Rich

I've got a platform that I made using the same foam used on the Gramma boards (and when I finally get my ass into gear, I've got to make another one... ahem :blush: ). Perfect for hollow stages, stops any complaints dead in their tracks.

You answered your own question when you said... [quote name='solo4652' post='195537' date='May 9 2008, 04:35 PM']cheap Stagg practice amp[/quote] Yam basses are good solid instruments. A better amp is definitely the way to go. Either save up some more shekels, or look for the best thing you can find with your current budget.

[quote name='gilmour' post='190295' date='May 2 2008, 09:26 AM']I'm not a bass snob - but I am definately an Amp snob I'm afraid. My tech Spec specifies that I won't use an Asdown as supplied backline [/quote][quote name='dabootsy' post='194473' date='May 8 2008, 10:08 AM']I think thats definate snobbery as i think people follow trends and things that are in vogue. My ashdown sounds great and once again i think driver error is the case as i can make a cheap bass sound great[/quote] I can't get on with Ashdown gear either, and it's not driver error or snobbery. I've been doing this lark for long enough to know how to drive an amp, and the only way I've ever got an Ashdown to sound acceptable to me is by using huge quantities of eq. Set flat, it totally mangles the sound of my bass... not what I want from an amp. Just MHO, of course.

[url="http://eden-electronics.com/Nemesis/separates/indiv/nsp115.asp"]Nemesis NSP115[/url] 1x15 cab (32lbs) plus a head of your choice. I use mine with a Hartke 3500 for rehearsals and smaller gigs, and it's great. And [i]very[/i] portable... carry the whole lot to/from the car in one trip.

As well as the 2Tone ska, it's worth checking out some of the originals too. The likes of Prince Buster, Laurel Aitken, The Upsetters, etc. Some truly fabulous skank to be had there!

Definitely Me'shell

Wise words from Scoop there, I like the two-thirds theory. Good call. Personally I reckon I've got the best gig in the world. I [i]love [/i]this band and 95% of the music floats my boat in a big way. The band's like an extended family, we get big enthusiastic crowds, and I get to look at Abi and Sian's arses all night. OK so when you split it 13 ways the money doesn't go far, but I've definitely got 2 out of 3. I'm lucky, but not as lucky as jakesbass... doing this for a living, aww man that'd be my wildest dream. [quote name='Deep Thought' post='194231' date='May 7 2008, 10:10 PM']One said to me in an Email that he 'couldn't do crowd-pleasing' ie. he played what the hell he liked and if people didn't like it that was their look-out.[/quote]Nah. I've had my share of playing to 3 people and a pub dog thanks. We used to take that attitude in the fusion band I was in a few years back. Eventually we had to call it a day because, yup, we couldn't get gigs. Too rocky for jazz venues, too jazzy for pubs. Bloody shame.

You could call Lemmy anything you want, I doubt he'd hear you Me, I'd call him a 'rhythm guitarist'.

[quote name='Beedster' post='189919' date='May 1 2008, 07:19 PM']It doesn't take a gang of Precisions to kick a Jazz's backside. It goes something like this: Gang of Jazzes: "We're gonna beat you up Mr Precision" Lone Precision: "Hardly fair sides is it, five of you, one of me? You might need to go and get some of your friends" Chris[/quote]Nah, it's more like: Gang of Precisions: "You're gonna get your fackin 'ead kicked in, you're goin' 'ome in a fackin ambulance, Chelsea Chelsea, etc" Lone Jazz: "Oh for god's sake grow up, you boorish neanderthal cretins." [i]*old Ibanez Musician fretless turns up and arrests hooligan Precisions -- it's a Police bass, y'see...*[/i]

[quote name='ashgeezer' post='190095' date='May 1 2008, 10:28 PM']i take it denmark street is not a favourite with a lot of people on here but to be honest i cant be arsed with shops that are only interested in taking your money and not interested in your needs. I bought my first bass last year from a local shop and the fella was brilliant,he let me try as many basses as i wanted through as many amps as i could and offered loads of advice,needless to say i"ve bought stuff from his shop since. The same goes for the shop where i bought my mex precision a few weeks ago, the staff were brilliant (and she was quite tasty as well) i actually did a 60 mile round trip to get to this shop because they were that good (Reidys music in blackburn) and they were cheap as well. If your after a decent guitar or bass then dont think twice about travelling to the area because its worth it, regardless of distance. [/quote] That's what was so great about the Bass Centre (RIP) back in the Wapping glory days of the late 80s... you'd wander in there and a guy would approach you and the first thing he'd say after 'hello' was "Is there anything you'd like to try?". That's [i]try[/i], not buy. It was always kid/sweetshop time in there. I remember going in there once and telling him what I wanted from a bass... he sat me down at a Trace amp, pointed me at the free coffee m/c, and then brought me [i]fifteen [/i]different basses to try, gave me all the time I wanted, and never once prodded me for a decision or showed any sign of impatience... ahhh man, those were the days...

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='189521' date='May 1 2008, 10:24 AM']John Myung. His lack of eyebrows also freaks me out.[/quote] I can't tell if he's overrated or not... I can never bloody hear him... On the odd occasions when he does poke his head through the mix, my first thought is always "Ye gods, what a [i]terrible[/i] bass sound..."

Mine's 22 and 15, & I always thought I had small hands..? Rich Bowman, where are you? There's a man with Mekon fingers if ever I saw one

Rhythm Stick, it really is a git at first. The one tune that's given me most difficulty above all others though, is an original ditty by a band I was in back in '87... it was a nice bouncy thing in 12/8, and while my slappity bassline itself wasn't impossible -- challenging, but not impossible -- the problem was that I had to sing a counter-melody backing vocal line over the top of it... it took me [i]weeks[/i] to get it right, my folks must have been sick to death of hearing it

I used to use mine, but I can't anymore as it's become arthritic and painful. I'm starting to get occasional twinges of a similar pain in my ring finger too. Basically, my hands are doomed.

If they take it on board and actually do something about it, then it [i]will[/i] be doing them a favour, and they should bloody thank you for it. Unfortunately, I reckon they're more likely to react in a "So what? Fck 'em" way...

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='189621' date='May 1 2008, 11:59 AM']Next time I'm the area, I'm going to go in there and ask them if they realise what the perception of them is. I'm going to be polite, but I'll put them on the spot and ask them why they're son unfriendly. I will report back.[/quote] Heh, yeah do it! I'd love to know what they say. [size=1]Just don't mention the forum by name, OK? [/size]

I wouldn't pee on the Bass Cellar if it was on fire. I was treated like an inconvenience the last time I went in there, so I took my cash elsewhere. Never again.

In a similar vein to Dave: 1) Wal Pro. [i]My[/i] treasured companion, and like Dave's it'll be going up the chimney with me. Had it since 1986 and if it was badly damaged or destroyed I would be beside myself with grief. If it was stolen I would scour the globe to find it, and hospitalise the thief when I eventually tracked it down. 2) Shuker 5 string. I'd always wanted a good 5 string and had been working my way up to this one via the Yamaha and Status (see below). I use it at every gig. It is perfect. Love it. 3) Status 5 string. I'd always wanted a good 5 string and had been working my way up etc. etc. This is now my backup, and I also take it out to rehearsals. It's got a few dents and stuff, so a few more won't hurt. I'm not terribly precious about it. Great bass though. 4) Yamaha RBX 5 string. Since getting the Status and latterly the Shuke, this had been a bit redundant, so I got Jon Shuker to do a defret job for me. It's now a better fretless bass than it ever was a fretted one. I have no gig use for it at the moment, but at some point I do intend to play jazz/fusion again, when it'll come into its own. 5) Ibanez BTB 6 string. A real ebay cheapy. I like having a 6 to noodle about with, and again it'll come in handy when I eventually become a jazzer again. 6) SX Jazz build. Because everybody should have at least one Jazz Bass, right..?

The distinction between 'bassists' and 'musicians' is an interesting one. Whilst it is true really that the one is the other -- if you play bass, then you're playing music, ergo... -- there is also the aspect mentioned by bnt regarding Geddy Lee, i.e. his ability in other aspects. His keyboard skills, singing, composition, etc. This it could be said makes him an excellent [i]bassist[/i] but an extraordinary [i]musician[/i], although as we've said the one is the other and at this point the argument does an Oozelum Bird and goes round in circles before disappearing up its own arse. The point many people have made about Mark King is a good one, while he inspired thousands of players to pick up the bass in the 80s (myself and I think CK included), when you take a good look at his playing he's something of a one trick pony. HOWEVER... what a lot of people seem to forget is that he sings while he does it... have you ever tried singing a counter melody over the top of a complicated bassline? Exactly. Added to which, he is a drummer of no little ability and also plays guitar and keys -- exhibit A, his first solo album Influences -- and writes a bloody good tune. The vast majority of L42's back catalogue has the name 'King' as either the whole or part credit. So, overrated as a bassist perhaps, but as an all round musician? well I wish I could do all that lot. Sorry, I've drifted about a nautical mile from the OP here, but it's something that I've been thinking about.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='188597' date='Apr 30 2008, 06:34 AM']Some day, I may well sell most of them if I find a bass that can do the job of three (5 string/precision/stingray)[/quote] [size=1]coat->get[/size]

[quote name='Josh' post='186374' date='Apr 27 2008, 11:22 AM']Pino Palladino[/quote] *jaw hits floor with a very audible 'clang'*