lee4

If You play in a punk or heavy rock band and the happy couple like that,fine,but you have to make certain sacrifices to keep all the guests happy. I've played at a few weddings,and we have always told those who book us that we play what we play but are willing to take on board suggestions/requests if the are given in good time. As we play some ska,Stax-Volt RnB,disco and old school rock we seem to cover all bases,but do'nt be afraid to try or suggest something different. So far we have been well recieved,but remember that you will never please all the guests all of the time. Ask the happy couple what they want you to wear.You may all have to scour the charity shops for cheap suits to sweat in! Tell them that as a band you ca'nt play quieter than the drummer! We had two complaints at a soundcheck for a wedding by local residents,so always be diplomatic too. If you enjoy the songs you play it will show,and make the wedding guests happier too.

Macavoy/De'ath(Rory Gallagher) Lee/Peart(Rush) Foxton/Buckler(The Jam) JPJ/Bonham(Zep) Entwhistle/Moon(The Who) Pegg/Mattacks(Fairport Convention) Seymour/Hester(Crowded House)

Fingers for most stuff,plec on a few punky songs. I find gripping a plec hurts a bit,but I started out using one but kind of lost the habit.

Started on guitar,but soon realised that I was crap,and luckilly was offered a bass gig.Very happy to have swapped!I only use the guitar as a songwriting tool. I have recently taken up mandolin.Bloody small!Lucky I've got little hands!

In 21 years of playing I've owned/had in temporary possesion; Ibanez Riccy copy. Marlin Sidewinder(was quite good) Aria Cat pro II Fender Jazz Hohner B2A Hohner JJ(purple stain on maple top.I am colour-blind) Yamaha jazzish thing(low output PUPs and clubby neck) Status Groove Warwick $$. Amp wise,its; Marlin 25w Marshall 60w, Carlsbro 150w head and 1x15+1x8 cab Carlsbro 300w head plus cab above Trace 300w head plus Peavey 1x15 cab.

Trace 300w head into Peavey 1X15,graphic switched off,tiny bit of compression,hey pesto,warm and defined sound with my Warwick.

[quote name='Sibob' post='52195' date='Aug 29 2007, 10:14 AM']Looks nice, a guy i knew a few years ago had one of Tunes lower passive models, that was pretty good for the dosh! The problem i'd have with this particular bass i think is the size of the pickups, or length rather. Because i anchor my thumb on the pickup to play my E, on this the pickup looks a long way from the E string compared to my jazz, or any other bass i've seen tbh Let us know what its like! Si[/quote] Glad to see I'm not the only one who plays like this.

I've seen Behringer amps and cabs on GAK's site(www.guiterampkeyboard.com). They seem too good to be true as they are very cheap and have good power output. Anybody in BC world tried them and are they O.K?

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='44915' date='Aug 13 2007, 05:12 PM']Krozka Sharpe Guitars (http://www.ksguitars.com/) are just kicking off their brand of guitars, marketing is taking off and they have lots of interest in their range of 6 stringers. I had a good old chin-wag with the guys down there and it transpires they are developing their first production bass. They have certain aesthetics that they feel have to be incorporated to keep the bass in line with their guitar range but welcomed the idea of input from the bass community, hence this thread. Now the good bit... The body is likely to be pretty much a version of their 'Raider' guitar (below), headstock will likely be a reverse 4 on a side design (upside down Jazz, my words not theirs) and the fingerboard is open to debate depending upon final body wood selection (possibly Alder or Sycamore). It is likely to have a tear-drop pickguard (a la MM) with a PJ pup configuration with controls rear-mounted, placed similar to the guitar below. Comments, suggestions and insight into the proposed bass would be greatly appreciated. It would be helpful to them if you could explain why you think something is good or bad and a brief insight into your main gigging bass so that they can weigh up the comments. Who knows... a name check for Basschat might be in order! [/quote] Use soapbar or humbuckers.They'll suit the shape better.

[quote name='LPG83' post='49470' date='Aug 23 2007, 12:33 PM']Hello there. Thought I'd pop on and ask for a bit of advice from all you bass doctors. I'm playing a Warwick Corvette STD with EMG jazz pickups, and have done for a number of years. The trouble I have, even since upgrading the pickups, is that clackety/ reedy/ grainy/ brittle sound, that I suppose is the nature of "the sound of wood". In my current situation I really can't afford to do what i've wanted to do for a long time, which is go out and buy a really beautiful Jazz Bass. So, put simply....any one have any cost effective solutions to make my warwick sound a bit meatier...infact just like a jazz bass? I know you might put this down to backline. Im playing through a Euphonic Audiohead, which is lovely...but even when ive been through big mighty ampeg setups its still just rattles too much. any tips? cheers/[/quote] Buy a Corvette $$.Meaty coil tappable humbuckers,highly versatile and powerful.

I always kid myself that my latest purchase is my last but I know that I'm just lying to myself. There is always another bass/amp/gadget that makes me belive that only that item can fulfill me. How come I was as happy with my first bass(a marlin sidewinder in red sparkle!)as I am with my current one(Warwick $$)?

[quote name='obbm' post='48726' date='Aug 22 2007, 09:35 AM']Hi Lee At 5' 6" I suppose I'm vertically challenged but I play both 34" and 35" scale basses. It's the smaller hands that go with the small stature that are the problem. Getting a suitable neck width and thickness is most important. Jazz string spacing at the nut is a must although I've not found too much of problem with different bridges. Strangely enough I don't like flat necks either. Remember if Suzi Quatro can play a full-size bass then sure as hell you can.[/quote] Its true about smaller hands.I find that I do lots of slides between notes .

[quote name='Jambo63' post='48718' date='Aug 22 2007, 09:03 AM']Hi Lee, I'm very shortarsed at 5'2" lol - but I use a full scale Fender Jazz bass, it is slung a little bit low but I have no problems playing it. It's a late 70's very early 80's Jazz with great slim neck (I think it's about 80 or 81 as it's an E number on the headstock and I've placed it around 79 - 82) Also have other basses including a Warwick Streamer bolt on from 95, a Toby Pro through neck (far east version) and have just ordered a Geddy Lee Jazz. Not sure if this helps you any Fraser[/quote] I also play my bass slung low.I find there is less strain on my plucking arm.

[quote name='The Funk' post='48921' date='Aug 22 2007, 01:09 PM']I remember when I was starting out (and when I wanted to be the best bass player in the world) I would get frustrated that my fingers weren't as long as Stanley Clarke's (ie. longer than legs) because I thought my limited hand stretch would limit my playing. Well, I no longer want to be the greatest bass player in the world but I've also realised that I was worrying about nothing. I play Warwick 5s without any problem. I prefer a smaller string spacing and thicker neck but that's about it. I can play all 4s without too much difficulty and with 5s I tend to stick to Warwicks. I've never felt the need for a shorter scale bass (although I recently picked one up to through around the house).[/quote] I do'nt want to be the best in the world,but I find that having small hands can limit things,although I recently found that at fully open,the fingers on my left(fretting)hand can stetch an inch further than those on the right. Oh,I play a Warwick as well.

I play in a band that does weddings,parties,etc,and also performs as an all originals band.Learning cover versions helps train your ear,i.e you can hear chord intervals and changes and therefore can learn any song faster.I have found playing cover versions has helped me explore new styles of playing and has helped me add parts to original songs faster.

Hello Rich,congrats on taking up the bass. Get a decent tutor book,a tuner,and a quiet place to practice.If you want a bit more volume before your amp arrives,try playing with the head of the bass touching a door.The vibrations from the bass will transfer to the door and be clearly heard. The best bass lesson I ever got was this;it aint what notes you play,its the ones that you leave out that are the most important. Happy playing!

As one of lifes shaortarses(5'7")I've had years of trouble finding a truely comfy bass.Anyone else had this problem?Medium scale is NOT the solution!

As I am only 5'7" tall,I have trouble finding a really comfy bass to play. Surely I ca'nt be the only player with this problem? Anyone else out there suffering from an in-built height restriction?

[quote name='Subthumper' post='46345' date='Aug 16 2007, 12:09 PM']Assuming you've got a nice set of strings(EQ wont cure or bring back lost harmonics) I'd set everything flat on the amp and the cab horn control.Then turn the amp up till you've got the right sort of volume you need to be heard when playing with the band.Then use the EQ.What I've found is the EQ requirements change with volume (and the room you're in),so as you play louder you actually need less boost than you do playing at lower levels.This also keeps a tighter sound and stops all the power being guzzled up by over boosting the low end. Good luck cheers Just[/quote] I agree.I hav'nt used the EQ on my old Trace head for a year or more.I only use the bass pot on my Warwwick.Seems to work.

Warwick Corvette $$,very versatile but bloody heavy,and a Status groove,light but with a thin sound.

Most Fenders.They always seem to have a deafening E-string.

Hohner B2A(headless stick bass) and Hohner JJ(jazz style). Do'nt laugh,they both looked and sounded great,especially the JJ(it was purple on a curlyish maple top).

What kind of bass player am I?The one that the song needs! I do'nt slap or tap,just play simple,solid lines.

Hello,I'm Lee from Surrey,now playing bass for 21 years. My gear list is;Warwick Corvette $$,Status Groove(both 4 string),old Trace 300 watt head into a Peavey 1x15 cab,and Elites strings. Right now I'm trying to get the hang of this site,any tips greatfully recieved!