ahpook

I checked last night and I've got a set of D'addario XL156 on mine (0.084 - .0.24), and it actually plays better than I remember. It needs some TLC electrically and the action's quite high.....but maybe I should try and wrestle it into shape again.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1477564190' post='3162972'] AFAICS the Staytrem bridge is an improvement if you need more intonation adjustment after fitting the LaBella Strings or if you are finding that the bridge rocks back and forth on the height adjustment supports when you are playing (although this can also be cured by finding metal tubing with the appropriate inside and outside diameters and fitting them over the supports). [/quote] OK thanks for the info. I'll have to check which strings I have on mine.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1477435895' post='3162295'] AFAICS the Staytrem bridge solves any tuning and intonation problems by giving the saddles a wider travel length and also by making a model that doesn't rock back and forth with vibrato usage. Apparently you can also prevent this rocking by fitting a sleeve around the height adjustment posts. [/quote] I fitted Mustang bridges to my VI, which improved things...I wonder whether I should try the Staytrem ?

[quote name='Monkey Steve' timestamp='1477509121' post='3162718'] Bass. And pedals. And a really good sound man. Always buy him a pint. I've played loads of gigs without an amp, or with borrowed backline. On the minor league circuit in London it's fairly usual for the bands to share gear and for the bass to be DI'd as standard and you can use the old knackered 30w no name combo if you really want to hear yourself on stage but it won't sound like that out front. So much as I love my SVT Pro II, in practice I'm far more likely to be playing through one of the pedals I've got that does a really good SVT impression (Tech 21 VT, although I've just got an Ampeg SCR-DI which is superb) ahead of the DI box I'm also with some of the above in that a big chunk of he sound is in the playing - how hard I'm hitting the strings, pick or fingers or slapping, etc [/quote] A man very much after my own heart.

Bass. It's quite rare I play through my own amp - or an amp at all - so the bass is the only constant.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1477420199' post='3162133'] I'd agree that the short comings of the Squier Bass VI are down to the design of the instrument and not anything that is lacking because it's made to a tighter budget than a "real" Fender. [/quote] Very much so. I've got a mid-90s Japanese reissue and it's got the same problems as I've read the Squier ones have - very picky about strings, the stock bridge is a sod to intonate, etc. Every now and again I get it out but I've never really stuck with it for long.

Hurrah for drummers !

The neck-through ones have piqued my interest - they seem to go for what seem bargains for their construction.

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1477212520' post='3160512'] What does everybody think about this, please? [/quote] I'd talk to the drummer before listening to any other advice. There are some very entrenched ideas about what playing live should and shouldn't be on this forum.

[quote name='archie84' timestamp='1477167742' post='3160357'] i just listen to the band and play along with them. anyone elles doing this??? [/quote] Well, to some extent, yes...but "just" playing along with the band is a skill....I think you're underestimating what skills your are using. Unless you stop the band every half-minute or so and try every fret on your bass to see which one sounds best !

I think you're right to be annoyed with the venue, but if your bandmates wanted to call it a day then, well...once you've made it clear to them that you're disappointed that they didn't agree with you then I think you have to put that down to a difference of opinion.

I only ever use my Jack Casady with the folk band, and any other stuff gets a random pick of any of the rest. At the moment I'm using my 85 MIJ Jazz bass a lot.

Had a quick chat with the vendor, the ad's been changed.

[quote name='SH73' timestamp='1477151427' post='3160194'] Is the schematic to the link correct provided all the components work? [/quote] It is marked unverified, so maybe try something that's been checked out... Why not have a browse through these, choose one that's tagged with 'verified'...then get the kettle on and warm up that iron [url="http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Fuzz"]http://tagboardeffec...arch/label/Fuzz[/url]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1475931477' post='3149860'] Yes, Smartwater. [url="http://www.smartwater.com/property-marking"]http://www.smartwate...roperty-marking[/url] [/quote] What would you say is the best way of marking basses ? In the cavities ?

[quote name='Painy' timestamp='1477133465' post='3160029'] Surely that would have been a more fitting theme if it was a Bongo? [/quote] I'll be disappointed if you don't play it through a Christopher Trace Elliot !

[quote name='Painy' timestamp='1477099414' post='3159900'] And here it is:- [/quote] Looks great, nice bit of work. Although I was half-expecting something with some used toilet roll tubes !

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1477090114' post='3159873'] Plenty to choose from on the Bullitt soundtrack by Lalo Schifrin too. [/quote] Good choice, you're not wrong there !

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1477054861' post='3159551'] There's doing it when you have the opportunity (during a guitar-free song intro or while the front man is telling the audience something important), and obsessively compulsively doing it between every song irrespective of whether your guitar has gone out of tune and holding up the flow of the set. [/quote] Those are indeed different situations.

Why wouldn't you take the chance to check your tuning if you have the opportunity ?

[quote name='James Nada' timestamp='1477000537' post='3159249'] We're not setting out to make any money either, it's just a fun side project with (probably) a high concept. Funnily enough, we do have a theremin on hand! [/quote] Well, then....indulge yourselves and break out the theremin ! Set-wise, how about some other famous instrumental tunes from films ? Theme from 'Get Carter', some John Barry ?

So they're nylon strings with a copper winding ? Interesting. Nice bass too - it'll be a late night tonight I guess

Well, the two instrumental bands I was in never really set out to make any money, so I can't offer much advice really. I did see a superb surf instrumental band once who had a theremin in a pineapple ice caddy, which was a great stage prop, and acted as a focus for some on-stage fun, so maybe something to act as a focus might help.

Tres bon, Raymond.