JapanAxe

There seem to be 3 themes emerging here, namely (1) Costume; (2) Feeling comfortable; (3) Acting up / showing off. I have been playing live in front of people for over 30 years, so (2) is rarely a problem. The stage is a comfort zone, it's my gig and I'm in control (most of the time). I think (1) helps a lot with (3), as it kinda gives you permission to be a show biz version of yourself. I used to dress up as Keef (wig, makeup, animal prints) in a Stones tribute band, and that was the first time I got into jumping about and drawing attention to myself rather than just trying to play the songs properly. Conversely, in my current trios I am 'tied' to the mic most of the time, so despite the Western wear or shiny shirt (depending on the trio), my only arsing-about opportunities are during solos. Even so, it makes a big difference if you try to engage with the audience - fielding song requests, dealing with hecklers, or otherwise reacting to what the buggers get up to. If you just play the songs, you're missing a large part of the experience.

[quote name='Mr Basstastic' timestamp='1363887474' post='2019000'] Also whats is the difference between CIJ and MIJ? [/quote] AFAIK the CIJ instruments were officially meant solely for the Japanese market, but some dealers have imported them to the UK.

No offence intended Rachel. Who is leading the way for this genre at the moment? Any UK bands we should listen out for?

I'll stick my neck out here and say that playing bass well requires a higher level of musicality than playing guitar well. I say this as someone who attempts to do both.

[quote name='snakeysabo' timestamp='1364755864' post='2030508'] Glam metal is about to come back with a new force. It has already started in France. [/quote] Thanks for the warning! People with cardigans can now run for cover

[quote name='bremen' timestamp='1364132537' post='2022198'] This: ' This random placement causes obstacles for electrons and when encountered this interference can cause noise, slow down electron flow and sound deterioration affecting the quality of the sound of the vacuum tube.' sounds like absolute twaddle to me. Replacing the cheapo Chinese valves in my SVP with groove tubes did make it quieter and less microphonic, though. [/quote] Yep, Watford Valves are well known for this, and they don't pack the valves very securely before they send them!

Jake bought a P-bass from me. He is a real gent to deal with, kept me updated regarding funds transfer, and came and paid the balance in cash. Enjoy it mate!

He doesn't mention whether he's filed the nut slots down to a gnat's cock

If you fit a Sprague orange drop cap, you also get a warm glow from thinking you are one up on all the sad losers with their crappy ceramics caps

I wouldn't say I am frustrated as a bass player (or indeed as a guitarist or a singer). Then again, the idea of being able to 'express yourself' sounds like tree-hugging hippy twaddle to me. I play music because, to quote Eddie Cochran, '[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#474747][size=4]When it all comes true man, wow, that's something else!' - by which I mean, hearing the band playing great and realising you're a part of it, and (sometimes) seeing/hearing the audience acknowledging that fact by cheering, dancing etc.[/size][/color][/font]

Already playing that night, otherwise this would have been right up my street

If I can afford it from my gig earnings and can put it out of sight, all fine and dandy with Mrs Axe. The trouble starts when excess gear starts to clutter up the spare room or the conservatory (Mrs Axe's 'happy room')

ER... think I might just try some different makes and see how I get on. I've been using Elites 45-gauge, but the Sandberg comes with 40s which are a bit slicker.

Behringer stuff I use and would recommend:[list] [*]GI-100 DI box with speaker simulation - indispensable for recording guitar and bass through a real amp. [*]VD-400 analog delay pedal - Boss DM2 clone, uses same bucket brigade chips as Carbon Copy, Aqua Puss II etc - bargain to chuck in the gig bag for jams etc. [*]Ultravoice Pro mic preamp - set and forget for recording vocals. [*]Eurorack Pro rack mixer with 8 stereo channels - the heart of my studio, brilliant audio solution, another bargain. [/list] It's not all good though. A band I played with used an alleged 2x450W Behringer powered mixer, and that was well under-powered. The singer blew up 2 of them. Also I was asked to repair a little Behringer mixer that a drummer friend used for his drum mics. All I can say is that these things are not made to be fixed!

For some reason, an electric fretless bass seems to be more acceptable at an 'acoustic' jam, maybe because it is perceived as a closer relation to the ol' bull fiddle.