NickD

Is this a noob friendly event? I'm not bothered about playing anyone else's bass... Hell I struggle to play my own, but I love the idea of watching other people play. The scales and modes bit would be really useful, and I have a couple of questions, one for the D'Addario chap. Hints, tips and just meeting bass players sounds great. I could bring my Lakland Skyline 55 01 (maple board, for reference) in case anyone fancies a go, but I'm between amps at the moment (I use a B3 through phones so as not to wake the babies), so anyone interested would need to use whatever is around and available.

That looks lovely, really understated. The vintage white looks great with the maple board. Tell me it's great... mine arrives tomorrow!

A smart workaround. I'll give that a go if plan A doesn't do the trick. Thanks!

It's worth the asking price for the live guest seminars alone. The last couple of Anthony Wellington ones were ace, and Steve Lawson was really inspiring too.

Thanks! It'd not occurred to me to try that, as I figured passing something through the Zoom would be effected in the same way the bass signal is, and I'm not sure if that would work. I'll check it out.

... I figured that recording buffs would be the best bet for an answer. A small flat an sleeping babies leaves me no way of practicing out loud. I picked up a Zoom B3, which I love, and when the kids are in bed I use that... Bass - Zoom - Headphones, that simple. I can loop progressions and play along, use rhythms etc, but what would really help is to be able to bring my phone/tablet/laptop into the mix, so I can play along with tunes/tutorials etc. I'd appreciate any advice on how best to do this, whether I can do it with my current kit, or can pick up something in terms of leads/devices that would allow this. Thanks Nick

Lol. Nope! When the fat beardy one hands it over (Santa, not the Wife) I'm determined to figure it out. More practice needed... much more practice!

Mine came today, and I'm currently testing it prior to it being sent off to Santa for wrapping. First, the intonation is appalling... no, wait... I think that's me! I'm half wishing I'd gone for fretted, as I could play one of those properly. I honestly can't complain. Theres a 5mm knock on the back of the body where the neck heel is, the 9th fret marker is a bit oval, and the most significant flaw I can see is that the D & G string machine heads aren't quite at right angles to the headstock, just slightly on the piss. It's perfectly playable, decently finished, sounds ok, and the tuner works. As a busking bass, it's an absolute bargain... even the B string is passable. I'm just starting to wish it was lined.

And that's fair enough!

No offence taken, and I'm aware of (what were) the distance selling regs, but if I buy something for next to nothing, on the stated understanding that it could be unplayable, I don't consider receiving something with issues terribly unfair.

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1417810895' post='2624316'] If mine is unsuitable for playing, I'm returning it. [/quote] Can you do that with something that states clearly, 'not for playing'?

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1417735953' post='2623693'] Or maybe herd instinct. [/quote] And on that note, there's a fretless 5 on it's way to Santa for delivery to me on the 25th... This forum is going to clean 'em out at this rate. Hopefully I'll get as lucky as everyone else here, if not it's out with the tools, and if I'm really unlucky, what the hell... Psychedelic paintjob and a wallhanger!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1417217935' post='2618417'] [i]"There are quite a few covers I personally like, or prefer to the original artist recording, however that does not make them better. The cover is different and we may personally like it more than the original but that's where it ends."[/i] Blue [/quote] I think that the subjective element is taken as a given, as is the fact that without the original, the cover wouldn't exist.

Nat King Cole is better than both for me... That voice! http://youtu.be/684eg6S8dCw

On a more serious note, The Clash's version of I Fought the law (and the Dead Kennedys' version for that matter), The Beat's version of Tears of a Clown (not better, but different in a great way), and The Damned's version of Eloise. Also, I loved the Scissor Sisters version of Comfortably Numb. I love the original, but I love when a band takes a cover and takes chances with it, beyond a somple copy, or a bit of an update. http://youtu.be/c6_HV5upI3o

[media]http://youtu.be/tgbNymZ7vqY[/media]

I think it's an SB310?

Nice write up... Worth the wait!

Got a few early pics up [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65125272@N08/sets/72157641776745784/"]here[/url]. Excuse the black & white, I'm going though a poncey, arty period!

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1393789471' post='2384401'] Yes it got noisy, the Eden and Hartke guys had a volume battle at one point (when I wasn't around) and management got involved. [/quote] I saw that, but had to leave before it ended to catch JT, and to be fair it was a highlight for me. maybe it gained a bit of volume after I left, but I didn't see it as much as a volume battle as a 'bass off', and for the duration I was around it was fun, it was light hearted, and more than anything it was musical. Given the general soundscape of inept slapping, it was refreshing to hear some funky riff trading. Aside from that T.M Stevens dragging an 11 year old onto the stage, getting him to knock out a one note groove with the band and making him feel like a rock god was a real highlight. I was disappointed by the lack of variety of kit on sale, had a couple of things I would have snapped up to avoid paying P&P, but nowhere had them. Obviously the beautiful basses were something to behold, but for those not planning to shell out a few grand on beautiful wood there wasn't much. The workshops/masterclasses were worth the price of admission alone though, I caught most of them, and with the exception of walking out of Jeff Berlin (I just couldn't get into it), they all offerred something. Nice to call in the stand and say hi too!

Already a mile long queue for John Taylor with almost an hour to go. Given that a ticket guarantees entry I'm not sure why, unless people want to be close enough to throw panties!

Crikey it's noisy in here... I said CRIKEY IT'S NOISY IN HERE!

Oh bloody great! Set up next to expensive and beautiful items why don't you!

If there's one bit of advice I wish someone had given me before my first gig, that would have made all my early gigs a much more enjoyable experience, it would be to remember that you're playing for punters, not musos. Sure there may be one bloke at the back pointing out to his bored girlfriend that there was half a dead note, or that the original part was fingered differently, but he's a dick, and no-one likes him or listens to him anyway. You're playing for the people who want to have a great time, and you should do the same. By now, after all your rehearsing you have a plan... just stick to it and have a ball! Best of luck!

I don't think anyone yet has touched on the fundamental questions... does he own either the van or the PA? I've fired a friend twice (by which I mean I've always been lumbered with the job by the rest of the band), and it's bloody horrible. If it's the kind of thing that's holding you back or causing bad feeling it needs sorting. Might be worth approaching as a whole band issue though... WE'RE getting sloppy, lets stick in some extra rehearsals... WE were all messing up tonight, WE need to spend more time working on our parts. That kinda thing.