Skybone

100% with some very educated guesses

I always found recording the vocal really helped me remember the lyrics. Record the backing track(s), then overdub the vocal. It really helps when you only concentrate on 1 thing, then you can combine them later.

RIP Malcolm

We had our first proper rehearsal with our new singer. Only did two songs, but they both sounded so much better with the vocals on, and her vocals really are superb (especially considering she's never been in a band before!).

I kind of have a bit of a love/hate relationship with highly figured guitars. Some of them look amazing, but some of them look far too over the top (if you pardon the pun). Some of them completely look wrong, and take away some of the visual impact of the instrument itself. One has to wonder where all this high grade, highly figured timber comes from, and why it's only surfacing now.

It's actually only a 3dB increase that produces a perceived doubling in sound level.

There's Electro Music in Doncaster, always worth a look, they always used to carry a really varied stock.

Really fancying some semi action, been looking at either the Warwick Star Bass, the Italia Rimini bass or the Gibson Midtown. All over the budget (yours & mine!), but hey, they're nice to look at. Good news about the new bass.

Plays like a slab of greasy animal fat, with a yellow tinge and a salty aftertaste?

The biggest one I regret getting rid of was my old 4003. Regret selling a couple of guitars, there was a 1979 Ibanez Artist 2619 that was gorgeous and sounded superb, and then there was my old MIJ Tokai Love Rock (with the proper "open book" headstock), swapped the original pickups for a set of BKP Emerald's, and it not only played superbly, but sounded fantastic too. Also regret selling my old Westone Thunder 1A, it weighed a ton, but sounded immense.

My last gig was 8 years ago, it seems to be something of a theme... Was in a couple of bands in the late 80's/early 90's, did a couple of gigs, joined another band, which then metamorphosed into another band, did a load of gigs with them. When that band imploded, I kind of stepped away from the music scene for a bit, concentrating on life in general and a "proper" career. During that time, I did a studio recording course, so I picked up a guitar, which then led to writing a bunch of songs, which then led to recording said songs, which then led to another band. Did that for a while, did some recording with the band, got a few gigs out of it. Had to pack that band in due to having to relocate for work because of the recession, couldn't find anyone who was interested in what I wanted to do, so knocked it on the head for a while. Started looking for a band properly about 3 years back, but everyone wants to do covers around here (not knocking covers, but it just isn't my bag). Finally found people who wanted to do original stuff, but then that band imploded. Tried to get something going from the ashes of that, but that quickly turned into a disaster. Now, it's back on track with a good guitarist & drummer, a good few songs written, just need to get a singer on board now.

Take a leaf out of Liam Gallagher's book, and wear a cagoul.

Quite tempted by the "hard foam" gig bag/cases. They offer the protection of a hard case, with the weight of a gig bag.

First few riffs of NG's HFB song, I thought they were going to burst into a T-Rex song. He does tend to "be influenced by" 70's Glam Rock. Though on saying that he's still far more original than his brothers half arsed attempts. Thought the HFB Bassist was good. Nice to see Aimee Mann on. Dua Lipa was good, though I think the guy playing keyboards & bass should have taken the price tag off the bass he was playing. Very good drummer. Superorganism were dull, arty pap... "catchy, hook-laden pop songs in a groundbreaking choreographed style"? Nope.

To me, there seems to be something inherently wrong about a band who are in their 40's and older, knocking out a version of "Teenage Kicks".

My RickenFaker's, great sound, great feel, and a third of the price of a Rickenbacker.

Mine's a mix'n'match that only exists in dream land... A flamed / nicey figured, mapleglo 4003, but with an Alembic/Warwick style 2 piece stop / tail. I can dream...

If it were me, I'd give Matamp a call. Failing that, HotRox. And I'd go with the JJ's.

FWIW: I think the Stream is far better looking than the Phoenix, looks pretty cool to me. Though a nice Thunderbird would trump it any time.

My first bass (a Kay P bass) came with a homemade amp, that was dreadful (so was the bass TBH). Thankfully, managed to save up & buy a small Marshall Bass 20, and binned the homemade affair.

MacGregor amps Kay Basses Encore Guitars Yup, even today's "dreadful" is a thousand times better than what was about in the 80's.

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1509390989' post='3398581'] ESP's take on a thunderbird was called a phoenix too... [/quote] It's been discontinued, redesigned & called "Stream" now.

Best Purchase: Bass Collection Californian (another Rockinbetter style RickenFaker) Other than new strings, it's been the only purchase this year.

Try: [url]https://www.guitarbuild.co.uk/[/url] Or [url]http://www.kitbuiltguitars.co.uk/bass-guitar-kits.html[/url] There's plenty of kits on eBay, or through Thomann / Gear4Music etc. The Pit Bull kits are supposed to be decent too.

Have you tried a different lead(s)? Different amp? Does the hiss disappear when you touch any of the metal parts (bridge for example)? Could be one of many different things, unfortunately, you have to eliminate each one at a time.