BassBunny

Funnily enough we are looking at a complete EV ZXA1 system as the demo we heard was amazing. Which Mackie Subs did you try? The SWA 1501 is an awesome sub, (if you can one as they are now discontinued), one of those would be more than enough for your needs. We went through a similar trauma when miking everything up but Bass. Sound check great and then the master on the desk creeps up and you get left behind. I have insisted we put a "tickle" of Bass through FOH whenever the Drums are miced up.

I know it's a shameless plug, but If you want to go separate Mixer and amp, I have a Yamaha MG12/4 FX mixer and C-Mark 700+700 amp F/S for £250. Whack in a pair of Wharfedale Titan 15's and a Complete PA for £500. All mint condition and very little use. I am not a big fan of Mixer amps as if you have a problem with the either the mixer or amp part, you have lost the lot whilst it is being repaired.

Linky no workey. She Caught The Katy is one of my fave numbers as well.

First thing I would do Peter, is get a long lead and stand way out from your Amp/Cab. Unfortunately us bass players always seem to perched right in front of our rigs and you don't hear how load it really is until you get 15ft of so away. When we saw Dave with the Floyd Tribute, there was a nice balanced sound coming out of the FOH but you could still hear his distinctive "clank" cutting through what was a loud mix. He didn't get that at all on stage. And you are right about the "Watts" dillema. Guitarist with 100W Valve Amp is louder than you with a 500Watt solid state amp.

We use Rees Astley who are specialist is Performing Arts Insurance. http://www.insurance4performingarts.co.uk/ Great to deal with and I think we were quoted £75 for £2M cover for a 5 piece band.

SIT and Dean Markley Rocco Prestia for me.

[quote name='GreeneKing' timestamp='1352895181' post='1868899'] Cheers Stu, I've tried Bandmix but I must give the others a go. [/quote] It's well worth it Peter. Bit of a pain setting up all the accounts, but once done wait for the offers to pour in.

Peter, have you tried BandMix, Join My Band, Musicians in Your City, Musofinder, Party Sounds, Soundshed, Find A Musician and even Loot and Gumtree? Would also be worth finding out if there are any Karaoke going on in any pubs nearby. I have worked with 2 bands who found their vocalists giving it some at a local Pub Karaoke session.

Just sold Francis a Kappalite 3015. Nice easy transaction and now he can create a sawdust pile.

Alain has just collected a Fenix P Bass from me. An absolute gent and a shame we didn't have more time for a good chat. His band sounds pretty good as well.

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1351866349' post='1856370'] Top marks to Nige for refusing to slap, even when asked to several times! [/quote]

A couple of weeks ago I went to a get together at Manchester Bass Lounge where a couple of Gordon-Smith pre-production 'Gryphon' basses were available to look at and play. Drew, who runs MBL, has managed to persuade Gordon Smith to start producing basses again. Anyone who has had the pleasure of playing GS guitars will have high hopes. I picked Steve Robinson, Manchester Guitar Tech, up on the way over to see the prototype GS Gryphons, We had a good chat on the way over and as we both know GS guitars and the GS operation we concluded that the new bass would be, "basic, well constructed, safe design". When we got to Manchester Bass Lounge the 2 proto's were on stands, "safe design" - NO. They looked absolutely fantastic. I know the shape of an instrument can be very personal, but these had a really modern look about them. Quite a small, sleek body with an elongated top-horn. The back is arched, like Spectors, and the finish was faultless. 2 GS Humbuckers with coil taps on each and passive with a 3-way pickup selector, Vol & Tone, with a "pull-boost" option on the volume control. One had an Obeche body and was finished in Vintage white with a tortie scratch plate. The second was a Pine body in Pewter and had reverse wound pick-ups. Both had 1 piece Maple neck/fingerboard. Production models are likely to have Poplar or Tulipwood bodies. There were a number of bass players there and the object of the get together was to provide some feedback to GS about what players want in a bass and particularly feedback on these prototypes. So ya got to play them, haven't you!!!!! Both felt great on a strap, no neck dive and nicely balanced but the neck was thick in the extreme, (a comment made by just about everyone) , but bearing in mind GS haven't made a bass in a number of years, this isn't surprising. Access above the 15th fret wasn't very good either and Steve Robinson got into a long conversation with the GS guy about how to sort it. Sound wise it was clear, articulated every note and didn't half have some "balls". The individual coil switching gave an almost unlimited combination of sounds and it played really well. Build quality is excellent, especially as these are essentially pre-production prototypes. Nigel Clutterbuck, from Rotosound was there, (not a slap or pop in sight), and gave them both a thorough going over and came to the same conclusions as everyone else. So if Drew, from MBL, can convince Gordon Smith to take the comments on board and make the changes, this could be a real winner. It has an individual look, it sounds fantastic and the build is second to non. GS guitars have always been keenly priced and if the basses are, then who knows. Here is some up to date info from MBL manchesterbasslounge.com/?p=2554. Left Hookers are planned but no thought to a 5 String at this stage.

Didn't get a chance to go and see the Stevie Williams band as i picked a dep gig up, but was over at Manchester Bass Lounge a couple of weeks ago having a look at the new Gordon Smith "Gryphon" Bass and Nigel Clutterbuck was there. He confirmed that it isn't happening this year.

Ian's a top guy, (and used to be a Bass Player), so anyone who springs for this job will really enjoy it. Good luck with the search Ian.

Just taken delivery of Matt's Blade B15. Great guy to deal with and nothing seems too much trouble. Great communication throughtout, really well wrapped and better than he described. Thanks for the deal Matt.

[quote name='The Admiral' timestamp='1350660843' post='1841989'] Ladies and Gentlemen .............................. 'A Flock of Assholes'..... genius! [/quote] Now that really is Genius. I used to play in a pub-rock band called 2Hats, (say it quickly)

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1350650608' post='1841760'] I do find the set choices quite fascinating...why peoplepick what they play, on what criteria and what do they expect out of it. [/quote] We got hold of the Top 30 charts in a number of different Genres, ( Soul-Motown-Pop etc. etc.) as voted for by working DJ's at DJ Online and picked our set-lists from there. One of the agencies we work for suggested this route and provided all the info. And Mustang Sally and Brown Eyed Girl etc. are on there.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1350650608' post='1841760'] My general take is... if people want me to play what they want/expect, up the rate.. Doing a gig for £50 in a pub and they get what I want [/quote] You've just identified the difference between a Pub band and a Function Band.. Pub band - Play what you like for £50 Function Band - Play what the punters want for more.