martin8708

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1507458361' post='3385518'] Even the most complicated music is simple, if you break it down into sections. [/quote] I find the reverse is true as well , songs that are supposed to be "simple " tend to have little quirks in them which often make them more difficult than they initially seem . Other things I have learnt : A more expensive bass does not make you a better player , if anything it can lead other musicians to think you are some kind of bass genius . If you play for fun , make sure you do have fun , I have done far too many rehearsals with dread in my heart because of some obnoxious band member , it's taken me a long long time to gain the confidence to just say " thanks , but no thanks " and walk away .

Bought a reverb pedal off Neil , all messages answered promptly and pedal received by next day delivery . All good , many thanks again . Martin

We had a chap in school whose name was Robert Sole , poor fella . Our local motorcycle shop is called Dave Deaths Motorcycles ( Triumph and Yamaha dealer )

Sellers who don't: Post pictures of the item Tell you the location of the item Say wether it's collection only or offer shipping . Actually own the item ( I'm selling this for a " friend " ) Post the item after you have paid for it . Leave any feedback for you .

I have been sacked for being too old and bald. (I'm 52 ) I have been "replaced " by another bass player with a bigger amp , and he had a full length Van Helsing style leather coat . 3 weeks later I was asked to rejoin when the vocalist realised a bigger amp and a leather coat does not make you a better bass player . I have been given the elbow because I have a daytime job ( and a mortgage and bills , etc ) . This was a huge obstacle to a start up band who were planning their World Tour before we had even done Local pub gig .

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1491817076' post='3275506'] They'll be thinking more about their own sound in the mix. [/quote] This 100% I've been rehearsing weekly with a band for 4 months now , one week I take a fretted P bass , the next I take a fret less P-bass . No one has commented , to be honest no-one seems to have even noticed the difference in the tone or the nuances of the fret less . I do have to say that the fretted bass is the better weapon in the battle of the "volume wars " with the guitarist's .

I'm 53 , I have played bass and guitar since I was 18 yrs old , so if I'm not in a gigging band , I am equally happy playing (classical ) guitar for my own pleasure . I have also bought a djembe and getting to grips with simple percussion . Music is so multifaceted , different styles from different countries played with different instruments , how can anyone get bored with it? I love gigging , but there is so much more to life than playing DadRock in a pub band. Or just buy a motorbike ( as previously suggested )

After 10 years in a band , there is bound to be some feeling of loss/ grief . I also have a young child which takes up a lot of your time , but a some of that time is involved with singing and playing guitar , we also play djembe drums and other percussion instruments which he loves doing . I feel I have the best of both worlds , I am still involved in music and have loads of interaction with my son .

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1490176158' post='3262792'] If you will be bored in a covers band then don't do it. If you think it's just somewhere you can park yourself for an easy ride for a few years, again don't do it. If you can't accept that most of the time you won't be playing your favourite numbers, don't do it. If the guys in the band are not good players, don't do it. I haven't played a boring cover yet, but average and disinterested players can make anything sound boring, trite or just plain dull. Play them properly and most covers, certainly the ones that audiences like and want to hear, will sound good, even Sex On Fire and Mustang Sally. [/quote] Pretty much this . I'm sure there are other bass players who would really appreciate the chance get into a band and get out gigging . They may even like the set list .

You are truly lucky if you find a band with the same level of commitment to rehearse / gig and who share the same musical taste as yourself . I am probably in a similar situation to the OP , ie , join band / rehearse / do a few gigs / watch band implode . Perseverance is essential , by the law of averages you will eventually find the right band . Try not to get too upset when people leave or change the goalposts of the band , this happens . Most bands will have a " stand out " musician , ie a really great drummer or guitarist , I just get real friendly with these guys just for future reference . ( I think it's called networking ) Know when it's time to cut your losses and bail , some bands will rehearse forever and never get better or gig ready . All the best - hope you find your dream band .

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1487077497' post='3236783'] People in good, happy, settled bands should be grateful. Once it is over it can be very hard finding or starting another. I know this from current and past experience! [/quote] The last stable band I was in folded 5 years ago , had a really good run of 10years of great gigs . I have been in a few projects and short lived bands since then, but deep down I knew that they did not have the same chemistry of of the old band . I try not to beat myself about not being in a gigging band , I am optimistic, but I find I reach for the bass less and less and pick up the acoustic guitar a lot more .

Dire Straits / Dire Straits ( 1st album ) Zenyatta Mondatta / Police I still remember the the hairs on my neck standing up when I very first heard "Don't Stand so Close to Me "

The bad : longevity and commitment to make a band work is getting less by the year . I'm not sure if it's due to the fact you can get an instant replacement on Twitface or Gumbook or some other website , but I notice musicians are very fickle and will think nothing of giving you the boot if you are not cool / tattoo'ed up / unemployed so you can embark on that world tour ( even before you've even done your first pub gig ) The Good : after 35 years of just being a bass player , ( and guitarist ) , learning to speak out and tell people what sounds good and what sounds sh1t , listening to advice without feeling inadequate and offering advice to other players , and having the courage to just pack your bass up and walk away when you are playing with intolerable / deluded band members .

Music is my pleasure ,so a packed venue is far better than taking the money and running . But then again,I don't rely upon gigging as an income .

I have been in the exact same situation , playing in bands with a high level of musicianship really does up your game if you are only a weekend warrior . I was " in between bands " a few years ago and hooked up with some guys who wanted to play a short gig at the Vintage Motorcyle Club Christmas bash (of which they were members ) . I would say that they had an interesting style of playing, but rehearsals were such a laugh and laid back , it was a real treat to get out on Wednesday evening to plug in your amp ,bash out some tunes,chat about bikes and generally take the mick out of the drummer. I knew it was never going to be a serious gigging band ,but I took it for what it was and had a great time, made some friends, had a laugh , and when then band had run its course , we still stayed mates . I love playing with top drawer musicians ,but sometimes that opportunity does not always present itself.

Perhaps if you asked to try one out ( I assume they still have the basement area ) and got chatting with the sales assistant , you may have improved your chances . Selling techniques work both ways , if you are short or brusque with a shop assistant , they are highly unlikely to give you any discount . If you chat with them , tell them your not from London , it tends to break up their tedious day , especially if you have other common interests . Offering to buy both would probably increased your chances of a good deal as well . As some-one who has worked with the Great British public for 35 years , I will always help out pleasant , good natured people. Still , it's a pretty good price , so you haven't been overcharged if you bought them .

A good guitarist will know when he is out of tune by just playing an open chord , G seems to be the best for my ears ( not that I am a good guitarist ) . If the chord sounds good , we dive into the next song . Obviously ,he would probably tune up after a particularly energetic " Pete Townsend-esque " rendition of Mustang Sally or sets his guitar on fire a la Hendrix stylee. Worst offender was when I was playing in a band with a guitarist who would never pay more than 50 quid for a guitar , he had 5 such beauties , combined with a permanently whistling H/H combo amp , it was truly an audio nightmare , or just very avant guarde playing .

Had a great run of about 30 years in Pub Rock / blues / cover bands , lots of gigs and great memories . Last decent band folded about 4 years ago ,and it's been a real struggle to get in a band that doesn't implode or break up before we get out gigging , musicians these days seem less tolerant,or more selfish and will quit a band for the smallest of reasons . I love gigging , but band politics really sucks the pleasure out of being in a band. When this happens ,I just pick up the classical guitar and play purely for my own pleasure.( and the cat likes it too )

Sold some strings to Brian , very quick and easy transaction and excellent communications . Many thanks again Martin.

[quote name='Raymondo' timestamp='1473862586' post='3133656'] Whom ever can afford it works well [/quote] Pretty much this for me ,as the band member with a "proper " job , I funded the EV cabs , all mics, power amp , and leads / cables / stands . A Allen + Heath mixer seemed to come from somewhere ?? After I had poured hundreds of pounds into the sound system , the guitarist and singer left ,so I was left with 3/4 of a PA system. Thanks to eBay ,I have recouped most of my outlay, but valuable lesson learnt , SINGER PROVIDES PA . And drummer provides his own kit (and transport )

Most common reason for being sacked - having a daytime job . Auditions seem to go OK , initial rehearsal seem to go OK , then suddenly said band want to do festivals / stadium gigs / world tours and we haven't even played down at the local Spit and Sawdust Pub . As I'm not prepared to give up the day job ( sorry chaps , I have a mortgage ) my " commitment " to the band comes into question , and I know it's just a question of time . I have also been replaced by another bass player " who has a bigger amp " than me . I received a phone call 3 weeks later asking if I would consider re- joining the above band when they found out the big amp guy was cr@p and unreliable .

I rarely play bass at home , only to learn new songs or practice difficult bass lines which need a bit of homework. I do pick up an acoustic guitar every day , be it steel or nylon string , much easier on the ears , and great for trying out new song for either my own enjoyment or for the band.

I love the look of a Ric , but I just find the neck difficult to get to grips with . Stingray's , as previously said , just too much , quite powerful active pre-amps . The pick- up is quite close to the bridge , which I use as a thumb rest for finger style playing , the strings seem to shred my finger tips .

A 59' sunburst P-bass is cool . Fano basses are pretty cool ,too.