JapanAxe

Another vote for pressurewounds then.

Another contender then. I shall be attending the SW Bass Bash soon, so I propose to ask every other person there what strings are on their bass, and can I have a go on it please.

They sound like the GHS Nickel Rockers that I use on my skinny-string guitars. Their website says 'unique round wound construction that ensures the best playability of any round wound electric bass set on the market', but they don't go into why.

Tell me more...

Thanks, I did try some D'Addario half rounds on a previous 5-er, but they didn't really do it for me. I'm going to persevere with the Cobalts for now - not least because I sank £48 into them! - and then maybe try rounds again based on people's comments here. Did the Elixirs give you any hum problems - i.e. do you become electrically insulated from the metal of the strings?

I've been using flats on my Precisions for the last 4 years or so - D'Addario Chromes, which are pretty bright as flats go, but still not the same as rounds. I recently acquired a Dingwall Super PZ5, which came with NYXLs fitted. I like the way they sound, but I find the feel a bit uncomfortable. I've fitted a set of EB Cobalt flats, which are bright enough to pop (unlike Chromes) but feel a bit draggy on the plucking hand. For those who have tried several brands of rounds, which feel the most comfortable under the fingertips of the fretting hand?

I had my eye on that as a possible, until I picked up my Super P.

Congrats! Was the the pre-owned one they had?

I'm looking good for this! I'll be bringing most, if not all, of the stuff in my signature. I'll also bring my Orange valve tester - it can check most common valves except for rectifiers.

Advance fee fraud. Before long they will be asking you for an admin fee, which will allegedly be refunded later. Pay that, they'll ask you for more. Why is the message not personalised to your band? Why no website to check out? The link is to a different organisation. Avoid!

Big band do at a rugby club Valentine's ball. I am depping for the regular guy, who it turns out has been poached by another big band. One of the sax players describes my playing as 'solid', which I take 100% as a compliment. The band leader asks me whether I would consider joining them permanently, which for various reasons I decline. In truth, I have little problem with the pop, soul, and disco material, but I really do struggle with a lot of the the more traditional big band jazz stuff. These people have been playing from dots since they were kids, whereas I came the self-taught route. I enjoyed the gig, I relish the challenge, and I have another one coming up next month.

It's not remembering what they do, it's 'option anxiety', the nagging self-doubt that says I might need +3dB at 1.2kHz... or should it be 1.5kHz? That and an aversion to running critical stuff off batteries. Each to their own though, and whatever everyone else for you is fine for them.

Why not promote your own event(s)?

Yes, they messed up the grid bias circuit on the early models, but sorted it with a simple mod on later production.

Groovilium?

Just bought a fantastic Dingwall bass from Gavin. Spent a very pleasant hour or so with him and Sid (@Osiris) in a mutually convenient McDonalds, chewing the fat, or in my case the new 'improved' veggie-burger. A standup guy and a pleasure to deal with.

Relic'd body, pristine neck. Nice gig bag though.

Fair enough!

I don't recall any post on here where someone claimed to hate the Ampeg sound, although a few Ampeg models have come in for some stick for various reasons. So no, I don't think the Marmite analogy applies.

So true!

I spend a lot of time transcribing bass and guitar parts for songs I'm going to cover. Some may view this as 'not creative', but it helps me learn things I would not have thought to do otherwise. I won't always stick note-for-note to the transcription when it comes time to play, but at least I have started in the right place! Having said that, I am fine with people doing in a completely different and off-the-wall way, but please, spare me from sloppy covers.