jonno1981

That’s crap packaging. I can’t believe they sent it out like that. It’s just inviting problems and a return, causing them and you misery and effort to resolve.

Sadowsky, musicman, Dingwall, lakland, Warwick, fender etc all produce high quality 5 string instruments. I’d never, ever consider buying one without having it in my hands first, as I’ve had some that were miles better and worse than others. In an ideal world, I’d settle on a specific model than I’d want to try about five of the same model to pick the best one and avoid an expensive lemon. If only there was enough stock around in a single dealer to do this.

This. I wouldn’t want the event to turn into a hideous music-show style volume war and a good break is crucial.

Bassgear 🥲 Salt of the earth blokes running it. Brands you couldn’t get anywhere else. Interesting secondhand selection. No horrible salesman pressure to buy anything.

I’m getting to grips with a Roland pro mixer x. Annoyingly, this has just been released and looks like a good new alternative. It doesn’t offer multiple inputs, but has a good internal mic and some effects through an app. https://blackstaramps.com/polargo/

Glad I’m not the only one. For some reason I tend to play more softly when I do this which probably gives me better tone. I’ve got more dynamic range which helps to build songs and you get a real lift when you dig in.

I try to keep gain as high as possible to benefit from the character of the pre-amp and adjust master for the volume. On some amps this can mean riding it into the red, I just trust ears on whether it sounds nice. When I had an ashdown abm I always ran the gain about 80%. It wasn’t overdriving but sounded warm and full.

This is a good read. Wine journalist moves to Cuba to learn the double bass. It’s as much a study of the music and culture as it is the bass. https://amzn.eu/d/0dP0zXY

Simplified sight reading for electric bass by Jos des Pres. I used this to learn bass notation. It’s brilliant!

I love zero 7, didn’t realise he was the guy. So much thought in his bass lines that are just enough for the song.

Spanking new round wounds, huge attack with right hand to push the pre-amp into the red as well. It’s a great bass line with loads of energy, I’m surprised how sloppy some of the bits are. Did they really decide to go for this as “the take”. Lots of string noise and undampened strings around 1.10. Some timing issues and inconsistent attack later on. Flea is great, but this isn’t perfect!

Buy for you! You do you! Your first bass is less about tonal characteristics and more about feeling right in your hands. What is going to inspire you most to pick up, practice, improve and have fun? No one here can answer that for you. It sounds like you’re leaning on the Ibanez based on these factors.

Remarkable! I had no idea! He’s one of the least metal people I can think of.

I always really liked zero frets on sandbergs for this reason. Open strings sound the same as any other note.

I laughed at Nige working in a cheesemongers with the guitars hanging up behind him. Elton on keys and vox was a bit odd, will reserve judgement until release.

Tone wise, this only makes a difference on open strings doesn’t it? Other obvious factors are ease of working with the material on initial fitting, aesthetics and ongoing adjustments.

I’d adjust the pickups, test it, then swap the string, test it.

Well I ordered a “used very good” condition model from Amazon for £90 and it’s arrived missing the box, manual and all the cables. Grrrrr. I’m thankful their returns are so easy! I’ll get it back then look around for another one.

It’s in the calendar! Thanks Paul.

What’s weirder is why Mr JHS (RIP) didn’t want his family to continue running the profit making business, forcing it to be sold. 🙁 All a bit odd.

Blimey. They were distributing so many brands, all of which will be looking for new UK distributors. When I was in the trade they offered really long credit terms to retailers, it was a proper lifeline to keeping product on the shelves. This really isn’t good news for the small independents out there.

That’s looks great. I miss my 410l 🙁 I’m never selling anything again that sounds good. Even if I go off it for a bit it’s got to go in the loft for another day.

Maybe get a sh Chinese sadowsky metro pj? They were blowing out the old models really cheap and there are some secondhand bargains around. You keep your instrument as is and can always sell the metro on without a loss.

I’m going to try one of these as well. Thanks for the advice.

I think you might have to pick a date and go for it. Exception being avoiding school holiday weekends- that makes sense. It’s going to be impossible to find a date that works for everyone.