thebrig

It's week [b]FOUR[/b] for the Super Twelve, so still a long way to go yet, but I tried the Streamliner 9 through a Ampeg SVT 6x10 at rehearsal the other night, and it sounded great, so can't wait to team it up with the Super Twelve.

When I do eventually receive it, I will let you know what it sounds like.

[size=4][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I have a Line6 Relay G30 wireless system and love it, makes no noticeable difference to the sound, always use it for gigs and found it very reliable.[/font][/size]
[size=4][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I tried it at the top of my 125 foot garden, and I could here it loud and clear in my house.[/font][/size]
[font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Great for sound checking too, as I can walk out front and have a listen myself.[/font]

This has got to be one of the most captivating threads for a long time, I just can't help coming back to it.

It starts of with a fellow Basschatter asking for help and advice, nothing unusual in that, and in true Basschatter's fashion, the replies come flooding in, all offering sound advice, and even offers of going to the OP's residence to fix the bass personally.

And yet we find that twelve pages later, the bass is still [b]unplayable[/b], it has a [b]cheap[/b] and [b]nasty pickup[/b], it has [b]fret buzz[/b], the[b] bridge [/b]can't be adjusted properly, the [b]truss rod[/b] can't be adjusted properly either, the bass is [b]too heavy[/b], the neck is [b]too wide[/b], [i](I've copied and pasted the next line, just so I don't get accused, like so many others have, of misquoting him)[/i], [b]E string isn't just it's disproportionate volume. It's that the entire string just feels disproportionate: heavier, harder to play, higher than the action allow[/b]

At first, some thought that maybe he had a duff E string (which does occasionally happen), but he's now fitted a new E string, ([i]which was kindly donated to him[/i]), and yet he still thinks it's not right.

If I had a bass that bad,[i] (although we all know that it's not really, and can easily be fixed)[/i], I would sell it, buy a ready made replacement for less money than he would get for the [b]"cheap"[/b] Spector, and get on with actually playing the thing!

Sorry WishFace, I know that you probably feel that we are all against you, but you couldn't be more wrong, this a great forum, and I think that you just aren't appreciating the fact that everyone on here, really wants to help you sort your bass out.

My first bass was a Squier Affinity (cheap as chips) series Precision bass, that cost me £125 brand new only about five years ago, and it played and sounded great.

Less than half the price of your Spector, and I'm sure whoever has it now, it is still doing the business.

For the price of a set-up, you could probably pick up a Sue Ryder bass in the for sale section, sell yours at the same time, probably for more than the Sue Ryder, so you might be a few quid to the good in the process.

It would appear that the OP does not want anyone on here to do a set-up for him, even though some have offered to [u]go to him[/u].

He says he can't afford to pay to have it done by a luthier.

He obviously doesn't possess the skills to do it himself (and that's not a criticism at all, because not everyone is practically minded).

He seems to have made his mind up, no matter what countless people have said, that his bass is just not up to the task of being playable, and making a good sound, purely because it is a "cheap" bass.

I really don't know what more you good people can do to help.

I guess it's nice to be able to accept that sh*t happens, and just move on, but then that is probably what umpteen bands have done in the past, and is why he still acts without any consideration for the bands he has "booked".

Sometimes we have to make a stance, if only to stop it happening to others!

[i]Now what do you recommend? I would really like to have that buttery bridge "jaco" style tone, but also have that grunt and attack when switching both pups up. From what I hear, Sandbergs really do their job in this section, they always sound so mean. And their bridge tone also seems to be amazing (I'm from slovenia and noone sells sands here so I have to rely on YT vids), but what bothers me, that their JBass, the California TT4 version does not include a dotted neck. Which I find disturbing since I am very used to have those dots on.[/i]

Getting fret markers fitted is a simple job for a luthier, and wont cost the earth, so if that's the bass you think will do the job for you, why not get one and have dots fitted?

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1347483358' post='1801582']
Is that the Inn Before the Lock?
[/quote]
Nope!

Not [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][i][b]The Dangleberries[/b][/i] or [/font][/color][b][i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The DamnWe'reCrap[/font][/color][/i][/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif], but you can keep trying if you want folks.[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]As I mentioned earlier, they are booked to do a [i]New Year's Eve[/i] gig in a pub, so be careful if you are choosing to catch a band to see the new year in.[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][i]Clue:[/i] The pub is in Hertfordshire next to a river.[/font][/color]

So many people say that the Jazz is the perfect shape, and I have to admit that it certainly looks very pleasing, and is comfortable on the strap to play, [b]BUT[/b], I hate the fact that you can't stand it up properly, and it also looks odd on a stand, so mine always hangs on the wall at home.

[quote name='Joe86' timestamp='1347459425' post='1801106']
Oh my...... Well done to you sir.

Is that an ebanol fingerboard?
[/quote]
Yep! Mighty Mite.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1347457849' post='1801076']
This was why I asked you to pm me their name, so that I could avoid the trauma of seeing them or getting fooled in to auditioning for them
[/quote]
I don't think it would be fair to expose them fully, but they are called [i][b]The D*#@*^~#,*~#S [/b][/i](13 letters).

And in case anyone starts guessing, it's not [i][b]DICKHEADS[/b][/i] (that's only 9 letters)

Here's my "bitsa" fretless I put together a couple of years ago.

I recently purchased a beautiful "as new" American Standard Precision 2008 model, with the lovely ABS hardcase.

Unfortunately, there were no hex keys inside, and I need to adjust the intonation.

Does anyone know the actual size please?

Thanks in advance, as I know someone out there will have the answer.

Another funny thing that happened at the audition was, after struggling to get through the three songs they "did know", they seemed quite pleased with themselves and said, " [b][i]we just need to sort out the endings now[/i][/b]".

It's not so much their lack of ability I'm knocking, as we all have different levels, and everyone has a right to play, but it's the fact they actually believe that they are really good, and will be wowing the public very soon!

BTW, If you live anywhere near Herts, Beds or Bucks, they could be playing at a pub near you soon!!!

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1347438083' post='1800674']
The more bands you play in and the longer you have been playing, the more you will learn to smell a rat early on.

This forum is good for advice from other players but somethings you just have to learn.

You say 'He told', did you speak to him or was all correspondence through email. I find speaking to someone on the phone gives you a much better idea of whether you're all on the same page. The pauses between answers, the way they speak, questions you can ask as soon as they arise based on his previous answers.

It's then very easy to say on the phone, "Sorry I don't think I'm what you're looking for."
[/quote]
I spoke to him on the phone a couple of times, and he was very convincing, and seemed to say all the "right" things, as far as I could tell.

The funny thing is though, when I arrived at the rehearsal studio, I said to them all, "I am feeling quite nervous, and I have only had a few hours to work on the seventeen songs you sent me", and they replied, don't worry, [b][i]we[/i][/b] will make allowances for [b][i]you[/i][/b]!
And yet, I knew all the songs more a less note for note, and they struggled to get through just three of them, and that's after being together for a couple of months.

[quote name='Leen2112' timestamp='1347393577' post='1800282']
From what I find elsewhere nobody has anything bad to say about them, Titanium reinforced neck? why? and yes i'm talking about the new one (nordstrand pickups)
I wouldnt buy a bass without having a decent 'shot' and I'll have to offload my Jaydee before I'm in a position to buy anyway.
[/quote]
I've had plenty of top-end basses, but the quality of the Ibanez Premium is far superior to most Fenders, and I actually have a very nice Fender American Standard Precision to compare it with at the moment.
And the Nords are great pups.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1347389713' post='1800193']
A lot of the frustrations being aired in this thread might be avoidable by asking a few questions when invited to audition.

- how often do you gig?
- when was your last gig?
- do you have any audio/video of your performances?

I'm not suggesting there are right or wrong answers to these questions, it's more a case of getting a better understanding of the sort of situation you're walking into before deciding to go for an audition.

Might be worth adding "do you expect me to contribute to the rehearsal studio hire for the audition?"
[/quote]
1. They told me they've rehearsed every Monday since they've been together (3 months), and expect to be gigging in a few weeks.

2. I didn't ask when their last gig was, as they are a new band, but they did say they have plenty of contacts through their previous bands, and are confident of getting plenty of gigs from early November, and are already booked for a New Year gig.

3. Again, new band, so I did not ask about audio/video samples.

I understand what you are saying, but when you consider everything I was told like:
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b][i]we are all very experienced musicians[/i][/b][/font][/color]
[b][i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]played in bands for years[/font][/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]aim to be gigging in a few weeks time[/font][/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]just need a competent bassist, and they will be ready to gig[/font][/color][/i][/b]
[b][i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]already have a set list[/font][/color][/i][/b]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]then I guess that most people would think that this could be a decent opportunity.[/font][/color]
[b][i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][/i][/b]

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1347384560' post='1800085']
A large % of that set-list would make it a tough call whether I'd be washing my hair and/or watching the tele that night.
[/quote]
I know, but when I spoke to the fella, I told him the type of music I like, and of course, he said yeah, we like and do all that too.
But when I got the list it was a bit late to pull out, as I don't like letting people down, more fool me!!!

[quote name='muttley' timestamp='1347382729' post='1800058']
Yes, that's right. I was never aware of that nickname though. Amazing that you should remember the band after so many years, especially as they weren't a massive success or anything.
[/quote]
It's only a vague memory, in those times, I was just a long-haired music nut, and would read just about anything and everything if it was music related, so maybe that's where I've seen the name.
I wouldn't like to say that I ever saw them play, unless they did a few London gigs, but I believe they hailed from the IOW and played mostly the south coast.

I have the new SR1200 4-string version, and it's the best bass I have ever had, great sounding and great to play.

I had the SR505 which has the same neck and body dimensions as the SR1205, also mahogany body, and that was a wonderful instrument too.

I would not advise you to buy blind, but if you can try one, I think that you will be mightily impressed.

Great story.

I am old enough to remember the early festivals, and I do seem to recall a band called 'Halcyon Order'.

I've googled 'Halcyon Order' and come up with a couple of interesting pages.

[url="http://www.iowrock.demon.co.uk/archive/iow_archive_uriel.html"]http://www.iowrock.d...hive_uriel.html[/url]

[url="http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/iow1968.html"]http://www.ukrockfes...om/iow1968.html[/url]

I guess Stuart 'Jumbo Yates' must be your uncle (pictured below).

[quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1347371896' post='1799894']
Very bad form asking you to pay! I would have told 'em to whistle...which they no doubt would have struggled to do, given their obvious lack of musical prowess.
[/quote][quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1347371896' post='1799894']
Very bad form asking you to pay! I would have told 'em to whistle...which they no doubt would have struggled to do, given their obvious lack of musical prowess.
[/quote]
You are right, but I think I was in a state of shock to be honest, I just didn't expect them to be so bad.

Whenever the bands that I have played in have auditioned musicians, we would always run through the chosen numbers a couple of times before they arrive, because like people on hear have already pointed out, the band needs to impress as well, it should be a two way thing.

BTW, I took along my Zoom H4, as I like to record all the sessions I do, and I thought that if they were that good, and they decided to take me on, then I can work on the way they interpret the numbers at home, so that I'm up to speed at the next rehearsal.
But when I listened back to it, I deleted it straight away, which in some ways is a pity, because I could have uploaded it hear, and inflicted it on you poor people.

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1347357546' post='1799661']
walk away - if 'sex on fire' isn't it the setlist then they're not worth bothering with


[/quote]
They did actually mention that they would like to do it at some stage.

Strangely, I have woken up this morning feeling really great about things.

I spent most of yesterday worrying about the audition, as it is the first time I have had the courage to audition for an "established" band.
In the past, I have put together bands by gathering members one by one, and I always made sure that they knew in advance that I was only a novice musician, so they knew what to expect.

I know I will never be the greatest bassist around, but I now realise that I am probably a bit better than I think I am.
So from now on, I will approach things with far more confidence, and hopefully hook up with some talented musicians, who will help me reach a higher level.