stuckinthepod

Spent 20 years being an average guitarist. Sat in on bass for a jam and haven't looked back. I have spent the last 2 1/2 years trying to become an average bass player.

I'm a big documentary buff (I started working life as a Assistant Documentary Editor) and love any music documentaries. That Muscle Shoals one was fantastic and the Eagles one too. I'm not sure if these are on Netflix -I'm on Amazon which is now awful, awful, awful and charges for everything. I plan to try Netflix soon. Here's a list of good uns to search for on Netflix or Youtube. If you can find Twenty Pearl Jam. One of the best band documentaries I've seen and still compelling if not a grunge fan. Sound City- Dave Grohl narrating the story of the LA Studio. Standing in the Shadow of Motown Lemmy Anvil Classic Albums doc series Rock Family Trees Any of the BBC Britannia series E.G Heavy Metal Britannia Steve Winwood- English Soul Martin Scorsese - The Blues series (It's a bit worthy but some of the episodes are good). Vox Pop: How Dartford Powered the British Beat Play it Loud: The Story of the Marshall Amp Hello Quo Supergrass - A Home Movie Metal - A Headbangers Journey Metal Evolution Iron Maiden: Flight 666 Ones to watch out for James Jamerson & the Legend of the Funk Machine - Currently being made

[quote name='dumelow' timestamp='1423668999' post='2687717'] once learnt "rockstar" by nickelback for a band. eurgh [/quote] I did also. Thankfully it didn't make it on to the regular set, so I only cried myself to sleep that one time.

Massive Attack - Mezzanine. Rediscovered it again recently. It has a really brooding atmosphere. Great late night driving album.

I chose my band based on the set list being songs I liked and wanted to play in the classic/heavy rock genre. Funnily enough bass playing has really opened my eyes to other types of music - to where I would now entertain the thought of playing a number of different types of music- as long as they have great bass lines (E.G, Motown or Disco).

If you are in Manchester try wearing your pajamas while you go out shopping. Or visit Great British Bass Lounge?

The exercise I employ when someone suggests anything other than a straight 4/4 is running.

Check the intro guitar riff on Wishbone Ash Jailbait 1971 and Alice Cooper Schools Out 1972.

Duff on Velvet Revolver Slither, Phil Chen on Jeff Beck Blow by Blow, Jimmy Bain on Holy Diver

[quote name='lonestar' timestamp='1422972268' post='2678995'] bass player is like the fourth table leg. No one notices unless it's not there or if a bit wobbly. [/quote] I heard this in a dodgy Mr Miyagi Chinese accent in my head. Zen and the Art of Bass Lines!

Bogling

[quote name='vsmith1' timestamp='1422610318' post='2674505'] Wary of sounding like a numpty... I have my vol at about 75% and adjust my amp to give the vol I need. I have the capacity to adjust for so boosted moments. Also I find that I need to boost a little if I am on the bridge J-style pickup. [Do I need to adjust pickup heights?] As regards the tone, then I adjust it a lot depending on what song I'm playing, like roll off the tone for older style songs, or roll off if using a plectrum. Context for this is I'm playing covers and the band has a wide variety of songs and styles, so I don't have the same settings throughout the set list. On my amp, I have a footswitch operated mute, but also turn the vol right down at the end of sets, sessions, etc. Just have the habit formed to check that the vol is up. I use the Mute on the BH250 and built-in tuner or now with my new BX700 a tuner pedal. [/quote] I'm in a similar situation everything up on the bass is full blow rock out tone. I ease off volume, blend the P&J and roll back the tone for the more classic rock numbers Bowie, Stones etc and if I want the bass to be less dominant in the overall sound.

Unless Pub A are paying you a retainer as the "house band" it is none of their business. 4 miles away is hardly next door!

That's interesting I'd be interested to how you've simplified Ziggy and how it works in your arrangement. Ziggy was one of the bass lines I felt I had to learn verbatim or people might notice. Ziggy and Born to be Wild (with bass solo in middle section) are my few moments to remind people there is a bass player on stage!! Other songs we cover I've played a simplified version and everyone is happy with the results but I'm gradually polishing them up here and there. My approach it to think about how important the bass is in each song dynamic be that playing roots or more complex lines and how present the bass feels. E.G. Does it need to ease off into the background like in Brown Sugar or be cutting through dominant and present like in Bring you Daughter to the Slaughter (I always up the tweeter tone on the TC for Maiden so people notice the bass clank a bit more).

Yep I use them for practice and gigging. They are worth it.

Welcome! I'm in South Manchester.

They are discontinued now but I use a TC BG500 210 Combo. Can you find NOS or second hand anywhere? I paid £350 new from Andertons in 2013 It's a two man lift to carry it any distance but it is punchy and loud as hell. We are a 2 guitar loud rock covers band and it's never been past 4 on a gig so far.

I'm about 50/50 pick versus fingers with our current set and really go with what I think the song justifies. For example I use a pick for Children of the Grave but fingers for Bring your Daughter to the Slaughter. Pick for Billy Idol WW and fingers for Steppenwolf BTBW. I'm a habitual nail biter so the nails are adding nothing to my finger style tone.

Depends on your price range as to your definition of good quality I guess. I like Planet Waves - American Stage Series- Circa £25-£35

Ah thanks BigRedx.

Hi all. Better late than never eh? You can find us at [url="https://www.facebook.com/thestormkings"]https://www.facebook.com/thestormkings[/url] Cheers Ben

My Saturday night gig was a case in point of everything going right. The venue advertised the hell out of our first appearance on their website, Facebook and posters in the pub. We tailored our set with a few heavier songs than usual (Sabbath/Maiden) and it went down an absolute storm with the punters. Full house, everyone singing, head banging, dancing and into it. We did about 2.5 hours with multiple encores till we had nothing left to play. Landlords, staff, crowd congratulated us, gave us free drinks and asked to book us for New Years Eve! I'm sure I will come back down to earth with a crashing thump at some point soon but imagine....If every gig was like this from now on.

Fantastic gig at Bike N Hound on Saturday night. We'd tailored our set especially with extra Sabbath, Maiden and Van Halen and it went down a storm. Place was packed, everyone singing and yelling with head bangers and dancers down the front really into it. Did two encores with the crowd wanting more and the management asked us if they can book us for New Years Eve! Best gig so far for us and can't wait to play there again in May. I'm completely buzzing!

Forgive my ignorance but what is a ramp?

Alpine Musicsafe Pro Plugs for me. Much more clarity than Docs Pro plugs.