TheRev

USA Sterlings are pretty rare beasts - I bought mine in 1999/2000 after finally managing to try one at the Birmingham guitar show, but I still had to place an order and wait for it to be shipped over form the USA. I've not had a lot of experience playing a Fender Jazz, so I can't offer a direct comparison, but from what I recall, the Jazz has a 'V' profile compared to the Sterling's 'C' profile. The Sterling neck is narrow but chunky - much thicker from front to back compared to the Japanese/Korean built basses that I was used to playing at the time. However, I do find it a very comfortable neck to play, and any time another bassist has played it, they also comment on how nice the neck feels. You can pick up a second hand Sterling for around £800 as they're not especially popular at the moment, but given they're £1500 new (if you can find one) £800 is a bit of a bargain for a very nice bass (IMHO).

Um. Rehearse with the band? If my band haven't played for a while, I pop on one of our CDs and play along to the whole thing. We haven't gigged for three weeks and have three gigs next week so I'll be putting in a couple of one hour sessions today and tomorrow.

I'd like to learn to play the mountain dulcimer. Just need an extra day in the week.

I have a Bassworld sticker on my bass case.

Thomastic Spirocore weichs are a good starting point - easy playing tension with good solid fundamental. If you prefer something a bit more traditional sounding, then a synthetic string like Evah Pirazzi weich or D'addario Zyex are a good choice.

[quote name='marvin spangles' timestamp='1480590920' post='3185642'] Spiro Weich are excellent on many basses for arco and pizz . Don't know about slap. Anyone? [/quote] The A and E are slappable, but I found the g too thin to slap without injuring myself. I'm not a massive slapper though, so perhaps a more manly individual than myself could cope. I'd suggest Velvet Garbos.

Seen these guys a bunch of times - love 'em! If you like these guys you should also check out Hayseed Dixie.

The guitarist in my first band had the guitar version, I think it was actually called 'state of the art'. It was the top of the Marlin range and cost around £150 back in the mid 80s.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1479813324' post='3179424'] Make sure the main band are not skimming your profits on the merchandise. Ensure you get a good pitch, where you'll be seen. Preferably beside the main band's merchandise area. [/quote] Aslo check if the venues will be taking a cut of your merch. Some charge 10% for the onerous task of setting up a table and allowing you to sell a few cds.

Get a brigde mute. It's a shaped piece of foam rubber that slides over your bridge and dampens the resonance. You can also tape/block up your f holes or wedge a cushion between the tailpiece and the front of the bass. Any or even all three will be a lot cheaper than an EUB. I'd stick with your DB if I were you. The NS basses dont feel especially DB like to play so I don't think it would serve the purpose you need.

Probably a combination of all three, but I'd reckon the strings are a major contributor. Some strings just don't bow well - I have Presto nylons/Spiro weich on one bass and they're horrendous under the bow. The same bass used to have Innovation Braided and they were lovely.

[quote name='razze06' timestamp='1478787075' post='3171636'] The more I read about it, the more I live the Krivo pickup. Now, to get one in the uk... [/quote] I bought mine from Bob Gollihur's online shop. No problem.

I use the Krivo pickup and I'm really happy with it - nice woody tone great note definition and plenty of feedback resistance. Our drummer loves it as he can actually hear individual notes in a live setting. I bought it as I was fed up with fighting with feedback to the point that I didn't care if it made it sound like 'a big P bass', but the sound is actually very natural - not at all electric. In fact, when I've A/B compared the Krivo with my K&K Bassmax, (at living room levels) I reckon that the Krivo sounded more natural than the Bassmax. I'm a total magnetic convert now - the only thing I don't like about mag pickups is having to use a steel G and D string. Another one worth looking into is the Biesele: [url="http://biesele.org/pickups/"]www.biesele.org/pickups/[/url] I've not used one myself, but the bassist in Skinny Lister uses one. I've seen them loads of times and he always gets a great sound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keftDs_abec

Looks like a steampunk microphone! I like it.

I don't want to poke the bear....but....on the Duke website the only bass that is stated to be 100% made in Germany is the Composite: (Below is Google's translation for the duke website - not mine: https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://duke-bass.jimdo.com/&prev=search) [font=Palatino][size=4][b]Made in Germany:[/b] the Duke "Composite" and the Duke "GRP fingerboard" are 100% in Germany - crafted - made![/size][/font] [font=Palatino][size=4]This statement isn't made for the Special or the Two Tone.[/size][/font] [font=Palatino][size=4]Now, I couldn't give a rat's arse where the basses are made - they're still good basses, but it seems really unfair to jump on a post and threaten legal action for incorrect information, when the pertinent, correct information isn't actually made available on the manufacturer's website. [/size][/font] [font=Palatino][size=4]If Duke are that touchy about where their basses are made, perhaps they could update their website with the relevant information. [/size][/font]

I've only heard the BF One10 at the bass bash and although it's not going to prise my fingers off my BigE MAS45, I was pretty impressed by what it could do. Yes, it was heavy in the mids and less natural sounding than the MAS45, but if I was looking for a lightweight monitor for a low to mid volume gig, it would be high on my list of options.

[quote name='Mr Bassman' timestamp='1477051090' post='3159512'] I can beat that! Acoustic Image Clarus SL + Crazy 8 composite 13.4lbs or Clarus SL + Crazy 8 ply 16.6ibs [/quote] Good point, well put. Can you still get the composite cabs?

[quote name='Bassman68' timestamp='1476956032' post='3158732'] So far, I'm managing to get those 'plummey' tones with my Stingray, with the treble turned down & the mutes wound up, with old strings & the VLE on my Markbass head.. [/quote] The above plus flatwounds and you're 100% there, with the added bonus that you can play in tune above the 12th fret.

[quote name='bassjim' timestamp='1476960865' post='3158795'] "I (the gitard) listened back to all of the last three days recordings and its all no good. The engineer used too much sansamp on the bass and the drums didnt have the right ambiemnce plus I thought the vocals could have been better so I deleted the lot. Next time we do this we will use my home pro tools setup. To save time I will do all the bass and program the drum parts. I rekon I can get a really good band vibe that will come out much better." He got the stems from the studio without telling anyone, made sure they were not recoverable from the same studio and did all this before any of the band could hear for themselves what he was on about. And yes we all chipped in to pay for it. [/quote] This sounds like someone looking for a solo project....I'd help him realise that dream if I were you.

If weight is the main driver of change, then the most obvious option would be the Acoustic Image Contra or Coda combos. Both are around 22lbs, so slightly lighter than the 26lbs of the GK MB150. If you want to go [u]really[/u] light weight, then I'd go for a Barefaced One10 cab (15lbs) paired with an Acoustic Image Doubler (2.3lbs) to give you a 300W rig weighing in at 17.3lbs. It doesn't get much lighter than that as far as I'm aware.

The more handles on the bag, the easier it will be to lift into a car. The Westbury bag looks like a good choice for this.

I've just spent the past half hour concentrating on the tips and techniques discussed on Sunday and it has made a very noticeable improvement in tone, dexterity and stamina - me thumb barely hurts at all. Thanks Owen & Geoff!

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1475495674' post='3146326'] I forgot to thank Roger who gave us a warm welcome and who smoothed the water when there was a complaint from The National Earthquake Information Center on the campus of the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. [/quote] I think that was Owen's fault....

I'd use one of the PA subs. As you already have them, why buy additional cabs?

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1475418964' post='3145742'] Lot of organisation involved in these sorts of things - well done to all involved Andy [/quote] Couldn't agree more! I had a wonderful day, met lovely people, learnt new things and emerged surprisingly GAS free. But I do want a second MAS45 now....