gjones

A Carlsbro Stingray 150w Bass combo. It's speakers were made of wet cardboard. I put a 5 string through it once at bedroom levels and the speakers almost turned inside out!

After going through 8 basses and 5 amps in the last 4 years I now have the one bass and one amp that will allow me to achieve the sound I have I my head. They're not top of the range by any standard but they do the trick. But without going through that buying and selling frenzy I would never have gained the knowledge that allowed me to be where I am now. I no longer have amp envy. [size=2]Although I still fancy a Stingray (it's a sound you just can't get from a Jazz however hard you try) [/size] [size=2] [/size]

I depped for a band. They supplied no set list which is just not professional. When I eventually got to the gig I said I could play 25 of the 40 or so songs. The guitarist says to me "Do you know any Neil Diamond'" and I said "nope". He then steps up to the microphone and announces " This songs by Neil Diamond". Duh! In situations like that I just turn my volume down, pretend I'm actually playing, smile, take the money and run.

[quote name='Leen2112' timestamp='1359416292' post='1954589'] We paid to get 250 copies of our EP......Is that the same? [/quote] No you'd have to buy them or download them on amazon or something for them to register (because there's no record shops left to buy over the counter anymore). I hope I'm not putting ideas in your head?

It's like buying 10,000 copies of your own single to get to No1. By the way Leen......... [b]DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT![/b]

Choose the one that has the best blend of ability and enthusiasm. One of the bands I'm in has a drummer who is both sh*te and not very enthusiastic but is the singers brother (so I we can't sack him). A good drummer is worth his weight in kebabs. So don't let a good one go, even if he/she is bald and fat and unattractive.

I know loads of singers who are still singing the same stuff they were grinding out 10 years ago. I don't know if it's a lack of confidence or just apathy. I don't know why anyone would want to go see a band that was going to trot out the same old stuff they'd been churning out for the last decade. I recommend you get him to come up with a dozen songs that have been written in the last 10 years that 'he' wants to sing. You can then learn them and everyone would be happy. If he can't be arsed to do that then you've picked the wrong guy.

I only ever play stadiums.....

Don't buy basses buy analog synths! I bought a monophonic Roland SH101 in the mid eighties for £50 secondhand. Now I see them on ebay going for up to £1000. Now that's what I call an investment.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1359227462' post='1951964'] Also all those Jedson, Columbus, Satellite and Hondos that you couldn't wait to trade in for the real thing! [/quote] Nah! As an impoverished teen in the 70s I thought they were naff and even now I still think they're naff. Certainly not an investment. 80s Arias and Ibanez basses, now that's a different thing altogether.

Back in the 80s I lusted after one of these but technology has moved on. It's probably got scratchy pots and is a bit scruffy so I wouldn't think you'd get more than £70 (and that may be pushing it). Maybe one of these guys would like to take it off your hands http://basschat.co.uk/topic/66952-old-school-hh-amp/

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1358933173' post='1947134'] The power section in the MiBass is a lot more up to date than the one in the Superfly, and greatly improved, and you never know, the one in the 2.0 might be different again, and further improved. I think you're right though, it's unlikely that a class D of that rating is going to match a bag ass solid state amp watt for watt. Eude [/quote] My MiBass 550 seems to be at least as powerful as my previous ABM 500 III.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1359135315' post='1950575'] Tried asking TC Electronic first? [/quote] Good idea!

[quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1359047159' post='1949020'] Worth watching all of these vids. He shows here just how easy it is to adjust a truss rod. This is a single action traditional style rod but the same applies to dual action rods. [media]http://youtu.be/_cnfeyXy7Wg[/media] [/quote] Really interesting. I especially like the bit about having the strings tuned up to pitch, when adjusting the truss rod, which always made sense to me but I was afraid to do just in case something went 'crack!'.

Interesting interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm2V-EdM4NY

It's all in the fingers maaan. Although I did try an Ampeg all tube SVT head in the studio a few weeks ago and it did sound pretty ace.

[quote name='jackers' timestamp='1359026859' post='1948575'] I once got told that I didn't get the bassist spot in a band I auditioned for because I 'don't have a van'...you can imagine my reply I'm sure [/quote] I heard a story that, the fact that he had a van, was the reason Bill Wyman got the the job with The Rolling Stones. Sounds plausible?

[quote name='vmaxblues' timestamp='1359014636' post='1948390'] I am just curious, because in my main band for the last 9 years I have ended up running the guitarist and his kit around for every practise and gig. My second project band has me doing the same for the drummer. The singer in our 5 piece (main band) is retiring and we have decided to be a 4 piece, trouble is the keyboard player doesn't drive and has heaps of kit who the singer used to cart around and I can see what is coming on the horizon.... My question is: I am just a mug or does this happen to any of you too? I have a six seat car (Multipla) which has the back seats permanently out because of all this, and should I just buy a car that is just big enough for my kit? or better still just say, 'sort your own s**t out boys'. [/quote] I'd rather play in a band with a really good drummer with no car, than a crap drummer who drives a removal van. I figured this out a long time ago and have no problem carting our (carless) drummer around. My brother in law, who also plays in a band professionally, is always moaning that he has to drive his drummer to gigs. So much so, that he is talking about getting a smaller car so he has no room for his gear and the drummers. I explained my theory to him but he disagrees. He's much rather a crap drummer with a driving licence than a great drummer he has to cart around everywhere. Edit : But of course he is a guitarist so is pretty high maintenance at the best of times.

Buy an Italian silk suit wear shades and look miserable. Everybody will think you're a mafiosi.

Although I always played bass and enjoyed it I never really played between gigs or practiced. That was until I bought myself a Fender Geddy Lee bass. It's such a sports car of the bass world, with it's super fast, thin, neck (which allowed my to play the type of runs I never thought possible before) that it rejuvenated my interest and got me to the next level of competence. Although I no longer have the bass I still play most days even if I have no gigs that week. So my advice is to go and buy a Geddy lee today. You'll feel much better for it.

I quite like playing great songs with simple basslines, 'Jesus just left Chicago' is a good example. Simplicity and groove is the key. BUT on the other hand I'd LOVE to play 'Rhythm Stick' by the Blockheads before I die but since I don't play in cover bands that play that kind of stuff, I doubt I ever will.

There isn't anything specific I've learned, listening to pro players I admire, other than less can sometimes be more. Find the groove and stick with it. Don't be afraid to just play a root note and keep it simple if that's what's needed. Play for the song, not the other bass players who you think may be listening. That's what gets you the gigs.

Welcome to the 'music business'. Prepare to get shafted.

[quote name='Walker' timestamp='1358848057' post='1945842'] Thank you for this. This is exactly what I needed. For the initial fitting (number three), do I turn the truss rod so that it just bites or leave it totally loose? Thanks again, Chris [/quote] I doubt it will be totally loose. I've bought new necks and they're usually pretty usable as soon as you fit them. If the truss is loose there shouldn't be a problem with tightening it up a bit right after you fit it. As the tension of the strings starts to take effect over the next few hours the neck may shift slightly and you may have to adjust the truss rod again (I'd usually wait about 24 hrs as the neck will have settled by then). By the way I noticed on my last post I said 'screw holes where the marks are'. What I meant to say was 'drill holes where the marks are'.

Once you've fitted it I recommend you tune the bass up and let the neck settle for a while. After 24hrs you'll know whether you need to adjust the truss rod to get your preferred action or not.