BigAlonBass

"Controls Active (Volume-Bass-Blend- [b]MIDDEN [/b]- treble)"

Probably sounds sh*t.

[quote name='Linus27' post='1128073' date='Feb 15 2011, 10:31 AM']I am considering learning to read music for bass parts. OK, naturally the answer is going to be based on everyones own ability, but generally, do you think its possible to learn to do it within 12 months to a standard that will allow you to read most parts from sight?[/quote]
Short answer - Yes. Just be prepared to work at it. Don't fall into the trap of "Oh, that's close enough, it's only Bass" when what you really mean is "It's not as easy as I thought, I'll have to spend a bit more time at it"

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1122089' date='Feb 9 2011, 11:26 PM']I really wish i could play fast with fingers but no matter hard i try i [b]CAN'T [/b]get close to my picking speed.

I find fingers look and sound more natural but i [b]CAN'T [/b]do it at even a modest speed........or maybe its just my drummer playing too fast.[/quote]

Fixed it. I think that's what you meant to write.

[quote name='yorks5stringer' post='1117441' date='Feb 6 2011, 10:39 AM']Just about to courier an old rack case.....how would you suggest I wrap it? Not being funny , genuinely would like to know as it would seem a bit daft giving it too much unnecessary protection?
I was thinking cardboard outer, make sure all catches are taped shut and that's it?[/quote]
I recently had one delivered to me, wrapped in bubble wrap, which was taped tightly into place. This was then place in a thick cardboard box, with the voids filled with shredded cardboard and bubble wrap. The packaging looked as though it had been pelted with house-bricks, and then used as a seat for a tired elephant by the time it got to me, but the case itself was in pristine condition. It pays to be a bit careful these days.

Are they still lead-lined as standard? Hernia time!

[quote name='untune' post='1105802' date='Jan 28 2011, 01:54 AM']Is there any way to make gold hardware... not gold anymore? [/quote]
Dremel-Wire Brush-Black Paint.

[quote name='cheddatom' post='1102361' date='Jan 25 2011, 04:59 PM']Once a soundman said "you're not using THAT EQ" and then started to mess with the EQ on my amp.[/quote]
The same thing happened to me not so long ago. I said in a very loud voice "Don't touch my gear". He ignored me.
In a very loud voice, I repeated the statement. He ignored me.
I broke his nose.

(Everyone in the venue witnessed the event, and I was about to pack my gear up when the Manager came over to me and said "He deserved that". It just so happened that he was a 'stand-in' as the regular guy had phoned to say he would be a bit late.)

I am NOT advocating violence in the least, but there are certain boundaries that I will allow NOBODY to cross.

[size=2]Get[/size] [size=5]out [/size][size=7]NOW! [/size]

One of the many little pearls of wisdom my old Dad said to me "Always go for Bands that are better than [i]you[/i] think you are. You might get knocked back at first, but when you eventually get the Gigs, you'll get dragged up to their level."

He was right.

[quote name='Mlucas' post='1088284' date='Jan 13 2011, 04:48 PM']I have been looking for one of these for ages, sadly I'm in the North East so it seems a bit of a problem, otherwise I would be on this like a shot![/quote]
Sorry to the OP for the thread hi-jack, but I've got this available, and I'm a lot closer to you.

[attachment=68730:My_Trace_Cab..jpg]

[quote name='owen' post='1088701' date='Jan 13 2011, 10:38 PM']Any further thoughts on the FretLord stuff? How big is the battery pod thang?

TIA[/quote]
Got a set last christmas, and they ended up in the bin! The fixing tape was thick and very non-sticky, and the light only shows up on the darkest of stages. In normal light, you can hardly see that they are switched on. I actually ripped them off half-way through the first set, because the tape got in the way of my fingers, for very little benefit, and just kept the Battery Pod as a pretty torch.

This is still flapping my trousers, but not for much longer I'm afraid. Old age and Arthritis are making it more difficult to carry from the van into gigs.

(and NO! they aren't my E.Q. settings. My Son knocked the sliders with his arm when he stuck the amp on top of the stack to help me out.)

[attachment=68456:DSC_0002.JPG]

A lot of amps have a Passive/Active switch, to compensate for the difference in output from different Basses. I use a Peavey that has an in/out type, (same input) and an old Trace-Elliot that has Input 1 for Passive and Input 2 for Active. Just look at the Specs of whichever amp you're using, (or thinking of using) and it should tell you the options.

[quote name='Conan' post='1082387' date='Jan 8 2011, 06:13 PM']Does a 'rig' have to be separates? I ask purely out of interest...![/quote]
I don't think it matters. If you plug a Bass in one end, and noise comes out of the other, it's a Rig. A combo is just a smaller rig.

[quote name='fryer' post='1073677' date='Dec 31 2010, 01:34 PM']Hi, I may be interested in this, if I sell my powered system ( need money so downsizing ) I have a mixer, which we just use for vocals, and 2 passive PA speakers. Would this be all I need ? Could I take the output from the mixer straight into this ? Richard. I live near Reading, so could collect.[/quote]
I use exactly the set-up you're describing whilst on sound duties for a couple of Pub Bands round my way. It'll actually handle a lot more than just vocals with the addition of a couple of passive bins. (The bins would need internal crossovers, though. Mine had them fitted as standard when I bought them).

[quote name='keeponehandloose' post='1069701' date='Dec 26 2010, 05:49 PM']Every time this guy pops up I wonder why he isnt famous yet.[/quote]
Probably because people don't know if he plays Bass or a set of Bongoes. It all sounds a bit samey to me these days.

[quote name='endorka' post='1068419' date='Dec 24 2010, 12:26 AM']Sorry Big Al, looks like I just parroted your post :-)

Jennifer[/quote]
No problem. You know what they say - "Great Minds Think Alike".........




I generally don't listen to the ones that counter with "Fools Seldom Differ"

I honestly don't see what the problem is. I work regularly with three different Bands, two of whom de-tune all the strings on their instruments by a semitone, to allow the vocalists to hit some of the more difficult notes. We all de-tune, but fret the "normal" notes.
I practise and learn any new songs by listening to C.D's at home, and have a POS old copy Bass that is tuned "normally" so I can play along with the songs I'm learning. When I go to the Rehearsal/Gig, I take the de-tuned Bass, and play the "normal" notes I have just learnt, which are the same notes as everyone else in the Band. It may sound like a G#, but we're all fretting the G. Not too annoying, unless you have Perfect Pitch!
It's not a case of "Telling you what to do", it's just the Band being helpful so that you don't have to transpose every note in every song down half a step on the fly.

I'm contemplating swapping one of my "no-name" basses for a crappy 5-string, to see what all the fuss is about, and to find out if I can actually play it!

I don't think Karen Carpenter ever sounded like she was singing down her nose............

[quote name='thebrig' post='1053765' date='Dec 10 2010, 09:53 AM']What do they sound like, are they up there with standard Precisions?[/quote]
Not really. With them being an Active Bass in their original configuration, they're a bit more 'modern' sounding. I replaced the pick-ups on mine, as most people seem to do, and with a bit of 'tweaking' can get very close to the Precision Sound. It also has a Jazz pick-up, but it doesn't do the Jazz Sound very well at all. If you can get a sound you're happy with (I did) they're a nice, comfortable Bass to play.

P.M'd you.

[quote name='gicut58' post='1046011' date='Dec 3 2010, 09:21 AM']This is all so cool - constructive critique requested, and boy did I get it!
thanks for all your help peeps, plenty to chew on!

G[/quote]
Precisely. When it comes right down to it, you're the one who has to make the decisions on your sound, but when you get a lot of opinions from folk who play the same instrument as yourself, it can give you a starting point that you may not have seen, being too close to the problem in the first place. Good luck!

[quote name='gicut58' post='1044883' date='Dec 2 2010, 11:59 AM']the questions I'm asking are as follows - am I wrong in wanting 'my sound'? I hate....with a passion......the sound the bass produces that other band members want. How much does wearing earplugs affect audio reception? am i being asked to compensate for the hearing issues of others? am I being a bit too much of a prima D?

any constructive criticism gratefully received

G[/quote]
Answers in chronological order:- Yes - Tough - It Varies - No - Yes.

In the last few Bands I've been in, I can categorically state that I have NEVER had "my sound" onstage. It's always been a matter of compromising to make the BAND sound good, not to keep a single member (us) happy. I wear earplugs as well, so it doesn't grate as much as it used to in 'The Olden Days', as it takes a bit of treble out of the sound you're actually hearing. The only true test is to get out in the audience by means of a radio transmitter or a very long guitar lead, and listen to what it sounds like out there. If you still think it sounds rubbish, you're in the wrong Band, because you (or they) never be happy with your sound.

Cool idea! I'll have a virtual ticket, please.