Skybone

IIRC, if your power valves are going microphonic, then it's certainly time to get your amp checked out by a good amp tech. The best EL34 valves I've used are JJ's, though "Winged C" Svetlana's get good reviews. Try looking at HotRox in Nottingham for valves as they used to be a bit cheaper than Watford Valves ([url]www.hotroxuk.com[/url]). The downside to some valve amps is that they need to be maintained regularly, or the quality of sound and volume will drop over time (unless you find something with either fixed or cathode biased, or if it has bias points on the rear panel).

Watched it on iPlayer, although I admit to not being a Bowie fan, there were some good interpretations of his songs, and the orchestration took the songs to another level. Unfortunately, there were some songs where the orchestration & arrangements were frankly "trying too hard" on the "re-imagining" front, an just ended up sounding like art-y fart-y clap trap. IMO o'course.

Craig Adams, to me, is synonymous with a Thunderbird. Don't know when he got it, but all of the early Sisters stuff I've seen with him, The MIssion and beyond, it's been T'bird. Underrated player. Tony Pettitt's playing with The Fields of the Nephilim was rather good too. I think that Raven mostly used a pick, search for KJ video's on YouTube.

Try it out at rehearsal, if it works & sounds good, what's stopping you gigging it? You can always use it as you gig backup anyway. Your band mates don't need to know how much it cost.

My old Thunder 1A was great on the batteries, I think I only ever changed them a couple of times in all the time I had it. I did unplug it when not in use, although, during breaks at rehearsals it was usually just left plugged in. All of the other active basses (including a couple of StingRay's) I've owned were only ever plugged in when they needed to be, and again, I was never that religious about checking or changing the battery. Still want another Thunder 1A, even though they were bloody heavy!

My biggest piece of advice to anyone starting playing is to look after your ears, they're the only ones your ever going to get. Ah, the benefit of hindsight.

But surely, if you send them to yourself, then you shouldn't be liable for tax, as they are your property. How are you getting the rest of your stuff back to the UK, like your instruments etc.? Wouldn't it be better to send a bunch of stuff together in a crate than using a postal/courier service?

I am on the Faker's FB group, you? I was actually looking at a 2 piece stop/tail Warwick-like bridge. I think that would look quite nice on a Faker/Ric-style bass.

There's a company called "Scratch It" ([url="http://www.originalscratchplates.com"]www.originalscratchplates.com[/url]), give them a shout & see what they can do.

For some unknown reason, I have been looking into potential bridge replacements for my Fakers. As my Faker has a 34" scale length, the bridge is a little further forward than a standard Ric, so a pattern Ric style bridge is out. There's the Hipshot Ric replacement bridge, but again, the saddles are further back to suit a Ric. There's the Badass style bridge, which IMO, doesn't look quite right on a Ric / Faker. Anyone tried a replacement bridge on their Faker?

Not having enough time to dedicate to learning the songs, lack of "spark" with the other band members, realising that I hate playing covers (the odd one's OK for a bit of "fun", but not a whole set). Was offered the gig, but after 2 rehearsals, I realised that being in a covers band was not the right thing for me.

I used DGCF for a long time. My trusty old Korg DT10 was excellent, though the Korg Pitchclip & TC Polytune Clip work very well too. Got an old Korg DA30 that handles it very well too.

It sounds like the disorganisation of the situation is getting to you more than "stage fright" by the sound of it. Talk to the guitarist & drummer's Mum (the "Mum-ager"?), try and get more info, especially regarding set length, ask her a bunch of questions to ask the promoters (though be careful or you'll end up "volunteering" your backline). Instead of rehearsing one week, maybe take the time to have a good talk with the guitarist & drummer about the band, and find out from them where & what they want to do. It sounds like you need to pre-arrange a set list a few weeks before a gig, and rehearse the set prior to the gig. Mention that this "play it by ear" attitude is making you uneasy, but also mention that you really enjoy being a part of the band and that you enjoy your musical interaction with them. Remember, like all relationships, good communication is key.

Just remember to give it all the usual checks, condition, neck etc. Have a look at the bridge too, good old tail lift.

Going amp-less has it's advantages.

Reasons for getting fired from a band? Because the other band members are/were bellends.

Get it if it's up for a reasonable price. Great basses, very accurate copies & highly regarded amongst the Faker fraternity.

Been doing a bit of research into DAW's, since my bundled copy of Cubase LE 8 stopped working (problems with the eLicenser more than the software!), decided to give the PreSonus Studio One v3 Artist a go. The reviews reckon it's easy to pick up, which will be handy...

In no particular order: Geddy Lee Geezer Butler The rest of the top5 change on a regular basis(t). Jason Newstead (primarly for Voivod & Flotsam & Jetsom) Youth & Raven Lemmy Scott Reeder Steve DiGiorgio Cliff Burton

It's worth a try if nothing else. A lot of the guitarists who use them say it's really good. I made the mistake of re-flashing mine yesterday. Didn't realise that you just can't copy & paste old patches from backups like you could on the PODxt. It took a while, but I rebuilt my "core" patch.

Are you going to give the "4 Cable Method" a try when you use the amp? Indeed, the HD Bass pack is essential, though the B15, Bassman & HiWatt models all sound good too, just not as good as the SVT & GK models.

Were you using it with an amp or through the PA? The Helix does seem like "the next step", but it's definitely out of my price range! By the time I can afford one, they'll be out of production!

IIRC, it's an early/mid Noughties guitar, the serial no. on the back of the headstock will be "C0*******". Made by Cort (the "C" in the serial) in Korea, next 2 numbers are model year ("04" 2004, "05" 2005 etc). The design comes from the mid/ae 70's when Ibanez wanted to "make their own mark", by bringing out their own design rather than copies of other makes. The Iceman is part Firebird/Thunderbird (shape), part SG (solid mahogany body, set neck). Not to be "mistaken" with the Paul Stanley "PS" model, as he has a hissy-fit if you do (the PS's had a maple cap). There was also a Bolt Neck ICB200 made for a 2 bass, 2 guitar line up in the IC range.