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I love Metallica, but Lars' drum sound is horrendous. It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't always mixed to be the lead instrument.

I laughed at that a lot more than I should have......

He has limited movement in his right hand because of the needles and pins (ah).

Too late, it's already sold. 😉

Looking back at the few videos I took for my son, Rex's bass was only really audible during Planet Caravan. Robert Trujillo was cutting through the mix nicely though, even with the loud kick drum.

2 outdoor gigs in North London for me yesterday. First gigs on bass for quite a while. First was at the Heath street festival in Hampstead. Nice stage and good sound. I had my new preamp with me but didnt use it at either gigs. First gig was with an Ampeg combo. Really nice sound. Quite tempted to get one at some point. It did rain a bit but that didnt seem to deter the crowd and we were covered. Second was in a private estate in Highgate. We were supposed to have a proper stage but it turned out to be a Gazebo with a small raised playing area. No side protection at all. Of course, the heavens opened up as we were approaching to set up. Again, backline was supplied so this time i used MB 3x10 combo. I had planned on using a preamp with this, but looking at the extension socket, filled with rain, I decided I wasn't going anywhere near it. Again, decent sound, which did surprise me as ive never been a fan of MB cabs. Highlight was when the sound guy turned the supplied Tube driven guitar combo on and a firework display emerged outage back of it. Apparently due to the tube being hot, a tiny drop of cold rain has shattered the glass. Guitarist ended up going DI from hisHelix Stomp. We had a really good sound though. Thoroughly enjoyed both gigs. What also struck me was how easy it was setting up. Never needed any effects, didnt even miss not using a preamp etc.

Did anybody notice that the two photos are showing him playing exactly the same thing exactly the same way ... or maybe he always freezes in this position for photos?

I thought the bass was surprisingly well-represented throughout. Mike Inez's Warwick/Fishman sounded incredible. It was only really Rex who suffered.

I agree with Lozz on this, another recommendation for the Keeley Bassist, I've struggled with compressors, tried different ones but this is the easiest to use and gives you a great even sound.

I think he ended up ordering one of these, Hercules Transformer stands, seems as though it tilts from the base?

So i picked up an old UK made ABM 300 Evo II (not the one i linked above, i found one for much less). Thing sounds great but there is a constant buzz, even when my bass is turned right down or even with nothing plugged into the input at all. If i plug into the Effects return the amp is silent. Im assuming that means the issue is in the pre-amp section? **update, i think its the jack. With nothing plugged in there is a buzz and if i touch the metal washer on the input jack the buzz gets much louder**

Original Funky Drummer!

Did our monthly duo gig yesterday at The Sun Inn in Beverley, usual request format. Plenty of people in, including one table of folk from Ilkley and another from Sheffield. Probably the most requests we’ve ever had, with some nice stuff we haven’t played much, or ever! These included ‘Can’t take my eyes off you’, ‘Change the world’ ( which I love), ‘Let it be me’ , ‘ Dakota’ ( which I’m starting to dislike a lot now…) and then for an encore Albert Lee’s ‘Country Boy’. My guitarist partner was on fire in this, despite us losing the delay repeats at one point, and with no drummer to blame too! A very jolly gig in a great venue, with a lovely audience and some dancers as well. Used my Sire U5 into the Rumble 500, which has more authority than the 100 combo I’ve used before. Next one there is in late August, so looking forward to that already.

This seems to be a recurring feature at many gigs. Any mileage to be had using short-boom mic stands, such as this one..? Thomann : Mic stand ... ... or a goose neck instead of a boom..? Thomann : Goose Neck for mic stand... Just a thought. Any use, anyone..?

Indeed.