spongebob

I had a Marshall practice amp for about 15 years that survived me being sick both over, and in. Switches were a bit crackly afterwards, mind.....

Without a doubt. As a (recovering) drummer, it's the thing I notice most. A few years ago, I had to issue a diva-esque 'if he stays, I go' ultimatum as the drummer was a really nice guy, but the worst drummer I've ever heard in public. As 50% of the rhythm section, we have to be a unit and lock in. If that doesn't happen, game over. Like a house with no foundations.

It's (coughs) only £3500, Lozz!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THE-JAM-BRUCE-FOXTONS-1977-FENDER-PRECISION-BASS-GUITAR-FROM-ALL-MOD-CONS-/351241835718?pt=UK_Music_Music_Memorabilia_LE&hash=item51c7a514c6

I really like the blue one - very cool!

I've got a poster, signed by Jim when I met him at a Marshall evening in 1992. Came across as a really nice guy, very regular considering what he achieved. Got the record already set for this one!

Cool price! My 2nd ever bass was a (passive) Jim Deacon Stingray copy, funnily enough, bought in Scotland when I was at Uni in Aberdeen. Sold it for about £40 some years back.....I did okay then!

Rearing it's ugly head again - my 21st century gripe - lack of bass definition! For a long while, I thought it was just me. Reassuring to know that others feel the same way - I can't fathom as to why bass has been reduced to a dull thump in so many cases. Musical mush!

Some interesting - if expensive - items up for grabs here....... [url="http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/jacothefilm"]http://www.pledgemus...cts/jacothefilm[/url]

I bought a hardcase - £120 in the UK, after shipping about £70-odd from Thomann. Have used them a fair bit, and always brilliant service.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1416668652' post='2612508'] So much for progress in recording and better technology/gear, bassists certainly seemed to be getting a better deal back then than now. [/quote] +1,00000+++ on this. One of my (numerous) sore points is how 'bass' has been reduced on record in the most part for the last 25-ish years to a dull thump. Or in the case of 'Later' on the tele, off the map completely! On the radio this morning was Diana Ross' (admittedly quite poor) version of 'Why Do Fools...' - and first thing I noticed was the high-level bass in the mix. Bit too much slappy poppy for my tastes, but amazing how a 'pop' track packs so much bottom. Current case is the new Foos album. I actually like it (first 'rock' album I have for a while) - but besides the bass riff track (think it's 'Outside'), the bass tone on the album is, IMHO, rubbish. Just a load of floor-shaking mush in a wall of sound. All those lovely Precisions he's got as well! Bring back bass definition!

[quote name='DorsetBlue' timestamp='1416563725' post='2611425'] Might be worth checking out California Breed then. Seeing them next Saturday (supporting Slash). [/quote] He's left them now - they've currently got Joey Castillo, ex-Queens Of The Stone Age.

Happened to me as well a few years back. Ditto many above - turned up to find another band setting up. Always ring ahead now - as a punter - 'who's playing tonight?'

Cool - I'll be watching that later. Love the album as well - some great playing on there (although the bass lacks definition IMHO, as with most modern productions). Proof that you can make a good rock record in 2014. Sure, it's nothing new, but who cares? Great songs played well....love it!

Thanks guys - great advice!

All sounds good then. Never adjusted a bass from new, so I guess there's always a bit of work to get it right. I suppose any changes in tension would have occurred if I'd have used the Chromes first, before the GHS'S.

I should add that all adjustments so far have been 'righty tighty'.

Picked up a brand new US P a couple of weeks ago. Love it! Hate the stock strings, so fitted some GHS flats. Truss Rod needed a couple of quarter turns to get it right. Couple of gigs later, found the GHS's too dark. Got a set of D'addario nickels on the shelf, so fitted those. Just a small adjutment needed, maybe 1/8 to get it right. Problem is, I haven't used them for a while for a reason! I've ordered a set of Chrome, happy medium. I'm guessing that I'll need to tweak the rod again, given the extra tension. I was a bit worried about causing any damage, not an expert here. Are these too many changes in a short space of time? How many turns can a Truss Rod take? Please - hopefully - put my mind at rest!!

I've played a good few various Fenders, and always come back to the MIA's. Maybe I'm a bass snob, but they've always felt and played much better in my hands. The cheaper stuff can be quite okay and adequate, but lack the overall package of a MIA. .....and you can pick up a used MIA for not masses more than a new MIM, and it'll always maintain a fair value.

I love the GHS Precision Flats - really nice sounding strings.

Top advice guys - looks like a Hercules Mini will be winging it's way to Spongebob towers shorty!

Thanks chaps - interesting opinions!

Maybe getting some new cables in the coming months. Like the look of the Fender Custom Shop range, with the tweed-style covering. Notice they make Speakon cables too. Anyone use the Fender stuff? Opinions?

I've just bought a bag for all my cables and bits, previously having always forced them into my hardcase! Looking at sticking a mini stand in there too. Been dragging my Hercules long one around for years now, but wouldn't mind one to put in the bag - less to think about! Our guitarist always uses them - don't know if they're solid enough for bass? Considering something like this - http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/accessories-c2/hercules-hercules-gs200b-ez-pack-guitar-stand-p8272 Thoughts?