I have a pretty good collection of basses now. Not all "high end" (if that can really be defined), but I've been gradually upgrading from the Squire, MIM, Gio level of instruments, not that they all didn't play well and sound good. And while most basses can cover 80% of the sound that other basses can bring, there is an element that I'm just discovering: The sound space and sound support that each performance space brings.
I really love my Sandberg and couldn't put it down from the minute I touched it in the store, and had to gulp when I saw the price tag, but bought it anyway. And whilI play a regular Friday night gig. It's a bit of an acoustically challenging space, with speakers oddly planted, a small stage. I like to use my amp as a monitor. On Friday nights, I use a TCE BG250-113, but the FOH gets my output from the XLF out on my Fishman Platinum Pro EQ/DI box. Getting everyone (MD, sound guy, me) to be ok with the sound, which impacts how much volume is a challenge. Last night, I brought what I thought was my "stepchild" bass, Fender USA Pro II P5, and the sound almost magically fell into place. Amp and EQ were flat across, and I just dialed back the tone a bit. It's strung with EB Cobalt Flats. I came away asking myself why my P5 isn't with me more often, especially on Friday nights? Probably because my Ibanez BTB 1825 has a BEEFY sound that is undeniable. A little more challenging to get dialed in. But IMO almost a "universal bass" that can cover almost anything.
Tomorrow, I start a short two-day run of a musical in an 800-seat auditorium. Again, I like to run to my amp as my monitor, which *I* can control. My amp in this circumstance is a GK MB-112. Fishman EQ/DI goes XLR to FOH as on Friday nights. I've been rehearsing with my Sandberg and in this situation, it just has that innate sound that I have sort of been looking for. Strings are La Bella Ian Martin Allison Signature. Not as bright as they advertise, but very, very balanced. I think my BTB would work well in this space, but my P5 might be a bigger challenge. But the Sandberg is only 8.5 pounds, and the weight is great for long sessions. Tomorrow a 3 hour rehearsal before curtain call (eesh).
But here is a side story that really got me peeved. On Thursday, we were in the big auditorium (no audience, doing a dress rehearsal and one of the assistants came down and told me that everyone is complaining that I'm too loud. I'm sitting right across from a sax, a clarinet, drums and two keyboards. The others totally overpower me, where if I "turned it down," not only would I struggle to hear myself, I'd pluck harder, max out the dynamic range. If you know me, I am not a shrinking violet. So I was told that the assistant was going to go back to the seats and listen again.... BUT I TRICKED HER (them). We were playing travel/set change music, which required a total repeat of the short piece. So, for the first time through I TURNED THE VOLUME ON THE AMP ALL THE WAY DOWN... and NOTHING was coming from the house. Second run through I turned the amp back up. No comments from the peanut gallery. I was told they turned the entire band down. What? Why? Because they couldn't hear the vocals over the band. What??? INCREASE THE VOLUME ON THE VOCAL MICS. *The house is sold out both nights, and you'll have 800 bodies in that auditorium.* I'm sorry, but it's my nature not to tolerate incompetence and BS. Sorry for the side track and rant.
I really love my Sandberg and couldn't put it down from the minute I touched it in the store, and had to gulp when I saw the price tag, but bought it anyway. And whilI play a regular Friday night gig. It's a bit of an acoustically challenging space, with speakers oddly planted, a small stage. I like to use my amp as a monitor. On Friday nights, I use a TCE BG250-113, but the FOH gets my output from the XLF out on my Fishman Platinum Pro EQ/DI box. Getting everyone (MD, sound guy, me) to be ok with the sound, which impacts how much volume is a challenge. Last night, I brought what I thought was my "stepchild" bass, Fender USA Pro II P5, and the sound almost magically fell into place. Amp and EQ were flat across, and I just dialed back the tone a bit. It's strung with EB Cobalt Flats. I came away asking myself why my P5 isn't with me more often, especially on Friday nights? Probably because my Ibanez BTB 1825 has a BEEFY sound that is undeniable. A little more challenging to get dialed in. But IMO almost a "universal bass" that can cover almost anything.
Tomorrow, I start a short two-day run of a musical in an 800-seat auditorium. Again, I like to run to my amp as my monitor, which *I* can control. My amp in this circumstance is a GK MB-112. Fishman EQ/DI goes XLR to FOH as on Friday nights. I've been rehearsing with my Sandberg and in this situation, it just has that innate sound that I have sort of been looking for. Strings are La Bella Ian Martin Allison Signature. Not as bright as they advertise, but very, very balanced. I think my BTB would work well in this space, but my P5 might be a bigger challenge. But the Sandberg is only 8.5 pounds, and the weight is great for long sessions. Tomorrow a 3 hour rehearsal before curtain call (eesh).
But here is a side story that really got me peeved. On Thursday, we were in the big auditorium (no audience, doing a dress rehearsal and one of the assistants came down and told me that everyone is complaining that I'm too loud. I'm sitting right across from a sax, a clarinet, drums and two keyboards. The others totally overpower me, where if I "turned it down," not only would I struggle to hear myself, I'd pluck harder, max out the dynamic range. If you know me, I am not a shrinking violet. So I was told that the assistant was going to go back to the seats and listen again.... BUT I TRICKED HER (them). We were playing travel/set change music, which required a total repeat of the short piece. So, for the first time through I TURNED THE VOLUME ON THE AMP ALL THE WAY DOWN... and NOTHING was coming from the house. Second run through I turned the amp back up. No comments from the peanut gallery. I was told they turned the entire band down. What? Why? Because they couldn't hear the vocals over the band. What??? INCREASE THE VOLUME ON THE VOCAL MICS. *The house is sold out both nights, and you'll have 800 bodies in that auditorium.* I'm sorry, but it's my nature not to tolerate incompetence and BS. Sorry for the side track and rant.
