bassfunk

Thanks, yeah the price was right. I've spent months waiting for something like this to come up in the northwest, I'd almost given up! Unfortunately I'm away for a week now so I can't swap the strings and have a play. I'm going to take it to a Luthier in the new year and have it set up. It's nice having a more grown up bass Here's a photo (hopefully)

Actually I got the bass last Friday but I've been busy. I got it from an eBay seller who described it as a German bass, he bought it 2nd hand 30 years ago and has barely played it. It has a great sound even with the lumpy 30 year old strings on it, according to the Quinn string checker the strings are a set of discontinued super sensitive. I've been playing an Antoni debut for 18 months and this is certainly a step up. Now to figure out how to post pics with my phone.

We decided not to go down the PA for big gigs route when we started. We have a Mackie system that does the job. But for most gigs we hired in. I contacted a local PA company had them do a couple of gigs, then negotiated a Base price plus fuel for an engineer, Turbosound system and lighting. Over the years we've built our PA system up and now we use ours for 50% of gigs. I'd say hire in for now, the costs of transporting, storing and maintaining a big PA system are pretty big, if you only use it a couple of times a month is it really cost effective?

We use a pair of Mackie SRM450 tops and a Mackie Sub. We have 3 wharfedale monitors, I'm on wired IEM and the Keys is on wireless IEM. The Mackies are sometimes a little harsh sounding as said above but they do the job and ensure the vocals can be heard in the mix. They're not overly heavy and the earlier ones are supposed to be more reliable. It saves having to buy power amps and crossovers etc. One vocalist I know has some RCF active tops. They're a bit 'smoother' sounding than our Mackies and would probably go for them if I had a choice. As JTUK has said QSC are nice but if you're only doing pubs can you really justify the extra expense? 2nd hand Active speakers that haven't been battered are the way to go IMHO for the kind of gigs you're doing. If you get more/bigger gigs and want to upgrade you can turn your current tops into monitors.

I've got the GK MB112 II combo and powered extension cab. They're compact, lightweight and sound pretty burpy if you need them to.

Or a hat-wearer for that matter

Nice one. Glad you're enjoying it. I've been playing for around 18 months and love it. I never really 'got' jazz before I started on upright, now I listen to it all the time!

Really nice. I'm seriously thinking about getting a Thomann. If you don't mind me asking how much was it with the adjustable bridge and strings?

Nice one. I started 18months ago and loved it. I have lessons off Steve McEvoy in Radcliffe North Manchester (not from from Liverpool if you drive) http://www.stevemcevoy.net/index.php He sets his own basses up too so might be able to look at your E string. Strings are a nightmare, so are bridges. Check to see both feet of your bridge are flush with the bass, try put a piece of paper under each corner. If you can push the paper under without problem the feet ned meed moving or re-shaping. I was really scared to move my bridge at first but now I'm always tinkering. Decent strings make all the difference I find. Try some of the Innovation trial sets to start you off. Good luck!

If you want to experience new sounds you could upgrade the Pickups in the Squire and pay for a decent setup while you're at it. My spare/home practice bass is the same as yours but I put some Wizard 64s (no longer available) in and it sounds amazing. This might give you a better idea of what a more expensive bass sounds like. As others have said practice and buy a decent amp. Save up and when you have more of an idea re. what you're looking for then go out and splurge! You're lucky to be in the position of having the money to spend. I played for 10 years before I could afford my Sandberg.

Wow, really nice this. Glad you managed to get hold of your dream bass!

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1411476876' post='2559855'] It's like rural groove but a bit busier [/quote] :-) I would say it was something like D'Angelo? Hip Hop or DNB beats with soul/modern RNB bass/keys?

Do you play with your fingers at the end of the fingerboard? I do this (mainly because my arms are fairly long so that's where it's comfortable) and find it easier if I'm at the end of the fingerboard.

[quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1410521210' post='2550288'] I am not 100% clear on what you mean, but I think you anchor your thumb on the pickup or top string and then rotate your wrist to move across the strings? This would not only encourage unwanted side noise from unmuted strings when playing but it also means that depending on what string you are on angle and pressure on wrist and fingers will be different. Would explain why notes do no sound even. I would advise you to practise moving your thumb whilst playing, where you anchor your thumb on the string above the string you are plucking and move your thumb when going to another string. This would improve right hand muting as well as give you even wrist and finger feel. I my understanding about the rotating wrist is wrong pls ignore [/quote] Get back on your own side of the fence I have a problem with the E too, sometimes I pull off the string and lose contact with the fingerboard for a second. If it's a fast piece I stay on the fingerboard and use both fingers. But I'm never sure if I'm doing it right! Geoff did a RH technique lesson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ99qaJV3XQ I can't watch it at work so not sure if it's any help?

Welcome. I see you're playing The Garrick, I used to play there a few years ago. Bass is best!

I bought a used set of Super Silvers on here 18 months ago. They've been on and off my upright and Stagg EUB. They still sound great, they're a little frayed on the silk at the top and discoloured but sound fine. I bought a new set and 3 of them snapped at the bridge within a couple of weeks! Go for it.

Hey, get yourself in to see Drew at Manchester Bass Lounge: http://manchesterbasslounge.com/?cat=78 he'll help you out and can order stuff in for you to try. He'll get you a beer/brew and let you try anything you like.

I've got the MB112-II plus extension cab. Great little rig for my function gigs, good for upright too. Can't comment on the reliability as I've only used it on around 10 gigs so far. But it's light, punchy and an easy lift! My only problem is the DI doesn't have a ground lift.

I use a GKMB500, great little amp I bought is 2nd hand and used it loads and it's never let me down. Through a barefaced cab it's loud enough for the gigs I do, from little clubs to huge hotel function suites.

Been having upright lessons with Steve for a while now. He's really knowledgeable and I come away from each lesson with new ideas and a greater understanding of Jazz and the double bass. His lessons are well placed, if I don't understand something we go over it at different angles until I do. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Steve to anybody looking to expand their theory knowledge and improve their playing.

We did a 'showcase' for an agent a few years ago. We'd never done anything before so didn't know what to expect, there were 9 'bands' set up in a function room of a hotel. 2 tables of bookers for holiday parks, clubs etc. Only 2 other bands out of 9 were full bands. most of them were 'high tech duos/trios' most of it was horrendous. There was a good country [i]and[/i] western band and the other full bands were good pro sounding bands. most of the guys with backing tracks were outdated and embarrassing. On the day most of the acts complimented us and a few said we were the best there, we were also the youngest by about 15 years! We got one enquiry for a holiday park but already had a booking, nothing else has come of it. I assume the backing track guys got the gigs because they have less people/overheads. Tried convincing the drummer and Keys to program their parts but they're not up for it :-)

I'll take these my Black cartridge is running low after this weeks set list printing! PMd