Telebass

One door closes...

It's the final gig for The Rock n Roll Outlaws tonight. Nearly eight gig-filled years! Where does the time go? We've had the Tavistock Wharf sold out for many weeks for this gig, and at a 70/30 split, that will be a fabulous gig and a nice payday! Really going for this - even raised my fitness and lowered my weight! And I'll need it - we're doing two 90-minute sets! Don't suppose I'll be in any fit state to do much tomorrow...

[quote name='Rabbie' timestamp='1419012768' post='2635760'] You are totally right, don't move just now until you find out if you are going to play it seriously, there's no need just now. But when you do, you will have to go 3/4. Strings are not an "only", they are a double bass player obsession and one of the most important ingredients of finding your sound. [/quote] I was trying to say that if I got on well with it, there's no need to change. Just because it's a 1/2 doesn't mean it's of no serious use. Strings are less easy to source, but not impossible. The smallest 3/4 and the largest 1/2 are just about the same size, so saying one *must* have this or that size is really about as useful as saying that if you're a pro electric player you *must* play a Fender. Which of course, you must!

^^^ 'Like'

My band of nearly 8 years plays its final gig this Saturday, 20th December. As by far the oldest member (61 3/4), it is AUTOMATICALLY assumed that the band is finishing because I am retiring. Really pisses me off...

Similarly, I see no grand reason to move from the 1/2 size I'm learning on. The actual difference is negligible. In fact, the only downside so far is the lesser availability of strings...

It's also important to remember that a Precision has a humbucking pickup. I've found that quite often, either the pickup output wiring is wrong, on one pickup segment is back to front. Correcting that alone can sonetimes eliminate all noise, even with no cavity shielding.

Welcome, Cordelia!

We're more excited than you are!

Listen to it while ironing. ..

Exactly. So hard to find people who want to gig more than once a week. Ive advertised, and get people answering the ad still saying they don't want to gig more than once or twice a week (or sometimes a month!). To which the answer was, "why are you talking to me, then?" D'oh...

Bad year. The Rock n Roll Outlaws are finishing on 20th December. When that was announced early in 2014, the bandleader also stopped accepting gigs, so my band income (which is a fair slice of my total income normally) took an immediate nosedive from which it has yet to recover. However, we were booked up well in advance to some extent, so it worked out that we lost around 30% of gigs compared to normal, ie 42 gigs instead or around 65. Three of those gigs were with other bands. So, I really need to find other musicians around here that want to play for more than the thrill of just being a weekend warrior!

And however good they are individually, it's no guarantee that such an ensemble will be musical. I found it decidedly unmusical. But then I don't rate any bass instrument as solo-worthy, so I was never going to like 4 entwined solos, which is more or less what this is. Horses for courses...

My oft - repeated mantra: always take two basses to a gig. Ok, one breaks. You STILL need to take two basses to a gig. So you MUST own three. My story, and I'm sticking to it...

Workin' on it...

I want me one o' they pork pies...

Contact established with Jim! Many thanks, everyone.

Cousin Jake doesn't look like he's suffered from an "incorrect" left hand technique! Nice slappin'! Nice Kay, too!

Jim getting the vote at the moment!

It's a MIJ BB. Unlikely it will be other than pretty good, and BBs are great PJ basses. Frankly, I'd be all over it so long as they're not wanting silly money. If they ask for offers, then start wherever you like, but a ton wouldn't be amiss.

Welcome, Kate!

Welcome, Andre!

As has been said, if you're playing a paid gig, it's entirely right to be properly prepared. Always carry a spare, and have needed it, twice. Actual bass failure - never broken a string.