ezbass

Oh, they know, I have made it abundantly clear. I have not, but I don't want more gear TBH. Also, I think IEMs are a great idea for a quiet stage, but when you have a tub thumper and a normal guitar amp (not loud by any means) on stage, I think it kind of negates them and I'd rather go for protection over monitoring. I have considered this option in the past, however.

Down to Fife in a fortnight for what is our last gig in the diary for this year.The sound will have to be better than last night’s or I’m going to seriously think about packing it in.

It’s not just one though, this is the norm sadly.

2nd set follow up. I moved forwards and down, in front of the drums (there was a smallish stage), with keys and guitar, left and right. It sounded better for about 5 minutes, the drums were just drowning out my rig and I won’t turn up because that’d destroy to out front mix, which seemed fine at sound check. There is little or no enjoyment for me if I can’t hear myself and this morning has contemplating jacking it all in, although I’m sure I won’t. Crowd loved it all, so job done. Had a complete blank in one song (Itchycoo Park) and couldn’t remember how to play it, most embarrassing. We shared the night with a mod/punk disco who were louder than us by some measure and one of the monitors blew during our set, which I’m sure was down to them. I didn’t hang around because of the volume and was packed up and home by 1.

Currently sitting and relaxing in the break. It’s going well, lots of dancing from the get go. However, the nature of the set up means I can’t hear myself particularly well . I’m going to move for the second half and see if that helps. Gear is my usual Phil Jones rig but with my custom fretless Maruszczyk Elwood L. Footwear is the usual Adidas Samba types (it’s a mod gig after all).

Where one can Come Back & Stay.

These things become more and more important. Result.

What made you pick up that first bass at the start of this long and winding road? I wanted to be able to have more chances to play in bands and every other person was a guitar player. I was always fascinated by bass lines and was more suited to the rhythm section, even on guitar. I can trace my original jump to bass to Pino’s playing on No Parlez. However, I was asked to play guitar in a band again, so some years back with the 6 string razor ensued. What brought me back to bass was listening to Chris Maresh playing with Eric Johnson and realising that’s what I really wanted to do. Do you still have the same fire and enthusiasm? Do you still love it? Probably not the same fire and enthusiasm and as to love, difficult one, I still love bass lines, but not that bothered if it’s me playing them (I’ve not been feeling it recently - definite ennui). What has changed along the way? Your taste in music, taste in basses? I’ve become better, that’s for sure. My taste is pretty much as it was. My taste in basses is always changing (GAS innit) and have just come out of a dalliance with short scales, having returned to my custom 33” basses. What was the first bass? And what’s the latest? First bass was a Yamaha BB300, the latest is either a Squire P or NS EUB, I can’t remember which came first.

I'd like to try it as such too. However, the neck of my fretted Elwood L (a JJ type) has a slightly different hole alignment on the neck. At least that shows that neck and body weren't 'cookie cutter' creations.

Thanks. It's lightweight too, a mere 3.2kgs.

Damn, double post.

This is mine…

I have a vision of said singer only able to sing, whilst taking a bath: drums at the back; bass, stage right; guitarist, stage left; old fashioned, roll top bath, complete with mic, centre stage.

Literally, a bit of a dick.

I didn’t use compression on my bass for years. However, I did a recording, where I sent the results to a friend of mine who ran a FoH company and produced the best live mixes I ever heard (not hyperbole). He is is also a recording artist. He liked what he heard of my recording, but suggested some subtle comp settings to enhance the sound. I tried them and was really surprised how much better the bass sat in the mix. That was it, I went and bought a compressor (an MXR M87) and it’s now my always on pedal. I put it at the end of the chain in order to use it like compression on a recording.

I always had issues with wedding work. If you’re playing a pub/club/whatever, there’s a decent chance that folk have come to see you, or at least are staying to give you a look/listen. However, at weddings, you’re the hired help.

My gig this coming weekend will probably be a total of 8 hours and it’s only 30mins or so away. However, my longest ever from leaving home to getting home was around 46 hours! We were a southeast based band and did a wedding gig in Quimper, Brittany. It was an absolute blast.

Something along the lines of, “Sorry guys, I’ve not been enjoying it for a while and I’d rather not string you along, thinking nothing’s wrong. I’d prefer allow you to find a replacement sooner than later.”

back

A little reminder if anyone is in Perth on Saturday (check for ticket availability beforehand though). I will be sporting my custom Maruszczyk fretless and I don’t care if it’s ’not right’ (the fretted one will be in reserve, however).

Nice problem to have. I look forward to the decision.

I’ve not been ‘feeling it’ when it comes to playing just recently. We have a gig this coming Saturday and are playing in the region of 8 new numbers, so I’ve had to force myself to play. With the impending gig, with new material, we had a rehearsal last night, needless to say that I was less than enthused at the prospect. I decided to take my Maruszczyk Elwood fretless, as it doesn’t get played outside of the house and it’s a great bass, in a Stingray style, so deserves some love. I explained to my band mates my current ennui and that the fretless was just there for funsies and normal service would be resumed on Saturday. Well screw that! The bass roared, almost Ric like (most appropriate for a Mod band) and sat in the mix just so well. I deliberately played it very straight, avoiding the usual fretless cliches (think Boz Burrell in Bad Co), so as not to draw attention to it. My companions were impressed at the tone and had no problems with it being used. That bass is being played straight out of the gate on the gig. Still not really looking forward to the gig (shame, as it’s a venue I really like and ticket sales are up, at last), one good rehearsal doesn’t reverse months of not feeling it, but at least there is one positive to look forward to. BTW, another reason to keep playing when you’re down on your instrument is that it keeps your fingers in tip top condition, mine are little tender this morning 😣.

Nice bass.

Exactly what I started with, when I came back to the low end.

This posted in the Bass Direct Moving thread, today, seems appropriate here.