JapanAxe

I spend a lot of my time working on material that I need to know for upcoming dep gigs. Consequently I rarely have time to learn songs ‘just in case’ but I have done so for fun - mainly Steely Dan stuff.

I've been playing for 45 years now and have never had a 'one' guitar or bass.

For a time I tried to find a single do-everything skinny-string guitar that could cover all bases. The closest I got to achieving that ambition was a Yamaha Pacifica 604. I reached the point of thinking that a Precision would meet all my bass needs, but have recently moved away from that with my current brace of Dingwalls.

So no - and why should there be a 'one' instrument? Here's to enjoying lots of instruments!

1 minute ago, casapete said:

We played at Buxton Opera House last night. Sold out crowd of around 900 in this grand old venue,

which dates back to 1903. Another of my favourite theatres that we visit, I’m realising I always prefer

the older venues to the often bland newer ones. Had to have a beer and pizza at the wonderful

Buxton Brewery Tap House before the gig, where they were promoting us!

 

…

 

Wow, I played there in June with Dire Streets and we managed 600 - impressed that you sold it out. What’s the band?

On stage I tend to just stand there with my stabby-looking resting face - I have to make a deliberate effort to move around.

Did a Dingwall trade deal with Jon today. We enjoyed a bass-related chat over a coffee, and both came away happy with our new toys.

2 hours ago, TheJonJonJonJon said:

Shameless plug - If you do manage to move it on, I’m selling my Dingwall NG2-5.

 

Yes I had noticed that!

I wouldn't even be thinking of selling this except that I recently bought a Dingwall D-Roc and realised how much I love the feel of the longer scale length. I'm therefore looking at getting another 5-string Dingwall (D-Roc, AB, NG) but I'd need to shift this one first.

Quick specs -

Made in Canada

Maple fretboard

22 fanned frets (in case you hadn't noticed!) - scale length 32in (G) to 35in (B)

Swamp ash body with matte black finish

Black pickguard - black pearloid guard also included

Hipshot light weight tuners

Passive electronics - I have replaced the Tone Fusion control with a conventional one but will include the Tone Fusion in the sale, or can re-fit it before sale if you prefer.

Weight is a very comfortable at just over 4kg (about 8lb 15oz).

Condition - some dings to the body but otherwise in good nick.

Comes with a worn but functional gig bag (not Dingwall).

It was quite hard to come up with a price. I'm not averse to haggling if you think I'm way off, but for trades see the first line of this post.

This would be collection/meet-up only.

Reduced to £55.

My most recent gig (Friday night) was on lead guitar with a rock’n’roll outfit. My big problem was the excessive vocal monitor volume, which was most unpleasant during the first set. In the second set I wore an ACS plug in my more sensitive right ear (blocking the vast majority of the sound) and a Doc’s Pro Plug loosely in the left. This meant I could still hear my guitar!

The other (more tech-heavy) solution I’ve found is to use an IEM setup and feed it via a speaker-emulated DI box run from my amp’s spare speaker output. That way I can always hear myself even if my amp is turned down low.

8 hours ago, WAYNESWORLD said:

Last two gigs have been wrecked by decibel meter.Now before I am berated by comments of turn down then.These things were set at ridiculously low levels.The disco with poor low end as usual played at a volume that could wake the dead.We produce a quality full sound at a very low volume and trip the meter.It’s been a long time since we had this happen even in venues that have decibel meters in.Even after speaking to the agent after the gig he mentioned the problems artists playing in these venues are complaining that it is becoming really difficult to do there shows.His option is to put in a single act with backing.He then tells me the venues want bands with drums but the meters will not accommodate them.I have been playing for more years than I wish to admit to and played through 70s 80s when meters were everywhere and had no issue.We have now decided not to play anymore of these venues without the option to bypass or adjust the level.If we are not required to play at these places then so be it.We will always accommodate volume  requests levels but sound quality to suite a decibel meter is non negotiable.The shows were very well received and we even got apologies from some of the audience on having our show wrecked by these meters.

Those things take all the fun out of playing a gig. I have no desire to play stupidly loud but I find myself watching the traffic lights and cringing every time the amber comes on.

I play with a light touch but I can still go lighter for quiet passages. If my bass is not loud enough I end up playing harder in an effort to compensate, and find that this really slows me down.

I have just put together my first bass ‘board in over 15 years, and that’s only for ampless/silent-stage gigs - normally it’s just bass-tuner-amp.

On guitar though I currently have three:

1. Big all-purpose board on a Pedaltrain Classic;

2. Minimal rock’n’roll board on a Nano;

3. Ampless board on a Classic Junior for one particular tribute band that I’ve been depping with quite a bit.

I do make changes from time to time but it’s important for me to know my ‘board and what it can do, so I’m not constantly chopping and changing.

Pedals that are not currently on a board sit on a shelf within easy reach, and I have a PSU block on my music room desk so that I can quickly patch any pedal into my setup.

I'm playing (mainly) rhythm guitar with excellent Bowie tribute Rebel Heroes at the Old Court in Windsor on 9th September - tickets still available here.

Still available

Trades might be possible, just hit me up!

On 20/08/2023 at 16:49, eude said:

Here's my little rig!

GK Legacy 500 into 2 x Barefaced One10 cabs.
From June 2022, I've since changed the grilles on the cabs, with the new BF logos, and the pedals have changed a bit, but you get the idea...

 

I think you might be stretching the 'mini' thing with that pedal board!

Welcome to the forum @mellortron! You could try this thread for starters: 

I’m not a fan of Jazz basses but that looks sweet, GLWTS!

I don’t make my living from music but I actively promote myself as a dep that bands can call on in an emergency. This has led to everything from well-paid wedding gigs to one-offs with tribute bands. Along the way I have found some bands who in future will just receive a polite ‘Sorry I’m not available’, and some pubs whose doors I hope never to darken again. Oh, and the occasional space cadet fruit loop.

The Radial Pro DI has arrived. Either its substantial weight is testament to its quality or there’s a lump of depleted Uranium in there. And of course it works just as expected.

2 minutes ago, Stoneham said:

Hi everyone, after a very challenging year I'm now picking this project up again.  A prototype (built onto a YI200 chassis) will be ready in next few working days.  Been really struggling with the coffee maker attachment!

The easiest thing would be to combine 2 x 6550/KT88 with a high voltage supply, say 650V.  Most high power valve bass amps use this.  It works, but high voltage is a valve killer.  I've been working on increasing efficiency so I can use a regular 500V supply and prolong valve life.

I've got a bit further to go but have just obtained 90 watts from 2 x KT88 with a 450V power supply which I'm excited about.  This first prototype will put out about 90 watts, until I get a custom transformer set wound.

I’m liking the sound of this!

6 hours ago, itu said:

Type 85 from Countryman is literally indestructible. Found one years ago used and yes, the cover had dings and dongs, but works as planned. It is now something like +30 years old.

A guy I play with uses some kind of Countryman gadget on his Dobro.

Bought a strap from Ben, it arrived super-fast and exceedingly well packed.

21 hours ago, Dan Dare said:

For passive boxes, I find Palmer to be decent for relatively little money. I'm sure a Radial or similar would be better, but whether I'd notice the difference I don't know. Orchid make good reasonably priced active boxes.

Yes I have a Palmer PDI-09 (speaker emulated) which I use  with my guitar rig.

I’ve plumped for a used Radial Pro DI. Although the Thomann unit works fine, it is larger than it needs to be (contains mostly air) and the transformer is simply glued in place! A jolt could easily dislodge it, which doesn’t bode well for reliability!

1 minute ago, Supernaut said:

Radial ProDI secondhand is a good shout. 

Yes , I noticed the one in the classifieds...