casapete

Musicman - had a fair few Stingrays and Sterling’s as well as a couple of Subs. All USA models and all brilliant - well made, played great and with superb tone controls. I’ve just sold what is probably my last one though, can’t find one light enough for my ageing shoulder I’m afraid. Had a couple of great MM guitar amps too, top notch stuff from a great company. Fender - nothing really to add, other than for me they’ve made the definitive electric basses for nigh on 70 years. Still got my 63 Precision, but these days I mainly use a Japanese Precision Lyte. This bass has enabled me to keep playing long gigs into my 60’s without problems to my shoulder and back, and for that I’ll always be grateful. Gallien Krueger - Used many of their amps over the years, and still got my 800RB which (after my old SVT rig) is my favourite bass amp. Also currently have a 1001RB and an MB800. Never had any problems with their stuff, and can’t see me changing anytime soon. Barefaced - Had a Compact cab for years, and like my P Lyte it has enabled me to play gigs with much less hassle than when I had heavier bulkier brands. Love the fact they’re a UK company, and will be looking at maybe getting another of their cabs when funds allow. Oh yeh, honourable mentions also to Yamaha, Tech 21 and D’Addario.

I use a clip on tuner ( gasps from some folk on here...🤣). I don’t use any pedals at all, preferring to keep stuff simple and let the amp take care of tonal adjustments if needed. If I can’t get the amp/ cab to sound right without pedals then the rig isn’t for me. Understand some may need certain effects of course, especially in a covers band where it’s necessary, but all my gigs fortunately just require bass straight into amp sounds. (I did actually use a pedal on one dep gig earlier this year, borrowed an octave pedal off a mate as we did Peter Gabriel’s ‘Sledgehammer’. )

It’s only been open around 18 months, and situated on the first floor of the buildings on the West Pier in the harbour. I’ve played in Scarborough a lot over the years - before playing at The Lookout we played at The Tidesreach cafe on North Bay which was run by the same chap. Then used to do Thursdays at The Indigo Alley in town, with some fantastic players. The pub stated outside ‘ Real music and live ale’ , a great gig!

Played a small acoustic gig at one of my favourite venues last night - The Lookout on the Pier in Scarborough. The bistro venue was fully booked, and it's one of those gigs where everything is great - audience, staff, small house PA etc etc. Looks like we have a monthly residency there in 2022 so happy days. (The second picture below is what I can see behind me when playing!)

Although I agree that I could probably use the same bass and rig for my 4 different gigs, I choose to have different stuff just to ring the changes (and make me think they’re more suitable!) Main theatre band - Fender P-Lyte with GK 10001RB head and GK Neo 410 cab. Country band - Dano Longhorn, GK 800RB amp into BF Compact. Deps / functions - Fender Jazz bitsa, GK MB800 and BF Compact. Acoustic duo - Washburn AB20, either direct into Yamaha/Bose PA or Fender Rumble 100 combo. (All amps into PA via either Sansamp or using amp’s DI.)

Agree with Hellzero regarding possible causes. From my experience, passive basses don’t usually reduce in volume if there’s a fault, they are either working or not! Same goes for leads - crackling and intermittent on/off but not usually drop in volume. With active basses then batteries and circuit boards can cause issues like you describe. I’d get your amp looked over by a good tech, it seems the most likely suspect.

Now on Sky Arts, Phil Collins ‘Going back to Detroit’. Bob Babbit and other great players playing in the studio.

Charcoal toothpaste! Made by Colgate, Arm&Hammer as well as own brand versions by Morrison’s etc. Black paste but not sure how effective it would be for your pick guard.

I probably do mine around 4 times a year too, depending on amount of gigs obvs. Just replaced the first set since lockdown. Always love a fresh set of D’Addario EXLs. Somehow I don’t think players on here who use flats will be participating in this scheme though. 🤣

Needless to say UPS Customer Services at Dewsbury didn’t ring me at 9am today as they faithfully promised. After lots of emails / calls made by both me and the buyer of my bass this morning, UPS have just collected it. What boils my p*ss more than anything these days is the complete lack of communication, despite having the option of phone call / text / email - no excuse for not keeping the customer up to speed in my view. Sure, we all know the problems facing many companies with logistics at the moment, but all the more reason to keep people on side by letting them know what’s going on (or in my case not).

Guess it depends on usage as you point out. Maybe it could work if other band members / mates who play bass etc get involved too?

Happened the same to me today, only with UPS. Waited for them to arrive to collect a bass, supposedly between 8am and 1pm, no show. They then rang me to let me know it would be tomorrow, although couldn’t say when. Supposedly ringing me at 9am to give me a time. Not good.

It's obvious then - it's your sax player who's been stifling creativity...😆

A mixture for me too. Basses - USA (Fender, MMan), Japan (Fender), Korea (Washburn, Danelectro) Amps - USA (GK) China (Fender) Cabs - USA (GK), UK (Barefaced, Loud) Pedals - USA (Sansamp), Japan (Boss), China (Behringer) Cables - UK (obbm, Cleartone)

Got this email this morning - looks like a great idea. https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/newsletter/preview/649/16535

It is just one of those great classic albums. Brilliant songs, vocals and musicians, and somehow doesn't sound it's age too. Definitely one of my favourite songwriters, she's written (often along with co-writer and ex-husband Gerry Goffin) so many memorable songs.

Think he made these before embarking on the solid state Sessionette range, which were / are good amps too. A friend of mine had the 15/30 valve combo, and I remember it sounded great. https://www.award-session.com/pdfs/Award-Session History0003.pdf Since obbm has retired, I will continue to use ClearTone cables from Award-Session. Fairly priced and use top quality components. I bought some from him maybe 20 years ago at a guitar show and they're still going strong. https://www.award-session.com/cleartone_cables.html Apologies for the slight derail OT.🙂

Unicorn, obviously. 😄

How about just 'vocalist' Dave? 😆

Session did do bass amps Chris. The one I remember was a 100 watt combo, with a large graphic eq. Came in 4x10 or 1x15 varieties. I had the 4x10 briefly, not my best purchase! The guitar combos were pretty good though, especially the 15/30 valve job.

Interesting looking documentary about blues guitarist Buddy Guy on tonight, 9pm Sky Arts.

Yes, the 206's appear to have replaced the 201's and are regarded as the best in their price bracket. Just received this too which may be of interest to the OP. https://www.musicradar.com/news/the-best-studio-headphones-top-headphones-for-music-production?utm_source=SmartBrief&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=0205D92E-E67C-43E4-B0CF-F6FEA0D1AF4F&utm_content=F3C73264-40D7-4C2A-A008-B454D86A5023&utm_term=9116cb7c-8b54-4dcc-9c6a-b6120f003be7

I find a Precision easier to use, but probably just because that’s what I’ve been used to for years. The Jazz doesn’t fit conventional guitar stands very well either. Just sayin’......🙂

Keep an eye out for a s/h Fender Deluxe Active Precision Special. Mexican built bass with a PJ configuration but more importantly for you a Jazz bass neck profile. Later models had Fender Noiseless pickups, and if you’re not into active basses the early models ( without active in the title!) were passive. Great value for money basses.

From yesterday’s i news - ‘Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new’. Henry David Thoreau.