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Last night was my second dep with a really good local band that has a guitarist in common with my main band - both power/operatic metal originals, ours a bit heavier with two guitars - theirs a bit lighter with guitar and keyboard. The first dep was an acoustic-ish birthday party set as they were missing drummer and bassist, so got me in to play a 50/50 mix of covers and their lighter originals. This one was another private party, but a full electric gig with only their bassist absent. It all looked like it might not happen as the planned venue had an unforeseeable problem so had to pull out at the last minute, but another nearby venue stepped in to host and it all went ahead just a short walk down the road. Then one of the bands pulled out of the gig as they were travelling in and didn't fancy the idea of getting stuck on the way back due to the weather - again, perfectly reasonable. So we ended up all taking longer sets, which is fine if you know the full back catalogue of the band due to being... well.. in the band, but I'd only learned one spare original so we ended up adding a cover that they recorded and released their version of during lockdown, and which I'd done acoustically at the previous gig so had no problem rocking back up. 45 minutes passed very quickly and I don't actually think I messed anything up. There were a couple of bits where somebody else came in early, and a missed cue for a guitar solo that resulted in another loop through the chords before commencing, both of which I spotted and adjusted accordingly. I wouldn't normally congratulate myself for such basic musicianship but they're original songs that move at a fair pace, so I was quite pleased not to get tripped up. I did forget to put in my earplugs for the first song, which was interesting as it showed me just how much top end detail the Doc's ProPlugs take away, and how I might like to have some of it back to a safe level. I shall have to try some different ones and see if there's something a bit better for me out there. The other bands on the bill were great and I was able to have a few drinks and enjoy them as we were opening the night and I was getting a lift. Got home just in time to see the snow start settling, so I reckon the band that decided it was a bad idea to travel 100 miles each way made the right call. Signal chain for the evening... Ibanez SR1105B -> [G30 wireless -> TU3 tuner -> Thumpinator -> MXR M87 compressor -> SansAmp BDDI v2] -> GK MB500 -> Blackstar house cab - might have been a Unity Elite 115C Tuner operated using a pair of Skechers Industrial Workshire boots - to say they're safety boots they make even moderately damp surfaces feel like well greased glass, but they're black and comfy.

Seven piece swing/jazz band gig yesterday afternoon for a 90th birthday party for a very lively 90 year old lady. Probably 50 in attendance, they drifted in and out and most were of a certain age (three were 90 or older) and a few danced and they all seemed to enjoy our music, mostly big band charts from the lady's birth in 1935 into the '60's. The band has existed for about 8 years and for the first time we used two subs (deps in your part of the world), one to replace the trombonist who was ill and the other to fill in for the drummer who had family commitments. Both are outstanding musicians and excellent readers who sight read the 40 or so songs we played with no problems, and some of the charts are quite challenging. It was a fun gig, basically a wallpaper music gig but we had applause after every song and went home happy with our performance. Unfortunately they had cleared away the buffet of sandwiches and finger food before we finished but at least coffee was available for the ride home. Usual Shen SB100 into our Bose PA with a Schatten Design mini preamp that only has a volume control but is really handy on a gig like this, wireless (NUX C-5RC) into the preamp and EQ on the Bose and great sound. A bit crowded on an 8x12 riser, I was on the riser behind the big music stand on the right, no room for the Hercules bass stand so it stayed on the floor between sets.

Just got in from a Spacewasters gig in Wingham, Kent (a 100 mile journey which the drummer did). Was a sort of private party, it went well, 3 bands on with us 2nd though we left as soon as we’d finished due to the possibility of snow. I played my CIJ Mustang bass through the provided - I think - Harley Benton combo, probably a 1x12 but was fine for on stage sound. My footwear was my winter DM Chelsea boots. We did encounter snow though thankfully wasn’t too bad til we hit Watford dropping off the guitarist.

First gig of the year last night, it was a late one where we stopped playing at 12.40, new venue to us and thought it might be quiet just after Christmas, it turns out it was very busy and a lot of folk up dancing in our third set. Started loading out about 1am and realised it was snowing heavily, the cars totally covered in snow, the journey home up the A1 was horrendous, hardly any traffic so the snow had covered the dual carriageway so bad it was difficult to navigate what lane you were in, plus the snow coming down at the windscreen always makes your eyes feel funny.

Finally made the call tonight and left the Punk covers band Emergency Exit after 3 fantastic yrs of great fun and really enjoying the songs. We had taken a break to see how things developed but absolutely no change. A complete lack of interest with no enthusiasm or excitement within the band over past 4+mths. Decided i'd had enough hanging around hoping things would change and just called it a day. There are no ill-feelings within the band in any way. Its just ran its course ........ for me anyways. Time to move on and find something else to fill the gaps between Glam gigs. Still waiting to see what's happening with the new project of 80's classic rock which we put on hold until after the festive period. I'm gonna miss the raw power of those punk songs tho. Dave

Here's my pair of short scale (30") basses - one with Kent Armstrong humbucker, the other one with a Tonerider precision pickup......

A couple of years ago I bought a thing called Focusrite Scarlet. It's a box with a couple of cables, a mic , stand and headphones. According to the blurb "Easy Start gets you set up in minutes. All the software you need is in the box. There’s no faster way to make studio quality recordings than Scarlett." Utter sh1te , I spent hours registering things, downloading things, no software came with it. In frustration I downloaded a couple of different recording software packages, couldn't get my head around it, achieved nothing, put it away and gave up. Two years later I've dug it all out again and watched the tutorial video provided by audacity ....utter gibberish. So two more of my life that I won't get back and I've achieved slightly less than nothing. Theyshould have waited until all of the old people had died before introducing new things.

The first boutique bass I've ever played was a Pedulla-like fretless by Dutch luthier André van der End. Every since then, I've wanted to own a bass by him, particularly with a walnut top and maple fretboard. A few years back, I bought a blue fiver by him. Didn't really get on with the sound, so I sold it. And then last week, just as I was selling two other basses, this walnut top, maple fretboard fiver turned up on a second hand website in Belgium. I had to have it. So yesterday I drove to Belgium and took it home. It's not light, but it's pretty darn awesome. Ash body, pickups and preamp by André himself, birdseye maple neck.

I've already cleared the local Tesco out of Cadbury Creme Eggs........,👍😆

I’m finally joining the Yamaha BB club this week - waiting on delivery of my new (to me) 1984 BB3000s so I can get my Jonathan Maron-on! Was looking at a BBP34 tbh, just fancied a decent passive PJ 4 string but I’m not massively clued up about the old Japanese ones, however this looked like a good decent deal and I think just going from YouTube videos etc it sounds like it has a bit more mojo than the BBP, I’ve always liked the pickups in these older Yamaha's too

Well that was close - very nearly ordered a bass synth pedal but then realised I could get a pretty good synth sound by combining my current fuzz, octave & chorus pedals. Just spent the last couple hours upsetting my family with synthy space sounds - awesome to discover that stuff I already have can be used in a different way and I don't need to buy something new!

We're playing the Anodyne at the end of the month with an opening act. I'm not sure how we got the gig,they usually only book national signed touring bands. Daryl

Just to add to the chrome pickup rings and dots or oval inlay comments, my BB1100S has none of these but is absolutely wonderful. 😉 OK ok, it's just an excuse to post some BB porn 😁

I think (but don't know) everything new was done to make it even more attractive to Fender orientated bass payers. The downsizing, the std size pus, the body without pu rings. In my opinion, you'll get the best Fender tone when playing a Fender. It's so simple 🙂 The new line does not amaze me that much. Played an incredible BBP35 at Guitar Summit two years ago, no 4 string could match that sadly. I started with a 300 back in the 80s. Went up from 1600 to 3000 then came the Hifi years with active basses. When the BB series started new with the 414 I fell in love again with the series. My main bass is 1000MA for nearly 25 years now (this bass even smashed my 3000MA) and last year I found some 424s in mint condition that are just wonderfull. I remember putting a pu ring on a beautiful 300 in candy apple red, I should have kept that (heavy) bass 🙂

Yup, it's 100% standard. At the time, there were a few Warwicks in the shop (Academy of Sound, Hanley, Stoke on Trent) but no 5-string Streamers. A phone call or two by the staff in the shop secured the required spec so £1065 and 4/5 weeks later.. And here we are 24 years later. ❤️

Can’t remember if it was mentioned before but how cool looking is this Arkham amp, apparently they are made to order , has anyone ever tried one

They're a couple of self-build projects from last year. The lighter one is a cheap short scale Chinese neck on a body made from an old mantle piece, and the darker one is a full self build, again with the body from an old mantle piece and the neck from old oak window ledge. Yes, they're both based on the Junior DC, as I missed out on getting one when they were on sale, and have never managed to get hold of a second hand one since.......

Forget the DAW recommended by Focusrite, it's horrible. Use Reaper instead. There's loads of tutorial videos on YouTube. If you still struggle, come back with specific questions and you'll get answers.

Yep i've had many a night driving experience in snow over the years and it can be hypnotic. Secret is to keep your eyes focused on the headlight leading edge and never at the snow flakes themselves. Regular eye movement out the side window always keeps me centred on my driving. Dave

For me that would be a nobrainer, to keep the modularity.

It might be useful to clarify... Despite some of the claims made by the manufacturers being debatable the device itself probably works. I just find digital recording impenetrable.

I read this when I first started doing home recordings and it certainly helped. Might be a few bits and bobs that are out of date but well worth a look.

Totally with you there, and been there too. Like the Beach Boys said, "I just wasn't made for these times". This made me laugh and sums up my own relationship with "Tech". *mucho swearing alert*... https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15RSjfTYm3/

You can have @AndyTravis's one, he won it last year

Mama's and Papa's - Dream a little dream. First band I've played with in 40 years and we only have one person who plays guitar so far, me and I'm not very good. The vocalist fancies singing the above, so I'm having to learn an open B7 Chord which would be OK, if I hadn't broken or dislocated every finger and thumb on my left hand multiple times from playing too much rugby. Oh well, it'll eventually come right, either that or surgery Rob

I used to own a lovely fretless 5er...

The purpose of this thread, summed up perfectly!

Start panic buying now before the country grinds to a halt!

I put a bit of time and effort into bringing my Streamer LX back to top-notch condition this week. It's had a thorough clean, a fret / hardware polish and several coat / buffs of wax plus there'll be a new set of strings on it too in the next few days. It doesn't see that much action these days as I'm nearly always on a Jazz or the Status but it's still a truly fantastic instrument in every way.

this is a very exciting delivery!

You need to focus on this part:

Only imho, but if you had a Mac or iPad , you'd be all set . Just plug interface in, drivers get recognised by Mac . Then use GarageBand . If you could download the pc equivalent of GarageBand , you'll probably get there once you've downloaded scarlet drivers . I feel your pain . Stick with it . Lots of good advice from Basschat already !

@The fasting showman Audacity broke me. Its really counter intuitive. Reaper is so much easier

Thanks for everyone's comments so far. So far I have been playing along to the song itself (a DJ will likely put on the music i prepare for them). I originally put togehter a background music set (pop love songs set against Latin Grooves) but all folk seem to want in Glasgow is high energy, power hour evening sax! TBH, I am actually having more fun doing this as pickign out the bass lines and playing along on the bari feels great. Some great suggestions, esp like the Justin Timberlake track (great bass line) and the Jackson 5, Uptown Funk too. Was also thinking of Justice - D.A.N.C.E. Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso Thanks, Josh

Stoked it sounds soo good - kinda wavefolded fuzz with a kinda envelope - really touch sensitive I’ve got different knobs for the ones I’m building up but might need to get smaller ones like these

Sorry, embarrassingly no progress. Caring for family and other matters have taken priority over a serious amount of my spare time. Hopefully things will settle down a little in a couple of months and I can put some time to my various unfinished projects.

All with the 'correct' P pickup orientation. Superb!

populated and wired up (without the bypass) and it works and sounds like the descriptions!