Conan

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1482089653' post='3197571'] I will never understand why some of you guys think it's a particular bass that sounds good. [/quote] I haven't watched the clip yet (but will at lunchtime). But if the lads in that video were playing a number of different basses, and some sounded better than others (to certain listeners) then the only variable must surely be the instruments themselves? Unless they deliberately set up very different tones with different basses. It's about as fair an A/B test as you could manage surely?

[quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1482186570' post='3198362'] Oh, and Rudy Sarzo but only because he replaced the best bass player Whiteshake ever had or will have... [/quote] If you are referring to Neil Murray I am totally with you on that! An incredible (and sadly under-rated) player

Take nothing for granted.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1482155022' post='3198046']Some couriers have size limits which exclude basses and many won't insure musical instruments. [/quote] True. Yet they'll still charge you for insurance! Always read the small print and conditions

Restraint, and a monster tone... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMICD3aMZpw[/media] And a bit less restraint: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjltB723bPc[/media] Leigh Gorman is not my "favourite" bass player by any means, but these two tracks just send shivers down my spine every time I hear them!

If it has a bolt-on neck, maybe think about removing it for shipping. Consult your buyer though, as some people don't like this. The advantage is that you remove the weakest point (i.e. the neck/body join) and also reduce the size of the package. Couriers often don't like awkward shaped boxes, and a smaller box may be handled more considerately... Then all it takes the buyer is five minutes with a screwdriver to restore the bass to its proper condition. Always use more packing than you think you'll need. Anything that is available will do - I've used old towels, blankets, cardboard, bubblewrap and even old T-shirts!!

Not sure it's nostalgia, but I keep doing this with 5 string basses. I've had about five but have sold them all on a few months later when I realise that I just can't be bothered putting the time in to learn to play them properly...

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1481555740' post='3193239'] Whenever I've been in a supporting band it always seems to go 1 of 2 ways. 1. The headliners are complete gents and are checked in very little time leaving you enough for a decent go yourselves resulting in a good on and off stage mix for both bands. 2. The headliners turn up late. They spend hours on one of the toms as 'it's alway too boomy' doing .5mm turns on the adjuster after they've spent ten minutes looking for the key in the drummers bag. They decide to do a complete valve swap on stage on some old guitar amp that's ready for the scrap yard. They play one song 14 times to get the level of the stylophone right (they don't end up playing this on the night as they change the set at the last minute), The singer wanders aimlessly around the stage on his phone telling the soundman the guitarist is 'Nearly her, literally just around the corner. Just needs to find somewhere to park' None of the band go and help him unload his gear letting him do 3 trips from the car park solo that's about half a mile away. You then get a sub 2 minute line check and hope for the best and end up sounding like your playing through a tin can and foam filter. Band 1 have been around the block and are normally quite well known. Band 2 think they have and normally aren't. [/quote] Ha ha! I Think I've played with "Band 2" a few times!!

Pete Trewavas from Marillion (and Transatlantic) uses Laney gear. Not sure how much of a recommendation that is mind...

[quote name='MarkJB' timestamp='1481724687' post='3194570'] Sadly he doesn't do multi-ply guards and I was thinking of a BWB to match my blacked out Tele. [/quote] http://www.northwestguitars.co.uk/tele/

I do that. Or rather, I [b][i]can[/i][/b] do that - but I've never really been able to use it in a band situation. Unless you are Mark King and have a very sympathetic drummer it all tends to end up sounding messy and overly busy. Fine for a solo or show-off technique. It works pretty well on this track though... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GnGwlBRe7w Assuming I've understood what the OP means of course...

Not quite sure what you mean by "slap-type", but playing hard over the neck itself can give that sort of effect.... Probably better without the distortion mind! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jPW0XWuo6g

[quote name='Al Heeley' timestamp='1481644370' post='3193970'] Would 500W be enough for larger clubs? Any opinions re the mini heads from TC and Markbass? Any other options to consider around the £500 range? I'm assuming I need to be paying around £450 each for lightweight 2x10 cabs? [/quote] I play similar music to you, and I also use a Jazz bass. Having tried a lot of gear in the last five years or so, I have ended up with (and am very happy with!) a Markbass LM2 and a second generation Barefaced Compact. Even though the Compact is rated at 8 ohms and the amp will "only" be putting about 350W max through it, I have never been even remotely pushed for volume. I won't mention the "heft" word (oops, looks like I just did!) but I feel that my set-up has this too. I paid around £600 for the amp and cab (both from the Basschat Marketplace). Depending on where you are in the "North" you are welcome to pop over (I'm in Newcastle) and give my rig a try!

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1481644259' post='3193969'] I can endorse Howard's work. Alas, 'tis some time since we last heard from the good man. He was suffering ill health. We can only hope he's still with us. [/quote] I saw him last week. He sorted out the wiring on my new Geddy Lee Jazz bass and made it a lovely tort plate He was definitely on good form

There is Howard the Bass Doc, a member on here and a true craftsman - http://basschat.co.uk/user/4905-the-bass-doc/ I also had a beautiful pearl plate made for my Matt freeman P by these guys http://www.northwestguitars.co.uk/bass/ and it was outstanding!!

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1481631993' post='3193851']So, bass players in covers bands: is it important to you to have some influence over new additions to your setlist (in order to have your tastes reflected in what your band plays) or are you happy to play what you're told to play (whether you like the song or not) just for the pleasure of being in a band? [/quote] Depends on the band, and depends on the songs! There are some songs that I have really groaned at when they were suggested, but after learning them and playing them a few times I have grown to like them. The acid test is, of course, are they popular with audiences. Not necessarily ALL audiences, as crowds vary and you can always keep some songs for, say, beer festivals, weddings or biker parties It's usually fairly obvious if a song is not going to work for a particular band, but sometimes a song that works well at rehearsal just doesn't go down well. The reasons are not always clear! There are very few songs that I would refuse, point blank, to play. And if I did, it would usually be because I thought them inappropriate for the band rather than any personal preference.

I like cassettes....

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1481546281' post='3193088'] The role in my last two bands seems to have been to develop an intense (& mutual) hatred of the keyboard player & then leave. [/quote] Ha ha! It's singers for me...

Out of interest, I wonder how many of you above are members of original bands? The reason I ask is that (IME) the role of each member is much more clear-cut and constant in a covers band. With an original band, things tend to evolve and therefore roles have to also evolve, or new people have to be brought in to carry out those newly evolved roles... Some members might grow increasingly uncomfortable with their new (or changed) role. That was certainly my experience in my last band. Is this making sense?

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1481528895' post='3192866'] But did he play 4 hour bar gigs for nowt? [/quote]

Hmmmm. Not sure I agree. If a "celeb" dies and they had a large effect on my life, then I will feel shocked, sad, disappointed, maybe even angry (depending on the circumstances of their death). If that makes me selfish or self-indulgent, so be it. You appear to be saying that if someone was famous or left some form of "legacy" then they don't deserve to be mourned - and that nobody other than their nearest and dearest have the right to comment upon that death. I find that strange... Also rather a provocative post for only your 19th!

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1481211287' post='3190611'] Sure, it's not of earth-shattering importance! However, when you walk into a venue trying to get a gig and you're asked "What sort of band are you?", there are times when you have to think about how you reply, surely? [/quote] Yes, that's true.

That's odd. The LH series are usually noted for their simplicity, loudness and trouble-freeness.

Having just been bought out my Matteson's, my guess is Steamhammmmmmmm. So the daily reveal could take a while...