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As per title, what bass related prezzies do you all get?

Very easily just like anyone else. Don't ever fall for the trick of thinking youre irreplaceable. It doesn't necessarily mean the replacement will be as good or that the band will be better (or maybe they will), but replaceable we all are. Quite easily too.

Not active, but the flea jazz I had was the best I'd ever played.

Boss katana 210. 160w class ab and so so so much louder than any amp I've had and I've had loads. 300w valve amps, 4x10 cans, 2x12 cabs, 600w heads, 800w heads.... The katana - I don't even go past 25% volume with it.

Absolutely superb for me. I've set mine pretty much flat for our 80s band and it just fills the room in that full but defined way. Very easy to play. Lots of tonal options. Work passive or active and even if the battery goes flat. My black one looks stunning. I love it.

Looks great!

Never happens. And if it does, it's never as good as you remember. Leave it in the past. A time before being constantly video'd, reviewed and critic'ed, and remember it as a great time.

what I am getting at is do those of you who like playing complex stuff, get joy 'whilst' youre playing it, or after when you've done it? I can play most things competently well, but I'm always concentrating or listening when playing the more detailed stuff, rather than enjoying the moment, yet lovely grooves or simple rhythms when I fully lock in with drums bring a different type of joy, where I'm living in that moment.

Hi all, I was thinking the other day about bass lines, complex ones, simple ones, and lots in styles I'm not naturally coherent with. But that got me thinking... Do you get lots of enjoyment from playing complex lines or do you get more enjoyment from (perceived) simple lines? I play and have played all sorts, and covering all abilities, but I've gotten most enjoyment from lines like 'she sells sanctuary' - locking in and really driving the song - rather than more complex lines. So, for those of you who play the complex stuff - do you really enjoy playing it literally as you are playing it, or like the fact that you have played it once finished?

There's nothing but singers up here. Singers and duos. Very little in the way of bands.

Just the usual as per every year for me.... Don't need anything, shouldn't change anything, but will for no reason at all! There'll be the usual unexpected bills that force a sale, a good month at work where I'll buy another, the random change from lightweight to heavyweight amps and cabs. And back The only think I don't gas for is a 5 string. Anything else is fair game! Joking aside, the only real thing I'd like is a place to play the sax where no one can hear!

Full practice with the Z3 today. Massive sound. Eq on bass centred. Bit of low mid boost on amp. Absolutely gorgeous sound. Rich, thick but you could hear every night. Very easy to play. These are stunning basses.

Active nowadays for me. I was always a passive guy for 30 years. Tried active, didn't like it, returned to passive. Then over the last couple of years I spent a lot of time on eq and now can get virtually anytime from those 3 eq knobs. Meaning I can get the sound that I want within seconds. I don't sway or change eq mid set or for certain songs, I just set at the start and that'll do me. Myself and whatever band it is immediately sound better. I also find active much clearer and warmer. The dead battery was still a worry, but now my sire z3 has a pull pot for passive circuit which works even if the battery is dead, which takes any worry away. Easy change battery compartment too should I need to replace the batteries.

Me too! Something pleasing about doing it, even if it's only worth a few quid when finished.

Cheap 2nd hand bass of Facebook. Can be used as spare, used to mod, noodling around house, donor bass for parts.

Pick ups and pick up configuration. Colour.

Something weird about these.... You see them, you immediately want one, you think they're a great deal...... Then you realise it's double money for half the spec of what you have paid for...

£422 is a steal!! Gees, 4 of the stomp boxes in the amp would cost you more than that - and there's about a million inside!

Bargain that is. Literally everything you need (and adjustable) in one small lightweight box. Fantastic. I love my 210 combo. Haven't tried the class d head, but I'm sure the sounds will be great.

To me, Pmt in manchester doesn't really know what it is... It gives off that vibe. Basses? Errmm not really, here's a few to look at, but it's in a corner and lots of empty racks, plus an obvious exclusion of musicman? Bass Amps? There's a couple against the wall hidden over there. PA? A few boxes lined up for seemingly no reason. No real obvious demo. Keyboards good to be fair, plenty on display and easy to test. Staff? A bit haphazard and spread thinly. Accessories - a hard find, usually to the point of giving up. But the whole place just doesn't work as an experience like it used to.

The thing here, as is always the case, is what's "better" in the context of I want to get "better"? After a while you realise theres no one route, or one definition, but just think of what you want to achieve - playing alone in the house, playing in a band, playing complex stuff, entertaining others, being an unseen player in a show, playing simple stuff to millions? Who's 'better' - the guy who plays complex showtunes and jazz amazingly well on his own, but can't play with a drummer, or the guy who can play simple lines well and lock in with a band and make them sound great? Who's 'better' - the guy who releases an album and sells 100 copies, or the guy who sells 1 million? Who's 'better' - the guy who can play anything written down for him, or the guy who wrote them? There really isn't any scale for 'better' in this case. It's a word used on forums which always causes conflict. I can only write from my point of view, but saying 'yes' to opportunities to join bands (when in fact I was terrified and wanted to say no as self confidence was low) and ending up playing all different genres made me improve at such a rapid rate compared to staying at home. And to hopefully give the op some confidence, if you can play sir duke etc you're good enough bass wise to be in bands - get out there, join a few bands and enjoy!

Played my z3 in the 80s band at practice last and was really impressed. Set the active eq all centred, set the amp to flat and it sounded brilliant. Cut through everything and was nice and warm too! Probably the perfect result if it sits nice and centre, then it's just a small tweak either way should any problems arise. Have to say I love these as the d and g strings are very prominent so you have a real equal volume across the fretboard, something I could never get with my Fenders.

Join a band, and learn how to play with people who won't play exactly like the record (deliberately or by making mistakes, speed variations etc). That's a real skill often overlooked to learn.

If the drummer has iems he doesn't need to play so loud If the drummer can't see that what he's doing is overkill then he isn't a musician. Its the equivalent of you on bass turning your bass upto 11 and absolutely ragging the PA with bass..... because you can. You don't, because you know better. He's being awkward. And ruining the band sound. Put him in charge of sound, see how he likes it. Let him deal with the complaints if you get any.