Iain

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1464643594' post='3061141'] No, being in a band is the most important bit for me, or rather being in a gigging band is, but I still love playing bass. If I weren`t in a band I`d still learn new songs, play along to my faves on youtube etc. [/quote] Summed my view up perfectly. I'd still play - I love playing but playing live is a different thing particularly if it's music you enjoy with people you like. An appreciative audience helps but isn't needed at that point!

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1464082802' post='3056340']Then there is the rather powerful EQ and compressors too. I think there is a tendency to look at the guitar models and think it won't work on bass, but the Helix is so flexible that it's probably more useful to think of all the models just as components without being instrument specific.[/quote] The quality of the compressors is something that's really easy to underestimate - I don't run with a lot on but what is there makes just enough difference without making it sound squashed but not loss of low-end. All the other effects work really well - even though they're mostly guitar focussed. Only thing I've not been able to get sounding good yet is a bass synth sound (think Muse) but that's in part because I've not spent enough time playing with it.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1463304642' post='3050251'] Except to ask where you're going to keep it. Next time she buys a pair of shoes, ask her where she's going to keep them. See what reaction you get. [/quote] Her answer last time was to retire some to the loft, eminently sensible. A system that will work well with basses when I run out of wall space in the study!

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1463183562' post='3049435'] I'm guessing you don't know much about women then. [/quote] We have an understanding - I don't comment on shoes, handbags and gadgets she doesn't comment on guitars!

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1463041395' post='3047955'] "I want it". [/quote] This is pretty much where I'm at, lucky to have a wife who doesn't expect me to justify purchases either. She does get practical asking daft questions like "where are you going to keep it?" Currently debating spending some of this year's bonus: Spector NS2, Status 'Chris Wolstenholme' or some form of P-bass. Or maybe order a 4-String Dingwall Z3 to go with my Z3 5-String...

Play what you like, play it how you want. I realised a while back that I'll never be a great bassist and don't need to be to own a great bass. I currently have two fantastic basses that would do justice to any pro, so what? I don't go about worrying that my gear is too good for me!

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1462814712' post='3045923'] I've played many of these numbers in some very good bands. I think a [i]bad[/i] band is defined by [i]how[/i] they play rather than [i]what[/i] they play.[/quote] You won't win your snobbery badge with that kind of attitude! A proud 8/25 in one band and 1/25 in the other and, barring Honky Tonk, enjoy playing them all!

After rehearsal last night I had slightly sore fingers for the first time in ages (I've toughened up and learned to play softer!)... mostly down to temps and partly down t the PA being a bit too loud so the guitars were loud so I was hammering the strings a bit more.

I got a list of about 10 songs for an audition with a 'pick 3 or 4' to go through. Learnt them all and got the spot despite not being note-perfect. Partly due to the playing being good enough to impress and partly the attitude.

I had a the HD500X before this and it's a great unit for the price. Th sound quality is clearly better in the Helix but, for the majority of gigs I'll ever do, it's not going to make a big difference. Biggest difference to me is ease of use - Helix is stupidly simple to work with given the complexity it can achieve. The scribble strips are the single best thing ever - you can see what fx is on what switch. genius.

I'm loving mine (floor unit) - simplicity to configure on the fly is just awesome. Linked to the computer it's even easier. Just not had enough time to sit down and set up the patches I have in my 11-rack for a comparison - bloody work being a bit too busy!

I joined a jam session having picked up bass again after 15 or so years off. Joined a band off the back of it - confidence and increasing skill - then the jam session turned into a band as well and 3 years later I've two bands on the go and loving it!

I'm thinking about getting rid of my bloody useless SuperTwin. It's not actually 'bloody useless', it's epic, it's just not BigTwin II epic...

Not had time to get to grips with setting it up fully yet - the "Brit Bass" preset is a really decent Entwistle "Live in Leeds" tone and may well form the basis for an number of patches when I start to play with it.

[quote name='Graham' timestamp='1460048801' post='3022124'] A five string Status, the Chris Wolstenholme model particularly appeals. [/quote] I've been pondering a 4 string version for a while. Bonus lands in a couple of weeks...

It's arrived - unboxed and a quick play with it. Only a handful of bass presets but some great tones just in those few - they synth looks like it'll be more usable than the HD500X's was!

I spent about 15 hours over the Easter weekend working on a bunch of Maiden songs and working through different techniques to balance ease/speed/consistency - 2 and 3 fingers and plectrum. The Trooper has made it's way onto my band's list so it's a good one to work on - three fingers had the gallop feel nicely but wasn't punchy enough. Pick is fine, tight and has the feel. Two fingers took a lot more work to get up to speed but has the pick-level of attack. Then I moved on to "The Evil That Men Do" which is still a gallop/triplet feel but faster - fractionally. Pick technique went to pieces, two fingers was a mess but three was acceptable. It's just about practise, practise and more practise and sing what works reliably for you. Having a wider range of techniques you can trust is a good thing.

I've two cab sets I use. A pair of Markbass Traveller cabs: 121H & 151P Barefaced SuperTwin (2x12) I run both sets of a markbass Big Bang head with most of the tone from modelling (Avid eleven Rack and more recently a Line 6 HD500X that's being replaced with their Helix this week). The Markbass kit gave a lot of flexibility but the BF blows it out of the water for clarity and if only a little heavier than the MB121H! I only gig the BF cab now and the MB kit lives at the practice rooms. I used to have a pair of Ampeg Portiflex cabs - 1x15 and 2x10 and they seemed massively inferior to both MB & BF.

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1459063778' post='3013166']We'll have to swap patches![/quote] Sure thing! Planning on spending some time this weekend looking into community stuff - post up any links you come across - might be a good resource for BCers.

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1446024255' post='2896202'] The mixing in some direct clean was the icing on the cake. [/quote] I've an Avid Eleven rack which sounds sublime but lacks the parallel chains and decent foot control. I've just sold my Line 6 Pod HD500X to a guitarist friend but the parallel signal path worked a treat - particularly running a more distorted sound - having the lows through a clean path and highs through the drive path made for loads of tight low-end. I've a Helix floorboard arriving this week having sold on the 500X to a mate.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1459011063' post='3012856']Haha. Well I have amp gas at the min. I really fancy something ampeg.[/quote] Very disappointed with their class-D offerings (PF-500). Valves might be better though!

Both bands I'm in have big age ranges. Main band the drummer is 21 and the oldest, a gutarist, is 53 - this is rock and metal covers. Other band is 25-65, again drums and guitar bookending it. Not an issue in either but we're not in it for a career.

I doubt I'll ever completely run out of gas, too many awesome basses to own at some point, none of which are really needed with my Dingwall 5-string and Jazz 4-string as excellent quality instruments. Still on the list: 1) Rickenbacker - black 4001 (I'm a Geddy fan ok!). 2) Status Series 2 3) P-bass - something simple and US made. 4) Spector NS 4-string I'd add a Lemmy Cheyenne Rik to the list but they're rare than a rare thing. Then there's all that beautiful exotic wood and awesome finishes to explore - Pedulla's etc.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1453222650' post='2957589'] I have no worries on this score - I have a fine selection of tie-up elasticated waistband trousers. They are the height of fashion. [/quote] *rofl* Are pyjamas acceptable outside wear?

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1453139078' post='2956778']they don't get buckle rash because I don't wear buckles [/quote] I actually went and bought a belt that had no sharp edges that my bass could touch for this reason. Like other posters the first ding is he worst, everything after that is character.