Happy Jack

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1429554969' post='2752594'] Buy a P bass? [/quote] Or at least try one - see if you can borrow one for an evening. If that's not your thang, then definitely try putting on a set of flatwound strings. That almost invariably beefs up the sound without necessarily changing the fundamental tone of the bass. Flats are relatively expensive but they last for ever so they're good value in the long run. Again, see if you can borrow a bass fitted with flats first ... not everyone gets on with them. If you're mainly playing at home, and through headphones, you really don't need to be faffing about with preamps, boosters and EQ pedals!

And maybe it's someone new to eBay who also actually wants to buy the item. Having Feedback of 9 is not yet a criminal offence. I believe the UKIP manifesto intends to make it so. Having Feedback of many hundreds (like wot I do) doesn't mean that I "outrank" a Niner. That would be conkers.

This guy is clearly a pretty decent player, is trying to help other DB players, and has made the effort to put together a careful and informative comparison of three types of strings. https://youtu.be/vIrKfQ33E2w I am absolutely NOT having a pop at him or taking the p***, far from it. But by the time his comparison has passed through his recording device, up to his YouTube, down my broadband, and through my soundcard into my sound system, in truth I can hear no difference worth mentioning. I should point out that I am using a decent PC, an upmarket sound-card, and running everything through a very good hi-fi system. I have no doubt that in reality there is a substantial difference to be heard ... he would hardly have bothered to upload it otherwise. Other views?

Beautiful plumage ...

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/260333-lightweight-34-double-bass-hard-case/page__pid__2751286#entry2751286

Light enough to use as a gigbag, has tow-wheels so very handy for gigs with a long-distance load-in BUT the tow-handle/strap has come adrift on one side and is virtually unusable. I imagine that someone with the right DIY or bodging skills could fix it. Failing that, the carry handles are fine so the case can still be used, and of course it's a very safe way to store a DB at home or in the studio. This case came to me as a freebie (from Clarky) so I'm happy to pass it on in the same way. Collection only from Acton W3 - no I will not post, no I will not wait in all day for your courier!

Don't forget the cost of maintenance, which can be significant. Maple boards can get quite syrup-y whereas rosewood boards need pruning at least once a year.

I own two pairs of basses where I have virtually identical basses but with different fretboards. Result? None that I can hear. The key is the word "virtually". Slightly different pickups, or strings, or action will have more impact than the fretboard material (IMHO), and that's before you get onto neck construction etc. If you want maple to sound less bright, fit flats ...

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1429093258' post='2747838'] There are several posters there who are often helpful on the subject of cab design. [/quote] Surely you meant to say: "[color=#ff0000][i][b]There is more potential there for a complete bloodbath than on any other single topic (except perhaps compression), and things have been a bit slow recently.[/b][/i][/color]"?

Shouldn't Gary Mac be on that list?

[quote name='chevy-stu' timestamp='1429012731' post='2746968'] I have been the rehearsal studio game for about 22 years, and still am involved with one of the studios mentioned on the last page for the last 15 years. It's basically a nightmare trying to please everyone, every band has different requirements... doesn't want to pay for it, and usually has no respect for the studio or equipment, so there lies the problem. There's no point putting high end gear in a studio (I've never seen a bass cab original speakers last more than a year on average for example)...... Compression drivers on PA's usually last less than a year, carpets get ruined from people spilling coffee, tea, fizzy drinks, fags, beer etc.. walls get graffiti, toilets get abused by people with no idea of personal hygeine who also stink the place out for the next band, the soundproofing required means it's virtually impossible to properly ventilate a room, drinks get spilled down amps, desks..... etc,... etc... all for £5 an hr !!!!!! [/quote] Really pleased to see this post. I've regularly used quite a few of the London rehearsal rooms mentioned in this thread (Panic, Survival, Airplay, Scar, etc.) and I am routinely appalled at how the equipment, the rooms and the facilities are often treated by musicians. There does seem to be a general attempt to move slightly upmarket at the moment, with some much nicer facilities coming on-stream in recent years, but it's far too early to tell whether or not these will succeed.

Nope - you talk to OBBM instead. Explain what you're trying to achieve, and he'll make up the cabling/lead that you need.

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1428934637' post='2746081'] I'd rather not have left music college! [/quote] Because you'd have had to move to Truro?

Have you ever walked half a mile carrying a 5-string Jazz, a Mesa Boogie head, and an SVT 810?

I currently play in four different bands. Each has a completely different style, and I play a completely different bass in each.[list] [*]5-string fretted [*]4-string fretted [*]4-string fretless [*]Double bass (but sometimes bass ukelele) [/list] "Standard" does not compute.

[b]Attending:[/b] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]TheGreek[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Grangur[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Lozz196[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Sibob [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Seashell[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Bassface2k10[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Ratman(?)[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Bottle[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Happy Jack[/font][/color]

How you find bands is so much a function of who you are and where you are that no one here will actually be able to help much without knowing either of those things about you. If you picked up a bass in 1974 and have been playing pub gigs in London for 40 years then that's one thing. If you left music college last year and now live in Truro, well that's quite another thang.

Will music be involved at all?

Pah! You can get the Squier version of the same guitar for less than three grand ...

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