bassbiscuits

In general I never take a spare bass to a gig - i just make sure that the one i'm taking is working and maintained properly. I've broken strings live before now on rare occasions, but i've just managed to restring it quickly with an old, pre-stretched string with minimum delay to the gig (i.e. make sure the next tune has a long guitar/piano intro, or the singer can do some banter!) Can't be arsed carrying extra gear unless absolutely necessary. Recently gigged in Poland but only had room to take one bass, so made sure it was a good one!

I've always used Musicguard or whatever they're currently called. I've never had to use them mind you.

Anyone else tried one of these? I played one briefly in a shop today and it was really nice - it's a Chinese made Epi but with proper USA P90s, some decent standard Gibson hardware, Gotoh machines and Switchcraft bits etc. All in all a rather good way into hollow bodied, howling P90 ness. Very tempted to go back and splash some cash tomorrow....

Yeah I'm happy with stuff that's gigged regularly if that means it's a good bit of gig worthy kit that properly maintained and set up etc. Quite a few of my instruments were scuffed and old when I got them cos the previous owner evidently played the arse off them for a number of years! But they play great. I've got a mate who seldom gigs but his gear is in a state purely cos it stays at home, gets dusty, strings never get changed and rust etc. I'd take a good working guitar over a neglected one anyday

[quote name='MrDaveTheBass' timestamp='1469532186' post='3099012'] I agree - Dave Anderson was amazing (as were the rest of the Collective) - I'm envious - he looks like a joy to play with. I did catch some of your set - very nice! It was well timed - a perfect mellow vibe for a lazy and slightly hungover Sunday morning. [/quote] Cool! Yeah Dave's immense, and a good lad too. I'd have liked to hear that gig. Glad you liked the Kirkland Turn stuff too - I had the genius idea of playing barefoot but got filthy feet in return.

I love the sound of an 8x10 - but they are an absolute ball ache to transport anywhere, and unless you've got roadies/parents/a large estate car, you'll probably get as fed up as I did lugging a cab the size and weight of a fridge to and from each gig. I swapped mine for an Aguilar GS410 - half the size, but packs serious punch and huge volume too, so a much more user-friendly alternative. I did a gig this weekend which had an Ampeg 8x10 cab and an Orange Ad200 head. Amazing sound, but no way would i want to be dragging that round.

Cool - the drummer in my covers band ( Dave Anderson ) is their drummer - he's brilliant too. Makes my life easy playing with him. I didn't get to see Horace Panter's set tho as I had my little boy in tow and we'd gone home by then. Did you happen to see the Kirkland Turn in the afternoon outside? I was playing bass in that too. Great little festival!

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1469438024' post='3098197'] Good move. Try your current strings with some foam under them when you're next recording. That might deaden them to the right point that you don't need flats at all. [/quote] Good call - I'll venture down that route and see how it pans out. Still got my Jack Casady with flats on too. I've got an ongoing shoulder injury, so the old precision with nickels on is about the lightest weight all round bass i've got at the moment (3.8kg) so I might as well keep it as versatile as poss for the foreseeable future.

I have to admit....i bottled it and put nickel round wounds back on my bass for this weekend's festival gig, and it sounded lovely thru the supplied Orange/Ampeg set up. I'll keep the flats for recording, which i'll be doing shortly with the very same band. Horses for courses and all that kettle of fish...

Played a gig this afternoon at a local music festival in Leicester called Simon Says, headlined by the Wonderstuff. We were on the larger of two outdoor stages mid afternoon. It's the most fun, chilled gig I've ever played. A few hundred people scattered on the grass enjoying the sunshine, including all our various wives, girlfriends, toddlers etc. We only had a 30 minute slot as a fairly lowly, but well thought of, originals band, but managed to do a seven song set, six of which were brand new tunes we've been working on. It went down a storm! The supplied back line was an ampeg 8x10 cab and a big Orange valve head (AD200?) which was the best bass sound I've ever had live (paired with my 1970 P bass for sonic bliss) I bought into the vibe by playing barefoot with painted toenails, courtesy of my missus. What an absolutely cool day out.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1469266824' post='3097022'] Take the flats to a rehearsal and ask the band what they think of the difference. Maybe your band just need the dynamics of rounds. [/quote] I did on Thursday and they said they loved both sounds doh! Suppose that keeps it simple. That Jack Casady bass in the vid has TI flats on it already

Just in the interests of sharing, here's me with the band I'm talking about. https://youtu.be/7rQ2om1XkKI

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1469196035' post='3096530'] I'd say there is no reason that rig can't work fine and cut through nicely. Whether it would be to everyone's liking is a separate matter. A Fender with flats and with a pick is very common on 1960s pop recordings with session bassists such as (in the US) Carol Kaye, Joe Osborn, and (in the UK) John Paul Jones, Russ Stableford etc. Again there's no reason it can't work fine - but liking it might be a different matter. Bass particularly up front from 2.15 and following ... [media]http://youtu.be/06X5HYynP5E[/media] [/quote] Wow that is a good bass sound and not far removed from what I've got. Really stands out in the mix. Right - you've convinced me to keep on trying with the flats! I've got a festival gig tomorrow with the band I mentioned so gonna try it out there.