gjones

Do you have a forearm contour on your bass? Slab sided basses can cut off the circulation to your hand and arm. Which happened with my old bass. Don't really have that problem with my Jazz or Precision as they both have contours and I wear them low..

I always used to use rotos. Then ernie balls and now DR strings. I used to have them on forever and I really liked the sound (although horrible when new). I might dig out an old set and whack them on my precision just for old times sake

Is it screened?

I had one of the Fender TV15 bassmans until a few months ago and loved the sound from it but unfortunately the weight was too much for me to cart up and down 3 flights of stairs to my flat every gig. These don't come as a micro amp version do they? No I didn't think so

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1327432494' post='1511178'] And that's the thing. Playing a musical instrument for a living and touring with bands as big as Beyonce's is nothing like being an amateur. You don't have to blow people away, and it's odd you think that she might be motivated to come in and blow everyone away just because she's got some notoriety. She is also Beyonce's MD, clearly has a superior musical mind than many, organised, reliable, a great performer who looks great on stage, plays other instruments, manages other people's performances to the main stakeholders' expectations, cool to hang about with on long tours, etc etc. Confidence, taste and ability, reliability, nice to be around, and very high standards of execution, these are important. No bassist needs to be able to shred unless the music demands it. It's odd that many of us seem to almost judge a bassist by the speed they can play an two octave Eb diminished arpeggio, or tap and slap a Bach cello suite or some sh*t. Your comment about her being a woman making her playing more striking is a bit annoying in this day and age too mate. Sorry. [/quote] Very true. Gail Ann Dorsey is a very good example of your point. Excellent bass player, multi-intrumentalist, great singer (listen to under pressure on Bowie's reality tour). I can't ever imagine her doing an in 'your face' 'look at me' slap happy bass solo. But she has what it takes for the big acts to hire her again and again. see what I mean [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejoGO9CaDUM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejoGO9CaDUM[/url]

Charlie Musslewhite's bass player plays his Jazz bass with his thumb. It's a bit of a dead art these days (other than when muting with the palm). He sounded good though and even did a solo spot playing with just the one digit. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEcX9PANzM0&feature=related[/media]

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1327319518' post='1509140'] Hats off to anyone who gets a tone they like out of an Ashdown ABM . I seem to have tried several in music shops and rehearsal rooms over the years and never got on with any of them. I was particularly interested in Ashdown when they first started as I'd used and liked Trace gear and the company was set up by ex Trace people. Lots of pros use them so I guess I've been unlucky but I haven't found an Ashdown I liked yet. But then plenty of people can't stand Trace stuff so it's horses for courses as usual. [/quote] [quote name='ThomBassmonkey' timestamp='1327323561' post='1509237'] I'm the same, I've used a LOT of Ashdowns (MAGs and ABMs) in my time and I've never once been happy with the tone I've had. I'm happy with my setup too, loving the MM into GK thing, both basses and both amps are stunning pieces of kit and they all work together to give me a lovely gritty fat sound. [/quote] Don't get me started on Ashdown amps. I've owned Peavey, Hartke, Fender, TC Electronic and always find them lacking compared to Ashdowns. I still own a Ashdown EB entry level combo which sounds great and I still use it for smaller gigs. It's the punchy low mid sound of them I really like and it's the sound I hear in my head when I imagine 'my ideal tone'. But of course it's always down to personal preference. And there's many many amps I've never tried.................although I played through a Mesa Boogie stack the other day and that WAS tasty!

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1327159825' post='1507215'] I know a few drummers who, had they been 'told off' by an engineer (BBC or not), would have presented said engineer with a nice bit of bling...in the shape of a snare drum necklace. EDIT: Thinking about it, I know a bass player who would be none too happy about either [/quote] Which is why they're playing down 'The Dog and Duck' Saturday night not Wembley Stadium.

[quote name='eddiehoffmann' timestamp='1327251195' post='1508344'] Hey guys! Have a listen to these audio clips from this German website: [url="http://www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/ashdown-mibass-550.html"]http://www.bonedo.de...mibass-550.html[/url] [/quote] Sounds excellent and very Ashdown like. Unfortunately I've just sold my lightweight TC head to buy a big ol Ashdown ABM head. I didn't buy the MiBass because there's not enough feedback or reviews online to make an informed decision. Once I can be sure of reliability I may go for one once my back starts to creak with the weight of my gear.

[quote name='Faithless' timestamp='1327232263' post='1507991'] I know Anthony Jackson used to play with Stern, but he plays a 6string, doesnt he.. [/quote] Checked him out and that definitely looks like the guy.

[quote name='Gwilym' timestamp='1327237967' post='1508078'] Indeed. The obvious choice is practice and improve as a musician. [/quote] [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1327237531' post='1508069'] What's wrong with just concentrating on playing some great music now? [/quote] Oh I can't play bass! I just like to look at them

After fitting a J - Retro pre amp to my Jazz and buying an Ashdown ABM 500 III (after not getting on with my TC electronic classic 450). I have the horrible feeling that I've found that 'Perfect' sound that I've been searching for all these years. I should be happy but there's a hint of sadness lurking in the background. I feel a sense of regret that the quest for the holy grail is now over. That I've found what I've been looking for (unlike Bono) and there'll be no more evenings spent lurking on ebay and gumtree looking for that elusive bargain bass/amp and reading review after review on the hunt for the sound I was looking for. Maybe I should take up a hobby to fill the void? Flower arranging perhaps?

[quote name='Faithless' timestamp='1327231075' post='1507971'] A bit OT but, who was on bass that night, wasnt it Janek Gwizdala? And yeah, Stern uses to play in 55bar all the time. [/quote] It was a chunky black guy playing a 5 string if I remember rightly. One thing I remember is that his playing was very restrained but right on the button and he and Kim really made a supertight rhythm section.

I was in New York in 2006 and got talking to Kim Thompson who was playing in a band in a little bar in the village call The 55 Bar. She was backing a guitarist (who I didn't realise at the time was Mike Stern ex Miles Davis guitarist) and she and the band were really cooking. She told me she was playing the next week with Beyonce in LA and I have to say I assumed she was pulling my leg and telling porky pies. But no there she is in your video giving it waldy!

[quote name='razze06' timestamp='1327008437' post='1505271'] i'm in for an ediburghbassbash! perhaps we could just hire a good practice room for an afternoon? [/quote] With a bar!

I notice that the basses with the most enticing and professionally photographed images end up much better selling prices at the end of the day.

I've just sold my TC Electronic Classic 450, which wasn't for me, and bought myself an ABM 500 III and frankly it's exactly the sound I want. It's immensly loud and has earthquake like low end (I have to turn a lot of the lower frequencies down)........and that's through a 2x12! I recommend turning the bass frequencies down on the amp then bring the volume up to band level. Then bring the the low mids and bass back in again until it sounds how you want it. I'm sure you'll get a better sound that way and more volume. And keep the sub atomic generator OFF! It's Pino Pallidino's amp of choice and if he thinks it's good.............it probably is.

Dave just bought my TC Electronic Classic 450. Money paid like lightning. Dave's a gent. Deal with confidence.

Pleasures all mine I hope you like it.

[quote name='Protium' timestamp='1326925407' post='1503986'] Switch the sub harmonics off. Waste of time. [/quote] My thoughts exactly. Those ultra low frequencies may be difficult for the cabs to handle. Try getting a good sound with the sub harmonics off. ABMs have PLENTY of low end anyway. I'm sure this will get you a better sound.

That guitar's going on the wall of a plastic surgeon in Santa Monica never to be played.