Skybone

I record some of our rehearsals and then share with the band. For originals, I think it's a great idea, not only for songwriting and arrangements, but to see how it all fits together in a band context whether we need to add something/take something away/do something differently/etc., it does also show up mistakes, but instead of using it to "point the finger" at someone else in the band, I would hope that we're grown up enough and "professional" enough to realise them, and practice so as to avoid mistakes. At the end of the day, mistakes happen. In my last "proper" band, we recorded rehearsals for the same reasons, and it worked. The writing got a bit tighter, the mistakes were still there, and it gave us all an idea of how we were "gelling" as a band too. I bought a Tascam DR-05 a while ago, and it's really good for rehearsals, small enough to fit in a gig bag, but has really good mics and can capture the music well. Plus, you can share the mp3's with friends and whoever may be interested. It gives them a really good idea of what you sound like as a band.

What he said...

IMO, for a back up instrument, you should have something that's very close to the main instrument you're using for the gig so that you don't have to mess about with any settings when you plug in. If you use a P bass as your main bass, then your back up should be a P bass that's been set up so that it'll match the sound of the No.1 P. Unless of course, you need to change the bass for different songs, like different tunings or sounds.

What bit rate has been used to encode the MP3's? If it's been encoded to a "standard" 128kbps, you will definitely notice the difference if you compare the tracks. However, if they've been encoded at 320kbps, then you shouldn't be able to discern much difference. I made the mistake once of using 128kbps MP3's to burn some demo CD's, and the resultant audio sound quality was absolutely awful (seriously "muddy" sound). I remastered the tracks many years later at 320kbps, and they sounded completely different. Lesson learned: Always rip MP3's at the highest bit rate possible.

Very cool indeed, enjoy your new bass.

I have a couple of the mid 2000's 6 string IC400's, and have owned a few other older 6 string IC's, including a 1978. They have a real Firebird/Thunderbird meets SG-type vibe going on . Never owned one of the bass versions though unfortunately. Played a couple, but never owned one. IIRC, the first IC bass came out in around 1995, to coincide with J Yeunger's IC Signature guitar, they did a bass version for Sean Yseult. They then reissued the IC's in the early 2000's, with a bolt neck guitar & bass, as well as a set neck guitar & bass. There was a checker-board finish one for sale on here last year. Don't know if it sold.

Here's hoping there will be some new music from Lee & Lifeson, hopefully they can persuade Neil into the studio at some point too.

Sneaky Pete rules... The bass is nice too.

Maybe take a (female) chaperone?

Cool, but would still prefer a Suzuki Katana

Rockinbetter RickenFaker(s) into a Line6 POD HD500X (SVT Normal with the 8x10 cab with various effects as required) into an available power amp.

Happy 2nd birthday! Does that make you the Queen? Have a great time.

Obviously, you have to be interested in Ric's to read the book, but it is full of useful info regarding the history of the Ric basses, colours, models, year codes etc. Plenty of very good pictures.

Tha reet cocker? Welcome aboard

Welcome aboard

Spend quality time with your wife. Explain to the band you let them know you weren't available that night, if they accept this, move on, if they don't, you move on & find a new band. But I agree with the quotes too.

A lot depends on your financial situation, especially if you've committed to lessons. If you can afford the Jazz AND the lessons, then go for it. If you can't afford the Jazz and the lessons, stick with taking the lessons, learn some more, and then buy the Jazz afterwards. Definitely agree with "try one out first".

I had a nosey at Andertons and a few other shops today, to check on the pricing. Sure enough, they're currently charging the full UK RRP for the Helix & LT, where most other shops are continuing to discount both units. Still can't afford one, but still want an LT.

You can always trace it, scan it & email it to them. Yes, Tim has made 2 scratchplates for me in the past, both clear single ply 'plates with a print behind. Very good quality, but can be a tad flimsy if a pickup is mounted directly on the 'plate.

Unfortunately, that is too true.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1501752972' post='3347074'] Rather than pick [i][b]sizes[/b][/i], I find it's pick [i][b]hardness [/b][/i]that makes the biggest difference. I always use picks made of Delrin and I have two types - similar but different. Switching from the orange (thicker) to the red (thinner) has a surprising amount of impact on my sound and my playing style. [/quote] ^ This Try experimenting with different picks, even picks of the same thickness, but made of different materials, like nylon (flexible) or wood/metal (not flexible). When I played with a pick, I always preferred a softer material, as they gave a slightly softer attack on the strings. Well, I liked it anyway. Just play fingerstyle these days, sounds far better to my ears.

The bass you have access to.

It seems that around here, 85-90% of bands do covers, young, old, inbetween, mostly covers. There's a few bands playing their own songs, but not many unfortunately. Personally, I've always found doing covers a bit boring, because "you've got to play it like the original", some of the best covers I've heard have been a bands interpretation of a song, played in their style. I remember being "berated" by the guitarist of a band I was in, because I wasn't playing the song right. "Which bit", asks I, "the pauses in the bit there are out, you aren't playing it like the original". Pretty much sums up my experience of doing covers "You're not playing it right", sorry, but I bet the band that recorded the song originally never quite play it "right" either.