JTUK

I went across to fingerstyle when in my teens..and that was because I couldn't get the bass sounds I was hearing and also as my musical tastes and interests changed. Not really the person to ask but I find most guys round here sound much the same.. Lots of clank submerged in bass which is difficult to control out front. If you can combine both styles, that would be something..UNLESS, you are starting to get away from the pick attack idea and that would probably nessitate contemplating a move in technique..

You should be able to get something for that sort of budget. Local music shop is selling a Ashdown Mag400 combo with 15" speaker for £250..and that will do 400w into 4 ohms..ie, an extra cab.... or a TE GP7 210 combo..which should do 300 into 4.. I would think e-bay would throw up something better than that price-wise..??

I use 2x210 as an alternative to a 410... the lift is decent even with non Neo If you are buying, you might find that the 210 build is different internally combined dimension-wise, but if you are making your own and are a good enough cabinet maker..you should be able to navigate this...

To me..a cover or song to be covered is a template. We will ask if the song will sit along aside the others, we'll go over what we want the song to do with regards to feel/groove or even attitude. And then we decide if our spin works. I am not so concerned if the song is mainstream or a huge hit for someone..I'll pick it because it is a decent song. This can be tricky as you can get into territory where a lot of punters aren't very adventurous musically but I'd say there are plenty of bands they can connect too anyway. The other way you can look at it is that you can maybe educate a few people when they ask what songs/artists you do and point them towards bands like Starsailor or something. So coming back to full circle and the OP... I personally have no interest in getting a certain sound because that is what is on the record.. It may well be something that you go for, or it may not, but it isn't a divine rule. After people have spent a long time playing and cultivating their craft or style, it is rather lame to rip someone off to a tee... IMO. But if that is the deal.. there you go...!! We don't populate our set with many originals as yet..as time is the key issue, but I have no doubt it will come, if the band stays viable and we don't get bored first. Boredom being the main driver in almost all of these things..!!

I can't see the point of going to see a poor version of the original... I'd rather see players in bands with a degree of playing personality and their own spin. If they are good enough, they will get that across, if they aren't, then they wont. Still..if your goal is to be popular..then sure, you'll likely rip the song note by note and miss the whole point of trying to play. IMO. Why would I want to see a bunch of clone material bands This type of thing is epitomised by local blues bands...round here The rubbish ones just trot out verse and chorus of a blues song..and then the gtr goes off on one. 3 Songs into the set he has done the whole load and you are left with a evening of the same. The better blues players have something to say, have variation and can make the song a piece of their own work. One of the most popular bands round here rip stuff as close as the can get..or rather the gtr does..and everyone else piles in. The songs may have the gtr part off pat but overall they miss the point of making the song work..even to the point of being oblivious it isn't working Still, the punters are impressed. It isn't for me and nor would I want to go down that route. Sure, originals is an option as long as you have original ideas.

Band like that wouldn't interest me anyway. If a gtr has ripped the whole lick/sound etc etc ... that is a complete and utter turnoff as far as I am concerned I'd want some of the players personality and input to make the thing work. If they couldn't do that..that would be a minus as well. That is another thread tho...

For me, it is simple..if you agree or disagree, you can post as much. The like button is a lazy way of doing this, but at least you used to get notified. Now the system is anonymous so that helps no one... IMO If you feel strongly about a plus or minus content..then post as much so people can respond. If you take away or reduce the element of a thread stretching its legs, you neuture the whole forum, IMV which will mean less interaction/banter and admittedly a few flames...but at least the whole thing would be more upfront and you could get a better spirit in the long run. I can sort of understand the thinking which might be less to admin and mod... but at some cost, IMO.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1321722078' post='1442443'] On the earlier 'like' only system there was a notification if you got 'liked'. With this later and present system there are no notifications of who 'liked' your post or who 'negged' it. [/quote] That is why I would voted against the new rep system... If you object to a post...then post that and give a counter view... not hide behind a point scoring system. It doesn't do much to prolong a thread either..as you haven't got anything to respond to. In a few cases that might avoid a few flames and help out some Moderation, but on balance, I think it isn't working for me..

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1321782970' post='1442893'] Spot on JTUK I've thoroughly enjoyed this thread - so far !!! thanks Dave [/quote] I was asked to get a distortion sound for a track we were interested in... which I duly did and must admit never got the fuzz working to my satisfaction... I am not big on effects in my signal chain myself.. ...and low and behold, the band dropped the song. Thanks guys..that was £200 of pedals almost, that I now don't use. Tbf..I can use one of them as a bail-out DI..but even so..???

[quote name='mep' timestamp='1321742696' post='1442733'] ......................... I'm sticking to some middle ground here. I've been using Roto Nickel rounds lately and they have performed fine for me. Instead of changing them after quite a few months playing I cleam them in Methalated spirits, which you can read up upon. It really works, so get the strings that work for you and clean them when you feel you need to. [/quote] This, for me, is no longer a a given. IME, some new batches of strings I've faithfully bought, have not been good on the bass in the first instance and had no chance of cleaning up either. My pet theory is that they is a downgrade in some metals used altho..as in other threads, this is denied by makers. Hmmmm I am not so sure. Anyway, I changed from a nigh-on 20 yr assocaition with one brand because of this. I haven't used the same amount of strings from alternative makers to know if this across the board or not, tho.. I am now using Newtone as the last few sets have been excellent.

Since you seem to like old strings and the sound...I don't think you are too fussy in that regard..and nothing wrong with that in itself. I'd get the same Red Labels if you like them and just want a spare set.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1321739773' post='1442703'] It all depends in which store you go, I find it hard to visit Guitar Guitar in Epsom and come away without a new toy. [/quote] I was in there the other day so we know how many basses they have...LOADS.. and I was distincly unimpressed with the ones I tries in a lot of respects. It was nice to play them..to get a reference, but I came away thinking they were a lot of money for a pile of junk. I'd have to spend a lot of time on set-up to get them playable from my POV...which just wasn't appealing considering the money they were asking. The one cab I also wanted to demo, they didn't have so nothing has deflected me from my planned upgrade in that regard..but as for basses...?? Nope..no GAS..!!

Accept that we probably made more of it than the actual situation itself..but it is all part of the banter..pick up a thread and run with it etc etc .

I doubt it...had too many iffy experiences of late with name brands so I am more than picky over strings. If they work for some people then that is their call....but I don't think I'd waste my time and a few quid to find out, tbh.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1321710305' post='1442258'] Perhaps I am misreading it, but it seems you're repeatedly trying to sow seeds of doubt and negativity. The old "He's got it in for you...I wouldn't let anyone talk to [i]me[/i] like that" and then stand back and watch the fun. That or you're venting your own grudges onto someone else's circumstances in the guise of helpful advice. Neither is likely to help the OP resolve his situation. [/quote] Not really. Just that the band were very happy to get the OP in..they weren't happy with anyone else in a long search..and now they are suggesting a new approach and more to the point, a whole new alien technique. The OP has put years into his playing style...and it will not be easy to get upto speed with a pick and feel comfortable applying new technique to old playing style. It might even require reigning inn your old style to be able to cover lines with a pick... It has been a good few years for the OP with fingerstyle, IIRC. If the band wanted/needed/had to have a pick player..they should have held out at the audition that this IS a requirement..but OP has joined and the goal posts have moved. How have they made the OP feel..?? Know what you are good at... I could just about cover a hard rock band playing picked basslines..but would also expect to bring more of me along to the party. But if they wanted a P-bass and pick grind all night, every song..why get me in..there are plenty of players who do that..and would do it better and more gladly than I would. They need to make up their minds what they want... and I would do so as well. I wouldn't go for that gig, tbh if that was the deal... If someone says, plays Thin Lizzy all night, then get someone else in. That isn't anything against Thin Lizzy as such..it is just a style not compatible to what I want to do. So, I am reading this isn't the gig we auditioned..???

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1321710254' post='1442255'] Are you sure you're serious? [/quote] yep..two types of keyboard player, generally...one who was schooled on piano and the other who picked up a keyboard/synth type first. You can generally tell by the technique they have or don't have..or where the bias is in their playing, how they like the keys to feel/be weighted. What direction they pursued...programming etc etc .. what they specialise in, Organ, etc etc ..WHOLE different style of playing. I would have some guys in on piano OR organ for example..and wouldn't let them touch the other type of keyboard

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1321709165' post='1442234'] Really? Since there's no smilies in your post I'm assuming that your being serious here? If so that's every bit as narrow-minded as the typical quotes that get attributed to "guitards". IMO a good keyboard play is the other person in the band (along with the bassist) who is most likely to be listening to the band as a whole and not just concentrating on their own part and therefore I'd be listening to any suggestions they had to make regarding the overall band sound. [/quote] As I say..all in context. but yep..SERIOUS..!! Some keys have great sounds and some don't, some piano players insist on playing a bass part with their left hand through the bass players scope... and they are piano players first and foremost...and haven't spent much time in the studio. Depends how you rate that keyboard player.. depends how much credence I would give this or their suggestion.

And the other thing is...they have been looking for a bass player for 18 months....!!! WTF..!! They settle on you and then decide that what they liked about you at audtion, they want to fundementally change plus put you under quite a bit of pressure with a new technique..?? If you have been fingerstyle for 30 odd years..you aren't going to get anywhere near comfortable with a pick anytime soon or quickly..by comparison. If they are paying you decent dosh ..which I doubt as they wouldn't have been looking for so long..??? Its a compromise on everyones part..and I'd make the change if and when it suited the OP...or file the 'suggestion' under 'noted'...and dismissed. Personally I get round these things by playing with the thumb with the nail as attack...but it isn't as effective and the part goes back to my normal style... If you don't want to change then don't..they can take their chances getting someone else they can mould..or not.. !! Simple..!!

Hmmm... depends on the context of course..but new member gets told by keys to use a pick..?? I'd be thinking it has nothing whatsoever to do with sound... and IME, keys don't know much about sound anyway with regards to bass. You only have to hear what awful bass sounds some can come up with when doubling a bass apart anyway. This guy may or may not be different So, I don't know this guy...and it seems the OP only has 7 sessions with him..and this comes up...?? Did he not want you in the band from the audition...??? what is all this about..? Doesn't he like what you do..? If he talking about one track or all tracks..??? On the face of a few posts, he sounds like a redneck to me... I'd still be laughing at him...I think..!!

Tell him, 'leave the bass to me Sunshine'... oh..and 'arse' comes into it as well..!! ha ha !!

Now, I am the opposite.... I loan a MB 102 combo or used to and the sound is great at low volumes..and perfect for rehearsals and a easy carry, but it doesn't get loud very well. The sound seems to fracture and not hold itself togther. In other words..the sound I dialed in at a decent volume just goes when you have to turn up so I stopped using them on this basis.. And every guy I hear on a gig with a little MB combo at a decent volume, the sounds doesn't hold out front either. Obviously, that guy can't really hear that from where he is, but I've found that a lot with their 15 and 12's particuarly. It is a dull old thump..IMO. No guts or projection..just plain DULL..!! So my point...the stuff is fine or even very good..UNTIl..you have to ask it to really work. But to be fair...this is also a question a lot of amps struggle with... it is just that I see MB stuff round here doing that. I would expect EBS's better amps and offerings to outclass it at a decent stage level...and if it didn't, I be looking elsewhere, for sure. Just my take on MB.. good but no cigar, IMV.

I'd laugh. And if he was being serious, I'd ignore him. As has been said..is it a directive or an opnion? Neither would be worth anything to me anyway and why did they ask you to join if this was going to be an issue.? Laugh it off. Or tell him his keyboard sounds leave a lot to be desired and he should invest in some new EXEPNSIVE stuff.

I am no fan of GK myself, but if you are happy with the amp..I would start with their cabs.

Not sure I would trust Avast..esp not the free version. I would always run a few malware type apps.. and bounce between the two. For example Antispyware always picks stuff up that Avast 'misses'...