thumperbob 2002

I`m a bit short sighted and ( like John Lennon ) take off my glasses and hey presto the audience turns to a blur- job done!! Really helps in a little venue. Bob

Been playing bass for over 30 years- since was 15- always played at least four times per week- mostly in cover bands though was with a couple of signed bands- never really got anywhere. Had a period ( 4 years ) with one tribute band where we played almost every night- toured UK, Germany, did cruises- bahamas- Israel etc. Really not a great life once you have been doing it for years. Being in others pockets can be difficult- esp 7 in a van for hours at a time. Am really happy now playing 4-5 times per month. Have my own business so no real financial pressures. I have had some years without playing a note- really because for a period I played too much and got burnt out. Now really enjoying it again. Good luck to anyone trying to go pro- my advice is to practice- get yourself about a bit and stay nice. Stay off the booze too. Bob

[quote name='bubinga5' post='634091' date='Oct 23 2009, 01:15 AM']Blimey that was good....forget your Saadiq....he really is so talented this guy..[/quote] What a terrific keys player he is...............got all his albums.............there is a clip on youtube with Pino Palladino playing live- think its on the arsenio hall show- amazing laid back bass. Bob

Yeah Most "normal" venues it is 70% visual and the music comes a distant second. Just the way is is- but should not be. I always look pissed off- but in reality I am loving it- however I hide behind the brass section! Bob

Absolutely terrific- wish I could play like that but I`m too old school- or too old. Bob

yeah I would leave the amp flat and concentrate on the bass and fingers- by far the two most important factors- find out exactly what the individual pickups sound like- different plucking location- bridge- neck- you should really only touch the volume knob- though you may need to tweak slightly depending upon the room - but only small adjustments- takes months to really find out what a bass wil do / sounds like. Always viewed the amp as a tool used to simply amplify the bass signal. Do not try to boost either the bass or treble frequencies- concentrate on the mid range. Bob

[quote name='Monz' post='620452' date='Oct 8 2009, 12:21 PM']I have played through ultra-light medium weight and heavy cabs, in my experience the heavier quality made cabs * give the best sound and everything else seems to be a trade off for weight they all perform ok but when you get to LOUD levels the lightweights seem to loose the ability to punch the sound forward and in the case of the ultra lightweights seem to vibrate rather violently * I know there are heavyweight sh*te cabs too[/quote] My old Marshall 4 x 12 vbc cab sounded awesome and loud but the weight of the thing was a major disadvantage. My Schroeder 1212L and 1515L together are a lot less weight than the Marshall but about ten times the price- you pay for quality sound and portability! I too have played through some pretty crappy heavy cabs and much prefer new technology. bob

[quote name='Born 2B Mild' post='620338' date='Oct 8 2009, 10:39 AM']The 1515L sounds intriguing. Do let me know if you're gigging around the Leeds/Harrogate way...I'd love to try a bit of weightlifting![/quote] Will do though most of our gigs are fairly local- or private functions-such as the parsonage in Escrick. If you have lifted a 1212L - take away what the horn weighs- thats the 1515L. Bob

Schroeder 1212L and 1515L- why have one when you can have two- very light and fit in the boot of my car easy- any one can be used on its own but together.....................Massive. Picking them up- the 2 x15 is lighter than the 1212L- feels like a cab without speakers fitted. Bob

Set up at 7- finished at 7.30 with little soundcheck. Have a wee and wander onto the stage at 9.15 -wait for other members to wander to the stage- wait for singer to go to the bar and bring his drink onto stage- wait for sax and horn to tune up ( loudly ) wait for guitarist to tune up ( loudly ) start the first song realizing I`m out of tune. Bob

Loads of gigs pissed- had to to speed up the boredom!!- now I play for enjoyment rather than for filthy lucre just the one beer before the gig is fine. Most of the pro travelling musicians I have worked with have had drink problems- wonder why?? Bob

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='613504' date='Oct 1 2009, 02:39 AM']The weirdest thing for me with the 1212L, is that it's about half the weight of any other cab I've ever owned, but I've never felt more confident about turning my amp up. I haven't heard it struggle yet, and I'm driving it with a Hartke LH500. I honestly thought I'd need two, but it turns out I just don't.[/quote] Yeah amazing cabs- I have a 1212L wiht a Mark Bass LM2 for small gigs ( would do big ones too ) and the 1212L witha 1515L and my Marshall VBA 400 amp for larger venues. Wondering about selling the Marshall and buying another LM2 as its just soo much more portable- had an offer for the Marshall but do think it sounds better than the Mark Bass ( a little ). Bob

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='558464' date='Aug 2 2009, 01:27 PM']By far the best sound I ever had was a Marshall VBA 400 all-valve beast. No messing with tone controls - just plug in and away you go. This was through my AShdown 4 x 8" and 1 x 15". However, the amp was basically atwo-man lift, so my back couldn't cope. I now use the same cabs with a Superfly head and I'm happy enough. I stand right by the cabs at ear height, so they are mainly monitoring, as we always use a PA rig. I don't think you can beat big stuff, but my back doesn't agree.[/quote] Yeah I`ve got this amp!! I use it at 2ohms to power a schroeder 1212L and a 1515L- for smaller gigs I use my MarkBass LM2 and the 1212L sufficient to say all you need is the light rig but the big rig is just amazing- relentless power and tone to die for Bob

Did a gig with the Mondays at the Adelphi in Hull in the early 80s- they were quite scary then- didnt have an idea and were obviously off their heads on "special" substances- didnt have any bass gear and wanted to use mine ( which I refused ) so another band had to step in to lend them some gear. They didnt go down well but later got their act together to make some superb records. Still remember that night................. Cheers Bob

The Guitarist in my band Tony used to play with Pino at school- teaching him songs from that era ( early 70s) Some time later my pal - after leaving Cardiff - saw Pino and a pal of his ( session singer who fronted a big band- cant remember who) in a bar in the city _any how my pal spoke to them at length asking how they were getting on- they said they were now session musicians and were quite busy. This was about 2 months after Live Aid ( pino was in the backing band i think ) My Pal didnt realize who Pino had played with really until last year!! Bob

All Warwick Thumbs do this neck dive but are sorted with a thick suede strap- would this not work on other basses? Bob

Heres my 1212L and 1515L schroeder rig- Marshall Amp is hardly lightweight but my Markbass does great with either cab- just not both of them as they go to 2 ohms- 4 ohms each [attachment=32313:schroeder_rig_1.jpg] [attachment=32314:Schroeder_rig_2.jpg] Best sound ever- and I can carry each cab at once!! Bob

With a Warwick you need a wide comfort strap- they are very heavy and suffer from Neck dive. I wear mine not too high ( hurts my wrists that way )but its no problem with a good strap Bob

I do the same thing all the time- think its more important to concentrate on the groove- or should that be RELAX on the groove- think I`m getting there and then watch someone like David dyson on Youtube- a good inspiration but a little disheartening. Pure talent. That guy is so good his mistakes, when I have watched it again seem like the right thing to do!! Bob

Whats the fuss- its only five ( very useful ) notes- I hate detuning fours to play in Eb- and sometimes you need the lower register strangely enough. Though I had enough years on fours to do it well enough- it just seems better on my 5 bob

Another thought- I remember many years ago I bought a bass rig from Dogs D`Amour ( semi- famous 80s Band )- consisted of a Fender 1 x15 in one cab - a 4 x 10 in another- both cabs were in one huge flight case- in another flight case was the Fender valve amp and another pre-amp. Weighed lots and lots. As soon as we put the thing in the van I regretted buying it- sounded great but was so impractical. I can now- even with my big rig- walk into a venue with two trips- first one-2 cabs ( one in each hand ) guitar and leads etc on my back. 2nd one amp -Done!! How things have changed cheers Bob

[quote name='chris_b' post='590443' date='Sep 5 2009, 10:18 AM']2x12 and 2x15! Sounds like overkill, to me, for a Soul band with FOH support! Anyway, good luck with the new rig.[/quote] we dont put the backline through the pa- only vox,brass,keys I certainly dont need the 1515 as the schroeder1212 and the markbass are great- but as I play for enjoyment rather than the pittance I earn as a musician- I WANT IT!! CHEERS BOB