PatrickJ

This is what I'm really working on right now. For about 30 mins a day I've got a playlist of some super simple rock songs and I'm playing along, trying to figure out the key center and chord progression as quickly as I can. Then I start to play along and just improvising. Really simple for now, just roots and fifths but I'm just starting to play with some pentatonics for fills.

Eden Glow Plug. I've not tried one myself but I believe it's designed to-do what you are looking for, add tube warmth to Solid State amps via a real tube in a stomp box sized pedal. There's a review here http://www.bass-pedals.com/eden-glowplug-bass-tube-warmer-review/ I think the biggest issue with it is that it requires a 15v power supply.

Lovely guitars - I massively regret selling my 44-01.

That's a fabulous looking bass ..

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread but it seemed a better idea than starting a new one. :). I'm seriously considering adding a parametric EQ pedal to my setup. @Dood's review on the Q\Strip is excellent but does anyone have any thoughts / experience in comparing it with the Empress ParaEQ I don't necessarily need the DI features of the Q\Strip just the EQ.

I'm really looking forward to trying one of the WD-800's. I've always wanted to own a Mesa amplifier. When I was learning to play the guitar in my 20's the Mesa Rectifiers were hugely popular with the alternative and hard rock bands I was listening to at the time, so obviously I wanted one. Then as I matured and started to listen to more blues/rock Mesa released the Recto-verb 25 which became my dream amp. Now I'm an aspiring bass player I'm keen to try some of the Mesa Bass Amps and I'm really bought into the whole Hybrid thing. I part satisfied my Mesa itch last year by picking up the Subway Pre-amp, but the WD-800 looks great for what I want out of a head. I'm looking forward to seeing some demo's and hearing some user reviews, I'm sure a few BCers will pick them up pretty quickly.

I'd agree that compared to other forums, including a popular US based bass guitar forum, Basschat is much warmer and more open . I've only been a member for six months or so but I've found the other members I've interacted with to be extremely helpful, humorous and friendly. I do get saddened by the threads that get started that don't put much consideration that this is a publicly open forum with both male and female members, I shall keep the report post button in mind for future.

Hitch a Ride

Probably worth a trip to Guitar Guitar, they have a reasonably selection for under 1000£. I bought a lakland 44-01 and a Fender MiM Deluxe PJ there. I've also tried some Sandberg Electra's and SUB stingrays for around that price mark last time I went. Ibanez have a few nice guitars in that price range too that GG usually stock.

I've bought a few bass guitars from Guitar Guitar in Epsom, they have the biggest range I've seen for a non specific bass guitar shop. Mainly Fenders with a selection of MM and Sterling's along with various Ibanez guitars. They quite often have a few Laklands, Sandberg's and Mayones guitars too but probably only few examples of these brands .

I'm sure there are loads of YT vids for this but Elixir have a series of videos that talk through bass set up step by step. This one is focussed on truss rod adjustment. If nothing else it will show you how to measure the neck relief to see if an adjustment is needed. In the manual for my guitars this is suggested to be done after every string change, especially if you are changing gauge.

Basschat has become the source for all my new musical finds.. the recent ones that stick out include: - Electro Deluxe - The Foals - Jamiroqui, not a new discovery but they passed me by at their peak. Stuart Zender's baselines on the early stuff is great.

What I did like was he didn't focus on what strings, amps etc are being used but emphasised how much playing style, use of dynamics (ghost notes etc ) and note choices contribute to the overall sound; that's what I got from the video anyway. Being a fairly inexperienced player in an amatuer covers band I've found myself thinking of late how faithful I should try and replicate sone of the classic Rock Tones - this video gives me some useful reference examples to go after.

Haha, I use bass guitar as a distraction from the nonsense of my kids.

A 1*12 cab is already pretty small , you won't get a combo much smaller so how about a compact head to pair up with it, something like the TE elf?

Thanks for this. Sticking to roots and fifths and working with drums is also good advice :).

I believe this is 100% the issue, both in my listening skills and being analytical in approach to resolving problems. I will definitely take this advice on-board - seems like an excellent thing to practice identifying song key centre and their associated chord progressions

I also treated myself to Hyper Luminal for Christmas. I'm running similar settings though currently have the FET mode selected. I need to play with the other two compressor models.

+1 for strings direct, one of the few mail order companies i've never had a problem with. Great customer service, not had many issues but when I did resolved super quickly with no hassle.

I was introduced to these guys via Basschat a while ago. Still listening.