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ThomBassmonkey

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Everything posted by ThomBassmonkey

  1. There's been a fair bit of interest and trade offers, still nothing quite that's taken my fancy yet. Someone must want this and have something interesting to trade for it. I'd still prefer a jazz style bass, but I'll look at anything.
  2. If you're using an electronic drum kit, it's pretty simple compared to an acoustic one. To be honest, unless you're making a real go of it (in which case I'd probably use the £200 to hire a cheap studio/rehearsal rooms with recording facilities for a day rather than waste it on cheap gear) then you're probably better off just recording each instrument individually. Buy a cheap audio interface that has 1 XLR and 1 jack and a mic for guitars/vocals, then if you have money left over, buy some software or save yourself some cash.
  3. Ok, more pictures and info as requested. Re: Action. At the 12th fret I make the action roughly 4mm from the edge of the string to the top of the fret, only measured with a ruler, so not very accurate but it's about that. It is as low as it'll go on the bridge though. There is a bit of buzz at the 11th fret on the D string (doesn't affect the sound through the amp as it is), but the truss rod needs a tweak and that'll probably sort it out (I don't have the right sized allen key unfortunately or I'd be able to do it). Action at 12th Fret: Other requested pics: Full shot from roughly the back of the bass: Back of the headstock (inc. Serial Number and open machine heads): Another full back shot: Back of the body including heel:
  4. [quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='825967' date='May 2 2010, 10:20 PM']Have those bridge saddles been filed flat to get them low enough? Looks like a lot of the screw poking out the top.[/quote] Nope, just very long lugs. That's easy enough to sort out and was on my list of things to do, I've not used the bass enough to warrant it though and because I'm a finger player, it's never affected me enough to sort it out quickly. These basses are known for the saddles being very tall so the action can't go low enough for a lot of people, a bridge replacement isn't an uncommon mod from what I've seen so it wasn't a surprise to me that the bridge didn't match the stock one we have in the shop.
  5. Ok, Pictures! Full shot: The biggest bit of damage and the beautiful quilting along the neck-thru stripe. Some more paint damage to the back of the bass. The stunning neck, which has somehow managed to avoid the damage the body's managed to pick up. Looking at this, you'd think it was in pristine condition. The other big bit of damage, looks like it's been scraped over something and rather than chip the paint, it's kinda scraped it. Showing another bump to the top of the bass, the different bridge and more beautiful quilting.
  6. I play various instruments, took up bass 10 years ago because a friend got given a guitar and I wanted to jam with him, but not on the same instrument. Spent 6 months learning bass, then picked up guitar, then got a drum kit a year later. Always came back to the bass though, I've only ever played bass in bands (at least as my main instrument, done bits of backing on guitar) though I would like to try guitar in a band, it just doesn't come as naturally to me as bass. Probably due to my fat fingers. Each time I drop into a groove with a good drummer, it reminds me why I love playing bass over any other instrument. Other instruments can feel the groove, but they never quite feel as good as the bass.
  7. This is a nice bass but I just don't need a 4 stringer, since I got it in a trade on here, I've barely played it. The most it's been used at one time is for a photo shoot where I took it along because it really does look the bee's knees. It's been played enough for me to get a feel for it, but because I rely on that low B, it's sadly just not getting used. Now with the arrival of a new bass, I think it's going to see even less usage. Condition: It looks like someone was short a hammer at some point and used this bass instead. The body's got a chunk missing from near the jack, it's got some bad scarring over the top horn and loads of dings and scratches. The neck's in perfect condition though and looks stunning. Somehow there's not even a scratch on that (which is nothing short of a miracle with the state of the body). All the electrics work and if you're into the whole appearance of damaged gear, this is a brilliant instrument. Mods: The bridge has been changed at some point (I think, we have a new one in at the shop which has a different bridge, but I've not looked any more into it). Someone was probably fed up at the problem these basses have with action so put on a bridge that could go lower. Someone's taken the backs off the tuners so they're open geared now. I've never had a problem with it holding tuning though. Sound: Sounds nice and punchy through my GK. It's probably not far from a standard P tone (I'm not a fan of Ps, so never spent too much time with one), but it has another P pickup in the bridge so there's a bit of something extra to play with as well as the standard P placement. These cost about £450 new, but because of the *cough* relic'd *cough* appearance, I'm going to value it as a cheaper instrument. So I'm looking for either about £275 in cash or I'd trade it for something interesting. On the 4 string front (I know I said I don't need a 4 stringer, sadly common sense doesn't have much power over GAS), I'm only really interested in a jazz. Squier VMJ (plus cash) or maybe a tatty Fender (I might be able to summon up some cash for a good, cheap one, but not without it being a deal I really can't pass up). I could be tempted by something a bit different, but it'd have to be a fairly unique and interesting bass. I'll take a look at any 5/6 stringers, though I'd still like something with a J/J or P/J pup config preferably. Or £250 in cash. I'll upload some pictures later. Thom
  8. [quote name='Pete Academy' post='823841' date='Apr 30 2010, 11:04 AM']Time from the kick, feel from the hats?[/quote] Other way around I find. The hats keep the tempo, they can add to feel if there's a bit of swing or something, but generally in rock it's just straight 4s. I pick up the groove of the kick drum then play with the snare's rhythm (either with it or against it, but always concious of it) to the tempo of the hats. Obviously that's in a standard section, if there's a special beat then I'll do what I feel is right. I've always seen the bass instrument in rock as an extension of the kick drum. In at least 90% of cases, when the kick's playing, (IMO) the bassist should be hitting a note too. I've been quite lucky though and never played in a band with a bad drummer, so I've never had to worry about the kick and hats being out of time for more than the duration of a jam.
  9. The Old Bell in Derby tomorrow! Should be a good one. Supported by Patchwerk Grace and Riotbox. Facebook page for the gig here: [url="http://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Warner-Prophecies/14983952164?ref=ts#!/event.php?eid=112109182146904"]http://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Warner...112109182146904[/url] Myspace pages for the bands: Patchwork Grace: www.myspace.com/pwg Riotbox: www.myspace.com/riotboxmusic Free entry, should be a laugh. Come one, come all.
  10. Just saw the thread in the technical section, so I'll ring around them tomorrow. So sorted now, thanks.
  11. I think most people who have backup amps regularly without their own roadies probably use SS micro amps. I can't imagine many people on a local scene carry around two valve heads.
  12. I've used schallers in the past but there's only so many times I could deal with my bass falling off the strap then needing a screwdriver or spanner to fix it properly. I just have those dunlop plastic things that you put over the pin then twist them to lock them. Never failed me yet, you can use them on as many basses as you want without it costing a penny and if they break/get lost they're cheap to replace. Only problem is they don't fit on my Warwick for some reason (first bass I've ever encountered the problem with) but I'm using a pretty short, stiff strap with that so it's in no danger of falling anyway.
  13. Thanks guys, there's definitely some food for thought there. I quite like the sound of that Fender one. I'll have to see if there's anywhere local that has one in stock.
  14. There's a train of thought about instruments that they're works of art, to be kept in a glass case and never used. Frankly, I don't get it. To me, basses are a tool. Their whole reason for being is to be played, at gigs, in recording, in your front room, wherever. Lfalex, I disagree with your analogy. I think having a bass and not using it around other people is like having a car and not driving it on public roads in case someone else dings it. And why bother with a nice car if it's not going to be used?
  15. In the 10 years I've been playing I've owned: Washburn XB100 Ibanez BTB406QM Brice HXB406 (moved on) BC Rich Mockingbird Warwick Thumb BO5 Amp wise, I've had a Carlsbro Bassline 150 until recently when I upgraded to a GK rig. Same deal with guitars, only ever had a few workhorses. I get the sound I like from the instruments I have. Though, I could do with a better guitar amp, but I don't have the money to spend on a nice Mesa combo.
  16. It was mentioned to me the other day that some of our songs could sound good with some bass distortion, I'm not against the idea, but I've never found one that I like. I thought since I've completely changed my rig since I last tried, I should look into it again, see if I can find anything that works with this setup. I want to try and find something that doesn't sound like a fart. I've been listening to sound clips for a couple of weeks and the Blowtorch sounds ok, but even that's a bit farty to my ears, though because the clean signal goes through too it sounds a bit smoother. I've not really had a good play with anything though, just getting impressions from clips at the moment. So, any smooth sounding distortions that don't kill the low end completely?
  17. [quote name='deathpanda' post='817654' date='Apr 24 2010, 10:36 PM']That's fair, if you're tapping your foot and it's catchy, you're connecting with the music which makes just as legit as any other genre, and although I don't like it, I'll give it that much. I just think that if you give stuff like that "song" a chance, you can go so much deeper than just tapping your foot... I also agree about the AC/DC comment, sometimes you just wanna blast it out on full volume and jump about, but that can only last for so long...[/quote] Sorry, I just re-read my post and realised how negative I sounded about the clip you posted. I do enjoy "free" (whatever genre it fits) music and jamming in that style is great fun, I love the amount of freedom it offers. It is very much a player's music though, great fun for a while but it just doesn't hit the spot with me to listen to. I've spent a lot of time engineering and playing technical music and I find now I can't listen to it without really analysing it, so I can't simply enjoy it any more. Likewise, at the other end of the scale, I expect non-musos (or even people who aren't as interested in theory) wouldn't enjoy it because it's more interesting than fun music. The musicianship is brilliant though and I can understand completely why people would listen to and especially play that kind of music, it's just not for me any more.
  18. Pop tunes can be awesome. They're written in mind of having people tapping their foot and finding them catchy, it's one of the few types of music that's written solely for the listener. Stuff like the Joe Duran "song" posted above bores the hell outta me. Each to their own though, variety makes the world go around etc but if that was the only type of music going, I definitely wouldn't have any interest in listening and I'd probably soon give up playing. It just strikes me as musicians massaging their own ego instead of trying to create something that's enjoyable just for the sake of being enjoyable. It's like a geeky in joke that has to be thought about so hard that it's not funny any more to me.
  19. File the grub screws a bit to make them shorter? If you do, make sure you file the ends that're against the bridge so that you don't file off the heads and try to make sure there's no sharp bits that could scratch the bridge (if you're bothered by that).
  20. Sadly not, I doubt I ever will be either. I love low action and light-medium strings on my left hand but my right hand's very heavy handed which, when I don't like the sound of strings slapping against the fretboard, means there could never be any such thing as a perfect bass for me. My Ibanez is set up with heavy strings and a medium action so I can play heavy handedly on that. My Warwick is set up with lowish action and medium strings, so I have to play that gently. I am getting used to it though (only had it just under a week) and it does feel and sound amazing, I just need a technique change to get the best from it.
  21. [quote name='Dave Vader' post='816018' date='Apr 23 2010, 11:47 AM']Constantly, that's how I ended up in 3 bands, none of which play anything I really like... good to see another Devon based bassist round. I'm playing in the bowling green tomorrow night.[/quote] I used to play in a few bands back when I was in college, only one or two at a time now though and usually different genres of music. I do want to join another band at the moment, but the bands I'm in currently play a pretty wide variety of styles, so I don't know what I'd do, maybe metal or R&B or something..
  22. [quote name='Jarhead' post='809067' date='Apr 17 2010, 12:02 AM']Hey, I think I recognise that bass... Zach[/quote] Hehe yeah, it's the most use it's seen so far. I've just not had time to adjust to a 4 string yet. It does look good though.
  23. Just gave your music a listen, not sure how well we'd fit. If you get desperate, I could ring around and see if people are free, but I expect someone else'll be able to fill the gap.
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