dmccombe7

I knew this would end up a debate between taking lessons and self taught. Always does. There's no right way to reach your destination. Simply enjoy the route you take to get there. Sometimes it takes a little longer to get where you want to be but that's ok. Sometimes the destination is different too but once again do we all want to be at the same place at the same time. Gonna get a wee tad busy. Music is fun, enjoy the journey. Be happy. Dave

Literally how i went with it apart from the choice of music. I went rock and prog. I still have the original music books i learned on. Genesis, Floyd thru to Kiss and Sabbath. Dave

I learn a cover song note for note and once i'm confident and happy with it i'll add a touch of colouring here and there but i like to stay pretty true to the original feel of the song. Sometimes i'll add and other times i might simplify a bassline just depends on how i feel on the night. Dave

Interesting one Don. Curious to see what it is ? Did you spray the jack socket connections too. ? Dave

Always gonna be different viewpoints on this one. Theory or not to theory. I did take lessons for approx 18mths at which the teacher said there wasn't much else he could teach me. It was time to go out and pick it up yourself now. How wrong that was. There was a lot more i should have been taught. I have a basic knowledge of theory and can read music but not sight reading. Its been a bonus for me in that i have always written out almost every song i've ever learned. That for me meant i learned it by ear and could remember it and also writing it out allowed me another avenue of recall when playing it within a band. I would always recommend lessons to start with and depending on where you want to go with it either learn by ear, tabs or whatever you can to learn a song. I'll literally use anything i can find to learn a song note for note. I've never been asked if i could read music and its never been mentioned in any band i've ever played in but it allows me to understand music better and following other musicians in a band. Knowing scales and correct fingering technique can help reduce strain in the long run. As an aside i suffered hand / finger issues a few yrs back and decided to go back and perfect my technique again and the strain was gone. Reading isn't for everyone but its a good starting point for many. I would also ask your teacher to try songs you like and listen to and that will maybe give your interest a little boost. Dave

Mmmm not sure what to make of all that Mike. I do love my Sandberg basses both have different tones. ie modern or vintage. Not wanting to detract from your Sandberg quest but are there other manufacturers that might offer something closer to what you want or need. I've only tried the ones i own VM4 and Marlowe so my advice is quite limited there. I'm wondering what or where you'll end up with this one Mike. All the best with it whatever route you take. Dave

If the band are good its a foot in the door for that area. "Build it and they will come". Played a gig in Methil Scotland about a 2 hr drive for me each way so nowhere near as horrendous as @cheddatom but first time was around 50-60 people in a club that holds approx 180-200. 2nd time was sold out so its all about getting in the door and showing how good you are. That was just after pandemic and that had a big effect on how many people wanted to socialise. Not so sure i'd drive 5 hrs each way tho. That's a long haul especially on way home after a gig. Dave

Just a wee update on the Godin. Used it at our 6hr rehearsal today. Godin bass into my own Ampeg SVT7 and into the studios Ampeg 810 cab. Have to say it plays so well and it feels great to play even for longer periods. Bit heavier than my Sandberg VM4 but not by much. Deep sounding and suited the songs better than the VM4. Only failing was that it doesn't cut thru the mix like my VM4 in certain songs. That said the amp settings were the exact same as i use for my VM4. For the last hour i boosted the mids on the amp quite a bit and it cut thru far better. Overall i'm very pleased with this bass. Not sure if it will take over from my VM4 as my main bass in the Glam band but i'll give it a try at the next gig using my own Mesa Subway 210/115 cabs. Neck is so so nice on these Godin Shifter basses. Very like a slim jazz. Pick up selector meant i could get a traditional P bass tone and a nice PJ setting without any volume changes. I did set up the bass during the week when fitting new Elixir nickels. Elixirs didn't fit when strung thru with the E string as winding reduction started just before the nut so its strung like all of my other basses as standard on the bridge. String height is down at 2.25mm with absolutely no fret buzz. Very slight neck relief too, almost straight. Had to drop the P pick up a bit as strings were touching poles on occasion and raised the J pick up a touch to get a better balance across the pick up selector switch. It has a very slight neck dive compared to VM4 but its very slight and didn't really present any issues for me when playing it. All in all its been a great purchase and highly recommend them. Very few basses will match build quality for the money they were sold as new. Dave

Always good to see a Ric on this thread. Stick with the Ric and tell the singer to move over or move forward out of your way. You'd think a few dunts on the back of his head would be hint enough but i guess that's singers for you Dave

Yep 100% my MarloweDK has that older style J tone. Dave

I was under the impression that the black labels were more "soulful" than the delano's or the Berg single coils. Warmer if you like but as i said @Cuzzie has a wealth of knowledge and experience on the various pick ups. Hopefully he'll be along soon and offer some advice. Dave

I'm sure @Cuzzie will be along shortly to explain in detail but i think the double pole versions are the Black Label ones. I thought they did their own version of the single poles with the sandberg 4 dots on them plus you had the choice of Delanos too but i'm not 100% sure on all that. I remember Cuzzie explaining it to me few yrs back when i bought my first one. Dave

4 new songs to learn for a rare rehearsal on Sun with the Glam covers band Suzi Q - If You Can't Give me Love. BCR - Summerlove Sensation Bryan Ferry - In Crowd Sweet - The Sixteens Nothing hard but we need to polish them up before putting in our set list. Dave

Heaven and Hell album for me. Loved the bass lines and his tone was IMO perfect. Dave

Normally have a wee spell of that guitar shaking over by guitarist side too. I have a wireless system so its easier for me to go to his side. I've also gone on walkabout with the singer / guitarist on the last song which is a medley of Loch Lomond and other Scottish themed songs with Shang-a-Lang to finish with guitarist having a free reign with it and i just keep the start of Shang-a-Lang bass going all the way thru with an occasional run down to follow guitarist riff. I did end up walking all the way round one of the larger clubs and back thru the dancefloor where i was dragged into photo requests with lots of ladies of varying ages and the occasional wayward bum grope but all in good spirits and just a fun night. I don't do it very often but our singer does enjoy mixing with our audiences in certain songs. I get away with it as most people don't recognise me after the gig without all the gear and wigs on. Dave

Its refreshingly good when you come across a young Sound Engineer who knows what they're doing and is helpful and willing to listen to what the band are saying. Dave

Oddly enough its one of those little things that annoys me too. In our younger years i would literally be happy playing on a postage stamp or at times mixed with the audience but now i just value my own space on stage. I hate when its assumed the bass player just stands at the back next to drums and should be heard but not seen. I'm not a show off when i'm playing but its nice to be at the front when you want to or for little bass breaks that stand out in the songs. I'm actually quite shy and when i was younger it probably suited me better to be standing back a bit. I could never be a bassist who is jumping around with a foot on the monitor kind of thing usually because i'm too busy thinking about what i'm playing LOL Dave

Sorry my laptop battery died a death at last minute but a pic has been added now along with an apology for my selfish behaviour. Dave

Sorry about that my battery was dying on me and i forgot to add the pic at last minute. I've put a stock pic on the original post as the one i bought is in perfect condition with no marks or dings that i can see. Dave