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Showing content with the highest reputation on 09/02/26 in Posts
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Hey gang.. Some of the longer-term members here might remember that I play in the house band at Sunday for Sammy, a huge music & comedy show that - until 2020 - happened every couple of years at Newcastle Arena. We've had some amazing guests over the years... Mark Knopfler, Brian Johnson, Trevor Horn, The Auf Wiedersehen Pet cast, Johnny Vegas, etc. But then COVID happened. And then nothing... until now! After 18 months of planning by an amazing team, it all happens again next Sunday. Two shows in one day, with a huge cast, it's a massive logistical challenge. I've been working on the songs in my own time for the last few months, and rehearsals start in earnest tomorrow. In the meantime, the crew loaded in to the rehearsal space today, and we (the core band) popped along in the afternoon to set up and do line checks. Here's some photos - more tomorrow! Two J's at the moment - both with flats. I might switch one for a P. FOH is set up in one of the dressing rooms. Monitors. My drummer pal. Guitar village. My hangout.23 points
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OK...... I'm still on a HUGE high so please bear with me if I'm little over-effusive... On Saturday night my brand new Doobie Brothers tribute show 'The Doobie Experience' played it's DEBUT show. It was at the lovely Shoreham Ropetackle Arts Centre and quite honestly we really couldn't have had a better evening, in every way! First of all, on arrival, we found out it was all but sold out (200 tickets!) with people having to stand all around the edge of the seated area! Then, we were meeting our own dedicated sound man for the first time and were thrilled at how good he made us sound, out front and in our IEMs! It turned out I'd worked with him a couple of times previously (with the Spandau/Duran show I'd depped in) so I knew he would nail it! He'll be with us now on most of our shows and has all the settings saved! Best of all though, the actual show was AMAZING - we played great (just a few tweaks will need to be made going forward), the sound was fantastic and the audience loved us! We actually had people actually queuing to shake our hands and thank us afterwards! It's those kind of nights that really make everything worthwhile. I can't wait to do more! Gear-wise I kept it more traditional (no Spectors! ) and played my Fender FSR PJ bass through my old GK400RB head and LFsys Monaco cab. Only effects were Chorus (1 song) and Phaser (1 song), both care of my Zoom B3. IEMs were KZ-ZS10's and my Sennheiser G4 system. Here are a few short phone clips from the night that show the different Doobie-styles we covered: Rockin' Down The Highway: Another Park Another Sunday: One Step Closer: China Grove: What A Fool Believes: Sweet Maxine: It Keeps You Runnin: Long Train Runnin': Takin' It To The Streets:17 points
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It was a really fun one on Saturday night at the recently renovated Exchange basement in Bristol. It used to be a big corridor with a tiny stage, but they've opened up the space and now there's a bigger stage and increased capacity. We were opening up for a local band's new album release and I got to try out my Spector NS Icon 5 live for the first time, which was nice. The gig was a sell out and I was surprised at the number of people who came to see us. My brother and his mate came along too, so that was really nice to have them there as well. On the Spector front I tend to pick rather aggressively at a gig and with the curved Spector boddy and big pickups, I lost count of the amount of times I smacked my fingers into the pickups. They were feeling a bit sore the next day 😅 That's going to need some work if I'm going to play it live more! It sounded great through the usual Boss GX-100 -> Laney Digbeth and then the venue's Barefaced Super Twin. We played well and individually had lots of complements after the gig too. Should be getting some professional pictures back from that gig at some point once we hear back (and pay) the photographer. The other bands were Row of Ashes and the headliner Epimetheus.11 points
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First gig of the year, with the Zep tribute in Cottingham on the east coast. A bit rusty with a dep guitar player as our BL / guitarist is still out with serious back issues, but all-in-all a pretty solid performance. A decent crowd with 160 tickets sold and a great reaction. I didn't bother taking any pictures as it is pretty much the same rig as the last 60 / 70 gigs. I did note that the (very good) sound engineer (actually a husband and wife team) DI'd from the Caveman preamp / DI on my board rather than from the amp. Some do, some don't, but seemed to sound good out front either way. Next gig in Scotland with the same dep guitarist in a few weeks...7 points
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Yesterday, we returned to Mooncalf Studios in Wiltshire, for our penultimate session for album no. 3. Playing gothic original material, we usually record the drum tacks and keys on GarageBand, take them to the studio to upload and tidy up, and then add the guitars / bass / vocals. We uploaded the last three songs and recorded the bass and vocals. I used my Fender Jazz USA (2008) and my Squier Bass VI for the bass parts. I also got to use a Jerry Jones Sitar guitar that we had hired for the princely sum of one bottle of red wine. Oh, and I added a simple part on my David Bowie Stylophone. The sitar took a few runs. Mainly because I was writing the part whilst in the studio. The bass all went down in one take with no overdubs, across all three tracks. That doesn't always happen but it is nice when it does. I also did a few lead vocal lines, which went down pretty easily. We have three guitar parts and one of my vocal parts to do and the album is done. Anyhow, enough about me... who else has a recent studio session that they'd care to share?7 points
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Fender, (when it was Fender), researched into this many years ago and concluded that if you want to eliminate the dead spot, eliminated the headstock. Then change to a composite neck.6 points
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Last night I was back in covers band action with Nine Lives at Wilsons in Aberdeen. Night got off to an odd start, when some people noticed me and the drummer getting stuff out of the car and asked "who's playing tonight". I replied "Nine Lives" and they replied "Excellent!" Had a joke with the bouncer that they must have us mixed up with another band. Anyway, the gig went well - it was a bit of an awkward setup because some people were in the bit where we usually put our stuff, playing darts. How very dare they! So there was a lot of shuffling stuff around while we set up. Still, we got set up and ready to go at the billed time. Gig went pretty well, had some very enthusiastic dancing in the first half. Second half dwindled down a bit towards the end, but we did a thing we've done on and off and played a softer song as the second last one and we had a couple of lovebirds up dancing to that, so it worked. Then blew the place to bits with Whole Lotta Rosie, along with my usual wireless walkabout. Never ceases to amuse and entertain people, and as long as people still get a laugh out of it, I'll keep on doing it, lol. Gear was the Epiphone Les Paul (not so) Standard, followed by the Fazley Hot Rod (the "Ratlet") with a Lace Aluma P in there because it was lying around and I was bored. Usual yellow and black amplification. Footwear was pink suede Vans slipons.6 points
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As promised, a few rough FM clips (please forgive the crappy playing). @Al Krow, the last one is especially for you. 😉 QM Bass 01.mp3 QM Bass 02.mp3 QM Bass 03.mp3 QM Bass 10.mp3 QM Bass 14.mp3 QM Bass 18.mp3 QM Bass 19.mp3 QM Bass 21.mp3 QM Bass 23.mp3 QM Bass 24.mp3 QM Bass 25.mp3 QM Bass 28.mp3 QM Bass 29.mp3 QM Bass 33.mp35 points
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First gig of this year for Blues Delux at a regular local bar in Stirling. Sunday afternoon set finishing at 7pm, very chilled out as we were again playing to diners and people out for a quiet drink, so it's more or less a usual Sunday crowd. The gig started off quite ropey. First song it was obvious the levels were all a bit askew. Second song we had recovered the levels but for unknown reasons our guitarist played the song in the wrong key before stopping midway through to tune his guitar and joining in for the last verse chorus almost in tune. Then the bar staff came up to us as we were about to start the third tune and said there had been a complaint from a customer about the loudness of the band, and would we mind turning everything up!? So we did, and the rest of the gig was rock and roll. We stopped briefly to do a short acoustic set in the middle of the gig with our singer and guitar player on acoustic. Also got complimentary beer from the pub for the first time ever. Not sure what that was all about. Rig wise I'm in a really happy place at present. Silverstone II and a TE AH250 GP12 SMX almost sound as if they were made for each other. The dual band comp is I think the secret sauce that makes it all sound so good. Back up amp was a GK 400RB IV and used it on the second set just for the hell of it. Playing my Sadowsky a lot more recently and it also adds something new and good to the sound. To sum up, ropey start, but a rock n roll finish with free beer, and an early night. ☺️5 points
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Errr..... interesting !4 points
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Maybe he thought seeing as Debbie Harry doesn`t/can`t sing them properly anymore why should he play them properly 🤣4 points
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Well, it's been yet another epic traveling day, starting off from Derbyshire straight to Northampton to pick up a sales bass for a friend, followed by a trip to see @Silky999 for some routing action in the workshop, then onto another sales bass pickup from Hemel Hempstead, and finally to Kensington for a lovely Italian dinner and a great evening of bass chatting with @themoo and the obligatory long haul back to the East Midlands. So, what about the 'routing action' I hear you ask? Well, I'm not sure who was the most nervous, but the walnut/graphite Jazz needed to lose a little mass, so we decided to do some chambering - yes, obviously leaving a neck-width central spine giving clear 'tone block' vibration transmission from the neck to the bridge. Anyway, it was very cool to see Silky at work and as always, I am very grateful for his time, thoughtfulness and thorough research. 22mm I tell you. 22mm exactly!4 points
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Doing my second international gig in 5 months which is pretty cool. This time headed to a castle in Belgium for a doom festival with Gévaudan, hosted by our label Meuse Music Records. Pretty excited again ✌️3 points
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FOR SALE MXR BASS SYNTH Pedal in perfect, as-new condition. I bought this pedal to add to my board having seen the excellent reviews and audio samples circulating the internet, but I just don't think it's something I'm going to realistically use, so I've decided to move it on. It's in perfect condition. I've added some velcro underneath, which can be easily removed with no visible marks if needed. Price includes tracked delivery in the UK. Thanks for checking it out, Ian3 points -
Well I’ve had the Chromes on for around a week now and gigged them on Saturday night! Very much enjoying them so thanks for all advice! I’ve never really enjoyed flats in the past but these seem to be exactly what i was looking for on this bass. I think i need to spend a little more time with the EQ to get a little bit more high end coming through but in honesty, the soundcheck tone checking time was spent trying to fight an electrical buzz so it finished up a little rushed. It’s ended up being an expensive string month for me as i still had an itch to try the EB Cobalts, so due to seeing them for £20 on sale on ‘Bezos emporium of everything’, I grabbed a set for my Jazz. Put them on today and I’m well impressed so far! They do sound like nice rounds and the tension is lovely! I’m still happy with the chromes on my SS though, as the price of the SS Cobalts is around £30 more than i paid for the LS! Anyway, thanks for everyone’s help.3 points
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Just wondering if there’s any news on this, hopefully it’s been returned to the owner3 points
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We started doing Picture this, and yeah, it took me a few goes to get it right. Love playing that song. It seems to jump around a bit, but in a good way. Hanging on the Telephone is another one that we kept getting wrong for quite a while. mainly the singer. It's one of my favs to plat though. We even use a sample of the phone ringing at the start. We already do One way or another, but even with two guitarists we still have to get the keys player (me) to platy the guitar line at the end of the verses. They just can't get it. About to start Call me as well. Looking forward to that. Good luck with the songs, as you say, great fun to play.3 points
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Please don't do that, it might increase the value to $100K, I'm still saving up to get to the $50K he wants.3 points
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Heavy European Fat Tone.3 points -
Tonights rig. I chickened out of using the new small compact budget rig. Sometime you just have to go for what you know 🙂3 points
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So I seem to be settled on these two boards, that do everything I need. Top board is the electric bass board, and the bottom one is the double bass/EUB board.3 points
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It was a pretty great gig lastnight on the ska scene, first outing for the Sandberg VM SL - interestingly, I ended up playing it passively with a Sadowsky Pre and Tonerider Duke installed. The bass was light, but by god those Dr Martins were heavy!3 points
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Quoting Mark so this doesn't get lost to the last page...3 points
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Hi everyone, this is Mark Morgan-Richards of Classic and Cool Guitars, and Limelight. First of all, thank you to everyone, this is a great community effort. I contacted the auction house first thing this morning and they withdrew the bass from sale. I now have to try to get it back...🤞 I have learnt a few things from this whole episode: 1) I will NEVER use ParcelForce or Interparcel again. 2) I will not be adding any logos to the headstock other than Limelight (or blank) from now on 3) I really appreciate all the help I got from this post (Thanks Paddy)3 points
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My new project is a covers band that only play female led songs. I got so bored playing Sex On Fire and Mr Brightside when there were just so many other songs equally iconic which almost nobody was doing. Why have a female singer if all you play is 70's male fronted rock plus a couple of 25 year old bangers to show you aren't really 70 years old? Anywaty after the first couple of gigs together we discovered that our drummers idol was Clem Burke and one thing led to another and we decided to look at including a Tribute to Blondie into our set. The boot was suddenly on the other foot. I'd been pressuring (gently I hope) the new guitarist and drummer to learn our existing set but now I had to learn a dozen Blondie songs. I'm struggling with a couple but I'm absolutely loving it. I'm thinking tributes might be a thing for me. Looking at a set of songs with the same bassist you find they re-use certain tricks and play in a certain way. It's a real education. These Blondie songs have such tighly written bass lines, there's usually a trademark key change but the fills aren't just fills they usually take you somewhere and it's all thought out or at least worked out. Whether that's Harrison or Chapman I don't know but for me its a real discipline learning a song from start to finish note for note. Picture This is a little bass gem four verses all start the same with some interesting bits of timing but then there are four different 'turnarounds' each with different chords and with a varying number of bars. I hadn't realised this project would be so much fun. I'm just hoping the audiences respond. We aren't planning on going the whole tribute band route just offering a Blondie and Friends set alongside our Female Anthems set but I'm loving being made to learn songs properly. Respect For Nigel Harrison too.2 points
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I have taken the brave decision to launch a new print and digital bass magazine for the UK market. I've been publishing magazines in my day job for 27 years and think it's terrible that we don't have a dedicated magazine anymore. We launch the mag officially at the Birmingham Bass & Guitar Show next month where we will have a small stand and giving away a sample issue (while stocks last) - we will then publish quarterly moving forward. Editor is Joel McIver who ran Bass Guitar magazine and then Bass Player so no cheap AI generated content here! Website is here You can subscribe via the website - our socials launch on Monday. If you are at the show next month come and say hello - be nice to put faces to names. The cover of our sample issue is here for your thoughts and comments.2 points
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as punishment you must now download Dexed and program it to recreate as close to the Roland sound-in-you-head as you can.2 points
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Public service announcement / humble pie consumption 🍰 I need to issue a correction before the synth police revoke my license. Earlier I confidently declared that “Warm Pad Fade” was my favourite Yamaha DX7 patch. Several of you (correctly, and with admirable restraint) pointed out that this patch does not exist on the DX7. You are 100% right. My brain has since rebooted, and the truth has emerged: I was thinking of the Roland D-10. That lush, nostalgic Warm Pad Fade lives firmly in Roland-land, not Yamaha-land. I have unfairly slandered the DX7 by giving it credit for something it never did, which is ironic because the DX7 usually gets blamed for things it did do.2 points
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First post here, howdy. Current gig board plus the Future Impact V4. Donner Harmonic Square pitch shifter, Source Audio Spectrum, Mothership Control (SA C4), John K BASSBALLS+, Zoom MS60B.2 points
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He’s playing up at the 10th fret! Burn the witch! 🤣2 points
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Cheers fella! Yep, it's been a year in the making and many auditions were had... It was tough finding the right people to cover the main Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons and Michael McDonald roles!2 points
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I was in an old school rock & roll band for a while. The drummer put the band together said that he wanted 'to put some more oomph into it'. This meant speeding everything up, and playing too loud. I played him my 'go to' track that shows this doesn't have to be the way - 'That's Alright Mama'. Fortunately it clicked immediately and we calmed everything down and had a nice, successful band for a couple of years.2 points
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These were the ones I thought were strongest from a larger set of my candidates for inclusion in the factory bank. They don’t have any velocity programmed at the moment. Sometimes we collaborate on sounds where I’ll submit some and another guy in the team will tweak them a bit. The added complexity is the presence of the VA controls - ideally I’d want all factory patches to have stuff programmed so that the panel controls always have an audible and useful effect on the patch. I could certainly do some finessing but I want to hear back if the others like them or not. There are one or two which, with a bit more work, could make convincing upright bass patches, and probably superior to those I programmed for the C4 that lots of folks love. If they don’t make it into the factory bank, I’ll share them anyway.2 points
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In a bid to withdraw my Sandberg 5-string superlight that I currently have up for sale, I've decided to clear out a few shorties to replenish my wife's idea of a 'music only credit card' that deserves to be played more than I'm managing to. All fully working, all gig‑ready, and all great examples of their type, more pics available on request. SOLD: Ibanez Mezzoo 32" (Upgraded EMGs + BTC System) — £250 (Left on pic below) A cracking medium‑scale Ibanez Mezzoo, upgraded with EMG's and BTS. 2️⃣ Fender Mustang Vintera II '70s Competition — £700 (Middle on pic below) (or £750 with Gotoh Ultralite tuners fitted) https://uk.fender.com/products/vintera-ii-70s-competition-mustang-bass Traded locally after Xmas from someone who had just bought it brand new for around £1000 - it's in excellent condition, being only around 2 months old since new. A corker of bass both live and in the studio, and should my Sandberg sell i'll probably be withdrawing. Specs & highlights: Vintera II 70s reissue 30" scale Colour is officially "Burgundy", but in person it's a gorgeous blue with a subtle red tinge in the light....very nice, iridescent. Gotoh Ultralite graphite tuners fitted (shaved 7oz off the weight and bloody expensive too) Add £50 if you want them left on, otherwise originals will be refitted Currently strung with DR Bootsys — will include a set of used chrome flats if wanted Around 7.12 lbs, Have now weighed with digital scales - exactly 7.56 lbs with the Gotoh tuners (lighter than I thought!) Sounds properly like you want a Mustang to sound: warm, punchy, characterful A genuinely lovely example, immaculate — I'll miss it! I have the original black knobs and thumb rest to go with it, just liked the white ones! --- 3️⃣ Gretsch Electromatic Short‑Scale — £175 (Right on pic below) A great‑sounding, warm, thumpy Gretsch short‑scale. Used, historically gigged, and with a few honest knocks to show for it, but fully functional and still a great vibe. Specs & highlights: Classic Electromatic short‑scale tone 30" scale A few cosmetic marks from age and gigs Around 8.6 lbs Perfect as a first shorty, a mod platform, or a reliable backup. Location & Shipping Collection: Plymouth Courier: Around £20 within the UK Happy to answer questions or take more pics.2 points -
Not quite yet but close enough for me to confirm that this year's Bash is definitely a goer 🙂 If more pre-payments don't come through as we get closer to the 'cancel with full refund' deadline for paying the hall on August 11, I'll give another shout.2 points
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When I saw Blondie the bassist was a spector toting beast called Leigh Foxx, amazing tone albeit very 'front and centre' of the mix2 points
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I've read the whole article and it sounds like an audiophile advert, so a lot of bullshīt... According to them a FatFinger will only move the dead spot when their item, which is exactly the same principle, will suppress it: come on... That said Fender's advert comments about their FatFinger (which was not their idea, but they bought the brand) also contain a lot of bullshīt, but at least it's half the price and we know what it really does : it simply adds mass to the headstock, changing the resonance and moving the dead spot to a way less annoying place on the neck.2 points
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This is wot I just made in my studio... For the upcoming Basscat CompoCompo!2 points
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Yes, the FM engine cannot be triggered via MIDI.2 points
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This is a classic! We farted around over and again to come up with an ending for Bkack Night. In the end, I saw them in Birmingham and came back and said "they did something like this so that will for us!" But yep, fade out songs always cause issues. For the originals band I'm in, last week we worked out two endings for a song: A crisp one for the planned album and a flexible one that reprises the verse so there's enough time to chainsaw a clown's head off...2 points
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Green Manalishi - original version.2 points
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Dead spots are inevitable on wooden necked basses in my experience, it isn't a flaw so much as just physics. My 2025 ABZ has a dead spot on 8th fret of G string. I've found Fender basses often have one around the 6th. Neither BassDirect or Dingwall will be able to help you I'm afraid. The fact you've had it over 6 months before noticing is a worthy point to consider.2 points
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Ah, you mean ‘Häpht’ 🤫2 points
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A thirty quid case off eBay? Call it an accessory and be done with it, I reckon. I like to have separate accomodation for all my basses too, I get it.2 points
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Pretty much mint condition bar a couple of tiny marks on headstock which I've tried to show in the photos. Very little use, taken in trade but I'm just not using it (got 'trumped' by another bass!). Comes with a slightly battered Sandberg gig bag, good for storage/protection but with a broken zip on the main front pocket. Collection only, Bristol2 points -
Well, one thing I'm not going to do is play a gig with a Fat Finger on the end of the bass - trust me, with my playing nobody would notice a C not sustaining as long as the other notes but people will ask why I've got that thing stuck on the end of my bass! If it becomes an issue recording then, yes, that'd make sense. Cheers for all the input though - it's much appreciated.2 points
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I am working on a another monster at the moment but wanted to keep things moving so here is another 'easy' chart (easy enough to play but there are challenges in the reading). From the 1972 Deep Purple album, 'Machine Head', the complete Roger Glover bass part to ' Maybe I'm a Leo' (actually, I am....) https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/maybe-im-a-leo-deep-purple/2 points
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Its not whining. They are the opposite to this, perfectly competent. Can't fault the playing, recording, mixing etc but they have no weirdness, nothing to challenge the listener, nothing unusual. They're just standard. This is the opposite to that. You're never going to hear this played as background music in a supermarket. Most people who hear this will think its a mess but those who get it will really enjoy it.2 points
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2016 Music Man 40th Anniversary "Old Smoothie" StingRay in as new condition with original case (and keys), literature, '76 retro "radio" control knobs fitted (original chromes included) and black (BWB) USA pickguard fitted with white (WBW) original pickguard included. Weight: 4.3kg. Price is £2,750 or near offer collected from Bury St Edmunds or localish meet up. Thanks for looking. Specifications:- Body Wood: Alder. Body Finish: High gloss polyester. Body Colour: Chocolate Burst. Bridge Music Man® chrome plated, hardened steel bridge plate with vintage stainless steel saddles and adjustable mute pads. Scale Length 34" (86.4 cm). Neck Radius 7.5" (19.1 cm). Frets 21 - Low profile, narrow width Neck Width 1-11/16" (42.86 mm) at nut 2-1/2" (63.5 mm) at last fret. Neck Wood Select maple neck. Fingerboard Select maple. Neck Finish High gloss polyester. Neck Colour Natural aged light yellow finish. Tuning Machines Schaller BM, with tapered string posts. Neck Attachment 6 bolt neck plate. Controls Custom "Old Smoothie" 2-band active preamp; vol, treble, bass. Pickups Custom "Old Smoothie" humbucking with 10 elongated Alnico magnets and split cover. Link to Sterling Ball discussing the history of this bass:- https://youtu.be/R2ZRWzEBIzE?si=oOXpMI5eOvJreWeB Links to Joe Dart and another bassist playing one:- https://youtu.be/bf7Nxbebdqw?si=D-BYLBgkp9pBs-IV https://youtu.be/_xMjHweNO7s?si=OHHfddN2NhyuHDbp2 points -
Following on from this thread I have taken the brave decision to launch a new print and digital bass magazine for the UK market. I've been publishing magazines in my day job for 27 years and think it's terrible that we don't have a dedicated magazine anymore. We launch the mag officially at the Birmingham Bass & Guitar Show next month where we will have a small stand and giving away a sample issue (while stocks last) - we will then publish quarterly moving forward. Editor is Joel McIver who ran Bass Guitar magazine and then Bass Player so no cheap AI generated content here! Website is here You can subscribe via the website - our socials launch on Monday. If you are at the show next month come and say hello - be nice to put faces to names. The cover of our sample issue is here for your thoughts and comments.2 points
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