discreet

As soon as you get past the first bar you'll be fine. Just butch it out and if you make a mistake frown at the guitarist. Look on the first gig as a rehearsal for the second and concentrate on enjoying yourself, that's what you're doing it for. Isn't it?

Mmm yes, if the action is too high for you and you're still getting the problem then a tech would probably be the next step.

[quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1461615788' post='3036212'] I trawled for one yesterday and couldn't find one. As has already been mentioned, this is a bass that's never been associated with Pino. [/quote] I couldn't find one either. Lots and lots of pictures of him playing pretty much every mainstream bass you could possibly think of, EXCEPT for a stack-knob Jazz!

http://www.guitaraid.co.uk

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1461621523' post='3036292'] ...obviously when you're actually play a good proportion of your brain is engaged in the playing but when you're listening you hear all sorts of detail in the sound that you don't while playing. [/quote] ...and also (depending on the situation) you tend to be under at least a little bit of stress if you're recording or gigging and I'm sure that has a bearing on it, too. One tends to be more relaxed when listening. Unless you're at a Metallica gig, of course.

[quote name='funkle' timestamp='1461617128' post='3036222']I think about the left hand as more about muting and note duration, although ghost notes/vibrato/'stings' are an important part of how we sound overall. [/quote] Yes, it's all good...

[quote name='funkle' timestamp='1461612690' post='3036177'] ...it is all down to the player, and in the main how they generate tone with their right hand. [/quote] Agree with that. The left hand has a fair bit to do with it too, or at least it does in my case.

[quote name='ians' timestamp='1461610769' post='3036160'] Did a summer fest gig using a P with old flats, lovely I thought nice and thumpy with just the right amount of cut. Set was video'd and I could not believe the FOH tone which sounded more like a Wal wide open than a P bass. [/quote] There you go. I keep getting sidetracked by various basses but it's been proved to me over and over again for decades that a good P bass with flats is most definitely where it's at and I don't need anything else!

[quote name='hairychris' timestamp='1461579359' post='3035745'] ...EQ, effects, guitar/bass choice seem to be a way of forcing the "me" into the relevant place in overall band context. I'm not sure whether this is a good thing, or just shows up my horrible lack of flexibility in playing. [/quote] Nonsense! It's your dynamic style and originality shining through regardless.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1461507109' post='3035224'] Do you wake up thinking about the wood? [/quote] No, but I do sometimes wake up [i]with [/i]wood.

[quote name='casapete' timestamp='1461571769' post='3035652'] I always thought exactly the opposite. To me an Ampeg SVT rig is a thing of beauty. [/quote] +1. Ampeg gear looks great imho. Iconic, even.

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1461529571' post='3035501']Sometimes we are keen to change the kit when in fact, just a change of touch/technique could make all the difference. [/quote] Yes. It may not all be in the fingers, but I'm quite sure a lot of it is.

[quote name='danbanbass' timestamp='1461523725' post='3035420'] I've had Ashdown gear before and have never been blown away by it. [/quote] Was that all-valve Ashdown like Nate's using? I think it's the all-valve bit that's important, doesn't necessarily have to be Ashdown.

Wait, how did that happen?? These bloody time-travelling raisins are going to/have been making my life difficult.

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1461501950' post='3035166'] [url="https://flic.kr/p/eRcqCM"][/url] [/quote] Phwooar, that's more like it, let's get the porn on the go!!

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1461501809' post='3035163'] News to me! [/quote] Oh dear. *Dons latex thong and rests left leg on mantelpiece, with right hand waiting*

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1461501645' post='3035158'] I don't recall passing judgement on any individual who chooses to go down this path, I merely expressed a personal opinion of the path itself. You can go down any rabbit hole you choose [/quote] Oh I know - I just wanted everyone to know I'm a pervert. But I think they probably knew that already.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1461501479' post='3035155'] "PPPPPP", as they say: Poor Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance. You should sack your Guitar Tech! [/quote] I think you mean, 'Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance'. I'm pretty sure that Poor Preparation is going to lead to Piss Poor Performance, whatever else happens.

Another La Bellas fan here. Generally though, it took me quite some time to realise that string choice is very important and absolutely essential to get right if you want any bass to play well and sound good (to you). Way more important than 'tonewoods', neck or fingerboard wood, neck profile, amp/cab and even pickups/electrics and hardware. The biggest upgrade you can make to a bass is to change the strings. I never judge a new or different bass until I have fitted 'my' strings on it. Which is the first thing I do.

[quote name='danbanbass' timestamp='1461364132' post='3034146'] I'm struggling to get a good sound with this head. I play in a Foo fighters tribute band and can't get it to sound right. [/quote] If you're trying to sound like Nate then you should probably buy an Ashdown rig. [quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1461489967' post='3034987'] ...if you want a Foo Fighters sound, buy Ashdown [/quote] Whoops, beaten to it. A while back.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1461500670' post='3035145'] The age of a bass is irrelevant to me. Does it sound/feel good? Then it's good. This whole vintage reverence thing to the point of making certain basses fetish objects leaves me cold and bemused. [/quote] That's what a fetish is, though - an obsession; or 'an idea or thought that continually preoccupies a person's mind'. I think about vintage Fenders much more often than I need to - in fact, probably more than is mentally healthy - but I'm quite sure there are far worse things to be hung up on. And luckily I can't afford to buy one, so it's harmless really. Isn't it..?

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1461498060' post='3035104'] The funny things was his favourite was... my cheapest bass - the Fender P with D'Addario Chrome flats! [/quote][quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1461499708' post='3035137'] Nothing odd about that - I have 2 and I'm contemplating a third! [/quote] I agree, and am always contemplating another P Bass! After decades of GAS I'm currently rocking a P with Flats. One needs nothing else, in my opinion. Unless it's a P with rounds, of course. Just in case...