Greg Edwards69

I bought a sub-shortscale Jackson Minion as a backup bass. I was expecting a substantial transition period to get used to it, but I felt at home instantly - even jumping up and down the fretboard with accuracy. Maybe due it's years of playing guitar as well as full size and mini key keyboards (not to mention sax and clarinet in my youth) that I'm able to transition fairly easily*. FWIW, I find it more comfortable to play when seated that my long scale basses - it actually feels more natural.

No neck dive problems. The lightweight sealed tuners probably help. But I think the body design with a strap button that is parallel with the 12th fret helps more.

*BEAD tuning on the fly from my Helix is a different matter entirely that challenges my brain.

1 hour ago, mike257 said:

I'd also advise moderation, and much like dialling in a multi-effects pedal, often what sounds great in your house/in the shop is probably overkill at gig volume through a proper rig. 

I once read a sage piece of advice regarding dialling in reverb. Once you've got it sounding great, dial it back by half. 

3 hours ago, glassmoon said:

Apparently BOSS were listeening!

Holy moly, that looks useful.

And the new Katana bass head looks incredible and totally unexpected. Boss have really started to raise their bass game lately.

Have a look at the TC Helicon Critical Mass pedal. It's a "crowd simulator". 

It has several algorithms, unison (i.e. double-tracked), octave up, octave down, and octave up+down together - each can be mixed with the "lead" vocal.  Then all of those in either melodic (tight - think "we will rock you") or gang (loose - think Lumineers "Ho Hey") styles.

Because it generates octave harmonies, you don't have to set it to any key or use a guitar for the pedal to detect the key, like you do with other harmony units.

There's also several  reverb algorithms that are independent of the harmony generator - so reverb works event when the harmony is switched off. And there's TC's "Adaptive Tone  - automatic and intelligent eq, compression and de-esser

Back on "The Rock", at Starr Sports, Canvey Island on Saturday.  A very enjoyable night. We've played there a few times, but for some reason, this was the most fun I've (and we've) had there. I don't think I stopped moving and bouncing around all evening while playing. Everything fell into place, set up was easy, as was sound check, with a receptive audience with people dancing from the start and kept going all night. I spoke to a couple of people who said they had seen us before elsewhere and came to this venue especially to see us... which is nice.

Obligatory "tonight's office" pic attached.

Back on "The Rock" at Starr Sports this weekend. We usually get a decent crowd here, but it's the only venue I know of that I need to wear earplugs to load  in an set up. The non-stop sports commentary is so loud an eq'd just in the right place to burrow deep inside your brain!

4 hours ago, dave_bass5 said:

I find that as well with my IE400 (and 100 before them). 
What i noticed is they are more balanced and so smoother sounding. Sometimes i wonder if they are loud enough as i do still hear they band a little. 
When i had the KZ’s briefly they did sound louder and more in your face (or ear). More noticeable i guess, but with too much high end to make them sound comfortable for me. I felt they were making their presence known more and not really blending in. 

+1. I'm really enjoying the sound of my IE400's - much smoother than the KZ ZS10 Pro X I was using before (and the original ZS10 non-pro before that). The KZs always sounded a little too harsh at the top end, which became fatiguing and uncomfortable to listen to after a while. I can comfortably listen to the IE400 all evening. I read here how you can tame the piercing treble with a piece of medical tape stuck over the grille. I bought some but didn't get around to trying it as I bought the IE400 instead.

The KZ's definitely sounded louder, than my IE400's, but I think that's a KZ thing more than a Sennheiser thing.  Perhaps it's the aggressive tuning, or sensitivity... or both.

7 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

 

Probably going to be ok with "Touch Me" then, which is the only thing anyone knows

 

I told the chap that's the only one I've ever heard off. Let's hope it 3 chords and steady eighths root notes.

4 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

Appreciate it can be a bit daunting but as mentioned before its an opportunity of a lifetime plus it will get you noticed on the circuit a lot more than down the local pub.

I'd give it serious consideration.

As for learning the songs quickly you'll find once you start it will come quickly.

Dave

I'll definitely give it serious consideration if the gig is offered. Whilst I'm not bothered about being "noticed" and I've done my fair share of higher-end, non-pub gigs, it's certainly something to put on the CV.

2 hours ago, Simon C said:

The G&L looks great (well the Jackson does too, but I'm a G&L fanboy)

I thought I'd attached that picture - I think it's quite an amusing pairing to behold, like David and Goliath.  The Jackson normally lived in a gigbag, but thought I'd make the stage look nicer with all the gear on display.

2 hours ago, Simon C said:

FWIW if the main thing stopping you is learning the songs, I think you'll find 2 months is actually quite a long time (depending on how many songs you need to learn and how much other stuff you have on).  18 months or so ago I depped for a gig (not a pro one) with about 3 weeks notice.  The set list was 15 or 16 songs.  I'd played several of them on keys (IIRC), but I don't remember having played any of them on bass. 5 or 6 were originals that I'd never heard before.  I knew them all by the gig - but did have to cram.  I probably made up my own lines rather than trying to be true to originals other than for ones with instantly recognisable bass lines (e.g. Come Together).  I did a video diary on Instagram of how I prepped for the gig.  I have been meaning to put it together as a complete YouTube post as there isn't much resource available on how to prep at short notice for depping.  If you want to see the diary message me and I'll try to make it available (un-edited at this point).  I'm not trying to persuade you to do it, just sharing my (singular) experience in case you do decide to do it. 

Perhaps I'm being too hard on myself - I'm finding imposter syndrome is getting stronger as I get older. As @Woodinblack (who knows me quite well) mentioned above, I'm no stranger to learning and pulling off fairly complex songs with a fairly short preparation time - I've done that many times for our UKMG meetups, and depped with the odd band. But admittedly, I'm better at learning stuff I'm familiar with several weeks' notice. I've heard of guys who'll dep at a couple of days notice or less, with unfamiliar material... that scares the crap out of me.  I have no idea how 'flygigs' work either. I guess the artist management would assist with all that.

I've found this setlist that gives me an idea of what could be required, however. There are a couple of covers that I'm already familiar with.

Oh well. We'll wait and see what happens. I guess it could be fun learning some of these songs as a self-improvement exercise anyway, even if it doesn't come to pass

Back at the Cow & Telescope in Southend-on-Sea on Friday. Our third time at this venue and by far my favourite place on the pub circuit. Always an appreciated crowd who turn up for the music. A decent night with a good turnout of our friends, family and followers. Unfortunately for us, we were told by the landlady that about 15 of the regulars (who wanted to see us) were up in London to see Slash and Myles Kennedy - I don’t blame them TBH, I’d rather watch Slash and Myles than us, lol.

We’re gradually getting used to the Allen & Heath desk, and it’s getting easier to dial in and tweak for every venue,. I had a slight issue with my IEMs - the cable came out of the right one halfway through the second set. It was so hot and sweaty in there I could grip the plug firm enough to push it back in, so I played the remainder of the set with one IEM and a glorified earplug. Oh well.

Our super sub Sophie did and fantastic job yet again and received lots of compliments. She blew our socks off on Proud Mary, she really went for it.

I had an interesting chat with one chap. One of my wife’s younger workmates introduced me to her new boyfriend before we started who is a drummer. Nice chap, and got a chance to chat with him after our first set. He was very impressed with our drummer, asking me who he is. I replied he’s a grade 8 qualified drummer who’s a full time drum teacher, played in a number of bands, including originals and previously a busy, touring a punk band.  The chap said, I’m a session drummer and he’s better than me.

He then asked who our bassist is as he’s pretty good as well I don’t think he could see me where he was sitting and didn’t realise it was actually me. I said, “that’s me, and thank you.  He told me one of his regular session gigs is playing with Samantha Fox, and what am I doing in a couple of months time as there’s a gig their regular bassist can’t do. I told me I’m not a session guy and I have a full-time day job so I’m not sure about that thing. He said, “Oh the songs are easy, and it'll be a case of fly into Lithuania on the Friday, gig Saturday and home again Sunday"!

I'm extremely flattered and we shared details, but I don't think I'll go for it if he does end up asking. Not only do I need to renew my passport, but I don't own any flight cases for my gear not to mention a massive dose of imposter syndrome and I don't think I'd be able to dedicate time to learning a batch of songs I've never heard of at very short notice - it's just not a skill I'm used to doing.

Still, it's nice to be asked.

Obligatory venue pics, including the tools for the night - the very unidentical twins.

Happy to be back at the Cow & Telescope this Friday. One of Southend's premier music venues.

16 hours ago, NJE said:

Thank you, I had convinced myself I had seen IEM that you could pull the drivers out and put filters in, but I must have completely imagined it.

 

I had an unpleasant experience after my last gig. I was using basic non custom IEM and pulled one out to hear what was going on. I didn’t realise it but my left ear (with the phones still in) took a hammering and was not good on my drive home.

 

That was almost two weeks ago and the past few days I have noticed a high pitch ringing which I can only assume is tinnitus, which I think must be related.

 

I need to get something to take care of my ears so I think some custom ear plugs will be a good start.

Yeah, using just one earbud isn't good for your hearing. It's potentially more dangerous than not using IEMs or earplugs at all. All you end up doing is turning up the volume to compensate for the loud surrounding noise around you, and you don't always realise how loud the single IEM is.

Common wisdom says, if you're going to use just one IEM, then stick a decent nusicians earplug in the other ear to balance them out.

I'm sorry to hear you're going through a tough financial patch, and met with a bad FB marketplace experience. As others have said, FB Marketplace can be a hive of scum and villainy. But if you're not in a rush to sell, it's worth wading through the chaff and persevering with. 

I've sold a number of music and non-music items via FB marketplace, generally all at or close to the price I advertised for, and more than I would have got via eBay.  I tend to slightly inflate the asking price knowing someone will make an offer, and I lead my adverts with something along the lines of "first come first served, no silly offers, cash on collection only". It doesn't weed all the scammers and twits out, but it helps. If they do ask, I tell them to read the advert again.

FWIW. The questions from prospective buyers annoy me more than anything...

• "What's your best price?". Have people forgotten how to negotiate? Make me a sensible offer and you'll find out, don't just ask me to offer you a lowball price.
• "Can you lower the price by £XX as I have to get a train/bus to collect it from you?"  Absolutely not. I'm not covering your travel expenses, what do I get out of that?
• Usually when I've had multiple offers I get: "I can collect it today if you take £XX". As if they're doing me a favour by giving me a lot less than I'm asking for just to take it off my hands quickly. I tell them I have better offers lined up and I'm in no rush to sell.

There's also the new Mvave Tank B, mentioned in this thread, which looks quite useful. It even has an XLR so you can use it live, straight to FOH. I'm tempted to pick one up for that price (about £70 via Temu) to use as a backup.

FWIW, I've just bought the Katana:Go, and I'm impressed with it so far. I've had a few headphone practice tools over the years (Pandora, Mooer P1, Nux Mighty Plug, Pocket GT) and this beats them all.

9 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

Don't knock it, I based an entire career on it.

1 hour ago, Cato said:

I've been thinking about getting a plug in and play practice set up for a while.

 

I've already got a Katana guitar amp so it makes perfect sense from an already knowing how it works point of view.

 

So I've ordered from Andertons and it should be with me in a few days once they get new stock in.

I had a feeling they would sell like hotcakes!

I wonder if your Katana Amp presets will be compatible with the Katana Go?

20 hours ago, TimR said:

It's called an inner dialogue. Not everyone has it. 

 

I find it a real pain. Wish it would just stop sometimes. 

Same here. Mine frequently transitions to an 'outer dialogue' when I'm alone... or I think I am. I frequently have conversations with myself when I'm riding my bike to and from work - sometimes I wind myself up and get cross, but it's cathartic and helps me process things.

My wife has caught me muttering whilst showering several times and thinks it is weird as she never talks to herself. But then she's told me she listens to whole songs in her head via her 'internal radio'.

Back at Birchanger Social Club last night. First gig for us since just before Xmas, and first gig with new Allen & Heath CQ18T mixer and my new Sennheiser IE 400 Pro IEMs. It's a regular venue for us, but unfortunately it was rather on the quiet side, not to mention we had to wait for the rugby to finish before we could start. But that meant we could take advantage of the excellent food and cheap beer before we started. Every cloud...

We played well enough, but as I say, it was a quiet night, so only a few dancers. But they seemed to enjoy it. And even though we've had a few rehearsals since Xmas and I've practiced at home, we were clearly out of physical "gig shape". All of us, apart from young Sophie, were broken by the end of the night. Hopefully, another couple of gigs should do us good.

Really happy with the new mixer. I'm glad we had a technical rehearsal a few weeks ago to set it up but it's going to take a few gigs to properly dial it in and get the in ear mix just right (we're sharing a single mix for the time being).  Talking of which,  I'm very happy with the new IE 400 Pro IEMs, none of the irritating harshness of my previous ZS10 Pro X set, with a lovely full range and deep sound. And the sound from the new mixer seemed to be much clearer compared to the old Yamaha desk.

Next gig in 3 weeks time back at the Cow and Telescope.  Looking forward to that one.

I ordered one yesterday after posting this. It's at work with me as we speak. Looking forward to trying it out later.

I was very tempted by the new Pod Express, but was on the fence, partly due to the price. No fence to sit on with the Katana:Go - it ticks almost every, single box.

First gig of the year, then a busy few weeks.

32 minutes ago, MacDaddy said:

 

Digitech BP355. Bass multi FX, but with guitar amp sims too.

To be fair, I meant a bassist or guitarist.

Just had a look at the pdf manual and parameter guides. There's a lot to like with this. A veritable Katana in your pocket. A ton of effects and parameters to keep you entertained for hours, plus a "stage feel" function, similar to the Waza Air headphones that lets you choose where the Bluetooth audio and amp sits in 3D space (such as amp in front of you and Bluetooth behind - no head tracking, mind you).

£120 on GAK.

Sounds like a bargain.  I think my Pocket GT will be up for sale very soon.

PS, with mini TRS cable and passive DI box, it could make for a potent backup device for gigs.

31 minutes ago, Mcgiver69 said:

 

It actually tracks very well, I was very surprised with how well it tracks. It has a mix button too which helps a lot.

You won't have tons of control but for what it is the effects sound surprisingly good. If you are interested I could create some sound clips and send you a link.

That would be most helpful if you could.  FWIW, I tend to use the octaver down to around the open A string mixed with the unaffected tone. Or I use a 100% mix to simulate BEAD tuning, so needs to track the open E string.

BOSS - KATANA:GO | Personal Headphone Guitar Amplifier

Looks like a cross between the Nux Mighty Plug/Fender Mustang Micro, and a revamp of the Pocket GT.

As I said elsewhere, it's a good time to be a bassist/guitarist.

Holy moly, and now we have the Boss Katana:Go.  

It's a great time to be a bassist/guitarist.