Musicman20

I must admit that I agree with Nigel and the quote he made earlier in the thread. As much as we all no doubt want to 'live' well off music, it isn't usually down to having 'studied' it. I opted to take a GCSE in music, which i did very well in, but I knew I couldn't make the living I wanted from it unless I was very very lucky. My bass tutor has survived from gigging, (jazz usually) session work, recording, and teaching. I think from seeing how he has been doing from the past ten years or so, it can be a struggle. i think bass is incredibly specific, despite the fact I love playing electric bass more than anything else I've tried. If I ever thought I wanted to be a full time musician, I would assume skills in piano, vocals, guitar, bass and probably something like saxophone would be the way forward. Then you open your options, even if bass is your number one. I know its a tough world now. University HAS to count for something and its incredibly expensive, so, I would personally advise unless you are 100% committed and know you have a very very special talent, to take a more academic subject that will lead to a life (hopefully) without the financial strain. Also, it would be wise to realise that unless you are in a major city, (preferably London) its going to be much harder to get excellent session work. I personally enjoy music a lot; it takes me away from the drab normal life, but I think if it was my day job, I wouldn't be as enthusiastic. I'm glad I have a career path, and I feel grateful for it. Musicians seem to take what they can and hope for the best for the next chunk of work. There is of course the other side of bands that hit the big time with NO musicical training whatsoever, just through luck, songwriting, and perserverance. Heck, some of them can barely play! I'd prefer to take that route, because often I find studying it ruins the fun. I like to practice new skills, but once it gets to a certain stage it loses the fun. My career is about studying, so music is an outlet! I tend to see a lot of musicians who think the lifestyle is easy going, 10 o'clock or later starts, with late night gigs and plenty of fun. Hey, it can be, but it won't earn you much in this climate unless you are lucky. I personally now rely on word of mouth. If a member of the public or a friend comments in a positive way about my playing, I take that onboard, and keep doing as I do. Hopefully they tell someone, who tell's someone else who can 'hire' you for a dep gig, which make take you to even more gigs. Reputation, personality, and the ability to work under pressure are key to a lifestyle like this. Many musicians earn a sideline by word of mouth and work full or part time in an office/etc to keep the money coming. Best of both worlds, IMO. Hope this helps.

I'd opt for a Genz 900 amp and bypass the pre by feeding into the Return on the Rear. High power, small, light, and also a full amp if you use the front of it haha!

I'd still like a JO/DJ5 at some point, although now I think its a 55-60 and thats it?

Want to give a big 'thanks' to Nick @ Strings & Things, Mike Fallon @ GAK (exceptional service and great prices). In the future, GAK and Bass Direct will see all of my orders

Going to give it a home rehearsal over the weekend, I hope. I need to start taking photos of my new gear.

I've no idea if I've found the 'one'. For my playing style (more so if its all fingers and no pick) the simple Musicman Stingray nails it. Perfect weight, neck dimensions, feel, and the pickup placement feels good to rest on. The tone is also, in my opinion, one of the three 'core' tones. You have classic Fender P, Classic Fender J, then the Stingray which, in all honesty, has such a brutal yet tameable tone its unreal. It WILL do old thump/almost upright, it will then also snarl in the mix and provide effortless tight E (or B ) open strings that have really made me realise just recently why I like it. The P is my original 'home' instrument, and the J I own purely because I like the tone and the style, but the neck dimensions are sometimes not right for me (although I still like them). The other point is that no other humbucker sounds like a Musicman. Dingwall, Warwick, Lakland, Sadowsky, Nordstrand pups; none of them sound like a real Musicman pup, I think in addition, since I was around 12/13, the Stingray was the first bass I REALLY took a shine to, (but i had to stick to my Encore P bass and a Tanglewood Ray copy for a while). I think my tutor basically said 'everyone needs a Stingray', and so that was that!

I'll get pics up soon. Its beautiful!

Did I mention I accidentally found the last piece of my collection puzzle? EBMM Bongo 5 HH Sky Blue also incoming!

After the rather long saga of the last one, I've been in touch with Nick @ Strings & Things waiting for a new HH Ray to hit their stock. They received one virtually to my spec (and what they presume is what was actually meant to be mine, but because it was ordered incorrectly by the store/some kind of mixup, they sent one they had in) a week or so ago. Brand new built in October 2011. Stingray 4 HH / White / Rosewood / Black Pearl Plate / Matching Headstock. Now, as I wanted a Tort or White plate (I already have a Tort Plate) they sent a spare white HH plate as well. Now I have the black pearl one in my hands, Im very impressed, and its staying on. The bass is truely stunning. I had the experience I wanted a few months ago, eg, you open the case, and realise its better than you expected. Excellent quality control, nice weight, very pretty headstock, smooth rosewood board, and everything as it should be (excellent neck join). I know, no pics, no bass, but its late so I don't have time to snap a photo. Put it this way, it has made everything worthwhile.

The Traveller cabs tend to have a middy focus, and they are small/light. The NY112 is a VERY small cabinet, and I doubt it will provide much meat, but more of a mid bark? I wouldn't go for one purely as they have the piezos, but that's just me. The NY122 is larger, but had a much better horn, and will realy power through the mix. The Club cabinets are probably your best bet if you are sticking with Markbass.

Like his playing a lot, and very good instructor. Im guessing it will be YET another Jazz though...hmm

Bass Direct

Exactly! It looks cool, IMO, it will definitely do the job.

Look nice, apparently play nice, and the weight is fairly low. I think the downside is the crap pup.

Ricky necks and poor attention to detail (not keen on the problems with paint and binding) Fender truss rod adjustment (even the new American Standards still havent solved it without making precautions to not damage the guard) Warwick ergonomics (the few Ive tried just don't agree with me) The one bass I am so glad is gone is my ex-Fender Precision Deluxe USA with humbucker/split P pups. Awful bass, very heavy, uncomfortable to play. Beatiful to look at, but not to hear or play.

If Im not being paid and 200 people have paid in, i'd be furious. I won't play free gigs unless its for a worthy cause or we have an arrangement. If I were to go back to playing originals, I would definitely take lead with the financial side of things and ask for a least all costs to be covered. I always go out with one bass now. Mainly for space needs, but if I start playing larger and larger more professional gigs, and I have better transport, Ill take two with me.

Wow, thats a turnaround and a half! Any news on who has taken the business and where it will be?

Cheers!

USA? Link?

Still tempted by a Shuttle! ARGH

[quote name='Ben Jamin' timestamp='1323109461' post='1459437'] Oh I'm not having a go at Orange, they're great! I'm just saying in terms of reliability in components/build quality it's better to have a few expert engineers hand-build it than, in the case of some of the Orange stuff, have it mass-produced in a factory along with other brands/models etc. Not that there's anything wrong with them because they sound ace and nicely put together and stuff, but it's just nice to know where it all came from and feel that bit more confident in that it was really well built etc. [/quote] Agreed, the Matamp guys are excellent! They will always support customers.