Elfrasho

Played in a band that done sxsw, played on radio 1, headlined a tent at t in the park, nearly won Scottish album of the year, and played umpteen sold out headline shows. So much so, I was occasionally recognised on the street by actual real life fans (rather than the usual friends of a band member type fan). Done lots of cool things but it never really turned into a chance of doing it full time. That for me would've been the sign of success.

I've got quite deep into the whole depping thing over the past 3 years. I dep regularly for one band and got another 4 that I play from time to time. This actually adds up to a lot of gigs without the need for weekly rehearsals (which I love). The only thing expected of me is to know the material and be solid - nothing more!. The rest will come together as the rest of the band will be tight and know their stuff. Its actually really simple!

Got a fender US special jazz, and I had to replace the saddles as the screws were seized up. I bought some on the cheap and I have a feeling they're moving slightly when I play, affecting the playability. So, I'm thinking I'd be as well just to get a new bridge. There seems to be about a million of them, ranging from a tenner to Alot, so just wondering what I should go for! Think Id prefer a high mass bridge in chrome, but apart from that, not got any preferences, Any suggestions? What benefit is there going for a really expensive one, over say the fender himass iv Bridge, at about 40 quid?

I'm intrigued why you asked this, as I would go 2... And I do in my current band... But it was done like option 1(by a guy with vastly more sound engineering experience than I do) before I got involved! Didnt think anything of it at the time! But now I do!

Yep. A cranked valve amp is a thing of beauty but not ideal for live use these days!

It's the other punters that should be shown the respect, not particularly the band. If it's affecting the entertainment for the others, then it's annoying. If it's not, then just get on with the show! Standing at the front staring at a mobile is very off putting though, I find. But again, they still might be enjoying the self and its not affecting anyone else so we just need to suck it up!

Must be just to keep stage volumes down I suspect!

Fender Aerodyne recently sold for peanuts. It was in a complete state but I've not really been totally happy with any of my basses I've owned since!

I went bass into amp for the first 15 years of playing. I then got involved in a project that needed a few things so I had numerous different setups, some were huge and heavy! I'm back to not needing effects but I still use a small multifx as my preamp and tuner. Try to avoid using an amp as much as possible and just got full FOH!

Live rock music at its best. Saw them live a few years ago, utterly brilliant!

Dalmarnock, Glasgow. I've had various units in there over the years. Can't for the life of me remember the company who owns them, but I could find out for you if you need.

#4... I dunno why but that one has popped up loads of times for me. I dunno if it's just a safety blanket type reaction, but it's bloody annoying! Only seems to h guitarists that do it too! Keyboardists in my experience don't do it!

My new project has a pa with 2 tops and two subs. Seemed a bit overkill to me, but after a few load ins/load outs without amps and stage monitors (in ears) it makes life very easy! With a digital mixer too, the mix is almost perfect for every gig straight away. The idea of having amps and that sort of set up on stage, baffles me!

Carvin mb10. I've got one, amazing wee amp and sounds expensive! Small enough as a one hand carry, I've taken it onto buses and trains. Loud enough for small intimate gigs, or as a monitor. It can also be connected up to an extra ext cab to get more air moving!

Exactly! People seem to get too attached to musical instruments. If he's a pal, then I'm not sure what the issue is! If my pal wanted to borrow my lawn mower, or power drill, or even my car.. I would be OK with it, not sure why is different for a bass! Unless, I suppose, the thing in question is used as my source of income, and an instrument could very well be. But I don't think the op is on that position.

They sound miles betterwhen they're abit lower in my opinion. Definitely less likely to pop with a wee bit more air from the string! I did try, but couldn't get a balance that was working for me between comfort and sound! This might be the trade off!

Well no. Haha, the paint I used made it feel rubbish, so I made another and I've left it au naturale! Much nicer feeling, but looks even more ridiculous than the painted one!

I listen to it for about 40 minutes every morning as my alarm, and getting ready for work. I quite enjoy it normally!

I've measured mine to 894mm.

Recently just got this Fender US special Jazz, and although its lovely, I'm not really getting on with it. One of the reasons is I don't think the pickups are raised as much as i'm used to on other jazz basses i've had, therefore it just feels a bit funny to play. So thought I'd make a wee ramp type thing out of a length of pine I had lying about! I've stuck it down with double sided sticky tape so its very much removable, but I already feel more home with it on. My thumb gravitates towards it without me consciously thinking about it, and I'm not digging in as much anymore, making the whole bass just a more enjoyable experience, and less hard work! Can't say I've ever seen anyone with a ramp on a jazz bass, but if this is successful and I keep the bass, I'll definitely need to investigate what proper ones are out there to get! 9cm bit of pine that was 2.5cm x 1cm. Chiseled out some holes underneath so it can sit flush with the pickup. I then sanded it down taking quite a lot of height of it, painted it. The black paint I used has made it a bit shiny but hopefully that dies down a bit once its totally dried and been used a bit. Thought I'd just pop it on here for you all to have a laugh...err.. look! Thanks Fraser

Sounds lovely! what the signal flow?

This for me. I buy almost everything second hand so rarely lose that much on stuff that gets moved on. My philosophy has always been to move things on that aren't getting used. I don't see the point in keeping hold of pedals etc just sitting in a drawer. Even basses, although I understand the aesthetics, just seems a bit pointless to me! My current bass set up could be replaced for about 850 quid second hand. £500 fender jazz bass, £100 zoom b3n and £200 carvin amp. Then 3 half decent quality leads. I would love to know what my actually net spend has been over the years! I bet its not more than 2k! Which considering its been my main hobby for about 20 years and I'm sitting with 800 quid worth of gear just now, is pretty damn cheap as hobbies go!