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I'm wondering what their factory floor is going to look like manufacturing that many basses. All those fret leveling jobs for starters. Someone is gonna be sweating. I know I would be.

I am sure i must have connected up my East preamp in a funny manner, as activating passive mode ( just a quick knob pull matron ) and it dwarfs the volume of bass when it was in active mode. If anything, i would have thought active would be louder than passive, or at least equal. But what do i know. I'm a dummy with leccies Its not right though, whatever is going on. The difference is too great. If anyone has a clue about wiring and whatnot... give us a clue 👍 PS. its a 5 knob active / passive Uni-pre no toggle, and i'm utilising a 2nd battery , as my Ibanez PB770 is 18v to start with. https://www.east-uk.com/product/uni-pre-5-knob/?v=79cba1185463

Acrimonious? Violent? Boredom? 'It's not you, it's me...' (or vice-versa)? Well, my band managed to disassemble itself in 24 hours, largely by Whatsapp. I wasn't too surprised because the new PA had become a running battle between the guy who had managed the old analogue one for years (tbh not too successfully) but couldn't get to grips at all with the new digital one that our gitrist had specced and obtained for a good price. Trouble was, the setup time for the new one seemed to be two-plus hours versus 40 minutes or less for the old one, often leaving little or no time for a proper sound check. A further complication was the emergence of unexplained feedback, that in retrospect might well have been due to an acoustic guitar and/or my sax sitting on stage ready for use but not muted (could only mute them at the desk, and desk operation by the original mix-man was one of the big issues...) Anyway, after last weekend's gig the old guard's spokesperson messaged all saying that they had decided to use the old PA until things were sorted (that is, probably forever) without discussing it openly with me and our guitrist; he saw a conspiracy theory, read people their horoscopes and walked out. I was left in no-man's land, initially inclined to follow him as the band is going to be very bland without him, but then relented somewhat, agreeing to play the upcoming gigs until the others find a new bass player - I will then leave and probably regret it, but something will turn up. Such a shame really, but when I consider the vast differences in experience, background and musical ability between the two 'sides' I'm amazed the band lasted as long as it did... Whatever, I will remember it for the good times, and move on - what else is there to do?

If you're in dublin some neck guitars is the best shop. https://www.someneckguitars.com/ Like all shops, lots of guitars, a few nice basses. Bonus that it's about 350 metres from my place.

Apparently they arent playing any tunes Eric A. didnt record in the set list. I have zero problem with that. I wouldn't even know them to hear i don't think. They do have a new tune i need to check out.

I'd let them play my rig but would watch them like a hawk. Then afterwards I'd offer to loan one of my seldom used (and cheap) basses, telling them they will have to work their way up to one of my Stingrays and not to expect to borrow it again! Mind you if it was my electric guitar rig I would refuse as it's too complicated for someone to just walk up and use without having a bit of understanding - or if I was feeling mischievous I would put my Freq-out on it's minimum sensitivity and then sit back to watch the fun... but that might be a bit mean...

A Little Bit Of Soap - Showaddywaddy

I'd rather have a more low/mid-spec bass and treat it to some upgrades and a proper setup over a stock high-end bass and have a little left over. I've played quite a few basses and my Schecter J4 is honestly just as fun to play as any of the more expensive ones but cost me around £550ish. The lower/middle range of instruments is so good now, that returns on the higher end have never been so diminished. I think the only way I'd go for something more expensive is if it was custom-built like an Alpher Instruments bass or something.

Due to their mass 5 strings become a lot more about user preference compared to 4 strings. There are so many variations that impact the B string; Scale length, string spacing, neck depth, body size, string trees, neck through vs bolt on, angled headstock and the list goes on. I think you’re wise to start off cheaper and work out what you do and don’t like about it to better educate your choices in the future. I had 4 5 strings before going back to basics on a 4, and luckily the Sire V5 ticks a lot of boxes before I can afford a KS.

Was back at the Hive in Edinburgh on Thursday there with Wild Hogs. We almost had to pull the gig as our singer was struggling to speak with a sore throat and the drummer had staved his thumb badly, but they both powered through. Was a great night, not a huge crowd, but all very enthusiastic and joined in with a lot of singing and dancing. Past couple of gigs have been like that after a not so great one a couple of months back. Wee break for us now for holidays & Download. Gear pictured - Squier 40th Anniversary Precision, 2 Markbass New York 121s, Warwick Gnome and HX Stomp.

Hi everyone, Sorry got totally distracted with work stuff and this has gone in the gigbag (for now) . I'll reach out to one of you in the next few weeks once I get some time. I'm South West based but could post the body and pickups anywhere and pay for the work. Incidentally I've also put the original HB neck up for sale as below. I thought I could try to live with the Jazz bass 38mm nut neck, but on reflection and playing it ( +getting these pickups fitted) I've gone and sourced a maple p bass (43mm nut) neck which should fit the neck pocket OK. Thanks Neil

I accidentally forgot to cancel a free trial to Ultimate Guitar so I'm currently working my way through the top bass tabs. Some stuff in there I've never learned but should have, some stuff I learned and forgot, and the occasional one I had to skip over. A few RHCP ones I'd forgotten just how fun they are to play cropped up too like Californiacation etc. I've gotten really weak at playing with fingers over the last couple of years so it's been a great little workout.

I don't get it either. I was slow to make the move at first because every 5 I played had a floppy B string. But the Fender surprised me. Got one and never looked back. Now I "personally" consider 4 string useless. Without that B string it ain't a real bass. With that being said. I remind people that is how I feel. And doesn't reflect or intend to influence how others view the instrument. I just feel 4 string instruments are no more than toys. But there are people out there that can really make their toys talk.

That is priceless!

I stole it from Gore, so steal away!

Hi! What kind of Speakon cable would I need to connect this amp and cab below to each other? I can't figure out if NL2, NL4 needed, of if it doesn't matter in this instance? Many thanks! https://www.thomann.de/gb/markbass_little_mark_iv.htm https://www.thomann.de/gb/markbass_mb58r_121_energy_box.htm

Fabulous live band. Saw them a while back, and seeing them again 18th June in Brum. Rocking out and enjoying themselves. Far and away the BEST quality sound I have every heard - not just live sound but better than any HiFi or anything. Crystal clear, at concert volume.

I'm off to see @Merton of this parish tomorrow, playing at Strawberry Fields in Liverpool, as a part of Black Deer Live.

Cool. I'd love your insights after a full band run. I'm constantly looking at old and weird solutions. The RM cab would just be easy if it's good.

I should have got tickets for that! 🤦‍♂️

Nice setup NJE,congrats , very good amps aren’t they, I used to use mine with 2 markbass 15s , but now I use a big baby 2, I find the shape button really useful

His manager and quite a few of the new band are from around that area. Should be good fun, we supported him in '22 and for one of the gigs in '23.