BassTractor

Hey Dimwit, Welcome to BC, and congrats on the login name find. Yes, you can contribute - with questions if nothing else, but I'm sure you do know enough to help noobs like mysef. Enjoy! best, bert

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1362531152' post='2001064'] Intriguing........how many bass parts were written in medieval music [/quote] You misunderstood. Lotsa bass in the Medieval music that [b]I[/b] wrote! (Just you wait. In 1,000 years from now, my writings on BC will have become runes!) best, bert

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1362508599' post='2000477'] Not sure i see the point of all this "pseudo-worship" of how brilliant variety is, and isn't it all so great. [/quote] Personally, I don't notice any "pseudo-worship" in this thread at all, even though some in a thread like this just might be tempted to make their own list a long one. To me it seems that respect for variety does not exclude respect for specialisation. Also, it's just about choices. Guy I worked for was a Bach specialist who'd look down on everyone who was not as specialised as him. I found that just as silly as looking down on people who do specialise. In Holland, we had this definition of specialising as "Knowing more and more about less and less until you know everything about nothing". Like that one a lot. best, bert

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1362506670' post='2000400'] When you consider buying something marketed to the ignorant... [/quote] Good point, and I would certainly be in the market segment for the Orange one. Yours just scares me. Basically, guys like me just want one button, and a display that will only say either "Nah" or "Blimey! You're a smart guy for buying that valve, mate!" There's a serious point there: sometimes it really is better to pay overprice for a product you actually can relate to, and I personally do it more and more often. I look at this as newfound wisdom, whereas some around me keep asking why the Hull I bought that lousy, simplistic microwave oven. best, bert

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1362530242' post='2001055'] You don't wanna do that mate, your string replacement costs will go up by 60%... [/quote] Thanks for the tip, mate! So I'll have to learn to play fretted notes on those same two string then. Correct? best, bert

Thanks for posting that. It was free in Norway as well, and I've downloaded it. Weird they would make the most expensive one free, and not the others, or maybe I read too little. Anyway, best, bert

Nice shot indeed.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1362500067' post='2000247'] Realistically, do you think you could? [/quote] Good question, which makes for a cool thread. Realistically, whatever I'd write would almost certainly not become a hit. The song itself might have many or all or the characteristics needed, but there's such a vast area between the corner of writing something and the corner in the distance where a song becomes a hit. But yes, I'd write a song that is hummable enough, gets the foot to move enough and that is special enough to not be just another bland nothingness. Sadly, it would still not become a hit, realistically. best, bert

Right now, I'm not that varied. It's limited to the open E on the E string and the open B flat on the B string - without downtuning! In my dark past, I've (written and) performed everything from Medieval music to post modern classical, prog, pop, rock, jazz, country, blues. Sadly never metal. When I grow up, I wanna learn to play a few more notes on the bass. best, bert

Thanks, Mr. Foxen. That seemed quite revealing. best, bert

[quote name='gilli1812' timestamp='1362422953' post='1999531'] happens maybe once every 30mins then nowt for a while [/quote] Before using big money, I'd replace the caps, one at a time. I can't do the math anymore, but IIRC this type of behaviour often points towards ruined caps. Edit, didn't see your last post. Still one cap left to try though? best, bert

Aftermarket preamp you mean? Loads of them. for example the John East J-Retro at http://www.east-uk.com/ . However, I have no idea how well it will fit to your pickups. Others will have to hurry in and contribute. I was wondering: Is there any additional noise? Or just sound cleanly cutting out and coming back? Replacing a capacitor or cleaning the pots might just help. best, bert

Just as an addendum, for those wishing for a career in music, I'd like to add how much us music students would study to get to the top. Depending on everything of course, a normal week could well consist of 60 to 70 hours of studying, including depping and concerts. Roughly half of this time would/could be playing our main instrument (35 to 40 hours), one fourth playing the piano and the rest for theory and everything else. Other people's mileage will vary of course, but the above was quite standard. best, bert

Thanks to Bob for being an enabler at least. best, bert

Apparently, if my searches were performed correctly that is, no-one has mentioned the new Orange valve tester yet. DIVO VT1000 is its name. It should hit the shops next month, and retail at £349. Here's Orange's own vid about it: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vpnuiZoJtE[/media] best, bert

Hey Matt, Welcome to BC. How did you ever manage to avoid us, eh? Anyway, enjoy the site, the discussion and the banter now you're here. best, bert

IME, music students to a large degree planned for their solo careers without considering enough that only a few of them would make it, and most of them would end up like teachers or, if they were lucky, as orchestra musicians. The realism that is shown in threads like these may seem a trifle void of hope or trust in oneself, but OTOH does protect people from failing miserably. Still, I'd say: go for it. Work your ass off doing what you love, but also make sure that you're realistic in your expectations, and know what you can accept as alternative ways of surviving. best, bert

[quote name='lobematt' timestamp='1362347478' post='1998831'] I don't mind travelling an hour(ish!) to find one. [/quote] One hour(ish!) only? In that case, take a plane to Heathrow, rent a car there and take the 1 hour(ish) drive up to Leamington. Bass Direct have both MarkBass and Aguilar as well as serious competitors to those. I'm only half kidding. It's just so obviously worth it. best, bert

That sounds awful, man. I can very much understand your feelings. I hope that when this has gone by, that you'll be left with the positive memories - they must be there in abundance given that this is such a hard blow right now. Good luck! best, bert

[quote name='WhoNeedsYou' timestamp='1362321327' post='1998309'] [IMG]http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r525/basstractor1/post-29261-0-50179800-1362321224_thumb_zpscb36f9c1.jpg[/IMG] [/quote] That's not natural blonde! That's black/rw/tort! What's wrong with people? best, bert

Slow down, folks! We can't possibly keep up with the speed here! best, bert

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1362310554' post='1998132'] So see if you can buy an old hack for £60 [/quote] I'm sick and tired of you always sneekily trying to sell that chrome Warwick in other threads. I'll give you £52, BTW. best, bert

[color=#ffffff].[/color] [color=#ffffff].[/color] Oh, and before the Dead Spots Don't Exist choir starts howling, here's evidence: Of course I just play around it. Congrats, Torben. best, bert

Tnx! I'll try and check it out. b, b

[quote name='gelfin' timestamp='1362245865' post='1997535'] I found that Ukele bass strings worked well (when settled) and no need for talc or anything else. [/quote] No need for talc? Wow, that seems like a major improvement. Which ones are these? The oft mentioned Aquila Thundergut ones maybe? best, bert