All Activity

Collie Me - Blondie

Yeah this is fantastic. I’ve just come back from Disneyland and the effort they go to there to make the attraction accessible and inclusive is brilliant. My daughter has a disability and they couldn’t have done any more for her. Appreciate Disneyland is not everyone’s cup of tea (mine included) but have to shout out to them.

Great to meet you Paul. Easy transaction with a top bloke. Hope you enjoy the cab! All the best Ian

Hi everyone, I'm thinking of dipping my toes in to DB. Mainly to play in a first wave ska band, but I'm also interested in getting some lessons on jazz and rebuilding some classical knowledge. I was wondering if anyone has advice about renting a bass in the first instance before taking the plunge with a purchase. Is that worthwhile approach? I was just having a look at the bassbags website, not sure if they would be able to deliver up to Glasgow from Derbyshire? Other options are keeping an eye on the classifieds and eBay for something nearby or giving a cheapy eub a go. Jas anyone gone down the rental route?

Just sold a couple of pedalboards to Jim - a great buyer, hope you enjoy them!

Lurcher! - Chas n Dave

I had a really odd experience recently. To me it was a side project and I was invited along. Things were going well, I was encouraged to play more, be louder “the bass needs to drive this song” etc. We got to the point of booking a studio and recording, we decided to maximise value for money by tracking guides at the guitarists place. All good. Then it’s decided a song should be slowed right down and it loses (to me) it’s dynamic and ultimately is quite boring to play, and listen to. I make my feelings known. I’ve been around a bit and had varying levels of success…but I know from a listeners point of view what works and what doesn’t. I had no hand in writing the songs, just the bass parts so wasn’t overly attached to them. Anyhow - the drummer who’d invited me and the singer/guitarist/songwriter obviously had a chat and decided my opinion wasn’t needed. a very first for me - I got sacked… At the time I was very angry. I didn’t actually ever feel comfortable with the singer guy…really not my kind of guy. So overall I’m not arsed. The songs were a bit meh but I enjoyed the parts I did… I can incorporate some ideas into new stuff. but the drummer I really liked - I’ve been in 2 bands with him before. but how he handled his business now means I’ll most likely never speak to him again - a shame, but I haven’t got time for people who act like he did. Life is too short. And I haven’t a band I’m happier in now we’re actually doing something - I admit I had my head turned in a lull. Anyhow - I can do whatever I want in this band so, that suits me. Being given absolute freedom means I’m much happier playing root notes on the whole 😆

Cat People - Bowie

Back at the Cow & Telescope last night, one of our favourite haunts. Bit of a mixed one. I had developed a cold with a cough a day or so before and had a weak voice before playing. It was totally shot by the time we finished - good job I was only singing backing vocals. We really struggled with sound as well. We pulled up the the previously saved mix and it sounded muddy, a dull - like blanket over the speakers. And the bass drum mic was ringing badly. I couldn't work out what had changed. So during soundcheck, I ended up pulling a load of ≈100hz out of the bass drum mic, pulling low mids out of the mix and adding a bit of presence. It sounded better and good enough to get through the gig. But it wasn't until we got to the second or third song in the first set that I realised the frequencies around F# were getting rather excited, but it was too late by then and just had to muddle through until the break when I could look up the exact problem frequencies, (92.5hz and 185hz) and notch them out. Started out second set and the problem was still there but not as bad. No-one in the audience seemed to be bothered, but it was bugging the hell out of me. Just as we started the the third song in our second set I noticed the hpf switch on the DXR12 in front of me was set to off i.e. full range. I should be set at 100hz, so I quickly flicked it over and the problem disappeared! Oh well, lesson learned. I usually check the volume setting on the speakers as these usually move during packing and setting up, but I never thought to check the switches. I quickly checked the other one and that as 120hz. So both of them were wrong. Annoyingly, I remembered this morning that our mixer has a feedback filter that we've not tried using yet - we've barely scratched the surface of what it can do. So we really need to investigate this feature and learn how to use it properly. I probably would have cured this issue instantly. Otherwise, it was a good night. Some of the regulars, some friends, some who had come especially too see us and a big birthday party who wanted to have a good old boogie, which always livens up the atmosphere. I was done by the end of the night though. Not feeling 100% took it out of me. But I was glad I packed some vocal zones and a hip flask of single malt.

I'm finding more recently people are having problems directly talking to people face to face and discussing their problems and feelings openly. Resorting to messenger, WhatsApp, emails etc, where all meaning gets lost. I have recently fallen foul of someone who has been saying things like "Some people might feel..", unfortunately unless those people actually say they don't want to... directly to me, then it's a hypothetical "some people.". Now, that 'someone' has thrown their toys out of the pram, said they're not being listened to, and walked. If they'd said in the first place: "I'm sorry but I don’t want to...", we could have sorted it all out a lot soon.

Whats new pussycat - TJ

TC Electronic is a great choice if you can bag one. Good luck! 😎👍 The suspense is killing me...

Not tried Ernie Ball bass strings. I am sure someone else on here has.