Telebass

Oh yes... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/203704-courier-disaster/page__hl__courier%20disaster"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/203704-courier-disaster/page__hl__courier%20disaster[/url]

Like I said, it's a wish-list overview, not an ad. All your comments are useful. I do actually have a PA, for example. But so many vocalists, so-called, do not even own a microphone. No vocalist worth his salt (at this level) doesn't have a mic. It's like expecting to borrow a bass every time you gigged...As to rest of the kit: the reason I mentioned big amps is that I'm tired of playing the band volume up to meet the 'I've got to crank it to sound good' merchants. That very thing cost me a slice of my hearing...at only 50W. Some people would find short notice stuff impossible. Indeed! So don't apply...If it sounds like I'm aiming at being full-time pro, then yes. Why not? I fail to see why there aren't more that aspire to the same, even if the goal is never quite reached. If need be, I would run it as an employer, but I'd prefer not. I did omit the genre. Yes, covers etc. But as I said, I'm not about to actually present this to the band member world as-is! I just find it hard that, among so many musicians, so very very few appear to think enough of themselves to really give it a go. . It may sound naive, but I just don't understand that. Many thanks for the comments, it all helps. I've never done it all from my end before, not in over 40 years...

I've decided that the only way I'm going to gig as much as I would wish is to do the whole thing from the ground up myself. Plainly, the first and most daunting task is to find like-minded musicians who want to do this as much as I do and as often as I do. Given that, here's a stream-of-consciousness band spec. This is not gospel as such, but a cloud-nine ideal. Can I ask some of you to read it, bearing in mind that I know this is a wish-list and probably not real-world? ============================================================================ Band/s – an[b] ideal[/b] overview… Please read right through! The band will be a four-piece, ie 2x guitar/drums/bass or vocals/guitar/drums/bass. All band members should fit in to the following scenario: Firstly, and [b]most importantly[/b], I would like this to be an ego-free zone where the band members have fun, and earn a reasonable income doing so. But secondly, it will be a successful business which will provide us with that reasonable income. It follows that the earnings will be declarable. [b]Transport[/b] Have your own reliable transport always available. This DOES NOT mean a reliable lift. No car, no need for you to apply….The reasoning here is that if we all have good wheels, if and when someone suffers a breakdown, there’s enough slack in the system to be able to fit everyone in and get to the gig. [b]Equipment[/b] Your own reliable equipment that is suitable for this band. Examples: the Guitarist/s must have a suitable amp, preferably no more that 50W. Marshall full stack NOT acceptable. Ideally, 15 to 30W and mike up. Vocalist and backing vocalists will have their own microphone and stand, minimum spec Shure SM57 or similar, and a good XLR cable, 10m. Additionally, a standalone frontperson (ie not an instrumentalist) will have a PA system suitable for the task. Why? It’s the amplifier for your instrument, dummy…Not exceeding 600W/side, and not complex. There’s no need for racks of kit. Any venue that needs kilowatts will have their own, or we’ll charge them for the hire of one. The drummist must have a kit that takes no more than 40 minutes to set up, and their own set of microphones, should such be required, preferably with a sub-mixer. [b]Commitment[/b] This band will aim to reach a minimum gigging level of 100 gigs/year. If you only want to gig once a week, it’s not for you. I would like it to be able to do short-notice gigs any day of the week, should such arise. This will make it difficult if you are in full-time work. Consider it carefully. Given what I am asking, membership of other bands/projects is likely a no-no. And rehearsing has to fit in here somewhere also! This ‘exclusivity’ bit is something I myself hate to be asked for, but given what I’m aiming at, I can’t see a way round it… Anyone who has childcare issues or is a shift worker is probably not going to be suitable. For example, if you’re a single parent with 7 kids, then no matter your childcare backup, you’re unsuitable by definition. (Experience speaking here, folks…). If there is enough response but not enough time commitment, I will consider two bands: basically, one for Fridays, and an as near as dammit identical setup for Saturdays. Hopefully this will give enough flexibility to cover gigs at other times, should we be so lucky! ========================================================================================= I fully understand that there is an element of pie-in-the-sky here, but only an element. Surely there are people out there who do this beyond the hobby stage? If so, where are you? Yours, in hope, Den

And, of course, what Jah said. Use yer eyeballs, often!

Realistically, 'competent', if you're not a sparkie, means having done a simple course at the very least. I was an electronic s calibration engineer in a previous life, so it was part of my job to be fully qualified, so a C&G certificate was taken. Still only a one day course, followed by an exam. Other folk on the course had never had reason to do electrical stuff before, and they struggled. The thing is, the length of time between tests is down to the equipment owner. If you gig a dozen times a year, then a PAT test every two or three years is entirely reasonable. If you gig three times a week, annually would probably be more prudent.

And another for Markbass, albeit this time paired with a Barefaced Super 15!

Fakedy fake fake fake!

I'm in one quite busy band, at 55-70 gigs a year. However, as it's my main income, I'd really like to double that, but this band is unable to accomodate such a large increase in work (translation: their wives won't let them...). So I keep looking foe either a) a new band that will be happy to ramp up the gigging to 120+, or a side project that will dovetail nicely with the first band. the result? I have yet to meet any other musician who would happily gig twice a week plus. In forty plus years! Where the hell are you all? And the dovetailing? Has never worked. At all. And there are those here too who would have you gig once in a blue moon and be exclusive to them. Idiots. Edit: that came over all twisted, no? Ah well. It was.

Hmmmm. And none of them, not one, can hold a candle to a 57 style Precision, especially in black/maple. Not even in the same ballpark. There ain't no better bass. IMHO...

And, as someone mentioned on here a long time back, if they ask for your cert, ask for their fixed installation certificates. Most will walk away.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1367262395' post='2063407'] The risk with that approach is that if a piece of your faulty equipment causes a problem and you don't have the PAT records to justify the stickers then you move into the realm of fraud as well as negligence, which won't look good in court if a frayed mains cable has just electrocuted someone. Just saying. [/quote] Exactly. Either do it, or don't do it. Don't pretend. It's not THAT expensive (OK, I have a vested interest here...), but it makes no sense to fake it, because it isn't the stickers they will eventually ask for, it's the certificate. The stickers are so that if they are so minded, they can cross-check what's on the certificate with what's sitting in front of them.

I don't have amp enough to run two, nor the means to carry two! This'll do.

Well, after two gigs and a rehearsal, I'm still amazed by this cab. Cab GAS gone!

[quote name='TommyK' timestamp='1359105940' post='1949841'] I have a BF Super 15 and I no longer have Cab GAS. 100% cured (no really, it is!) Sounds perfect, very loud, looks good and I can carry it, what can be improved?? [/quote] This. Best speaker I've ever heard a bass through, period.

[quote name='Raymondo' timestamp='1367180751' post='2062344'] Skank old chap,has anyone ever told you that sometimes you can be quite amusing? [/quote] + the one!

My standard practice tool is a Tascam MP-BT-1 with a pair of Sennheiser headphones. But a little while back, I picked up an old Fender Bassman 25, and that has aux in and phones out, so both bases covered. Good small rehearsal amp too.

What a result!

[quote name='Longmayyourun' timestamp='1365363121' post='2038623'] And 'Hi' from just over Kit Hill. Hope you find some folks to play with soon. We're going to have to have a Peninsular Bass Bash one of these days.......... [/quote] Yes! Why not! Soon!

Yup, agree with this. Prompted by a random bass purchase (and the need to recoup some money), I thought long and hard, and realised that my modified MIM P, the new Mustang, and a Kingman acoustic bass do all I want or need, musically. So the others are heading out the door!