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Mike

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Posts posted by Mike

    Bass Direct

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='Painy' timestamp='1472503237' post='3121685']

    I didn't get a chance to send the email until gone 10:00 that evening but even at that time of night still got an email straight back from Mark to confirm a full new set would be sent to me straight away.

    [/quote]

    I got a late night email back too, which was really nice!

    Bass Direct

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1472501348' post='3121664']
    I can honestly say that I've always been extremely well looked after every time that I've been in.
    [/quote]

    That's good to know. I was surprised and disappointed and hoped that it's not the norm. Maybe it's me being sensitive - or just having gotten used to really good personal service at other specialist establishments.

    Bass Direct

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Mike

    Well, I had my first experience with Bass Direct recently, and sadly it wasn't the most positive one. I had contacted Mark the night before to check they were definitely open as I was taking a detour on a trip to N.Wales to visit them. He was very friendly and responded quickly and positively and confirmed they would indeed be open, and also let me know they had in stock what I was after - a like for like replacement for my trusty 10yr old Markbass 1x12 combo. I was also potentially in the market for another bass, and probably a mono double bass gigbag - so around £800-900 of business.

    Mark wasn't there the next day, and I found the guy running the shop to be fairly disinterested. He set the amp for me after finishing some jobs he was doing in the shop, and got me a bass I wanted to try but it didn't feel welcoming or appreciative of my custom. In fact, when I asked if I could grab my original combo to A/B them, he looked irritated and said 'What for? They're the same" (when actually, there are differences). I was pretty taken aback at this - at other stores, particularly Wunjo Bass, Bass Merchant (when it was going) and Bassgear, I've felt very 'looked after' - for example; offered a coffee, pleasant chat, suggestions on other gear/basses to try - but this was a very sterile, uninviting experience.

    I had been looking forward to visiting and perhaps spending an hour (and maybe hundreds more pounds) trying some gear but it was quite disagreeable so I didn't. Ultimately I did buy the amp and mono case (around £800 total) as they were as good a price as I could find and I needed them, but I wish I had got them somewhere else. Somewhere where the face of the shop was more welcoming. While I was there an older guy came in with a Wal and the guy in the shop perked up and was pretty friendly to him.

    It's a shame as I've been looking at JV Squiers, and saw that they had a couple at around £800....but I don't really feel like going back. This is no reflection on Mark as my communication with him over email has always been friendly and helpful, but perhaps he could remind staff about the importance of customer care.

    Bogart basses

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    Can't answer that, but when I was looking for a fretless recently, I played a Bogart 5 at the Gallery. Wasn't keen on the look, didn't know the brand - but it sounded gorgeous and played beautifully! A really nice surprise.

    F/S F/T Limelight Custom Jazz No. 00157 (now sold, please freeze)

    in Basses For Sale

    Posted

    How strange! I have the bass before this (#157) and I have the exact same colour...matching headstock....rosewood board with blocks...! I was influenced by the nice looking Adam Clayton signature fender - http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z3/flightleader-serpentine/gvl.jpg.

    The differences are I went for P/J, vol/blend/tone controls, 66' paddle tuners and pearloid P/G. Otherwise extremely similar! Good luck with the sale, these are fantastic basses.

    Compression poll do you use it?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1447345788' post='2906932']
    Yes that's fair enough... To be honest, although I don't use compression at source I expect Mr FOH Soundguy compresses the hell out of my signal before it can reach any unsuspecting audience members.
    [/quote]

    That's true - I always make sure they know that I'm using compression at source so it's not completely squashed!

    Compression poll do you use it?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Oh my goodness, yes. It's the single thing that I would always try to use before anything else. I use the MXR-80 bass compressor. It adds punch, sustain, and evens out my dynamics - NOT crushing them, just taming the louder parts. Essential especially for slap but I find it improves my bass sound in every way. People who say 'no, I like to play with dynamics' either don't understand compression or have tried using it with a poor choice of settings (it's a hard thing to get your head around - ratios, makeup, threshold, attack/release). I like the MXR-80 as it has a gain reduction meter built in so you can monitor visually (as well as aurally) how much your signal is being compressed.

    Off on a cruise on Monday. 3 weeks of nightly playing. Any tips?

    in EUB and Double Bass

    Posted

    Hey all,

    On Monday I head out on a cruise with a jazz trio. We are playing on [url="http://aboardtheworld.com/"]ms The World [/url](Newspaper article about the ship [url="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2988540/The-World-allows-passengers-live-cruise-ship-year-round.html"]here[/url]) and will be playing for almost three weeks, 4 x 45m sets a night! On double bass! :blink:

    Any tips for me on avoiding injury, how to keep my fingers in good condition and keeping it fresh? We'll be playing standards and jazz arrangements.

    During the day I'll be either exploring onshore or practicing and transcribing on my electric bass guitar in my cabin.

    Cheers!

    Mike

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