dmccombe7

Probably quite a few but 2 that stand out for me is the bass riff from mid section of Tom Sawyer by Rush. Just a catchy little riff that sounds great at that particular section of the song and then there's the bass line from Elton Johns Nikita which just has a nice mid punch and gorgeous tone. Not even sure if it is a bass or a bass synth but i like it. Dave

I've just ordered a set of the Pro 17's. Appointment for impressions at Boots on Thu morning. ACS state the 17's are more suited to amplified music and have a flatter overall db cut but note that some of you guys have been using the 10's or 15's which show on their graphs as cutting more of the high end along with the overall reduction. Have i ordered the wrong thing ? At £139 i want to make sure i've bought the right filter. Dave

I've got the Gruvgear strap with the loop end to fit over the top horn. There are VIDS on youtube showing the cross strap. The straps are quite thick leather but think the cross strap is a thinner manufactured material. Not sure if you will get both straps over the standard pins. Try fitting both ends of your existing strap over the one pin. If doesn't fit then you would need to get the recomended strap pins that cater for thicker straps. Other than that the double strap works well. I only use it when my shoulder starts to ache. Most times i leave it hanging down the back. The other thing to note is that the standard strap supplied is pretty short and my bass was sitting far higher than i normally use. I like the centre line of my bass to sit approx just above waist or belt line. With the standard strap it was sitting more low chest level Mark King kinda thing. The extended strap and the cross strap are not available in UK as far as i could find and suppliers are waiting on stock from US. I used a cheap leather belt cut to an extended 4" to get my normal length making the holes identical distances to the original strap. Not sure if you can buy the strap as an extended strap direct from Gruv gear ?? One other thing i have found is that i was using a wider well known gel filled strap and was getting aches in my shoulder and chest area along with pins and needles in my arm at times of extended playing. When i started using the Gruvgear as a single strap i found the issues disappeared and have since started using my older standard width leather straps altho they are cushion filled and no more probs unless i'm standing for 3 hrs or more at rehearsals without break. Myabe worth some trials before spending that kind of money. Try using 2 cheap thin straps on same pins to see if it helps. Dave

I'm looking for a set for my Dingwall fan fret but they don't do them. Bass Direct are showing out of stock for 5 stringers. Anyone out there any suggestions for alternatives Dave

I do a combination of few things. Usually i will jot down a few basic musical notes and approx timing to remind me till i get home and then i will write it out properly at home. Sometimes i will record it on my zoom till i get home

Jazz influenced Rock Bassist

My Warwick Thumb 89 and my Overwater custom fretless 6. All my other basses could be easily replaced off the shelf. Dave

Only buy it if i'm looking for new gear and want to read reviews normally i would take on holiday for a light read.

Hope you get your gear back and the police get the B's that stole it. My sympathy to you mate. Dave

I chose Overwater for my 50th pressie for several reasons. They had a reasonably long history that i've followed since 80's and they were getting fantastic reviews at the time i was looking. Another important altho not major factor was they were only 1hrs drive from me. That was more a bonus than a deciding factor. I did look at ACG at that time as they are also very close to me but didn't appear to have the same history with bass building as Overwater. I hadn't really heard much of them up to that point however i have seen them at Moffat Bass Bash and am very impressed by them. SEI were a bit too far from me in event i needed to visit the workshop to discuss my requirements and in event anything went wrong after buying. Because Overwater were so close to me i was able to attend the workshop on several occasions from initial discussion with Chris to determine my needs. Chris was hugely helpful in explaining how the different woods might affect the sound and weight and we agreed on best way forward. All in all it was an expensive bass but i would have no hesitation in going back to Overwater if i were to buy another custom bass. I would however look at ACG mainly because i have been quite impressed by them also. The only minor change i had to make on my Overwater during build was that i like smooth or rounded fretboard edges and Chris made sure it was finished with a rounded edge. All done and sorted. Dave

Ordered a gift voucher from Strings Direct today but there was a problem with the automatic ordering for what i was looking for. They were unable to resolve today and are sending me hard copies in post plus they added another £5 to the value free of charge. Would have to say Sam at Strings Direct was excellent and kept me informed of what they were doing to resolve the software glitch. Excellent service from an already great supplier Dave

First serious GAS was for a Shergold twin neck. 4 & 8 string. The first Shergold 8 stringer i believe and here's the pic circa 78 or thereabouts [attachment=229672:old photos_0004_NEW (2).jpg]

Always run with a little compression. I find it gives the bass a little edge while keeping the level just very slightly clipped if that is the right terminology. I use it on my Roland mfx and also have a pedal that has very simple controls that allw me to dial in the amount of compression i want with led's indicating amount of compression used. I literally have it only just on. I've experimented a lot with them and have always preferred just a touch suits me. I vary my style between finger plucking and using my nails to give an edge and also pick style using my thumb & nail. The compression helps keep level just right without fiddling with volume levels. Dave

Can see your dilemma. I have never played just for money. I like to be paid but its never really bothered me. I've taken on bands where set list was boring and couldn't take to it. There was no natural power or energy in the songs. It was more like routine playing just for the sake of it. Prefering rock or Prog bands i like that raw energy and that's where i get my fix. Knowing that the energy i put into a song pushes it that little bit more. There's nothing more satisfying than doing a classic rock song and it all just works so well the audience can't get enough of you. Then my alarm usually goes off and i need to get up for work LOL I won't play in another band just to get gigs. I'll only play in bands i actually like the songs and really want to put 110% into playing. Dave

My interpretation of a SS amp service is literally clean out any dust or dirt, clean the various potentiometers (pots) I usually do this myself. If i know the fuse has been installed over 5 yrs i will replace any fuses. That's only based on the fact that i know fuses wear out thru use and is more a precaution than anything else. I've never had an amp that was PAT tested to my knowledge. It may have been earth tested at factory when built but not since. As mentioned before a good tech might get schematics out and set up the various line voltages to spec but i would doubt that ever happens unless the owner has a problem with the amp. Valve amps i would chnage the tubes on the power amp if i detected any noise while playing but not generally replace on a time basis. I'm not an electronics expert by any means but having a background and basic understanding in electronics and Instrumentation (industrial instrumentation that is) i know enough to get by. I therefore only take an amp in for repairs and never a service. I might ask for a service to be done while a valve amp is in shop but that's rare anyways. Dave

https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/0-9/10cc/im_not_in_love_solo_btab.htm Don't know how accurate it is tho. Dave

Turned it on as Marc Almond started. Bowie would be turning in his grave with that. Been a Bowie fan since early 70's and this isn't what Bowie would have wanted. He was always into getting away from the normal mainstream and creating something new. Why did anyone think BBC proms doing Bowie was a good idea. The documentary after it is excellent tho and a great insight into how Bowie worked. Dave

[quote name='chriswareham' timestamp='1469556560' post='3099366'] I don't understand the people saying an Ampeg fridge is hard to transport. Negotiating stairs with one yes, but on the flat theyre easy to wheel along and mine fits in a Ford Ka along with two amp heads, a flight cased pedal board and two bass guitars. [/quote] WOW !!! Is it a tardus Ford Ka. that's an impressive packing masterpiece. Any chance of a photo. ? Dave

I've tried Ampeg 8x10 in studios and found them a little dull sounding. I def wouldn't put up with the weight and size issue for one, If anything i'd go down the route of 4x10 cabs. Lighter and more manageable and for smaller gigs just take one cab. I looked into the Ampeg 4x10 cabs a few yrs ago and got some great insight from fellow BC'ers. The one i would lok at is the HLF cab. I've heard a few in bands with Ampeg SVT heads and they were pretty full sounding. I've moved into the Markbass rigs now. Played thru a MB 4x10 and 1x15 rig and it was stunning. I have found that a lt of the lightweight cabs don't seem to pack that punch and depth that an Ampeg 4x10 cab does. I remember talking with JTUK about it few yrs back and seems others have similar opinion. Can you maybe borrow some other bass rigs to try before buying. Friends or even your local bass shop might loan you second hand ones to try out at gigs. Dave

My Overwater Custom 6 Fretless at £3k probaly my most expensive bass. The one in my Avatar pic. Dave

When talking about LED lights are we talking about all LED lighting causing problems or just the moving scanner type. I have a full LED lighting rig that only gets occasional use but i make sure they are overhead and facing down on our band. I have lazer that points out to audience and projectors that face down towards flor from rear stands and 2 facing up from front of drums towards stage front ceiling. Only used via smoke machines to gain some effect. I've never heard anyone complain about the LED's. Used to have the good old PAR lighting and they would either blind or melt you by end of night. Extremely bright and extremely hot. Is it swings and roundabouts which you go for. I suffer from migraines and would hate to think my lights were triggering them to anyone. Dave

I admire him for what he does but its not a usable sound or style for most bands. Dave