mcnach

[quote name='rushbo' timestamp='1488029167' post='3245159'] Here's my band - The Peoples Republic of Mercia - rocking out in an Old School, Dr Feelgood, edgy R&B sort of fashion. The video is a wee bit cheese-tastic, but what ya gonna do, eh? It's from our new little 5 track CD EP thing, called DIY - have a look at the website if you fancy it - www.promercia.com [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhSSnnzM93o[/media] [/quote] Nice! And I love the sound of your Precision

[quote name='IainS' timestamp='1487955865' post='3244597'] I thought it would help me get a girlfriend so I bought a shiny red bass (girls like shiny things, right?) and a few months later I got my first girlfriend. Coincidence??!!! Probably. But she stayed with me for three years and that was enough to convince me that bass was cool and sexy. 27 years later and I'm still convinced. [/quote] Not bass, but I started on guitar because of a girl largely. I was 17. My friend got an electric guitar and a bunch of us would go to his place to watch him wrestle with this thing. He was a beginner but it was amazing to hear riffs of well known songs on that guitar. I had a crush on one of the girls in the group, and she loved the guitar. As a result my friend also got attention... and when I got home I grabbed one of my dad's classical guitars and started trying to get a tune out of it. Soon I had nearly forgotten the girl but I was hooked on guitar That girl and I became good friends over time, and eventually we did get together. I told her she was the cause I took up guitar and she laughed. It only lasted about 6 months... we weren't well matched anymore, and living in different countries didn't allow for a lot of what's needed. But to this day she's one of my very best friends and I'm grateful that in a roundabaout way she brought me to guitars. The bass came later. Jam session with work... only one person available for bass and he ran away with a pint after 10 minutes. I grabbed the bass and I could not stop smiling. A couple of months later I bought a Jazz bass copy and joined a terrible terrible start up metal band, where I changed from using a pick to fingerstyle and a couple of months later I left to find something more suitable... The bass was now deeply ingrained in me, and from the 15-16 electric guitars I used to have I'm down to three and I use them little.

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1488031318' post='3245190'] I've only just found out the H2N has 4 mics for surround sound. Does the H2? If it does can you get a sum of all through the headphone jack? So possible to pick up sound in front of and behind the device? [/quote] Yes, the H2 has two front and two [s]front[/s] back mics (one set at 90 and another at 120 degrees) but I have not tried the quad mode and see how it sounds through the headphone output. I haven't tried the set up yet (it's actually going to be slightly different: different mixer and earphones, and bringing signal in from either main desk or tapping one or two monitors directly onstage). The H2 will likely be close to me, at the back, probably high and behind the drummer, so I didn't think of the quad mode as I'll just be using one pair of mics.

[quote name='Fisheth' timestamp='1487977236' post='3244855'] So, played my Speesy for the first time at a gig last night, it sounded amazing and exactly what I had in mind with this, it's really, really suited to a band mix. Like a P but has a Stringrayish grind to it. Which makes the excitement for my second one even more great, as I put a MM humbucker in it. Obligatory picture, if this thing works Edit: Sorry for breaking your computer monitors [/quote] Beautiful!!! (I'm of course talking about the bass )

[quote name='Naetharu' timestamp='1487964759' post='3244716'] Ahh you have a good point (and I have a good idea you might be talking about they very same battery bay as I am ) - well at least I won't feel like I caused it like I will when I inevitably pull the soldering loose on the Ibanez one day! [/quote] Maybe. Mine is Gotoh one I think, on the 2002 Stingray. It's come loose a couple of times. It takes seconds to fix but when it catches you during a gig it may be difficult to remember that, unless it's not the first time If you just check it every time you change the battery and bend the terminal a bit to make a stronger contact I'm sure it'll be ok. A similar type of battery box on my 2003 SUB has been always ok, 'though, so it probably affects some boxes more than others, but it's always good to check.

Mark bought my Genz Benz Streamliner 900. Very smooth & easy transaction with great communications. Excellent to deal with from start to finish. Really pleased you like the amp, Mark!

That Thomann case is ok, but if you think that's too bulky you're looking at very little protection. I settled on a Fusion F1 (now discontinued but there are still some around, substituted by their 'Urban' model). They are not small. That's because they have very good protective padding. And pockets. Lots of pockets. The one thing they have to compensate for their 'bulk' (I mean, they're not huge either) is that they are designed like a good backpack and it's incredibly comfortable to carry even if you fill all the pockets with stuff. When my Fusion F1 breaks (I had it for 3 years now,, constant use, still in perfect condition just a bit dirtier than when I bought it) I'll get another Fusion.

I bought a Prosound stereo 4-channel mixer for around £20 not long ago, the mono version was around £10 but it seems to be discontinued... however I found these that are similar for around £15 [url="https://www.audiomate.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=SoundLAB-4-Channel-Mono-Microphone-Mixer&gclid=Cj0KEQiA0L_FBRDMmaCTw5nxm-ABEiQABn-VqZ2T2q9q5u25w5nk2PJg3WoP--vsdHd3Ai37kJJRKZIaAhL28P8HAQ"]https://www.audiomate.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=SoundLAB-4-Channel-Mono-Microphone-Mixer&gclid=Cj0KEQiA0L_FBRDMmaCTw5nxm-ABEiQABn-VqZ2T2q9q5u25w5nk2PJg3WoP--vsdHd3Ai37kJJRKZIaAhL28P8HAQ[/url] [url="http://www.yourspares.co.uk/parts/ys117875/soundlab-4-channel-mono-mixer-G105AA.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=Google%2BProducts&gaw=agid:16164055997,c:48873529637&gclid=Cj0KEQiA0L_FBRDMmaCTw5nxm-ABEiQABn-VqT0sRb9tj7AiVzCxVO3K-UTwzg6hHOc_D1BE7KCHiVQaApMc8P8HAQ"]http://www.yourspares.co.uk/parts/ys117875/soundlab-4-channel-mono-mixer-G105AA.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=Google%2BProducts&gaw=agid:16164055997,c:48873529637&gclid=Cj0KEQiA0L_FBRDMmaCTw5nxm-ABEiQABn-VqT0sRb9tj7AiVzCxVO3K-UTwzg6hHOc_D1BE7KCHiVQaApMc8P8HAQ[/url]

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1487930802' post='3244196'] Well, I didn't want to bring this side of it into the discussion really, but the main person who dislikes my Yamaha is the singer, who is a young lady (well, young compared to me anyway). Her husband, who is the drummer, doesn't care what I play as long as we nail the songs every time. And for a prog crowd, that's obviously what's important. Anyway, after last night's vocal rehearsal and subsequent discussion, it is apparent that I can use whatever I like. She just wanted to have an image of a new, modern prog band, fronted up with old style guitars. But as it turns out, the guitarist who has a PRS is also preferring to use that so it's kind of a moot point now... [/quote] Result! And good to hear that there was 'method in her madness', even if only her was thinking of that. I can't say I dislike her idea, but it would probably only come from someone who doesn't need to play a guitar. And all this talk of Yamaha Attitudes... quit it! I have been strangely attracted to that thing for years and I always manage to stay away. You're making it hard... especially after I saw just how good looking the sonic blue is!

[quote name='Burrito' timestamp='1487839057' post='3243336'] Most people on here don't need an excuse to buy another bass! I would probably go with the flow but think they were being a bit silly. Image is important to a lot of bands and if I liked the band, I'd get that. [/quote] do you still have the delusion that anybody notices what the bassist is playing?

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1487776566' post='3242750'] I think it's the fact that it's Sonic Blue. The comment was that it looks like a 'toy' bass, compared to a Fender. [/quote] what if you got a sonic blue Fender??? I think you need to find out exactly what they object to before even considering a change. They may also be some non-serious comments, the way you talk about it. Like the way my guitarist in the old RHCP tribute band went on about how I should really get a Stingray. I hated Stingrays and I never even considered it, and played an Ibanez SR300 and a Warwick Corvette $$ instead. He'd make the comment from time to time but it wasn't really meant as a "you MUST change your bass or else". Incidentally one day I found an OLP I liked a lot... and within a year I ended up with a Stingray that has become my main bass ever since.

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1487775000' post='3242715'] Hey folks. Whats your opinion on this one? My favourite Bass to gig with is undoubtedly my sonic blue Yamaha Attitude ltd3. Love everything about it. Been told that the Prog band I'm in requires a more 'traditional' looking Bass, a Fender basically. No problem, I have suitable looking Basses I can use, but none of them feel as 'right' to me as the Yamaha. I'm pretty pragmatic about it and will do what's necessary, I'm not the 'main' guy in the band, and I enjoy the music so if the look is [i]that [/i]important, then so be it. But what would YOU do? [/quote] If they tell me my pointy BC Rich doesn't fit with their country and western band, or that my pink Daisy Rock bass is a bit out of place for their Black Metal band... yeah, ok... But your Attitude is not exactly that far out, looks-wise... it's a pretty cool design that doesn't really look out of place anywhere. In principle I would not agree, and I'd argue that the look is not that different from a "traditional" instrument and that it took me a while to find a bass with the right feel. If they objected to the sound, then that's one thing. But give me a break... Does it pay very well? If it does, I can play anything . If it doesn't, I'll use the right tool and the right tool is, in this case, the Attitude. I'd be more willing to have my favourite bass refinished than changing basses, if colour were an issue... but I doubt sonic blue can be a problem, right?

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1487780531' post='3242830'] Just over a year in it's [b]revolving[/b] format I think and that's on a knife edge, lol. I once joined a blues band as a temporary member as the proper guy had cancer and they had gigs booked, it wasn't my thing at all, about seven years later I realised I was the only original member! [/quote] I thought it was harsh... then I realised you didn't say "revolting"...

what brought me to bass? the money, the chicks, the hero-like worship, the money again. Isn't that obvious?

[quote name='Naetharu' timestamp='1487926497' post='3244126'] Saying that, my other active bass has a lovely pop-open slot for the battery with no fiddly connectors and so takes all of 10 seconds to switch things around. [/quote] They are great... but they can also fail. The metal plate contact is bent to spring against the battery terminals, but over time this gets looser.One day you find yourself with intermittent trouble and if you're like me you'll check ANYTHING before that - don't be like me Different brands of batteries als have slightly different dimensions, with some feeling decidedly looser. Another thing to consider.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1487888865' post='3244011'] You should play some jazz gigs. I've played gigs where I've never heard the tune before. Chord chart, watch, listen and pray. [/quote] But at least you'd know it was the correct chord chart, right? (I hope so!) I've never played Jazz. The closest I've had to your experience was when I went for an audition without knowing anything they played (I asked for recordings but they said not to worry and just come along... their description intrigued me enough to show up). They gave me a wad of A4 sheets with lyrics with chords written on top, they had a brief chat (while I scanned through the chords of the first song to get a sense for the structure) and away we went. By the third song I was starting to enjoy that, but needless to say, I didn't play my best, and the songs were cool and funky but pretty easy so not quite the same as playing Jazz. Also it wasn't a gig, so there was no pressure in that respect. I enjoyed being pushed a bit, and in my main band we have a little improvisation from time to time (typically following the second string breakage of our very good but very energetic rhythm guitarist)... sometimes it's not great (but it never lasts long so we get away with it) and sometimes it's pretty good, and I enjoy it, but I really want to know what we're going to play in advance.

[quote name='radiophonic' timestamp='1487857984' post='3243595'] I'm playing this weekend. I mailed the guitarist for a set list and didn't recognise the last song. Don't worry, he said. It's only 4 chords and 2 of them are D. I think this means they are all majors of some sort. It's an arrangement of a folk song that I don't have an original title for. It'll be fine, I'm sure, but I don't know when I come in, when the drums come in or how long it is. I'm assuming it's in 4/4 or 3/4 but even that is unknown, as is the tempo. I've written a part based on rapidly fingerpicked bass chords, but this is total guesswork and if it doesn't fit, I'll need to invent something on the spot.. Sometimes a [i]little[/i] more practice would be nice. It's in the set for Tuesday too, so I suppose I'll know how it goes by then. [/quote] but that's not really about rehearsing or not... I don't expect you are a telepath! If you're not even told exactly what it is that you'r supposed to be playing you cannot really rehearse it either. What you're doing is preparing to increase your chances at guessing right on the day. And that, while it can be fun, is not a serious way to operate.

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1487841633' post='3243362'] Oh dear, I was in a grumpy mood when I last responded to this I Just felt the OP's frustration. A couple of people have picked up on some things I said. I think I was the first person to mention contempt for the audience which others have repeated. For me standing up in front of an audience is still something special, my 'contract' with them is to do the best I'm capable of, never to say 'oh well that was good enough, the audience won't notice'. I'd be the first to say there are people way better than I am, whose half committed efforts would surpass my bass playing by quite a distance but I still think it is disrespectful not to do your best. Ambient made the points about the quality of the musicians and the difficulty of the music and there have been plenty of comments about not needing rehearsal for gigging the same songs you did last week. All true of course but most of those bands will have rehearsed at some time in the past. There's a balance between rehearsal, personal practice, regular gigging and the skills of the musicians. There's no point in rehearsing if people haven't learned their own parts at home, you can't stitch things together if they are full of holes. There's no point in rehearsing stuff you are already on top of and did last night. Better musicians may need less rehearsal, though I suspect they are better because of lots of practice. Simple songs need little work other than perhaps the starts and finishes. Sometimes for weekend warriors you have to reach a practical compromise between music and the rest of your life. But, I don't suppose any of us couldn't improve what we do with a little bit of intelligent time together in a rehearsal room. Sure the Rolling Stones would have been rehearsing in session men, staging and lighting and so on but shouldn't we all if we can? It's OK for me, I enjoy any time together with freinds making music and I enjoy the social side but I don't buy the claim that 'me and my mates are so good nothing could be improved by rehearsal' either. The rest is just about compromising between what you need to do and the practicalities of how to achieve it. As for the OP I think with a new band member I'd want to have a run through, just to check starts, ends and any odd bits of arrangements rather than do that in front of an audience, if at all possible. [/quote] nice post, and to me, you hit it: balance. Different situations/people call for more or less of the various bits involved. I think we tend to see "our way" of doing things as generally the better way, subconsciously, even if deep inside we really know that it's just what we came to through circumstances and it's works for us... From that point of view, this thread offers an interesting place to see how different people favour different approaches and have different goals. I didn't like the implication that not wanting to rehearse, or rather not wanting to rehearse *in excess* was showing contempt for the audience. I enjoy live playing immensely. We're nothing really without that audience, and I value them A LOT. Which is why I resented being told (not personally, I know, but by association) that I don't care or look after my audience. The thing is we probably have different ideas of what *in excess* actually means. For me, rehearsals are not for learning the songs (assuming covers, or at least a recorded version of some sort that you're supposed to learn). I don't like my rehearsal time being taken up by showing people how a song goes. They should have done their homework, just like I did. You can learn it all by yourself. THEN rehearse together to ensure it all works fine, by all means. I've also been in a situation where a band has a pretty static setlist and they rehearse every week over and over and over the same songs. Look, if they're not getting better by the time you've played them 20 times, they never will, at least not if all you do is play them again exactly like last time. Unless you're going to add more songs... kill rehearsals and just gig the thing. Many times. I find those rehearsals a waste of my time, and I don't have a lot of time so I'd rather spend it on something else. If there's a problem with a song because the drummer keeps getting a part wrong, or I do, or whatever... then the answer is not having the whole band go through it again and again, rehearsal after rehearsal. The drummer (or me) have to get it right by himself. Homework! When he can do it, then we rehearse and tweak if/when necessary. I've had sessions just bass and drums when we needed to nail something tricky together... that's homework. When we get it right then we involve the band. Similarly there used to be brass meetings where they worked out their harmonies etc... and afterwards they brought it to the band and alter when/if needed. A rehearsal has to have a goal, and if the goal is not achieved then either you need to reassess your goals or then rehearsal is not the correct approach to achieve that goal. In a situation where time is not limited, I'd care a lot less... because I enjoy playing, it's something I do largely for fun (even if there's money involved, I could not live from it alone). But that's not where I am. I'm not a great player, but I'm confident and know that within my limits I'll be alright and don't need a lot of time to catch up. Years ago I wasn't as confident and my limitations were far bigger... in those days rehearsals were more important for me. I suppose the need for them, and what you need them for depends too on your level of experience, not your 'virtuosity'. People need to do the hours playing with others, I guess... through rehearsals, through gigs... to build up their confidence and their 'band skills' [1]... so probably the people who require fewer rehearsals have simply done more hours (nothing to do or imply one is better than the other, just different places to be). [1] band skills: most of us probably know some guy who can play al the techniques and play really complicated stuff, but drowns in a band setting, purely because he never plays with other people and he's used to perfect sound quality in his home setup. There's no substitute for playing with others. Hours. And. Hours. And play with a variety of people, or we get too used to their idiosyncrasies. Variety gets your skills in shape better.

[quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1487786254' post='3242922'] Contempt in the sense that a band should be at its best ie well rehearsed. Sorry for having an opinion. [/quote] don't give me that "sorry for having an opinion" because I have one too and disagree, please... I disagree with your notion that not rehearsing as much as *you* think appropriate is showing contempt for the audience. I would never go unprepared because I don't want to do a bad job and much less be part of a train wreck onstage where I cannot hide We just disagree about what we think rehearsals are for and what they should accomplish, and how long it takes to be prepared.

[quote name='la bam' timestamp='1487766738' post='3242565'] For me rehersal should be something you really look forward to. The challenge of learning new songs, getting all the dynamics in, getting right and having a laugh. Once band members say they don't want to reherse I get worried that it's all about to collapse, and cant understand why they wouldn't want to reherse. [/quote] when I was younger and had lots of time, I'd have been happy rehearsing every day all day! But time is limited now, and I enjoy it when we get together to work on new song ideas (originals) and 'jamming to summon the muse' or when we play live. That's it. If it's covers I have no interest rehearsing every week once we know what we're doing...

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1487758909' post='3242445'] I like this guy. He seems like fun: [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im0ZWHwaFHA"]https://www.youtube....h?v=Im0ZWHwaFHA[/url] [/quote] Dunno... he needs a haircut. But it sounds pretty good

Hmm, they sound better if drinking coke from a glass bottle...

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1487674415' post='3241658'] Yeh, I'll make sure the bassist uses his electric if we ever do another. It just seems a bit silly really. If they want acoustic acts, they should book them. The promoter actually asked us to do our usual thing but use an acoustic guitar just for appearances. Weird [/quote] yeah... it is a bit silly. Let's book an energetic band that people go to watch and jump about and dance... and ask them to play with acoustic instruments instead... It can be done but it's a bit odd. We've been asked a few times, however, and what they generally -but not always- meant was "we cannot allow a lot of noise"... so a sensible drummer with brushes and a slightly reduced kit if there's space issues too (we're not Rush , and watching the volumes has worked in those situations. Sometimes they really just wanted the look of acoustic instruments, which would plug into their PA. Ah well...

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1487670664' post='3241609'] The Maze in Nottingham again on Saturday. It was supposed to be an acoustic set so our guitarist and bassist just used their acoustics plugged in. It didn't seem to make a massive difference except the bass was really muddy and the soundguy was clearly struggling to control feedback Anyway, the room was packed and singing and dancing, one of the best responses we've had I think, which was nice! [/quote] I've played a handful of 'acoustic' gigs... I just take an electric, but maybe take a natural finish one rather than a bright red to bring less attention to it Sounds much better. A fretless with nylon tapewounds sounds particularly good in a setting like that if you want to keep the 'acoustic vibe' more, but a straight electric generally works well cutting down treble.

[quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1487666781' post='3241557'] It doesn't matter how many times you jam along to a CD or listen to songs in your car, you need the whole band rehearsal for nailing the structure and feel of songs. [/quote] It helps nailing the structure, and if you enjoy it and have the time that's great, why not? But you don't *need* it to nail a structure. What you need is for everybody to do their homework. It just takes more effort than doing it over a number of band rehearsals. If you have already a CD or whatever recording that tells you what the structure is, why can't you all learn it from it? If you make mistakes together it's only because one or more of you have not really learnt it... I don't hate rehearsals I love getting together and making noise! But I disagree about what the minimum requirements are in order to make it work, I suppose. And when time is limited, making me spend an evening a week going over the same old song over and over does not seem like a very productive thing to do.