geoham

I've been a Fender guy for as long as I can remember. My two gigging basses are a P and a J, both with vintage voiced pick-ups and flatwound strings. Between them, i can cover all bases in both my originals and function band. In the past I've had low(ish) end modern basses - Ibanez ATK and Soundgear - but i was never able to get on with them. I've had little GAS for quite some time, except now and then I want a 2nd J to out roundwounds on to. That was until I went to the London Bass Show. I tried out some amps at the TC Electronic stand using a wonderful bass - I think it was an MTB (no idea what model). It felt delightful, really low action, straight neck and light as a feather. The sound was clear and punchy. I remember it being particularly responsive to changes in my playing dynamics. I never understood the attraction of modern 'boutique' type basses before, but I was truly blown away. I checked out MTD, and their US built models are WAY out of my price range, but I could perhaps stretch to one of their Kingston models (Which are still quite expensive!). I assume the bass I tried would have been a US one, but will be happy to be proved wrong! I have a couple of questions - does anyone know exactly what TC Electronic had on their stand? Also, can anyone recommend any good (but wonderful!) modern basses? Thanks, George

Cheers Stephen, We're hoping to tour northern England at some point soon, will let you know if we are anywhere near Wigan.

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1428010070' post='2737119'] Show the rest of the band this thread. [/quote] I did! Didn't curb the singer's enthusiasm a bit - he has the drive of someone half his age. However, with my negativity/skepticism/realism and our violinist being away with her orchestra - we're not doing it. I think there'll be another similar 'opportunity' soon though. Our singer has focused on his (non-musical) career for years, and has recently become financially secure enough to quit his day job and the band is now his primary focus. To me it feels like there is a desire to haemorrhage cash as quickly as possible in the name of 'exposure'... Expensive EP/demo, loads of gigs, but all pay to play (including some support slots with reasonably successful acts) and not a second thought for anyone's day job. In fairness, we've done reasonably well so far - local TV and radio slots, music on Spotify, iTunes etc. As much as I moan, I love playing with the guys (makes a change from a the covers I've been playing for the past ten years), and I think our music genuinley does have something unique. Thanks for the advice, George

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1427624106' post='2732334'] Would generally agree, but there are situations where it's worth taking the hit, IF there's a [i]very [/i]good reason. Mandatory! There is no indication of the OP's age, but I'd say if under 25 then go for it, you are paying your dues. But if the OP is anywhere near the average age of members of this forum (147) then it will be a nightmare. You'll forget your meds, you'll get backache, you'll be grumpy because your stage trousers don't fit properly, you can't use any toilet but the one at home... [/quote] We're not exactly the youngest band. I'd probably have been a million times keener if I was ten or fifteen years younger minus the wife, kids and job! I'm 33 and the band range from 28 to 44.

Thanks for the advice guys. I've already asked many of the questions suggested and am strugging to get clear information. The gig came about via a friend of our singer. His band are making their way from Stornaway (which is a long journey from Glasgow never mind London) and they asked us to join them. From what I gather the guys are pretty well connected and clued up, so I'd like to think they wouldn't be wasting their or our time. On the other hand, the purpose of the gig is still very vague to me. I'm personally looking for something like an email from ITB saying they've heard our CD and would like to hear us live. I feel like a bit of a kill-joy, but I personally don't have the disposable cash to splash out, never mind the two days off work I'd need. Thanks again, George

Hi, Hope some of you from the London area can give me some advice. My 6 months old originals band have been asked to play at showcase in London, at The Enterprise, Camden. Apparently for ITB, a large agency with many well known acts on their books. We'd be travelling from Scotland, and I'm rather skeptical compared to the rest of my band. Does anyone know this venue? Looks like a pub to me, I've got doubts that a large agency would use it for a showcase. Any advice appreciated!

Yeah, plenty of venues around! The city centre is reasonably compact and most places will be within 10-15 minutes walk of where you are staying (or a few quid in a taxi!). There's a leaflet produced monthly that lists local bands gigs, available online too. It lists gigs for many of the venues around town. http://www.gigguide.co.uk/Glasgow%20Listings/glasgowmonday.htm A personal favourite venue is The Ferry (aka The Renfrew Ferry). It sits on the river Clyde - don't worry, it doesn't sail any more, just stays in the same place! I've played on it a few times myself, and been to several gigs. It's a few hundred capacity, so generally smaller acts and tributes. I've seen Andy Fairweather-Low, Steve Harley, and MacFloyd on it. http://www.the-ferry.co.uk/

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1426337606' post='2717042'] good stuff have you done [b][url="http://www.tenementtv.com/"]tenement tv[/url][/b] up there? seems to be gaining popularity these days [/quote] Haven't heard of it before now, but shall look it up. Thanks

Cheers guys! We did a second song too, but can't seem to find a standalone clip of it. If anyone is interested, the whole show can be streamed on STV Player http://player.stv.tv/programmes/riverside-show/2015-03-13-1905/ Hopefully works south of the border!

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1426239599' post='2715923'] Did you say you put it through an 8x12 cab as part of your more portable setup?? [/quote] The irony! Was an 8x10 obviously, fool of a man that I am. It belongs to the rehearsal room, not me. My portable setup is a 2x10 TC cab, sometimes two if I'm feeling enthusiastic! I can now do a one trip unload.. Laptop bag with amp, effects etc over my shoulder, cab in one hand and bass in the other. Big difference to last year when I was gigging with my Ashdown Mag stuff. Sounds great, but was damn heavy!

Played two songs with my originals band Scarlets on STV Glasgow. Was a fun experience! http://t.co/DSgFNV1wbO

Having owned a TC Electronic BH500 for about the past six months, I've been after something a bit more portable. I was at the London Bass Show at the weekend and picked up the tiny BH550 for only £339. I took it to rehearsal last night and plugged into An SWR 8x12 cab - not disappointed in the slightest. Master volume well under half way and it held its blew away two Marshall JCM 900s in to 4x12s, a loud drummer and an electric violin. It sounded FAR better (and louder!) than the rehearsal room's SVT and is fraction of the size. The guy at the TC stand insisted the 800 watt would serve me better - more headroom, but given how loud this wee thing is, I can't see me ever needing more power. Here it is! [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/iIaXc9b.jpg[/IMG]

Cheers Cameron! Have a few gigs booked:- 14th March - The Vale (Glasgow) 17th March - QMU (Glasgow Uni) 23rd March - Bannermans (Edinburgh) Also on The Riverside Show (STV Glasgow), 6pm 13th March.

We're called Scarlets, melodic rock with a hint of a celtic influence. First track is called Waiting For The Birds. https://soundcloud.com/scarlets-band/waiting-for-the-birds Second one, Already Knew is a ballad featuring the incredibly talented Christie Connor-Vernal as a guest vocalist. https://soundcloud.com/scarlets-band/already-knew Happy to receive any comments regarding the band in general or just the ropey bass work!

I'm making the trip from Scotland and will be there on the Saturday. If any of you happen to be gigging close to Kings X station on Friday or Saturday night, let me know and I'll try to pop along.

Gigged twice with my Harley Benton. It has a basic preamp on board, but i run it through the Fishman model on my Zoom B3 and it sounds great. Just straight in to the PA last week (small gig), and in to an amp (plus PA) this week. Fine in both cases, and a whole lot of fun!

D'Angelo & Paul Young both had a decent bassist... Don't much like either of their music.

I've never heard the Tonerider Jazz pickups, but the Precision version I have is excellent.

I'd guess it's probably a Standard with an aftermarket pickguard.

Tone well and truly lowered! I think my wife has small hands... Quite fancy some of the 'dreads' multi-coloured ones, though may wait to see how I get on with using this. May never see the light of day after the novelty wears off. Or I may upgrade to a real Kala. (anyone tried both? Worth triple the price?)

You could be right, though will take smaller hands than mine!

I purchased the above bass last week to use at acoustic shows. I'm loving it, it's a great little bass and am really looking forward to gigging with it. I have one question - how on earth are the strings changed? They vanish through the bridge inside the body, but I can see no way to access the underside of the bridge. Thanks,

Also - whatever you get - make sure they'll physically fit! Quite a few variations of the Jazz pickups out there.

Have a look at Tonerider. I got one for my P from Amazon for about £35 - Very nice sound indeed - I use it as my main bass these days. The Jazz versions are £30 each, so about half of what you'd pay for something like Dimarzio or Seymour Duncans. Alternatively - see what you can get used on here, many many bargains!

I took mine right off and placed it on a flat surface, won't sit flat. I'm baffled as to how it could have happened!