NHM

If anyone knows a decent singer in the area who is looking for a new band, please will you pass this on? (just spoke to our guitarist who reckons he's better that 'terrific')

No, you come and sing and I'll still play bass! Doghouse in Sturry

I'm a bass player, many years experience, and have been in a classic rock covers band for the last year with a terrific guitarist and an amazing ex-pro drummer - we're very tight/gig ready but we just don't seem to be able to recruit a singer up to the job or willing to commit. Anyone out there who fancies a bit of serious fun and who loves classic rock repertoire? We rehearse in studios in Canterbury.

taken the lid off the DtE this morning - nothing obviously wrong, but gave all the connectors a press down, reassembled and the problem has gone away - well for now. I expect it will return just before the first set of our next gig! Another positive comment to add about this pedal is that being able to set the drive before or after the compressor gives another significant addition to the tonal palette readily available. A downside to this pedal is that it is hard (or I haven't figured out) how to keep the gain sections of each effect under control, so that there's not either a significant increase or decrease in gain when you kick things in or out. It would be interesting to see a circuit diagram (if one exists) to see how the signal path is routed through this baby.

Hi, thanks for confirming I have the tuner plugged up correctly. I hadn't thought about trying a separate power supply. But just tried it and the problem doesn't go away. I'll probably take the top off the DtE to see whether there is an obvious loose wire or something fouling the jack socket. This problem aside, I think the DtE is fab. I've found a compression setting that stays on all the time, and the EQ can kick in as a boost. The drive is OK and pushes into the natural drive of the Bassman to give another switch-controlled tonal variation, but I haven't really found a need it for it the style I play. Of course when it comes to anything subjective, each to their own!

Hi I recently bought a Fender Downtown Express pedal, which I'm really enjoying. But at rehearsals yesterday for the first time I plugged my tuner pedal into the 'Tuner Output' of the DtE and immediately there were electrical problems - loud 'popping' whenever I hit a switch, and also if I tapped my finger on the case or on a pot. When I got home I went through every item systematically in case it was the power supply or a patch cable, and all items seems fine - but the problem persists. (The pedal is fine if you disconnect the tuner patch cable). I'm assuming that the function of the Tuner Out is to connect directly to a tuner pedal, or have I got this wrong?

terrific bass playing - a great musical contribution, really imaginative despite a fairly simple construction, he adds so much energy to the song - as much by his silence as by his playing

I'm in a four piece classic rock covers band, but the singer doesn't play an instrument so I think this applies to my set-up. When our guitarist solos the 'body' of the sound seems more exposed in some songs than others. I don't think there is a pattern - some songs originally created for a three piece can feel empty, others created for a four seem fine without a rhythm guitar/keys part underpinning the solo. Some interesting ideas already mentioned. For me, starting in a higher register when the solo begins (e.g. Crossroads) works well and smooths the transition; equally, dropping to a low note can create some drama. I wonder too if the singer started playing the tambourine and jumping around a bit no-one would notice the dynamic change.

well let's wait for the wisdom to emerge!

Our guitarist is very capable, it is an interesting thought that he may want a second to 'cover his back'. He doesn't need to, although it may be a confidence /perception issue. I'm interested to explore the musicality around this. Of course there's lots of great three piece bands playing songs with structures where in the transition from verse into solo the role of the guitarist changes from, essentially, rhythm to lead. Do bass players change too at this point in the song? Does the bass player need to make any sort of adjustment to 'smooth' this transition? My experience has been that if I go low and the guitarist is high, there is a massive frequency gap left which can make a song suddenly feel empty with a sense that momentum is lost. So it's fine to say 'embrace it, it's what three pieces are all about'. But are there techniques the band can use to smooth this over when you'd expect there to be a rhythm guitar or keys also playing through the solo, as the original song was crafted for a four-piece?

Some interesting reflections on my point about songs going 'flat' during guitar solos when you're in a trio. Actually it mostly doesn't worry me, I agree it's just part of the sound of being in a three and it should be valued. However, the issue comes from the guitarist (who is the band leader), who wants to add a second guitarist as he perceives we go 'flat' when he solos. Hence why I'm trying to find strategies to take his mind off hearing this and stop it blowing it up into a problem. I'm against moving to a four as I think it might spoil our distinct sound; there again it could be a good thing if we find the right person, who knows? Whatever, it will take us ages to properly orchestrate a new band member in and will deflect from polishing our sets and playing gigs in the short term. Nail Soup, please feel free to start a new thread if you wish, I won't feel I've been hijacked!

I play in a four piece classic-rock covers band, although the singer doesn't play an instrument so I guess I'm eligible to contribute to this thread... The guitarist plays a Les Paul into a Marshall, he is a bit on the loud side but he makes a great sound so he gets some slack cut his way. The drummer is pretty loud too, so high volume is the band style and I just accept my lot and get on with it. We recently did some recording, and I was really impressed at how much work the guitarist was doing to cover rhythm work with lead licks during verses, to keep the songs identity going alongside the rhythm/harmonic structure. I hadn't previously heard a lot of his detail when we play live. While I'm dum dumming along on for example lots of Ds then the odd C and G, he has covered a massive amount of material with great aplomb. We play covers from many bands who have a second guitar and/or a third and/or keys, and I take my hat off to him for his ability to still get the essence of the song. As we try to be reasonable faithful to the original, he gives me the spaces I expect to have to fill or contribute with details. The real issue for me is when he solos, as the sound can suddenly empty. My instinct has always been to play low during solos but I've come to realise this might not be the best approach. I've found that one strategy to fill the sonic void left by him coming off rhythm work is for me to start playing high as he starts his solo, transitioning later to lower notes. This seems to smooth over the hole. I got the idea from Jack Bruce playing 'Crossroads' (ironic!) who starts one of the solos high and then moves low and this seems to make for a great blend from the verse and doesn't let the song go flat. I'd be interested to hear how other three-piece bassist scope with this 'emptying' of the sound during solos. Some songs it doesn't seem to matter, but in others the hole is glaring.

I've recently purchased a Bassman 500 which I'm really enjoying. I want to buy a couple of 12AX7A tubes for spares in case one or both fail, and also to experiment with new sounds. Will different brands give different sounds to the stock valves? If so, are there any recommendations? There seems to be quite a number of choices at Watford Valves, which is a bit baffling.

thanks everyone for your really helpful advice. What a great forum this is.

Hi all My drummer chum wants to get his young son started on bass (evidence of evolution at work!) and has asked for a recommendation for a cheap short scale. Any advice from your bountiful experiences? GAK has the Talman and Bronco which both look good for just over £150, but are there others to consider? And do you think it is better to start with flats rather than rounds?

I've fitted the TIs - and they feel and sound great! The only downside is that 32" seem a bit on the long side, as the E and G string have the main body of the string around the post.

I've left them on. I like the look of them, they've never caused a problem and help get good string on the saddles.

yes I'd read about the low tension. I guess I won't know if that suits me until I try them. I'm not too fussed about a super low action, so that's in my favour.

thanks for this info. I've placed an order for TI Jazz today. I haven't tried these flats before (I've previously used GHS/Fender/LaBella) so I'll be interested to see how they compare. For spacers, the plastic letter beads you get with LaBellas work really well.

I've just purchased a GLPTDC bass, a very nice bit of kit, I'm impressed. I want to put flats on it, but not sure what length to buy. Gibson specs say the bass is a 30.5" scale, but my tape measure makes it 32" ball-end to nut. So is it short scale or medium? Any recommendations that fit would be gratefully received!

I'm sure you're right Dan, but the wireless transmitter is by the front door (not convenient for my study and I don't want to run cabling through the house) Once it gets a bit less cold, I'll venture out into the hall and wire in directly as you suggest and compare the speeds...

I've not checked the difference in speeds between TP-Link and wireless connections before, so i just did this: Wired via TP-Link - download 43mbs/ upload17mbs Good old BT Wireless - download 7.5mbs/ upload 9.5 mbs Interestingly, latency was a smudge quicker on wireless. I rest my case!

My laptop doesn't have an ethernet connection, so I bought a cheapo USB-Ethernet cable from ebay and it works fine as a connection to the home plug. Wireless of course would be simpler, but the home plug system has transformed laptop and TV operation in a house with a poor wireless signal.

The wifi is poor in our house, so we've purchased 'TP Link home plugs' for our laptops and internet tvs (all of which tend to stay in the same place), and it has significantly improved service speed and solves the cabling problem. I noticed this morning that our local Tesco is selling a pair for £30 which seems a good deal.

I knacked my hands from too much keyboard typing, so learned the hard way. But I've adapted and now manage without any problem by using other fingers. For bass playing, vary what you do, so some finger, some thumb, some pleck, never too much, never let it hurt.