thumperbob 2002

I think that it is finished ( my quest )- I have a little amp for hard to get into venues, and for my upright- (TV 10) Bigger Combo for normal gigs ( 90% ) of the time- ( TV 15 ) and the Mesa for gigs where its very easy to load/ unload- or I have help with moving it. It is weighty but the total combo only weighs as much as my old Marshall VBA Head- and less than my old SVT/ V4B. And it has wheels and three handles. Always use pa support so really the TV 10 is all I really need, the others are just what I want to use. Strictly speaking, most punters wouldnt know the difference between them anyway, but I would.

Really referring to your collection of vintage Fenders. I have no problem at all about people using massive stacks- it has its advantages ( superior sound and looks ) and its disadvantages- broken back. I once bought a rig from the nearly famous Dogs D`Amour. This was a Fender 4 x 10 and a 1 x 15- In the same flightcase. This came with a Fender pre-amp and a massive Tube Power Amp. I could only just adjust the EQ by standing on tiptoes- and I am not too short at 5`9.

Bassman Steve- just looked at your signature- bloody hell!!

Just bought a Mesa Bassbuster 1 x 15 combo from Chris on here. Made me think a little about the changes in rigs I have had. The result of this little journey is probably not what you might expect. Been playing bass since I was 14- for 36 years now, been semi pro for much of that time- at 16 I was earning as much as my dad!! Was pro for a few years too. I have had many many rigs- but strangely enough for most of that time stuck to Jazz basses. A few observations- Fender Bassman amps sound great through a 2 x 15 but not that loud. Ampeg V4Bs sound even better- a lot louder. It seems i was always looking for headroom from my rigs- more than tone which I always believed came from my fingers ( still do in some respect ) Trace gear is indestructable- and very loud- but strangely " cold". Had some great Trace rigs ( it was acceptable in the 80`S ) Many many rigs later hung up my bass for a few years whilst I sorted my life out. 6 years back I started again. Everything seemed so different- lots of lighter stuff on the market- with loads of headroom. Was amazed when my LM2 was delivered by postman!! Really happy with my rig- but bought a Marshall VBA stack which sounded great but was massively heavy. Moved into very lightweight rigs- Schroeder Cabs- massively loud and light but quite " modern" sounding. Then got into retro style amps- bought a portoflex Ampeg combo- was OK but a little weak. Came to the conclusion that lightweight was not the way to go so bought a middle ground rig- A Hartke LH1000 and the Hydrive 4 x 10. Lovely tone- quite lightweight ( when compared to an SVT ) and cheap. Then bought a couple of Fender TV combos- a 1 x 15 and a 1 x 10. Brilliant Amps- pretty light- look great- great tone. Like my first Fender Bassman 100 but louder- more convenient- no farting/ rattling cab. Superb. Fit in great with my present retro type soul band. There was a Mesa Boogie 1 x 15 combo for sale here a little while ago- I never have had a Mesa amp before so had a bit of a GAS attack. It was sold to Chris Beedie who put this up for sale and I bought it. 200W of Tube tone- sounds great!! Amazingly loud for 200W- much more powerful than my TV 15 which is 350W ( but a hybrid ). In fact I would say its similar in power to my Hartke 1000W rig. Actually the combo sounds very similar to my Fender TV 15 but just has "more". More depth, more warm tone,more power. The downside is much more weight- this thing weighs an awful amount- 110Lbs?? Thats about twice what my TV 15 weighs. But I suppose the point is - in my experience the right heavy, quality bass rig will murder any lightweight rig. I still have the Fender TV combos ( will never sell them ) - and I`ll use these for most gigs- but for that gig I play where there is an easy load in and out the Mesa will be used.

The tone, cool retro looks, and am always up for a challenge.

Couple if our residencies in the last two days. Both pretty nice bistro type pubs- turn into nightclubs later on. Was using my jazz roadworns and my fender tv 15 combo. I was happy with the sound ( always go through pa too ) First night a local bass player said he was drooling with my tone and asked if my bass amp "was a real one"?? Tonight a couple of good comments one from a local muso type who said bass players are always the best musicians in a band and the other very good comment was from the head of music ed at humberside. Must be doing something right!!

The only practice I do is learning songs from CDs etc. ( not YouTube ) oh and playing with my two bands-learning new sets for my jazz quartet- that's enough for me. Prob 8-10 hrs per week. When I was pro I never used to practice at all because I was gigging so much. Still think its important though- certainly seperates the men from the boys.

My wife and I will stay together forever. She has always known me as a gigging musician. Not something she has to deal with. Mind you I am gigging 25% if the time I used to. And I am a millionaire

Haven't had too many bad sound guys but the ones that are crap are really crap!! I think the main thing is to let them know what you want. They don't read minds. Something like - tone like early Motown b- tone like who bass - eighties where do I lay my hat - things they will understand. Don't let them touch your amp unless they want a broken arm.

My Harte lh1000 and hydrive 4x 10 can sound vintage - as long as you switch off the tweeter. Warm as a very warm thing.

I do a residency at a venue in the town that is quite hard to park so I have to stop outside the pub ( double yellows blocking the one way street ) get my gear in the venue and get back in the car to the sound of horns as I was blocking the street. Got a little fed up so bought a fender tv 10 to use at this venue. Normally gig with a Harte hydrive 1000w rig. Or a fender tv 15 350w. Took the tv 10 to the gig last night. This thing is tiny, about the size of our guitards 15w fender blues de ville. Looks great. I always di so really just for monitoring. Big band though 7 piece loud drummer and big monitors. Was a little skeptical but thought it would be easy just for loading in and out. Had the thing on a stool and on 8 out of 12 on the volume was brilliant. Would go a lot louder but I didn't need any more. Really surprised me. Lovely tone - sounds just like my tv 15 which is lovely. Result. Really I think 150w is sufficient for most uses, if there is a good pa. I bought this for my upright and sounds great but is also good for slab.

For me this depends upon the song-If its a standard I just tend to follow the real book until I internalise it. Most songs are very similar if you know the type of song it is- blues- Autumn Leaves 2-5-1- Rhythm Changes etc. I am still learning to internalise these so end up playing the best Jazz I can find in the car, and when I walk the dog. This is my passion at the mo` However I play in a soul band so would never try to play a Jamerson song without knowing each particular note- ( well as near as I can get it ) Try to get really everything note for note- this is the sign of a good covers band. To get to this i end up taking ages to learn the most simple song and therefore can internalise as I go. Would be much easier the other way but I like to do this as well I can.

I can see that a cool 32 channel desk is great for those big- hired in rigs, but for a jobbing group the Mackie with 16 channels is pretty awesome- and the thing is tiny- and light. I myself would prefer real faders, but I no longer have to mix onstage so no problem there.

Works great and yes you can limit access so no one other than the band can input any changes. Using an iPhone is really limiting as there can be no changes to eq etc. but great for small changes to a mix already done on the iPad ( where there can be a great deal of adjustment to eq, effects, comp, 6 auxiliaries etc etc.

Had a Mackie 1608 for a while now- 16 channel mixer which uses an Ipad for processing. Works great and totally wireless. I have just downloaded the app for to use my Iphone with this- mainly for monitors- all the band are downloading this app as I speak so everyone will be able to sort their own monitor mix. Aint technology wonderful- jus gets faster, more convenient and cheaper. However- if you dont know what you are doing there could be troule ahead- cue the sound of massive screeching feedback!!

Kind of blue? Best selling jazz album ever.

Really enjoyed this. Quite an individual tone for db. Very funky. Well done pal. Love the solo on the dusty end!!

I have a Mackie 1608- the one that uses an Ipad for the processing. Amazing bit of kit- get your sound man ( or a pal who knows what he`s doing ) to walk among your audience to mix out front. No snake needed. 6 auxiliaries- loads of effects- it will remember where you have been so you can recall. It does everything. And its tiny- about £950 though- plus your Ipad.

Listen to lee Morgan's album the sidewinder. More groove than walking bass. If you like than go on to autumn leaves rhythm changes etc. one step at a time. Most people that think of jazz are really imagining something different than what is good. Don't start with Jaco weather report. Bona. Wooten. Go straight to groove and swing. You'll like it.

The Funky Bunnies- from my daughter ( age 9 )