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I could say the same mate don’t you read previous post Reggaebass posted the same link 3 hours ago.............😜

Love gigging. It's the absolute life's blood of my music making. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy studio stuff - fresh from recording a four tune CD - but getting up in front of people is generally a thing of joy for me. meeting up with mates for practice is good too - especially when you try something new and get unexpected results, that can be very satisfying. I play bass in a 4-piece funky-jazz band. It's mostly original material, some of which I write. It's definitely not mainstream music, so the reaction that we get is even more rewarding when it's people enjoying our tunes. I also play guitar in a quartet that plays jazz-y arrangements of popular tunes, or pop arrangements of jazz tunes. Much satisfaction with gigs for that outfit too, though of a different nature. It all works. Yes, admittedly the time spent setting gear up/taking it down is a bit dull, but a little bit of work has got that down almost to a fine art, so it's not as much of a chore as it might be. And there's plenty of recompense for the moments when we're up there in front of people...…

This looks interesting. The Classic Vibe range has a great reputation so hopefully that will carry over into the new Mustang. At that price it's very tempting https://www.kennysmusic.co.uk/squier-classic-vibe-60s-mustangr-bass-laurel-fingerboard-sea-foam-green

One step further

I think you may actually be the coolest dude on this forum 😎

...so to speak

Some pics of the finished product! Truly incredible. I can’t wait to pick up this bass.

As if on cue... I think it looks fantastic!

In hindsight, I could have perhaps worded that better.

Not sure we needed to know that Johnny, but when you're finished feel free to record a clip!

Oh man, I absolutely love it. As soon as I plug it in, I instantly hear that sound thst I've loved from all my favourite recordings using Ken Smith basses. I know the original pickups were designed and built by Bill Lawrence and in 2008 Ken said that Kent Armstrong had taken over making the pickups and had done so "for about twenty years", I guess your 1984 is Lawrence and my 1991 is Armstrong. I doubt the specs and design for the pickups changed much, if at all. As the company approaches its fourth decade of trading, he still makes, almost exclusively, double soapbar basses, one pickup in the middle and one right up against the bridge. I think Ken's vision, unwaivering as it is, has defined these instruments. He doesn't let customers go nuts with wood combos as he said he likes to work with what he knows will work well. The construction no doubt gives them a good portion of the sound too, like you said when I bought my bass from you, they're thin but incredibly resonant. I've got a review written up, I'll post it up here when I get a chance. I think it is without question the finest instrument I've ever had the privilege of playing.

New bass day for me - and quite a special one for me personally. I've always loved the 'Smith Sound' and grew up listening to John Patitucci playing his early six string Smith. I recently realised my dreams of owning one when I bought a beautiful BT5 from Basschat last year. However I'm not really a five string player, but I can adapt. Smith basses tend to be 5 or 6 string so there wasn't much choice. But then I saw this. Not only is it a 4 string, but it's a very early one built just two months after I was. It was finished in January 1984. The serial number is 151. Early Smith basses have a few differences from today's models - first of all the brass fittings on the headstock, especially the 'S' logo in a brass disk which I remember seeing on those early Chick Corea vids, whilst my brother watched and analysed every move Dave Weckl made. I got some info from Ken about the bass who said the neck joint is a hidden mortise which I believe was inspired by a damaged double bass from a car accident in the 70s. The preamp is made by Haz Labs; it has volume, balance, treble, bass (not sure of frequencies but the treble control always feels very musical) plus a phase switch which Ken said they subsequently removed because it's not very useful. It's quite unusual to see Smith basses without an exposed centre block like my 5 string - I think some of the Hadrien Feraud models have a solid top like this one. It has a walnut top and maple back with an ebony fingerboard. The whole bass has a very light satin finish which feels great and shows minimal wear except usual playing in. It's been well looked after! I wasn't able to play the bass first so I was kind of nervous but Smith basses are so consistent I needn't have worried - the neck is dead straight and the action was pretty bang on right away. I've got the G string a little higher than my 'strings painted on' Vigier because I find it makes double stops on the G string more pronounced. As usual have the neck with almost zero relief and the other strings very low. Someone described the sound of their Warwick Thumb as 'digital' here the other day; that's quite a good way to describe this. I'll do some sound clips asap to show you. So yeah I'm really pleased. I think that's my bass buying escapades over for a while. Some pics!

My 37 year old "BFL" '57 JV has a new pal! Tasty, and sounds awesome... I also made a mistake with the new strings for it.... ordered some new Elixirs (all my basses get Elixir 14077 Nickels) and without noticing I accidentally pulled the trigger on Stainless Steels.... however, I am a complete convert! lower tension, and easier to play....

My first 5 string bass had a ramp. It was an Ibanez BTB33 and I really liked having the ramp. A few disclaimers though - if you play with a pick or like to dig in a lot, you may find the ramp to be in the way. Also, as has been said, it’s not a magical fix for poor technique. Nor is it a necessary component for developing good technique. To be honest, it’s just a matter of personal preference. You may find that not being able to dig in too far helps your ability to play faster or play more consistently. You may find it limits your dynamic expressivity. The only way to know if it’ll be useful to you is to try it out yourself.

^^^This. However, they do provide a nice, big thumbrest.

Who could forget The Captain and Chenille?

Keep your eye on the strings for sale here ,you get some good bargains sometimes, I enjoy trying different strings 🙂

Flying Vee The Gibson Custom shop knocked out lovingly handcrafted a limited run of 300 Hendrix V's in 2007 for sale at a mere $12k apiece (rolls eyes). But you're right. Anyone would think they'd have something out there for a couple of grand. That Gib-Strat Returning to the Gibson Hendrix Str*t, let us never forget that the guitar was only part of a complete entry-level guitar package that also included " a Hendrix signature Voodoo Child amplifier, and a Foxey Fuzz pedal ... an instructional DVD and a USB drive containing exclusive Hendrix media content and a “Hendrix inspired tie-dyed tee-shirt and bandana.” ' Who among us aspiring to Mr Hendrix's spirituality and technical prowess might not eagerly don the included apparel and headwear. After all, tone isn't in your fingers; it's all in the bandana. Above: Not remotely exploitative marketing exercise by Juskiewiecz-era Gibson

Looks like Gibson missed an open goal here.

So, 2.8 is now out, guys! This is a pretty big update so I'd advise reading the release notes and perform the install as it it says (I.e back up, upgrade HX Edit, update unit) https://line6.com/support/page/kb/effects-controllers/helix/helixhx-280-release-notes-r913/

Benjamin Zephaniah 🙂

I just got asked to do this again in February. Oh... go on, then. As usual, I have no idea who might be on the bill (and I couldn't say even if I did), but I'll post a new thread nearer the time.

This company seem to have a very short memory. Does anyone remember when Gibson announced this Jimi Hendrix monstrosity? Looks familiar? I really just don't understand how they even went as far as building prototypes without someone at Gibson going, 'You know what? I think this is a bad idea, doesn't anyone think it looks a little too much like one of our competitors instruments, so perhaps we shouldn't build any.' Perhaps the R&D team were just too feeble to say no to the captain of the ship, but mind you, when ol' Henry was at the helm, it was probably very much a case of any goes, eh?

And here was me all excited thinking this was a thread about my country.😕

He looks delighted! I once suggested as much on a forum about a prominent endorser and I got a very interesting (and polite!) email direct from the guy, who explained that once you reach that rarified level, its as much about the artist support than the actual gear per se, so company X may be able to offer greater logistical support than company Y, even though to the outsider their products don’t seem ‘as good’.

He has fanned knees.

My Jazz quartet play 'The Girl From Ipanema' . I knew nothing about the origin of the song but was shown a Guardian article today about the author. https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2019/jul/06/joao-gilberto-obituary What a contribution he made to music!

You, sir, are in need of a Sandberg!

You haven't even weighed it you lazy goit!

the whole "only turn 1/8th at a time" is not correct.I think the advice stems from being given to beginners typically, thus turn a little bit at a time as they wouldn't know how much it needs. If it needs a whole turn, do it, why do eight 1/8th turns? Ease off the tension and give it what it needs. Of course, you have to know that it needs a whole turn or not , that's experience.

Never underestimate in-house lawyers ability to sniff out self serving work. No job too petty

Not a great performance, we're not tight and the parts are not great but it's where we're at and what we're doing this summer. Blue

Just to stray moderately back on topic ... a) that Lemmy / stripper cameo has to be the weirdest sequence I've ever seen. Do you suppose the Frankies knew any of that was going to happen? b) isn't that one of the Calm Down Scousers on drums?

I came here thinking this was going to be about Pete Townshend, as you were.

I bought this from Mark on here and gigged it last night with a Passive P Bass string with flatwounds. Absolutely over the moon with this, stunning sound and a really flexible pedal. You have a switch to choose between High & Low to boost or cut in the Mids and a switch for Passive or Active Bass. I cut the High Mids and Treble, boosted the Bass and enough gain to get a lovely fat sound. Beautiful stuff! I ran it at 9v but have an 18v adapter on order so can’t wait to hear how it sounds then. They do a version 3 now. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the market for a Preamp!

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/steve-hillage-gong/aylesbury-waterside-theatre/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=ccr-paid_social&utm_campaign=x-awt-ste-newseason-20190711-x&genre=onenight&venue-implementation=ccr&fbclid=IwAR2pyi5PkDvSnzXzXvwHjQJ9USHsRBRcvX-Enj9s5AVon5os9tjj2lxGGWY

OK then...

I've tried the Marcus head back to back with my LM3 and it was way better. A lot more dynamic and cleaner sounding. A lot more punch and tonal definition.

Just had a listen - and even before I read the comments I was thinking "That's a film score just waiting to happen." Nice

Living Colour at The Mill in Birmingham. Playing Vivid front to back. Just awesome musicianship as always. And by God, Doug Wimbish remains an absolute beast of a player.

Ministry at Shepherds Bush 02 last Saturday. Awesome, awesome gig. Fell in love with Al Jourgenson all over again. Spent the next two days walking round looking like Sandy Toksvig, unable to move my neck. Marvellous

good advice from @Jakester - decide what you want to do and go looking for that, and don't waste months of your life doing anything you're not enjoying that won't get you there. So if you want to play originals, don't apply for covers bands (although they will probably get more gigs), etc. That said, you may need to compromise - you may not find exactly what you want to be doing, but as long as what you find is within the Venn diagram of stuff you like then that's OK. If you're really at a point where you want to be on stage, aim for the bands that are already gigging and need a replacement bass player - you are the solution that they are looking for. Nothing against bands who are new, need a bass player and aim to be up and gigging ASAP...just be prepared to join some that never quite manage get on to the stage, and you may need to cut your losses and move on. Difficult to assess those in the second category and there isn't one way to make sure that you've picked a winner, but my suggestion would be to look for a band with a strong Band Leader who has a realistic plan and the necessary contacts to put the plan into action. While it's nice to be looking for global domination within six months, try and avoid bellends who tell you how the World is just waiting for them to unleash their musical genius and that you'll be selling out the O2 before Christmas. And anybody who refers to the band as a "project" As regards the quality of your amp, depending on the band you join this may or may not be an issue. 100W may well be enough for rehearsals and some gigs (and other band members rarely have any idea about bass amps and concepts like head room), but a lot of rehearsal studios will have amps thrown in, and a lot of venues will expect to DI you through the PA so you won't need any amp and you may actually be far better off getting an amp sim pedal than investing in a mountain of backline. Not so common on the pub covers circuit. You won't know until you start discussing things with bands, so have a chat with them to see what they are expecting

Good luck! It took me a while (and lost of auditions) to realise that if something isn’t making you happy, don’t do it. What I mean by that is you’ll probably go through some band iterations or different groups where it’s just not working - and you’ll probably know that fairly early on. My advice is rather than slog at it unhappily for months only for it all to fall away, cut your losses early and move on - eventually you’ll find something that works for you and you’ll be all the happier for it! Unless you’re looking to make a living from playing music, the main reason we play is for enjoyment - if it’s not fun, move on!