TheRev

I'm playing tonight in my local - no money but I get free beer so technically I'm £50 up on a normal New year's eve. I'm really looking forward to it, all I have to do is stay sober enough to make it to the end of the gig!

I use a Fishman Platinum Pro EQ so I haven't got that many controls to mess with, but I find compression set at 10 o'clock and the depth at 2 o'clock give a nice even sound.

[quote name='Andyalfa' post='364711' date='Dec 28 2008, 11:26 AM']Should it be an octave lower than my bass guitar though? Sorry to sound ignorant, but this is my first foray into the upright world.[/quote]

No, it's the same pitch as your bass guitar.

A Fishman Pro EQ Platinum Bass pre amp/DI box and 'The Inner game of music' book. Result all round.

Just recieved this pic from a recent gig in Bristol



Quite classy looking - who says the camera never lies?

It beats the sh1t out of me too.

I think they quite like it over on TB though. Weirdos.

[quote name='BigBeatNut' post='356691' date='Dec 17 2008, 09:58 AM']Thank your lucky stars you're not trying to emulate your hero bassist and looking to purchase a set of Olivs ... they'll be pretty much the same price as your stagg [/quote]


Or a set of Velvets......

[quote name='slobluesine' post='354710' date='Dec 15 2008, 12:02 AM']thx rev, just ordered a set, £92 ouch![/quote]


Yeah - it puts the £30 odd quid for a set of decent electric bass strings into perspective.

I don't think you'll be disappointed though, the strings that came with my Aria (which the Stagg looks to be a copy of) were pretty stiffand although the bottom end was nice and solid, they were just too taut and glassy sounding and didn't have any growl. Switching to the Helicores made a huge difference in feel and tone.

Did you go for the pizz, orchestral or hybrids?

I don't have one.....

Try D'darrio Helicores - the medium tension ones should suit you nicely.

Hi Jeff.

The volume on my Aria is fine - maybe it just needs some switch cleaner?

I fully concur with all your other observations though. After almost a year of trying to make mine sound like an acoustic bass i've realised that its' 'big fretless' sound is actually very well suited to the songs we play. +1 on the compressor as well- it gives a more organic 'breathy' sound. I'm using a Tech 21 compressor at the moment but I'm going to treat myself to a Fishman Platinum Pro EQ following a number of recommendations.
I'm also considering bypassing the onboard EQ entirely and just using the Fishman (when I get it...). I think the bass was originally designed as a silent practice bass to be used with headphones (explaining the huge output level from the onboard preamp) so I'm wondering if using a preamp specifically desiged to go into an amp will get more out of the bass.

It's interesting that you don't rate the Stagg as they look almost identical!
Dave

I sooo wanted to be Ali McMordie when was a bass neophyte back In Northern Ireland.

Glad he's back with SLF - good though Mr Foxton is, it just didn't seem right.

Just play more.

For small gigs (vocal only thru PA) I use a LMII and a BFM Omni 10.5 and I can get a very nice defined sound. For larger gigs where everything is going through the PA I find that the Omni 10.5 is drowned out by the PA and monitoring.

Adding a second 10.5 gives a sound that cuts through the mix but can be a bit bassy for my tastes. It's also added hassle so for those gigs I just go into my preamp and then straight into the PA.

I'm up for it (gigs allowing, etc).

Brizzle is best for me though I'm happy with Bridgewater or Taunton.

Venue wise, an alternative to the Drum Bank is Room 4 Studios in Whitehall (east Bristol). It's got three decent sized rooms plus a 'common room' type area with a pool table and tea and coffee facilities and they do food (burgers etc) as well. Parking isn't great though....

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='344259' date='Dec 3 2008, 03:52 PM']Eugenes not working there any more. Met him in Aldi, he still says 'bass' most words though.[/quote]

That's a shame - he was always a truly helpful bloke - no bullsh*t

There's always Reverb. OK, it's not exactly inspiring but a beginner friend of mine recently bought one of those Squire starter packs and it's not a bad deal for the money.

I'd suggest he stays well away from Rickaxxe, unless Eugene is working.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='299377' date='Oct 4 2008, 01:24 PM']here's mine:


Genz Benz Shuttle with an EBS Neo212 that weighs about 24kg.[/quote]


Now that's the sort of rig that gets sand kicked in its face by a gang of Hartke 410s and then goes all Bruce Lee on their asses....

We had a fantastic gig the other night.

After a series of gigs at 'proper' venues, all of which disappointed in one way or another (usually crap sound/sound guy failing to show/equipment problems/'attitude' from other bands, etc), we played a little open mic session as 'special guests' for a promoter friend. We weren't especially looking forward to it as we hadn't heard great things about the pub. Anyway, we decided to travel light and didn't take any backline as we assumed the PA would be sh1te anyway and we were planning to go on, play a 30 minute set and then get the hell out of Dodge.

We get there, find out there's a wee PA and no monitoring so we just plug in, twiddle the knobs til we get the sound we normally have at rehearsals and off we go..... and play a blinder. The acoustics of the room just seemed to suit our sound and we could hear everything - we were able to really use the dynamics of our songs to fire things up, bounce ideas off each other and just indulge in the sheer joy of playing music.

Then we had a couple of pints and went home. Not too shabby!

I've just installed a set of Sunbeams and they have neither silked ends or coloured balls.

Nice strings though - a touch warmer and fuller sounding than Ernie Ball nickel Slinkys.

I'd recommend the Takamine EG512 as well - best bass out there in its price range.

Or, if money isn't an issue - one of [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/takamine_tb10.htm"]these[/url]

Edit - just noticed there's an EG512 in the 'for sale' forum. Nice price too.

Stentor have a good reputation as decent quality cheap basses so I'd say go for it, especially with a mic and preamp thrown in.

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='311844' date='Oct 22 2008, 10:04 AM']The trouble with this music (and a lot of genres) is that its limited to its lyrical content.

When I'm jamming on by bass or guitar, the tune often dictates the lyrics. If I was a Christian, I'd get p1ssed off trying to cram references to God, Jesus a burning bush and feet washing into my songs.

It's a bit like a metal songs which, as we all know, can only contain lyrics about sh1tting on gravestones and sacrificial self-harming.[/quote]

Would the person who has taken over TBBC's profile please give it back to him? All this reasoned debate is giving me the creeps.

You make a good point about lyrical content though. Back in the mid 90s I loved the band Live and their 'Throwing Copper' album is still one of my all time favourites. They were always a 'spiritual' band, although not specifically Christian, but as the grunge thing became less popular, they aligned themselves more and more with the Christian rock scene to the point where their songs became more and more preachy and the music became something to hang the words from.

Sigur Ros in Bristol in two weeks time. Can't f***ing wait!

Any one of my basses is worth more than my car (a slightly 'foxed' and thoroughly badgered Saxo). Just filling up the petrol tank significantly adds to its' value.

[quote name='steviedee' post='308516' date='Oct 17 2008, 12:34 PM']Is it the these?
[url="http://scotthinds.tripod.com/"]Scott Hinds vids[/url][/quote]

That's the badger.