cheddatom

Yeh, sometimes I can carry on without a string, other times I can't. If the any of my top 5 strings breaks before a chorus where i'm playing bar (barre?) chords, I lose one fifth of that chord! It's a bit like trying to play our songs on a four string, it's fun, and develops your knowledge of shapes on the neck etc, but you can't really do it properly.

Fair point, I should have looked up the pedal before I commented!

I managed to change a string during a breakdown bit in one of our songs, the guitarist and drummer just doubled the length of it to about 40-50 seconds. I wasn't in the audience, but i'm pretty sure I would have been impressed. Obviously it won't turn out that lucky every time, and I would advocate taking a backup.

[quote name='neepheid' post='65233' date='Sep 25 2007, 11:11 AM']I don't gig. I'm not good enough. QED.[/quote] But if you played in a band, you'd get good enough in no time.

I don't think people who don't gig, are for that reason less of a musician. Obviously anyone who plays music is a musician. Being in a live band really helps you develop as a musician, whatever instrument you're on, and I think that in general, people who play in bands (maybe they don't have to gig) are generally better musicians to listen to.

I always want to take my spare 6 string as a back up, but I can't afford the hard case! I have a set of old strings that I put on in record time when I snap them live, which has only happened 3 times. If I were to have another problem with my bass, i'd be screwed!!

[quote name='martthebass' post='64957' date='Sep 24 2007, 07:04 PM']Guess we must be in the minority. I play on nails on index, middle and 3rd finger, this gives me the tone I'm looking for plus cuts down on blisters if I'm doing a few back to back gigs. I generally just keep 'em at 2-3mm though so that breaking isn't likely and 'handshakers' don't think you're a girl OTHH when playing fretless the nails are then short enough so you can play on the 'pads' and get the smooth tone if you want.[/quote] Yeh, I don't keep my nails that long, maybe 3mm at the most, but they still break. I do change between using the nail and using the "pads". [quote name='Shaggy' post='65048' date='Sep 24 2007, 10:31 PM']When I used to play a lot of flamenco guitar I used this stuff called Tuffnail (from Boots etc) that you rub into the base of the nail daily -it really did work. Also drink lots of milk - high protein & calcium - sounds daft but true.[/quote] Thanks, good advice! [quote name='endorka' post='65098' date='Sep 25 2007, 12:08 AM']I think you misunderstand me. When I advocate consistency, I am not saying that every note you play should sound exactly the same: I am saying that every note you play should be under your control and should come out sounding the way you want it to. Elimination of variables helps you achieve this. Jennifer [url="http://www.jenniferclarkbass.com"]http://www.jenniferclarkbass.com[/url][/quote] Yeh, obviously the variable here is my finger nail length, which is very annoying, and I would like to get rid of it, as it comes with a lot of pain, and looking like an idiot on stage trying to rip my hang-nails off and suck the blood off my finger! When my nails are at the right length, I don't have any problems with control, or getting my sound right (or though I do use a lot of pedals, which helps).

[quote name='anti-barbie' post='64832' date='Sep 24 2007, 04:16 PM']False nails?[/quote] Wouldn't they come off even easier than real nails?

I don't really like this idea that I shouldn't be using my nails, or that I should be striving for consistency. I'm striving for variety, originality, and fun! I don't have very long nails, and none on the left hand as I agree, they get in the way, but, when you pop extra hard with your nail, it has a bite that cannot be attained otherwise, deffinitely not by playing closer to the bridge. I was talking to my (female) boss at lunch time, and she says she gets her nails painted with some strengthening resin for like £15 so I may go for that when they grow back. Thanks for the replies so far :-)

[quote name='gilmour' post='64678' date='Sep 24 2007, 12:10 PM']Yeah at rehersal last night I had my envelope filter on, and accidentally had my overdrive on too - sounded phat EDIT: i use a really really subtle overdrive, just to make the sound a litle more brittle[/quote] A nice subtle ovderdrive will make pretty much anything sound "phat". Although it's not appropriate for certain mellow parts, I generally have some subtle OD on all the time.

I already use thumb picks, but hadn't thought about finger picks. I would worry about damaging the strings with metal picks though. I get through 7 plastic thumb picks on average each month. I guess nail carnish would be ok if it actually strengthened the nail enough. Any ladies know about that?

There is a definite difference in tone between playing hard, and playing medium, or soft. Plus, at gigs, we all get a bit carried away, surely? Maybe if I kept them cut I wouldn't break them, but then I wouldn't have such a mean tone for my pops!

I always break at least one nail at each gig I play. I know it's from popping too hard, but I can't seem to stop it! Anyone else have this problem? Any advice to get around it? The last gig I played I broke the 2nd finger nail and bit it off. Then the nail on my 3rd finger ripped, and I couldn't bite it off as it was so far in! Now I have bloody strings, which is rather annoying.

I like the bass balls, but, not really for funky sounds, more for making strange noises and stuff. I quite like the boss AW-3 with a bit of OD after it.

Would you not have the distortion in the LS-2 loop as well? I always like some clean blend with my distortion sounds.

What's it sound like with the active bass? I know people keep saying it's crap with an active so.. just interested.

I don't know what's on that video (at work), but I will always highly recommend the wah probe, especially on bass. It's great!

Wow, those "hot hand" effects are very cool, i've not seen them before.

Heh, cool. I have to admit i've never listened to KISS sorry! Do you have support when you play there? Does it get packed? It'd be cool to play with more than 30 people in the room!

Yeh, I really like it there, it has a great stage and a cool atmosphere, even when there's no-one there! What's your band?

It's just a 1 x 15". I was DId and I got him to low pass that, and mic up the 2 x 12".

[quote name='beerdragon' post='59141' date='Sep 12 2007, 10:49 AM']Who's using the Peavey cheddatom?[/quote] Me, and the Johnson 2 x 12" you see to the right of it.

I like this picture 'cos you can see some of my board, and my bass looks great! Anyone else play the Limelight in Crewe?