Low End Bee

I was very happy with the sound the I've been getting out of my gear for the past couple of years. Last night I plugged in as usual at rehearsal and it just sounded better. I naturally thought my technique must have got even more spectacular and I was hearing extra talent out of the cones. Turns out the compressor knob on my TC head had been unknowingly nudged from its natural resting place of 0/10 to 4/10. I thought I didn't like an over compressed 'tone' but there you go. I must do so I'm keeping it.

I'd like to play keys for my own amusement but there's genuinely no instrument I'd rather weild on stage than a bass. I enjoy playing guitar but I'm not envious. You have to sit down for drums so they're out.

I've definitely been in a band with his southern cousin. Similar preciousness about his 'work' and attitude to life. Played guitar like he had Walls pork sausages for fingers.

[quote name='jaydentaku' timestamp='1359625118' post='1957631'] Was that with the origional tubes? [/quote] Both with the original valves and EHX 12ATX7 replacements.

Even with a 40db attenuator mine sounded horrid through DI but wonderful through the cab. All my gigs are DI these days so it had to go which was a real shame. Never got past 3 on the volume on a non DI gig. It was certainly loud.

Nice. The more the merrier.

Whatever gear I use I have a specific sound in mind I want to get to. Some amps require more knob twiddling with others. It's as much to do with drive as EQ with me though. It doesn't involve diet coke. If it sounds fairly unlistenable solo I know I'm more or less there.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1358501989' post='1940230'] Really sorry to hear that Ad ... I thought this could be a real solution. Ah well, you'd best buy a Kala U-Bass. [/quote] Yeah. Me to. Thanks so much for the loan HJ. I'm really very grateful. As I said it's lots of fun and I believe you should always try new stuff. I don't know if I could throw shapes with a U-Bass! Sounds like a challenge

It was just the guitarist and me last night. We had a lot of fun but I'm afraid it's not what we're after. It just doesn't sit right with the songs. We could get something gig worthy no doubt but it would mean lots of rehearsals that would be to the detriment of the main focus of the band. I'll be going down the precision with flats on route. A shame really as visually it's great and it is fun to play. I need to move around as well. I didn't like not having my little walk around while I was playing. I felt very fidgety. I do find it a very satisying instrument to play solo so I may buy one for my own pleasure in the future.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1358440261' post='1939225'] Isn't it Brinsley Schwarz any more? [/quote] Brinsley is still there for 6 strings but Andy's your man for bass.

I saw a Johnny Thunders gig where he didn't even bother remaining conscious for most of it.

I'd rather listen to an hour Hooky telling me how long your strap can get than listen to 5 minutes of anything recorded by Jaco Pastorius. I'm not a big NO/JD fan either. Horses for courses. I think it's quite nice that someone who was/is actually influential on a lot of bands and not from the multi string slappy tappy brigade is doing one of these things.

[quote name='tonybassplayer' timestamp='1358415137' post='1938601'] Hi, I hear the phrase a lot but could you tell me what "scooped" means please. [/quote] It's bass and treble increased and mids decreased.

It'll never work......

I like it but I don't like those horrible scratch plates.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1358256826' post='1935659'] Just take it steady, the stamina will build up slowly and the more you get comfortable with it the less effort it will take to play it so you won't tire so easily - double win. When I started on DB I couldn't do more than 10 minutes at a time, now it's much like playing bass guitar. [/quote] I'm guessing the Ampeg is pretty easy to play compared to the real deal. I played about 45 minutes last night without a problem. Picking up the Precision afterwards it felt ridiculously small and easy to play. That's a nice bonus.

The Alexander what Sarah? I'm afraid I'm sticking to my no cost plan. I've never even had a bass guitar lesson let alone a how to stand up one! I can't see us playing for more than 20 minutes in this format and I seem to be able to play much longer than that without buzz or discomfort. Rehearsal on Thursday will see if I have to eat my words though! What's a fifth? There are no frets to count The advantage I have I guess is that as I'm onlydoing this so we can play our own songs in an acoustic format (even though I will be going through an amp) so I can do them however I want as long as they sound reasonably OK.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXz4P6EpX3s&feature=player_detailpage[/media] Quite a lot on here!

It's not been as daunting as I expected so far. I'm thinking my agricultural bass guitar style has stood me in good stead. I read the newbie thread. Interesting. I'm not going to go down the jazz or bow avenues. I'm hoping there's a little 'swing' hidden in our songs.

Thanks Pete I'll have a good read of your newbie thread. I'm vowing to not spend any money though. But we've all said that before........ I'm happy to just get a sound out at the moment Clarky! I'll have a go at that finger thing though. I'm hoping playing half the notes I normally do will help me play the songs at their usual tempo.

Probably me. A plectrum playing pop punkster with no musical theory. Thanks to the very wonderful Happy Jack and his loan of an Ampeg Baby and a PJB briefcase I've taken the plunge. I guess this is a bit easier than a real DB to play and I'm really enjoying it a lot so far. The big test will be on Thursday at rehearsal. I've managed to adapt the basslines to our songs without too much of a problem. Luckily they're all fairly simple I can't wait to hear what they sound like with the guitarist on acoustic and the drummer on his new cajon. Anyway I've started a blog that will feature my upright journey heavily. [url="http://adjetsonic.wordpress.com/"]http://adjetsonic.wordpress.com/[/url] The only thing I'm struggling with so far is where to stand? How do you sidle up to a mini wardrobe. Thank **** it's not the full size jobbie. Speaking of which destiny has seen my tiny company car hatchback get swapped for something bigger so hopefully it'll fit! Any tips are most welcome.