AlanJ

I agree in principle too. I would definitely run direct into the desk more often if there was decent monitoring on stage, and I was confident the sound engineer would put enough through the monitor for me. Generally my amp is just dedicated foldback, so having the general purpose foldback do the job instead is a lot less hassle. However, I do find myself playing with plenty of acoustic instruments, and I find that sometimes having the bass sound localised to me in the same way as the acoustic instruments sound is localised to them can actually help in that ensemble context. No, it makes no difference to what the audience hear with regard to the sound mix, but it can make a difference to the way the musicians play together. But fundamentally, I'm up for anything that means I don't have to carry as much around! Alan.

[quote name='ML94' timestamp='1371884166' post='2119053'] Standing in the shadows of Motown [/quote] +1

I’m not a Chic fan, and have not seen them live before, but I watched this gig twice over the weekend, and loved it both times. The talent, tunes, groove, and sheer energy absolutely blew me away. I watched it both times on iPlayer, but on two separate systems (my PC, and my TV), and the sound was really very different on each. I’d suggest anybody thinking the mix or sound was poor to listen on a different system and see if that makes a difference. On my kit, the PC sound was better (as was the picture actually), but I couldn’t say definitively what the reason for that was. However, on both the bass had a huge fat bottom end, as well as plenty enough top end to be clearly audible in the mix right through the gig. Alan.

Wow, I'm really surprised how varied the responses are here! I warm up, and feel the benefit of that immediately as a greater freedom and fluidity to my playing, so will of course continue for that reason alone. I am also quite sure that I would do myself an injury if I didn't warm up, so that's another good reason to me. That youtube vid that Coilte posted has some great non-instrumental exercises, and I love Dave Vader's suggestion of full body stretches and warm-ups - probably more useful in a gig situation than when sat at home practising, but something I'd simply never have thought of before. I like Slash's thoughts on warming up [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hOAWLDP7954"]here[/url], where he says you should play for at least an hour before going on stage - I wonder how many of us have ever done that?! Alan.

[size=4][font=Arial, sans-serif][quote name='Rattle&Drum' timestamp='1337808709' post='1665940'] ..lots of good things... [/quote][/font] [font=Arial, sans-serif]Hi Matt! As I said above, I've been back to R&D a few times, and always been happy enough [/font][font=Arial, sans-serif] I'll be back in again at some point soon enough I'm sure, although I realise I might now have to come in disguise [/font][font=Arial, sans-serif] [/font] [font=Arial, sans-serif]On the subject of stocking GK, I saw that you had a preowned GK combo (700 rb II, 2x10 iirc?) when I was in last, but can't see it on your website. I had a bit of a play through that, and was surprised how good it was. It's definitely something I'd be happy to see more of - particularly if I could figure out what the controls did... [/font] [font=Arial, sans-serif]I also bought one of those little Eden combos you used to stock (I had a[/font][font=Arial, sans-serif] Nemesis N28 off you), and have been very pleased with that - I wondered why you weren't stocking them any more? Have they just stopped being made or something? [/font] [font=Arial, sans-serif]For anyone who doesn't know Rattle and Drum by the way, [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dCV4ZmHX40"]this tells you all you need to know[/url] [/font][/size] [quote name='CBbass' timestamp='1337911561' post='1667413'] Hmm... that wouldn't be a blackburst G&L l2000 would it? I was going to buy it, spoke to a chap over the phone a few times and it looked like the neck had shifted but I wanted him to check it was "fixable". They said they didn't have time to do it so I passed on it. I was recently close to the store and wanted to check it out in person but it had sold. [/quote] That's the one. I'm not aware of any shift in the neck, although I must admit I'm not too sure what I'd be looking for. The joint is very tight, and doesn't look like it's ever been messed with, and the neck looks exactly as I would expect it to looking down its length from the bridge. The action is very low indeed, which suits 99% of the playing that I do these days. There's a few buzzes when practising acoustically (like the section of the e-string between your fretting finger and the nut, which can rattle off the frets when playing at frets 5-8) but nothing that transmits through to the amp. I'm very happy indeed with it so far Alan.

Just as in the title really – I wondered what exercises you do, and how long you do them for? Having come back to bass playing after a decade or two of neglect (married, kids, the usual), I have noticed that my old warm-up routines seem less adequate than they once did. I currently warm up for maybe 15 or 20 minutes, running through some repetitive stuff that starts at the 12[sup]th[/sup] fret and runs down to the first and back to stretch my fingers and get the blood flowing. I physically stretch my fingers also, bending them back (with the aid of the fingers on the other hand, and without making anything go ‘ping’). However, I have found that my playing isn’t really fluent until I’ve been playing for an hour or more. This seems like a really long time to me, and I wondered whether everyone warms up for a longer time than I do, and what exercises they use. Alan.

[quote name='garethfriend' timestamp='1337624719' post='1663046'] They are a decent bunch in there though to be fair [/quote] Absolutely, couldn't agree more I've noticed another thread or two on these here forums about music shops making a fuss about people trying instruments out etc. That's something I've certainly not found with R&D - they've always been very willing to let me have a go with any of the kit, and even leave me in peace while I do.

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' timestamp='1337608016' post='1662648'] Haha, classic Derby! [/quote] Yeah, made me laugh [quote name='ThomBassmonkey' timestamp='1337608016' post='1662648'] ...£50 sounds fair... [/quote] Yeah, wasn't meaning to complain really, I just didn't know how much it would cost beforehand, so thought I'd include it so that anyone else reading would have a bit of an idea what this type of work costs. I've bought a couple of basses, an amp, and various other odds and ends from them, and always been happy enough

Hi all I just thought I’d share some of my very recent experience with Rattle and Drum in Derby. I recently bought a nice G&L L2000 (USA) from them, and I am enjoying it very much so far – it plays beautifully, and has a fabulous sound. Well, a lot of fabulous sounds actually, with its wide range on tone-varying switches and pots. Anyway, I’ll maybe write a full review another time, back to Rattle and Drum... In the first week of using my new bass, I noticed that there was a bit of noise from the jack socket when knocking the lead, so called the shop, and they said to bring it in. I figured I’d take my other two basses in for a bit of work too, as they both had crackly pots. During the week, I called the shop a couple of times, to see how things were progressing. The first time I spoke to the chap doing the repairs, and he said that the other two basses were done and all was fine – they’d only cost a £10 each as no parts had been necessary. Now he was just waiting for a replacement jack socket to be delivered for the G&L. The second call was quite funny. I spoke to a different chap this time, and the conversation went something like this: [i]<me>[/i] Hi, I’m calling to see how things are going with my bass guitars, which are in for some repairs [i]<shop chap>[/i] Hi, I’ll just go and find out for you ... [pause] [i]<stranger>[/i] YO! [i]<me>[/i] Hello? [i]<stranger>[/i] YO! [i]<me>[/i] Hello?! [i]<stranger>[/i] Oh, sorry, were you on hold? [i]<me>[/i] Yes. [i]<stranger>[/i] Oh, sorry about that, let me just ... [i]<shop chap>[/i] Hi, sorry about that, I just picked up the phone as someone else ... and ... uh, I’ve had a look and we’ve done some reorganising of the back room so that your instruments don’t get damaged because ... uh ... we look after people’s things ... and ... uh ... the guy who does our repairs isn’t in today, and what needed doing to the basses? [i]<me>[/i] Well I was told a couple of days ago that two of them were done already, and that he was just waiting for a jack socket to be delivered so he could do the third [i]<shop chap>[/i] Ah, well we’ve definitely not had a jack socket delivered, because it would have come in the post and it would have been in a jiffy bag and I would have seen it, so it’s definitely not here yet. But you’re best speaking to the repair guy, and he’s back in on Friday. [i]<me>[/i] Right, ok, I’ll call back tomorrow. [i]<shop chap>[/i] Well, he won’t be back in till Friday [i]<me>[/i] Tomorrow is Friday. [i]<shop chap>[/i] Is it?! [i]<me>[/i] You don’t know what day it is. Right. Is there anyone else I can talk to? [i]<shop chap>[/i] Well, uh, ok, but they won’t know any more than I do, but ok I’ll go and find someone... [pause] [i]<shop chap #2>[/i] Hi, can I help? [i]<me>[/i] Yes, sorry, the last chap didn’t know what day it was. Anyway, I was just wondering what stage things were at with my basses that are in for repair. [i]<shop chap #2>[/i] Which basses are those? [i]<me>[/i] The L2000 I bought last week, a Status 6-string, and an Ibanez 5... [i]<shop chap #2>[/i] Oh yes, I remember you – and we were waiting for a jack socket weren’t we? Well it’s not come in yet, but we’re still waiting. It’s definitely not in yet. It’s been ordered though, I know that. In fact, I can see the invoice on the desk in front of me ... which means that it’s been delivered. We’ve got the jack socket, that’s definitely arrived, but I’m not sure whether it’s been fitted yet... Anyway, in the end I spoke to the repair chap the next day, and picked my basses up the day after. I got charged £50 for the 3 basses. This seemed a little more than I was anticipating, but I stuck to my cultural stereotype and didn’t make a fuss. And to be fair, the basses were all well repaired, and I was mostly just pleased to have them all back with clean pots, and a new jack socket of course. I don’t have any point to this little tale, I just thought that phone conversation was funny. Ho hum, back to Monday...

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1336518390' post='1647060'] Sorry Alan I don't know what's happened to your introduction thread mate [/quote] What's going on here?! I turn my back for 5 minutes, and look at the mess you made of my thread!! [quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1336549377' post='1647177'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Yes, we will be at The Joiners this Friday[/font][/color] [/quote] Awesome, I will try to drop in to say hello - it sounds like a good do [quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1336549377' post='1647177'] Do you look like your avatar picture? [/quote] Only once I've got showered in the morning - until then I look quite rough. I'll see if I can find a pic somewhere... Here we go, this is me in a hat in February: [attachment=107482:Me_In_Hat.jpg] And I also found this one of my dog, which I decided to share, although I'm not sure why: [attachment=107483:IMG_9654.JPG] [quote name='stoker' timestamp='1336553799' post='1647268'] HI there! Welcome to BC. Tea or coffee? Biscuit? [/quote] Hi Stoker - tea please, definitely tea. [size=2][i]edit: Added pics[/i][/size]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1336506006' post='1646672'] [/quote] Thanks discreet [quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1336506572' post='1646687'] ...things about where I live etc... [/quote] I played a couple of weeks ago with [url="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Contagious-Youth-Led-Worship/119415731415874"]the youth group[/url] at [url="http://www.ambervalleymethodistcircuit.co.uk/page6.html"]our church[/url] - our full website appears to have died, so this is a rather functional page from the circuit site unfortunately. I've not tried any open mic stuff yet, as I've only just really started trying to get back on the scene, and am just warming up with a few services and whatnot first. Any recommendations for decent spots to turn up and play would be very welcome though! I'm not native to Derbyshire and the last time I played regularly I lived in Yorkshire, so I'm unfamiliar with the local scene. Are you playing at the Joiners this Friday? [quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1336511432' post='1646825'] I'm sure you'll enjoy this friendly place. [/quote] Thank you, I'm sure I will [quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1336511541' post='1646829'] Bass players make for awesome dads... (or is it the other way round? ) Something to do with being a supporting role? [/quote] Excellent - I like this a lot, in an aspirational way!

Hi Len, thanks for the welcome! I play at the local Methodist church in Denby Bottles, not too far out of Derby.

Hi, I've been keeping an eye on a few things in the classifieds here, and thought it was rude not to introduce myself. I've been playing bass for 20 odd years, but took a big old break in the middle of it as there was children and screaming and mess. Now that they are big enough to know not to lick the plug sockets, I'm doing what I can to get playing again. I'm based in Derbyshire, currently just play in church worship, and have the following kit: [list] [*]Ibanez CTB5 5-string - sentimental value only here [*]Status Eclipse Artist 6-string - it's a monster, awesome tone for recording [*]US G&L L2000 - my latest acquisition, and I'm liking it a lot [*]Eden N28 - this might need an upgrade soon... [/list] I look forward to getting to know you A.