Conan

[quote name='4StringFortress' timestamp='1347552129' post='1802378'] Can anyone suggest some decent flats? Im currently using Picato, they are ok but the tension is a bit high for me I want something a bit looser if possible. [/quote] Depends on what you like, but I find that LaBellas are quite low tension for the gauge...

What have you been doing up till now? That's some pretty high-end gear you have there for a total beginner, so I'm guessing that you have some experience of "setting up"? Are you having problems with the method you have used up till now?

[quote name='pete bigmatch' timestamp='1351016399' post='1846301']I have a summer house at the bottom of the garden (16 foot x 12 foot ) which is where I intend to be playing/practicing . [/quote] Maybe some of that budget should go towards soundproofing? Unless you have no neighbours of course...

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1350924646' post='1845128'] I've (re)joined the Barefaced queue, ordered a Midget a couple of weeks ago to go along with my two Compacts Si [/quote] That's just greedy!

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1350987228' post='1845808'] I think I get noticed, I play loud enough to be noticed, but probably to audiences it's in a "what's missing?" kind of way, if I stop. I know I’m not the “star of the show” on stage so don't expect audiences to notice me that much, but if I can make the drummer and the rest of the band happy then its job done. [/quote] This. Just this.

[quote name='badboy1984' timestamp='1350908881' post='1844862'] i use to used a set of active EMG with John East 3 band EQ on my warwick and they tone is definite hi-fi and insane which is a good thing at that time when i play abit more heavy stuff ...... but i'm settle down now so definite want something less insane if you know what i mean lol. My Jazz have J-Retro installed so i think i will go for a passive pickup. Wizard pickup seems like a good choice to try. Not sure about delano or nordstrand. [/quote] Plenty of second-hand J pickups get sold on this site. Have a look here... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/forum/21-for-sale-other-musically-related-stuff/"]http://basschat.co.u...-related-stuff/[/url] For example: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/186832-fs-fender-original-60s-jazz-pickups/page__p__1823778__hl__jazz%20pickups__fromsearch__1#entry1823778"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/186832-fs-fender-original-60s-jazz-pickups/page__p__1823778__hl__jazz%20pickups__fromsearch__1#entry1823778[/url]

Everyone seems to be assuming that the "bedroom use" will eventually develop into a need or desire to gig. Maybe that is not the case for every player? If the OP has a fat wallet and it is burning a hole on his pocket - fair play to him! At the end of the day, a grand is a hell of a lot to spend on a practice amp, but compared to the price of a new kitchen, car or even house it is peanuts! Push the boat out! Get this [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/189279-bergantino-ip112er-ht112er-bass-setup/page__p__1840036__hl__bergantino__fromsearch__1#entry1840036"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry1840036[/url]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1350837906' post='1844063'] The first bit of advice would be that , whatever pickups you end up choosing, make sure you get someone experienced and competant to fit them for you.[/quote] Great advice! When I bought my Geddy Lee Jazz (used, from here) the pickups had not been wired up properly. Battery life was very poor and the sound was lacklustre. The Bass Doc sorted it out for me for a very reasonable price and it sounded like a different bass! [quote name='Captain Rumble' timestamp='1350840027' post='1844096']could be usefull to compare the jazzes to see how diferent strings/action/pickup hight etc etc can change things or even just how wildly diferent 2 basses from the same manufacturer can sound[/quote] I don't think it can be overstated how important all these 'minor' factors are! Not just the age of the strings, but the gauge and manufacturer. When I first changed from D'Addarios to DRs I couldn't believe the difference in tone. Whether you find one [i]better[/i] than the other depends on your own personal preference of course, but they certainly make a difference. Raising pickup height can give a lot more output - but can conversely reduce sustain... Always start with a decent set-up, even if it means paying someone else to do it for you. Much cheaper than a new set of pickups that may end up disappointing you!

[quote name='badboy1984' timestamp='1350904118' post='1844771'] I'm definite not interest in EMG as i wanted more vintage tone. [/quote] I thought that too - until I actually tried them. In my bass, at least, they do not sound anywhere near as "clean and clinical" as I thought and feared. They are warm and smooth and, although you could never describe them as "vintage" - they sound a lot more 'old school' than I ever thought possible!

Have you looked at Wizards? [url="http://www.wizardpickups.co.uk/shop.asp?category=Bass"]http://www.wizardpic...p?category=Bass[/url] Good reputation, good range, good prices!

[quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1350656345' post='1841882'] Might try using the Zoom B3 as my preamp and plug it into the return socket of the effects loop [/quote] That's not going to get to the root of the problem - which would appear to be either your cabinet (have you tried your amp through another cab?) or some electrical/connection fault somewhere in your chain...

[quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1350641062' post='1841537'] I was playing my Stingray last night. I put it in the passive input first but it started to distort above 6 so I swapped it to the active input socket and could quite happily run it flat out without it being loud enough to cut through [/quote] I've never been able to distort my LH500 - even with all the active controls on my Status up full!! Are your leads OK? Batteries? This just doesn't make sense to us LH500 users... This thread might be helpful [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/72764-schroeder-21015-cab/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/72764-schroeder-21015-cab/[/url]

[quote name='Panamonte' timestamp='1350632770' post='1841376'] I'd start by pointing out to your guitarists that the master volume knob can also be turned in an anti-clockwise direction [/quote] True, of course, but even they have to be as loud as the drummer! He is usually the one that determines everyone else's need for volume... Try turning one of them down!

[quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1350631937' post='1841365'] PS. Took my newly acquired LH500 to rehearsal last night and had that max'd out (literally).....still couldn't keep up with the mad six stringers [/quote] That alone screams that there is a problem somewhere!! Maybe there is some fault on the cab? My LH500 has never been above around 5 on the volume control - and that is with a VERY loud drummer and two guitars. That's not even reaching the point where the volume increase becomes non-linear (it seems to make a huge leap in volume at around 6)... As both the Hartke and the Fender use basically the same tone circuitry (which is not known for it's abililty to provide midrange) and Schroeder cabs are known for their abililty to SHOUT out the mids - maybe your amps and cabs are not getting the best out of each other? I don't know the physics very well, but maybe some kind of cancelling or phase opposition in the midrange (which is the bit that our ears hear best)?

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1350588969' post='1841037'] He has a great talent. But, there's something about him that I dont like. [/quote] Eh? Is this a serious post or just an attempt at trolling? Have you actually met him? What don't you like about him (especially if you haven't met him)?

[quote name='benthos' timestamp='1350567933' post='1840615'] This. I feel I would be a lesser person for not having having heard his work. Would've loved to have seen him live. [/quote] Me too! Here is a quote unashamedly copied and pasted from a Youtube user... [i]"I saw him perform in Brisbane, Australia in the '70s. He was brilliant - but he also drank two bottles of Brandy [I think] during the show, and at one point [the highlight in some ways] he jumped down off the stage and head-butted a heckler - knocked him clean out. Got straight back up and went on as if nothing had happened. Legend, and not a man to mess with."[/i] Definitely a character, and a true "rock and roller" in the classic sense!

[quote name='McBass' timestamp='1350331552' post='1837507'] 19/20 years old...stunning fretless playing. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvUF3np-tQo[/media] [/quote] Definitely wearing his Jaco influences on his sleeve there...

Not sure... My BF Vintage is a big 2x15. It shifts a LOT of air and makes a hell of a noise. And I can lift it with one hand. Some compromises are not compromises at all! Maybe we need to stop thinking of heavyweight boxes giving heavyweight sound? Some do, some don't. Some modern lightweight cabs produce an amazing amount of deep bass at high volumes... But we bass players are always a bit slow to move with the times aren't we?

Looks like a beat-up J to me.... but with all those effects he could be playing pretty much anything and it would sound the same. I wish the bugger would stand up straight...

It sounds like a lot of the problem might be "in your head" - especially if you say you have avoided tuning down for all this time! I suspect you will get used to it, but I can't think of any "tricks" that will change the string tension or feel (compliance, I believe it is called!). I suppose you could try flatwound strings - as they tend to have a higher percieved tension for similar gauges...

[quote name='Leen2112' timestamp='1349789817' post='1830540'] there is a youtube video of the particularly bad gig where during the guitar solo over 13/16 i just kind of stopped!!![/quote] And at least you know what 13/16 is - which gives you an advantage over most of us!

[quote name='Leen2112' timestamp='1349789817' post='1830540']Nobody goes to a Rush gig and comes out saying 'I've no idea what Geddy was playing'[/quote] Which can be a problem at times, and just shows that nobody is immune! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrO6CI41KEg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrO6CI41KEg[/url]

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1349791007' post='1830568'] I'm not sure how to take that, sympathy or sarcasm? [/quote] Definitely sympathy.... but I can see how it might be interpreted as sarcasm!

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1349789850' post='1830541'] I can't walk more than 100 yards or so, without having to stop for a rest, and I need a stick a lot of the time now, but please believe when I say I do not feel sorry for myself, because I spent years, bringing seriously ill patients, some only babies to hospital from all parts of the UK, so I know that I am one of the lucky ones, but apart from my family, playing bass in a band situation is the biggest enjoyment a get, even if when we do gig, it's painful during each set, but the adrenalin carries me through. [/quote] sh*t man!!! You are an example to us all! And here we are arguing about whether or not we should get paid!!