Les

I guess the lady in Pete's clip answered my question about this bass punching so far above it's weight when she ask's us to ask ourselves why is this guitar so cheap ? My electric guitar is actually a Cort M700 too I suppose deep down most of us know this state of affairs exists and choose to ignore it. There's probably a similar clip pertinent to the jeans and T-shirt I'm wearing.

Picked up an Epiphone EB-0 on Friday, played it a bit on Saturday to check everything was as it should be. It was a very different thing to my current weapon of choice, my Mustang and I was umming and aghhing about it, then thought, sod it, gig with it, don't take a back up and then you'll defo know after a full gig. What a revelation, it was great, well put together, it looks truly beautiful (it's the ebony one), the neck is very good, slim and fast and it sounded good, the band liked it. I paid £62.50 for this on ebay but [b]these things are only 140 quid new[/b]. Where does this quality come from ? I've been playing for 35 years now and after a couple of seriously rubbishy starter basses I've had 3 P's, a Mustang and a Stingray so I've had decent basses for a long time. I swear there was nothing this quality in the equivalent price range when I was starting out. This thing is so far removed from the "planks with strings" I had when I was embarking on my bass playing journey. I've read the reviews and heard all the one trick pony stuff, and to be fair it is, but what a usable tool for that money. The only thing I can find fault with is the neck dive, it's really bad, had to use a wide leather strap and that helped a lot, but if I end up not using this much it will be cos' of the neck dive and nothing else. Amazed of Wigan

Cool. If your not sure after 20 mins with a shorty don't part with your cash, try one of mine for a few weeks. I'm just about to start a new job so I'm dead busy and the band is down to one(ish) gigs a month for a couple of months cos' of everyones commitments, so as long as I have a gigging bass your welcome to the others.. I played P's for years then a Stingray for about 20 years, then retired, got dragged kicking and scraming out of retirement 6 years ago, then about a year ago I developed 2 frozen shoulders and ended up having to go back to my short scale, it helps a lot with the injury too. Your short scale options would be a Mustang, an Encore P bass(ish) style thing and an Epi EB-0 that I'm picking up tomorrow. Good luck Les

Sam if you're still struggling with the P after a while I have 2 (soon to be 3 when I pick it up tomorrow) short scales and you're welcome to borrow one of them if you think it might make a difference. I live near Wigan. Not sure the short scale would help if it's your right wrist though . Les

Followed this thread from the beginning, what an amazing thing to have done . But I have to ask, did you drop any bollox at all ?

Interesting, there's a few "this is the bass I play" situations and a few "this looks like the bass I play". I'm in the "it's a bit lame" camp on the whole signature thing but each to their own. Was more impressed by the Mikey Way model than the normal Squier Mustangs I tried, but that colour ?? wish they did it in black. I think it's the humbucker I liked, but I actually thought the neck felt better as well. I kinda thought he probably wouldn't use a sub £250 bass but was willing to be pleasantly surprised.

cos' I tried a Mikey Way signature Squier and I thought it was great, but, does he use the model that I tried at PMT or do Fender make him one with 1000 year old exotic wood and unobtanium bits and put a Squier badge on it as part of the deal ? The only thing that stopped me buying it was the sparkly silver finish.

[quote name='markbunney' timestamp='1374683798' post='2151840'] Secondly, we have been told that there is a dress code for people attending the event, including the band. They want chinos for men and cocktail dresses for women. This has annoyed me somewat as we are a hard rock covers band and are going to end up looking like Michael Buble's backing band [/quote] Perfectly reasonable request. Dress appropriately to the function your working at then put your stage clothes(ripped jeans, leather etc) on for your performance. Done loads, they are great gigs and if you play ball and act pro you will be very well looked after.

It's a mine field. You need to decide if your just going to have a decent vocal PA or something you can use for bass, kick drum etc, and I think you'll struggle for that on your 500 squid budget. A mate of mine is selling her spare PA, it would be good for vocals, much stronger than the one you've got. It comprises [color=#37404E]Carver 1250 amp[/color] [color=#37404E]jbl eons 15"[/color] [color=#37404E]studiomaster spiritfolio [14/2] mixer[/color] [color=#37404E]Alesis midiverb 4 Yam Graphic eq EMS gig box [10u]..[/color][color=#37404E]That would be a decent vocal PA, she's looking for 700 for that, not sure if that's about right or not to be honest, but it gives you an idea.[/color] [color=#37404E]Les[/color]

Just googled it cos' I'd never heard of it. Wow, that bass is uglier than a bucket of frogs.

Not a huge fan of the Wooten inspired/technician thing but I thought that was great to be honest.

Job done. Well done

Andrew, as much as I admire your dedication, and can see your a bit hobbled by not being allowed to use what seems to be the best room in the dwelling for your practice, no one is going to put up with that for 2-3 hours every day after they get home from work mate.

That sounds weirder than a fish to me. Why can't he make rehearsals ?

well ? How'd it go ? Les

You'll be fine mate. Remember it's a two way street, they are also auditioning to be your band. I got the last one I auditioned for but unfortunately they failed their audition to be my band.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1373479713' post='2138157'] Well for one, they are called Chicken picks, and I suppose this is because we pick, not plec the strings. Everyone i know uses the term "pick" or " plectrum", In fact I've never heard anyone use the term "plecs" before. [/quote] Must be a northern term then. Anyway the item mentioned by the op are in fact Chicken Pick plectrums, so they are "plecs" Just like my Jim Dunlop plectrums are "plecs" not Dunlops.

Why can't we call them plecs ? They are always refered to as picks on here but I don't know anyone who calls them that, They are plecs.

They might last a thousand years more than other picks but I'll still lose em' at the same rate.

[quote name='Valhalalf' timestamp='1370869867' post='2106580'] Was sent here from another thread and just ordered one today. Alas they were out of stock of the black Pickguard/Maple neck versions so went white/rosewood. [/quote] I got all excited when I saw this cos' I thought you meant white body and rosewood neck. The pink doesn't offend me in anyway shape or form but I need a Sid Vicious P bass for a one off Pistols tribute (yeah yeah I know, I was pissed at a gig, singer introduced me to his mate from his punk band times and when I woke up the next day I'd signed up ). Still it's quite tempting at 50 sheets anyway.

Pete, what's the venue ? Les

Hello Mark First off you're absolutely right to blame the drummer. As for basses etc, why don't you start off with what the lad in your band is playing ? What do you like or not like about it ? And as your often only 8 feet away from it I'm sure you could have a tinkle on it. Ask about borrowing to try out from him and the other bassists you've played with. Cant think of any of the guitarists I've played with that I wouldn't lend my basses to for a couple of days if they asked. Obviously if it was the drummer asking I would look askance. Les

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1373211726' post='2134749'] Whoa, Les, you and the Tex mob are both legenday and different around these parts. Nice one [/quote] why thank you Karl, that's very kind of you.