Stylon Pilson

Saturday night was a 40th birthday party for a friend of Greg, our lead singer. Greg had offered to do this gig for free before I even joined the band, so I can't complain. And the birthday boy paid for the PA hire, so we weren't out of pocket. We were playing in the corner of the garden, and hardly anyone was watching us - most of the guests were inside the warm house, listening to the stereo. I switched to a fretted bass after 9:30pm because it was getting dark and we didn't have much illumination on stage. The gig went fine, but when there's barely anybody watching, and one of the neighbours' neighbours' neighbours' neighbours comes round halfway through to complain about the noise, it puts a bit of a dampener on things. It's infuriating to know that 95% of the people there wouldn't have cared if we hadn't been there. Still, I try to throw myself into the gig anyway, and do all my moody introspection the next morning. S.P.

It's gorgeous. If I didn't live 250 miles away I'd be getting in touch with you on that whole singing thing, I swear.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='239910' date='Jul 15 2008, 12:08 PM']Or maybe a Ashdown 1x12 of some sort, the MAG being the cheapest. The combos are quite small (well, not very deep) and i used one for about a year without PA support and it served me well. Dirt cheap as well.[/quote] I'm very happy with my Ashdown Electric Blue combo. It's got a 1x12 and you can hook up an external cabinet to get the full 180W. It's a steal at <£200. Looking at the statistics, it's not much smaller or lighter than the Bassman 250/115 so perhaps it's not the ideal combo for the OP. S.P.

[quote name='silddx' post='239913' date='Jul 15 2008, 12:11 PM']I tend to practice without, I don't have an amp, only a desk and monitors in my studio. I find I enjoy it more with when I'm plugged in so I play for longer periods. I sort of assumed practising without any amplification of any sort would enhance my technique and show up errors more easily but I think I might be changing my mind now. probably a volume issue. I play fairly powerfully in fingerstyle too so eveness may be an issue because of this. What do you think works best? Or do you think it's a purely personal issue?[/quote] I usually practise plugged in. As you say, if you aren't amplified then there is a tendency to play too hard, in an attempt to produce some sound. I'd say that being amplified probably shows up errors better than playing unamplified. If I were you, I'd consider investing in a practise amp. Take your bass round to a guitar shop and try a few out. S.P.

[quote name='Chris2112' post='239862' date='Jul 15 2008, 11:32 AM']It only lasts for a couple of bars and only comes round a couple of times, but is a nice contrast to the fingerstyle groove he plays. Of course, he isn't doing it to show off.[/quote] Of course not. That would be absolutely unthinkable. S.P.

I'm struggling to remember a quote that has stuck with me for many years. I can't remember who said it, and I can't remember the exact wording. I think it was in Bassist magazine. Some famous, well-renowned bass player said of slapping "yes, it's technically brilliant, but it completely misses the point" or something like that. I feel that that quote sums up my sentiments nicely. S.P.