Iain

[quote name='Guinness21' timestamp='1429997340' post='2757108'] Brill, great ad for barefaced lol. Think the super twin might be for me, the big twin would be nice to but that's more than I need. [/quote] It's kinda hard not to enthuse about the cab to be honest. I've got a 1x15 and 1x12 markbass cabs that live at our practise place and they're great but not a patch on the BF cab. @ 18kg the Barefaced sits between the pair in weight (they're 16kg & 20kg) and a total of 900W vs the BF's 1200W. Saying that the pair cost the same as the BF so it's not a cheap option.

[quote name='anaxcrosswords' timestamp='1429927622' post='2756471'] Blue - I can assure you, you look very young for your age. [/quote] Absolutely, not a day past 60! Kidding - I hope I'm in as good shape in 18 years time!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1429359929' post='2750774'] I use Newtone and they aren't the most zingy from new, but they keep that sound longest, IME. I can keep them for 6 weeks plus...[/quote] Used them on my old MM Sterling and they were pretty good. Very bright bass so the strings came across lively! I've got a set of DRs (neon K3 coated) waiting to go on my bass when the current steels die, will be interesting to see how they sound.

Had some good compliments last night from some guys I know from another band - they've not seem me play in my main band. I think they were surprised by the tightness and energy. One thing I've realised lately - I'm not fussed about people singling my out as good or not but a compliment on the show the band puts on is where it's at.

[quote name='Guinness21' timestamp='1429777192' post='2754731'] I'm looking at either the lm tube or the big bang, and I'm seriously considering the super twin. How do you like it, what's it like with the markbass head? [/quote] Sounds great to me - enough top end for the rock we play and the rest of the sound from the cab is epic. I tend to run the high and high-mid boosted on the BB slightly. I'd have gone for a Big Twin if it'd have fitted in the car. Gig last night and I ran the gain on ~3 (starts to clip if the gain is up around 7) and master on ~4 and it was powerfully loud on stage. Used the DI on the amp last night for the first time - the sound guy found the balanced out from my rack too hot but the amp DI was perfect. I think I'm close to my perfect rig now.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1429471998' post='2751735']we understand each others playing and things are starting to happen naturally.[/quote] That's a great place to be. Had a great gig last night - Live in Stockport. Good PA in place and a sound guy and gal who did a great job. Sound on stage was ok but my bass was a it low so I compensated by thrashing the crapola out of it and now have two fantastic blisters! Decent crowd, up and rocking out which was good. Great energy levels all round.

I've been using a BB for 18 months now. Into a Traveller 121H and 151P and more recently in to a Barefaced Super Twin. On its own with no FX it's versatile - no drive but lots of tone option and the VPF and VLE make for very useful quick adjustments on top of the 4 tone controls. Power level is great - particularly with the BF cab. Running it ~30% gain and master never gets above 40%. Turned the gain and master up to 50% the other day in practice and hit the low-B - just to see how loud it was and it was fkarking loud. Not sure how much under £500 you'll get one for but I suspect the exchange rate at the moment might be helpful, Drew @ Great British Bass Lounge (where I got mine) is doing them for under £500. Thomann.de similarly priced.

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1429125957' post='2748358'](learning Rush basslines got my speed up !),[/quote] index finger 'flamenco' ftw!

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1428948480' post='2746316']but would you turn the gig down if you can get it and afford to live on the income?[/quote] Hell no! - love playing live and a big crowd really in to it... unmissable.

[quote name='KK Jale' timestamp='1428928080' post='2745978'] A firm handshake and repeating "Nice one, cheers" usually ends it okay. [/quote] This is about it. Rare as it is for someone to actually want to talk to the bass player!

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1428929528' post='2745998'] Going to a few jam nights soon so hopefully that brings something. [/quote] One of the bands I'm in was through an ad on joinmyband, really lucky how it's worked out. The other is a group of random people who got together about once a month in a rehearsal room and jammed. Got asked if we'd play support for a local band and we've just had our 3rd gig and have 3 more in the next few months including the offer of a regular spot at one place. Just random good luck - keep you chin up and find something that might work. If you wait until the perfect thing comes along then you'll probably be waiting a long time!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1428882608' post='2745673'] Around 1982. Which means the same job probably pays less now. Blue [/quote] Adjusted for inflation that $500 should now be ~£1200... Shocking.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1428863590' post='2745431'] Never got that far into the process, I would guess, at the time a sideman playing bass. Around $500.00 a week. [/quote] How long ago 'coz that's a scarily small amount of money for the skills required.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1428501242' post='2741856'] That's good, because in my experience nothing improves your playing quicker than being in a band, especially if everyone else is better than you - you tend to play up to their level pretty damn quick, in a way you just don't do by noodling at home. [/quote] This is the best advice you'll get I reckon. I played bass from 16 to 25 then stopped until I was 43... Picked my bass back up summer 2013 and in a band by September. I'm playing better than I every have, have mire subtlety and diversity to my playing than I did before. I'm also aware that I'll never be good enough to feel I've got there... I'm just happy being good enough to do justice to the songs the two bands I'm in.

My Big Bang head doesn't 'start' for a while after switching on. If you listen closely you can hear a small click and then it works, I assume it's some kind of protection as all the bits inside reach the right voltage, capacitors charge up, etc. Maybe to protect speakers?

[quote name='julietgreen' timestamp='1428848394' post='2745189']so it's just as well I spent some time plugging away.[/quote] ...and in 6 months time you'll be playing it with ease. that's just how it goes.

I'm sold on the Barefaced kit - just changed to a SuperTwin - 2x12, 18kg, 1200W RMS capable but sounds sweet at low volumes.

[quote name='kusee pee' timestamp='1428428729' post='2741201']You should definitely check out fanned frets, it gives that B string a whole new feel.[/quote] ...and the E @ 36.25" and the A @ 35.5"! One benefit is thinner strings - the B I use is 0.127". There are a lot of awesome basses around though and I'm sure plenty of well made 5s will play exceedingly well.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1428411270' post='2741001'] Very nice! It's as I suspected... I don't think I'd get out of there without a serious wallet-hammering (not a euphemism). [/quote] I failed massively when I visited after xmas... came away with my Dingwall and left behind one of the two 5-string Warwicks - not sure if it was the one in the photo or not, I think not though the one in the piccy looks lighter coloured.

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1427731450' post='2733588'] Anyone seen a USA Sterling anywhere in the East Mids / Beds / Bucks / Northants area? [/quote] manchester too far from you? Drew @ GGBL has one in stock - 2nd hand. http://greatbritishbasslounge.com/product/musicman-sterling/ I had one off him a few years back (trans red) and it was just sublime. PXd it for a Warwick Thumb abd wish I hadn't!

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1428351488' post='2740530'] Yes, it's the guitarist playing bass syndrome. Very sloppy playing by a guitarist pretending to be a bassist. I assume he got the job because he sounded good in front of a camera. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5_KBiLxlfc"]https://www.youtube....h?v=d5_KBiLxlfc[/url] [/quote] Awesome - 5-string bass demo where he doesn't use the B for anything but a thumb rest...

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1428347001' post='2740477'] That one in particular does my nut. I was trying to suss out whether to buy a bass with QP's as they're 'made' for the type of music I play (punk, rock, indie etc.) - I don't get ANY idea of how they really sound from that video. [/quote] Kinda hard to tell but it looks like the EQ setting on the amp are all over the shop so hardly useful at all.

[quote name='DarkHeart' timestamp='1428263351' post='2739755'] Ive got the 4 string LTD B204 and it is a cracking bass and if the 6 er is the one thats for sale on here is the one your after then i dont think you can go far wrong, ive toyed with it myself but cant play a 5er never mind a 6 but have still been tempted, go for it and save me some money. [/quote] I had the 5-string and it was also cracking - looked great, fast neck, good eq and tone options.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1428349384' post='2740501']Guys ever had punters offer help carrying gear after a gig? After hearing this story I understand why we always say "No".[/quote] If anyone ever offers I just point them at the biggest, heaviest item around and carry lighter stuff out with them. Not had anyone try to run off carrying a hefty cab yet, had a few rethink and make excuses though!

Ended up borrowing a SuperTwin from Drew @ The Great British Bass Lounge (or GBBL as that's a lot of typing) for a rehearsal and gig and it's got enough top-end to do what I need it to. What I didn't expect was how much bass this pumps out - played a medium sized pub on Saturday and there were a lot of good comments on how present the bass sounded and felt(!).