Conan

[quote name='Al Heeley' timestamp='1481644370' post='3193970'] Would 500W be enough for larger clubs? Any opinions re the mini heads from TC and Markbass? Any other options to consider around the £500 range? I'm assuming I need to be paying around £450 each for lightweight 2x10 cabs? [/quote] I play similar music to you, and I also use a Jazz bass. Having tried a lot of gear in the last five years or so, I have ended up with (and am very happy with!) a Markbass LM2 and a second generation Barefaced Compact. Even though the Compact is rated at 8 ohms and the amp will "only" be putting about 350W max through it, I have never been even remotely pushed for volume. I won't mention the "heft" word (oops, looks like I just did!) but I feel that my set-up has this too. I paid around £600 for the amp and cab (both from the Basschat Marketplace). Depending on where you are in the "North" you are welcome to pop over (I'm in Newcastle) and give my rig a try!

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1481644259' post='3193969'] I can endorse Howard's work. Alas, 'tis some time since we last heard from the good man. He was suffering ill health. We can only hope he's still with us. [/quote] I saw him last week. He sorted out the wiring on my new Geddy Lee Jazz bass and made it a lovely tort plate He was definitely on good form

There is Howard the Bass Doc, a member on here and a true craftsman - http://basschat.co.uk/user/4905-the-bass-doc/ I also had a beautiful pearl plate made for my Matt freeman P by these guys http://www.northwestguitars.co.uk/bass/ and it was outstanding!!

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1481631993' post='3193851']So, bass players in covers bands: is it important to you to have some influence over new additions to your setlist (in order to have your tastes reflected in what your band plays) or are you happy to play what you're told to play (whether you like the song or not) just for the pleasure of being in a band? [/quote] Depends on the band, and depends on the songs! There are some songs that I have really groaned at when they were suggested, but after learning them and playing them a few times I have grown to like them. The acid test is, of course, are they popular with audiences. Not necessarily ALL audiences, as crowds vary and you can always keep some songs for, say, beer festivals, weddings or biker parties It's usually fairly obvious if a song is not going to work for a particular band, but sometimes a song that works well at rehearsal just doesn't go down well. The reasons are not always clear! There are very few songs that I would refuse, point blank, to play. And if I did, it would usually be because I thought them inappropriate for the band rather than any personal preference.

I like cassettes....

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1481546281' post='3193088'] The role in my last two bands seems to have been to develop an intense (& mutual) hatred of the keyboard player & then leave. [/quote] Ha ha! It's singers for me...

Out of interest, I wonder how many of you above are members of original bands? The reason I ask is that (IME) the role of each member is much more clear-cut and constant in a covers band. With an original band, things tend to evolve and therefore roles have to also evolve, or new people have to be brought in to carry out those newly evolved roles... Some members might grow increasingly uncomfortable with their new (or changed) role. That was certainly my experience in my last band. Is this making sense?

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1481528895' post='3192866'] But did he play 4 hour bar gigs for nowt? [/quote]

Hmmmm. Not sure I agree. If a "celeb" dies and they had a large effect on my life, then I will feel shocked, sad, disappointed, maybe even angry (depending on the circumstances of their death). If that makes me selfish or self-indulgent, so be it. You appear to be saying that if someone was famous or left some form of "legacy" then they don't deserve to be mourned - and that nobody other than their nearest and dearest have the right to comment upon that death. I find that strange... Also rather a provocative post for only your 19th!

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1481211287' post='3190611'] Sure, it's not of earth-shattering importance! However, when you walk into a venue trying to get a gig and you're asked "What sort of band are you?", there are times when you have to think about how you reply, surely? [/quote] Yes, that's true.

That's odd. The LH series are usually noted for their simplicity, loudness and trouble-freeness.

Having just been bought out my Matteson's, my guess is Steamhammmmmmmm. So the daily reveal could take a while...

[quote name='paul_c2' timestamp='1481206330' post='3190534'] boffins in white coats conceded that it was perfectly allowable to have an electric bass in an otherwise acoustic band. [/quote] Hmmmm. [i][b]Some[/b][/i] of them did...

I play a big, heavy version of a guitar. It has fewer strings and those strings are thicker in diameter. They also give a deeper, fuller sound. I call it a "bass". It certainly gets funny looks when I get it out around "musicians". I don't care though because I love it and the sound it makes.

Why is it so important? Just call yourselves "Aliens drive Winnebagos" and have done with it! On second thoughts, don't - I might use that one myself!

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DYGoN5r9rE[/media] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRMFQxd7ye8 [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR8qtxts1jY[/media]

I'd go for a second-hand Fender Geddy Lee J - either Japanese or Mexican made. You might just be able to get one for your budget. One of the best J basses ever made IMO

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1480514082' post='3185001'] Jagger is a notoriously tight bastard. [/quote] Even his son needs a bank loan... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y3AXzZqg2k

[quote name='Jono Bolton' timestamp='1480523466' post='3185094'] My Matt Freeman has a gloss neck and I've never though it was problem. [/quote] Agreed. The Matt Freemans have lovely necks. In fact, outstanding basses for the price!

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1480515088' post='3185019'] Prefer satin finish myself - no reason in particular. The best one I own is a Sandberg Cali II neck, it's like silk. [/quote] Same here. The neck on the Fender Geddy Lee J basses is divine! Not that I have a real issue with glossy necks, but I just prefer satin.

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1480453305' post='3184586'] Please stop describing slap bass as a party trick. It's quite insulting. [/quote] Who did that? I don't think it was me...

And how about this one for a simple groove? Plenty of space one might say. Yippee aye oh, hi ay [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDbpg_EYgE0[/media]

Let's not forget Shakatak and Mezzoforte. OK, they can overdo it at times, but some lovely slap lines in there http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbE9yf0ejM0 [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_LaeyZTVDo[/media] And how about a bit of slap on an 8 string bass? [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KCcn3mzT5c[/media]