chris_b

Over the years I've been asked to sign programs, albums and CD's in a few bands. Once, early in 1969, I was asked to sign a girl's boob. The guitarist signed the other one.

I've had several single pickup basses, Framus Star bass, Gibson EB0, MM SR5 and a couple of P basses. My favourite single pickup sound and location, would be as per the Precision.

Many thanks. Looks like I need to check out Sandberg California TT5 SL Superlight basses.

Hi Sandberg guys. . . . especially Superlight 5 string owners. Do your basses have neck dive? What is the string spacing at the bridge? Cheers

I just pimped the new Jazz bass I just bought. I put some foam under the strings.

The Blues Brothers set list has many songs we played in my school band, about 8 years earlier. I've always wanted to find a gig with a BB tribute. 60's Soul and R&B is the ultimate good time music.

No one back in the day made albums that sounded like (or even half as good) their gigs. . . . except Jeff Beck. Close your eyes and listen to Beck-Ola. It's exactly like the stage show. Marshall amps straining and flat out energetic playing. Micky Most wanted to make another Hi Ho Silver Lining, but the band told him to sod off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvt2xJB4uMc

That is awful news. I saw the Jeff Beck Group many times in the 60's. One of the best bands and most innovative musicians I've seen.

A lot of people just anchor their thumb and stretch. That's not ideal. No matter what bass you play your fretting hand should be constantly moving in order to keep your fingers over the notes without stretching.

Alex Al, Jackson's bassist towards the end of his life, used a Jazz bass, synths and keyboards, probably with a lot of processing. I wouldn't be buying all that stuff for one song, so if I was playing this I'd use my Jazz bass. The important thing here is how you play the line.

There are blues songs in the set, but they were all played with R&B and Soul arrangements.

Were ramps a "thing"? I've never seen anyone gigging with one.

OK, Fender Jazz bass guys. . . . What are the best sounding Fender Jazz bass pickups? I might be looking for a set. Did any particular pickup model make anyone stand up and go, "Wow"? Were they passive or active? I'm currently thinking Fender, but if someone else made a better set of Jazz pickups, let me know, I'm also favouring passive.

Being a musician and being in a band do not always mean the same thing.

If one is a backup, then it makes sense to take both. I try out both basses during sound check and play the one I think sounds the best on the night.

I have an M80 and it's a great gig bag. When my leather Harvest gig bag wears out I'll replace it with another M80. ps Mono M80 Vertigo

IMO the basic difference between a pro, a semi-pro and an amateur player is attitude and ability.

I'd recommend TI flats. I put a set on my PJ5 about 7 years ago and they are perfect for all my bands, from blues and rock to Reggae and from top 40 to Americana.

The difference between an amp running at 4 ohm and at 8 ohm into 1 driver will probably be minimal. Add a second cab and the increase in SPL will be noticeable (because you are moving more air) and that will make your sound better.

I bet there are very few of us here who couldn't play a gig using different basses and with different sounds. What's the point of owning several basses (as many do) and not be able to gig with them because they don't sound the same? IME most basses can get close to a sound and if you're using pedals the sound of the bass comes second anyway.

I have two #1 basses, a PJ5 and a Jazz 5, and they are a backup to each other. Either one will do a great job and it doesn't bother me that they don't sound the same. IMO as with any great instruments, they are totally interchangeable.

On the rare occasions I do anything to my basses: I take the bridge saddles down until the strings buzz, then raise the saddles until the strings stop buzzing. I seem to remember doing this when I switched over from rounds to flats about 10 years ago. For anything else, I get the Bass Gallery to do it.

Why? It's a Punk band!!

For practicing at home I run a Barefaced One10. Great tone and with my TH500, louder than my neighbours will tolerate.

In March I bought an amp, auditioned it, sold it. Does that count? My 2 regular rigs have been unaltered for 5 or 6 years.