Skybone

There's an Ibanez 2388B on eBay just now.

Surely the Yamaha is exactly the right sort of bass for ska? IIRC, most ska bassist used Fender P or J basses anyway.

Welcome! Remember spending far too many hours over the years, perusing the wares in Rushworth's in Liverpool (along with Hessy's & Curly's).

You need to use all the tools available to do your job, and if that means using open strings, then so be it. Don't see a problem with it myself.

Never too old, maybe just practice for shorter stints, but more often.

I thought Norman had sold Faith & Grace.

Sounds like a job for... Bassassassin...

Welcome! Maybe have a look at Scott's Bass Lessons online?

Thinking about getting a powered FRFR speaker to run my POD HD500x through instead of an amp, but also thinking of a combo too. Using the rehearsal room's old Peavey rig at the moment, and have an old Hartke head & 2x10 for gigs when they arrive

I wasn't there, but Silverfish were ace. I do remember them having a fair bit of music press coverage at the time, and the slot on Snub (BBC2). Could it have been Transvision Vamp? They had a lot of music press coverage / indie darlings.

Think the amp's only rated at about 130w.

Don't believe everything you read on the internet. If you get the opportunity to try one (or more than one), try it and then make up your mind. I'd always liked them, but put trying one off for years. I did try one that was seriously beaten up early in my playing 'career', as it was all I could afford at the time. It was good, but the condition put me off (turns out it was an early 70's checker bound 4001). Many years later, and many basses later, I tried out a 4003 simply because it was there. I was blown away and bought it, kept it for 5 or 6 years. I regret selling it, but needs must.

I'm actually using an HD500x instead of a Helix. At rehearsals, the room has an old Peavey head with 2x 4x10's. The Peavey has a "Power Amp" in socket on the front panel, so I just tend to use that. The band I'm in hasn't gigged yet, but we're going to do a demo in the new year & try and get some gigs off the back of that. I do have a Hartke HA4000 & an unmatched 2x10 that I can plug the HD into, but I was wondering whether I should just get an FRFR / Powered PA Speaker instead.

Anyone have any experience with the 'lower end' FR powered PA speakers? Had a look at some today, the Mackie Thump looks good, as does the Behringer and the Alto ones.

I saw Rush at the NEC on the 'Hold Your Fire' tour, don't remember a support band, don't think Primus existed then, Les was in Blind Illusion & Larry was still with Possessed.

Currently have an HA4000 head & an unmatched 4 ohm cab that sounds ace. It's the first Hartke I've had, but very impressed with it. Tried an LH500 and an HA2500 at the same time, but I was more impressed with the 4000, so it was the one I brought home. Tried them all with a Hartke ally cone 2x10, and none of the amps suited it to my ears. The only criticism of the 4000 I have is the weight. Liking the look of the new HD500 class D combo, even though it doesn't appear to be available in the UK.

Try using nylons. They do flex, so have a slightly softer attack, but they don't click. I used to use the Dunlop 0.73's, maybe should have gone up to the 1mm instead. Prefer to use my fingers these days.

Hawkwind, 1972 at the Stadium, Liverpool (the recording of Space Ritual). Rush, mid 70's to the early 80's. Voivod at any point in their career (though especially with Jasonic on bass). The Prong, Corrosion of Conformity & The Obsessed gig in Manchester 1995 I missed because of my finals. A whole host of others...

I've never played a Spector, and tbh, but I have played a few Ric's, and owned a 4003 for a few years (had to sell it thanks to the recession ☹ ). Anyway, Ric's are versatile, have plenty of bottom end, and since the mid 90's, have been pretty consistent quality wise (the one's I've played anyway). From 2006 they all come with the Vintage Circuit on board. Yes, some people find them awkward to play and can't get on with the ergonomics of them. You do have to adjust your playing style slightly to get the most from them, and most hate the bridge pickup cover. I like them, and would love another. If you don't want to give any money to the company, buy a second hand one. Have you considered a 4004? More modern looks, humbuckers, Schaller bridge, more rounded edges front & back. Worth tracking down. Definitely try one before you think about buying one.

Ooooh, now that's more like it! Wonder if he'd build one?

Push those mids up, and add a touch reverb.