thebrig

I do practise a lot, usually at least 2/3 hours each day, and as I've been off work for the past 3 months following an operation, I am now spending nearly all day on the bass. I do work at it, because being a 'late starter', I know I have a lot of catching up to do. [i][b]I know that I will never be up there with the best[/b][/i], but three of the guys in my current band, have been playing for an average of [i][b]35 years each[/b][/i], at pro and semi-pro level, and they have complimented me on my playing, so I can't be too bad! although I certainly wont get complacent, because I know I could get better. I totally agree with the comments about practising more, and as Gary Player once said, "the more I practise, the better, or 'luckier' you get". One thing puzzles me though, some people are saying you don't need pedals etc., but there are thousands of threads on hear singing the praises of compressors, pre-amps/EQ's and all sorts of accessories, so are we all just being sucked in to believing they will help improve the sound. Yes, I know that great players will sound good on just about any old bass and amp, and I'm sure there are some great bass players hear on BassChat. If you are one of those top level players, the chances are, you will be playing top-notch venues for decent money, and will have sound engineers and bass technicians to advise you. But there are also quite a few like myself, who play to a reasonable standard, at local venues purely for fun and enjoyment, but don't have the expertise to get the most from our gear, and we normally have to set up everything ourselves, and then ask the missus what we sound like. Thanks for input so far BC'ers

Maybe I should have said in my OP, that I have only been playing seriously for around three or four years, and the reason I have so many, is because I had a big interest in guitars/basses, so started collecting them rather than playing them. I could play a few chords, but I never thought that I would be good enough to actually play in a band. That was, until I was asked to make up the numbers in a one-off band, to entertain friends and family for fun, and it just took off from there. Since then, I have spent two years gigging with a function band, but I left them six months ago to put together a rock/blues band which is now complete. I don't really have much knowledge of tone shaping etc.. other than just plugging in and twiddling around a bit, I think that maybe my biggest problem is that I can get the sound I want at home at low volume, but when gigging/rehearsing, I don't seem to cut through the mix as well as I would like. I have had over thirty instruments in the last ten years, but I have whittled it down now, and I might get rid of a few more and just concentrate on playing. The [b]Ibanez SR1200[/b] is a very versatile bass, that plays beautifully, and I know the [b]Genz Benz[/b] is up to it too, so I think it's just my inexperience/inability to tweak everything correctly.

Should I whittle down my bass collection, and spend the proceeds on perfecting my sound? Just take a look at my gear list, and you can see that I have far too much stuff, and although they are all very nice basses, I could sell a few, and have a fair bit to spend on accessories etc, to improve the sound with the basses that I do actually gig with. The one I use all the time is my [b]Ibanez SR1200 Premium[/b], and the [b]Ibanez SR500[/b] is very similar to play, so it makes a great back-up bass. The [b]'DarkeHorse' Precision[/b], [b]Jazz[/b] and [b]Black Satin[/b], are my own creations and will probably stay with me forever. I never use the [b]Ibanez SR 505[/b], and the [b]Warwick Corvette[/b] is too heavy for my ailing back, even though it is a fantastic bass to play, and it sounds amazing. I also have loads of effect pedals that have hardly been out of the house, because despite all the hype, they are virtually useless IMO. I reckon I could get between £800 and £1,000 for the two basses, which are both in [b]'as new'[/b] condition, plus whatever I could pick up for all the accessories I have, but never use. If I do go down this route, I have it in mind to buy an [b]Sadowsky outboard bass preamp [/b]to start with, so can you guys out there in 'BC land', give me some advice on what else I can do to improve my sound? I know sound and tone is very subjective, and is a personal thing, but what I'm after it a very tight 'thumpy' sound with plenty of bottom, as we play a lot of classic/modern rock. I know the Genz Benz is a great rig, because I have heard other players using it to great affect, but I have always struggled to get the sound I want, regardless of the equipment I use, maybe it's just me, but any advice would be welcome. Cheers.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1327582307' post='1513656'] I think they'll be getting a bit past it by now... [/quote] So are most of the punters we play to, so I'm sure they wont mind!............

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1327566749' post='1513315'] You will go mad trying to get the studio sound, in the early days he had the amps loud when recording. Even JJ never [i]quite[/i] got that original sound again. Listen to a few live recordings too but dont underestimate the wonderful 'dirty' sound of his bass. Even though he digs in the playing is always fast and very clean. [/quote] That's a great suggestion! So I searched for a live version and started listening intently, but after a couple minutes I couldn't concentrate properly, any ideas why this happened? Here's the video I watched: Edit: I've now listened to lot's of 'live' versions, and I think that I am probably closer the the 'studio' sound, than what JJ gets when he is playing live. All I need to do now, is to do that great 'riff' justice!!! Anyone know where I can hire those dancers for when we do eventually play it live?

Thanks for all the tips so far, not sure about the pitchfork and kicking in the cones on my lovely Genz Benz though!

I have finally persuaded my band to do Nice 'n' Sleazy, I know how to play it, but I am struggling to get JJ's tone right. Normally, I'm not too worried about perfecting tones when doing covers, but for this one, I feel I need to get as close to it as possible, to do it justice. I have a [b]Darkehorse precision[/b] with a [b]maple board[/b] and[b] Thumper [/b]pup, a [b]Warwick Corvette[/b] and a Ibanez [b]SR1200[/b] to choose from in the way of basses. For the amp, I have a [b]Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0[/b] going through [b]Genz Benz 1x12 & 2x10 cabs[/b]. As far as effects go, I have the following: [b]Line6 Pod X3 Live[/b] [b]Ashdown Lomenzo Bass Hyper-Drive[/b] [b]Dodd Stereo Flanger[/b] [b]Digitech Bass Multi Voice Chorus[/b] [b]Boss Super Octave OC-3[/b] [b]Boss Compression/Sustainer CS-3[/b] [b]Marshall Guv'nor GV-2[/b] [b]Zoom B2 Multi-Effects[/b] All tips and advice would be very welcome! Cheers in advance.

[quote name='Mylkinut' timestamp='1327416062' post='1510851'] Always wondered about these - when you guys say they're better than you'd expect for £60, how good actually are they? I can live without 'Fender' on the headstock if I can have ten Ryders for the same money One for every room in the house, some more in the car (front and back seats) and one in the garden [/quote][quote name='Mylkinut' timestamp='1327416062' post='1510851'] Always wondered about these - when you guys say they're better than you'd expect for £60, how good actually are they? I can live without 'Fender' on the headstock if I can have ten Ryders for the same money One for every room in the house, some more in the car (front and back seats) and one in the garden [/quote] All I will say is, that the bass player was tucked away at the back of the stage, behind guitarists etc, so it was a while before I actually saw it, and I can honestly say that it sounded great to me, before I realised it was "only" a £60 bass. I asked him about it, and told him that lots of people were snapping them up on BassChat, especially with a view to modding them, but he said his was straight out of the box, and played brilliantly, with a very good neck.

[quote name='MB1' timestamp='1327414018' post='1510791'] MB1. I've seen Sue Ryder P before! she's always leaving the door open! Coat Collected! [/quote][quote name='MB1' timestamp='1327414018' post='1510791'] MB1. I've seen Sue Ryder P before! she's always leaving the door open! Coat Collected! [/quote]

After reading all about Sue Ryder basses on here, I finally got to see and hear one live last night! It was at the weekly jam night that I often go to, and usually, the house band's bass player normally has a Fender Precision, but last night he had a different Precision, and from a distance, I was not sure what it was, but then I spotted the 'R' on the scratch plate, and realised that it was a Sue Ryder Precision. I have to say that it sounded really good, far better than you expect of a bass costing £60. I asked him about it, and he said he loved it, and that it plays and sounds great, and if it does get damaged when passing it around amongst the the jammers who don't bring their own basses along, then at least it is only £60 worth of bass, rather than a £1000+ one that has been knocked up. It was an un-modded, straight-out-of-the-box bass. Definitely worth considering as a back-up bass!

We know a really good Swedish band, who come over once a year to do a couple local gigs, the bass player normally use's a US Fender Precision, but on the last trip he had a Vintage Precision, and guess what? [b]It sounded just like a Precision![/b]

[quote name='mononick' timestamp='1326416682' post='1497110'] i played an ibanez sr premium today,, the neck was amazing! one of the most comfortable basses i have ever played and with the nordy pickups it sounded great... i have GAS! and before this i have never liked ibanez [/quote][quote name='mononick' timestamp='1326416682' post='1497110'] i played an ibanez sr premium today,, the neck was amazing! one of the most comfortable basses i have ever played and with the nordy pickups it sounded great... i have GAS! and before this i have never liked ibanez [/quote] If you look at my gear list, you will see that I have quite a few Ibanez basses, and my pride and joy, is my SR1200 Premium. I picked it up on ebay for £500 and it was only two weeks old, definitely the best £500 I have ever spent. I have tried many high-end basses over the years, Fenders, Musicman etc, but as soon as I latched on to the SR range, I was hooked. Due to back and shoulder problems, I had to find a lighter bass, and the SR's are just about the lightest, and best balanced basses around. So inadvertently, my back and shoulder problems helped me discover my dream bass. I actually started off with a SR500 which I picked up for £250 which is also a great bass, I then got a SR505 which does't feel like a 5-string at all, as it's so easy to play, and then I decided to treat myself and get the Premium model, it plays and sounds amazing, and is very versatile. Obviously, what we are looking for in a bass is a personal thing, but I would certainly recommend that you go back to where you tried that premium, and give it another going over, you won't be disappointed!

Ibanez SR range have got to be the fastest out there, I have had quite a few Jazz's with 38mm nut widths, but nothing compares to an Ibanez SR!

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1326198770' post='1493584'] I'd explain to him how it isn't possible the current key with your bass and see if either the singer can take it up two tones or, if it is so crucial to your drummer that you do it as per the original he supplies a new, correctly set up bass for the job! In other words, flatly refuse but seem like you aren't! [/quote] It's not crucial by our drummer that we play it, it was just a suggestion, and I don't mind the song, but it's just the tuning that is creating the problem.

[quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1326202811' post='1493696'] why not use the 5 string? The notes are there. [/quote][quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1326202811' post='1493696'] why not use the 5 string? The notes are there. [/quote] I've got it set up to high C

[quote name='shizznit' timestamp='1326202565' post='1493687'] I totally agree. Is it really worth all the hastle for just one song...really? Singers are quick enough to ask the band to change the key of a song if it doesn't fit in their range. Not that easy for the guitar and bass players to do on command if you have to tune the strings down or have an extra instrument just to play that one song. It's pointless. I am sure he can live with himself if you skip that song. It is a good song though! [/quote][quote name='shizznit' timestamp='1326202565' post='1493687'] I totally agree. Is it really worth all the hastle for just one song...really? Singers are quick enough to ask the band to change the key of a song if it doesn't fit in their range. Not that easy for the guitar and bass players to do on command if you have to tune the strings down or have an extra instrument just to play that one song. It's pointless. I am sure he can live with himself if you skip that song. It is a good song though! [/quote] Great point! I don't think that I am ever going to use this tuning for anything else,except this one song. If we were embarking on a 'world tour', and this song was crucial to our performance, then yes, I would be more than happy to have a bass specially set-up for the purpose, but I'm sure we can find an alternative number for our forthcoming tour, of the 'Dog & Duck, quickly followed by the 'Builder's Arms'.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1326200325' post='1493637'] Short of getting custom strings or transposing the bassline you're a little bit stuck here I'm afraid. Why not do a 'version' of the track and alter it a bit to suit your bands style while you're at it? Although I'm sure I've played this in the past and it wasn't that far down tuned... odd [/quote][quote name='charic' timestamp='1326200325' post='1493637'] Short of getting custom strings or transposing the bassline you're a little bit stuck here I'm afraid. Why not do a 'version' of the track and alter it a bit to suit your bands style while you're at it? Although I'm sure I've played this in the past and it wasn't that far down tuned... odd [/quote] Unfortunately, it definitely is a [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]C F Bb Eb tuning, and you really do need that low C 'thump' on the open string to make it work.[/font][/color]

Just been reading the post on tuning down, and as did not want to high-jack it, I have decided to start another post for this particular tuning. I play in a band that specialises in classic rock and blues, and it has been suggested by our drummer that we try 'No One Knows' by Queens Of The Stone Age. Now I've down-tuned by half-a-tone, and also done a bit of drop D in the past, but the tuning on this song requires a tuning of C F Bb Eb. The worry I have is that because it is such a low tuning right across the board, that this is going to affect the neck and intonation big-time, and that I really would need to have my spare bass set up just for this one song. I tried it briefly at home, and it sounded terrible, the notes are very undefined, and the action just feels so sloppy. I do have a fiver, but I have it set up with a high C, so would have to change that as well. Any ideas/thoughts on this tuning would be much appreciated.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1324658641' post='1476806'] ECO has a really nice FX section within the mixer. Everything in the box really. Kit sound wise, they both sound great. For me the FX is the swinger with ECO. But hey at £29.00, a real bargain regardless. Garry [/quote][quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1324658641' post='1476806'] ECO has a really nice FX section within the mixer. Everything in the box really. Kit sound wise, they both sound great. For me the FX is the swinger with ECO. But hey at £29.00, a real bargain regardless. Garry [/quote] Thanks for the recommending [color=#000000][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]FXpansion BFD ECO[/size][/font][/color], usual retail price is £89, but I've just brought the last one from Nevada Music for £27 including free delivery.

That's great news Blademan! I'm really pleased that it looks like you have hit on the right people. I read your post yesterday, and must admit I was a little bit envious because I've been struggling to get a band together for some time now. But I've just got back from tonight's rehearsal, and I'm absolutely buzzing! Since last June when I quit the function band I was in, because of musical differences, and certain members not putting any effort in, I have been trying to put together a rock/blues band, and must have played with dozens on musicians since then, some very good, and some not so good, but there always seemed to be something not quite right, and I was really starting to think that it must be me. Then suddenly I found a great drummer who I immediately clicked with, plus a rhythm guitarist who has only been playing for a year or so, but he is rapidly improving all the time because he is totally committed to learning. And then tonight, the drummer brought along one of his old band members who is a lead guitarist, and he was absolutely brilliant! The rhythm guitarist and myself kept nodding our approval to each other, but deep down I was thinking that he would not want to commit himself to us, but he said that he had really enjoyed the session, but more importantly, he said that he loved what we were playing, and the way we played, and would love to come on board. It was probably one of the tightest sessions I've ever been involved in, and yet we've only known each other for a few weeks, and we only met the lead guitarist for the first time tonight, but what makes me think this could really work, is the fact that we all seem to be on the same wavelength musically, and most importantly, we all seem to get on great, and already, we feel comfortable in each others company. [b]Best of luck with your new band Blademan.[/b]

Just reading your post EdwardHimself, has made realise that [b]I too[/b], spend far too much time on here as well. I don't normally make New Year resolutions, but I will this year, and that is to limit the time I spend on BassChat, and to spend at least [u][b]TWO HOURS[/b][/u] per day practising. And like you say, not just on the songs I already know well, but to work on the songs that in the past, I have brushed aside because I thought they were too difficult. There are some days where I have spent five or six hours just reading through endless topics, some of which are very interesting, and some not so interesting. Yet surely, if I spent the same amount of time practising, then eventually, I would able to learn almost any bass line, regardless of it's complexity. So thanks for the kick up the backside that I needed, and I will report back this time next year, to hopefully say that I am now a much improved bassist! [b]Season's greetings to one and all.[/b]

I would like to view it, but it says 'this video is private'!

You are certainly buying a decent bass, I've had three corvettes over the years, and the 'bubinga' version that I have now with gold hardware, is stunning to look at, and more importantly, sounds and plays great, and I will never ever sell it, while I'm still able to play. It's hard to be certain what wood the corvette in question is, because straight away I thought it can't be ash, as you normally see a very pronounced grain, which this one doesn't have. At first glance, it resembles 'mahogany', but I would say that it is more likely to be 'bubinga', although I'm not convinced that it is. If you do buy it and it's heavy, then it probably is 'bubinga', but why not just ask the seller? Hear is a pic of my corvette 'bubinga' (left), and also a pic of an 'antique tobacco' (right) version. I still can't make my mind up!

Yep! Thomann & Gear4Music are the ones that I would recommend too. But I would also like to throw [url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/"]http://www.soundslive.co.uk/[/url] into the mix as well. Just a suggestion! If you can find a second hand [b]SX[/b] short-scale Jazz or Precision, I think you will be very impressed with them. They are quite hard to come by in the UK, but I think that the Jim Deacon basses are made by the same company, and sell for around £130/150 in the UK. You get a lot of bass for the money!

I have to agree with Dave, we don't all have "good ears & fast fingers", so what comes easy to one person, can be quite difficult for another. As for the thread being 3 years old, for anyone reading it for the first time, or for someone who has joined BC since the thread was posted, it is NEW to them. The whole point of keeping all the old threads is surely for reference, or should they all be deleted after a month.