FJ1200

After a few days looking at multifx units, reading reviews etc, I'm starting to settle on the XT Live. Just read the Talkbass review from Ped's link and feel very daunted but looking for a bit of a challenge! I've got some cash available and don't mind tweaking. I do like a good tweak. Ooohh Matron!! If I can get one or two sounds I really like and get them stored - and I (think) I know what I'm after, then I'm happy to spend the next few years exploring it. I'll probably not get another opportunity like this for a long time, so I want to shoot for the top to start with . I have the Korg AX3000B on loan and it's giving me sleepless nights! 1am I went to bed last night!! I really do like it, a doddle to use but the set of parameter control knobs worry me - and a number of others looking at the reviews - they seem a bit flimsy and I feel they'd break off too easily. Concerns me what effect the POD will have on my sleep patterns though! I don't have enough cash for the XT Pro, disappointed and surprised at no balanced output on the XT Live so I'll have to live with a DI box, and I probably wouldn't fiddle with patches in a live situation but have everything saved in advance. I'll probably completely refute this and totally change my mind in a few months though! I also like the very large community that the POD line has and the willingness to share patches. I'll be pulling some of them apart to see how they've been set up and learning from them, and then hopefully be able to contribute my own in time.

Steve - Thanks for the Korg loan. Very easy to use - worked out the basics without a glance at the manual. Lots of fun with the synth and ring mod, but I really love the octave divider. Some of the preset patches are good too. For me the only 2 downers are the lack of a USB - I don't have a midi interface unit for my computer and have never used MIDI so that's a new area to explore - and lack of a balanced line out so I'd have to use a DI if patching direct into a desk. Otherwise it's great. Like the amp/cab modeling as well. Still not sure what to get though. Much prefer this one to the Boss but the jury is still out on the others. Also from a practicing point of view I like the drum machine in the Zoom.

[quote name='Muppet' post='141530' date='Feb 16 2008, 11:17 AM']Mate - I have a AX3000B that I can let you have a play with for a few days if you like? I'm not selling it but at the moment I'm not using it either. Can drop it off to you today or tomorrow if you fancy it. Send me a PM and let me know. Cheers Steve[/quote] PM Sent.

Think it was Discovery Kids or something. I like it too - great program for (us) kids.

[quote name='FJ1200' post='139336' date='Feb 13 2008, 10:29 AM']Thanks for all the comments/offers. Still not sure, but for my needs leaning more towards the B2.1U mainly because of the output versatility and amp/cab modelling. I'm hoping to have a play with some of them over the weekend and will have a better idea then. Looking at some of the comments around the Boss pedals lead me to think they may be worth a look later but not for right now. I have a CS-2 that looks like it's been in a war zone but I use it all the time. Bought it new 1983-ish. Has the Level knob missing and the paint is chipped to pieces but I doubt I'd sell it.[/quote] Right then - things have changed a bit. My bonus that I wasn't expecting has come in so I can raise my sights a bit. Line6 Bass Pod? Korg AXB3000? Boss? Going into town to have a play this morning and an eye test. What's the most versatile? Still may get a B2.1u and something else thought. Haven't decided yet.

Not a bassist but I worked in a small hardware shop between 2 stints of working abroad in Wallington hight street, S London where Fransis Rossi used to come in and buy several cases of Brasso at a time. We used to see him quite a lot as he lived in Purley, just up the road. Bumped (literaly) into Rick Parfit in the Post Office once too!

[quote name='metalmaniac' post='140958' date='Feb 15 2008, 12:08 PM']If your going for nix recording then Ardour is the dog's proverbials! Also theres a brilliant distro called 64 studio.[/quote] I'm from a Unix background and been using Linux since the mid-90s, just wondered if anyone else had seen the light? Seen Studio64 but not tried it yet. Wasn't it on the cover of LXF recently? Probably got it somewhere... Kristal is excelent too for Windies users - good interface, 16-track desk for free with loadsaplugins.

I found the excelent www.studybass.com yesterday more by luck than judgement and wish I'd found it years ago - learned some simple and blindingly obvious stuff that I put into practice last night and I sounded better than I have in ages - but then that's not saying a lot really. This site has been mentioned before here 3 times but the last one was August last year so I doubt I would have found it. What I was wondering is, is it worth having a pinned thread listing good resources and web sites all in one place as has been done on some of the other forums here? At 1 week shy of turning 45 I'm determined to improve my playing (mid-life crisis anyone? Still looking for a tutor, BTW....) and going back to some of the real basics. I also want to re-learn to read music and sight reading as I used to be able to at school - and that was a long time ago (was 3rd in my year in music twice - wish I'd never given it up now!)! This forum has been a great encouragement to me as well to get on with it so a BIG thanks guys. Loads of really good stuff here.

Don't know if anyone else saw "How It's Made" on TV last night? Kids were watching it when I got home and featured the Warwick factory making guitars and basses from start to finish. Very interesting to watch. Combination of a lot of CNC and hand-crafting. Except lasted about 3 or 4 minutes.

[quote name='TheRinser' post='139350' date='Feb 13 2008, 10:46 AM']Oh yeah, FJ1200, awesome story! And I think the little rubber string bass you're talking about is the DeArmond Ashbory?[/quote] That's the chappy! Only 76 were made or summat. They go for around £280 now. Thought about getting one just for fun and to be a bit different. Don't suppose anyone here has one?

Thanks for all the comments/offers. Still not sure, but for my needs leaning more towards the B2.1U mainly because of the output versatility and amp/cab modelling. I'm hoping to have a play with some of them over the weekend and will have a better idea then. Looking at some of the comments around the Boss pedals lead me to think they may be worth a look later but not for right now. I have a CS-2 that looks like it's been in a war zone but I use it all the time. Bought it new 1983-ish. Has the Level knob missing and the paint is chipped to pieces but I doubt I'd sell it.

This reminds me... Many years ago when I were a lad... (17 or 18 I think) I went to the Barbican Guitar Festival (or Music Festival - I can't remember now) in London. Jim Marshal was there celebrating the 25/50 Aniversary - still got some of the coasters from then with the logo. On the Peavey stand one Colin Hodgekinson was doing a demo - still got a photo of that one. - one of my all-time favorite players. Then in one of the side rooms I came across a manufacturer new to the UK called Warwick. The bloke running the stand asked if I'd like a go. Stupid question - that's what I was there for! had a play around on a little headphone amp for 15 minutes enjoying the Streamer imensley. Was just taking it off and the guy behind me asked what I thought of it. I said I liked the neck a lot, the way the body curved, sound and tone and so on, turned round and looked John Entwhistle full in the chest! What a superbe (tall!) bloke though. Chatted for 10 minutes about basses - I was just starting out and that meeting inspred me for quite a while - but I was so awe-struck I forgot to get an autograpgh or photo. Also came across the bass with the rubber strings - can't remember what they were called - saw them the other day on a web site. Very short scale, sounded very odd but very good.

Just found this... [url="http://renegademinds.com/?GDT3.3.4"]http://renegademinds.com/?GDT3.3.4[/url] Or Audacity. Anyone use Krystal? [url="http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/"]http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/[/url] - I like it, loads of fx plugins, used by loads of bands. Anyone record on Linux?

Not sure if this is the right place for this... Found this looping software today - [url="http://renegademinds.com/?GDT3.3.4"]http://renegademinds.com/?GDT3.3.4[/url]. Free apparently - or a $20 donation. Guitar and Drum trainer. I've put the loops here into a Jamming Loops folder and then use this to play along to. Going to try recording the results and see what happens but you can change tempo, pitch shift, set number of loops, etc and the main screen allows you to see what chord is being played in a small mouseover window - see screengrab.

I'm looking at getting a multi-fx pedal and am experincing great anguish over which one to go for. My budget is limited to around 100 quid, so I'm looking at the Zoom B2.1u and the Korg AXB5 - that sort of thing. I like the Zoom because it has the USB output (I'd use that a LOT!) and balanced line out (I'd use that a fair bit!), good mix of fx and amp/cab modelling on it, huge versatility etc and it's got reasonable reviews. The Korg - similar fx, similar amp modelling, similar reviews, very limited on outputs - but it's a Korg! And its cheaper. Prefer the cosmetics of the Zoom to the Korg but is it harder-wearing? I was wondering what people's thoughts are on this. Looked through the forum at previous posts, and I'm still undecided. I'm hoping to go into a shop on Saturday to try them out but wanted to know what they are like in the wild - what are they like to live with? The Zoom has a reputation for being hard to program and not the most inuitive till you get used to it but then it's great. Heard the Korg had a more natural sound. BTW - also considered the individual pedals route - but on balance I think I'd rather go multifx for now and buy what I need to fill the gaps later. Can't really afford a Boss unit although would love to have one - I have a Boss compressor I| bought in 1987. I want the best and most versatile unit that I can get for the money. I'm not a big fx user really but there's some things I do want to try out particularly with the amp/cab modelling. Any comments/advice/experience/thoughts welcome.

Had the same trouble with lack of ideas from time to time. Now I find I get a good lick - it might be 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 5 minutes - but I tend forget it and need summat to record it onto FAST!! Still miss some of 'em though! Last night I was chatting to the wife about holidays and she was checking it all on the web and I was plugged in and playing at the time, and had some pretty good sounds appearing but I wasn't 'thinking' about it - just playing and going with the feel of where it was leading. Even she liked it! But I play bluesey stuff anyway and I love just playing for fun. My daughter's keyboard has a drum 'machine' (ha ha) on it so I use that too. Doesn't always sound good but occasionally I hit gold. But as has been said listen to stuff you don't normally like. I've started playing around with slap - I'm not a huge fan but it's a technique I've never managed to master and another string to my bow. However - I wot I really really wantis others to jam with. I'm not in a band as such - the music group at church - all very different styles and levels (mostly better than me!), largely classically trained and no idea about jamming. It helps to give you ideas, you have to actually listen to what others are playing and work with it spontaneously - I just love it and usually sit there with a stupid big grin on me face when it's going well. My ideas come from all over - radio, Bible, other bass players, anything with a beat - even a tempo the washing machine was kicking out on a fast spin! S'true!! Keep at it though - hope you get some inspiration. Let us know when you get your breakthrough.

I know there's one or two in the Peterboro' area - looking for someone who can come to me as we're pretty busy during the weekday evenings and I can't leave the kids on their own at home. Mondays would be best as wifey is out, but otherwise any day but Friday or alt. Thursdays. Live in Walton, not far from Morrisons. I could do with some going back to basics and overall assessment if you promise not to laugh. Would like to learn to read music proper like if at all poss. Been simply ages since I've done anything serious but just getting back into it. We make very good Italian coffee, btw!

Just found this excelent section - love to see the blues section populated with something but I'm not much good at that sort of thing.

15' by 14' study wih the PC in it and work surfaces all round so loads of space in the centre. The big combo fits under the worktop so is out of the way. I have a tall bar stool type of thing that's comfortable for playing or I'll proactice standing up. We also have a hard chair in the study which is also just right for playing. Daughter's keyboard - has a drum machine thing on it - and our Yamaha Pacifica guitar I was going to learn 5 years ago!! Looking to soundproof the study at some point.

Aria IGB30 and CL Clarrissa Accoustic - had a cheapo P-bass but wifey made me get rid of it last year. It was bad though - over the years I'd hacked it, rewired it, put a Double Eagle humbucker on it and it was starting to get a bit ropey.

Thanks very much for that Ian - I've been trying for ages to find something out about them! I seem to remember seeing some of their gear around in he 80's. The 15" does get a bit out of control sometimes and has a wall-shaking capability but we had a large extension built 3 years ago and since we live on a corner the neighbours are a fair way away so I now play in the new study. The CL sounds a bit naff - needs new strings, the pickup is a transducer-type that sounds a bit too punchy and trebbly (is that a word?) for my liking and it's very neck-heavy. I'm thinking of trying some new nylon accoustic bass strings - don't know idf anyone has any experience with them? Never seen another CL bass though. More pics here (but this is an amps and cabs list so better keep this short) [url="http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/562326978NtgwUU"]http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/562326978NtgwUU[/url]

Thought I'd add to the general mele here and throw some photos in the pot... Does anyone know anything about the GA140? Had it years, 15" speaker, once I replace the gain pot it should be ok - gain is very crackly. Tried contact cleaner but no good. Bit of a hum but not overbearing. I tend to use my Boss compressor than the one on the amp though as it changes the sound too much, unless I want to change it of course. The little Trace Elliot I got off eBay for £40 2 years ago. The Aria was cheap and is playable, but once I get some cash I'll try something a bit different.

I've put castors on my Ohm GA140 as it weighs a ton and it's made no diffference to the sound but is so much easier to move around. I have a box that I keep all the odds-n-sods in - cables, fx, strap etc, that sits on top nicely and makes it all a lot easier to shift gear. They've developed a squeak though much to everyone elses ammusement!

Morning All New member from Peterborough. Just started playing in church alternate Sundays, first time I've played with other musicians in years so a bit of a challenge! 45 in a week or so, grew up on a diet of 50's Rock'n'Roll, got into HM in the 70's at skool in S London. Mellowed a bit now, discovered blues some 20 years ago and loved it ever since. Been playing on and off for 26 years but still pretty rubbish. Got an Aria IGB30 - cheap but s'ok. Also have a CL Clarrissa acoustic that I bought in 1984 I think (photos of it here: [url="http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/562326978NtgwUU)"]http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/562326978NtgwUU)[/url] that needs a serious amount of TLC but cash not available yet. I have an Ohm GA140 1 x 15" combo that needs the main gain pot replacing cos it's too crackly and a Trace Elliot Boxer 15 that's nice. Does anyone know anything about the GA140? I've seen just 1 reference to it but as a separate head on the internet. Had it years - swapped a very old Marshal 50 and Carlsbro 25w for it at what was Styx Music (Live Music now in the same buiding, I believe) in Peterboro' yonks ago. I'd like to look at lessons again, probably need to start from scratch - yup, [u]that[/u] bad!! Volunteers?? Look forward to chatting. (BTW - is Rockbottom in Croydon still going? Most of my mis-spent youth consisted of going between there and Hammersmith Odeon. Got the CL there.)