Truckstop

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1419633335' post='2641542'] I see this suggestion, [i]"start your own"[/i] quite often. and it's thrown around like it's a viable option for everyone when it's not for several reasons. First of all most start ups never see their first gig, it's just the way things are. Second, it takes a lot of different skill sets to start your own working band. How are you going to attract good musicians when you have nothing financial to offer. Most good seasoned players are going to look at what a band has on the books before anything else. Most start ups have nothing on the books. A lot of newbies , might not have the experience needed for a working band. You have to have deep pockets,, resources, a large network of established musicians and incredible organizational skills to start your own band. Many of you have these qualities and that's great.But on the other side of the coin, many don't. Blue [/quote] Totally agree, just pointing out that it's really hard to find bands at that level that look for musicians publically. If I were looking for a replacement bassist for my band, I would be after someone who already has years of experience playing covers. There are many reasons for this but it's mainly because playing covers at any level requires a different skill set to playing original music. A skill set that takes a few years to develop. Someone in the OP's position may find it hard to get function work because of this. Ergo, it'd be better for him to start his own band. IMO! Truckstop

Start your own and learn on the way! Might take a few years to get to the standard you want but you'll get there with enough investment and hard work I've been in covers bands of various guises for 7 years. Only in the last few months have I felt that I've known the right people and have enough financial backing to get into the functions and corporate market. It'll be extremely hard to find a band at that level that will advertise generally for a bassist. They'll have a pool of deps to choose from and most likely they'll find someone without needing to advertise. Truckstop

Looking forward to seeing my first project as bandleader get off the ground and start earning me some money. Other than that, happy to just get more and more funky Truckstop

Bah, foisted by my own petard! Well played Sir, well played.

You need the dirt to make it work! Truckstop

You need the gunk to play the funk! Leave it, it doesn't need cleaning unless you've spilled something seriously noxious on it. Keep te fretboard moisturised and frets shiny by all means but the neck itself shouldn't need any attention. Truckstop

Problem with restricting keyboard player to piano sounds means that everything sounds like boogie woogie! Truckstop

It's impossible to say what works and what doesn't. I've played Neil Diamond's 'Caroline' a hundred times in my life; sometimes the place goes crazy and sometimes everyone goes outside for a fag. You'll never be able to please everyone all the time, but as long as the band enjoy playing it and sound good while they're playing it then you can't lose. Truckstop

No, sadly not Eric Too many hours and not enough reward, Punch took us for everything! With a baby I didn't want to be working 7 days a week and evenings so I've got a regular salaried office job and music work at the weekends! Many thanks Eric, no rush. I'll probably begin when the weather gets better! Alex

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1419286163' post='2638465'] Two necks left if you're interested in purchasing one, Alex. [/quote] Dog skint at the moment pal, and will be until March!! Your necks were the inspiration, I'm not sure I'll be able to afford one. Just want to get the body ready first and then I'll scour the market for one Thanks! Alex

Signed and shared on Facebook! Truckstop

Do it! Maybe not the best rig ever but honest sounding, reliable and loud enough for all situations. I doubt you'd get much more bang for your buck. Truckstop

[quote name='roger' timestamp='1419266139' post='2638149'] I've picked up one of these necks from kiwi and I gotta say it looks a great neck, I was going to go Alembic SC/king bass body style, we'll have to keep in touch and share resources, cheers [/quote] Definitely! I'll need some words of advice when it comes to installing the bridge! Also, haven't done any research with regards to bridges at all so if you have good information wth regards to them then I'd appreciate your help a lot! Cheers Alex

Oh god, everything! Body length, width (at each end), depth/thickness, scale length, distance from string break at the bridge to end of the neck. Position of strap buttons might be useful too! Thanks a lot Eric, sending loads of Xmas cheer over Alex

Hello all, A couple of years ago my Dad came by with a few pieces of cherry wood he'd cut for me for a bass. I didn't have the heart to tell him that the pieces were too small in every respect to make into a full size instrument so I've just left them in the garage to season. At the time, a Steinberger style bass didn't even cross my mind, but seeing as someone on here is selling some headless necks I thought I might give it a go! So I'm after dimensions. If there's a BCer out there with a Steinberger or Hohner B2A, I'd really appreciate some measurements! I don't want to make an exact replica, but I would like something to work from. Basic spec so far: 4 string PJ pup configuration Passive Pickup select switch (bridge, bridge/neck, neck) Volume and tone knobs Graphite headless neck Cherry body wood High gloss natural finish Not sure on the bridge yet, need to research! Anyone got any tips or tried to build one before? Truckstop

Played a gig the other week, finished at midnight and then they had a DJ for the last 2 hours of the event and, I tell you, the noise levels actually shocked me. My head was swimming it was so loud! No-one was dancing, everyone was as far away from the dance floor as possible! It was so unpleasant I actually felt close to tears. Truckstop

Can't believe no-ones mentioned the GigRig Generator yet? Tonnes of power and as small as a box of matches! Last time I checked they were around £65? Truckstop

Power attenuator might help? THD Hotplate is the most well known I think. Truckstop

Very cool! Good work pal, you must be well happy with the extra oomph? Truckstop

It's not a volume thing, it's a tone thing. I think that a class A power section though lots of speakers sounds better than class D through an efficient single speaker cab. Even at lower volumes. And it's always nice to know that you've got the headroom should you need it! Truckstop

Having been in the pub industry for 10 years, I'd say yes! The last Friday before the Xmas break is notorious in hospitality circles for being particularly troublesome. f***ed-up-Friday it's known as round here. Truckstop

Thanks Si, that helped with a lot of questions I was generating after reading the rest of this thread! Truckstop

Is it weird that I'm sort of forming a bit of paddle GAS? I've never ever liked headless basses and I've liked small bodies instruments even less! Truckstop

Yeah whatever, get some pictures up please! Before, during and after Truckstop