dmccombe7

Unless it appears soon i'm about to pull the trigger on a Sandberg tomorrow.

Aye but when ?

Are you talking about BC classifieds ?

That's quite nice. I'm now looking at Sandberg VM4. Tried Thomann but the blue burst with maple neck is out of stock until July. I'm looking at another all white one with Rosewood neck. They seem to get really good reviews especially the necks and set up. Dave

Thanks Steve. I must have missed that. Sorry. I see someone has started a thread on Limelight already and Ricky 4000 has posted the link after your post. Dave

I've just had a price for a P bass at under £1000 so that's a plus. He has offered to put on a slimmer neck with 38mm nut altho he said it won't be as slim as my Geddy Jazz. I didn't realise that he only does reliced finish tho. Its not something i like. I could accept very light and i mean very light relic finish. I'm waiting on his reply to a couple of questions but i'm thinkng this might be the way to go. Dave

Whereabouts is Limelight based. I got an approx price from Mark but afraid he takes a few days to reply to emails and would rather try before buying from him. If its not too far i would take a drive down as its always worthwhile meeting face to face. Dave

Well what do you think. Don't keep us all in suspenders.

Nah its because i'm famous.............. in my own world. Listened to the full album and its quite simply 1st class. There's something about the vocalist that just draws you in for more. The vocals also sit well forward in the mix so everything she sings is crystal clear. She has a unique voice. The more i listen to the album the more i want to hear the next album. I can see me following this band's progress. This is also one of those albums i'll enjoy playing along with as the bass just sounds so good. Few of my mates have already commented on the album as i copied the album preview link on to my FB page. Wish you every success guys. Well deserved in my opinion. Dave

Album just arrived this morning and having my first listen and so far the first 4 tracks are stupendous. Not overkilled by keyboards yet still retaining the traditional prog feel. Absolutely loving this. Very refreshing take on Prog. Some really nice little bass runs thrown in. Very nice work indeed. Highly recommend this especially Prog fans. You won't be disappointed. Has touches of YES, Rush and few others hiding in there and i'm guessing those were the main influences Well done Dave

When i did a google search yesterday i came across a black Stagemaster for sale somewhere but can't remember where. Black one didn't have the same class look as the one in your pic tho. Found it. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202385384336 Dave

Post some pics of your Kramer basses. That would be nice to see them all. Dave

Think it was the XK series that had more of an issue with neck dive. Not heard anything on the DMZ 4001 series tho. Was just listening to Trevor Bolder live using his various Kramer basses around the Conquest album release. He had the DMZ 4000 and also another similar style but with 2 white humbucker style pick ups fitted. No idea what model that was unless a custom version he's asked for. Prefer the 4000 sound he had Dave

What was the diy mod you mentioned ? not heard of that issue Your response is also very positive and makes me want one even more now.

I use the Mesa Mpulse 600 into Mesa PH212 cab so i'm thinking its quite valve sounding but that's a handy thing to keep in mind. Any time i've heard and liked the tone was either thru Ampeg SVT or Hiwatt altho i can't remember what Trevor Bolder was using back then but i would guess it was a valve amp. Dave

From what i've read the range of basses after the DMZ range had neck dive issues and many owners put lead weights inside the control cover stuck to the back of it. A bit like the ones you get to balance alloy wheels. Maybe that's why it felt so heavy. The DMZ 4000 and 4001 range or earlier basses don't appear to have suffered from that problem. Did you buy the TE combo ??? Dave

I saw Neil Murray with the early whitesnake Marsden and Moody and then again many years later with 3M with Doogie White singing. He was such a huge influence on me back then. First heard him with Colloseum II.

Thanks for that. I've already seen the Vintage Kramer link you posted. I know the sound you are talking about on the Boomtown Rats and i remember him playing the Kramer. I prefer the DM pick up sound on them. At the time i saw Trevor Bolder using one it was with Uriah Heep on the Conquest album tour and i still really enjoy that sharp clear precision like tone but it had something that made it a bit sharper than a normal P bass. I've seen a few 450B versions for sale but very rarely a DMZ4001. Its god to know hear your thoughts on the neck as that would be my bigger worry because of the aluminium neck. So many famous bass players had one around the 80's that i always figured they must have been pretty good basses or they simply wouldn't have sold. Think i'm gonna keep my eyes open and if one pops up i might go for it instead of the P basses i've been looking at recently. Dave

Anyone ever had one or still does. Just curious to know what they are like. A few of my bass heroes back in 80's incl Neil Murray and Trevor Bolder used them for a bit. I remember liking the tone but how does the neck feel and what does it compare to ? Quite fancy one but they are very rare. Dave

Not an easy thing to do for most people including myself but if you want a band to be enjoyable and ultimately successful you need to at least try and accept it as you say without going in a huff.

I think it depends on who the other musicians are and how you instantly judge their characters. In recent years i've met up with any bands for a coffee and a chat before any audition or rehearsal. In fact the last few bands including my current band there were no auditions and it was a band meet up and then straight into rehearsals. Maybe on hindsight my earlier comments haven't been clear and that i probably make a judgement call on how i mention an issue at an audition or rehearsal. I don't come right out and say "you are far too loud and if you don't turn down them i'm outa here" that wouldn't go down well. I think from memory and its been a while since i had to do this but i.m sure i approached it more as a question ie do you think it was maybe a bit loud ? if we bring the volume down a bit we will get a more balanced and clear sound. As someone else said in the thread you will know by how the band responds to that suggestion whether or not it is going to work for you. Dave

We've had different experiences in bands by sounds of it Mike. I kind of agree on your first point that if the band is too loud or plays too fast then it may well be they aren't for me but unless i raise the issue there and then i'll never know. I'd rather say what i think and if the band don't want to turn down and take practical advice then i'd simply let them know its not for me. I wouldn't just walk without trying tho. My experience in bands is that most good bands i've worked with have been very open to comment and value my thoughts and experience whether that be at the audition or the first few rehearsals. Different when i was younger and bands were inexperienced.Volume was the way to go back then I just don't get why you would walk away without commenting. You could be walking away from an excellent band that just needed a little bit of guidance from someone possibly more experienced. Dave

1983 tour

Afraid not. From the word go i expect a professional and organised approach to auditions, rehearsals and subsequent gigs. If its an audition then the band should be looking more towards my competence or technique and not how loud i can play.. If a band hasn't grasped that by time i arrive or after the first song then its the wrong band to be in and time to move on. If you present a professional approach to an audition or rehearsal and get levels set according to drummers natural volume then that's a good starting point and its where i always start off.

Same kind of things i would mention when first playing with a band whether that be audition or 1st rehearsal. I simply won't play in a band that is far too loud at rehearsals or on stage. There's no need for it. Get a balance between quiet enough to talk over and just loud enough to let yourself get drawn into the groove or feel of the songs but it doesn't have to be deafening. If a song is too fast or faster than it should be its the first thing i'd say when finished the song. Depends how you say it though. I generally make a joke about it being a punk version or a casual comment like "wee bit fast but otherwise sounded ok" Is that not what all bands should be aiming for........an open and upfront approach to improving the band and the songs. Dave