dmccombe7

I did have the 12" combo and ext cab at one time but i couldn't really hear it on stage too well but it sounded great out front and sat really well in the mix. I was using my Geddy Jazz CIJ at that time. I always fancied the 212 cab that tilts back if needed. Such a great idea. The MB amps have a really nice warm tone to them too. Does the Rithmic offer a decent tone form the pick ups. I think Jeff generally uses the bridge pick up so its hard to tell whether or not it would work in a more rock based band. Jeff also gets his frets levelled up by his luthier when he gets a new bass. I'll maybe look into it again. I love the look of it and as you hinted not many people can play like Mr Berlin. Dave

Just love his tone. When i'm gigging and have a few spare minutes i'll attempt that tone but its not a usable tone for the bands i play in. I've even thought about getting the Cort bass he uses but it would sit in the house more than anything else. Probably my biggest influence over the years. Continues to amaze me after first hearing him on Bruford One of a Kind album and seeing him in 80's with John McLaughlan. I was blown away by how fluent he was as a player. Dave

I did think about replacing the pick ups in my VM4 but i hate changing a bass. I like to keep them as they are and use them for that tone. I've found the VM4 is a more modern sound and it will fit in with most style of bands making it a very versatile bass but i so miss that deep warmth. Its just a pity Fender can't make such playable basses. Dave

Do you think its because they sounded different from your P basses. Did they say if they preferred the Berg tone 😂 As much as i love the playability of my Bergs i still lean more towards the warmth and depth of a Fenders tone. At the moment my Godin PJ with Seymour Duncan designed pick ups is keeping me happy but i just know i'll return to my Bergs again after a few gigs. Dave

Would've been funnier if you had criticised the bassist before you realised it was you @jazzyvee. 😂 Dave

Now that must have made you laugh a bit. 😂 Dave

That's a good point about high c string on fretless and eq'ing to account for it. If I plug in my 6er fretless with my normal settings the high c string is exactly as you described and I need to tweak my EQ Dave

Gig cancelled as their boiler has failed and can't get parts till next week. 2 yrs in a row our gig has been cancelled in Dundee. Last year health issue and now this. Not meant to be.

Is it bad up your way ? I'm not too bad as have 4x4 Subaru but its never an easy drive in snowy conditions no matter what you drive. I see on news Amber warning out now and not drive unless you need to. Dave

Now that i'm playing a bit less hard with my right hand plucking its changed "my tone" from a hard edgy Ric type rock sound to a more mid focused mellower punch with more depth. Think what i'm saying is that simple little changes in style do affect how i sound out front. Please note i'm on the JD Honey tonight as tomorrows gig in Dundee was cancelled as their boiler / heating system has failed and can't get parts till Monday. Dave

In at the deep end will get you ready far quicker than rehearsals. You soon learn not to make mistakes and put more effort in at home. That's been my experience over the years. You now have the first gig under your belt so polish up on the set and get out there and just enjoy it. All the very best for 2026. Dave

Oddly enough i found it last night by accident. Using Godin Shifter PJ bass for a change into my Handbox WB-100 and BF212 cab. Had the amp Gain 1 o'clock, Bass 1, Mid 3 and treble 12. Master at 11 o'clock. Bass tone midway with selector switch on PJ parallel position. I had the depth of the P but with a really nice mid cutting thru the mix from amp EQ and J pick up on the bass. It really was glorious. It was weird because when i moved the bass tone either way i lost it so i just kept it in same place most of the night. Dave

Wasn't suggesting your band Daryl it was in response to @Norris observation at his gig. Dave

Altho i come from a background of rock music, bands and bikes i've never really found myself around people that take drugs so i never really know how they react especially coke. My friends were more beer drinkers than hell raisers. (see who gets that 😎) Dave

I like that. Giving some of the tips to the bar staff is a very nice touch. Towards the end of our gigs we always thank the venue, organiser, bar staff and of course the audience for spending their hard earned cash to buy tickets for the show. Dave

We've turned up to venues and played to 27 people. We even asked the organiser if she wanted to go ahead and she was up for it so we have a view that if people have paid good money then they get the full show and we just go for it. We always enjoy it and as it turns out so did the people that actually turned up. Paid rehearsal aint such a bad thing. Enjoy every gig is our motto. (well at least try to 🤩) Dave

How could you have been bad if you're already booked for next NYE. Some people are very narrow minded when it comes to live bands. If their particular juke box songs aren't in your set they just like to complain. I sometimes think the younger generation are too used to getting things "on demand" and expect every live band to play every style when they want it. I'd put this down to excessive drink and rudeness, forget it and just move on to the next gig. Not everyone will be happy with a band but as you say "why actually say it" I certainly would never criticise a live band. All credit to any musicians that get up there and make the effort. Dave

An easy one to start the year of Rob 😎 Dave👍

Last gig of 2025 and the first gig for 2026 with BLOCKBUSTARZ Glam band last night was another SOLD OUT gig for us at Airdrie WMC. 2yrs in a row at this venue which is rare at this club. 2 sets with a stop at 11:45 to 12:15 to bring in the bells in our traditional Scottish way. Dancing from the first song showed great promise for the night and we were not wrong. The floor was packed for a lot of the songs with dancers on every song. Great atmosphere the full night with a stream of requests in first set. I think we had a total of 6 to mention those celebrating anniversaries, birthdays etc. Best dancer of the night went to a guy who seemed to be on the floor from the start and even gave us his full Alvin Stardust impersonation and was rewarded at the end of the night with one of our T shirts. After midnight we went back on for our final 3 songs and had requests for more. but the club was closing. Loaded up the car and managed to get home for 2:30am, coffee and a biccy and then beddy by bo time knackered having been at the venue from 3:30pm it was a long day. Thought i would give the Godin Shifter PJ bass a wee run out and boy did it sound amazing thru the Handbox WB-100 / BF212. Nice deep tone with the sharp mids cutting thru the mix, it was the perfect tone IMHO of course. All in all a great night of party fun. Dave

Happy New Year Daryl and all the very best for 2026. Is that a tip bucket there Daryl and i spotted a $100 bill in there. 😂 Looks like a busy wee night. Dave

Too late. It was sold on ebay last week.😂 Dave

I quite enjoy hearing new things or techniques. I like to pick out little bits and try to learn them. Would never use in a band situation but it makes playing a little bit more fun. I have seen CB playing in bands on Youtube clips and playing "normal" by his standard. He is a very talented guy who is able to adapt to whatever the band wants or needs. I'm guessing he now makes a small fortune from his vids. Also like Dave504 as he's just a nut job that plays bass but its funny. Not so keen on the other guy Danny Sapko. He can play pretty well but i just find his personality a bit irritating. Dave

Really enjoying this thread. Some interesting insights into how the bass brain works 😂 Dave