NHM

We use a Zoom H1 for recording gigs. The quality is really good, especially if you experiment a bit with the manual gain to get a good level and avoid using the auto level. Uses 2xAA batteries too so handy for popping on a shelf on the back of the bar etc.

A Peavey (Mk 3) and matching 4x10 - so much guts to the sound, just right!

Here's my Junior Jet, heavily sanded on the back to take about 1cm off the thickness so it now weighs about a feather, and I've finished the wood with a black water-based stain that gives it a plum colouring. Fitted with a TV Jones Thunderblade and a Schaller bridge, a coil-split switch and with my custom tort plates, it looks and sounds great. I use it as a back up, but really it should be a front line bass as it plays so well; occasionally I take pity on it and give it a front line gig.

I've learned so much about bass playing, gear, and etiquette/performance from reading this forum that I count it as part of my day's practice time!🙂 Thanks everyone.

I think I've only been asked once about which bass players I like / influenced me. But being asked what bands I'm into is a regular topic of conversation, so perhaps this is a more useful line of discussion. To be honest, other than the really big names I don't know the names of many guitarists, keys or drummers so I wouldn't be equipped to ask the reverse question in a meaningful way.

She moved to Nottingham ...

Dunlop 'Big Stubby' 2mm for me. No flexing, great for fast rhythms. Sort of teardrop shape with a pointy bottom🤪.

congrats on getting the gig. It's always exciting when you get the play list, and you've got lots of great songs there. Looks like you're in for a lot of fun.

For about 20 years I've played with the same strap set at the same length - 126cm button to button. I've always been comfortable with this length and never really given it much thought. About a month ago I thought I'd experiment with a longer strap and moved to 138cm - so the bass sits about 6cm lower. I can't believe how much freer I feel in my body, it has opened up my physicality and also really enhanced my rhythmic playing. I feel a much better player/performer as a result of this simple change. The only downside is that it is a little more awkward to see the face of the fretboard, but several rehearsals in at this length the significant gains outweigh this minor inconvenience. I play in a blues/rock band. You see bass players in some other genres having quite short strap lengths (e.g. jazz & funk). Does genre dictate where the bass hangs best for maximum playing comfort?

count me in, my gear is a lean and slick set up, can't see any changes unless something breaks.

change from playing rock covers to become a folk band - job done, no need to upset her.

a groupie for the night

A Rumble with the vintage button in gets you a long way there.

My band uses two Line 6 stage source powered speakers. Only lead vocal and the bass drum go through it, so it isn't over stretched, and the internal two channel mixer is sufficient which is a bonus. Does the job.

The best sound I get is when I practice at home, plugging directly into a Focusrite and then monitored on a pair of cheap Sennheiser headphones. All my basses, cheap or expensive, sound equally fab. No amp in a live situation has ever matched this.

We took out an annual Allianz policy for about £80 - so, £20 each in our band. Money well spent; thank god we haven't needed it so far. Very easy to complete the paperwork, no tricky questions.

This is spot on, there's no point expecting the singer to sing material they can't 'own'.

+1 for the back pocket

so why did the pawn shop owner let it go so cheap?

privileged information

why is it deemed impressive when the privileged rip off ordinary folk? Tw*ts, both of them.

On the pick question... I prefer to play (most songs) with fingers, but the band asks me to play (most songs) with a pick. They say the extra attack helps them hear me more distinctly and keeps the overall sound tight. (Only vocals and the kick drum go through the PA unless we are playing at festivals). I instinctively prefer the sound (and feel) of finger playing but tend to agree with the band that, when listening back to live recordings, most songs sound better with pick playing .

thanks, I think I get it now - black circle = posts unread and click on to take me straight to the new material; black star = posts unread in a thread I've contributed to and click on to take me straight to the new material; no circle / grey star = no new threads. makes perfect sense now, and no more scrabbling around to find the latest info 🙂