Thurbs

[quote name='AsterL' timestamp='1340142404' post='1700016']
Wish I had a more powerful amp to run, and played gigs where i could justify bringing another one! Sorry buddy!
[/quote]+1 and have a free bump.

I did a trailer gig last year, side on so had loads of space.

We either DI'd or mic'd everything up including the drums and fed it through a 5 KW PA. It is the only way IMHO.

I think it is best to be relaxed about these things.

If the singer is trying to replace you, what good will it do to put off the inevitable?

There are many bands and they change their line up all the time, good players will always be in demand and get in bands.

Myself? In 3 at the moment and operate a first come first served basis for gigs, gigs trump rehearsals and rehearsals are managed depending on work commitments.

If there is a clash then I find a dep to cover and give them all my materials. If they get the gig then so be it, who wants to be in a band like that anyway? My dep is also miles better than me but that is the way it should be!

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1339840175' post='1695127']Bassists have been the butt of quite a few jibes from guitar players I've worked with and drummers get lots of stick too (no pun intended). This may sometimes be just in jest, but how often does this come from a "How hard can it be?" attitude?[/quote]I had a drum lesson a few weeks ago for no other reason than to answer that very question.

The answer: Very.

I would recommend it for all bass players.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1339872464' post='1695806']
Yes... if they're having problems with this number it doesn't bode well for the future, IMHO...
[/quote]Quite agree.

[quote name='pikeman' timestamp='1339317696' post='1686654']
I'm looking forward to hearing a Midget with my Compact ( if the owner is willing). Looks like we'll have 2 Ampeg PF500 there.
[/quote]Sure, knock yourself out.

Ever venture south? I can't imagine posting this would work...

If you were closer I would have another set of these! I use mine for PA subs and they work really well.

Is it a ABM or MAG? also, any pictures?

1u - Behringer Ultra-Q Pro - Equaliser, only used occationally.
1u - Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 - Use for recording, sometimes also used as a pre-amp.
2u - Peavey IPR1600 - Power AMP for bass Cabs

Hi Gareth, I am really interested in this amp... I see you have a LB (which I also have!). I am assuming as it is the same pre-amp as the LB, is it effectively a loud version of the LB (I guess like the Little 550 Bastard)? or does it have a different sound?

Cheers, Richard.

My first db gig was without a drummer too. I agree when you do gig, you need to find a quiet one...

Why not go IEM? You need a pre-amp with 2 outputs, a headphone amp and some headphones... feedback problem gone and for much less than a set of strings.

I had an audition last night and I was prepared with about 10 songs from their set, some I knew and some I was reading.

They seemed very keen for me to join from about the 3rd song in but I wasn't so sure. Musically they were all competent and knowledgable, they just hadnt got the structure sorted out for someo of the few songs. Nothing winds me up more than "err, how does this one go" just before we play a number...

In the end I gave them the benefit of the doubt and said I would join but made sure they understood my expectations. Hopefully I made the right decision!

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1330416942' post='1556941']
Funny I'm looking an LB30 and cab at the minute too! I have a spare ABM (first series chrome face) that'll be going up for sale shortly (when the LB30 arrives) VERY cheap if you'd be interested?
[/quote]Sure, send me a PM with the advert when it goes up and I will take a look.

More ABM love here. I regretably sold mine to a BC member and continue to rue that day and have very nearly bought a new one... went for a LB instead, which is also a keeper. I have learnt from my mistakes!

Sounds great, count me in.

Gear, i'll bring the Archer DB, Ashdown LB30 and a Midget-T.

Dont mind doing a jazz trio or quartet (with bass, keys, sax and if we can find a drummer in time, one of them too).

We are a new band so dont have any demos yet but will let you know when we are practicing and you would be are welcome to join us and join in!

Cheers, R.

I echo what BlueJay has said. Because the DB is so much of a physical instrument, it is best to get face to face tuition to make sure you understand finger positions, wrist angles, elbo height... and all that is before you pick up a bow or pizz.

As for the bow argument, even if you only want to play jazz/blues/rock exclusively, I would recommend you still get stuck in with the bow. It really helps with intonation as it is much easier to sustain notes, allowing you to hear errors more clearly.... and talking about intonation... welcome to a new life long quest for perfection!

As an aside, once you have been using the DB for any length of time, a BG just feels so easly to play and strangly has really brought my playing on leaps and bounds. No idea why though, maybe it just feels so much easier in comparison?

[quote name='PTB' timestamp='1329933364' post='1550018']
Go for one with wheels, makes life much easier. I use one from Tom & Will.
[/quote]+1

I use a DB with a Ashdown LB30 and a BFB Midget-T, went for the tweeter version to get the most natural sound possible and it sounds great. I am always getting comments on how natural it sounds.

I would say the Midget-T is more than up to the job... even with 30w I struggle with feedback on stage, mostly though, I stick the DB in to the PA and stay away from speakers!

If like me you also play EBG then it would sound great, just complete overkill when paired with the DB.

[quote name='urb' timestamp='1328715692' post='1531577']
EDIT - the iReal app is very cool - if you have the latest version you can even export the songs as MIDI files and can drop them into Logic / Cubase - and then create your own tunes - it's great and I love using it as a practice tool - working on specific things like 2/5/1 chord sequences, all the different scales - major, minor, alterted, augmented, melodic/harmonic minors, learning about chord substitutions, different picking techniques - reading and transcribing - it all adds so much more to your musical outlook - so instead of just following the friggin' guitardist you can write your own tunes, explain to other musicians how you want this bit played etc - and feel a lot more confident as a MUSICIAN - not just the bass player.....
[/quote]+ loads... It is the best and most valuable purchase I have made.

I wouldn't worry, I think you made a sound purchase for an entry level db...

When I bot mine, I put Honey's on it, the fretboard needed a mild skim and the bridge lowered. Chuck in some rosin, K&K double big twin pickup, fishman pro pre-amp and tom & will gig bag with wheels it ended up costing around £1400.

Excellent value for a carved bass if you ask me, everyone says how good it sounds both acoustically and amplified.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1327448273' post='1511586']
Not using open strings seems really odd to me. They are four/five notes that are available in any position and if you're playing fretless they are four/five notes you know are correctly intonated so they are always a clue to the rest of your intonation. One note is only available as an open string.
[/quote]Agreed 100%.

When I first leant and played fretted 5 string BG I always hovered around the 5th fret and just played the usual rock and pop pentatonics largely from that place. Makes you really lazy...

Completely changed my playing style when I moved over to fretless. Now open strings are the life blood of my playing... especially on the DB. My advice would be to the OP that if you ever intend to progress on to a fretless instrument, integrate open strings in to your practising, arpeggios, scales and playing... makes it easier in the long run.

I use a K&K Double Big Twin pickup in to Ashdown LB30 with a BFB Midget-T. Light weight, expensive and sounds awesome.

Personally can't see the point in a combo just for the DB if you also play the BG and ABG.

Also if going straight in to the desk, just use a Fishman Pro and have a personal IEM to hear my appalling intonation (no bass though the monitors in fear of feedback).

I couldn't give a toss what I play, however if I start disliking a song then I tend to add something to it so I get something from it. For example sex on fire, the challenge is to do the most insane licks when transitioning through the chorus. Summer of 69 I try and introduce as many chromatic runs as I dare without it sounding sh*t. Mustang Sally is all about playing with octaves and getting the transition right. Dakota I use a organ type foot keyboard thing to get some bass synth going to fatten out the sound whilst playing. Amazing how hard it is to play your feet, fingers and sing backing harmonies at the same time, and as a result what could be the most boring song becomes quite challenging.

Some songs however you have to sit back and accept the song for what it is and just enjoy playing it in front of an audience. Chasing cars is one of these, as is With or Without You. Then the fun is to try and put your band mates off while they are concentrating....