Lfalex v1.1

How else will they get that "Weak G"? 🙃

In an attempt to diversify a little, I purchased a Roland GO:Keys61. Well. It would be 61 keys. Because they don't do a 76 or 88... I have, of course, taken to it like a fish to air, with my embarrassment only being spared by judicious use of a headphone socket. The keys are nice, it's solid and functional enough, and I'm sure I've barely scratched the surface of what it can do. Nonetheless, there a degree of tactile response and immediacy that's lacking compared to bass guitar, and I don't think that weighted keys would address that. Furthermore, it feels like they've held back all the quality tones and sounds for the better models (Juno, Jupiter, Fantom etc.) Have I been spoiled by too much contact with good basses, I wonder?!

Well said. Therein lies the real danger.

Interesting how the grain patterns are so very similar. Are the images photoshops or are the tops photoflames, I wonder? I'll have a look for more (different) images.

A NUX Mighty Plug or similar and decent headphones is great for such things. I've been known to try out instruments in Cash Converters etc. with it, much to people's bemusement.

I'm fairly sure it'll not be an issue, but I'd like to try a keyboard amplified through my head/cab. My understanding of such things is that it ought comfortably to withstand it. I'll be running it via my Zoom B3 as it has provision for better reverb control, delay and a limited HPF facility. I realise that the keyboard out will be line level, and therefore "hot", but that can be addressed via its own volume control, and I'll wind the gain up gently. I don't intend to play LF sine waves through it for hours on end, and overall levels should be modest at most. I've not missed anything important, have I? For reference, the equipment is keyboard >> Zoom B3 >> Markbass CS450 >> Schroeder 21012L. Thanks again in advance.

I recently used the DI out from my Two Notes Le Bass preamp for a bit of recording work with a band. I engaged the cab sim that it offers, settled on a tone that I liked and just got in with it. What came out the other end was most gratifying. I used my head/cab for monitoring on that occasion.

Quite apart from judicious use of the master volume control, some sort of compression and possibly an HPF (or something that acts like one) can be a worthwhile addition. Tames nasty peaks, and prevents unwanted low frequencies that the cab can't reproduce from making it past the HPF.

(on Reddit) r/bass Is ok for general info. r/basscirclejerk Can be quite funny, is frequently irreverent. And often rather rude. You have been warned! ⚠️

Nice to hear positive feedback on retailers, but I've never been to Peach Guitars in spite of driving past it quite frequently. The whole appointment thing is just an absolute deal-breaker for me. What if I want to just pop in and grab some strings, have a look for a strap or maybe grab a couple of patch cables? Or even just browse some instruments. If it is a response to a major theft, it's understandable, but I still find it off-putting. They're not the only retailer I avoid because of a policy like this.

Thanks for that @tauzero I'll give it a go!

I have a Zoom B3, and have (whilst rummaging) found a Roland EV-5 expression pedal. It has the "usual" ¼" TRS jack on the (fixed) lead. Before I take the nuclear option and just try connecting them, does anyone have any experience of their inter- compatibility? Is there anything else I need to watch out for? (An Internet search or 3 has yielded nothing, btw) Thanks in advance!

If it's what you want (and it sounds like it is), the relief will be tangible when you're done. It was for me when I realised I didn't have to go to the browbeatings that "band practice" swiftly became. Personally, I'm not selling up. I've started to enjoy playing again. But you've got to do what's right for you.

I used the configurator. $600. Nice spec, though. Roughly what MM would use; AAA Bird's eye Maple. Ebony board. No lines or front dots. Considering that you've then got to do the dirty work at the headstock end yourself, that's quite expensive.

Almost definitely. There's an outside chance you might be able to source an original fretted neck more easily than a fretless, should you wish to do so.

Theoretically You could get a neck made with a different profile, nut width and headstock design that just so happened to fit in the neck pocket of the said Musicman. Finding a luthier willing to do it is potentially challenging. The cost might prove to be equally challenging.

For everything else, there's the older MM designs. Oh. And G&L...

@NAS Bass Thanks for reminding me of Graham Maby and Carol Kaye. Omitted from my list for sure. Carol Kaye's playing on the Dirty Harry opening section.... amazing. Given that it was sight-read.... doubly so.

Most of the ones I'd name have already been mentioned several times. Not only that, but it's hard not to like nearly all the names in here. So I'll add; Klaus Voorman Tony Butler (Big Country) Nice to see Colin Moulding getting some well-deserved attention.

I broached this subject when I joined my last band. More as an icebreaker than anything else, but also to get a feel for what they liked and admired. Neither the guitarist nor the drummer had ever been asked nor discussed it. Ever. Which I thought was weird. Their answers were good, though; John Frusciante and Stewart Copeland respectively. My response drew blank faces (and it's not like I play or sound like him!) : Tony Levin. As stated earlier- only bassists care about bass. Neither could name a songwriter that they thought was inspirational, whereas I rolled out a handful, including Stuart Adamson Elvis Costello Andy Partridge Randy Newman And got instantly tarred with the band music-geek label 🏷

From what I read, the silent jacks have a moving part which mutes the signal when plugging-in / unplugging. Fine. Until you read that it's only got a lifetime of 1000 uses. Or about a year, I guess. I'd go with the gold and just ensure that gain/ volume are down or muted before unplugging.

Not in my case. It's governed by the shape/size/ weight of the instrument. To that end, each instrument I own has its own strap adjusted to fit it perfectly. The lighter basses (EDA, B2Av) have cheapo nylon straps. The heavyweights have wide, grippy leather items to stop them from moving about.

3 bangers back to back there with Newsong The Riddle Reap the wild wind

Also necessitates you having a belt on and wearing your trousers like Simon Cowell. In addition to having to tuck your shirt in. All sticks are fashion disasters waiting to happen.

When I saved up for my first "good" bass, I ended up being quite set on a Thumb NT5. I find that they won't stay on my leg when playing seated. They almost need to be wedged in classical-style, between the legs. I didn't buy it in the end, and got something else instead.