skej21

After reading this (and having the same problems in the past) I would agree with dincz. I changed to flats on my '62 RI and it's so much warmer and has more thump but still keeps all of the things I like about the traditional jazz tone. Try it. You can always swap back with minimal effort (unlike switching pickups etc) Hope you work it out though!

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1343990330' post='1758229'] Another +1 for the Shuttle here, but money no object you'll probably get more flexibility from the Streamliner, has both valve and FET preamps and valve EQ (Shuttle EQ is SS). [/quote] Damn! There are too many options.

[quote name='bozzie' timestamp='1343976692' post='1757973'] go try them, where are you based? If you are close to Portsmouth i believe Nevada Music has a small range of Genz gear, but for the best selection try Mark at Bass Direct. [/quote] I'm based up near York/Leeds. Fortunately, I'll be getting the gear direct through the rep at work and can swap/return if I'm not happy, so I shouldn't need to travel to test them. Just wanted to get a rough idea before I take the plunge. Looks like the Shuttle 6.2-210T combo is the winner at the moment!

Cheers for the reply Pete! I've watched plenty of Ed Friedland but I'm finding it difficult to judge considering I've not heard stuff 'in the flesh' so to speak. I really like the look of the Shuttle 6.2-210T combo or maybe the 2 x 10 cab from the Contour 500 series. Still feeling indecisive though...

Been talking to our contacts through work and have managed to line up an endorsement (of sorts) for some Genz Benz gear. He's asked me to get back to him with the stuff I want but I've only ever played a Shuttle 9.0 head through a couple of Aggy cabs, so basically don't have a lot of firsthand experience so was hoping to get your opinions. Basically, just want to know what the standout Genz Benz amps/cabs are and what you guys think of them! Ideally, I want something around the 500-600 watt mark, cab and head. Either that, or a smaller combo for smaller gigs. Thanks in advance!

Will Anthony Worrall Thompson be your sidekick for all your visits?

Four days of intense double bass that you've never played before? Plus a full gig on it? It can be done, but your hands are going to be very sore from that situation! Rather you than me

Used them once. Literally, one gig... Never again.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1343403802' post='1750308'] What a bizarre attitude. No wish to sound hostile or anything, but I'm genuinely astonished at that suggestion. I have sufficient skill and musical ability to play literally thousands of songs ... which I have no intention of playing. Ever. Doesn't matter whether not I CAN play [color=#800000][i]Mary Had A Little Lamb [/i][/color]or [color=#800000][i]Ra-Ra-Rasputin[/i][/color]; what matters is that I have not the slightest interest in or intention of playing those songs. I use my skill and musical ability to play songs that I like playing. My band doesn't have a big following or anything, but there are enough people out there who like what we play to keep us in gigs. When we get a request, we reply "[i]We'll play any song, so long as it's on our Set List[/i]". If a punter asks "Why?" we give the same answer as Commando Jack - "[i]If it's your favourite song, why would you want it ruined by us?".[/i] [/quote] Suppose it just a different outlook. I see playing for money as a job. I read dots or play what the people playing want. Id be pissed if I rang 999 for a fire and had the response 'we only do a certain types of fires, not the one you have, sorry' so why should i have that attitude with the service i provide as a musician? Fair enough, refusing requests if it's originals group, but when you're selling your skills as a musician/ensemble that play others people's music, surely supply and demand comes first. You supply the punter with the songs they want to hear, you get more gigs. I've never heard of any band losing gigs for trying to play the odd request, but I've heard of plenty not getting booked for having the 'we play our set and nothing more' ego/attitude and refusing to play certain songs for punters.

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1343335732' post='1749281'] I see your point, and that's awesome (not everybody would be able to do that). Then again, you may "busk it" only to have the audience object and say (not always to your face) that it sounded nothing like the original or that the guitar solo was unrecognisable etc. I've spent many years in the audience, as opposed to on stage, so I know that that happens - a lot! [/quote] I see what your saying, but if you don't have the skill or musical ability to play the songs the audience want, should you be charging them for a service they only half want (ie the songs you want to cover that they then have to either take or leave)... Also, I've seen first hand that a large majority of audiences are chuffed with any rendition of a request, probably due to the large amount of arsey 'were not a f**king jukebox' bands they get attitude from when they request a song that is more often than not, piss easy.

This was never a problem with my old function band as we were all good improvisers/buskers and could all read music, so of a request was made we'd promise it after the break, get it on the phone/Internet in the interval and agree a lead sheet and busk it in the second half. If we liked it, it got added to the 'new songs to learn properly in reheasals' list Don't see what the big deal is with requests to be honest. If you're in a function band and play covers that people want, you can't JUST play covers that YOU think are right for the people paying you at the end of the night!

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1342475210' post='1735940'] All that's generally needed are an allen key to fit the truss rod, an allen key to fit the bridge saddles and a small phillips screwdriver. Anything more than that and you're wandering out of the 'basic' arena. If you want to be a bit posh then [url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/5651-cruztools_guitar_bass_10_in_1_multi_tool"]these[/url] look interesting as an 'all in one'. [/quote] I've got one of these and it's a lifesaver! Cost me £8 and has every size screwdriver/Allen key you'd ever need!

I have to say, I'm going for the custom ear plugs like pantherairsoft, not the IEMs. I have a set of in-ears that I got through the old label when touring and they're great (and free!) and the fitting was perfect with them and hassle free but are overkill/too much faff on smaller gigs when I just want to protect my hearing. I also didn't use Hidden Hearing/Minerva, so wanted the official basschat lowdown! I will let you all know how it goes though

Damn! Your review has really put me off using them now! I'm booked in with Hidden Hearing in York and really need a good pair without the hassle of faffing around. However, they sound like they would be perfect if they manage to fit them right. Maybe the only way to find out is to take the risk and hope they get it right!

[quote name='pantherairsoft' timestamp='1333553934' post='1603489'] I have recieved a set of Minera fitted MusicPlugs today. Just the ear plugs, not the IEM... The service has been amazing and the moulding of the ears was.... Fun! I'll report back on quality when I've had chance to really try them out! [/quote] Any chance of that report? I've got a consultation booked this week but some first hand experience from a fellow basschatter would be great for reassurance! Thanks in advance

For me, Flea is a truly great bassist who occasionally spoils a track or two by deciding to play slap. Great lines on tracks like 'Scar Tissue' and 'Under the bridge' but his slap technique/tone/tracks are just a standard below the rest of his playing. Less innovative, less catchy and too showy IMO.

But without the new stuff, we wouldn't have funnies like this!

Have some Deuce. That should sort it I'll get me coat!

Must agree with the 'heads only' crowd. I love my LMIII but all of the markbass cabs I tried were just not right. Team it up with some Aguilar cabs and they're perfect IMO!

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1340404379' post='1704239'] The chap in Matt's profile picture is Jaco Pastorius - bass player extraordinaire. [/quote] Haha. Wow. I'm fully aware of this. Simply asking why a Fender is present in both of his pics. I didn't say it was him in both.