Dood

'MU rates' gets a big plus one. Being an MU member also gives you access to downloadable contracts for the 'employer' to sign. Cover yourself every time.

I've just sold my Digitech Stereo JamMan to Rob. Very pleasant to deal with, great comms too!!! Thank you Rob!

[quote name='dood' post='1345416' date='Aug 19 2011, 01:25 PM']There has been a post on BC about changing the voltage on a MarkBass F1. I uploaded some pictures of the adjustment I made on my F1 one that I bought from the US - it's been working fine here in the UK ever since.[/quote] Sorry, I completely missed the bit about playing in Italy and Germany, thus ignore my bit about the US! ha ha ha!!!

There has been a post on BC about changing the voltage on a MarkBass F1. I uploaded some pictures of the adjustment I made on my F1 one that I bought from the US - it's been working fine here in the UK ever since.

[quote name='sprocketflup' post='1343112' date='Aug 17 2011, 01:51 PM']Sprocketflup agrees with Dood, and he also finds biog pages extremely cringeworthy [/quote] With Dood's incredible talent and ability to nurse the finest tune from just a single note, he is surely the next big thing at replying to a forum post.

The worst kind are the ones written by the band in the third person. MySpace having the most offenders. As soon as I spot one, they lose all credibility from me I'm afraid.

[quote name='oldslapper' post='1342823' date='Aug 17 2011, 10:14 AM']+1 for up to date CRB certificate. Even if you are teaching from home, and we'll assume you'll end up with some under 18's to teach, parents find it reassuring. Also, a current RGT certificate on the wall does help when selling your services. Also RGT have a good on line resource. Have you had lessons yourself? I found having a few lessons from a number of different tutors helped me find what worked, and, most importantly, what didn't (eg playing all your impressive chops to the student for the duration of the lesson). The most fruitful couple of lessons I had was from a guy who wasn't that impressive a player. But he could see what was needed, then explain clearly what I needed to do, how and why. He wasn't in the least bit intimidated by more "gifted" students, as there is always something we can learn, if we are open to learning. When you think about the best sports coaches, very few are particularly gifted players themselves. In fact very few "stars" make good coaches. Your job is to assess, instruct, inspire, review, assess, instruct, inspire, etc, constantly giving feedback to the student. It's not to make the student feel inadequate and dispirited by showing how great you are. It requires hard work, preparation and a willingness to adapt to each students needs. But it is great to see people develop, particularly when they grasp a new concept. Preach over....I'll bugger off and let the experts to tell you differently [/quote] Yes! Great post, I totally agree with your sound advice. There's nothin like planting that first seed and watching the idea or concept grow. I love my job and the teaching part is extremely gratifying!

Guitar lessons too and soon, beginner's drum lessons!

All of the above and I also urge you to seek even just advice from a group such as Business Link for help with setting up your business. You might ask 'why, what are they gonna tell me?' but there's a great deal of help out there to cover the stuff you haven't thought of yet. Been brilliant for me. Join the Musician's Union and read their handbook front to back. As much as you love playing Bass, the reason you are doing this ultimately is to make money and therefore being a business man and growing your potential as a marketeer is just as important as knowing your chops. CRB definitely. You can get one as a sole tutor via MU. Insurance is also a must both in your own home and others. Expect to spend money on advertising. It's very important and without it, you're relying on very little to get you clients. Finally, tell everyone, even complete strangers what you do. It can be a bit uncomfortable at first, but as an example, I was sat having my car exhaust fixed the other day and the chap next to me struck up a convo and I think he mentioned the cost of the work.. My immediate reply was that I needed my car for business and explained what. Straight away 'oh my son plays bass'.. Etc etc, I now have his details. Next up, I went to the counter with my bass clef hoodie on and the staff member said 'ah you've got to be a bass player with that on!', 'I've got a guitar but never learned to play it'.. So I offered him guitar lessons. He's on my Facebook now and I can talk to him about booking up. Cost me nothing for two students!

[quote name='libertino' post='1340307' date='Aug 15 2011, 08:42 AM']Thank you for your help, everyone! I ended up going for a Hartke 410XL 400 watts, £102 on ebay (+fuel to collect it). I found browsing through second hand listings quite a difficult process - restricted by distance (which on this forum for example isn't explicit in the ad title) and ad titles not always descriptive of the item's basic specs (probably not an issue for those who know what they're doing!) - but I got there in the end! I'll let you know how I get on when I've got the gear set up. Thanks again.[/quote] I'm a big fan of Hartke XL cabs - you chose wisely! Please do let us know how you get on - and of course, there's the obligatory rig pictures required!!

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1339443' date='Aug 14 2011, 11:19 AM']Went looking for some info on the BSP and found this review: [color="#8B0000"][i]There's some neat things about the BSP, but there are some things that aren't always desirable for a bassist. Keep in mind, the dirty channel is made for Billy! It lacks any meaty low end when played alone. It's a very guitary shred tone, and get really wild if you're using a cab with a tweet on. I think he uses this to branch off into guitar cabs live if I recall. However, for blending, it's actually really nice, you can retain all that meat and grunt you get from the clean channel and toss in as much fuzz into it as you want. Keep in mind, the eq settings ARE NOT FLAT as you are used to. The middle 12 o'clock is not considered flat. I believe the manual or some other source I've seen actually notes what the flat locations are for each knob, and they are all different. So don't be surprised if you have what looks like a weird eq setup that actually sounds right for you. [/i][/color] Fair comment, Dood?[/quote] I'll answer each in turn: ** There's some neat things about the BSP, but there are some things that aren't always desirable for a bassist. Sure, I guess not everyone likes or needs distortion, fair comment. ** Keep in mind, the dirty channel is made for Billy! It lacks any meaty low end when played alone. Yeah, I agree - the design is more of a guitar type distortion preamp / pedal and it is definitely better mixing both channels together by the flick of a switch. the individual clean and dirty channels can be adjusted separately still though, which is important. ** It's a very guitary shred tone, and get really wild if you're using a cab with a tweet on. It *can* get very wild, but it will back off to a mild break up. I use it at the point that the distortion just starts sustaining then EQ all of the top out, so the clean bass and treble sings through. ** I think he uses this to branch off into guitar cabs live if I recall. Ahhh, no - he runs to Bass amps into bass cabinets, but they are EQ very differently. (Along with compression) ** However, for blending, it's actually really nice, you can retain all that meat and grunt you get from the clean channel and toss in as much fuzz into it as you want. Yes yes yes yes!! This is why I love it. I also use a TC Electronic G Major 2 for effects; but also the ability to change the channels on the BSP via a relay on the TC as well. I can save an effects routing and channel change on one button of my MIDI controller. ** Keep in mind, the eq settings ARE NOT FLAT as you are used to. The middle 12 o'clock is not considered flat. I believe the manual or some other source I've seen actually notes what the flat locations are for each knob, and they are all different. So don't be surprised if you have what looks like a weird eq setup that actually sounds right for you. As I had said earlier, the clean preamp is a clone of the Fender Passive Tonestack and thus much the same as the Hartke, 'flat' will be more like 2-10-2 bass-mid-treble than all up at 12 0'clock which will be more akin to a smiley face pattern on a graphic equaliser. But as I say to everyone - you should be listening with your ears, not your eyes. - My mid controls on both the BSP and LH1000 are generally high, bass controls 5-6 and my trebles can be wound down a bit - I'm using Hartke 4.5XL cabinets and the have a naturally bright voice. The distortion (which opposes what many people seem to think about aluminium cones,) actually sounds really good through my cabinets! I'm really happy I managed to bag another BSP - It's be great to see if the Hartke Kilo can do the same with ref to the distortion section on the BSP - but I'm unlikely to sell the little beast anyway!

It's going to be awesome!!

I'm just running out the door now, but I'll try to remember to post back here later on chap. I've done the head vs rack components thing to death so will be happy to give you my experiences from over the years. My secret weapon these days in a two channel pre, the Ampeg SVP-BSP. I foolishly sold my first one so was very pleased when a second one came up on BC. It has a clean channel and a dirty channel, but the two can be mixed together, similar to the MXR M80. The clean channel is a very simple Fender/Alembic/Vtype/Hartke LH passive tone stack path with a few extras, which means it is clean and pure. The dirty channel will do a mild grit all the way up to a reasonable facsimile of Hysteria by Muse in terms of distortion, thanks to it's cascaded gain design. I've upgraded the valve in it too and it sounds great recorded and is happy plugging in to a number of different devices such as power amps etc. It's also a way of keeping things simple as it is a self contained unit with a number of connection options. I'm hoping the Hartke Kilo head will be able to do similar when it finally reaches our shores in September!

What a lovely idea guys! If you need a mod to edit the post after it has 'gone live' - I know that any of us would be happy to do that, but include me and I will endeavour to help. I can pin it or close it so that we have a clean post to refer to - Maybe even post it in the BassChat Wiki guys! Doooooooooooooooooooooooood

[quote name='AttitudeCastle' post='1335755' date='Aug 10 2011, 09:45 PM']LH5000? Jeez that must be loud Seriously though, enjoy! I'm keen to try one of these out so may take the plunge when i have a little more dough![/quote] The LH5000 will be the Dood signature version ha ha!!

Thinking of you my friend. 1 year today

Hi all! My good friend, guitarist and 'Guitarist Of The Year' finalist, James Peach is putting on and running this benefit gig for legendary guitarist Jason Becker. For those who don't know who Jason Becker is, his introduction is at the bottom of this post in his own words from his website. [quote][b]An evening of virtuosic guitar music from Guitarist of the Year 2011, Rick Graham and the remaining four finalists; James Peach; Conrad Harpham; Steve Kelly & Nick Andrew. [/b] All proceeds from ticket sales are being donated to legendary guitarist, Jason Becker to assist with his medical expenses. Guitarist Magazine are right behind the event and will be in attendance and will faciltate a raffle &/or auction to help raise funds. Ticket availability is limited so get yours quickly! Tickets are £5 each & are available through: www.peelmuzic.com 0208 255 8104 www.jasonbeckerguitar.com[/quote] Time [b]08 October · 20:00 - 23:00[/b] - Doors I expect will be 19.00, but check with the venue. Location [b]The Peel, Kingston[/b] [url="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Peel-Kingston/142405665833447?sk=info"]http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Peel-Kin...5833447?sk=info[/url] The event is also on Facebook, here: [url="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161138117297363"]http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161138117297363[/url] [quote]Hey homeboys and girls. ... As you probably know, I am a guitarist/musician. You also probably know I have had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) for over 20 years. In 1989, doctors told me I would probably die in 3 to 5 years. What you probably don't know is why I am still alive, and why in the past four years I haven’t gotten any worse, only better. I have gained at least 30 pounds and three muscles, and this is with a few months here and there of getting off health food and treatments.[/quote]

[quote name='Toasted' post='1330044' date='Aug 6 2011, 04:41 PM']Apparently they've switched to the B&O power module which I am a big fan of.[/quote] Ahhh interesting! I know they were using the Powersoft modules for the Puma 1000 which are extremely good and yes the B&O power amplifiers are higher regarded too.

[quote name='uncle psychosis' post='1332014' date='Aug 8 2011, 01:24 PM']Slowly! ...serious answer: Started off as a guitarist. Bought a bass for messing about with and learned entirely by ear/tab/youtube. Joined a band as I "had a bass". Realised I liked playing bass more than guitar. Started to practice more. Just started lessons. [/quote] Ahh good point actually - I'll add that too! I stopped Bass to play lead guitar in a shred band for 5 years! - The low end called me back though. (I can hear the voice of a certain green Star Wars dude uttering something about the force, right now!)

I think my votes break down like this: A friend - I had loads of friends playing in bands all the time, so used to feed off them for ideas often. Lessons from a classroom teacher - Well, in as much as I started with GCSE music!! Notation Tablature Internet video tutorials - yes, although before internet video, I used to beg and borrow VHS videos and try my best to learn them inside and out before I had to hand them back!!! By ear - this is definitely my main strength. - I've developed my methods for learning long gig sets in the shortest possible time, especially for dep gigs etc. But for particularly difficult music and songs, I have a bunch of PC tools that I use for weeding out the individual notes of niggley runs! but would add these too: Insatiable urge to pick up the instrument all the time - I mean, all the time! - I don't mind admitting I'm a fanatical geek! ha ha! I guess I was a bit introverted as a kid too, which meant I spent hours with my bass, but not computer games or anything like that! Playing with as many different bands playing different genres of music at all levels - beginners to professional players. You can, even as an accomplished musician learn loads from even a beginner. It helps me analyse my own technique and helps me to describe them to my students, because I can see where they are coming from.