stevebasshead

I'd suggest making your EQ changes while the band is playing to see what works best in the mix. Often what sounds right solo'd doesn't sound right in the mix and conversley what sounds wrong solo'd sits perfectly in the mix.

[quote name='ahpook' post='178164' date='Apr 16 2008, 06:38 PM']this is great... the guitarist on one of the bands is now spitting the dummy somewhat that i may not be able to make practise on sunday... i just can't believe it. a doctor's told me not to play until it's healed, and he expects me to risk tearing my finger open.[/quote] Could be worse, at least he knows you're there. One of the bands I used to play in, the guitarist was in such a world of his own I could've played a completely different song, let alone actually be there, and he'd not have noticed. Luckily (and despite the jokes) most of the guitarists I know and have played with have been pretty tuned in to what everyone else is doing. Doesn't excuse him from being such a prick in this instance though. Ask him to rip his own finger open if it's not such a problem...

[url="http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/Joeys%20frameset.htm"]Try this one for great advice, also includes specific advice for Ric's which are a bit different from the rest[/url]

[quote name='Muppet' post='172167' date='Apr 8 2008, 12:46 PM']Who makes Ricky cases? They seem pretty indestructable too.[/quote] Actually I find the standard Ric cases tend to be too brittle, notably where the feet are mounted. Three of my feet are pushed right in despite being very careful with everything I own, not just my pride and joy. I've seen mention elsewhere about the Ric cases feet issues, I think it was on the Ric forums. Steve.

There could be hope for your old mixer yet! Mate of mine spilt beer all over his TV remote and it stopped working. I fixed it by opening it up, making sure it was all dry and then spraying the circuit board, both sides, with electrical contact cleaner spray to remove the sticky residue. Fixed and working in minutes. The Gadget Show (Ch5) have done tests with things like mobile phones etc, immersing them in water, drying them thoroughly and in every case they worked again. Hope this helps, Steve.

[quote name='The Funk' post='164210' date='Mar 27 2008, 12:42 AM']The only way to keep stage levels down is to remove power amp tubes from the guitarist's amp.[/quote] Or put one of those perspex 'forcefield' affairs around your drummer

[quote name='synaesthesia' post='164233' date='Mar 27 2008, 04:11 AM']My basis of computation was if I needed a dep on the night what would it cost me to get cover to fulfill the gig - double, triple? Can I find one at short notice to cover the gig on Xmas/Eve NYE if say, my drummer sprained his wrist? (which he did, thankfully he sent his schooled drumming son to cover); multiply that by the number of players, add your overheads and you have your fee.[/quote] That's a damn good point, I wonder how many of us 'pub bands' consider that when we're being booked for anything other than regular pub gigs?

[quote name='thedarxide' post='164379' date='Mar 27 2008, 11:30 AM']The middle three make no sense. I can understand having 12,7,6 but anything else is just stupid. You're not seriously going to need any other sound in one song are you? What's the Yes song with the triple, Awaken? I think that's 4 fretted, 4 fretless and a 6 string guitar.[/quote] Altered tunings would be the only reason I can come up with for 3 otherwise identical necks...but then it'd be easier on your back if nothing else to buy a Line6 Variax which can switch tunings/sounds etc mid song too. The triple neck bass is 4 fretted, 4 fretless and a 6 string bass (strung in octave pairs) but was originally a guitar as you say. Was made buy Wal for Rick Wakeman who gave it to Roger Newell when he played in Rick's band. Then Rick took it back when he rejoined Yes and gave it to Chris Squire who restrung the guitar neck as a bass.

If it helps I use rechargeables in my AKG bug transmitters (2 of). I'd easily get 3 gigs out of them but to be 100% safe I just leave the transmitters on after each gig to drain the batteries by the morning. Then they get charged from an uncharged state and I know for sure they'll do the next gig. I've got a spare pair which I alternate with so I've always got one pair in use and one pair charged and ready to go for the next nights gig. Never ever had a problem. I also carry a pair of disposables just in case. I was a rubbish boy scout but the phrase "be prepared" seems to have stuck!!...

[quote name='subaudio' post='157485' date='Mar 14 2008, 03:15 PM']If the LS2 dosent work I will be dashing around Denmark Street tomorrow trying out all your sugestions. Thanks again [/quote] If it doesn't work, I've just received the weekly Sound Control email where they've an offer on [i]this weekend only [/i]on the Tapco (Mackie's cheaper range) Blend 6 mixer. RRP is £89, but they're selling them for just £19.99...

I use one of these [url="http://www.hartnollguitars.co.uk/products.asp?id=1699"]http://www.hartnollguitars.co.uk/products.asp?id=1699[/url] in my rack two mix two preamps together. One has a low output (same problem you're having) so I use the mizer to bring it up to line level. Very clean boost and under £20.

I went last year and it was pants for basses/bassists then too. There were more basses in Guitar Guitar in town. And they don't charge for entry...

If you're down to the sticky residue then ordinary Mr Sheen will get that gunk off and [i]should[/i] be safe enough on any finish. Works a treat to remove sticky labels from CD jewel cases etc too. Fake edit: [i]<Other furniture polishes are also available>[/i]

Great little units, you won't be disappointed. If you're going to be leaping about be sure to use the little sticky velcro pads they supply so that the bug stays attached to your bass rather than bounding around on it's hinge

I found resting my thumb on the low B instead of a pickup helped, so that effectively I was playing a 4 string until I deliberately wanted to play the low B. So only at that point did I have to really think about playing the new string, if you see what I mean? Odd thing was, after playing 5's for 18 months I found it just as weird going back to 4's but as you already sussed, it's all about practice. Now I can hop between them with barely a thought. Which is just as well considering the contents of m'head.

I used heavy duty sticky backed velcro when I used my old vinyl covered Trace cabs, some on the cab, some on the amp's feet. Worked a treat. If your amps feet won't take velcro you could still stick one side of the velcro onto your cab in four pieces in a diamond pattern but with a hole in the middle for the foot to sit in, kinda like this ('scuse the rubbish picture): I'd doubt the amp would be able to ride "up" over the velcro, even a mm or two should be enough. Unless you're into serious earthquaking dub-bass :brow:

EQing your sound into the mix rather than making it sound nice solo'd will help a lot as will the other suggestions above. Maybe this will help (from my own experience.) Perception often plays a part, for example my bandmates say they can hear me and they really do mean just that i.e. they're aware of bass sounds being present. But as a bass player I also [b]need[/b] to be able to hear pitch (and preferably tone) from my bass in order to be certain I'm playing the right notes. I can play from memory without hearing but as soon as I doubt myself I get lost unless I can hear exactly what I'm playing, if you get my drift. So the perception between what I [i]need[/i] to hear and what my band mates are just OK with differs. Maybe that's why your drummer is hearing you but you're not hearing yourself - so long as he hears the rhythm of your playing he's happy but you need to hear the individual notes clearly too?

[quote name='DHA' post='147310' date='Feb 26 2008, 04:35 PM']Hi Steve, Bass 30Hz, Mid (Q in mid position) 1Khz, Treble 10KHz. There is about a 15-19dB cut and boost at each frequency. It's what called a Baxendall design and considered by many to be the best active eq there is. I have not worked out how much sweep the Q adds yet, but its a fair bit if my ears tell me right. Dave[/quote] 30Hz!! Wow, some of the rickety stages I've played on won't survive that when I pump it through my 1000w power amp

[quote name='DHA' post='147276' date='Feb 26 2008, 03:05 PM']I tested the design on your VT5-Bass but there is no room on the front panel for the new Q control as yours is already drilled, marked up and 3/4 wired so I will fit it on the back.[/quote] No probs, Dave, it'll only be a minor inconvenience compared to the bonus of having it Just out of interest what's the frequency range that the mid sweep covers? Oh, and what centre frequencies did you decide on for the bass and treble? Regards, Steve.

[quote name='DHA' post='146885' date='Feb 25 2008, 08:24 PM']I have added a new feature to the active tone controls, it's a Q control. It works on the Mid range and allows you to select the frequency at which the Mid control cuts or boosts. You will be able to pick the sweet spot for your bass. This will be standard on the VTX range and the VT2-Pre-amps from now on. Dave[/quote] Perfect!!

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='144522' date='Feb 21 2008, 05:09 PM']Why are the DM 40's £5 less than the DM 45's at THomann? Am I missing something? [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/dean_markley_2674_a_nickel_blue_steel.htm?partner_id=79570"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/dean_markley_2674...artner_id=79570[/url] [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/dean_markley_2670_a_nickel_blue_steel.htm?partner_id=79570"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/dean_markley_2670...artner_id=79570[/url] Surely they are produced the same and in fact the lighter strings use less material... go figure! I fancy giving these a try any body know where they are cheaper?[/quote] Weird, the less metal they use the more you pay The 45s look like a great price. I got 2 sets of 45s from Schneider Musik for 53 euros incl. p+p but I think I'll get my next set from Thomann once these go dead (been on since Nov and still great)

I switched from long term use of Elixirs to Dean Markley Blue Steels via Warwick EMP, DR FatBeams & Lo-Riders & D'Addario EXP's. The Blue Steels have a fantastic sound for my Ric's, last as well as anything above (other than Elixirs), don't rip my fingers and are nice and supple. I think I'll be sticking with them for a good while yet.

Neat I've got the chrome version of the pickguardian on my JG - top quality.