uk_lefty

I've got a Mexican Jazz from the mid 90's, probably one of the worst periods for MIMs. It's a great bass. I don't need to keep it but I do, it gets used most gigs. Ok, I've upgraded it a lot but the neck is great, the feel is there... So if the modern ones are as much better as everyone says then you can't fail.

You get the same by liking his Facebook page too, Baselines publishing. I like his style. Met him at the bass guitar show a few years back and hes very down to earth and non-pushy, even when trying to sell you something... Let me rephrase that to asking you if you'd like to buy! Decent guy.

At least four lefty Vintage stingray copies on eBay at various low prices, if that's anyone's thang.

An Ovation Magnum keeps coming up on gumtree on Stevenage, some guy who sells loads of basses and hundreds of drum bits. Worth searching for if you want one.

We have just turned down a restaurant gig. Don't think they want rock/ soul/ funk covers while people are trying to eat. Also I don't think they knew what they were doing. They offered £150 expecting us to provide PA, lights, etc and wouldn't budge. Even if they'd offered what we usually take we would have turned it down for fear of just being complained at by diners.

I think Bach do, or did one like this with a spalted maple top... Updated with link http://www.bachmusik.com/en/music-instruments/bass-guitars/model-btc-bass

I would rather play to a small audience who want to see a band than a bigger audience who think you're making their conversation difficult and ruining the atmosphere of their local boozer. It's good "training" for difficult situations, like how to handle two very scary punks walking on stage demanding you play songs you don't know, requests for "happy birthday" (clue, learn to play happy birthday) and general audience abuse/ banter. We recently played a pub gig where the pub was full but less than ten people at any one time were interested in the band. One of those ten has booked us for his fiftieth birthday. The bar manager has booked us in once per quarter at higher pay than the first gig. Other people thought we were ruining their night and were annoyed we didn't know all of their favourite songs. Can't win them all!

Update... Having eventually used this at volume with the band I am far happier! This is probably the first pedal I've had that sounds better with the band than it does at home.

Let me know what you think of it, I am interested in these myself, or the M7 or V9!

For me going to try out a bass isn't something I can really do on the off chance. I recently emailed coda music in Stevenage to check that the bass I wanted was still in stock even though it is only a short journey and I was nearby anyway. They replied really quickly. O plan to visit some specialist bass shops soon to try out some basses and will phone or email in advance because being a lefty I can't just go and impulse buy. If I was looking at a serious purchase like a new gig amp set up I'd probably do the same just to make sure that I'm not making a journey for nothing and they know I'm serious about buying.

True, but lots of people use pre amp pedals and multi fx with amp and cab Sims. When you use the software you can add cab Sims, effects pedals, etc. It's a good home practice toy.

I had the full stack next to the dining table for what I thought was long enough for it to be ok. It wasn't.

Thanks for all contributions. The cabs are light and can be handled one-handed so getting them up the ladder in to the loft would be ok. My garage won't get repaired because I want it knocked down in a year or so so we can have a decent sized kitchen built as an extension. Right now I also think my garage is easy to break in to, not that it has been, but it could be. I won't leave in the car because I need the car space for baby stuff and I don't want to attract burglars to my car. The storage box idea for the garage is good though, might try that.

It can be hard not to hurt feelings sometimes. Had a difficult one recently where our guitarist loves doing backing vocals and always has done but he can't sing in tune. He maybe noticed me doing more and felt threatened a bit by this so we had to approach carefully. One guy went in a bit too direct and upset him so instead I asked him how he's trying to work it, what he's trying to achieve, and from there we work out what to do. For example if a harmony is needed he doesn't do the backing now because it's not in his skillset, but where it's doubling up or call and response he goes for it. More effective than saying "stop it, you're stinky poo" which is not something I'd ever do with someone I respect.

Not dumb, just me not fully explaining! They give you a licence to Ableton to use as a recording interface. Problem is they ran out of licences and I'm on old kit so it's taking them time to get new licences. The fender fuse software runs the effects, cab simulation (the extras to what can be done with just the amp) and all the stuff to edit the amp presets. You don't need separate licences to Fenders own software.

I've got the Bronco modelling amp from Fenders previous "generation". There's good resources online like downloadable manuals and a user forum. Their customer service do reply to email within a couple of days which is good but they may not always have the answer you want! For example, I wanted mine for the recording more than the effects and fender still can't release me a licence to the recording software. I've been asking for quite some time now. Still doesn't stop me using it as a practice amp though

I recently realised that I need to be able to run two cabs for some gigs so need to get another, however space in the house is running out. I use lightweight ashdown rootmaster 15s which are very compact. I'm thinking if I buy a big plastic storage box that clips shut I could store my cabs in the loft or garage. My garage leaks and is cold, my loft doesn't leak and isn't as cold so I'm thinking that's a better option. The big rig really only comes out for gigs, I have a practice amp for home playing. Is there any reason why storing in a cold environment such as the loft could be a bad idea?

In my band we give and accept criticism in the right way, it was established early on and it's the only way to improve as a unit. Also, if someone's having an off day they hold their hand up. Our singer has once had a diva tantrum over text message, we weren't sure if he was joking at first... He wasn't. Amazingly our drummer is also the band diplomat!

You missed me off this list too, I had a bass state B150 ;). Was a very good amp though massive and heavy. Had a look the other day to see if they were still doing bass amps and didn't see any. But did find out that they own Eden so maybe thats where all their bass energies are focused these days?

Thanks everyone. To your point, Blue, I get it. I play in a great band and there's nothing like playing with actual people, but band time is to rehearse our set list. I don't have the time to join a second band, but I do want to broaden my horizons out by playing along with different styles of music to get me playing in different ways. There's some great suggestions here that I'm going to be exploring in the next few weeks. Thanks everyone!

Pearl Jam, 10 is one hell of an album and it persuaded me to go fretless aged 18. That was my only bass for a very long time and all through my first band years playing Hendrix, Sabbath, etc. I wasn't allowed to slap so they had to allow fretlessness! I still use it now, even on some songs that have a slap fill, I just fingerstyle it instead! You can play a fretless with as much or as little mwah as you like which makes it easier to persuade skeptical band members that it's the right tool for the job. I knew one excellent bass player who had only ever played fretless. He was a violin prodigy though so I think that helped him!

It's not a modern sounding five string with a wood finish as I am looking for... But it's sooooo tempting!

Can anyone recommend a good source for (free) play along backing tracks, please? Just looking for a rhythm and chord progression to play over the top of, getting tired of playing my bands set list! Fancy playing some jazzier stuff, chords you don't get in rock, venture in to time signatures other than 4/4, think about what I'm playing instead of just playing the chorus riff, the verse riff, middle 8, repeat. Any recommendations welcome! Thanks

If it's a common bass like a fender p I'd think you can't go wrong selling privately through this site, gumtree or eBay (who charge commission too). But if o was selling something a bit more niche I'd maybe go to a reputable dealer because the real buyers for the more expensive and more niche stuff will probably look to them first. Not all bassists use this site, inexplicably.

I dunno... My headless Hohner came in a rectangular vinyl covered hard case, wasn't even fake leather, with rounded corners and a zip!