not being particularly accessible to most people. A lot of it is not easy to listen to for most, and I include myself in that. To me there seems to be a preoccupation about being technical for technical sake at the detriment to creating something that 'speaks' to the audience. It's like people who get carried away with all the technical attributes of a car but fail to mention it drives like a dog. ML94's mention of it being musician's music hits a chord with a lot of people, but I'm afraid in a negative way. It gives the impression that it's the music of a clique, you have to get it. I like, listen and own quite a wide range of music...but I don't think any of it's jazz