Grassie

As others have stated - get the best you can afford. The problem with a lot of 5er's is the indistinct B string which IME can be found on entry level 5's as well as higher end instruments. I used to own a '96 Fender USA deluxe Jazz V which was a lovely instrument, but man, that bloody B string may as well have been made from wool. I believe the general rule is the longer the scale the better tension (across all strings as well as the low B string).

I didn't have much of a problem making the transition from 4 to 5 strings, and played 5's exclusively for around 10 years before going back to a 4. Now seriously contemplating picking up a 5 again. Don't forget though, having a 5 isn't just about having those extra lower notes - it's also about being able to play lines with minimal hand movement by playing across the fretboard as opposed to up and down the fretboard (if that makes sense).

I recommend not replacing them. Just do instrumentals. No tantrums, no lugging a PA around, one less person to pay, Everyone's a winner.

Done! Thanks for sharing.

I put a TR P pup in my Squier VMP, added a TR J pup then got our man KiOgon to make me a stack knob wiring loom (solderless too). The result is so far removed from the original bass soundwise. Vintage warmth. Toneriders are the nuts.

Jesus. I stoppped GASsing for a Spector Legend a few months ago, happy with my P/J and ATK pair. Now you lot have reignited it, thanks a bunch. You are all very naughty.

Nicki Minaj's real name is actually Nicola M*nge.

First gigging band I ever played in had two girls fronting it. I was last to join and the set-list was already decided, one song in particular was "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls. Let me leave that thought with you for a bit...

How long ya got? Mark King on World Machine, Flea on BloodSugarSexMagik, Mick Karn on Tin Drum, Pat Badger on Saudades de Rock, Jeremy Toback (Brad), Billy Gould (Faith No More), Michael Anthony on Van Halen's Live: Right Here Right Now.... I could go on... Thing is, I realised quite early on that (for the most part) tone comes from the fingers/hands/pick, and no amount of money spent on basses, amps and strings is going to make me sound like Mr King (this doesn't apply to everyone by the way - there are some excellent Mark King clones on YouTube ) but I'm quite happy with my tone now which comes from a modded P/J Squier and an Ibanez ATK310 through a GK MB210 + 210 extension cab. It's only taken me 20 years to get there though...

[quote name='rodney72a' timestamp='1414207761' post='2587119'] [url="http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/72arodney/media/frontfull_zps3beb0793.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/72arodney/media/98SherwoodGreen_zps0dc488ce.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/72arodney/media/2000MetalFlakeGreen_zps8e420b63.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] Guh..guh...guh...

My ATK (ex-Hamfist). [attachment=174550:atk.jpg]

Satchel - "The Family".

I looked at the IR bass, looks good - so does the price! Thanks chaps, I'm off to hone my keyboard "skills"...

...or could point me in the direction of a good midi converter for bass guitar?

http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Sonuus_B2M.html

[quote name='sellisnba' timestamp='1411404759' post='2559200'] The general gist of things is if the punter is happy with the music you play, Who gives a toss what instrument you play. [/quote]I keep telling our guitarist/singer this, hasn't sunk in yet!

I play a Squier VM precision with an Ibanez ATK as a back up, and they are great basses for the money. The Squier was £240 and the ATK was £200. Granted, I do play them through a Gallien Krueger MB210 combo paired with a 2x10 extension cab, so, yes, if you have the money to spend on a decent amp or a decent bass spend it on the amp. Basses can be modded, amps less so. Case in point - I replaced the frankly rubbish Duncan Designed pickup in my P bass for a Tonerider, have just added a Tonerider jazz pickup at the bridge, plus a new stack-pot wiring loom from Basschat's very own KiOgon. I now have a great P/J bass with extra tonal possibilities which sound fantastic through my quite lovely sounding rig. One happy bunny.

"Islander" by Bernhoft.

Great service from this man! I wanted a wiring kit for a P bass to which I was adding a jazz pickup, John recommended a stack-knob configuration to save on extra routing, but also to give me more tonal possibilities - something which hadn't even occurred to me. Quick delivery, great kit, fantastic sound, and (very important this bit) excellent after-sales care and advice. I definitely recommend this chap, he is a dude. Grant

A favourite of mine too, true originals. Let's hope they've lost none of the attitude that made them so great in the first place. Calling your first single release in 18 years "Motherf***er" probably indicates they are as unhinged as ever.

The main reason I can't bear this band - stamping their name over any old piece of crap and flogging it to their fans.

[quote name='MoJoKe' timestamp='1409152097' post='2536875'] You're definitely under-selling yourselves then, the rest of us (and agents) have to factor in ferries and overnights to play on IoW!! [/quote]Don't start me off about the ferries! Try living here... There are very few venues here that are willing to pay £200 for a local band. Most pubs pay between £140 and £160, social clubs £180-£200. We as musicians don't have to factor in stuff like petrol (well, not too much), but it works the other way - if we want to do a gig on the "mainland" we would have to add on the cost of the ferry, which at this time of year is just horrendous. Example: just got back from a week in Turkey. Two weeks before we were due to fly out I looked on my preferred ferry operator's website - they wanted £77 each way for car, driver and two passengers. A friend of mine wanted a two night stay in Dorset, just her and her car, this bank holiday weekend just gone. Stiffed her for +£200. Pirates.

[quote name='geoham' timestamp='1409086660' post='2536272'] £200 four ways for 2.5 hours work on stage is a rough deal - especially taking waiting around and setup time. Saying that, if it's local and you can get in and out quickly, I suppose its a paid gig if nothing else! [/quote]We're on the Isle of Wight - nowhere is more than 40 minutes away. Takes me 10-15 minutes door to door.

Not in the least bit "basscentric" but if you like Orbital, Vince Clarke or even electro Goldfrapp - have a listen. https://bonnevillemusic.bandcamp.com/releases

Not being funny or rude or nuffink, but I would've steered well clear of any bass advertised with a twist in the neck.