Jeffb28451

I've gone through several preamps but the John East pre (after whatever good pickups suit you) is the best money I've spent. They're about $230 in the States, if that matters, but (I know, I know, up to a point) good sound costs money, so I put my money down and was very pleased with Mr. East and his superb customer service, even across the pond.

Enough to bring out my highs, but not close to the current "ideal" of the Darkglass boys who seem to dominate YouTube these days.

Yeah...pretty much seems that way. Not smart enough to venture a guess as to why, though.

Boats, kids in football, school, job travel...some of my friends and I have "quit" for 10-30 years at the time. That's real life for most of us. That said, played in a horrific jam session last night, with my mates from my Monday band and some old fart with a harmonica, flip flops and dreams of adequacy. Practice tonight with another band and Friday with some folks a County over doing acoustic fretless stuff. God....I love retirement!!

Think I'd just call the dog. He likes my playing and hates the cat.

Is there money involved if I play it...?

Been playing over 50 years and never heard of string swapping: almost certainly simple metal fatigue. I mean, I don't CARE if string swapping works for you, but, this will never NOT be a problem.

Funny you mention that. I've been playing a while and have run into a "signature" bass line that is giving me fits. "Marie Levau" is how old (?) and I have been shown (in no uncertain terms) that my liberties a la Little Feet, etc,. are not really appreciated. I thought I had it down, until one of the guitarists sent me a link to an 80 year old woman at a bass lesson trying to do it, banging and clanking, etc. I still think he's making fun of me but, in fact, she has the line and I still can't get it! I learned it wrong and now I have to unlearn it! I've heard quite a few versions of the line, but my young friend is bound and determined that THIS is the right one. I'd like to think he's young and inexperienced, but I'm just the bass player and if we're going to do unisons and harmonies, then I guess this must be the "REAL THING" and I'd better get it down by the next practice!

OP listed EXTREMELY important lessons for the real world. Dark necks, wrong keys, issues with stage lights, guitarists who, well, play like guitarists, etc. These are all very real and ever present issues, among others and jam sessions are better places to learn these lessons than auditions or paid gigs. Wish I'd have gone to more when I was younger.

Rude, course and cheap...just the qualities I appreciate in a Wife... Seriously, a great string for the price. I have them as back-ups in both my gig bags. I prefer Roto and DR but nothing wrong with WW Reds, just not my go to but certainly more than serviceable.

Gorgeous and very pricey. I've dropped $$$$ for Lull, Sadowsky, even Fodera, but I've never had a bass I liked enough to spend this much for a pickguard...yet...they are very nice though, maybe...just this once...

Not at all gutless, but, as a friend of mine said, they need to be “gagged”, meaning sliders rather far up and higher gain than you and I may be used to. Also, a bit pickey about the preamp tubes used.

I'm already in two of them...

Guitarist won't tolerate clip-ons. I really like my little Korg mini-black. Cheap and works...uses battery or 9 v power .

Had a local bassist here in the States who liked to get "altered" and post political rants on Facebook. His band has/had been together since the early 2000's, if you can believe it. He lost so many gigs for them that they fired him, just to get playing again. Just FYI, his postings were more or less right-wing conspiracy stuff, balanced by leftist rants. At least he was "unfair and unbalanced" !