Jakester

Obviously it was, then. Would have been nice to have had the courtesy of a reply, either here, or to my PM, though. A 'thanks, but no thanks' doesn't cost anything...

[quote name='Doddy' post='1245990' date='May 26 2011, 06:08 PM']I get the feeling that you were hoping to camp out in the lower range and found out that it didn't fit-it rarely does. If you don't want to use the added range,don't...but it's a good option to have,even if it's only one or two notes per gig.[/quote] That could be it. My problem is I can't afford to have both guitars, and the L2000T just plays better to me for what I want it for. I suppose I can always pick another up, be it 4 or 5.

[quote name='chris_b' post='1245327' date='May 26 2011, 10:49 AM']It seems that you've chosen this 5 string bass with your eyes. I would still expect a G&L 5 string to sound good though. Maybe it's your rig that can't handle the low notes? Have you tried DR strings? I think they can tighten up your sound. Failing that I'd go back to the start and listen to other basses and choose the best sounding one.[/quote] Nope, I chose it based on how the 4 played - great sound, comfortable neck, brilliant electronics. Rig is fine - MB500 through a GK 2x12 Neo. It's more that fact that I simply didn't find the low notes added anything to those already available - if anything, it left a space under the guitars as it went lower.

I think I'm definitely going to revisit it in the future, but at present I think it's not really a goer for the type of stuff I'm playing.

I picked up an MB500 for £300, absolute bargainbfor the amount of ooomph it has. Oh, and of threads you mentioned, it has the added advantage of being 350w at 8ohm and 500w at 4, unlike most of the other heads mentioned. That extra headroom would come in handy.

Well, blimey. That didn't go well. I knew it was going to be a challenge, but not quite as bad as that! It's a bit early to be making an absolute decision, but given how tough the learning curve was, and because I can only keep one bass, I'm leaning towards moving the 5er on already. I found I really didn't need the bottom end as I thought I would in the tunes I was playing. It was nice to have the E at the 5th fret rather than open, but that was really the only discernible bonus for me. The low-B just felt.... indistinct - there wasn't the bite that the 4er had, despite being the same pickups and wood. I'm going to sleep on it (not literally - that wouldn't do much for resale value! ) but I'm deffo leaning towards the 4...

[quote name='mike_zimmerman' post='1243794' date='May 25 2011, 07:10 AM']It's a mistake to convince yourself that expensive gear will make you a better player, as well.[/quote] I think this should be qualified - a well set up, playable and great sounding instrument will make you want to play more than an unplayable dog that sounds crap and requires gymnastic finger contortions.

I take the view that, as an amateur, I work hard at my job in the week so I can justify having decent gear because I enjoy playing gear that fulfils my every need - sound, fit and finish, the works. With my drum stuff, it's gradually evolved from starting out on entry level gear to the very best vintage and boutique stuff, because a) I can tell thed ifference and because I can. I'm a newcomer to bass, but it seems to me you get more bang for yer buck with decent 'pro spec' gear then entry level, certainly when it comes to amps.

Cheers Pete; I'm going to play it as much as I'm able. Does this mean I have an L4500? One or t'other will be leaving in the near future, depending on how I get on, tempting as it is to have identical 4 and 5ers....

I have literally today just received my first 5er. It's a G&L 2500T, identical finish and fretboard as my L2000T that I picked up off here. So far its not as tricky as i thought - mainly it's the reduced string spacing on the right hand that's causing difficulty, but I'm reasonably confident that won't take too long to overcome. I'm going to give it a try at rehearsal tomorrow night - really looking forward to it!

Oh, come on, it wasn't THAT bad...

And some great playing here, but shame about the dancing : [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOH1H_s_Qdk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOH1H_s_Qdk[/url] - (Clark Tracey Trio)

A couple of my favourite trio albums are 'Young At Heart' by the Tony Williams Trio (TW with Mulgrew Miller on piano), and also 'The Roy Haynes Trio' featuring RH, Danilo Perez and John Pattitucci. Here's some Roy: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IC_8qmY1Cs"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IC_8qmY1Cs[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4r_RxJWVUQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4r_RxJWVUQ[/url] And okay, there's no TWT vids, so here's the Quintet featuring the trio: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrMlQvj71R4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrMlQvj71R4[/url]

Hi James; Thanks for your message. I have the ubiquitous myspace - [url="http://www.myspace.com/jakestacey"]Jake's Myspace[/url] - but the recordings are pretty old. The jazz stuff's from a jam night in 2006, I think! The stuff with Rob that he very kindly bigged-me up about there ^^^ is [url="http://www.myspace.com/bandjakamo"]here[/url]. Had a listen to your trio stuff, it sounds great - I'd love to have a stab at that. I used to do a lot of big band and swing stuff, most recently backing [url="http://www.bobbykemp.co.uk/home.htm"]this guy[/url]: the money was great, but the egos? Not so much! Let me know if you're interested in meeting up for a beer/coffee or fancy a jam. Cheers Jake

Cheers Rob! (Tho' I should point out that I think Rob is referring to my playing ability, rather than my looks! )

Just wondering if there's any jazzers round Brum way who'd be interested in a jam with a drummer?

Actually, it occurs to me a good way round it might be to get the couple to agree to sign an indemnity to pay for any damage to your gear, and when they ask why, explain the limiter cutting out can damage equipment, and it's entirely out of your control, but within the venue's. If the couple ask a few pointed questions of the venue, it might prove more flexible....

If it's here: [url="http://www.thetythebarn.co.uk/home.html"]http://www.thetythebarn.co.uk/home.html[/url] Not played it, but been as a guest with a fairly loud disco, and that seemed okay. I would just take a very long reel!

As a longtime drummer and now bass player, whenever this question came up in relation to drums the answer was always to go for mass ro block the sound, but with the mass decoupled from the main structure - room within a room, was the phrase usually used. If your guy has a leccy kit, I would make the room w bit more comfortable, and then look to all play through a mixer into a few pairs of decent headphones - certainly cheaper than soundproofing a room.