Heathy

It looks like it has been shared from Gabrielle's own account, hence supporting this type of behaviour at gigs. Seems foolish to me for all of the reasons stated above.

What would inspire him to play? Who does he want to pretend to be? My son's first 'proper' guitar (at age 11) had a passing resemblance to a red special - he was a big Queen/Brian May fan. Things took off from that point - he's currently studying music technology at uni.

I reckon that in about 300 years people will begin to twig that it's a 12-bar blues.

Considering what Foderas cost that shouldn't make any difference!😁

I love that style of bass playing. Is it a James Jamerson line?

Great line. Bass sounds really cheap though!

For my first serious amp I was well advised to get an SWR. Did me well for over 25 years, so wouldn't change that. Bass wise, either a Fender P or J and then just stick with it and let it accumulate mojo (Like Billy Sheehan's 'wife')

I would suggest that if you haven't popped by now it's probably too late.

The drummer appears to be trying to project the 'problem' onto you at the end of the discussion. Whereas (although I have the greatest sympathy for his position) he appears to be the limiting factor here. The bands problem appears to be lack of suitable rehearsal space, that you should ideally take joint ownership of - it shouldn't be just down to you. One other thought - What was in your e-mail? Was it something that wound your drummer up? the conversation appears to take a less-constructive turn after that point.

OK. I'll try again:

In the past when I have left blisters alone they tended to come back during the gig, with the looser skin dragging on the string making playing difficult. Since then my tendency has been to pop, although in recent years I've developed a much lighter touch so it's not as much of an issue.

Can I be the first to suggest the incredible Rammstein. One of their best...

Like many, I wish I had the ability to do that, and then the taste to know when not to. If I came across this in the street, I would find it very entertaining and probably throw a few coins into their hat. Wouldn't buy a CD though!

Another question - is this just an issue with Stingrays, or does anyone have experience of the same problem with other models (e.g. Sterling, Bongo...)?

A few from my collection: Woman standing 2 feet away from the pa: " can you turn the bass down, it's affecting my pacemaker". "can you turn all the lights off, it's triggering my epilepsy". "You're playing it wrong" "I'm a really good bass player. All of my fingerprints have completely disappeared" "can I borrow your mike and tripod?" "You're F***ing S**t" (and then punching me in the face).

I moved from buying CDs to Spotify a couple of years ago. Since then, although I have consumed more different music it has been more difficult to become invested in particular artists. The last band I really got into was Ghost, when their 'Meliora' album was released (coincidentally 5 years ago today!)

This is the reason I sold my Stingray a few years back. Adjusting the pickup height didn't seem to make any difference to mine. Adjusting the EQ did, but that was useless, as I was then limited to a sound I didn't like. Real shame as I loved everything else about that bass.

Looks like a 'lockdown project'.

Grrreat!

Why not go with both?

If the answer isn't 'yes', what are you doing at that venue / in that band anyway? I play for fun - as soon as the money becomes the main consideration, I'm off!

My greater sympathies are with technical/venue staff who have been affected. I have always thought that making any money from doing something that millions just do for relaxation/fun is a massive privilege. Whilst it is causing hardship, I would hope that if I were in that position I would have the good grace to realise that point. Does anyone think that COVID will contribute towards putting an end to cash altogether?

I'm very conflicted about the whole thing. As much as I miss 'the old days', I can't see gigs returning in a hurry and when they do can't see myself wanting to gig until a vaccine is available and things are back to the old normal. I haven't touched my bass in a few weeks and have been learning travis picking on my acoustic guitar instead. Hopefully this means that when gigs return I will have magically become Gary Willis!

I am now down to one, and that's the way it's going to stay until this current situation passes*. Anything more could just end up being very expensive fire wood! *or I grow another pair of arms.

I hate to sound negative, but part of me feels that, in terms of going back to how things were before, the game's up. Much as I miss going to gigs, it's going to be a long time before I am confident enough to stand in a crowd, be it large or small, indoors or outdoors.