randythoades

I must respectfully disagree with CamdenRob. I played an outdoor gig last year playing contemporary and classic rock (Foo Fighters, Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Nickelback) and I used my violin bass through my GKM200 into a single standard Ashdown 2x12 cab and had no problem being heard. We recorded it on a handheld recorder out in the crowd and everyone clearly audible in the mix. I play mainly social clubs and the like so we don't need to be too loud, but my little GK is usually a bit overkill and plenty of bands play with 'practice amps'. I believe that other comments are correct, if you have good mix and EQ, a good drummer and respectful players, everyone can be heard with pretty 'small' amp. As far as I am aware, the doubling of power only adds 3 or 4db to the overall 'volume' anyway.

I use a GK MB200 into a single 8ohm cab (so only pushing about 130w) for playing 70s rock (Lizzy, Bowie, Skynyrd, Bolan) and it rarely needs to approach halfway. Any more needed and I would worry about my hearing and put through the PA. I play with 2 guitars too, one with 2 Fender combos in stereo and one with JCM marshall and 4x12 cab. Everyone is an experienced player and there is plenty of room to be heard. Most of my early days were gigging with a Trace BLX80 or 100w Commando combos and they were plenty.

Thanks for the offer Bassace, I already have a mag pickup that I like (Kent Armstrong DB pickup) and I run steel strings (Blast Lowlife) but I would just like to find an easy way to either boost the signal output slightly without my outboard preamp and thought about experimenting on my EUB to find a solution before taking tool to my main DB. 3below: that sounds just like I am thinking. I may give it a go with a bit of gaffa tape to test the feasibility, I have a spare PBass set. But I also like the idea of Sansamp or similar to boost the output enough to just keep the pickup I have. Cheers guys, will go through my parts box and also have a look on eBay at Sansamps

Hi Bassace. I have adjusted the polepieces to get good balance and I get a good tone. My issue is that the overall output is a bit low. I have tried pulling the poles/pickup closer to the strings but I keep catching the string on the poles and getting the nasty click. As it stands, I run straight into my amp for home practice/recording but for full on rehearsal or gig I either have to crank the amp which starts feedback or (more usually) run into an ART valve preamp to boost the signal before the amp. This is a bit of a clunky setup so just looking for a simpler to set up solution. Granted, my amp (GK MB200) is underpowered, but works fine under normal conditions. With my violin bass I only have volume up at around 10 o'clock and it is plenty of stage volume an DI into PA. Using the ART preamp to add 15dbor so, DB is the same, but otherwise volume is pretty much at 3- 4 o'clock. Would simple clean boost pedal (ie: TC Electronc mini Spark) do the trick or would that just add loads of noise?

Just been looking. Are you referring to the Sansamp VT programmable? If so, looks good. I actually don't use BG and DB on the same gig/rehearsal generally but I do share a pedal board between them with tuner, vocal harmony pedal and DI so this would be good actually as I can leave all the settings the same but leave my amp and/or PA as flat response.

Cheers for that. I am happy with the sound of my current mag pickup, but it is just to make a simpler setup at the preamp stage. I did think that it may be complex to build and did worry me that I didn't find any DIY instructions online... I don't need to amplify the click, I am more jazz than rockabilly orientated, so just a nice rich sound. Would something like a clean boost pedal work well next to my tuner on my board instead of a separate preamp? Or maybe an active EQ built onto the side of my bass that I can adjust on the fly? I have had a look at different preamps and there seems to be a huge range at generally a lot of money to fork out just to try so not sure which would work for me. I will have a look at the Sansamp but thought they were more distortion/overdrive based.

Morning chaps, just wondered if anyone had got experience of fitting either a passive or active electric bass pickup to their DB? I currently run Kent Armstrong mag pickup with my bass and generally happy but the signal output is a bit lower than my electric bass which would be handy to improve without the outboard preamp that I use at the moment So thinking about modifying my backup EUB (which has piezo pickup which I find a bit feeble) with some ideas to improve this... Possibly could improve the signal output and give me more tone shaping options if I fitted either active MM or similar pickup with preamp or even just a PBass set onto my bass and fit the controls onto a plate attached to the side. I understand would be a bit hit and miss and need to make a structure for it to fit on but wondered if anyone else had attempted such a heresy and had an guidance (ie: does it work)?

My first guitar and bass were Axe versions late 80s. Adverts in Metal Hammer magazine. They came with a 'How to Play Heavy Metal in a day' book. 25 years on, I still can't play some of it!! Horrible guitars but cute in their own right. Made me appreciate the cheap BC Rich Warlock guitar I bought to replace the guitar....

I use Cubase on PC. Mine is an old version (5) but it does the job with no problems on an old Windows XP laptop. I also use a Zoom r24 which is good as a scratchpad to get the audio down and then link it into Cubase for final processing etc. Reaper is also really good. But more recently I have dabbled with Behringer iStudio interface for ipad and use Garageband. Reasonable results and very easy to use for getting ideas down.

I play with a pick and although I lose them often in he washing machine, I have never dropped one on stage. I am fearful about doing so though as I don't like the sound of playing with fingers, so I do keep half a dozen on top of my amp to grab if I needed to. So I can see the point of doing it if you are playing those sort of stages when you are not backed into a corner and leaning on you amp stack...

I have had the same predicament in the past. I agree with lots of the other answers, start another band using the same personnel to 'force' someone out without the politics. Another solution I have tried (whilst a guitarist, having a 2nd guitarist who wouldn't listen) which has also been suggested is to have everyone go through the PA, either bypassing the amp and going in through a floor processor rather than on the amp, where you have more control on the sound. We had a guitarist with his Marshall and 4x12 cab that sounded terrible, nasally, thin etc so we 'miked up' the amps and turned their volume down to personal monitor stage volume only, then output it through the PA adding in loads of mid and reducing the treble. Lots of comments about how well we sounded. You could get rid of people but if the rest of the band are agreed then you could force him out together, or if you like his company rather than his playing then the PA is a good solution

I use D'addario Chromes on all my basses, lovely strings, slightly brighter than other flatwounds I have used, and I use D'addario on my guitars too. Always found them reliable and long lasting.

Easy going and friendly bunch - Upright bass, drums and vocals looking to recruit piano player to play some stripped down versions of some 50s rock and roll, boogie woogie, blues, jump blues, big band, swing and jive. Mainly covers, some originals, maybe some newer songs done in a more vintage style. We have played together previously in a rockabilly outfit but want to look for a softer more sophisticated sound rather than the raw guitar of rockabilly, and to make us different from the rest - some Elvis / Holly / Cochran / Jerry Lee etc, some jump blues, Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, Ray Charles, maybe some old country / skiffle... pretty much anything with a swing to it is a possibility. Fledgling project so nothing set in stone, wanting to find the right person to have input before settling on setlist etc. Love of the music and sense of humour more important than ability, interested more about having fun and finding the right person. Looking to play some small festivals, some parties etc but not heavy gigging - we all have family and work commitments. If of any interest, drop us a message. Cheers Simon

I will struggle to make it now. My wife now working so I have the children wit me and they need dropping in at clubs and parties. I may just keep popping in for an hour at a time to have a look rather than bring any gear down so I can be more flexible.

I have had these problems too, numbness and tingling fingers after plying for more than about 20 minutes. Been finding lighter and lighter basses to use, also have found that they scale length helps for me personally. Tried all sorts of straps too but nothing really helped to big degree. I built a super lightweight precision using a medium scale Squier neck on a Paulownia wood aftermarket body which really helped, and took me back to playing for a couple of hours. I now use hollow body short scale violin bass and with a bit of playing around, managed to get a sound I really liked, and the band not noticed the difference in tone. I can now play a 3 hour rehearsal with no problems.

Pretty much, I just don't 'get' Sgt Pepper at all. Heresy I know, but I find a lot of the Beatles, except the really early stuff, self indulgent twaddle... But I don't like the Rolling Stones either.

A nice resonator style acoustic for all of the traditional blues (which I don't play...)

Finally sorted. Ended up nabbing a Parkwood PWH 2 hybrid guitar off ebay for £300. Semi hollow, mini humbuckers and strung with heavy strings so with a bit of EQ can get a nice rich jazzy tone mixed half and half with piezo acoustic sounds, plus click to bridge pickup for almost telecaster tones . Really nice to play through a clean valve amp and exactly the tone I was looking for. Am a happy camper...

I use a GK MB200 into single Ashdown vs112, plenty of volume for rehearsing and small gigs. I DI into PA for extra volume if needed. And easy to carry with one hand.

Looks brilliant. I want one too.

Hi Rhys Cheers for that, I actually have a couple on watch at the moment, I might have a punt on one, I like the look and the lack of vibrato, so expecting something similar to the Epi Joe Pass.

Thanks for that Dad. Looks lovely. Unfortunately I went round at the weekend having a bit of a play. I was generally disappointed by the quality of the Gretsches that I played and the vibrato arm kept getting in my way. I tried to like the traditional archtop style with the single pickup but didn't find anything that I liked. Out of all of them I quite liked the Epiphone es175 and the Joe Pass, an strangely enough the Epiphone Casino but not enough to buy a new one, I will keep an eye out for similar on ebay. I also tried out a hybrid with a fishman piezo bridge (the name escapes me now) which was excellent but too modern looking for my needs. I am toying with the idea of buying a fishman powerbridge for my tele and building my own (I am generally ok with routing and electrics etc). But for now I am sticking to my trusty acoustic until something comes up on ebay. Cheers for all the advice, the search goes on.

I will check on the calendar and if the day is free. I will come along. I can bring my MIJ Aria basses, slimline upright, Ashdown cabs and GK head. Plus any acoustic /electric guitar related items too if needed.

BigRedX, no, the Ibanez Artcore does not have the vibrato unit, fixed archtop tailpiece. I tend to prefer the look rather than the bigsby but it would not be a major thing as I would rarely use the trem anyway so would probably remove it and retrofit a tailpiece. Ancient Mariner: I had initially discounted the thinline guitars and pretty much the semi's in order to keep the richness in the bass but when I go to try some I may include some as a comparison, god idea. Also good thought about the acoustic bridge, there are a couple of hybrids out there with piezo bridges I may look into that, didn't really think about that initially either. Cheers