Charla

I've replaced the Preamp in my Marcus Miller 5 string with an East Marcus Retro 01. I never leave my guitar connected when not playing and I'm only getting about 7 days life from a battery. I've sent these photo's to John and everything appears OK. Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar issue or can spot the problem? [attachment=19927:PICT0001.JPG][attachment=19928:PICT0002.JPG] Edit: I'd just like to add that I'm really pleased with the preamp and it has improved the sound of the bass, I just can't work out where I'm `shorting' the battery. Cheers Charla

The Dr Bass 2460 did it for me. Cheers Charla

I used a Peavey Databass for years, best `small' ish combo I ever had, blew the nuts of my Ampeg of similar physical size!!!! I wish I'd kept it now! Cheers Charla

My Wal, thought of selling it a few years back and that's as far as it got; I think i could be living `hand to mouth' and I still wouldn't sell it. As with other `lifers' it's an emotional attachment! [attachment=18799:Wal_02.jpg] Cheers Charla

Hi Geert I've just downloaded the album, and enjoying it, if anything, other than Jaco I can hear an Alain Caron influence, which is not a bad thing. We'd all like `our own voice' but that is easier said that done and I'd like to congratulate you on the Album as it does show your bass playing talents and diverse influences. Cheers Charla

Fine words above from our fellow bass players; I'm 50 and have been playing in Bands since my late teens and it's only over the past 10 years or so that I've learnt to control anxiety and not worry about those times when I've really messed up. My worst nightmare was playing the City Hall, first song the drummer kicks off and I come in after two bars; this donkey comes in on the 3 and not the 1, the drummer looks at me smiles and plays a 6/4 bar and we're off. Playing in a Band is a team game, and we all help each other out, I've returned the favour to most of my colleagues over time. I also have learnt that it's not the end of the World and their are many more good times to bad. I also use breathing exercises, positive thinking and cognitive rehearsal. In fact I often practise songs without a bass or any musical reference, it really help to get them to `stick'. Laughing at yourself is also a good remedy, even the best `cock up'. Hope all goes well. Cheers Charla

Very nice! I have the 5 string version, which I love to bits and find a joy to play even though it is prone to earth problems and I was thinking of getting the East replacement preamp to solve this? What mods are you thinking of having done? I've had a look at the wiring and it look horrendous, which I found amazing for a bass of this expense! I don't want to steal you thread but any advice would be appreciated. Cheers Charla

I have a TD650, I ran it at 8ohms through an ampeg 4x10 and it never went up to half way on the master volume. I now run it through a DrBass 2460 at 4ohms and it has even more potential. I think the HD350 would be plenty loud enough, unless you are playing stadiums? Remember you can run them at 2ohms, might get the sack if I try it though!!! Oh and they go up to 11; that's one louder! Cheers Charla

I play in three Bands with two different guitarists, both are appreciative of the bass and what the instrument and musician brings to the band. They both encourage me to experiment when playing and even more so to solo. I think guitarists who slag off bass players are in a minority and would presume there are also other musicians, bass players included, who are of the opinion that the world revolves around them. Being in a band is to be part of a team and I think the most simple supporting bass line offers so much to the song, and echo the comment above that you really notice the bass player when he's gone. So lets not slag off guitarist `per se' as it's such a generalisation, just as, not all bass players are kind, understanding, obliging, etc etc. Although as is my experience of this forum I think most are!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, drumming is easy ...................... not! Cheers Charla

It's black or cream pearl for me, I bought one of each for my black/rosewood Jazz and swap them to change my mood. I got them for about £10 each, but I can't remember or find the web site. When I do I'll let you know. Mind you I also like tortoise shell, which will probably be my next purchase! Cheers Charla

My house amp: a 1964 Fender Bassman 50 head and 2 x 12 cabinet, in all cost me about £450 (It's the 100 watt in the photo). The head was a lucky find and Torres made me a matching cabinet. Nice! This is the one I keep when I hang up my basses, mind you I hope to be playing for a long time yet. There are company's like Torres that will do small `boutique' type amps, and over the years I've seen older Amps about that with a little TLC would make good practise amps; I scout around second hand shops, especially those older `pawn broker' types where if you're lucky like I was you might com across a good find. Patience is the key, if you're not in a hurry. Cheers Charla

Thanks for your replies. I'll take it that you all think I should `shut up' and keep the TD650! It was just one of those, um, `do I need a smaller amp' moments. Thanks to you all that has now gone and I'm back in the land of the sane. Bremen, ever since I first switched on the amp I realised how lucky I am and never take my gear for granted. It's just that since I've lightened my cabs the EBS feels heavy and it was a `power to weight' consideration. Cheers Charla

I have an EBS TD650 which I run into a Dr Bass 2460 4ohm cab, I've never had the volume past 11 o'clock (about 5, it does go up to 11!) and most of the time I run it at under a quarter of its potential. Is the extra power wasted on me? Should I go for a TD350 or similar amp? Or is the extra headroom worth it?

I've got a maple neck fretless Precision, which was converted from fretted. Obviously when you pull out the frets there is damage to the finish of the neck which has to be stripped back so its best to refinish the neck with something hard wearing; I didn't do this myself and got a local luthier to do the work, that was back in 1989 and the neck still looks good and I use roundwounds! Cheers Charla

Check the lights at the venue; I had a similar problem which was caused by a rather curious decorative light and the problem was solved as soon as it was switched off. First thing I ask them to do when I play there! Cheers Charla