SteveK

I've used an ME-8B for several years. It's a great board. Unfortunately, it's getting a bit long in the tooth now and has moments of non-compliance Mostly use for chorus, delay, octaver, and occasional distortion with synth. The synth section is very good. It's possible to get a cracking "Birdland" intro synth sound. After unsuccessfully trawling the net searching for a replacement ME-8B I bought an ME-50B, but it really is nowhere near as good. If anyone knows where I can find a (good condition) ME-8B I'd be grateful, and willing to pay. Steve

The irony is, the larger the gigs you play - the less important your rig. If your playing small pubs and clubs, then it's fairly important to have a good rig behind you, as (obviously) that is where the bass will come from. On the other hand, if you're doing larger shows, where guitar/drums and bass are fed through the PA, then your rig becomes (as far as the punter is concerned) less important. I've seen Mike Porcaro on several occasions playing to thousands, with a rig that wouldn't hack it down "The Dog and Duck" - He would pretty much rely on onstage/in ear monitoring. I've seen Dominique Di Piazza, with the John McLaughlin Trio, [b]only[/b] using on stage monitoring...he just plugged into a DI and off he went. Steve

[quote]The only differences between the venues was that the first was carpeted and the second was on a wooden stage.[/quote]Even though they may look similar - every venue will be different. The wooden or carpeted stage [i]will[/i] make a difference, but there are so many other variables. [quote]I did notice that playing in the lower registers made my skull resonate.[/quote]Did that not give you a clue that perhaps you needed to make some adjustments? There are a couple of threads running that refer to getting "your sound". I wonder how many players sit in their bedroom getting "their sound", even marking their settings, only to get to a gig and find that "their sound" isn't so hot after all. You can't rely on your settings. [b]TRUST YOUR EARS[/b] Steve

In the mid 70s we were booked to play at a college in London (can't remember exact place). We'd just finished soundchecking when a couple of scruffy 'erberts told us that they were going to be playing as well... [b]and[/b] that they would be using our PA. Had to admire their front. Half a minute into their first song, and what was a reasonably full hall became pretty vacant... still, the spotty faced urchins carried on and completed a 30 or 40 minute set. In the ensuing few years anarchy reigned - musically speaking. There's no points for correctly guessing the name of this popular beat combo.

[quote]I can't find the youtube with the flying V now but I thought the one he was wearing for TOTP was a Gibson.[/quote] Possible that the one seen on TOTP wasn't his. It was quite normal to have gear hired in. Steve

I am assuming that we are all talking about using a fairly decent standard of equipment - in good working order. [b]*You will not get a 5 grand sound out of a £200 rig*[/b] [quote]are you saying that if you don't like your tone you're screwed?[/quote]Not at all, but if you don't have, at least, a basic understanding of how to use: Parametric and Graphic eq Pre amp and Master volumes Crossovers High/low pass eq etc. Then you stand little or no chance of getting "your tone" on another rig. [quote]and when people are saying there's nothing like a precision with a pick, its all in their head?[/quote]A Precision with a pick sounds like a Precision with a pick. [quote]musicman basses cut through the mix better?[/quote]I've heard plenty of non-Musicman basses "cut through the mix" just fine. [quote]and you're trying to say its pointless spending a grand on a custom bass when you can pick one up for £50 off ebay and get the same tone?[/quote]I refer the right honourable gentleman to the second line of my post. My last words on the subject: As I said in an earlier post... Basses/amps/cabs all have their own characteristics, often in our own heads these characteristics are all-important, the reality is, that usually - unless you're using an "extreme sound" - they're not as important as we imagine. Steve

[quote]I mean playing a precision strung with flats, and then playing my Sei strung with round wounds just won't sound then same, or am I missing something ?.[/quote] No, you're not missing anything. Of course different basses have different audio characteristics, as do amps and speaker cabs...[b]but that is only a small part of the picture.[/b] John Entwistle, throughout his time with The Who, was always chopping and changing gear: Fender, Gibson, Alembic, Warwick basses. Marshall, Sunn, Crown, Gallien-Krueger, Trace Elliot amps and cabs And for all that chopping and changing he always sounded like John Entwistle All I'm saying is... don't get too hung-up on hardware. It's your fingers that do the talking . Steve

In the mid-late 80s I joined a band that that worked mostly abroad. We didn't truck our backline. The contract would specify what gear was to be supplied, about 20% of the time we would get what we asked for, the rest of the time there would be whatever the promoter could get hold of (Eastern Bloc countries were always interesting). Providing the gear was of a known brand and reasonable power, and that I had a couple of minutes to tweak the knobs - the rigs made very little difference to the sound. Rocco Prestia on my rig would still sound like Rocco Prestia. Flea on my rig would still sound like Flea. JJ Burnel may have a problem though Steve

[b]Fingers[/b]

In 1991 I had the pleasure of meeting and working with The Beach Boys. We did a handful of shows - as special guests - around Europe along with the Allman Brothers. The highlight of their show (for me) was most definitely "God Only Knows" one of my all-time favourites. We also played with them again more recently, this time it was just Mike Love and Bruce Johnston and some younger guys, still a good show, but lacking some of the magic of '91. As far as I'm aware Carol Kaye played bass on the majority of Pet Sounds. Steve

[quote]Modern Reading text in 4/4 by Loius Belson. This is just Fantastic for Getting your reading chops together.[/quote] Very good book...in spite of the occasional 5/4 error/typo - bit like a dictionary showing the wrong spelling Steve

[quote]transcribing or learning, by ear, basslines of any sort is some of the best practice you can do to improve:[/quote] Indeed...and likewise, figuring out the dots in front of you is a great way of honing your reading skills. Steve

I've got a copy (notation) and a scanner that works If it's possible to send jpegs via PM and you want a copy, PM me. Steve EDIT: Can't figure out how to send attachments in PMs, any help appreciated.

[quote name='Galilee' post='222917' date='Jun 20 2008, 01:45 PM']Any idea what's the best way to maintain focus when playing repetitive stuff like this?[/quote] Getting a good take is more than getting to the end of a song without any mistakes - It's got to have attitude - it has to sound fresh. 20 attempts to get it nailed really is too long (in any case I'm sure that would be in contravention of your basic human rights ) If your drummer hasn't got it in 4 or 5 takes then you gotta take a break or move on to something else. If - when you come back to it - he still can't get it, then you basically have 3 choices: Simplify the part. Drop the song. Use another drummer Steve

[quote]used to hear the singer ( I can,t remember who he was) sing revved up....... every day for a week.[/quote]That would've been Noel McCalla. I've just got off the phone to him - and to double check (and for my own peace of mind) I asked him what he sings...it is, and always has been [b]"wrapped up like a deuce"[/b] (thank f***! I was starting to think I'd been singing the wrong words (BV's) all these years). [quote]As I recall, the follow-up (or soon after) was "Don't kill it Carol", with the bassist doing some vocoder stuff on the intro -was that you?[/quote]No, that was before my time - I joined in late '85. If I remember rightly, it was Pat King on bass playing the theme, with Steve Waller tracking him on guitar/voice box. FYI we do a rocking good live version featuring bass [quote]"And little Early-Pearly came in by her curly-wurly and asked me if I needed a ride" But in the MM version I used to swear that it goes: And little Early-Pearly gave my anus curly-wurly and asked me if I needed a ride,[/quote]No, it's definitely "came by [b]in his[/b] curly-wurly" Although, Noel (mentioned above) and I much prefer your version...got a feeling he may sing your version at the next gig . The long "Blinded" is (I think) the "Roaring Silence" album version...but don't quote me on that. [quote]I was floored by the band from the first minute and it was one of the best concerts I have ever seen in my life. Great players, excellent songs, a great live sound and the whole hall applauded after every song. It was just such a relief to hear true musicianship and a tight band with great songs that gave you goosebumps.[/quote]Thanks very much for your kind words...much appreciated. [quote]Sounds like "came by in his" just said quite quickly to my ears with it sounding more like " 'is" rather than "his" due to the H not sounding out loudly in the singers accent[/quote]Spot on! Cheers all, Steve

OK, There's been much speculation over the years as to what is actually sung in the chorus of the MMEB version. In fact, when it was released in America, a few radio stations wouldn't play it, assuming that the word was "douche". The actual Earth Band lyric [i]is [/i](cue fanfare) [b]... Wrapped up like a deuce another runner in the night...[/b]... At least... that's what I've been singing for the last 22 years The reason it sounds like "Douche" (according to Manfred) is that when they came to do the original mix there was a slight misalignment of the tape heads resulting in "S" sounding like "Sh". Steve

Sounds like you're in need of an A/B Box. Basically it has 1 input and 2 outputs that can be switched via a foot switch. Most music stores should stock them. Steve

A bit late for Adam, I know, but may be helpful for others One trick that has worked for me on more than one occasion: Try and find out the songs the band will be auditioning with, then set about learning them. Most bands will only pick 2 or 3 songs out of their repertoire. Steve

I thought me ears were burnin' [quote]I wonder if he's "on the road again"?[/quote] Kind of...just got back from a one-off in Nordhausen somewhere in East Germany. Had to use our ex drummer (Geoff Dunn) for this show as our relatively new shed builder (Jimmy Copley) is in Japan promoting his solo album. ..selfish git or what? Great gig, great people, shame they got a bit wet though (open air)... it's not just the UK that's having a boring summer. Oh, and thanks go to George Dubya for delaying our flight to Heathrow this afternoon Steve

[quote]Any chance of you playing here again in the near future?[/quote] Sorry Jogi, doesn't look like it [url="http://www.manfredmann.co.uk/on_stage/mantour2000.html"]Clickety click[/url].We do spend a lot of time in Germany though so it's quite likely we'll be in a town near you shortly. Steve

[quote]What was the band you were here with?[/quote] Manfred Mann's Earth Band We must have played there 3 or 4 times. The other venues you mention don't ring any bells...mind you, I'm at the age where bells ring far less than they used to Steve

Hi Jogi, From Oldenburg eh?.. Guess you'll know the Kulturetage then... Played there a few times over the years (last time 2 or 3 years ago...I think ). I vaguely remember another venue there, but can't remember the name. Steve

[quote]i've noticed a big drop in 'famous' rock bassists using warwick (lostprophets, story of the year, incubus, etc etc), wonder why that is?[/quote] At one time (late 80s early 90s) Warwick were giving them away like they were Smarties...jeez! they even gave me 3 Steve

[quote]Welcome. And what bands might they be, sir?[/quote] Sorry for the delay in replying. Some of the artists and bands you're more likely to have heard of: Hazel O'Connor The Rubettes Jim Capaldi Manfred Mann's Earth Band (since 1985 and still ongoing) And an assortment of other weird and wonderful projects. Steve

Don't forget, "Your sound" comes from a combination of amp [b]and[/b] speakers. A mic [b]or[/b] mic and separate DI would be the way to go. Steve