geoham

I'd be interested in hearing how other folk deal with using more than one bass live, as it's giving me a bit of a headache! I typically alternate between my Fender Jazz and Lakland 5501 for the majority of my live work - just taking whichever one is current flavour of the month to gigs. I also sometimes take my a fretless SquierJazz a second bass. The three of them have fairly different output levels - with the fretless Squier being loudest, then the active Lakland, then the Fender. I use a Zoom B3n, mostly using patches with varying levels of dirt and EQ settings to suit the songs I'm playing (mixed covers). Where I'm having a problem is when I switch basses. For example, my 'just a little bit of dirt' patch sounds great on my Fender, but if I fancy using my Lakland at the following gig, the same patch sounds far more distorted, due to the higher output. My current solution is to just turn down the volume on the bass, which I suppose is fine on for the Lakland since it's active, but less than ideal on the passive Squier. I also forgot to do this a lot! I know I can create a duplicate set of patches with varying levels of gain on by B3n, but it seems like a pain. Another thing I'm thinking of is some kind of A/B pedal with a level control for each input - I assume such a device must exist! Or even just setting up my dis-used Zoom B1on with a patch per bass to give a consistent level and sticking this in front of the B3n. Anyway - I doubt I'm not the only one with this issue - how do the rest of you deal with it? Cheers George

Oh yes, I was watching an old episode the other day noticed how awesome the theme tune was!

Try the guys at NHC? I'm sure I read about them getting their own venue. They're a great bunch of folk. https://www.newhellfireclub.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/NewHellfireClubGlasgow/

The UK Guitar Show website is now showing a date - 21st & 22nd September, at the Business Design Centre in Islington. Can we assume the LBGS will also be the same weekend? I want to make the trip from Glasgow with my guitar playing mate, it'd be good to get a confirmed date so we can start booking hotels travel. Always cheaper in advance!

Another Irish themed one.. kind of. I’ve played in O’Neil’s in Glasgow several times - being part of a bag chain, it’s really just a large pub with an Irish theme rather than a ‘proper’ Irish bar. However, on a Saturday night in Glasgow it does tend to bring out the worst in a few folk who like to think of themselves as Irish after a few shandies. Several times we’ve been asked to play ‘rebel’ songs - which would really fit in our set of classic rock covers! Once we had a guy literally screaming “play f-ing catholic songs - this is O’Neil’s”, getting progressively more agressive. Thankfully he was eventually removed by security!

Out of interest, where’s the new place? My uncle’s workshop is in the wee industrial estate just off Rochsolloch Road, Airdrie.

Looks great with plenty of character! I bought an guitar head from Tom a few years ago, seemed a nice guy. His workshop is next to my uncle’s, and he is always raving about the care and attention that Tom puts in to everything he does. Have fun with the new toy!

The bass has allegedly made it back to Scotland safely. I’ll have it safely back in my possession on Monday when we are back in the office.

Panic over! It appears I now have a solution, there's a colleague travelling by train who can take a bass for me. Now to decide which one... Thanks to everyone for their input and kind offers. George

Hi Drax. Any help would be much appreciated! I get in to Stansted about lunchtime, and will make my way to our office at Kings X station, and I’ll hang around there until 530(ish!), after which we’ll be going to Primrose Hill for our party. On Thursday I’ll be hanging around Kings X until early afternoon, when I’ll be heading back to Stansted. I can hop on a tube or whatever to make things work. I can also enlist the help of others down in London. Thanks, George

Really appreciate the offer - I’m a actually not a million miles from you. But my problem is getting a bass to London, and Ryanair want over £300 for an extra seat for one. I only paid about £40 for my own ticket!

Cheers - something like that’d do the trick!

Strange one coming up... It’s my work Christmas party on Wednesday, and I’m travelling from Glasgow to London for it. A few of us musical types had intended performing a few songs, and another bassist who lives down there was bringing a bass. Short version of events is that he no longer can. I’d need to book an extra seat ion the flight to bring one - and since it’s short notice they want more than I’ve paid for some basses for the privilege! So - here’s my ask... can anyone lend me a bass, or otherwise help me acquire the something? Any piece of junk would do the job! I don’t want to get in to ‘marketplace’ territory, but I could probably spend a small amount - say £50 ballpark. I’ll be around Kings X, and party is in Primrose Hill. Any help appreciated! Thanks, George

I also recently made the switch. Some of the effects use two slots - so up to 8 parameters and an extra foot switch per effect. There are also some other areas that I feel gives more flexibility: - Seven slots per patch - Cab sim can be toggled via a foot switch, which I find really useful when moving between the old Ampeg 8x10 at the rehearsal room and my own modern rig. - Better patch switching/ effort toggling I am a bit disappointed with the lack of D.I. and audio interface via USB.

This page simply states:- “Power Module Rating - 550 W” https://www.tcelectronic.com/Categories/Tcelectronic/Bass/Head-Amplifiers/BH550/p/P0CIN/Specifications But the RH450’s page states:- “450W (800W inst. Peak @ min. Load) TCE Power rating and Active Power Management”

My understanding is that the lower wattages on the RH series are due to something called 'Active Power Management', but this is not the case on the BH550 / BH800. This is my source:-http://forum.tcelectronic.com/topic/16804/new-bh500-and-bh800-tech-spec-and-wattage/, it's stated by Morten Ehlers, who works for TC.

My view - context is everything. For example, Pink Floyd’s ‘In the Flesh’ has some pretty offensive lines - which I’m pretty certain would have be as offensive in the late 70’s as they are now. However, if you understand the song and it’s album, you surely wouldn’t take offence? A bit like Oliver’s Army as discussed earlier.

Same here! She was up for until she actually read the lyrics.

The release notes for the firmware state: Added OutputVP that takes over the volume setting when switching patches Does anyone have any idea what this actually means?

Sorry for the slow reply on thIs one! The P was rehomed a few months ago, it wasn’t getting enough use. However, it did get plenty of use for a while and I was always happy with the results. I played in a 2 guitar, loud drums and electric violin Celtic rock band, and found it sat naturally in the mix with little tweaking. To me, the sound was very close to the vintage pickups used in US Fenders. You can hear it recorded on Spotify (etc) - lookup Scarlets, Little Rumours. (Rotosound flats, Zoom B3 Ampeg sim, otherwise untouched)

I normally pass it when out shopping with the wife. She’ll be in the St Enoch Centre and I’ll head along to Kenny’s Music for a browse, passing Rub A Dub. Like you, I’ve never been in myself.

I’ve never used them myself - I’ve always thought of them as a DJ / dance music producer type place. However, they are long established - their shop has been there for as long as I can remember, perhaps 20 years. George

I love some of the suggestions above, but I’ll put something forward that’s a bit more modern - Side Pony, by Lake Street Dive. There’s not been much made in years that’s excited me from a bass perspective, but I love what Bridget Kearney does with a double bass on this record. A distinctive sound and great playing that suits the songs. George

Purchased a Squier Jazz from Tom. Arrived very well packaged and in full working order. Good communications, no concerns whatsoever.