4 Strings

Just a small comment, I have noticed that for a given output level if I turn the Gain down but output 'Master' up it tends to give a thinner, less deep sound than if I drive the input Gain hard (but not to distortion) and turn the Master down.

Don't be frightened to open it up, GB positively encourage it and do not default the guarantee if you change valves. It's dead easy, just get an Allen key to the lid, and take it off. Bingo, valves. There are two Rubies (in V2 and V3) and a JJ, but all 12AX7T. If it is a faulty valve it sounds like V1 (the distortion valve) may be the culprit, either take the plunge and replace it or just swap it with one of the others and see if there's any difference. Ask the nice Mr Foxen for one of his older valves, for a vintage sound (and let us know if you can tell the difference!) - You may find this an interesting read - http://basschat.co.uk/topic/191375-new-valves-for-genz-streamliner-any-experience/

My lad has a Mex Deluxe Jazz. Can't see any thing on it which would be less quality than US (the electronics are US anyway, apparently)

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1365533813' post='2040879'] Have you heard the bass solo...yes BASS SOLO, on the extended version of I'm Your Man? It's a bit tasty. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P4L2eZ-t_o"]https://www.youtube....h?v=8P4L2eZ-t_o[/url] Skip to 4:30. And...in a futile attempt to stay on topic... ...NO SLAP BASS AT ALL. [/quote] A very good solo, great find. Had to avoid GM though, I'm afraid the very sound of him irritates me.

Are they really made of cheaper stuff? I don't care about tuning pegs, surely the wood used in US Fenders is no better? Are the pups different? Is the quality of the knobs poor? (I suppose that begs another question, what makes 'good wood' for a bass - please nothing about tone here!)

ooer, Big Red, I see what you mean but not that bad!

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1365443874' post='2039737'] I think one of the things to remember here is that most sound engineers in venues will probably have 3 - 5 bands on the bill, and have very little time to get anyones sound perfect, so it`s far easier to take it pre, then leave it flat. It`s very unlikely that pre will be a sound that gets in the way, so turn it up loud enough and then leave it. Think back to all those sound-checks - when has anyone on here, and include all your band-members in this, been asked to come out front and listen to the mix, and did any of the instruments need adjusting to represent the band-members sound better? Never? Well it`s probably they didn`t have enough time. To me this is a venue issue, not a sound engineer issue. Promoter/venue does their research, puts two decent bands on the bill, spend some time on the sound-checks, and both bands sound great, audience very happy. Or, put 5 on the bill, and sound-check is little more than a levelling exercise. None of the bands sound remotely as they would like, and any fans that have the bands recorded material are left with the impression "they sound nothing like their recordings live/they sound rubbish live". Factor in with this, on these bills bands are told to gear share - we`re playing a gig where all 5 bands have been told to pick one backline between them - and it`s no wonder live music isn`t what it used to be. None of the bands will sound anything like how they want to, therefore why bother trying to eq it anyway. Venues can kill bands easier than making them with this approach. [/quote] Yep, go along with this, but would add that many bands don't know how they want to sound. The bass player might have worked out a sound for himself, and the guitarist too, but not thought much about how their sounds fit together. I must say I always have a chat, tell them where I want various instruments to sit, not had a bad response yet. Probably varied success in getting what I've asked but, so far, the sound engineers have all been willing, even if one or two have shown a little impatience.

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1363953827' post='2020027'] Only got the one............ haven't any gut shots but will do when it gets worked on - hopefully soon. It's as I bought it except for a couple of replacement pre-amp valves & I had a Bulgin put back in - it had some kind of multi-socket connection when I got it. Loving your Ashton - never seen one of those before!!!! [/quote] If I ever went back to back breaking gear, one of these would be the cause. 'NOD No.1' - didn't come from Birmingham did it? >Edit< oh, just see the top!

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1365409004' post='2039008'] Post for me where possible! I want the engineer to have a reference for how I want the bass to sound out front. If you have a decent amp with a good DI and know how to use your EQ then a decent engineer should be able to reproduce that sound. If a soundman insists on using a pre signal I won't throw any toys out of the pram, but it is generally a bad sign. Usually it means that they are lazy (will give you a generic sound like they did the last guy), arrogant (want to let you know that they can get a better sound than you) or just a bit rubbish! IME there are a lot of cr@p sound engineers out there, even in decent venues or using good PAs. Good ones definitely do need looking after... [/quote] Or it could mean they know a bit about sound and know that their system will make a better sound than the treble and bass controls on a bass amp. Some engineers receive such a ridiculously scooped sound from bass players' amps that there's nothing they can do to make the bass heard apart from elevating the level of stodge. Generic sounds? Now there's a can of worms best avoided by taking some time with said sound engineer and letting him know what you want. Good ones listen and know exactIy what to do. I get cross at the keyboards, bass guitar, kick drum and bottom strings on the guitar all muddying up the same bottom end frequencies as they are eq'd in isolation for impressive sounds. I have stopped playing once at this (in a church too!) as it was pointless carrying on making the sounds worse. Ok, off soap box.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1365373043' post='2038823'] I know what you mean, but we have to separate the music from the tools, it's very important. [/quote] Absolutely, and I think this has stopped me from going for the custom made jobbie. I really like the utilitarian type of instrument as I very much consider my bass as a tool, but one that must perform and allow me to make the music I want, this is it's no.1 function, not to look beautiful or even be 'cool'. The transfer on the headstock is merely a display of 'I paid this much'. Well, more fool you. But, still, if I see an MX in that serial number then it's not a real bass. I need counselling to be set free.

Pre. Amp is normally pretty flat anyway so it makes no odds. The desk eq is way more sophisticated than my amp and I can't dee the point in a string of eq upon eq and trying to make sense of it. Keep it simple, give the best and most natural signal to the desk. Recording, best sound is bass jack into the interface, found this to be the case on every occasion, the amp cuts depth pre or post.

Yes, very much so here, can't be just the 'F' word, has to have 'USA' tag too. Not because I marvel at the US labour (or should that be labor) force, far from it, but I only buy a bass on a rare occasion and it needs to be one I can resell easily. Why buy a 'nearly' bass? I unfortunately judge other's guitars and basses on a similar level. A MiM is about as worthy as a Satellite. Ridiculous, but it's there in my sub-concious regardless of how 'free' I'd like to be. It's the likes of me that keeps MiM prices low and MIA prices high. Sorry everyone, I resent it too!

The Who.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1365112967' post='2035644'] Haha! I think the day when you commission a custom bass is the day your best friend should punch you in the face. Like your art is so unique it requires a bespoke instrument. Your art as a bass player - no other instrument screams 'accompaniment' like the bass guitar, nobody needs a bespoke bass built to their own specification unless they have a disability and require a uniquely accessible instrument. [/quote] How do we nominate 'stickies'?

That's great, sounds like a real goer. Now, if this was Basschat or something I'd have to suggest you buy a new bass to celebrate!

[quote name='urb' timestamp='1365155160' post='2035948'] Thanks dude - just one more from the same gig - with a bass solo [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsmH-IkTsDg[/media] Thanks for checking it out M [/quote] I have to say that was awesome! Really enjoyed it. Was that solo mostly off the cuff or mostly something you've developed? (But, rather like a Volvo driver offering Michael Schumacher a few tips about driving, but can't help suggest to pick up on the triplets the drummer gives to mark the end of your solo!)

Macca used Tru-Bass on his. Would be my natural choice.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1365077470' post='2034899'] Although I will say, some bassists I have seen just come across as total nerds on stage, especially with weird looking basses or when they barely move. I don't know why, but bass to me seems to attract two types: 1. Cool 'band' types who love the whole rock star 'thing' and really get into it, 2. Nerds. I like to think I'm 1, but I'm probably also a bit of 2. [/quote] Which side of the river are these? [attachment=131797:Nerd Bass players.jpg]

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1365059422' post='2034588'] If this is Northern Soul, then: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYi8lA9y_BY [/quote] Very cool.[quote name='Baxter' timestamp='1364073751' post='2021729'] I Play in a Northern Soul Covers Band. Favorite basslines? For playing my favourites would be Just can't Get enough of you by The Apollas, If Thats What You Wanted by Frank Bellamy and the Butlers. Trickiest is Music to my Heart by Patti Austin (im not that keen on funky stuff), [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7J1TQejOOg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7J1TQejOOg[/url] heres a classic done by us, a few years ago now - we're getting some new stuff done. [/quote][quote name='Baxter' timestamp='1364073751' post='2021729'] I Play in a Northern Soul Covers Band. Favorite basslines? For playing my favourites would be Just can't Get enough of you by The Apollas, If Thats What You Wanted by Frank Bellamy and the Butlers. Trickiest is Music to my Heart by Patti Austin (im not that keen on funky stuff), [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7J1TQejOOg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7J1TQejOOg[/url] heres a classic done by us, a few years ago now - we're getting some new stuff done. [/quote] This is great stuff, got the right feel, would love to see the brass live.

Can I play (would like to keep this moving as its a great subject!)? Here's one, a good song but the outstanding performance is the bass. http://youtu.be/xwvpeYiQwss

[quote name='urb' timestamp='1364483191' post='2027101'] So proud of my jazzy-funky band just wanted to share these clips from a recent gig - we're at Spice of Life in Soho on 2 May if you want to come and check it out [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbiQwNU_6kk[/media] [media]http://youtu.be/qNa6aT2ZYKo[/media] [/quote] Not surprised you're proud of this, sounds amazing and must be great fun putting it together. Very impressive.

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1364998383' post='2033869'] I was there! (well not literally at that gig, but I did see them around the same time) And I agree. [/quote] It's where you have to feel sorry for singers finding something to do during long instrumentals. Roger Daltry was good at it, but I'm sure it was the part he liked least.

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1365005027' post='2034037'] Queen famously supported Mott The Hoople and wiped the floor with them, so I guess you do have to be careful. [/quote] I know which band I'd rather see (although I do, of course, acknowledge the larger than life stage presence of Queen's ex-singer).

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1365001018' post='2033937'] Ok, since this little challenge has been so damn popular, I will give you the answer [i]Strat with Lace pickups >[/i] [i]Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer, Boss CH-1 Super Chorus, Boss DD-3 Digital Delay with Keely mod and set to analogue mode, Blackstar HT Dual valve distortion/overdrive >[/i] [i]into the clean channel of a Fender Hot Rod DeVille 4x10 2 channel valve amp with a THD Hot Plate [/i] [/quote] ooh, I was just going to say that!

For me its not so much the movement as the 'into'. I (used to) love watching Norman with Wilko, his whole body seemed to be in unison with his bass and the music and I loved it. I used to 'move' around a lot more than I do, I suppose it was more fashionable but mostly I was there to perform and entertain, if the band is dull with with no energy how will the audience react? I have now released my inhibitions and suffer much more from 'bass face' and movements associated with the playing and the band than movement for it's own sake. I feel a lot more presence from other bass players who do this and hope to give the same but mainly I play a lot better and enjoy myself more. I think this is more entertaining. Regardless of how much you like the track here you can totally understand the bass playing here because you can see it as well as hear it. I find this compelling and so a huge presence. Wilko's movements are great too, but much more for entertainment. How I'll miss this band. http://youtu.be/qB1ckQwBlb0