TimR

Yes. It’s weird. There are reports of the same issue online. I may complain and send the failed parts to them just to see what they say. I’m not particularly careful with my bass, I know some people get very precious but it’s just a plank of wood to make music with, but it still needs to be comfortable and reliable. It may have got knocked in a gig bag or whatever. But seems odd that all of them were tight and even the ones that I’d never fitted had a lot of ‘slop’ in them. Especially compared to the Gotoh ones which have no slop and feel more robust and much higher quality. Although at 3x the price I’d hope so! The rest of the bass is absolutely solid and I’d buy it again - and upgrade the machineheads immediately.

Quick update. I bought a single Gotoh machine head back in January and fitted and was great. Then decided I should really replace them all. Then came the pandemic and couldn’t find them anywhere for love or money. Maybe I wasn’t looking properly. Anyway new set £62 delivered now fitted. And I have a spare for my E or A string. Only real physical difference is slight colour, these are a more black/gold sheen and the post is a lot wider so only have 3 windings round each post as I didn’t replace the strings. Think that’s just about enough.

It depends really what it’s used for. Film scores and TV adverts, no one cares, backing for one hit wonder singing artists, no one cares. Band corroborations where the sum is greater than the parts (U2?), you’ll not replace that. And watching a computer isn’t particularly entertaining.

It’s all that click track and midi nonsense. Everything sounds like everything else. No feel.

Room acoustics change pretty rapidly. A sound check in an empty room will change when the room fills and then change again depending whether the audience are all standing at the bar, moving to seats, or jumping around in front of the band. I’d say PEQ is only any use on the mains PA and /or the monitors to deal with feedback and cutting problem frequencies.

Neat.

dBs are relative. A 3dB cut is a halving of the signal. Regardless of that signal strength. So yes. It should have the same effect whether you apply that at the bass, at the preamp or at the output of the amplifier. Is that what you’re asking?

The things we do for Basschat research. Just weighed my bass. Ibanez SR400. 8.6lbs. Always considered it to be very light.

The landlord of a pub should have done research and booked a band that the normal crowd will like. The crowd will tell him pretty quickly not to book the band again if they’re rubbish or he will sell a lot of beer if they’re good. Hence you get re-booked. If we’re being booked for a party then the person booking us will have seen us play and book is on that strength. Again, Covers and Originals are no different in that respect. If people are asking you to come back or asking if you do private gigs, then you’re doing something right. Otherwise, don’t blame the audience for not appreciating “your art”.

I think a lot of originals artists flog a dead horse. If your music is popular and people come to your gigs without you having to bribe them or lever them out, you build a following fairly quickly. Then that’s great. But I think you need to recognise that your mum will come to any gig whatever you play, it’s your sisters mates you need to convince. And in a covers band, if people are requesting that you play something they know, then learn some different tunes.

He said 16 people in his conservatory. But I know he’ll just sit on your sofa and play. It’s just like having a mate round your house who can play guitar and sing.

[ cue out of tune upright piano ... with heavily damped strings and occasional yelping noise from first year boy trapped inside.]

Nice. Leave nothing to chance.

What did you get from Santa? I have a set of stings - I sent Mrs Santa a link and she sorted so exactly what i asked for. and An iRig HD 2 - again the link worked well for Mrs Santa. I’m not one for liking surprise presents as usually they’re close to what I would have liked, but not exactly what I wanted. How did the man/lady with the white beard get on at your house?

It’ll be refreshing. Hard work, listen lots, but worth it.