ambient

[quote name='Westenra' timestamp='1469802815' post='3101196'] Software sounds so sterile and too perfect to my ears, give me genuine pedals any day [/quote] Maybe, but who'd notice in a live situation ? I'd still rather have the versatility. I like being able to have 7 or 8 reverb sounds that I can just recall instantly, and switch between in the same piece.

That's fascinating, thanks for sharing your work. I like to use harmonics in some of my solo stuff.

I never use it live, just for recording.

The Strymon is great, I also used the Neunaber wet, that's really nice too. I've moved away from pedals, and use software nowadays. Far more versatile.

I think a lot is down to technique. Stanley Clarke uses an Alembic. Marcus a jazz bass with stainless steel strings.Does he sound any different using his new bass and Dunlop strings than with his fender and DR strings ? Victor Wooten a Fodera with nickel strings. so different basses and strings, the common factor is they have amazing technique.

[quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1469213271' post='3096770'] Just out of curiosity, do any of you guys actually make a living playing slap & nothing but? [/quote] How many times do you hear a song with slap bass on the radio ? I had to learn Marcus's Frankenstein for an exam at uni. That was 2 years ago, and I've not slapped a bass since. I've only done one gig where I've had to slap, that was a New Year's Eve thing where they played that awful car wash song.

One of a few pieces recorded recently. It's al just my Roscoe 6 string fretless bass. Recorded/improvised in one take. [url="https://soundcloud.com/an-ending-ascend/0220072016a-1"]https://soundcloud.com/an-ending-ascend/0220072016a-1[/url]

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1469698721' post='3100362'] Oasis market, Birmingham. [/quote] Is that still there ?

I'd want to hear me play the bass anyway. I think, opening a huuuuge can of worms here.......possibly , that basses sound different depending on the player. I think most of the videos on Bass direct's website sound pretty much the same.

I think a lot of it is down to technique.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1468779030' post='3093267'] I was thinking exactly the same thing. A lot of what the OP wrote mirrored pretty much exactly my own experiences with playing in bands (and life in general) - loved the playing, never had any stage fright but all the other stuff terrified me. The bit between setting the gear up until it was time to play was hell on earth for me, and this got worse & worse as I got older & started to drink less (the drink was helping me cope to an extent but I just couldn't carry on like that). Got to the point where I just had to face the fact that I wasn't cut out for gigging & socialising in general, but I couldn't work out why as it was something I should have loved doing. Lots of other problems with extreme anxiety, depression & just not being able to cope in lots of 'normal' situations led to me losing my job & finally to being diagnosed (twice, by two different clinical psychologists) with Aspergers Syndrome earlier this year at the age of 51. Finding out the reason for why I behave like I do has been a massively positive experience for me - I know it's a cliche but I really do feel like my life started again when I was diagnosed. [/quote] That's me. I used to do a lot of dep gigs for bands all around the country. The gigs were great, but the meeting and socialising was an absolutel nightmare for me. I have coping strategies now, but in the intervals and before gigs I just like to go and sit with a coffee and read a book or something. My main current band are retired teachers, so fully understand my 'problem', I have to be absolutely organised. I need set lists and charts/scores in advance. I put everything out the night before, and leave to the gig with plenty of time to spare.

Have you ever considered that you've got Aspergers ? It's something that I have, and can cause anxiety problems, which it sounds like you have. Just get yourself organised, make notes and lists, anything to keep on top of things. Also speak to your bandmates about it, if they know, then they may do something to help.

I can do Skype if that's any good ?

Just play the active bass.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1468608385' post='3092164'] If you send me the cash via western union transfer I'll forward you the goods straight from Nigeria dave_bass5 :-) [/quote] I had an uncle who lived in Nigeria. I never met him, unfortunately he was killed in a plane crash out there, leaving me loads of shares in a diamond mine, which is nice .

[quote name='steantval' timestamp='1468424160' post='3090849'] Classic Rock bands at least use humans to do the drumming. [/quote] You should meet some of the drummers that I've met, you may reconsider that statement .

I saw the video for the new bass on Facebook earlier. I really, really like his house, the bass looked like a Fender Jazz.

[quote name='steantval' timestamp='1468353853' post='3090405'] Why bother, it's best left in the 80's IMO. [/quote] Could just as easy say classic rock should be left in the 70s. I think the main thing is the gear. It wouldn't look right with a MacBook and midi keyboard on stage. Real analog synths are expensive.

I burned my finger and the carpet last time I tried 😂.