12stringbassist

One of these would help. The great thing about 12 string basses (and 8's) is having the strings VERY slightly
(and I mean microscopically) out of tune - that helps give a really big sound. With a pedal modifying a 4's output,
you'll possibly have trouble making it sound like it should.

You could always stick a small mixer in front of the rigs and re EQ the output to the guitar amp to trim
the bottom end off. A guitar amp is never going to put enough out to carry to an audience without the
speakers dying.

I'd still say you'll never get a 12 strings ound from a 4 string. I reckon you'll be very happy with the sound
if you get an 8 string bass and a mix of 10 / 15" speakers.

My first bass was a single PU Avon EB-O type. Not dreadful.
I let my daughter have it to learn on. Got it back now.
Won't ever see a stage again, as I have a real Gibson EB3 type now.

Going to Manchester, simply to see Cheap Trick.

Of all the Gibson cabs Rick uses, only one is ever mic'd up.
When they came to the UK last year, there was actually a set of normal Marshall 4x12's (probably hired)
with a covering sheet in front that made it look like he was using the checkerboard rig.

I think a lot of what Tom does is, shall we say, 'experimental' and a lot of it is for show (tbh).
The spillage from string impact between the pickups surely negates the individual outputs.
there is no way to separate signal from the bass strings and drone strings. As soon as you
get hold of a 12er, you'll see that. It's the same as a 12 string guitar.

He is certainly going to be able to fine tune his sound between the rigs, but I reckon you can
get a great overall sound with what i have, without resorting to an arena size bass rig!.

He uses the Rickenbacker cabinet and Reeves / Hi Watts.
I think the AC30's are Robin's.

If you put your bass signals (treated and untreated) into the PA and get it to sound right,
then you are then really only limited as to what you can hear onstage.

I'd go for an **active** 12er and a mix of 10 / 15" speakers.

[color=#ff0000][b]The Dean Rhapsody is active.[/b][/color]

Also - your rig will need to cope with it.
You would probably know TP has the luxury of three outputs, 3 wireless systems
and 3 rigs onstage to cover all frequencies.

I just use this lot whenever there's space - does the job nicely at low volume.

Pedals really won't do it. Get the Dean. I have a Dean Rhapsody 8-string and it's very good.
If you decide to go the whole hog for a Hamer 12er later, avoid the Chapparal, go for an older ACTIVE B12 / B12A. They exist.

Best source of info - [url="http://www.12stringbass.net/"]http://www.12stringbass.net/[/url]

I'd also throw in playing at a Licensed Victualers function near Lancaster a number of years ago.
I won't name the venue, as someone could be really upset if it turned up on Google.

The 60's cabaret band I was playing with at the time noticed a disturbance about 60 feet away in the distance across the dancefloor and someone motioned for us to stop playing. One of the guitarists walked over to have a look and came back to pronounce that some poor chap had keeled over at the edge of the dancefloor. It didn't look at all good: "Brown bread" he said. Oh Sh*t.

We stayed around the stage as a few people rushed around to sort things out. The DJ who we worked with quite regularly when we played there was taking advantage of the fact that his ever-present girlfriend wasn't there that night and was esconsed upstairs in a room, "conversing at length" in a redced-clothing situation with another young lady.

He wasn't around to put any quiet mood music on, so the organisers asked us to carry on playing. The scene across the dance floor was looking worse. Chap not getting up, his wife was hysterical, not at all good or at all conducive to playing. BUT, we soldiered on as instructed, to the disbelief of about 75 of the punters. Some callous pigs actually were dancing within 10 feet of the guy, while his wife could be heard crying above the band. Appalling.

Next song on list - Heartbeat. I don't think so...

Fortunately, the Ambulance people came in, waved quite firmly for us to stop as they entered.
That was it, game over. Never have I been so relieved to see the uniforms turn up.

Current Cheap Trick UK tour dates.

NOV 26 SECC
NOV 27 LG Arena Birmingham
NOV 29 M.E.N. Arena
NOV 30 The O2 LONDON

My favourite band of all time.
If someone was starting a tribute, this 12stringbassist would be there like a shot.

Joe Jackson - A slow song.
Beautiful.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUjn2Q5oIBY[/youtube]

The last gig I did with my previous band.... a sax player got up to make tooting, burping and farting
noises for the whole of the second spot.... and stood in front of me, using my mic. Arrangements went
out of the window. Absolute chaos. The singer was pissed out of his tiny mind and thought it was the
best gig we'd ever done. When I parted with the band, I took the guitarist with me.

Photos exist of that gig - I can't even bear to look at them 4 months later.

When she sings and plays, she's really solid. That bass solo from Suzi is not her finest moment,
but you do have to try things - perhaps not always in front of an audience.

John Entwistle Buzzard


Jack Bruce Warwick Sig - why an EB3 shape from Warwick?

My standard reply is that I wish other manufacturers had the wit, imagination and enough ideas
not to just use old Fender designs. There are endless other shapes they could dream up, but no -
another P bass or Jazz bass design turns up every few weeks. Pointless.

If I want a Pbass shaped bass, it will be a Fender (or even a Squier).
Anything else is just a copy, whether it's more expensive or not, and doesn't really interest me at all.

As requested - The Warwick Streamer Chrome Tone.
That would have to go under my other arm if the building was on fire.


The Midnight Blue Ric is among these (next to end right) :

This is the one I'd have to save from a burning building, as it's totally irreplaceable.

My #1 go-to bass is either (active) Warwick Steamer Chrome Tone, or (passive) Midnight blue Ric 4003.

No...

[b]Gibson SG Supreme[/b] - limited edition made one month only.
The maple top gives a lovely treble you don't often find on an EB3 type bass.

I have to agree on the utter fabulousness of these basses.
One of my top three..