Clarky

We did a (snow-ravaged) gig last night and were asked to load in and soundcheck between 4-6pm even though we were not due onstage until after 10pm. We duly did our early sound-check, which was really painful. At one point, the backing vocalist said "one-two" into the mike for at least 5 minutes while the "sound engineer" fiddled with his knobs. It took so long we only had a chance for a quick run through one song (bear in mind we were having to play along to a tape, as half the band was stuck on the South Coast, so we would have liked to polish things a little more in the s/c) before we were told we had to pack our gear away for the venue to open to joe public. Anyways, the two bands in front of us started late (neithe rof these soundchecked) and we finally got on stage about 10.45pm having done a hell of a lot of hanging around. At this point the sound guy said "I have changed all the settings since the sound check" and we had to go through it all over again with a very bored (and small) audience in front of us. So exactly why did we get to the gig 5 hours early then? Humbug. By the way it was the Proud Gallery in Camden ... oh and the band before us had a DB player who didn't have an amp and asked me immediately before they went on stage if I wouldn't mind him using my preamp/amp for their set

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1044830' date='Dec 2 2010, 11:14 AM']I think youve managed to sort it anyway [/quote] Much to wifey's disgust I had a quick play on the bass in question (my Pino) when I got in past midnight from DB gig last night, to see if the action had changed again. Nope, totally stable and as I left it the previous day. So it now plays beautifully and exactly how I want it to, ie, really low, fast and slick. So thanks Gareth, all sorted

And there was me thinking it was a scoop first picture of Pink's new baby son

[quote name='Moos3h' post='1041772' date='Nov 29 2010, 10:46 PM']Just read the latest issue this evening. Only comment is what a bell-end Jeff Berlin comes across as in the letters page![/quote] Read mine on way to work this morning. The letter that prompted Jeff Berlin's response was a bit silly but Jeff Berlin's ego is off the scale. He might be a great bass player (and is undoubtedly amazingly technically gifted), but what an arrogant SoB. No wonder he divides opinions - and thats before we even mention the 70s porn star moustache and the waist high jeans and Hi-Tops!

Well a weather-ravaged version of Rattlin Bone (5 out of 14 made it!) played in the Proud Gallery, Camden tonight to, erm, Mrs Clarky, the other two bands, and about a dozen other people. Outside it was blowing a blizzard and the pavements were treacherous. Got home without any accidents, mercifully. I guess it was a free rehearsal .... Thank you, British weather

[quote name='pete.young' post='1044436' date='Dec 1 2010, 10:32 PM']I'm just wondering how the tension of the strings can have anything to do with how hard it is to adjust the rod. You are loosening off the strings before you increase the tension in the rod, yes?[/quote] Yep, I always loosen the strings before adjusting the truss rod. What I meant about string tension is that higher tension strings exert more pull on the neck so the truss rod needs more tightening clockwise to compensate.

[quote name='EddieG' post='1044016' date='Dec 1 2010, 04:50 PM'] Coolest picture EVER![/quote] He used the fur coat for string dampening. Fact

Other than scarcity value of this particular model, I have to say (well I don't but I will anyway!) I prefer the contoured Precision shape to this. It looks a bit woodwork class to me

Its such a b*gger. We were going to video the show as well for promotional purposes. Now I imagine it will be like a part-band rehearsal in front of Mrs Clarky and 1 or 2 other stragglers looking for a drink on a cold Wednesday night. Hey ho, worse things happen at sea

Seems we are going ahead, using backing tapes as the drummer and guitarists definitely cannot make it. Line-up may just be Vocals Trombone Trumpet Double bass .... err tapes Far cry from the 14-piece that played on Halloween If anyone was thinking of coming along (especially those with broken legs!), please don't feel obliged as this is such a stripped down version of the band

This is looking dicy as half the band (including drummer, guitarist, souzaphone player and leading lady vocalist) have to come up from the South Coast and trains are being cancelled/delayed ... Looks like a 50:50 this may be cancelled

As an alternative, you could always do a Keef and imbibe a load of drugs and booze and it would probably sound great Edit: I know the bass player was Bill Wyman but if I suggested doing a Wyman it might bring up other connotations

[quote name='Clarky' post='1042331' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:31 PM']it may just be that the issue here is I have a very stiff truss rod that is making me tread too carefully with adjustments for fearing of over-doing it[/quote] Looks like a stiff truss rod was the issue. I was a bit braver with it yesterday (couldn't find the WD-40 unfortunately; it literally is bicep-busting to turn the truss rod) and I have the neck nice and straight now.

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1043021' date='Nov 30 2010, 09:45 PM']When will this thread be renamed Clarky's Wall of Shame? Anyway, congrats on all the new basses Clarky.[/quote] Sorted, Dave!

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='1042358' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:46 PM']OK, ok, It's correct to say I've handled lots of bass players nuts over the years but Clarky would have to live a bit closer for me to have a 'feel' for what the problem might be. Thanks for this oportunity WH. [/quote] Thankfully there's 300 miles and 248,000 tonnes of snow between us

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1042330' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:30 PM']A wee (and I mean wee) squirt of wd40 won't do any harm... try not to get it on the wood though.[/quote] Thanks again mate, I will go seek the WD40 tonight.

[quote name='lettsguitars' post='1042325' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:27 PM']as for max'ing out a rod, i can't imagine that ever happening. if somethings 'rattling' and the rod is in tension, you've got problems.[/quote] There's no rattling. I have heard of people snapping truss rods by over-tightening, thats what left me a bit fearful. In fact it turns out that the previous owner of the bass (he just PM'd me) found the truss rod pretty stiff to adjust, even with lower tension strings. So it may just be that the issue here is I have a very stiff truss rod that is making me tread too carefully with adjustments for fearing of over-doing it. Thus Warwickhunt's WD40/grease suggestion (for which thanks WH!) may be the solution to my problem here. Well its worth a try anyway

[quote name='bassotaiteilija' post='1042301' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:11 PM']Nice Clarky! I've heard so many great things about the Pino, that I gotta try one of those (n/a in Helsinki stores). Might be a bad luck charm for my wallet. I'll let my fingers decide. They usually reject the P neck. How are the TI strings? Like rubber bands? Cheers! Joona[/quote] Hey Joona! In answer to your question about TIs, I used to love these strings but now prefer something a little less thin/flexible and with a bit more tension so I have swapped over for Pyramid Gold Flats