JellyKnees

Hey GUI, I'm in Oxton too... I know it's not exactly what you are looking for, but I have a BF BigOne (now discontinued), so if you are interested in checking it out to get an idea of what the BF cabs are like, you are more than welcome to come and have a nosey sometime... Cheers, Neil

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1360664451' post='1974079'] It's not people's individual opinions of The Beatles that is really the issue here, it's the denial of their global influence when it's there for all to see. It's like hating football because it's a daft game played by over-paid prima donna half-wits (which seems a fair summary to me) and then denying the national influence of the game that millions of people watch and enjoy each week ( which would be plain stupid wheat he evidence is clear). That's all. YMM indeed V . . . . so let's all acknowledge that it does - sometimes for billions of people. Let's face it, Simon Cowell is also a hugely influential music figure for that very reason. [/quote] I don't think anyone is denying the undoubted influence of the Beatles (I'm certainly not), rather than simply questioning whether the almost divine reverence in which they are held is justified. You asked me a question about how I would define validity, well I would define it as doing something on the basis of it having real worth or value, and I don't see any worth whatsoever in going and standing outside the house where a famous musician that I particularly like lived once upon a time, in fact I think it's pretty creepy to be honest. Similarly, I wouldn't deny that the iPhone is hugely popular, however I would assert that a significant proportion of people buy it not because of the features it offers, its functionality or some other meaningful reason, but simply because it is a fashionable thing to own. Just because loads of people do something, doesn't mean we shouldn't question or criticise their motivations. And of course, just because something is popular, neither should we automatically jump to criticise it.

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1360662279' post='1974033'] Except that when you queue to see the Mona Lisa, you get to see the Mona Lisa, a genuine work of genius and a proper famous work of art. When you queue up to get the latest iPhone, you get the latest iPhone. When you go to see where Paul McCartney lived 50 years ago you get to see a very ordinary house exactly like a lot of other very ordinary houses. You do not get to see Paul McCartney. There appears to be no real merits to it. I can understand wanting to go to the Cavern or the Star Club and see where the Beatles cut their teeth, just. Or hanging around outside where Macca lives now to get a glimpse of him (and shout "Frog Chorus" thanks Skol). Just about.... But looking at an ordinary terraced house maketh no sense to me at all. [/quote] Indeed. And you'll be lucky if you want to see the Cavern Club, seing as how they knocked it down in the 70's. Personally, I can't even understand wanting to do that though. I find that level of obsessive fandom extremely unhealthy to be honest. I'm a huge Zappa fan for example but I have absolutely no desire to go and stand ouside his house or any other location that was associated with him. It's his music that does it for me, the rest is just BS.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1360602954' post='1973164'] Some probably would, but that's fan-dom for you and it happens with all sorts of things from people queueing up to see the Mona Lisa to camping outside an Apple store to buy the latest iPhone. It's hardly a phenomenon unique to The Beatles, though it is more apparent because there are so may people who like them. THAT'S the point. [/quote] Just because lots of people do a particular thing doesn't necessarily give it any validity (the iphone being the perfect example) ...it just proves that people are capable of unthinking herd like behaviour.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1360602114' post='1973145'] Really? Have you never travelled anywhere to marvel at a work of art, or a historic building, or any other sensory experience? What about people who travel hundreds of miles to a gig - why is any band 'worthy' of playing to 100,000 fans? Or is it only playing to a few dozen people in a grubby club the only thing that's really 'worthy' (which, incidentally, was pretty much what The Beatles started off doing anyway). This is the same line of reasoning that seems to make certain people dislike Microsoft, Tesco and other successful entities and/or people who have built up a world wide influence. The dislike is fine, it's all subjective after all, but denying the quite obvious influence and impact on millions/billions of lives is, to coin a phrase, nonsense. [/quote] Going to watch someone famous perfom is not the same as visiting an ordinary house where said famous individual once lived. Some Beatles fans would probably buy one of macca's turds given the opportunity.

You lot want to try working in Liverpool where the whole 'fab four' nostalgia machine gets constantly rammed down your throat... a truly nauseating experience. I'm not denying their influence or talent etc (although they weren't part of my generation - I'm more of an early 80s kind of a guy - and they aren't really my cup of tea), but Beatle themed hotels ffs.. it's time to move on now.

It's my ball and I'm taking it home with me.... Enjoyed the clip Steve

I know he gets accused of ripping off Bill Hicks, but I'm with Denis Leary on this one... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-IwdiRbS3U"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-IwdiRbS3U[/url]

[quote name='steve-soar' timestamp='1359806756' post='1960515'] It was probably mine at one point, Birkenhead is pretty small. It sounded really middley, no bottom end power and no pants flappage, the amp was probably knackered and being green as green I didn't realise. [/quote] That's very possible...it definitely wasn't 200 real watts [quote name='steve-soar' timestamp='1359806925' post='1960517'] Didn't you bring that to Keith's once for us to fix? It does weigh a ton. [/quote] I did, yeah...and its worked ever since.. you guys obviously did a good job on it!

[quote name='loushort' timestamp='1359766734' post='1960227'] I used to put mine thru a Laney 4x10 which was also heavy and just gave up, It (The alligator) was great for bedroom blasting but terrible trying to cut thru the band I was in at the time which consisted of a stand up drummer a percussionist and an acoustic guitarist [/quote] Fair enough...maybe it just worked better with a 15" cab, or maybe it just suited my bass better but I never had a problem hearing myself through it and I was playing some fairly heavy funk rock type things at the time.

[quote name='loushort' timestamp='1359723325' post='1959367'] worst combo an Alligator 300 watt (yer right) thing looked like a getto blaster with two 8inch speakers weighed a ton sounded sh*te,what was i thinking? [/quote] I've still got my alligator combo, bought back in the early 90's. I used to get an excellent sound out of it when coupled with an extra 15" cab. British made, fitted with Volt speakers...mine was 200 watts, but I never got it much past half way, it was well loud. You're right about the weight though...hence why I don't use it anymore.

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1359732622' post='1959570'] Turns out the compressor knob on my TC head had been unknowingly nudged from its natural resting place of 0/10 to 4/10. I thought I didn't like an over compressed 'tone' but there you go. I must do so I'm keeping it. [/quote] I don't like an overcompressed tone, but I do always use modest amount when playing through my rig as I find it improves the definition of the bass sound in the mix. I don't think finding a great tone is EITHER fingers OR gear, but more a matter of getting the RIGHT COMBINATION of the two. For example, back in 1991 when I was a 23 year old whippersnapper I bought a handmade KGB headless bass (maple body, bartolini single coils etc.. a good quality instrument) and never really played another fretted bass until I got an SR505 last year (I fancied delving into the world of 5s for a change). I liked the bass initially, the weight, the slim neck, and once I got used to it, the string spacing were all good. It didn't have a BAD sound, and it worked really well for certain things, but over time I realised that I just couldn't do all the same things on it that I could do on the KGB. All the subtle little pluck, pops and nuances that I was used to playing were almost unachievable, or only achievable with a great deal more effort. I persevered with it, tried different strings etc, but ultimately it just wasn't working for me. If I was a pick player (for example) it might not have mattered so much, but the sound of the instrument simply didn't suit my style. I decided to upgrade to an SR1205 last month after trying one out, and huzzah... I'm back in happy bunny land! The nordstrand big singles on it sound utterly fantastic... it's a whole different ball game to the 505. So whilst a particular bass will not make you a better player, it may facilitate certain techniques that are not really possible on a different/lesser instrument. Of course I always sound like me no matter what bass I play on, but if I don't have a bass that suits my style, I don't sound like the complete me, because I can't do all of the me things that I'm used to doing....if that makes sense.

I have an EBS compressor which I put before my zoom b2.1u multi effects. I use a fairly moderate compression setting which I find helps to make the bass sound punchier without squishing the life out of it. The only reason I got a separate pedal was because I didn't like the compressor setting on the multi- effects. The zoom gives me enough control over the relative volumes of the patches, hence to my mind it makes more sense to compress first.

He sounds a bit intense. Music making should be FUN (even if you are serious/trying to make a living out of it), otherwise what's the point?

[quote name='steve-soar' timestamp='1359633542' post='1957858'] My first amp, McGregor Bassman 200, into an HH 2x15". Totally grim. [/quote] Ha! I had a McGregor 200, which I ran into 2 15" no-name bass bins...I don't remember it sounding that bad at the time, although I was about 15 and probably didn't know better...it was probably pretty crap though, they were pretty cheapo amps.

The luxury of choice...impossible to say until you have met and played with them. Depends on who fits in best both musically and personality-wise.... I guess it depends on what kind of band it is, but if you're serious about the music, I certainly wouldn't base such a decision on gender. Looking sexy is fine for attracting leering blokes, but if you actually want people to listen to you then it's an irrelevance.

My ex used to refer to her, ahem 'ladygarden' as Captain Beaky...go figure

I've got a Big One... oh matron etc etc It's very nice with my Little mark Tube

I'm with the OP to some extend in that I find it mawkish, sentimental and ultimately pretty cringeworthy. Don't get me wrong, I do have a certain fondness for my basses and would be sad if they were destroyed in a fire or whatnot, but at the end of the day they are just things, just tools for doing a particular job. I just happen to believe that being overly attached to ones possessions is not a healthy state of being. I think this explains my automatic revulsion to the idea of naming them - to my mind it seems like misplaced sentimentality. But whatever, if that's what floats your boat, then go for it, I guess it doesn't do anyone else any harm...