TorturedSaints

Here's what I wrote in an email to the guitarist from my first band, who recently got in touch: ***** died a death after a falling out precipitated by the lead guitarist criticising the rhythm guitarist during the recordings, who then left. Because we had a gig coming up, **** offered to play her Strat as a short-term stopgap solution, which was ok for the gig. **** then left and sold her drum kit, but then was persuaded to come back. The lead guitarist then had a general slagging off session aimed at ****, me and one of the vocalists (including having his wife swear down the phone at the vocalist!) so it all got a bit messy. Then we got 2 new guitarists in, there are some crackpots out there, auditions were great fun, although we ended up with 2 who didn't learn the set, and just wanted to play Status Quo 12 bar blues instead, so we put the band to bed there. Subsequently I played with a younger set of guys, which was good, got me into stuff like Foos and Chilis, but that stopped when the guitarist was having touble balancing work and family. I then played with another band which was going really well until the guitarist (there's a theme here . . . ) decided that as the vocalist and I didn't want to play country like 'Crystal Chandeliers' (because that's what they want in working mens' clubs apparently, that we weren't required). I then hooked up with that vocalist, her husband, had a tryout with ***, but she couldn't stand the singer's voice (actually in a rehearsal room she wasn't great), plus the guitarist husband had been on shift all night so played badly, plus the kit at ********studio in **** was rubbish (including electric shocks for the vocalist from the mic!) so she didn't fancy coming out of retirement for that. I then found another drummer and guitarist, but couldn't stand the guitarist (looked like a *********r to me) so made my excuses and left, having already found another guitarist who had a drummer but no vocalist. A few excellent rehearsals with them plus another outstanding guitarist, although to be fair all he wanted to play was early ZZ Top, Joe Bonnamassa and not much else (lots of guitar W**kery) and wasn't keen on getting a vocalist. He didn't bother calling either me or the drummer back after Christmas, so here I am. I've missed out the wannabee from *****, who wanted to rehearse in the Function suite at ***** airport, just because it was free and he worked there, although we got thrown out by security, and the subsequent tryout with that drummer in his soul band on alto sax, (good musicians but there were a lot of undercurrents). Also missed out the day's recording in *** with ****s for an abortive Musical theatre project. So I'm still looking too. (Names obliterated to protect the innocent!)

[quote name='ezbass' post='764793' date='Mar 5 2010, 09:43 AM']Sounds like an earthing fault. A quick run round the PCB checking the solders and connectors would be the way forward I reckon. Check out any local amp repairers and give them a call, they might be willing to have a look.[/quote] Yep, I'll do this. It could well be this as I kept it in my gig bag. I'm asking around locally for any recommended repairers too. As I've just emailed the distributor (paraphrase) "If I need a DI box in the future, I'll get a Behringer - I can get 2 of those for your minimum repair charge and I don't mind throwing them in the bin." Thanks for all your help guys, cheers Ralph <back to lurk mode>

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='763491' date='Mar 3 2010, 11:16 PM']also reread your initial post. it did used to work?[/quote] Yes!

[quote name='RalphDWilson' post='728676' date='Jan 29 2010, 01:26 PM']Thanks guys, I will try a new battery first and let you know how it goes.[/quote] New battery didn't sort it. Just been quoted £60 plus vat and carriage for the UK distributor to look at it. Any parts required will be on top of that. That's an expensive brick, in fact it'll be more than I paid for it secondhand if it needs any parts. I'll be opening it up to look for poor shielding/disconnected wires before I throw it in the bin and buy something else. Grr. Unless someone can recommend a repairer with SENSIBLE rates?

[quote name='redzombie' post='728671' date='Jan 29 2010, 01:23 PM']+1 Never had any such problems when I had mine.[/quote] Thanks guys, I will try a new battery first and let you know how it goes.

I don't use the BDDI very often, I bought it to have it in my bag if needed. Recently I was asked to do some recording and suggested to the engineer that using the BDDI plus a dry signal would be the way ahead and then he could blend as required in the mix. When I hooked up the BDDI to the mixer via the XLR at either line or instrument level, there was a noisy mains hum, so in the end we didn't use it, just a miked up cabinet. When I got home, I tried it again, with a different J bass and accoustic with piezo pickup, different leads, the hum was still there. There are no fluorescent lights, I was using battery rather than phantom power, the ground lift button makes no difference. If you set the knobs on the BDDI to the suggested positions from the manual, then there's way too much hum. Any suggestions? Have I got a bad one? Does it need a new battery or a service? If so, who services them in the UK. Thanks for any help. Ralph

Still looking as in OP, after 2 more changes of old band personnel, still not working. cheers Ralph

Hi there, looking for any bass playing, deps, gigs etc or more permanent band. Musical influences mainly rock and definitely prog rock, however will play anything. Last band folding due to lack of time/mojo after personnel change. Classically trained clarinet/sax player so can read 'proper' music etc. Another 'old git' - mid 40s . Reasonable kit and transport (MIJ Fender Geddy Lee sig, Aria 5-string, cheap acoustic, Laney 160W 1x15, Warwick 410, Sansamp, 8 mic pres firewire recording interface/PC, some live gear and midi stuff , various mics, drum kit, etc interested in recording). Not great at vocals, too much of a 'classically trained ' voice for rock plus I prefer not to interfere with the groove. Forgot to say, all for the fun of it, don't really need the money. Get in touch. cheers Ralph

[quote name='Pedro1020' post='119396' date='Jan 13 2008, 08:58 AM']lol I can't stop laughing at the cheesy "W" .. yeah dont go into these, they are rubbish cheapo's.[/quote] Thanks guys, I'll save my money for a decent fretless then! cheers Ralph

Hi, can anybody tell me what bass this is on ebay (and what it's worth ?) Looks like a Warwick, but I'm not sure about the dull black finish. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170184623995&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007"]ebay bass[/url] cheers, Ralph

Hi there, anybody care to offer an opinion on the electro acoustic fretless basses on ebay ? For £59 (£74 delivered) they've either got to be utter dogs or the world's best bargain! [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fretless-Electro-Acoustic-Bass-Guitar-new-43in-Black_W0QQitemZ200134594123QQihZ010QQcategoryZ4713QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fretless-Electro-Aco...3QQcmdZViewItem[/url] Please help me decide! And no, I'm not associated with the company, I just don't want to waste 74 notes! regards Ralph