niceguyhomer

I took up bass 4 years ago and in that time, spent a lot of time (practice) and money (lessons) undoing my ex-guitarist plucking hand technique and chronic plectrum dependency. I felt a need to disassociate myself with my six string past and wanted to play bass 'properly' - ie; fingerstyle, mainly cos some people (including me at the time) frowned on using a plectrum. Now, after 300 gigs and a grand's worth of lessons, I'll say with all the conceit in the world that I've now got a pretty good fingerstyle technique, I play like a 'proper' bassist and wouldn't give the time to anyone holding a Les Paul. Anyway, my band play classic soul albeit with a bit of a raw edge and frankly, we're all pig sick of it. So, we took the decision to bring the set forwards in time. Now it's Kings of Leon, Killers, Stereophonics, Kaiser Chiefs et al and you know what, I'm back using a bloody pick again And......I'm lovin' it. It's good to have both techniques under yer belt, horses for courses and all - that's my opinion and I just thought I'd share that with ya.

[quote name='Platypus' post='369575' date='Jan 3 2009, 08:56 PM']Thought it was about time I posted a few pics of my USA made thru-neck NS-5XL. I've had this for a few months now and It's a Quilted Maple top and a nice bit of Abalone on the neck ! Not the greatest quality photo's you'll see here, though you get the idea[/quote] Paul that's fabulous mate - I wish it was mine

Damn....rumbled again

Sex is on Fire - KOL

[quote name='cetera' post='367881' date='Jan 1 2009, 05:08 PM']Now THAT'S a rig!!! I love my Genz Benz Neox212T and my Spectors..... so I can only imagine how immense they must sound through this head!!! GAS attack!! I wish you lived down the road from me so I could try it out! [/quote] I'm a frequent visitor darn sarf (Wokingham) - next time I'm down your way I'll let you know.

Here's my new rig - I've had the cab for a few months now and bought the head off Flanker last week. I used it in anger last night and all I can say is WOW. In the first set I 'mixed' the tube channel with the FET one 50/50 and got a fat, warm and very punchy sound with my Spector, but TBH there was a bit too much of the valve warmth in there for what I do, so in the second set, I just used the FET channel and it's the best sound I've ever got out of a rig. The head and cab are really well matched and the build quality is absolutely astounding. The head is deep, rich, articulate and a joy to use - especially with the footswitch (guitarist was very unhappy that I had more control at my feet than he has ). It's really well made and yeh, at 33lbs the head's a bit heavy but I'm a big strong lad so no worries. The only down side to it is that there are a lot of very bright blue LEDs on the amp and on the footswitch and not being familiar with the layout of the amp / footswitch I was a bit 'blinded' and couldn't see the writing behind / around the LEDs and didn't know what was what but I'll soon get used to that. I think I need to play around with the head a bit more because there's a lot of versatility on offer blending this and that. Having the facility to mix the two channels is a revelation - the FET channel sounds amazing on it's own but dialling in a bit of the tube channel gets you into tone heaven. Suffice to say, I'm ecstatic with this rig. A couple of pics taken hastily this morning with a cheap camera and a severe hangover... Happy New Year everyone

Yeh - had to take a file to the slot to get my 130 B in - shame but it had to be done.

We're at the local British Legion - 3 sets starting at 9 interspersed with bingo - good bunce and close enough to walk home. First gig with my new head - woohoo.

Another meet 'n swap rendezvous with Steve - always a pleasure to see you mate. Steve's a diamond.

Thanks for that but I've just bought a GBE 750 - I'll bring it along to the Bash

Of course - how could I foget that one

I'm a member but rarely contribute. I just use it to bone up on certain aspects of our preferred instrument or to gauge opinions on equipment and I'm pleased to report that having done so on a regular basis, I now know that all basses and bass rigs are ..."killer" and "awesome" and...(reaches for bucket)..."sweeeeeet" - very helpful

[quote name='dood' post='360770' date='Dec 22 2008, 10:48 AM']Hey Homer! How's things? been a long while chap![/quote] Hello mate - it has been a while hasn't it Trust you and the Doodle are doin' fine.

I'm a bit scared of using a headless bass - does that make me a headless chicken?

Absolutely lovely bass Steve, you have remarkable taste - can't wait to see this one finished

I'm pretty happy with my LMII, it does a fine job but I'm very Shuttle curious - especially as I have a GB Neox 212. Anyone AB'd the two heads?

The world is full of c*nts, you just have to learn to deal with 'em. A punch often helps.

I left my Euro 5 LX at home last night and took my Rebop 5 DLX FM instead and it was a revelation. I hadn't used the Rebop live since I got my Euro about 2 months ago but as my shoulder was giving me some grief, I fancied using something lighter. It did a fantastic job and I actually prefer the sound of it to the Euro. My shoulder was happy too as were the others in the band who all commented on what a nice clean, punchy sound I had.

Friday night was Dickie Doodles at Kendal - not one of our faves but made bearable by the presence of my good mate GreeneKing. It was ok I guess but a long way to go for 'ok' so I think that'll be our last in the Lake District. Last night, we were due to play at a chav pub in Leyland - got there at 8.00 and were told we were double booked so we said..." fine, we're here and the other band ain't so make a phone call donger". Had to wait outside for 40 minutes while the diners finished up but gpt in, set up and went straight on so no hanging about. Left my Euro 5LX at home and just took my Rebop. What a revelation, I hadn't used it in anger for about a dozen gigs (since I got the Euro) and I actually prefer the sound of it and so did the lads - half the weight too. Not out until NYE now and then a long rest after that - can't bloody wait.

When I started playing bass, I didn't find it hard to adapt my fretting hand to the extra string but really I struggled with my plucking hand technique and muting open strings and TBH, it sounded a mess. I don't think it's a bad idea to start on a 5 but I do think it'll take a bit longer to master. Lessons did the job for me.

Oy cetera! Have you any comments re; other preamps?