la bam

Hi all, A new change of direction and band and I find my self in a dance / disco set up where I'm kind of at the front (rest of band is keys/technical and drums - so I'm the only one stood up!). So, on one hand I want a stingray for that tight funky groove, and I want it to be outrageous and eye catching. But, eye catching apart - the virus situation has hit my finances extremely hard. So I'm wondering what my options are for a good stingray ish bass at a budget price. If it's a crazy colour or style even better! I've also never played a stingray, and struggled with pick up placement on jazzes and a g&l m2000 (....actually as I wrote that, it just dawned on me a g&l with the stingray pickguard may be a good option!!) so I'm thinking low budget in case I simply cant play it! I'm open to straight buys, or budget then upgrades - any ideas really. Any help appreciated.

Another £1k of cancellations today too.

Heres a response from the insurance company (I believe Aviva but dont quote me) showing just how they weasel out of paying even if you have taken out cover.... "The Business Interruption cover is based on a specified list of diseases and has been since the SARS outbreak in 2003. These policies exclude business interruption due to new and emerging diseases, like COVID-19. Our policy wording clearly identifies the diseases we offer cover for and, in addition, highlights that new and emerging diseases like COVID-19 are not covered."

I run an events business. Today alone, I've had £4k of business cancel. Our business is slow until April every year then improves for the rest of the year. Weve got through to April fine, but if all our bookings for the foreseeable future cancel - through sheer media fear - I really dont know what will happen. As above, insurance wont pay. Some have even quoted it being an act of god. It's not just the venues and their staff that things like this affect, it's also the external suppliers. Also, people who have Weddings booked etc will lose all their money if the venue wont reschedule, and they havent taken out specialist insurance.

My snark sometimes briefly doesnt pick up the E or sometimes gives it briefly as a different note before showing an E. I'm sure you already have but put the volume on the bass on full and tone wide open (clanky). You can also try 12th fret as well as open strings if you have no luck.

Yeh, the curves are a bit more complex than just curve presets. They work with each other to get you where you want to be. Honestly, a quick turn to the right, quick adjustment to the left and you're done. It's very clever stuff.

..... that's all part of the act! No, luckily I'm strictly a one preset setting change - all done by hand.

No. The xlr socket on the back is for an 'IN' (for preamp etc). That's what makes it a bit daft to me. They could have made that space a xlr DI out and had a jack for pre amp in. At the moment the DI out is on the front in jack form.

Not sure where to post this as it contains amp, fx, wireless and accessories. Finally finished a pedalboard. Fits snuggly on top of my cab with plenty of space round the edges so wont risk falling off. Contains - amp (quilter bb800), wireless (line6 g75), line 6 stomp, 4 way. The idea is so I can just take out of case place on cab, plug one socket in, attach Speakon into cab and I'm good to go. Easy, easy one hand lift. Set up should take 5 minutes max, instead of pfaffing around plugging 3 or 4 different thing in, making sure stuff doesnt fall off etc. Hopefully itll stay in one piece after first gig this weekend.

Yeh, that's my favourite option. It's only ever a tweak of vocal or guitar I need.

I think eventually I'm gonna have to go a decent 12 pa cab (qsc k12 etc) and hopefully tablet controlled levels. Our band has loud drums, x2 guitars (at times), piano (sometimes synth) effects, bass, lead vocal and 3 backing vocals. To top it off every song is different in style and just what is going on. It's not a set your sound and you're good to go type of band. I've recently switched to a cheap (and I admit it) second hand alto ts110a, which is ok and has 2 channels, so I take a feed from the desk for my monitor mix and have the second channel as a direct feed from the guitar box in case i need to boost that. The set up works ok. Not great by any means but ok. However, the fact it has the gains for the channels on the back so it makes it hard to adjust on the fly.

I've had the line 6 in the past. Decent for the money (about £400), but flippin awkward and heavy to move about. Also found it hard to get a decent cutting sound in the mix for some reason. It just seemed to miss something. But at £120 it's a steal. You could buy it and resell it for £200+. I'm an ashdown fan. But I never really got on with the mag stuff, yet when I hear others play them they sound great. Much sharper than the line 6. I think you'll be happy with either. More options on the line 6 if your playing at home too. (If I remember correctly - a tuner, presets, amp models, compression, chorus, drive, synth etc). Great value. Theres also some real bargains in the selling section on here at the moment. Be sure to take a look there as well.

Yep. I think doing your own mixes on phone / tablet etc is def the way forward.

Hi all, hope everyone is well. Does anyone have a great stage monitor for listening to everyone else (not bass) ? Everyone I've ever used (apart from the astronomically priced ones) have been rubbish. Most seem to be passive, which is no use for adjusting on the fly. The pa speakers that I am now using are a slightly better bet, but all the eq and volume / gain are on the back of the unit, so useless again for adjusting during a gig. And the designated active monitors all seem to be about 100w max with one input, so underpowered and no real eq options. Has anyone any ideas for a good monitor?

Sounds like you love the markbass sound. Id stick with it, but understand the temptation to try new stuff. I had a lm3 and traveller 210 cab. Fantastic compact rig.

Ebay has the description and conditions of the sale written down in stone by the seller. That is what would be used if what you received didnt match the description, then paypal would refund. If theres no proof of condition of sale and you just paid paypal, he could say he told you it was broken etc then you'll more than likely get nothing.

Nice one Lozz. Always great to try something new and exciting. And trying out new gear and set ups always freshens the drive to do it even more so. Every band I've been in I swap set ups - whether it be bass, amp, pedals or the lot, just helps it feel unique to that project. All the best with it.

Thanks bill. What is your forum?

In all honesty I'm still no further on with this. Do I need an amp that has 4 core connections? I cant get the subs to work on their own. Which cabs to I link to each other? I fully understand the conventional 1 amp into the 2 tops and 1 amp into the subs (using a crossover) but have no idea how to use this system I have.

Superb. Such a talented bassist, rhythm section and band.

Which ever way you do it, I wouldnt stay in that line up if he turns up every practice saying that. Been there, done that several times. All it does is continually boil up inside and drive you mad, whilst holding the band back, until it will eventually come to a head maybe even years down the line. Then you'll wonder why you put up with it. If hes 'too busy at work' to put in the effort like everyone else, then he shouldnt be there with you.

As soon as you here that, walk away. It's not a good sign.

I'd give him another chance. Give him 5 songs to master for next time then give him all night to have them sorted in a band scenario. I can play just about anything, but cant 'jam' for love nor money. I absolutely hate it! and I'm useless at it. He may just be a player who can play what hes practiced. Also, nerves play a huge role when first meeting up. Once he relaxes he may be fine. If after that he isnt up to it, and doesnt have the enthusiasm to improve, then take it from there.

Follow it the best you can, then make it your own with what you cant, or what doesnt work for your band. I always look at it that if you give 100 people a paragraph to read out loud, then everyone will be read out differently, but say the same message. Different pronunciation, phrasing, dynamics, but all come across good because they are natural. Not forced. And they all say the same thing. Try to copy someone exactly and it just wont sound right. Maybe something you cant put your finger on, but you can tell something is not quite right or doesnt sound natural. I look at musicianship the same way. No 2 musicians will be exactly the same, no two bands will play the same piece exactly the same way. Embrace it and enjoy it.

The smoothest strings I've ever used were the ghs precision flats. Totally different to rounds. Just all round silky smoothness.