JTUK

Did a local seaside bar on a lovely evening so as many people outside than in. Funny stage config and it was a bit boomy which caught us out a bit. People were liking it and came in around 10:00..all local so we had to keep them. I never thought we got through to them as a low-ish ceiling seemed to make a natural barrier so we never went beyond 2nd gear playing-wise. End of evening, we couldn't get off the stage, so am still a bit bemused by it. Odd place..!!!

[quote name='Linus27' post='1340565' date='Aug 15 2011, 12:26 PM']Gareth, you sure about that? Been doing some reading and those on TalkBass seem to think that its boost only. JTUK also seems to think its boost only. Is the classic different to a standard 2EQ perhaps?[/quote] My old pre EB MM ( early 80's ) was boost only on the bass. Many other boxes are bass boost only..but other tones have cut as well. This isn't something made clear by makers as it seems limiting but that is the way most things are with bass control, IME. But, anyway, you will still have a range of 12-15bd on the bass dial..which means if anywhere near full-on, is an awful LOT of bass. I could never use the extremes of an MM pre amp which is why I took it out on mine...just WAY too powerful and overbearing for me. Assume for this argument that bass is boost only.. turn the knob back to off..and then work on the MB filters. Add bass boost a tad to taste. All these sweeps seem to be are optimum EQs bands so there can be a lot of cross-over with active pre's onboard with mid sweeps..and VPE's timbre/enhance or whatever certain makers want to call it Because the MM pre was so powerful in the bass region... this complicates the upper ranges which is way some like the simplicity of 2-band over 3, IMO.

3 and 4 piece gtr bands are very limiting IMO. It becomes all gtr and you really need a very good player to be able to entertain. That said, I am not a fan of twin gtr bands either. But the same applies..the gtr needs to be very decent so as not to sound samey.

[quote name='Linus27' post='1340464' date='Aug 15 2011, 11:17 AM']Yes but on a 2EQ what is leaving it as they are in terms of settings? The 2EQ only has a treble and bass dial so where do you set them on your 2EQ?[/quote] IIRC correctly.... bass control on a MM 2 band is ALL boost....so flat would be all the way off. Treble is +-12bd..I think.

Not interested in less than 5 and need keys.

[quote name='dan670844' post='1340323' date='Aug 15 2011, 09:02 AM']Depends what bass you have, I don't play them but some of the earlier mexi fenders jazzes are very thin sounding and benefit from a bit of bass hump. In any case a lot of the classic early jazzes and strats have slightly overwound pickups, they where made by old ladies by hand who liked to gas I guess. They sound good if not overdone, with the wizards its not overdone and the pickups character is very defined.[/quote] and then the gauge of the wire comes into it. IME, large gauge wire and too many winds can equal a very heavy bass pickup ..which produces too much bass against any character for me. Which is why I would suggest the user talks to the winder about what they want. But yes, I can the point about a poorly put together instrument needing more but then that is what the pre amp will do anyway, with +15db of bass boost.

I can only talk about the East J retro types and they are very powerful and flexible. Since there is so much boost, I wouldn't be adding a powerful pickup to that as it could be Overkill. IME..a boosted pickup with lots of winds..PLUS +15bd of potential bass boost could really clutter up the low end. I'd talk to both John East and Wizard about the matchup. If you are putting them on a bass that really resonates well... you'll have enough bass from the woods...that you'll never get past zero bass boost. IIRC, you can't cut the bass on these JE pre's.. The treble and mid sweeps are centred for +-db I like the pickup sound to have weight but also be capable of being thinner and having more chraracter. The pre adds anything you aren't getting...but that is just me.

[quote name='ezbass' post='1339581' date='Aug 14 2011, 01:27 PM']??? Please share your discovery as I do like me some Bobby Vega[/quote] ha ha... had a very long night. Sorry [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87n8q8-ZSHI&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87n8q8-ZSHI...feature=related[/url]

whilst trying to sell an amp. I found this whilst searching for something else.... and whilst he is going through all his tricks...he still can apply a few styles with a decent feel. I posted this as it has enough for most people...pickers, fingers, farty stuff. Might be something to provide inspiration ..??? and gets away from hammering away at the one technique which if that isn't your thing, can get pretty boring ....

[quote name='chris_b' post='1339243' date='Aug 14 2011, 12:42 AM']If you're doing it properly, about 3 minutes! I wouldn't even use 1 210 for a pop covers band. I think a 410 is a minimum requirement and I'd be saving up for a 610.[/quote] Now, you are talking... My next move will be for a quality 610... maybe SWR Snr or NV type. How I get one to the gig is another problem so don't want to spend a whole lot for a handful of gigs a year. If you are doing decent stages, esp outdoors, you need a rig for the stage sound alone as it will be akin to a indoor pub without FOH. Unless you have decent side-fills or bolloking wedges and a good few mixes, and know the PA hire engrs, your stage sound will be weak and 300 watts on the amp is not enough unless a pretty quiet band. This rules out most combos as well....well, all the ones I have used. You need an amp that can hit the gain and still keeps its sound intact. If you are talking 500w or so into 4...and driving hard, this sorts out many MANY an amp, IME.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1339352' date='Aug 14 2011, 09:41 AM']You know re-reading through this thread this morning the thing that strikes me is that a lot of people here seemingly put up with a lot of very poor musicians as band members. It appears that their deficiency isn't necessarily in technical ability, but in all the other skill that go to making a good band - playing what is appropriate for the song and listening to what the other musicians are doing. Unless the band is named after one member in particular (a la Jimi Hendrix Experience) then you should work together as a unit listening to what the other players are doing and supporting them musically always keeping in mind that the song is king. Musicians who don't listen to the other musicians, can't learn their parts properly and can't effectively play as a member of a band while remembering that their primary job is to make the song sound as good as possible need to wise up or they have no business being in a band. Maybe they are best off alone in their bedrooms playing along to record for the benefit of a YouTube audience. That way they can be safely ignored. Shame on them for being dull and insensitive musicians, but also shame on those of you who continue to let them get away with it.[/quote] I agree.. In my case, this is a very recent thing (maybe new girlfriend thing..which is UNEXCUSEABLE, anyway. but the reason I am annoyed about it is that he knows all this full well. His excuse isn't because he doesn't have the experience, and he can be the epitome of taste, plus a very fair player, but if it carries on, he will have to leave. At the next band meet, it will come up for sure. I don't agree at all with shutting down a song at a gig or replying like for like...but I'd be tempted.

My top pick is always the Markbass 102 Combo. This will be loud enough and good enough quality for your basic uses and will do decent volume gigs ok. You can/will need to, add a extention cab to get 500watts, for loud gigs. I do think the combo route is a compromise..but this combo, IMV, is about the best and lightest/smallest you can get away with. If you stay in the studio/bedroom, smaller combos also come into play and will work well, but for decent volume gigs, this is the best, IMO. SH guide price is around £600.

It's a line that lends itself to a pick... but if you can't keep hold of them, double thumb it. Will sound crap outside of the track anyway, so just get in with the drummer and pick up the accents. Foxton wasn't a precise player anyway...so no need to rip it exactly, just the key bass notes that run with 'a-town-called Alice'. The slurs are less important

I use 2x210 in a loud band ..too loud at times, and it copes very well up against full keys and a vox AC30 gtr...which ain't quiet A 210 couldn't do it as I used to try this with a MB 102 combo so forget a single cab against 2 gtrs with half stacks. IMO, for a 210 to work...you need a very dynamic but pretty quiet band. If you are talking loud, get another cab asap.

Use a pick

[quote name='xgsjx' post='1339058' date='Aug 13 2011, 08:10 PM']We got rid of a guitarist for this reason. Just constant noodling throughout the song, even over the top of the lyrics & never played the same thing twice! [/quote] I really REALLY expect better from this guy... and that what pisses me off the most, ...that we are going to have to spell it out. I mean, we have already been through this when we set the track up so it is not like he doesn't know...he is just in an ignore mode..!! It makes me fume, tbh..!!

For that sort of money you really don't want to have to get into how well it is made..that should be a given, but sadly it may well still be factor. That Clover looks very nice but you are getting into Overwater territory and SH Sei..both of which will be TOP notch in terms of build. You chould also add a Metro Sadowsky which again you will know the build just will not be an issue. Value for money is another thing though.. so I would say SH Sei Jazz (£1400-ISH) is about the best thing to come up on here, pretty much, if you want a Fender type clone thing. That block and bound Fender J5 needs a closer look and play as well, IMV.... I can see why you have picked both of them from a visual POV.

On a broader note..when we have decided on how we present the song, who gets what and when etc... it f***s me right off if/when the gtr decides he will widdle over clearly defined spaces....a dn leave no room for the keys or dynamics. The gtr is just a band member playing out the song..we aren't there to back his show. His part is to make the song good... not him..!!

[quote name='deanovw' post='1338443' date='Aug 13 2011, 09:15 AM']The guitarist in my band did it last night! He stomped on his octaver pedal, looked at me with a big grin and played what I was playing.[/quote] That is fighting talk... Keys mostly do this.. annoys me intently esp when we have talked about this very thing.

Like the look of the T wound series, but I'd want something like 40-125 which they don't seem to do. Keep us posted on these though with the general thoughts, ta

[quote name='Lozz196' post='1338373' date='Aug 13 2011, 02:30 AM']Just seen a band this eve, bassist using a Markbass CMD 103H [url="http://www.markbass.it/product_detail.php?id=38"]http://www.markbass.it/product_detail.php?id=38[/url] Not the lightest of combos around (63lbs) but did it sound good! Guy was putting a Ricky through it. I`m always impressed by the sound of Markbass gear when I hear other bassists using it, Never actually tried it myself, so can`t comment from a users perspective.[/quote] Now, I always want to like the stuff and love the MB102 Combo in rehearsal but I gigged it and it was a let down. So, not sure about the LMll at the higher sound levels.. it didn't 'amp' as well as I would have hoped. As for Markbass users, never heard one ( a rig ) to convince me..the tone doesn't travel well. Only guy I know who gets a result out of one uses the amp only and Epi 12"..reckons they are tighter....!!! And if you know Epi, their cabs are typically pillowy, IMO...so that speaks volumes to me. Of course, the consistant is the amp in all this...so maybe Markbass amps don't have the push out front and the cabs are indeed fine. Anyway, the upshot for me was..nice kit, well put together, good brand ethic from my POV but .........err...No..!!!

I'd go for a dedicated rack pre...something like a Demeter or Aguilar for me but they will not be cheap. As much as I like the Tonehammer pedal, I think these ( pedals) are get-by's rather than a general solution. I think this approach will only confuse the chain and lead to constant searching/swapping Just my 2p

[quote name='TheGreek' post='1338189' date='Aug 12 2011, 09:16 PM']Personally I think it shows some genuine commitment to Customer satisfaction if they're joining a User website to guage what bassplayers are thinking and saying about their product. Hopefully this will mean that they become more responsive and pick up issues that we highlight here. By putting up a direct Email address we will hopefully have a direct line into the people at the top who are able to make decisions and thus changes in the way they operate. I would like to think that this will lead to improvements in quality and customer satisfaction.. I think this is a positive move on DRs part and hope that we, the consumer, will benefit from that move.. "Pudding" and "proof" and the poignant words here... [/quote] Agree. I've been using them ever since the Gallery opened and first stocked them, and they were, IMO, by far and away the best string out there. I can't hand on heart, say that is still true today, IME. I have ordered custom winds elsewhere and await the wind manufacture of 3-4 weeks..which is longer than I expected, and then I will make a decision about which brand I use thereafter. I watch this space as DR had given me such stirling service over the years.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1337792' date='Aug 12 2011, 03:42 PM']Its all very well having loads of knobs and sliders but if the basic character of the head doesn't suit i dont think you can ever get around that.[/quote] So true...don't fight it as it is the way to really tie yourself up in knots, IMO. If it doesn't work..and it isn't the bass, then move on.

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='1337390' date='Aug 12 2011, 11:08 AM']I like Guy, as a storyteller and a bass player. FWFW, here's what he said: He knows they're big shoes to fill.[/quote] I think he is being modest though..and comes across well and likeable in interviews I've seen so that is a nice thing to say.. Got to be honest, last few vids I've seen of the Blockheads look like a few steps up from your London jobbing boys pub band. It was pretty rough considering the awe they are held in. Don't get me wrong.....loved New boots and Panties. ...Just sayin'