TheRev

I'd probably die if I didn't gig, I certainly wouldn't be happy in a hobby band where everyone just gets together to jam some tunes. I have two regularly gigging bands plus I play in jam sessions and acoustic nights. I'm pretty much a bass slut - any time with anyone.

However, If someone wants to sit in a room on their own playing intricate tricksy stuff, then that's what does it for them. It doesn't make them any less of a musician than someone who plays original material is more of a musician than someone who plays covers, or vice versa.

I've always considered myself as bassist rather than a musician as my music theory knowledge is abysmal but the harmonica player (a proper professional musician & teacher) in my band insists that anyone who plays a musical instrument is a musician - regardless of what form it takes.

Nice - I haven't seen one of those since WASP were strutting the stage with their exploding codpieces.

Hey Gary, how you doing mate?

I'm still thoroughly enjoying your Aria SWB. Did you ever get round to replacing it with something nice?

Dave

I been using a mixer/headphones set-up when I'm trying to learn a bass part from a recording - you can hear the track better, have more control over the EQ and are less prone to distraction. It's also good when I'm trying to learn a new technique - again you're less prone to distraction.

Sometimes though, if I just want to play to relax then nothing beats plugging into a proper amp and annoying the neighbours.

Here's mine in action at the weekend.

[attachment=2202:Dave_crop.jpg]

Not as exotic as some of the others posted so far!
It's a mid 90s Bass Collection SB301, originally fretted and now with EMG pickups and activer EQ and running on 18 volts.

On the lines vs unlined debate - I was always a confirmed lines man, til I started playing EUB.. now the lines just confuse me!

Never seen 'em before but I'm intrigued by the ' impetuous metal tone'
Not to mention 'The immaculacy drawthread stainless steel build' or 'the unique metal protectionpole pillar'

And as for the inclusion of 'the mystical electron tube', you'd be mad not to 'buy it rapidly crazyly'

I reckon 80 quid is about right - cheap looking hardware and probably made of plywood.

You gets what you pays for....

Hey guys.

I'm still mulling this one over as I'm tempted by the Genz-Benz neo-pak or the Little Mark II as well so don't wait for me!

F@*&ing GAS......

Dave

Chris

As far as I'm aware, the Bass Exciter is a simply a bass specific stomp box version of the Aural Exciter, so yes, it should do the same job.

Dave

PM'd

I'd definitley go for a 410, given the band line up and the sort of music you play.

Even though you're using the PA for most of your out front volume I think you'll find that a 210 just won't shift enough air for you to be able to hear yourself over the drummer.

I'd also avoid the Laney - I've never played through one that was any use.

I bought one of the 300W heads as a back up and was pretty happy with it. Can't say I'm mad about the tone - it's a little bright for my tastes, but it seems solidly made and hasn't broken down yet, which is more than I can say for my Hartke...

If it's all you can afford & you haven't got a fixed idea about 'your' sound then go for it - it'll do what you need. The only downside is the resale value, no bugger will want to buy it off you if you decide to upgrade at a later date!

[quote name='Wil' post='50043' date='Aug 24 2007, 11:48 AM']And here I am representing the Lawrence Weston contingent. Its all about the west side although I'd be quite happy to get out of Lawrence Weston to be honest, 3 times my house has been burgled! [/quote]


Ah L Dub - the paradise under the M5


There's definitley more Brizzle bassed (ha!) people on here - I think a fair few of them are students though so they're not here all year round. Plus, not everyone made it through from Bassworld.

We did all get together once a few years ago but never managed it again. Perhaps the time is right....

Bloody hell - Stapleton and Kingswood! I'm right in between you guys in Fishponds.

Who would have thought there were so many bass chatters in one little part of East Bristol?

[quote name='Wil' post='49405' date='Aug 23 2007, 11:09 AM']Bristle? Ere, where zat too?[/quote]

Izz by yer luk, innum?

'Ow bist?

Welcome to the seemingly ever expanding league of Bristol based basschatters (try saying that after a few pints of Black Rat cider...)

Can't personally help you with teachers I'm afraid as having proper lessons was one of those things I'm always 'meaning to get round to', though I've heard good things about the guys in the Drum Bank on Gloucester Road. (http://www.drumbankmusic.co.uk/acatalog/Musical-Instrument-Tuition.html)

As for the stretching, it just comes with time - playing chromatic scales up and down the neck while sat in front of the TV seems to work for me!

Cheers

Dave
(Originally from N Ireland but been in Brizzle long enough to speak the language...)

[quote name='ZPQ' post='48891' date='Aug 22 2007, 12:49 PM']The grey area for me is cover bands that try to slip a few originals into the set - I struggle to see how that work at the typical pub/club.[/quote]


This is about the only way an originals band can get any gigs - you try a few of your own songs in a set of covers and see how they go down. If people like 'em you chuck in a few more and then a few more til your whole set is original material and you bestride the planet like a rock Colossus.

It worked for the Beatles, The Stones and Muse....

Anyway, Even if you're in an originals band, there's usually a primary songwriter (comes up with the chord progression and lyrics) and we, as bass players, add a bass line to that song, usually improving the song dramatically
In this case, as it isn't YOUR song - and you're essentially playing along to someone elses' song (albeit with YOUR bass part) - are you 'playing a cover'?
Suppose it depends on where you draw the line on songwriting credits.

Why was everyone selling their Wal basses???

What was so bad about them that they had to be sold? Some people would eat their own grandmothers to own a Wal.

I'd hardly saysomeone of 5'7" was shortarsed - that's about average height I reckon.

Anyway, as a proper shortarse (5'4") I generally find that I prefer smaller bodied basses and jazz-type neck profiles. Scale length isn't an issue.

My main basses are a Sterling and an old Bass Collection bass. I generally find Fenders a bit too big for comfort, the same goes for Stingrays. Warwicks, Spectors etc and anything Japanese are all fine.

[quote name='The Funk' post='48245' date='Aug 21 2007, 12:07 PM']Wasn't Rob Trujillo's $1m an advance on all the money he'd make in the band in the future?[/quote]

That would make more sense. Either way, he looked pretty happy with the deal!

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='48094' date='Aug 21 2007, 12:14 AM']I can only agree with you Dave !!! :wacko:

How's things with you BTW?

Nik[/quote]

Hi Nik,

I'm good mate - you still got the Peavey amp or have you punted it on?

[quote name='Alien' post='47754' date='Aug 20 2007, 03:02 PM']The one I nearly bought on Friday

Yamaha RBX fretless, a bit beat up looking, in a dodgy metallic green. Sounded fecking gorgeous though. I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up in the hands of Tengu before too long

Andy[/quote]

I had one of those - currently residing in the 'basses you regret selling' thread.

In the Metallica 'some kind of monster' DVD, isn't Robert Trujilio (or whatever his name is..) offered $1 million per year to join Metallica?

Nice work if you can get it....

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='47730' date='Aug 20 2007, 02:20 PM']But the one I regret selling most was my Wal Pro with the leather scratchplate, serial JG1123, one of only 24 made!! Stupid, stupid, stupid. [/quote]

You numpty


All of the ones I've sold were 'starter' type cheapo basses so I don't miss them. I do wish that I still had my first fretless though. (Yamaha RBX) I suspect that with a decent pickup and bridge it'd have a better sound than my current fretless...

[quote name='stewblack' post='45615' date='Aug 15 2007, 09:35 AM']+1 for that. Haven't touched a drop or smoked or taken anything at all now for 18 months[/quote]

Don't you own a pub?? A teetotal publican is a bit like being an aethist vicar......


I've been playing a lot of local, acoustic type gigs lately (i.e. I can walk to the venue with just my EUB over my shoulder) so I've been able to fully investigate the 'playing pissed vs playing sober' issue.

I'm definitley more relaxed and more daring (our set has a fair bit of improvisation) if I've had a few pints beforehand. I think I had four pints (of fairly weak ale - Stella is out of the question!) before going onstage on Wednesday night and although I felt a bit squiffy, we had a real buzz going and didn't make any more mistakes than we usually would. The real difference for me is that I didn't worry about the odd fluffed note and just got into playing the song - which is in turn picked up by the audience so everyone has a good time!
When I play gigs I have to drive to and don't drink, I tend to have more pre gig nerves, worry more about mistakes (mine and other band members') and worry a bit more about whether the audience are getting into the music or not.

Beer is God's way of telling us he loves us and wants us to be happy.