SuperSeagull

Well it certainly surprised me!

Second gig with the new band, Horsham in deepest Sussex. Female vocalist dropped out sick a couple of hours before so a set list change, dropped some, changed keys on others, all good to keep us on our toes. Another charity event which are helpful as we settle in together with half the band being new - a bit less pressure but still a gig rather than a rehearsal room. Apart from a seriously drunk couple constantly asking for Hotel California (you may have met them at one of your gigs!) it was a good night, we had a couple of “moments” but sorted them out without the audience knowing. It’s a pleasure to play with these guys.

Played a final gig with the old band last, a fundraiser for local hospital radio at the hospital social club. A real blast. There was another band on before us playing 80’s/90’s stuff which they pulled off really well. They then stayed to watch us - really supportive, nice people, lots of musicians chat and beers shared before we all packed up. It’s good when that happens.

I have an ABM C110 300 combo bought in August 1999 from The Bass Centre.

Bought a second hand Status a while back and my son asked if he could use in a church set he was playing in. When he stepped up and and went to strap it on he missed the strap button, bass hit the floor. I remained remarkably calm, he was distraught, being a status it didn’t even need a retune. No lasting damage done but I fitted straplocks right after.

Got it thanks. Sounds like you are pleased with them.

Is anyone using a RM 500 head with a pair of ABM 112H EVO IV PRO NEOs? They look a good match and mean I can use just one cab for smaller gigs and then add the second one if needed. Seem to be a very good price here as well. https://www.musik-produktiv.com/gb/ashdown-abm-112h-evo-iv-pro-neo.html

Thanks both of you for answering so clearly.

Ok, I’m obviously being very dense here. Both my MB and Ashdown amps are quoted as providing twice the wattage into 4 ohms as 8. Understand that doesn’t mean twice as loud but surely it means louder than at 8ohms?

Interesting. Have just bought (from here) a Rootmaster 500 and am planning to sell off my MB cmd12p and 121ny cab and replace with ideally one cab that covers the small enough to lug about easily but capable enough of running loud bases. I too would prefer a 4ohm option from that one cab.

It’s not free but OnSong is excellent for pdfs and it’s own format charts as well. I’ve used it as you’ve described before with a some handwritten and some typed notes just saved as pdfs.

I had my first gig yesterday with the band that found me via Bandmix. We’ve only had three rehearsals and apart from me, the drummer and female vocals are also new but the male vocal and two guitarists have all played together for years, are decent musicians and also very chilled - a nice combination. Gig was a town festival in Dorking Surrey, one of those throw your gear onstage at the end of the previous act, play for an hour and then get off ASAP. All went well, couple of minor mistakes but managed to pull off Californication ok 😀 Backline was a TC rig but I was stood almost on top of it which I always find difficult to get levels right with. Also had one of those Phil Jones Ear Box things which appeared to serve no purpose at all!

I also have a Sansamp in the mix. Tend to run eq flat on the bass and on the amp and let the Sansamp do the eq work. I use the switchable swept mid on the bass (Status) to give me some easy mid set / song changes if needed.

Just a bit of positive feedback for Bandmix. I put a simple profile on a couple of months ago, was contacted a week or so later by a band, auditioned and they offered me the role this week. Established local covers band who were reforming post lockdown, good players and nice people so hopefully will turn out well.

Very sad, a real hero of mine. Played along to his bass lines for hours when I was a kid. Nobody made a Mustang sound like he did. The 1974 album Quo is considered “the” Lancaster album - will be listening later today.

My RX8 boot swallows a headless Status in a gig bag plus pedalboard and assorted stands, two MB cabs on the back seat and still room for a passenger in the front. Unlikely to pass the ULEZ test though.

They are closed this week for holidays. I exchanged emails with Dawn last week about my Status. I’d echo the comment to call them when they are back. They really are a micro business, when I visited just pre pandemic I was surprised how small the unit and team is.

We all agreed to do lateral flow tests (I think we were all doing them anyway) but since then we’ve got two members self isolating as a result of their youngsters getting infected. Very frustrating.

I always take two and a couple of years ago broke an E string thanks to a burr on the bridge of my old Status. But, it was tight stage and so I’d left the other bass in the car so had to leg it over the road and then back into the pub. Lesson learned - take two and have them both to hand.

Thanks. Didn’t know any of those so will check them out, all more accessible than Colchester - not sure that would count as essential travel!

I get that - it’s just upsetting me seeing it less than perfect. Is that a bit sad? Frustratingly, it was something that fell onto it, the next bass in the rack is a Flea Jazz, another couple of dings wouldn’t have mattered on that one.

I foolishly managed to get a couple of small dings on my less than one year old Status. Gone through to the wood, around 1cm each. Deeply frustrating. I’m sure Status can sort it but I can’t drive it up there at the moment and I’m not sure I want to trust a courier so anybody know of any good finish repairers in and around Sussex? Thanks.

It was and there were. Drummer and I raised an eyebrow when they came in - seemed a little OTT even given current circumstances but turned out they part of the team for the service and playing the characters of “Mr PPE Man”.....as you do.

Yesterday was the first time we have been able to meet as a church since March. We usually meet in a school but as we can’t do that anymore used a barn at a local farm. Lovely to be back playing with the team. Tech team did a superb job with a cut down PA, in ears all round so could have left the MB at home and a chance to play my new Status in anger for the first time.

It arrived today - the £144 fretless jazz. First impressions - how the hell do they make it at that price 😂. It’s really heavy - I couldn’t play it on a strap for a whole gig. Build looks v good, set up pretty good - I’ll probably play around with the action but that’s personal preference rather than essential. Cheap and nasty knobs and pickup covers. Sound - it’s very good, in fact it’s marvellous for the price, plenty of mwah. You even get a jack to jack lead with it! It won’t get lots of use but for those moments when only a fretless will do it’s a brilliant buy.