Huge Hands

Unless you are planning to run the guitarist and keyboard player through the PA and not allow them any backline amps. no matter how good your shiny new PA is, it will still sound s**t as they'll still be turning their amps up against each other and over the PA. They are your fundamental problem and you may be better off investing your money in psychological help! I do have a story about this - A few years ago, I (as a former FOH engineer) was asked along to a mate's band's gig to give them pointers on their mix. I told them that to be honest, I was thinking of leaving halfway through because the guitarist's amp was giving me a headache. They went in a strop, and then came back to me a few weeks later admitting they'd been refused a few regular gigs at a couple of venues due to complaints and now thought that this might have been the reason why. They then asked me to go to a rehearsal. I let them play for a bit, and then asked the guitarist to lean his amp back like a wedge on front of him. They played the next song. and he stormed off halfway through saying "I can't have it like that, it's making me feel sick". My response was "Now you know how your audience feels". I understand he invested in a smaller amp the next day that gave him the sound but wasn't so loud, and could be mic'd for the PA. All was well that ended well on that one!

I've had a soldered ground connection come off a pot in an active bass mid-gig which just cut everything out completely. No soldering iron to hand - had to wedge it back on using a couple of beermats. I've also had a string core snap on a new low B string (bad batch rather than my playing). Had to play the rest of the gig as a 4 string. Funnily enough, after all that, I still don't take a spare bass to gigs. I do keep a packet of spare strings now though.....

[quote name='Ant' timestamp='1351701870' post='1854396'] what was someone doing behind your stack? [/quote] It was the keyboard player trying to find mains for his little world..... He'd had a few sherbets methinks.....

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1351643144' post='1853797'] I would change everything to Speakon if it was me. Far more robust connections, and almost impossible to touch or short out the connections accidentally (and speaker voltages can be enough to make you jump a bit). [/quote] I used to agree with this until someone pointed out that if a drunken punter caught your lead and yanked it - might be better to have the plug just pull out of the socket (jack) that throw your stack across the room with a locked connector (Speakon). This happened to me once, so it definitely gave me food for thought....

Thanks for this - I am a huge IH fan too. I had seen this clip before and have been looking for for ages on you tube. I think the bass player might be James Alexander - the only member of the Bar-Kays who survived as he didn't get on the plane with Otis Redding.... EDIT: Just read the wiki - apparently the wasn't the only survivor - the trumpet player actually on the plane survived the crash.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1350819383' post='1843744'] Of course, there's always this one to tempt you. . . [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TPP-Fender-Rawhide-Custom-Telecaster-Tele-Brazilian-Hide-top-Hardcase-/300784922702?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item46082db04e"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item46082db04e[/url] [/quote] I wonder how many Ewoks were killed to make that....

[quote name='Earbrass' timestamp='1350476117' post='1839344'] ...oh, you mean the [b]bass[/b]'s neck... [/quote] Ha ha

I remember years ago watching a hired backline SWR rig lunch itself. Turned out the visiting bass player (wasn't his rig) was using some home made preamp device external to the guitar that appeared to be sending DC out of itself. Cue 8x10" drivers being pushed to excursion limit and being held there....and then the smoke started.....

About a year ago, I left my double bass in the dining room with my 2 year old son......the neck is no longer attached to the body....

Ha ha, although I'm at work, I just watched all 5 parts - loved it!

[quote name='badboy1984' timestamp='1350383405' post='1837993'] ...... but it sound very dull, muddy and lifeless. [/quote] i like that sound....

I was just pointing out that they should do the job fine - he shouldn't really need to spend any cash on new mics, unless he's being really particular about it. If he is, then I'm sure 5im0n's choice will be very good. I'd happily use C1000's - as we've all said it's about placement just as much as anything else.

I note you said this is the second amp you've had problems with - were they similar issues? I'm wondering if it's not your cab or bass that is causing the problems with the amps?

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1350294882' post='1836807'] C1000's are pretty average at best. They are OK for OH's in a pinch. [/quote] This is of course my opinion, but in my experience, I have to disagree. At the time they were new, for the price, I found these to be one of the most versatile mics on the market. OK, they might not compete with a C414 or Neumann for sizzling highs, but they should do what you're asking. They certainly worked for OHs for me, both in studio and live situations. I remember doing a recording once where people were saying - "Wow - how did you get that piano sound?". The answer was two C1000s and some clever mic placement after a fair bit of experimentation. I have never tried to mic a recorder, but if you have the tracks, I'd be aiming for one fairly close mic'd near the hole on the top just below the lips, and one ambient in the room as a starting point. See how that works. (EDIT: Whoops - just read charic's post - what he said!)

[quote name='tonyclaret' timestamp='1350161038' post='1835406'] I may have to run my next post past the unofficial site regulator for approval one feels. [/quote] I didn't say it was rude, I said sneery - as in the tone of the way it was said. I'll say it one last time, I was having a go at the whole situation, not you on your own (until you questioned it). My main issue was with the flaming torch and pitchfork brigade that were saying they were rubbish - I haven't looked back but I don't think you were part of that. When I included you, I meant both that thread and the comments on the blog seemed to incite those that were doing it. Maybe I was being too sensitive, I just don't agree with people trying to be elitist and slagging others off or deliberately embarrassing them due to their talents. If they are managing to make money from what they enjoy doing, then great for them. If not, then it's the greatest criticism they'll ever get. If you want me to proof read your posts, that's fine. As a fan of Viz and the former BigBeefChief, you'll find me more liberal than you think....

[quote name='tonyclaret' timestamp='1350092720' post='1834585'] Is that ok Sir? [/quote] Do what you like - no need to get upset....oh wait, you already did. My point was - they put up the offer - if you didn't like it, ignore it. As can be seen from the play for free thread, there are plenty of guys on here who would have probably jumped at it if they lived close enough that the rehearsals didn't feel like x amount of hours work, they might meet a new band, and £50 might be the most they've ever earned from a gig. I wouldn't have done it for that money and I don't particularly think I would have wanted to do 4 rehearsals either, but that is something I could have bartered with them in a message, I wouldn't have felt the need to leave a sneery post on their blog, or start a thread about it on here, but that's me. I think it was your tone on both their site and here, and then the resultant flaming of their prowess by others that made me decide to say something. If it had just been one or the other, I probably wouldn't have bothered. It's all my opinion of course - I am not judge and jury, and I've certainly never been knighted.

I have to say WoT, as I've only just come back here recently after a while away, I clicked on your link to the photos of your basses, to remind me what you had. I certainly messed my trousers, but in a different way...... Seriously though, I'm all up for encouraging others, whatever level they are at. Constructive criticism is fine, but I think down right "they are rubbish" isn't (personal opinion of course). On Youtube I guess it has to be expected, I would just hope BC would be above all of that. From what I've seen, we've got everyone from worldwide stars to kids checking out the forum to see if they'd like to take up the instrument registered on here. I realise this band is saying they're "professionals" - but which band hasn't bent the truth a little on their posters and websites to get better gigs? Like (i think) Big Red X said on the "playing for free" thread said - if you want to get the better paid gigs, you've got to put the work in. Sounds like they're having a go to me. If they really are bad, then they won't get booked again. If they go down well, good for them, I say. To me, they've been completely upfront, open - and it's down to those prospective bass players to listen and decide if the gig is for them.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1350045265' post='1833936'] Any band that performs in public for money, or puts themselves up for scrutiny on t'internets, has to deal with negative comments. If they can't handle it, they're in the wrong game. [/quote] I agree WoT, my point was why was the OP getting so worked up about it that he had to start a thread on here and write negative comments on their blog - and then have a load of others jump on and start saying they're s**t? If I'm honest, I didn't think they were that great either on the clip I listened to, but I don't feel the need to decimate them for it. They put an offer - a link to what they sound like, so make your choice whether you're interested or not (I'm talking to everyone here WoT - not you direct). I think it comes from my old arguments on here years ago with the likes of bass ferret - Youtube appears to be the place for downright nasty comments. I always get told on here that the forum is full of love and group hugs. I wonder if posters would be so blatant with their comments if this band's bass player was a BC member, posted a clip and said "what do you think guys?". I bet the responses would be "drummer isn't so tight" or "wasn't keen on the brass section arrangement", rather than "you're s**t". If you want me to be really honest, I really get narked with bedroom players on here with loads of shiny kit that have never even played with a band slagging other band clips off. I'm not the greatest player , and I'm happy to admit it, because I make the choice to not spend hours practicing on my own. I get out there and learn to interact with others, and find ways of playing alongside their strengths and weaknesses in playing their instruments. If they're really bad, I make my choice and move on. I don't spend hours trying to film myself playing something perfectly verbatim for ego gratitude from unknowns on the web. Wow, that was quite honest for me, I'm normally an apologetic fence-sitter. Normal service will resume shortly.....

I hope you're not playing for free

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1350031576' post='1833639'] As always, I'd rather have someone tell me constructively than think it but nod and smile. [/quote] Understood, and I agree - I just thought that what some of the bandwagoners were saying about the quality of the band was not exactly constructive.....

Wow - flame brigade! I'm surprised by the negativity on here - I wonder how many BC members would appreciate being told they're s**t when they post their little you tube vids. Way I see it - it's probably linked to the "play for free thread". They've made the ad, if you don't want it - ignore it. I'm not sure it warrants the pikes and burning torches. Just my opinion of course.

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1349970124' post='1832929'] Tell you what, in an effort to save your genitalia, I'll look after it for you and send pictures occasionally. It'll be like adopting a tiger or something. You can bask in the glow of ownership, be sent heartwarming stories and photos and Mrs Artisan is none the wiser. Sounds like a plan, waddya say? [/quote] Surely you'll have to send him a cute an cuddly toy version of the bass too?