Norris

[quote name='roonjuice' timestamp='1386087617' post='2295545'] Just to add....he didn't even offer to buy me a fricken beer!!!!!!! [/quote] Sod the damage - this is the fail!

I play mine in (only slightly dropped) Eb tuning, using EB Regular Slinkys (105-50). If you want to drop it further you could probably use a slightly heavier gauge, although you'll probably have to widen the nut slots. I don't see any other problems with using dropped tuning though.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1385929555' post='2293794'] I think it would be a bit weird seeing a band all using curly leads again nowadays. That would be proper retro. On the subject of curly leads, there must have been a good reason why people stopped using them by the late 1980's , even if no one nowadays can remember exactly what it was. . [/quote] Because they were crap and lasted about 10 minutes before they broke. I still use them in my practise room to keep it tidier, but not for gigs.

I got a couple of large cheap sports holdalls from Sports Direct for carrying my par cans around in. They were much, MUCH cheaper than anything that you'd find if you searched for "PAR CAN case". The original, individual cardboard boxes provide a bit of padding for the lights, and in turn are protected by the holdall. Having only two lights in each holdall makes them easier to carry around & stack in the car, as individually they are not too big. For mic/leads/gaffa tape/spare strings/etc. I recently bought a small flight case like [url="http://www.pulse-audio.co.uk/5051259010635.shtml"]this[/url], which is actually quite robust.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1385486724' post='2288866'] I always like Meddle . Gets overshadowed by Dark Side Of The Moon , for obvious reasons, but it's the record where the Floyd first showed they had what it takes to be something special , in my opinion . [/quote] +1 for an under-rated album

I also use EBRS's and had to change to change a 'dead' set recently - again after about 9 months on the bass. I would normally expect them to last about 18 months before getting to that stage. I hope they haven't changed the 'formula' on them. Having said that, there's still not many strings around that would hold their tone for 9 months, and certainly not at the relatively cheap prices EB's go for.

I use an old 1x12 powered monitor as my practise amp. It's too scruffy to gig, but ideal as a general-purpose amp in my 'music corner'. I did buy a small bass practise amp, but it was pretty awful for bass at anything over whisper volume. However the electric drum kit sounds great through it.

And we need basschat gloves for loading the kit in & out!

Our guitar-bass-drums trio often does "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago. Whatever you do with that line-up it's going to have a different spin...

In ye olde country pub: "There's a barn dance on at the other end of the village tonight, and lots of people are away for a big birthday party. I hope we get a few in..."

Pfft! Ha! Ha! The OP said "bass solos"

Around the Midlands it seems that bands involving brass have recently become quite popular. There have always been some, but there seem to be a lot more around now doing ska, soul, etc. I've even considered getting out my trombone that has been in its case for the last 30 years. (I passed grade 8 on it back in the day!) The trouble is, if you're not regularly playing in a band they are not the sort of instruments you just pick up and have a blow of an evening: certainly not like strumming a guitar or tinkling on a keyboard. They tend to be the sort of instruments that people play while at school but then find something much sexier (like bass guitars) to play when they grow up. There are also probably not enough bands around to sustain a healthy population of brass players & any that can play have probably already been snapped up.

I have an Indonesian Squier P bass Special - the one in pewter with matching headstock like [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/squier-standard-p-bass-special-satin-pewter-metallic/16028"]this discontinued one on GAK[/url]. I bought it from another basschat member for £150 if I recall correctly. It's worth keeping your eye out for one if your interested as it's a great bass. Looks, feels and sounds great, even with the standard pickups.

Most stuff we just learn at home then gig it straight off like the OP. Occasionally we will rehearse if a song is particularly complex, has a lot of vocal harmonies, or we want to re-arrange it a bit. Having said that my covers band has probably had a joint rehearsal 3 times in 8 years. Most stuff (if we don't just play it live from the off) can be sorted with a quick run through in the sound check.

People may hate jazz, but just play Moondance and they'll pack the floor... Edit - Ooh - 500th post

Apparently I hum tunelessly while I'm playing. I have also had a recent habit of forgetting to breathe while I'm playing too

When I was at school any instrument that used electricity was taboo. There were no rehearsal rooms, let alone the stuff you get in schools these days. Having said that I bought my first ever bass guitar from my old music teacher - a 3/4 scale Kay SG copy with an action that could be measured in feet.

I think it would be a good idea to separate the "look what I've done" stuff from the "how the hell do I do that?" stuff i.e. separate area for technical questions about recording (equipment, techniques, etc.).

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1381694603' post='2242537'] ... Perhaps sacrifice the Warwick for another (fretted) Aria SB? Something passive, or with a passive option (does the SB1000 have a passive option?). I've [b]always[/b] played nice Warwicks, but as much as I truly love them I could maybe benefit from a change of scenery. You know, shake it up a bit. [/quote] My SB-1000 does have an active/passive switch - but still won't utter a sound without batteries in. I'm guessing it's not a true bypass.

I used to have the bass riff from Beck's Minus (Odelay album), but my ancient version of Android doesn't let you use a custom ring tone

I think the smallest place I have played in is a long-since-gone piano bar in Leicester. After the three of us had squeezed in next to the grand piano, we then played to the six punters that could fit in the room. I've had my fair share of being the 'toilet entrance barrier' in a number of places.

Excellent

I managed to pick up an Indonesian Squier P-bass Special on here for £150 a year or two ago. Fantastic bass - P body, J neck & P/J pups. Certainly worth looking out for as an alternative that's well within your budget.

Fifteen years BBC (Before BassChat) spent with only one bass guitar & one amp. I've kept to the one amp, as there is NOTHING out there with the power/weight ratio of my Peavey combo. However, I do now own 6 basses...

Pointy-ish bass (Gibson Thunderbird) = [url="http://www.herculesstands.co.uk/product/85317/GS412B/Floor_Stands/Auto_Grab_guitar_stand_with_foldable_backrest"]this stand[/url] - fantastic! I need more walls so I have room for more auto-grab wall hangers