skej21

[quote name='Myke' timestamp='1391709095' post='2360507'] And how do you know to read it differently? [/quote] I wouldn't waste your time mate lol!

Nearly Dan for me. Got to see them at The Sage Gateshead and they were excellent :-)

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1391706706' post='2360469'] I never saw that happen. Maybe you follow a different Flea to me. [/quote] Maybe. 'No trickery. No choice, but no trickery'... 'No choice' implies they didn't want to but had 'no choice'.

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1391704100' post='2360433'] So the only thing that was alright for them to do was say "No thanks buddy"? Is that why you weren't playing the Superbowl half time show then? [/quote] I would have done it, without a doubt. I just wouldn't have taken to twitter afterwards to cry about how I really didn't want to...

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1391703271' post='2360423'] Because you can't understand something, and seem completely intent on being overly cynical on the whole thing without actually reading the links posted and the discussion on this thread, does not mean that it makes no sense. [/quote] True. I don't understand hypocrites but it must make sense because there are plenty of them floating about! Plus, playing (sorry, miming!) for free so you can line your pockets later thanks to the exposure is still money grabbing. Premeditated money grabbing.

[quote name='dirtystatic' timestamp='1391517926' post='2357970'] I'm looking for a new bass for use in a Irish music band. I know bass isn't typically associated with traditional Irish music, but it works really well and it keeps me busy so I'm not complaining. I typically use a Fender P, I keep it low and thumpy and it does a decent job. But I think I make enough money from the band to warrant purchasing a dedicated instrument for the band (and also because I'll use any excuse to spend money on a bass). I want to go fretless and get something approaching the sound of an upright, it also has to be more "traditional" in appearance. So far I'm looking at various electro acoustics, the Kala U-bass and also the Epiphone Zenith. Any thoughts or suggestions for me? Also, I should mention that I'm not interested in graduating to full upright just yet. No room! [/quote] I played in an Irish folk band and used a precision with flats exclusively. I then decided to get a cheapish electric upright as I felt similar to you about wanting to keep in with the traditional element of the music. A few hundred quid, no difference in the mix, a handful of awful gigs and countless setting up/EQ/feedback issues later (the end pin loved picking up EVERY vibration going!) later, I went back to the precision. Save your time/money and keep the precision IMO.

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1391701576' post='2360395'] They don't pay the acts of the half-time show. It was never about money. http://business.time.com/2014/02/02/bruno-mars-red-hot-chili-peppers-super-bowl-halftime-show/ [/quote] So they threw their principles out of the window (sorry, were MADE to) just to play to a bunch of people who have spent the last two decades not listening to their music whilst contradicting themselves publicly to their existing fans? That makes no sense AT ALL.

Try an Ibanez SR300. It's a must-try if you're looking for something under £300. Really impressive build quality, active circuitry with 3-band EQ, 24 Fret slim (very slim!) profile neck, lightweight and comes in Iron Pewter (black subtle sparkle!), Candy Apple Red, Orange (subtle sparkle), White (subtle sparkle), Purple and new this year, Forest Green (although they aren't available for a little while yet!).

To be fair though, I could understand giving up on your principles if you're a new band just getting on the scene and get offered a HUGE gig... But the RHCP are hardly struggling to fill a gig. They do headline stadium tours around the world and have done for a LONG time. I doubt they really NEED the opportunity. IMO, they're worse than One Direction. One Direction are riding their wave of success and are miming regularly because they don't have enough talent not to. The RHCP are sacrificing their own, publicly expressed principles and belittling musicians who can play (including themselves) by miming. Desperately grabbing at some extra cash and trying to get a moment in a slightly larger limelight wouldn't be worth it in their situation IMO. Also, if you are happy to throw your principles out the window for the dollars, be honest and say 'screw it, they offered us too much to turn the chance down!'... Don't start tweeting pretending like you were somehow FORCED to mime. You could have just said no if you genuinely didn't agree with it.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1391631668' post='2359574'] I prefer to be on the snare side of the kit. You can see the snare and both feet that way. For right handed drummers that is the left hand side of stage (looking at band). Visually my bass will move the eye inward and down too.... towards the centre of the stage [/quote] +1! I like having my bass cab playing in my left ear and the hi-hat/snare/bass drum in my right... If I was on the other side, id just get cymbals and floor tom! Plus, the drum kit creates just a nice amount of white noise to mask the guitar/keyboard enough to ignore them when I'm wanting to lock in with the drummer but to tune back in if cues are needed etc :-)

I used to think I was a jazz player through and through but after buying my Nate Mendel, Ive gone full circle. Precision bass with a (near) jazz bass profile is my PERFECT bass. I'm very, very close to slapping some flats on, selling my jazzes and ending the GAS hunt!

I finally got time to take the photos from my camera, so here it is, for anyone who is interested. Fender Nate Mendel signature precision bass (before Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder was replaced by Aguilar AG4P-60).

What a waste of megabytes...

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1391336706' post='2355809'] I've actually thought of this with my Hercules grabby-neck-hanging stands. The neck grabber doesn't rotate to ensure a proper vertical hang, and with both my headstocks being offset, I didn't like this. I unscrewed the grabber and then drilled and screwed into place at the correct angle. I think most wall hangers are the rotating type though. [/quote] I have the Hercules ones and they swivel to fit off set headstocks. You just have to pull the clasp towards you and it clicks into a new position that allows the swivel motion. Never had any problems with any bass neck since hanging them. I think the OP must have just been unlucky...

Just sold a flightcase to simon. Quick payment and great communications. Nice chap and highly recommended :-)

So it seems that it's not just One Direction who can play unplugged guitars... Even The Mighty Flea was at it at last nights Super Bowl half time show!

Having played a number of Jack Casady (five different of the gold, one silver burst and three black!) and the Ltd Ed Pelham Blue Gibson midtown bass for prolonged periods of time (a good few hours on each!), I'd have a JC every day of the week. They sound great, half the price and the minimal issues (mainly neck dive) are just as noticeable on both models. I think with a nice set of flats, the JC would be a really killer bass with a thunderous sound! Also, the VariTone switch has some great scope for tone. The '50' option is a really nice, vintage tone and the '500' is just a full on, balls-to-the-wall tone. Lovely instruments!

I never use wire wool as it ends up all over pole pieces etc. Mask off, nice cloth and some T-cut. Polishes them up really nicely and had my 28 year old jazz looking brand new again! :-) Used it on a fair few basses/guitars over the years and it always works a treat.

[quote name='jimcroisdale' timestamp='1391016654' post='2352322'] Hey all, I just wrote a little article about a few popular misconceptions about bass cabs. You can find it [b][url="http://www.theheatfunctionband.co.uk/bass-myths/"]HERE[/url][/b] As you can see, I've come under a little bit of criticism - apparently, everybody apart from beginners knows this stuff? In my experience, many many people certainly do not. Comments welcome, both here and on the blog! Jim [/quote] Great info and presented nicely (IMO). My only comment would be that you probably shouldn't belittle certain combinations flippantly (ie a 1x15" and 4x12" is a bad idea *no explanation) and then follow it with 'so buy a 2x12"... Like mine.' Whether you are or not, it makes you look biased and like you're not basing the decisions on fact/science despite the fact you probably have hundreds of reasons why you would make the decision. Without explaining your decision, it seems like you're rubbing your own ego and saying how great a decision you made so everyone else should follow without question. Just to reiterate, I agree with what you've written :-)

[quote name='RichF' timestamp='1391108538' post='2353423'] [url="http://youtu.be/UeAECmaJ7Ms"]http://youtu.be/UeAECmaJ7Ms[/url] [/quote] That Aguilar rig sounds amazing...

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1391079133' post='2352910'] Well without frets you could presumably dispense with the tuning peg making it even simpler to build [/quote] If you removed the tuning peg and left it fretless, it would still rely on good intonation so frets would make it easier.