White Cloud

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1394014923' post='2386844'] I always thought that all and members discuss the setlist together. [/quote] Well, not all bands or band members are the same. My accomplices are very passive regarding set lists.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1394015061' post='2386848'] General rules I use: 4:1 minimum ratio fast:slow numbers No more than 2 consecutive numbers in same key Try to spread out covers by any one artist Avoid 2 consecutive songs with same rhythmic feel unless going for a deliberate medley or segue [/quote] This is helpful systematic advice...I like it!

I wonder if anyone else can relate to this.... I have had the responsibility for creating the set lists for my band for the last few years, and I always find it extremely difficult. Obviously the occasion/type of gig will dictate the song choices to an extent (we have a pub gig on the horizon) - but its a task I dread. I think the problem is that I over analyse the songs and the way that they sit together. Any good advice to make this process easier would be gratefully received.

Once upon a time Ebay was a decent place to grab a bargain and deal with decent people in the process. I have recently been badly burned by some unscrupulous "ebayers". Contacting ebay themselves proved fruitless on each occaision, they just don't seem to care too much about some of the scams doing the rounds. I avoid Ebay like the plague now. My cash is too hard earned....

ACG ticks every box. Alan's work is stunning and his prices are surprisingly good. The pre-amp is also fast becoming legendary.

[quote name='sykilz' timestamp='1393952068' post='2386205'] Marvellous, thanks, was wondering if they'd compare favourably to say an Ibanez 500/300,really liked the ones of those I tried. Not really expecting something as "substantial" as the Warwick to be fair, for years I had a Washburn X 100 ( I think ) cheapy as a back up to a very expensive Washburn, and liked the cheapy just as much! [/quote] Great basses for the price, you just can't go wrong at that price point with the Peavey. I would say that the Ibanez will feel much closer to the Warwick though (especially the 500).

I don't have much to add to this subject as it has pretty much been covered well by those above. I really like both Gotoh 201 & Badass bridges on Fenders. Having said that the stock bridge does almost as good a job. I have no experience of the Babicz but it appears to be a "Gucci" variant on the same theme.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1393939534' post='2386015'] ESP LTD Vintage 214 fretless. It's a brand new model. I nearly bought one myself , but opted for a Lakland instead. £283 from most retailers . This is the fretted version ( no fretless examples on YT yet) , and it sounds like a proper Fender to me: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGcZNsES-MU[/media] [/quote] At that price it appears to be a steal. I may well look into this bass...looks like a nice affordable option to the Fender Tony Franklin (my personal favourite F bass!). Nice one Mr Dingus.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1393937606' post='2385979'] Hi Sara As it sounds like you have noticed already, there is not a huge amount of choice in fretless basses at the less expensive end of the market. The plain fact is that fretless bass is a fairly maligned instrument nowadays in most genres of popular music, so manufacturers are catering to a pretty low level of demand.That said, there are still some pretty good affordable alternatives out there . When you say you you aren't that keen on a Jaco style bass , is that specifically Jazz Basses you are set against, because if you are willing to consider a Precision style bass, this could be a likely contender: I haven't played one of these myself, but the ESP LTD range has a very good reputation , and for under three hundred quid I think you will struggle to do better, providing you can cope without lines on the board. It's got a solid alder body , maple neck with a thin "U" profile and rosewood fingerboard, so , on paper at least , it ticks all the boxes to give a proper Fender-like sound and feel. That P+J pickup configuration is very versatile, can still sound pretty modern, depending on how you play it, if you want to allude to the 1980's- style players you mention , and a Fender-style bass will feel pretty familiar to you , which is always a good start. If I am being brutally honest, I think you may struggle with the intonation more than you may think without lines, not least of all because for all but the most capable of players correct intonation on fretless bass is a struggle even[i] with[/i] the aid of lines, but in the end the decision is yours and don't let my personal prejudices influence you . Some people find lines more helpful than others do, and if you are buying the bass primarily to experiment with at home and in the studio then you have got time to practise with it and adjust to not having frets( or lines. ) Anyhow, it's great that you are interested in playing fretless bass, because it's such an appealing-sounding instrument . I have recently started playing fretless again myself after a long lay-off, and I am enjoying it immensely, except for the fact that it is giving me flashbacks to my first dalliance with fretless bass in my youth , thirty years ago! [/quote] Never mind the OP....where can I find one of these! Looks the bomb.

[quote name='Sara SG' timestamp='1393887168' post='2385585'] I am looking for a new or 2nd hand Fretless 4 string. All advice appreciated as it will be my first fretless. I am looking for a sound like Pino Palladino or Mick Karn I currently play a Precision which I love (only problem is it give me neck ache no doubt due to it being low-slung) Something lighter would be nice [/quote] Hi and welcome to bass chat. A couple of observations...if your current bass is giving you aches you are probably not wearing it properly. No musical instrument should cause you pain, it should feel comfortable. Also, it is nice to see a lead singer that plays bass...there aren't many around nowadays. Kudos. As for the fretless, do you realise that both Mick Karn & Pino's sounds are heavily coloured by effects? If you expect to simply plug in (even an extremely expensive fretless) and have that kind of sound you will be sorely disappointed! My advice with this kind of thread is always the same...you need to get "hands on" and try as many basses as you can. With the best will in the world every single member of this forum will have their own opinions on offering you what ultimately is their own subjective preference. For me, with the info you have told us I would strongly recommend you look for an Ibanez GWB and try one out. Not the cheapest option...but not exactly an expensive option either (about £350 used). Remember, it's actually hard to buy a bad bass nowadays....

I would like to congratulate the OP on his fine taste in instruments. It is a particularly beautiful bass.

[quote name='GreeneKing' timestamp='1393869152' post='2385298'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I can only repeat:[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]'The meaning of your communication is the response you get'. [/font][/color] [/quote] Peter....now I know that you know that we know that you are speaking my language now!

[quote name='DogHammer' timestamp='1393851175' post='2384950'] So my bass 'estate' has grown a bit over the past few years. I always used to be a 1 bass man and it hadn't even occurred to me that I would ever need more than one. I have a Warwick NT Corvette that I loved when I bought it, and did so for about a year. Then I went and bought myself a MIM Jazz from the for sale section here, threw in a J-Retro and some new pick ups to use it as a 'backup'. I liked it so much that it turned into my main gigging bass. The Warwick sat around for a year not being played at all, and I thought maybe I just prefer a Fender Jazz. So I went and bought myself a US std, also from the for sale section. Didn't really like the way it played, even though it wasn't much different to the MIM. I persevered, threw in another J-Retro, changed the bridge and it was a hell of a lot better and became my main gigging bass. I didn't pick up the MIM for a while, but then went back to it when I left the US over at my singers house. Annoyingly I liked it better than the US. It became my main gigging bass again.... I picked up the Warwick and took it for a gig on Saturday. We got on like a house on fire, like we had never parted. Sounded fantastic, played fast and fun. So I'm in a BASS CRISIS. Anyone had a similar crisis? and how do I get through it? or will this always happen to me and I am doomed to GAS, and buy basses on the forums forever? [/quote] This is no crisis.....you merely have options. You can never have enough options.

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1386437480' post='2300153'] I can't stand it. Don't like the way he runs his company and all that but I quite fancy one. I've owned several in the past, even a really good copy but I don't need one. I certainly couldn't use it in my Police tribute. I can even get one interest free AAAARRRGGHGHGH help [/quote] Relax. It will pass in approximately 5 days.

[quote name='JazzBassfreak' timestamp='1393810326' post='2384642'] Most of you will cringe at what I'm about to say but if this was to go to a luthier I'd have that p pickup out for good and have it routed for something like a nordstrand j pickup maybe, Or a humbucker, I can't stand p pups. Any of you reckon it'd be possible? [/quote] You're right...I'm cringing at the suggestion. From an objective point of view I would say that this would be a huge mistake. However it belongs to you...

[quote name='Clarky72' timestamp='1393491818' post='2380828'] Which of these three do you prefer? Ignore the fact that one is a Squier and one is a Marcus Miller, I'm just asking about the fingerboard/blocks options [/quote] Which one do you prefer?

[quote name='Adam Wiseman' timestamp='1393784238' post='2384350'] Thanks guys. The only reason that it is left in the lockup is because that is where all our gear is kept and we have never experienced any problems before. But yes, at least I know from now that I can't leave it there during the winter months. Cheers [/quote] If the environment that your instrument is stored in is uncomfortable for you to spend long periods of time in then it's not going to be good for the instrument. This is the mantra of many manufacturers/luthiers. It makes sense as wood is in a permanent state of adjustment with regard to it's environmental conditions.

[quote name='Adam Wiseman' timestamp='1393778224' post='2384245'] Would it help if I brought it home after each practice rather than leaving it in the lockup? [/quote]Yes.

[quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1393460441' post='2380721'] Hey guys n gals, just got back from our last rehearsal before our (and mine) first gig on Saturday! I am absolutely buzzing, at the age of 35, and after 2 years of starting over again with playing, I am finally goin to play my first proper gig. Any advice before I go out? I think I'm all set, a couple of songs that are not quite where I would like them to be, but pretty much all good. [/quote] Congratulations on the gig. Just relax and enjoy the experiece...

A magnificent talent.

My SR1205 is my gigging work horse and it does everything...brilliantly! Fantastic basses, wonderful design, tactile, supremely playable, fantastic pups & elecs...and it looks nothing like a F*****r. Whats not to like? Awesome value for money.

What song, what sound, what bassist???

[quote name='donslow' timestamp='1393095323' post='2376198'] Just fancied a change of bass, plus I needed something more suitable for a new project I've just got up and running, better tone IMO, didn't really think too much about the neck, its tone I'm searching for, granted, I could get used to the precision neck in time but for a relatively cheap and easy swap, if I could get something closer to what I'm used to then great [/quote] I hope you find what you are looking for.....

[quote name='donslow' timestamp='1393039476' post='2375590'] As you may have guessed, being an ibanez player, I'm used to slim, thin, fast necks, the neck on my precision is the proverbial baseball bat in comparison so I'm looking to swap it out for something a little more donslow friendly [/quote] If you don't mind me asking....if the neck on the P bass is not suitable why did you buy it? Would it not have been a better option to buy a bass with a neck design that you liked?

I like that a lot Marcus. Nice one!