Truckstop

Well being a sunday I'm not surprised the place was empty! More to the point, you don't have any mates or anyone interested in your band? In my opinion you can't rely on the promotors for anything and you really need to grab the bull by the horns if you want to get any sort of following. You gotta get some flyers printed, give out free CD's, get some presspacks sorted out, good website etc. Youve spent money on gear and rehearsal space, but it doesnt stop there! People need to be aware that your band exists and I gave up on promoters a long time ago. The thing to do, is to try and get gigs supporting other local bands that have a small following. Do this by socialising with said bands, drink where they drink, rehearse where they rehearse and make sure you have good promotional aids to help you along. Even better, is to get hold of other local bands and arrange a small gig at a local venue yourself and charge a nominal amount to keep the venue happy and to encourage attendance. See if someone here won't hire you their PA rig get some flyers printed and canvass your market a couple of weeks in advance. If you want to be taken seriously, you have to take yourself seriously! Have faith in your product and get it out there yourself. The hard work doesn't stop when you've written all your songs! Truckstop

I agree, but I dont want to pay two singers!! But on the other hand, a higher quality band will get more work. Difficult! Truckstop

Today: Auditioned two singers instead of four as two of them decided not to come down; I didn't call them, I'm my interested in excuses! Now have a dilemma, both singers (one is 18 with no real experience and the other is 24 with bags of experience and contacts) are awesome. Great lookers, fun and bubbly, both local, both prepared to work hard, both like the plan I have laid out. Asked James and Simon (drummer and guitarist respectively) for their opinions and they were very unhelpful in that they couldn't offer me a reason to hire one over the other! Gonna sleep on it. On other news, my mic stands have all broken. My fault for buying sh*tty cheap ones. Will get some Hercules ones wen I've got some money together. Also expanded my PA with a gate; should help with the snare. Made inroads into gigging last week by ringing up some old friends, got a few pencilled in for march and April; pubs, not amazing money bit should be good for getting used to each other in a live setting. Worked through 10 songs today, decided to drop 4 and 6 came out really well. Looks like it's gonna be tough finding songs suitable for a fourpiece band. Update next week!! Alex

DO NOT DEFRET THE JD!! Truckstop

Awesome! I love W&T basses and that's a real looked. Love the comfy jumper/tailored suit metaphor, same here! Head looks awesome, any close ups of it? Truckstop

I thought the 'My Generation' solo was recorded with a Dan Electro Longhorn? That aside, great build Rick; very jealous of your discipline and persistence! I would have given up a long time ago! Truckstop

Does anyone notice any difference to having the taper at the bridge end or the nut end? I've used strings with a taper at the but end but not vice versa. Any difference in feel? Any brands recommended for this? Sounds interesting! Truckstop

My '83 Ibanez Blazer. I bought it off Flat Eric a while ago for £165 and it's the best money I've ever spent. It arrived in a pretty shoddy state and I've fixed it up good! I use if for everything that doesn't require the 5er. I've had 3 other Blazers since and none of them have been the same as this one; none as light, as well balanced, as good sounding or as attractive. I would rather die than move this one on. Truckstop Edit: since been moved on and instantly regretted it

For me, a lowball offer is less than 25% of the asking price. A lowball tells me that the person doesnt really want the item and is being cheeky on the offchance. Having said that though, I've offered 25% below the asking price (which was obviously refused) but then negotiated a sensible medium. It's part of the haggling banter I think. If people get offended at a lowball then they're taking it far too seriously and to be honest show a reluctance to negotiate and miss out on a sale. If you advertise on a forum, you should expect to haggle and advertise a price with that in mind. Truckstop

Do what the engineer says. If he's got a good track record and he makes good sounding recordings then why wouldn't you listen to the guy? Surely you chose him based on the quality of his past work? Truckstop

Purely aesthetic in my opinion. If there is a tonal difference I think it's so slight as to be almost barely perceptible. Precision style basses should have maple, everything else should be rosewood/ebony/w***wood. Truckstop

It's just more trouble than it's worth. It's not particularly pretty when finished, it's tough to work with (not impossible, just hard work) and it's heavier than it needs to be. I think I remember my dad (or someone with an equal amount of woodworking wisdom) saying that it doesnt take painting very well and you'll end up with an uneven finish because it has weird absorption properties. I think Ritter made a bass out of 5000 year old oak? Looks stunning. Truckstop

No bass, I'm happy with my current pair! But I'm boring and I just want loads of accessories: Top quality leads, nice double gigbag, stands for amps and guitars, nice stands for my PA rig (mics, speakers, lights etc). Also need a gate and a decent drum mic set too. They're the things that end up costing more than you think. I could easily blow £500-£600 on the stuff I've just listed! Truckstop

A Bassmaster Funk?! Any pictures? I've only ever seen one in my entire life and it was definitely on it's last legs! To avoid a thread derail, maybe start a new one? Cheers! Alex

I'm really disappointed that I didn't have any money when that lovely 270 with DiMarzios was up for sale great looking bass and suitable for any occasion. The thing I love about certain basses is you just know they'll always sound great; RBX's, BB's, Ibanez SR's. Peavey Cirrus etc. All as cheap as you like and just guaranteed to be awesome as they are or perfect for modifying. I have some serious budget bass GAS right now Truckstop

Yeah I missed that: Why don't you place the amp behind you? If lack of volume's an issue for you then surely it's cheaper to buy a amp stand (lifts it about a foot and a half off the floor and angles the amp upwards) than bother buying another combo just so you can hear yourself. Truckstop

@McGraham Very cool!!! Sold! Alex

Yeah just make some basic chord charts with notes and give the songs a once over on YouTube or something like that. You'll feel like your brain's exploding, but you'll be amazed at how much you remember when you're up there! Dont forget to report back and tell us how it goes! Truckstop

Well the Monotron appeals because of it's size and cost! I'll probably get one anyway seeing as they're so cheap and if it doesn't work I'll end up getting a Microkorg like I've wanted for years. Dont suppose you know of any other decent synths of a similar size? Truckstop