mep

[quote name='rogerstodge' timestamp='1340541334' post='1705773'] We don't call them mistakes, we call them beer notes.. [/quote] I can't wait for our next gig and use this with our guitarist, who drinks, when he makes a mistake - usually in one or more of his solos.

Saw them headlining T in The Park the other night on the telly. They had a bad sound and they were boring. I had to change channels after a few songs.

Assuming the new replacement cost, then my Ray is over a grand. I love it too much to leave behind at all. I might ocassionaly bring one or two of my sub £500 basses.

My Ray with it's new mirror scratch plate. Other to follow when I get around to it.

Good luck on your search for a cab. I am all for low mids and my TE AH200 delivers them by the bucket. Most of my sound is comes through a Celestion 15".

I've never been a fan of them and was disappointed at some festival coverage of them in the past. Although our band does a cover of Fire which I really enjoy playing and doing the Backing vocals. At first I was was not into the original and it was down to their sound and pace. Ours is true to the original format but feels more lively.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1341490245' post='1719896'] Got to agree Nige. It can be a very pleasing thing. I've taken to doing a root/octave thing at the end of the chorus on Billie Jean, so simple but my band mates think I'm genius [/quote] I did it in the outro (although no longer in our set). It really worked a treat, and I slapped it to boot!

Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns & Roses

Hi Joel & welcome. It's refreshing to see you actively engage on BC. I have been a regular subscriber for some years now and will continue to support your magazine. I have given up on the US mag. One comment that seems to still be true is that almost all the basses you review are quite expensive or high end basses that most of us will never be able to afford. For some a bit of gear porn is nice. For others they may be on the lookout for something more affordable. The last reasonably priced bass I can remember a review for (without thumbing through my collection) was the Tony Butler signature bass, which could cause me to GAS for as I could quite fancy a good looking cheapish passive bass. On another note I was told many many months ago by the parents of Rob, the bass player from Stars of the Search Party (he is a BC member), that he would be featuring in Bassicaly Speaking in the next issue. Unfortunately that was not the case, and to my knowledge he has not yet appeared. BTW everybody, he does play a 5 string, but does not slap or use a pick!

Thanks. Have entered. Good luck to us all!

Do not boil strings. Use meths. You don't need a tube, just soak them in a bowl with the strings loosely wrapped around the perimeter and stand something in the middle to raise the level of the meths so they cover the strings, Leave for 24 hours and allow to drip dry. Works for me.

I stand on the opposite side to the snare as you have experiened, but this is due to the guitarist insisting on standing on the snare side of the drummer. I always used to stand snare side, but TBH is doesn't really bother me.

I've only been to Minehead Butlins once, and that was enough. I went to see a show one night. It was only 1 tribute band but they did 2 sets. The first set they dressed up in crepes & drapes & did a Showaddywaddy set, and for the second they changed and did a Madness set. It was very good and as they were a 7 piece band (I think) this worked to their advantage. I'm showing my age but I did know every song and most of the lyrics! I bumped into the singer at breakfast the next morning and congratulated him on the sets. He said that you would be suprised at how many people thought 2 different bands played. I don't know if they got paid more for doing 2 sets though. Go for it and have some fun. Although you are not exactly in a central location in Cornwall.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1338899156' post='1680750'] . What Stevie Wonder and Will-I-Am were doing sing the Martin Luther King inspired Happy Birthday, I have no idea. I thought everything else was pretty good though. [/quote] Apparently they were told it was the Queens official birthday as well, but this is marked by the trooping the colour which was on 16th June. I did hear a report on radio 2 confirming this, but it seems a bit odd.

Nice Ray. I too have a 2 band eq sunburst. Mine is an early 1992 model, confirmed by the serial number. Mine has a clear acrylic scratchplate which means you get to see more of the body in that lovely colour. Although I have just ordered a mirror scratch plate off eBay.

I didn't read all of it but what I did was good. I stopped using Limewire years ago but will continue with my Spotify use for a while yet.

I liked the song and the bassline. IMO it looked like Usher was miming playing because when he stopped playing the sound didn't change. He had a nice bass and looked like he can play and was having fun.

+1 for detuning to Eb, and adding compression.

I love playing with a pick on a few songs. They are covers an if the original was played with a pick then I will use one as well. Sometimes I actually favour a pick over fingers, like playing Killing in the name by RATM.

[quote name='TDM' timestamp='1252162484' post='590753'] GAK can be very slow. If you want to buy from them I suggest you call them up first and make sure they have a bass physically in stock. [/quote] I have ordered an Orange Crush PIX 20LDX guitar amp for our sons birthday next week. They emailed me today to say they do not have any in stock untill the end of next week! Not many places seem to keep these in stock so I'll stick with them, although I run the risk of it not being here in time! They seem to have good feedback from what I can gather.

I use the dual band compressor, a Boss OC2 & a chorus pedal. I have no pedal board and they are just left on the stage so space is not a problem for me. The Ashdown is built very well and will survive on stage with no problems. As for the UV light, reading Ashdowns blurb, it is so you can set the level correctly to ensure you are sending a good signal to your amp. In practice this doesn't make a lot of difference IMO. As other have said it it part of their trademark dersign and it does look quite cool. The size could be smaller, but is similar to the Markbass range of pedals, possibly a bit bigger than them?

[quote name='mep' timestamp='1335788272' post='1635955'] We do a blasting version of Tainted Love and it's one of the best covers in our set!! We are a guitar based band with no keyboards in sight. We have based our version on the Prozac+ cover which you all need to check out. The guitar riff in the intro sets it off. It's not as gloomy as the Marylin Manson version either. Forget the original, except for emphasing the 2 beats before 'get away' & 'run away'. I play around with the bassline which uses triads and inversions. Use a pick as this song can rock out, honestly. We have recorded this for our CD which is almost ready. If it was I would make the mp3 available for you to listen to. [/quote] OK, so our recording of Tainted Love has been made and I have uploaded it for anyone who is interetested in listening to it. This song has also been mentioned in the thread Songs That Make You Vomit (Bilbo). I'm not fan of the original or Marilyn Mansons version either. Our's which is based on the Prozac+ sits somewhere a bit more comfortable. I hope you agree.

I have only used an OC2, and agree with the comments about them. Although to overcome the slighty dodgy tracking with my MM Ray I play higher up the neck which really helps. I have also read that you can use a compressor before to help iron out potential problems. My effects loop has an Ashdown dual band compressor first and it helps a bit.

Another for thinner sticks, they really do work. But also an experienced drummer can play quieter. Unfortunately a lot of pub rockers are unable to play at more than one volume.

On my MM Ray 2 band eq I have both on full with the amp boosting the low mids. I may tweek the bass eq to suit room acoustics. On my active Charvel I only have 1 eq that is again on full treble unless I'm practicing through cans or a practice amp then I have to roll it off a bit.