mrtcat

So unlike many of the fine folk here who can seemingly change rigs overnight it takes me a little longer to get the moolah together. Finally all sorted now though with my rig that will hopefully see me through the next few years. It's a mix of lightweight and not so lightweight. I really really wanted a light class D head to do it for me but I just couldn't quite get the sound I wanted without something older and heavier. So here it is: [attachment=221511:Rig.jpg] An SWR SM900, two TKS 1216 cabs (formerly owned by Karlfer and before that McNach I think?) and my simple pedal board (Sansamp - Polytune - TC Hypergravity - EMMA Discumbobulator - MXR Bass Octave). I picked the cabs up earlier this year and have been really happy so far. They have a lot of low end which I've had to dial out a bit to keep the live sound clean. I gigged the whole lot for the first time on Saturday and have to say that the SM-900 is immense. Super solid sound that you feel as much as hear and can go really clean. Combined with the clarity of the TKS cabs it's something else (if you like clean) but still has a thick feel to the sound. I thought I would struggle with such a comprehensive EQ but it's really useful to be able to find and remove the ultra low stuff at around 30hz whilst simultaneously being able to give a little boost at around 60hz. Add in a little low mid boost too and it punches through the mix whilst being so solid you can feel it. The SM900 isn't super heavy by any means but obviously not a light head. It's the compromise that I needed to make to get the sound I wanted and in all fairness it travels in a pelican case (like a big bombproof briefcase) which makes it very easy to carry. With any luck it should keep the GAS at bay for a while.

Been contacted by a lady looking for a band for a 40th wedding anniversary party on 20th August at the Highfield Club in Bicester. Her budget tops out at £300 so would suit a pub band rather than a function band. Ideally a mix of pop and rock but at that price she'll pretty much take what she can get. If interested, drop me a message and I'll pass the details on. Cheers

Pretty much every time I've ever played on multi band nights it's been a shambles. Thankfully I'm now mainly playing in function bands so, although that comes with its own set of issues, it's rare that we have such a frustrating day / night.

I'd take any of my basses anywhere. They're tools and that's what they're for. That said, my most valuable is worth about £900 so it's not in the boutique class or anything. I don't get emotionally attached to instruments but I do look after them but it's no different to the way I see my work tools. Some of which cost a lot more than £900 but I use them because they are quality and much more enjoyable to use than cheap ones. They get looked after but used wherever I'm working. One of my basses is a Yamaha BBN5 that cost me £120. It's a joy to play so i use that as often as the other two but I wouldn't choose on the basis of the venue. If a £900 bass gets damaged then so be it. That's why I insure my gear the way I insure tools.

Just bought a lovely SWR amp from Tim. Absolutely faultless transaction and amp arrived well packaged and in exactly the condition it was described as. Would definitely deal with Tim again with complete confidence. Cheers Tom

For smaller gigs: A pair of RCF Art 745s on top. A pair of RCF 905s usually stacked in the corner of the room. Behringer X-air XR 18 mixer. In ears all round. For medium gigs: A pair of RCF Art 745s on top. Four RCF 905s either one pair either side of the stage under the tops if we can get them over 60ft apart otherwise in a single big stack somewhere. Behringer x-air XR 18 mixer. In ears all round. Large gigs: Hired rig with engineer. Bass gets pa support at all as I di mainly. Only get to use my nice rig when depping these days.

That's great service from the Op. Bands that are prepared to offer a compromise when asked to do something impossible at silly short notice will get booked again. My experiences have usually been that brides, grooms, birthday people etc are usually more understanding and prepared to listen than hotels and venues who see the band as little more than an inconvenience.

Help the guy out. Just make sure every third cable is rolled badly and catch his cabs on every door frame you carry them through.

They're all classic rock. If that's what you market your band as playing and you don't do at least a handful of those tunes there's going to be a few disappointed punters. Play them well and they're all perfectly decent songs.

Absolutely nothing wrong with xr gear. We have the xr x-air 18 and have done 80+ shows with it. Behringer have really upped their game in recent years with their mixers and are a brand I'd trust without reservation in that field.

I'm going to be 40 later this year. I really fancied a yob precision but decided instead to get a 76 copy made by limelight. Gets me a kind of yob bass but made to my preferred spec. May be worth considering something like that?

Get the pics up on the courier's Facebook page and twitter feed. Publicly shaming them in front of their customers often prompts a more "favourable" response.

That's bloody lovely! Keep us posted how it goes when you get to use it with your band.

So for the first time in my 27 year playing career I just ordered my first custom built bass Nothing fancy by most people's standards but I can't wait. I'm turning 40 in October and I've been really gassing for a nice 70s Precision for some time. I can't afford the real deal and if I could I'd be unlikely to take it out the house anyway. I've therefore just given Mark at Classic And Cool Guitars the nod to make me a Limelight replica 1976 (yob) precision with white body, maple neck and black scratchplate. I've specified a light relic with only a bit of smooth wear where the forearm rubs (I checked first and my forearm does actually rub there when I play) and just a few chips elsewhere. It could be ready in 12 weeks but I've decided to be strong and hold out until October when I'm going to be in Devon with family for a 40th bday holiday week. I'm going to pick it up from Mark then. If nothing else it'll make it feel like a really long summer this year