lowdowner

I think there's a kind of 'platonic' bass sound - a kind of supernatural perfection of tone that all of our attempts are just shadows of. 

Some great comments there - thanks for that! It looks like either way is fine (or even mixed, especially using your own amp/cabs as monitor). 

4 hours ago, stingrayPete1977 said:

that's kinda got me drooling! 🤤 

There seems to be a lot of discussion between gigging bass players about whether to feed the bass through the band's PA or through an independent amp/cab stack. 

What do you folks do when gigging? What's your preference, and do many people feed the bass through *both* the PA and their own stack, and why?

Also, if you use a pedal board do you always put a DI box on the end of the chain if you're going to feed to the PA?

just curious!

39 minutes ago, Delberthot said:

To add another option - if you get the chance, try a Sterling - not the Asian made ones but the US Sterling.

I've had quite a few Stingrays over the years and just couldn't get the Stingray sound that I had in my head. Turns out it was a Sterling that gave me the sound that I had been looking for. Plus it has a smaller body, narrow jazz-like neck.

That is a funk machine

Good call - I will take a look/listen. Thanks.

I have a Vigier passion III for punk/metal so a Stingray for funk/pop sounds about right. Thanks for taking the time to give a great overview - much appreciated

1 minute ago, RonMac said:

I picked up a 2000 Stingray in Trans-orange with matching headstock and love. ... I prefer the 90's neck, lot's of birdseye maple was used. ... The new ones are about the same. Are you looking new or used?

New I think - though I'd be tempted by a Trans-orange pre-loved if available!

I've had a small windfall - about the size of a new tip-top-notch bass as it happens - and I'm having serious GAS for a Stingray Classic 4 string. 

I buy a new bass about once a decade so it's a BIG decision for me and I need to know how many of you guys (possibly the greatest bass playing experts on the interweb so I trust you) rate this bass? How's the quality of build and is having a single humbucker a limitation? Has anyone bought one recently and are you pleased with it?

Obviously I'm looking for encouragement but if there are any serious worries I'd probably rather know!

I always memorise when drumming but this is mostly because there is a paucity of dots for drums - besides, when you’re thrashing around on the kit how would you keep your gaze steady?

16 minutes ago, Wolverinebass said:

Sack him and get someone better. Nobody needs to put up with that.

+1 here! 

7 minutes ago, chris_b said:

I don't agree with the "rehearse songs slower, because the drummer always plays them faster on the gig", idea. Rehearse the songs the way you want to gig them. Then play them exactly the same on the gig. That's what you rehearsed. . . that's what you intended, so don't play something different on the gig, just because one of the band doesn't/can't follow the script.

I respectfully disagree with this. All I can say is that it worked for our band because the 'adrenaline speed up' is human nature for many of us and we're not all perfect or talented enough to play at exactly the same tempo regardless of whether we're rehearsing or performing. We're all different and our heads work in different ways - we just need to find what works for each of us

5 minutes ago, PaulWarning said:

I have had this problem occasionally, I just say to the drummer "I'm not good enough to play this song at this speed" usually does the trick.

But adrenaline kicks in and a  lot of bands play faster live, listen to live albums, they do play faster than studio versions of the same songs

This is true, which is why it's better to always play songs 10-15% slower when practising - the speed up then results in the right tempo in performance

7 minutes ago, Akio Dāku said:

I'd just bring it up straight away at the start of the next rehearsal. Say something like; "I feel like we're constantly rushing as a band, I might be wrong but could we try rehearsing to a click for a few weeks? Just so we can lock our tempos down together." Then your not singling anyone out and the click will objectively reveal if anyone's rushing without you saying a word.

This is a good idea - sometimes the drummer isn't pushing the tempo and they are following someone else who's driving it forward faster and faster. It's worth baring in mind that sometimes drummers are forced to follow to avoid a car crash.

Playing to click is a separate skill though and if the drummer hasn't done this much before it may take a while before they're up to speed so don't expect miracles on day 1!

Yup, i like this. It's got an early Floyd feel about it.

I'm a drummer and have the same kind of conversations in my band regularly. 

I found that the most positive messages from band members usually went along the lines of "Look, the timing of the band belongs to *you* as the drummer, YOU have your foot on the accelerator and brake and how fast we go is completely your domain. However, we can't all play as fast as you can so we need to be able to signal that we need it to go slower."

The next thing we did was have several practice sessions where we just concentrate on 'messaging' i.e. playing our usual tracks but getting different members of the band to signal a slowing down or speeding up and listening to the drummer drive the pace from that. It's like a game where the drummer is in control and different band members make 'speed up' or 'slow down' signals. We always over-emphasise the speed change so that all band members can clearly agree that it has sped up or slowed down. It's a lot of fun as a drummer because you actually feel like the driver in terms of speed.

If the drummer is a reasonable person they'll see how important it is to practice this messaging as much as any other aspect of practising. By making it a 'game' and reassuring them that they are always in controls, it works well.

You have to be honest with yourselves though that you are prepared to trust the drummer with the tempo setting (not paying lip service and ignoring them!) - respect must work both ways.

We drummers need nurturing and ego-stroking. Otherwise we throw our toys out of the pram and have tantrums, but then we often get the blame when actually *nobody* is working as a team member.

david

I like the sound of a FUZZ pedal - just checked and there's a whole range of them... looks like some fun experimenting ahead!

Just now, BassBus said:

If it's Facebook it might be to do with your privacy settings.

Yeah, they're so complicated to work out though! Anyway, I uploaded to Youtube and started a new thread. FB can s*d off!

11 hours ago, Quatschmacher said:

Post links to some clips and we may be able to help identify effects.

Where are you based? If you’re near Sheffield I’m happy to let you try out some stuff. 

Cheltenham, or i'd take you up on that offer. Thanks

1 hour ago, BassBus said:

I'd like to dig it too but it doesn't seem to think I should be able to watch it. 😊

Just as I posted it again the original seems to be working! Technology eh? can't beat it...

Trying out a new tune - it's a grower

Comments - as always - welcome, I'm just trying to improve!

2 minutes ago, BassBus said:

I'd like to dig it too but it doesn't seem to think I should be able to watch it. 😊

bugger - I'll see if I can fix that!

It's not cool, and it's definitely not clever,  but it's my first attempt at Chelsea Dagger and I'm diggin' it

8 hours ago, Quatschmacher said:

What kind of sounds are you trying to create? Do you have any examples of effects uses on records that have caught your ear?

The problem with this is that I don't know whether the sound I'm hearing is due to the bass itself or a pedal (well, unless it's a really strong effect like a vocoder or similar). 

Maybe I can hook up with a bass playing friend and try some out to see if I can find out what's available.

Just now, stingrayPete1977 said:

Tuner

I have a clip on thingy-ma-jig for that

When I'm not bassing I'm drumming in my 'other' band!  

Mind you - I always have an eye on the bass player if you know what I mean!