JTUK

From a band POV...you might want decent pre's and a power amp. That way it covers quite a few basses. If you are travelling with the P.A crew then you might want to find out what they carry spare. in that regard. If it were me, I'd take a Tone hammer and maybe connect it to an available power amp but then if space allowed, I'd throw in my stereo bass amp as that could be used for quite a few things

I think it is pretty clean and precise and mixes up well, but it is the kind of track and tone that exposes everything so you really have to be right on the money with it on solo playback. This is the type of example you will find 'helpful' engrs relish playing back to you.

[quote name='Chris Horton' timestamp='1335940032' post='1638227'] There is nothing "right" about that video at all [/quote] have to agree..that is just so wrong on every level. That needs serious help....

For some reason I don't get the match up with a TC cab. I would have tried an Ampeg cab if I could in the 1st instance to give it its best chance. Also, how did you run the MM as IIRC, the bass is boost only, and the treble might be notched +- 12 BD..which is a LOT of Eq to mess with.

well, sloppy he most definitely was, IMO... as was Entwistle..but together it worked great,..altho how they worked out where '1' might be, I'll never know. But hey, I've trashed this thread enough as it is...so I'll bow but no one will ever convince me that both were not terrible players..or would have been in other units, IMO.

[quote name='risingson' timestamp='1335773645' post='1635610'] I think it's sloppy, totally mad technique, a pretty nasty tone as well... And I love it. It's totally unique and also incredibly melodic. I'd never dream of playing my own bass this way, but it completely works in the context of the track. [/quote] And that is the point..Entwistle and Moon were an awful section in islolation but an unexplainable happy accident combined. No teacher in their right mind would point to either as anything other than how not to do it..but in the Who, they worked. But I bet solo playbacks in the studio were no fun at all

Feel your pain, Chris... it is up to bands to educate punters and this is a step too far. No good will come of it. Put your foot down and refuse to play any sh*te people come up with. That way, bands get stronger the less you pander to crap suggestions like this.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1335735584' post='1635323'] Usually vastly overrated by people who don't have it. [/quote] This is true ...and don't get me started on that isoaltion track..it is pretty damn awful in every sense.

[quote name='LawrenceH' timestamp='1335705362' post='1634747'] I find that with all the EQ options and the compression they're one of the most versatile solid state amps tone-wise. Often too many switching options actually, can be hard to tell what's switched in and out! First thing I do is find the pre-shape and get rid of it since that just seems to override everything else. After that, play with the graphic to suit whatever bass I'm using. Their speakers can sound a bit tired compared to modern kit though. [/quote] I just really really hated that pre amp... either the 7 or the 12 and the sound was so weedy. As a alternative to what ever else was around it was good for the time.. but was soon overtaken and outclassed by the early 90's.. thankfully, IMV.

But the thing is that TE in rehearsal and Ampeg as provided backline on a stage are generally considered known and useable by most. what you mostly end up with..IME..is a tired old box that has seen waaaay better days so if that is your only experience of it then those are your conclusions. FWIW, my opinions of those boxes are that they are pretty much one trick ponies...which isn't the worst.. but if you can't get your bass to work with them you are stuffed. You might also have that problem with other stuff but see it provided less, so less exposure...... bla bla

Pointless isolating anything by Entwhistle if you wanted to rip the line as he makes it all up as he goes along.

We haven't recorded anything for a few weeks apart from friends video which can be hit and miss sound-wise...and that is more due to the failings of the built-in mics they use than our balance..which is always pretty good. I made the point that we get a poorer sound of hired P.A...with engrs !!!! that we tend to do in pubs althou this says more about teh P.A co that anything else, IMO. but that aside... Regular mates who also play in bands see us a lot as do our general fans/friends and the comments are positive. As much as this is appreciated that they enjoy the show etc etc ..I wouldn't be basing my thoughts on what we should be pursuing on that, tbh..

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1335473165' post='1631920'] Your best bet is to record the next gig. It may not be as bad as you think. We get a distorted view of what we think it (and what we want it to) sounds like. Listen to the recording and trim out the tunes you're not happy with, put it on a cd and give it to a musical mate for an honest evaluation without telling him what bits you're not happy with. [/quote] I already know what they will say....

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1335469184' post='1631804'] I don't play cover band's so it's a little different. I put in as much effort as I can within the contraints of everyday life, which is the same for the other guys, but that's why it's taken use ages to do anything. I like to think we all try and be the best we can be, but it also creates a class of ego's, everyone wants to do fills and show off, even the vocals and he is no good at that anyway! haha. [/quote] Don't mind ego or a little bit of arrogance in this regard...just don't need anyone to be a tit about it....but otherwise that in itself isn't a problem.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1335465695' post='1631726'] Sounds like you are playing on a standard pub band who occasionally get offered better gigs. The other guys play them because they come up but wouldn't go out if their way to find gigs like that. You have to recognise it for what it is and not tear yourself up over it. Sure we all sometimes find ourselves in bands that are musically well below our abilities. That's part of being a musician. Stick with it, relax, have fun and play the gigs. [/quote] We do about 5 pubs per year. Most of our work is Private parties, a few weddings IF we know the people and they know us, and festival type events. We don't tend to do local pub beer festivals unless they have hired in a stage and P.A...as in do it properly or not at all. As regards our collective abilities...we are all about the same, and I would find it hard to replace them for what they bring... but not impossible, IMO. I would have to accept new guys bring in new or different playing and I wouldn't aim for like for like anyway. But yes, you are right, if it is fun and not too much of a pain, I'll probably stick with it until I don't want to stick with it anymore or have replaced the band with a better unit. I guess I am pretty aghast that I think we could improve quite a bit with not much more than a 3 hr rehearsal for re-direction and to focus on songs or certains parts of songs. Basically a chat, a run through to see if it works and thats it.. There aren't that many songs that would need attention but some songs get tired or drift..that is what I would want to address. We already know the song...we don't have to learn it...just alter a feel or outro to jizz over such an such. Freshen things up. But if it is not there in terms of desire, its not there. And boredom will set in.. surely

[quote name='deepbass5' timestamp='1335463669' post='1631685'] Hi JTUK All sounds familiar. I am with you on this. The bottom line is we are all in competition, you're down south, I'm down south, If there are lazy bands in my area who don't want to put out their best performance they can stay in that comfort zone, Great, I for one rely on the fact this happens to other bands It means we don't have to try even harder to just stand still. There will always be a new kid on the block. So no harm in an honest chat about wanting to be in the best band in the area. If apathy still reigns, maybe it’s time to get a new band together with that vision and drive. Suggestion. Do you collectively go and see other local bands perform. This sometimes is a wakeup call. It a tough one, good luck. [/quote] I do go out and see bands and sometimes 2 or 3 of us will meet up so I am aware of where we stand in the food chain, as it were . I am pretty sure the other guys also know, pretty much. I just think we can step on quite easily..and am rather bemused that they don't get this..or seemingly want to get it. I understand we can play pubs for £50 a man and you accept that for what it is. I actually like pubs..or decent ones, as you don't have to worry about the 'sell' so much.

[quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1335445973' post='1631271'] Burying feelings will never work. I see this again and again with my counselling clients. That's why people come to see me. They have buried feelings. But they have never gone away and end up becoming stuck in life. How is burying your feelings going to help your playing with this band? You don't want to leave but you have other musicians who you can play with. You are concerned about where your current band is going in your mind. Then you are concerned about new "baggage" with new musicians. You see a slippery slope with the current band. I get the feeling your mind is going one way. [/quote] This will not really really affect me..I'll just think it was a real shame and move on when I feel the time has come.

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1335452975' post='1631451'] I wrestled with this in a pub band and it really wore me down, to the point that I quit. The annoying thing was that any time I tried to improve the situation I was labelled as being petty, but I had to take on board any of the other members criticisms or there'd be a row... More concerning is that the longer the situation went on the less bothered I was about improving - that was the sign it was time to go. [/quote] Yep..I guess this is what will happen..put up with it as long as I can be arsed and then call it a day. I am quite capable of not giving a toss about a lot of things but in this case I'd rather not have to be like that. It isn't going to make me ill or anything so no biggie in the grand scheme of things, but ...............

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1335443644' post='1631188'] There's always going to be differences in a band. JT, I know your pain and in the end we decided to replace the one person who wasn't on the same page in terms of getting the band to the best it can be. We've spent the last year getting the line up right and we have a good unit that everyone is happy with. Latest dilemma is that some want to do more gigs than others, this is due to the fact that some have day jobs while others don't. Like I said, there's always going to be something. The question you have to ask yourself is whether you can live with it or not? People will put the effort in sometimes when pushed, for a little while but I always remember what my dad said to me about working with others... "You can only trust people to be themselves and you shouldn't expect any more or any less from them." [/quote] yes..quite true... I think it may well end up a power struggle...and whether I can be arsed with that. Also, I do know that external pressure on one or two people/players will probably make it a good time for them to leave as well.... The good thing about venting here is that it gives you the chance AND TIME to think things through and then accept that the band isn't their/our whole life, just a nice little part of it..and somethings are way more important... So if it remains fun, then that is as much as we can really want... as there will always be compromises. I do think I'll start the ball rolling for project number 2 tho.... just in case :lol; :lol;

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1335436234' post='1630954'] I had the same problem last Christmas. We're very good, audiences love us, but not good enough that promoters are beating a path to our door. We could easily be so much better but that will require more work. I've still got the shrapnel wounds from when I suggested rehearsals, a new set and putting more effort in to the band!! Apparently, and unfortunately, the band seems to have already reached it's peak. It's a good band to be playing in and I’ve got no thoughts about leaving, but I'm disappointed that we have reached the "top", a good 50% short of what we could have achieved with a little more effort. Some people are easily satisfied or just plain lazy. I’ve always wanted to be in the “biggest pond”, even if I’m only a “little fish”. We all have limits, but it’s a shame when the cause is the lack of ambition of others. [/quote] Same sort of thing... we get good promoters deals offered and do well at these types gigs...but less so at the pubs..which we are willing to pass on, for better quality work. I hate the idea of letting this pass just for a modicum of extra effort but I have had great track suggestions, IMO, passed over but all the while people saying that they want to concentrate on higher paid work. to which I ask..well which one is it..better gigs or the same gigs..and what are you willing to put in to justify asking for x £ for y work..??

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1335442255' post='1631140'] I put the response down to the fact that I hit a nerve. The singer, who is the gig getter, knows that I'm right but can't shift the drummer, who is co-founder and has to agree to everything. The frustration wouldn't do any good venting his way so it came in my direction. The drummer is very, very good and isn't replaceable. Ho hum! That's life! [/quote] I understand there are also other priorities and also other bands in the loop, but I am not asking for the world in terms of time. I think it is down to one member dictating what we will do...or what he will do and by default, what the band CAN do. Other members can't really get too involved as they have stress elsewhere and this band is their one good release atm.. or so they say.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1335438972' post='1631041'] I think it's about how you feel, since it's hard getting other band members to change their minds.. God help me, I'm in four bands at the moment, one an aspirational blues/funk/jazz monster, two others (with a crossover in personnel) in which we have a driven MD and great musos, but a lazy drummer who treats rehearsals as an excuse to shag his bird of the moment whilst he thinks his missus does not suspect anything is going on (the obvious solution is in discussion at the moment) , and a local band with guys I like, but two of whom don't want to practice enough/effectively or learn new stuff in a structured way.. I've come to the conclusion that without sensible self critical practice sessions and wanting to take on new material I'm not going to be happy.. And that makes my decision about continuing to invest time and effort in something that won't work for me... [/quote] Yes..it is beginning to nag at me... I don't want to leave, or have to start again, but I feel this is the start of a slippery slope and its a question of how I try and bury that feeling...or will I be able I do know I know the right people and think I can get the players together ...but with new people comes new 'baggage'

Personally I wouldn't cut the band just to keep the money up per head, but then we are only 5. I'd add more but can't justify it so we have a few favours called in for sit-ins for the more prestigous festival type gigs, but that relies on the other guys being there working anyway. Also, the set isn't really a busking set so that is a limiting factor as well.

5 piece for me. Always want keys over a second gtr, and like an acoustic in there as well, so good if the singer can handle that. Just as well I mostly work with songwriters