[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by jacksonplayer

Regarding the issue of 5-string bass: my opinion is that any band with a 7-string guitarist should also have a 5 (or 6) string bassist. That's the only way that the bass and guitar can perform unison parts, which is pretty important in heavy music.

Humorously, our bassist just went DOWN a string (bought a five), but you do need that B, IMO...

Originally Posted by jacksonplayer

Also, having a 5-string bassist helps keep up the sonic distinction between guitar and bass. Remember that when you play a low B note on your guitar you are only a few steps higher than the lowest note on a 4-string bass. Obviously, if you spend a lot of time on the low-B string, you really will be intruding on the 4-string bassist's territory regardless of how your setup is equalized. Seriously, if the bassist refuses to play a 5-string or restring his bass to B E A D, you might consider going to a 6-string guitar if you want to continue playing with this bunch of guys. That would probably help open up the sound right there, as blasphemous as such advice might seem on this board.

It doesn't sound like there's a lot of work on the low B on the recordings - although I am listening at work. It just sounds like the bassist has a bad case of "70s Geddy Tone" disease...

As to the keyboardist, you've obviously got a budding Jens Johannsen on your hands, so why not feature him prominently--maybe put him out front on the stage in a gleaming cape or a mad scientist's outfit? After all, chicks really dig a guy who spent his childhood years practicing piano...

Now THAT's a visual!

[jacksonplayer]

Originally Posted by eaeolian

What are these "keyboards" you speak of, and why are they allowed in the room with guitars in the first place?

C'mon now, I know you've been dying to write some juicy power ballads for Division...

[WayneCustom7]

Wow where do I start, some helpful and funny replies, thanks guys. Like I said, last week it was good then suddenly the shoemaker's elves must have come in during the night and fucked things up...
Drew as always, the wisdom that pores forth from thine scalp is unmeasurable.
desertdweller, your expertise is appreciated, can I convince you to come visit and set things straight.
Ah, Shawn if only my wife were as understanding and supportive as you
Ok I'm just kidding, thanks bro!
jacksonplayer, I don't think I can force him to play a 5 string, and I don't want to play a six string...but like I said before, they knew what I played and it never bothered them before. Get this, at one point he had me comparing notes with the keyboard player, saying that he (Mr. Keys ) should be the lowest of the lows. Fuck I felt like I was a witch, on trial back in the days of plunder. Hey that's a cool name for a song, Back in the Days of Plunder...ahhhhhhh(screams in a Bruce D like siren-voice)
Where was I, oh yeah
eaeolian, I am regretting now the decision to recruit a keyboardist. Things were perf. when we were a trio...right Shawn

[WayneCustom7]

Originally Posted by eaeolian

What are these "keyboards" you speak of, and why are they allowed in the room with guitars in the first place?

(back on topic now...)

Listening to the clips, you're a tad bassy, and you could use a slight frequency shift upwards in the spectrum, and he's got too much high end in his bass, and no fundamentals - it sounds like a Rick through a guitar amp. If he had a split system and a crossover to give him some fundamentals, well...

What are you using for an amp at this point?

Currently I am using my Vox Tonelab SE into a Behringer Ultrafex 3200 Pro, into a Peavey 60/60 Classic tube power amp. I have a Behringer slant 4x12 cab and two Rocktron 1x12 cabs.
Now this came up before, and please don't think I am an idiot, but what is the best set up when it comes to amps vs cabs. What I mean was, and I believe Shannon was a huge help in this (so blame him ), the Peavey is a 60/60, while the Behringer is 400 watts. Is this a problem?

[Drew]

Originally Posted by eaeolian

What are these "keyboards" you speak of, and why are they allowed in the room with guitars in the first place?

Cause they're a pretty kickass background textural instrument, good for filling out the sound and the occasional melody line. Also, they make the drummer look cooler.

[Vince]

Originally Posted by Drew

Cause they're a pretty kickass background textural instrument, good for filling out the sound and the occasional melody line.

Exactly!!

[darren]

If the bass player thinks the keyboards should be the "lowest of the low" then that's a root of the problem. (Not necessarily the only root.)

The bass player and kick drum should be holding down the bottom end, not the keys (except for maybe an occasional atmospheric/sub-bass effect).

We recently added a new bass player to our lineup, and he totally understands sound dynamics and has a wicked tone. He plays 4-string basses (he has relatively small hands and has never been comfortable on a 5) but he fills out the lower frequencies just fine, because he has amazing tone. I do still have some work to do with tweaking my patches so i cut through the mix a bit better, but it's an ongoing learning process.

With your rig, you should be more than adequately equipped to deal with just about any situation. Perhaps you should point out the investments in gear you've made in order to make the project a success, and politely suggest that the bass player do the same. Having appropriate gear to the task you're trying to accomplish is of critical importance.

[nitelightboy]

Ok, try this...only really cool guitar players and hot chicks are aloud in the band!!!!!

No but seriously, I have a feeling that this failed guitarist (read as bass player) is going to be a serious problem for you and the band. I've had bands where there was one bad apple that thought he knew it all and just caused waaaaaaaay too much trouble for everyone else. It may be time to think about the possibility of looking for someone else....it's never easy, but it may be the only option that HE will leave for you

[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by WayneCustom7

Currently I am using my Vox Tonelab SE into a Behringer Ultrafex 3200 Pro, into a Peavey 60/60 Classic tube power amp. I have a Behringer slant 4x12 cab and two Rocktron 1x12 cabs.
Now this came up before, and please don't think I am an idiot, but what is the best set up when it comes to amps vs cabs. What I mean was, and I believe Shannon was a huge help in this (so blame him ), the Peavey is a 60/60, while the Behringer is 400 watts. Is this a problem?

No, that's not an issue, although the tone of the cabs may be, depending. However, your tone in the recordings is very "solid state", lacking the upper midrange presence generally associated with a good tube amp. You may very well be too "scooped" - having midrange is very important in a band setting, especially when it comes to projection...

[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by desertdweller

Exactly!!

For recording. Re-cord-ing.