Truckstop

Hang on guys, I really don't see an issue here! I would love to be in a band where one person is in full control. If you're gigging 100+ times a year, that'd be a really good earner and for that sort of money I think some level of professionalism is required. I play songs I hate all the time because in getting paid for it! If I was playing 100+ gigs a year without personally having to worry about booking them, I'd do whatever the band leader wanted me to do. If he wants me to use a BC Rich Warlock and a 15w Stagg practice amp, I'd bloody do it as a matter of professionalism. To be honest, I don't think I've ever heard of a pro-level guitarist that didn't have a great sounding small amp, or a pro-level vocalist without their own microphone or PA! Or a drummer without his own mics! What sort of ramshackle lot do you all play for? I would say though that if Telebass wanted this sort of control over his band, it may be worth considering buying your own PA, drum mics, etc etc and taking a bigger cut of the purse. All the bands I work for at the moment have this exact set-up. The bandleader decides everything, gets all the gigs, provides the PA and decides the set and the band just turn up and play. No arguments! Good luck with it Telebass, I think you've got a plan for success here! Alex

I'll just be bringing my trusty Yamaha BB424x so I can rock out and try out some rigs and shizzle! Truckstop

Ha ha ha! 0.32 seconds in you look like you about to either kill someone in their sleep or make love to them. Truckstop

Surely a half-decent EQ and/or careful cab placement should take care of any errant low frequencies? For example, I sounded really boomy last night on a wooden stage so I stuck the cab on my gigbag and moved it away from the walls. Problem solved! Truckstop

I think when you can hear loads of mistakes and poor technique you've got a transparent amp! Amps that colour the tone tend to compress the signal and smooth a lot of the bumps that clean amps highlight. That's why a lot of people love GK I guess! Truckstop

Definitely!! Have fun! Truckstop

Open strings have a different tension to fretted strings so there's a physical obstacle there. There are also tonal differences between a fretted A and an open A (for example) and sometimes an open A wont give you the tone you expect so there's an auditory obstacle too! Try plucking the strings nearer the bridge and try to play a little lighter. That should help to achieve a more consistent tone between the two and also should have tighter, controlled feel. Otherwise all you can do is try to identify what it is about open strings you dont like and then find a way to overcome it. That's what practice is for! Truckstop

Thank you all so much for the offers! In almost tempted to not buy a new rig so I can just borrow all this wonderful gear every week! We could start a bass rig exchange club? Thanks again Alex

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1368101358' post='2073165'] Does your band have a PA? If so, get yourself a DI box or something like a Behringer BDI21 and go straight into the PA. Works great. [/quote] No, we only use the PA for vocals. Ony got a couple of 10" tops! I have a BDI-21 for this exact reason but it's only worth it if you've got a decent PA! Thanks Alex

Guys, thank you all so much for the wonderful offers! I'm actually quite emotional that you would honestly let me borrow all that gear. Stoked! All sorted now though; an old friend of mine's lending me his SWR Workingman 10 with 1x10 cab. Can't wait to get my paws on it! Thank you all so much again! I love basschat! Alex

Cheers Dave, I'll be in touch if nothing turns up! Alex

Hello all, Plugged in to do a little practice this afternoon before work and my bloody amp's blown up. A little puff of acrid smoke and a loud buzzing noise leads me to believe it won't work for my gigs this weekend. I'm begging someone to sell me a head or rent me a something that I can use this weekend. I'm gigging locally on Friday, Saturday and sunday. Anything at all! A head or a combo; anything loud enough for decent sized pubs. I live in St. Albans and am happy to travel a little while to collect something. I'm totally strapped, so can't offer much. I think I've got like £40 to give someone to hire their amp for a few days. Obviously I'll take the utmost care of it, if anything should happen obviously I'll replace it or whatever. Contact me via email at: hogswally(at)hotmail(dot)com Or text me at: 07800 797 seven nine five I will eventually need to buy another amp at some point so if you're looking to sell something to me, then great but I won't be able to pay for it immediately. I'd need a week or two to put some money together. I also have a brand new ESP Ltd B-105 as trade bait. Please help! Alex

Well today is May the Sith after all. Truckstop

Played my first gig for my new-found blues/rock n roll band on friday and it was quite mixed I have to say! The band have been having issues with a rythym section recently and so dont have a regular drummer. This made things a bit difficult because I was rather hoping that for a few numbers I could rely on the drummer for cues and stuff. Sadly not. He was an excellent player but only knew about half the songs, so the other half were a dreadful halting mess. Also it turns out that the singer likes to mix the keys up (it's blues innit so he's comfortable singing in A, G or E...and nothing else!) which meant that I was a bit uncomfortable for a few songs that didn't transpose too easily. Oh, well! I suppose it went ok and I think I did well. They didn't sack me and they were very complimentary so I guess I was just overreacting due to being a bit nervous! This band gig at least twice a week so it'll be very handy as a bit of income support and the music's great. Learnt loads of great songs for this band and can't wait to get involved with some blues festivals in the summer. I've realised just how much I love my BB424x; has an awesome P thump with a lovely tightness from the J pup. Comfy neck, not too heavy, looks nice and vintage and sounds great with no twiddling. Very happy! Truckstop

Wow. That is looking seriously sexy! Bet you can't wait to grab hold of it! Really liking the ebony laminates in there; adds a certain sophistication to what is obviously quite an extremem instrument in every aspect! Truckstop

I hire someone to use spare £50 notes to gently waft air over my hands when I play. Works a treat. Truckstop

I think the Yamaha Super BB range (BB424x etc) are the best looking basses on the planet right now. Just so sexy! The right mix of vintage and modern and sound awesome. That and Ibanez Blazers! Truckstop

Ooh! Smart! Truckstop

I've seen nor heard of them before! Looks lovely, hope you end up getting plenty of cash for it! Alex

Ah, that's the inner workings of a sonic screwdriver. Truckstop

Very cool! Good luck with the tour, have a laugh! Truckstop

Don't do anything. It only becomes your problem when it has an effect on the band/income. In which case I'd take the other musicians and start another band or sack the pair of them. I've always treated every band I've ever played with as an income source. I try not to get too involved with the other musicians personal lives because when it comes to earning a living that becomes your priority. If the band misses gigs or loses work because of the behaviour of your co-workers, you gotta deal with it quick snap! Truckstop

I don't think the BG500 offers much over the Roland. It'll be loud enough for the gigs you describe but really the only reason you'd make the change is just for the sake of changing your rig around and because it's lighter! Um, if you do move the DB700 on, can I jaw first dibs please? PM me with the price! Truckstop