Truckstop

Hmmm, Yamaha pups, IMO, are very very good. I think changing the pre-amp will improve the sound as much as should be necessary. I was looking at swapping the pre and the pups on my MIM jazz, but after fitting the J-East I really didnt feel the need to swap out the pups anymore. I would say, fit the OBP-1 and see how it is. I reckon you won't feel the need to buy new pups. Truckstop

It might just be that the G and C strings are older? Just get a new set (I like Ernie's) and then there shouldnt be any volume/tone differences across the strings. I used a Washburn XB600 for 5 years and i always sounded wick. Is this the one that cost like £150? That's a total bargain! Truckstop

I'll definitely be coming to this one. I'll be bringing: 80's Ibanez Blazer, MIM Fender Jazz V Gem Saturn Bass. 50 Ampeg 210HE Cheers Alex

Put the rack stuff on the floor? Truckstop

Go to Bassdirect and try stuff out! Mayones, Roscoe, Esh, Wood & Tronics etc etc the world is your oyster! What I wouldnt give to be able to just blow £1500 on a new bass! Truckstop

Get yourself to a jam night or two. No-one will care what standard you're at and it'll be the best education you can get in freeing up your playing and injecting a sense of fun into your style. Try not to 'think' about what you're doing and just try anything and build on what sounds good. I've been a bassplayer for nearly 10 years now and I was feeling like you are two years ago. Constantly playing the same scales and riffs because that's what felt comfortable and because that's all that was required of me. A mate of mine dragged me along to a jam night, blasted out a few Cream and Rory Gallagher tunes and I felt like a new person! Being given the space to experiment in a band setting really did wonders for my confidence and my playing. Truckstop

Could someone explain to me, very simply and slowly, the process behind bi-amping and blending please? With some examples too? I hear the terms bandied around a bit here and they seem to be interchangeable, but this thread has shown me that clearly they're not! I think I have an idea but it's probably wrong. Cheers anyone! Truckstop

Doom

Ooh! I might come to this one instead of the SE one. It's less hassle to get to! If anyone fancies travelling up with me from South Herts area, I'll give a lift for some petrol money? Cheers Alex

+1 I never understand why everyone worries about the drum kit. You can set up the stands away from the stage area while the PA/Backdrop/Groupies are being set up and if everyone helps out it only takes 5 minutes. And yeah, it's a job here. If you had to make a presentation at a 'proper' job 2 hours late, or if you infringed upon the CEOs lunchtime/golftime, you'd be in trouble. That's why you practise. You should practice setting up and breaking down your stage as a matter of course, particularly if its a big band with lots of mics and sound checks etc. 3 hours is a bit of a joke. If i'd hired a band and they took that long to sort themselves out, I'd be asking serious questions about how much these guys need to be paid. Setting up quickly and in a rehearsed manner oozes professionalism. Truckstop

I actually think his GK gear sounded better than the Acoustic stuff he has now too. Looks better though, so it's not all bad. Truckstop

Yamaha TRB FTW! You could possibly also pick up a Yamaha RBXJM1 or 2 but they're quite rare. They're incredible instruments though and they look fantastic! If you fancy not putting up so much money, Washburn XB600's are great instruments and there's been a couple on the forum recently for less than £200. Small string spacing and thin necks make these good starter 6ers. If you want to go new, ESP Ltd 4006 look good and sound great. Slightly chunkier necks though IMO. They're new at GAK for around £400. Truckstop

Second hand Mexican Fenders are a good shout if you fancy a good name bass. Pretty much any Yamaha you look at will be outstanding quality for your money and you can pick up '80s and '90s Ibanez for good money too. Truckstop

Sometimes stack odd cabs and leave amps on the floor, but that's it really. In my current band, we put the lead guitarists Twin-Reverb on top of my cab and I leave my amp on the floor. Gets the height of the amp up, looks cool and saves space! I don't find anything wrong with it, soundwise. Truckstop

+1 I tried to teach a friends daughter how to play bass and i just ended up playing at her for an hour. Truckstop

I put £600-£799. It's as much as I'd ever spend on bass (new or used) without going custom. What can a £1,500 bass do that a bass half that price can't? I know that's a pedantic view, but >£799 will get you a really good looking, playing and well-made instrument. Anything over that is just tinsel. Truckstop

Welcome! Here starts the slippery slope into GAS hell! Truckstop

I use beeswax whenever I change my strings (once a year when I do my annual service). Just use ever so little and proper buff it up. In fact I often leave it over night before putting the strings on for some sort of OCD reason. I'm sure its fine to put them on straight away! Truckstop