thebrig

Stop playing in the middle of a song.

They will soon realise what the bass contributes then!!!

I would just like to let you all know, that I have finally received my BC shirt.
It was a long wait, but I have to say that it was worth it, it's very nice indeed and fits perfectly.

Thanks Ped, I know you have had a nightmare with the suppliers.

Cheers.

[quote name='Monckyman' timestamp='1319470225' post='1414484']
Classy joint
[/quote]
The venue, or my THUMB?

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1319468207' post='1414427']
Well done. Good to hear all went well and a nice tidy sum raised for the charity too.

Brill !!!!

Still reckon you are a MAD MENTAL BASSIST though.

Cheers
Dave
[/quote]
I know I'm a MAD MENTAL BASSIST mate.

Mrs Brig looks quite happy, and accepting of the situation in the pic,
but you should have seen her face, when I first told her that I was doing the gig, just five days after the op!

It would seem that some folks were expecting graphic pics of the op, rather than the gig,
so I have edited the title.

[quote name='WalMan' timestamp='1319218826' post='1411532']
If your cast is similar to BigAl and the specialist has said keep the fingers moving you'll probably be OK then. I was stuffed when my Index and pinkie were done, but there were other things done and I use a pick which would have been difficult to keep hold of.

I know my fingers were all moving and I was stabbing at the keyboard the afternoon of the last op.

Aren't you supposed to keep it elevated? I seem to recall my arm was strapped diagonally across my body to the opposite shoulder.

Good luck anyway. I have a gig three days after a foot op and it'lln be the first time I use the bass pedals. That'll be interesting!!
[/quote]
Yes, for about a week, it's been about 5 days, so taking it out of the sling for a couple of hours, hopefully should not do too much harm.

It went great, I was a bit restricted with my movement, and struggled to get the right feel for some songs,
but I think I got away with it on the night.

I couldn't move my thumb as it was well protected by the cast, so I don't think any damage was done to it.

Most importantly, nearly £4,000 was raised on the night for a great cause!

I have opened a new post with the pics on it.

Well, the gig went well, the thumb held up, and nearly £4,000 raised for a great cause.

I have to admit that my movement was a bit restricted, but I think that I got away with it overall.
The thumb was well protected, so I don't think any damage was done.

So here are some pics of the event, sorry that the quality isn't too good.

The first one is of Mrs Brig and myself before taking the stage.

[attachment=91857:1.jpg][attachment=91858:2.jpg][attachment=91859:3.jpg][attachment=91860:4.jpg][attachment=91861:5.jpg][attachment=91862:6.jpg]

It would seem that some folks were expecting graphic pics of the op, rather than the gig,
so I have edited the title.

[quote name='Nyl' timestamp='1319124867' post='1410304']
and we still don't know where the gig is?
[/quote]
It's in WGC

And sold out, believe it or not!

But all for a good cause, and should be good a great night!

[quote name='BigAlonBass' timestamp='1318964567' post='1408394']
Speaking as the one voice of stupidity in the thread, I had my thumb joint replaced on the wednesday, then did a gig on the saturday. The plaster kept it braced rather effectively all night, and I felt no pain, simply because I couldn't move it. To embrace the stupidity even more, the plaster was slightly larger than I had expected and prevented finger movement, so a couple of (VERY careful) minutes with a Dremel cleared the offending obstruction away from my palm.
(The face I'm pulling on the picture is for comic effect.)
Yes, the lads in the Band thought I was an idiot as well, but at least I proved it can be done.


[/quote]
By the way, did you make a full recovery after the op?

[quote name='merello' timestamp='1319052838' post='1409440']
I posted a YouTube of a one armed bassist recently. You're only 1 finger down. Stop bitchin and get pitchin!
[/quote]
Yep, I saw it, what have I got to moan about!

I started this thread, because I thought that I was really lucky in having such a supportive wife.

I think it's great, that there are so many others in the same situation as me.

Hugs & kisses to them all!

Just thought it would be nice to mention our long-suffering partners, who have to put up with our passion for playing.

A lot of us spend hours at rehearsals, many hours at gigs that earn very little money, and even more hours with the headphones on learning new songs, while she's trying to watch TV, and not to mention sneaking in yet another bass, just because we are too weak to resist the latest episode of GAS!

So come on guys, let's hear your tales of guilt, and your tributes to our partners who put up with us.

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1318968955' post='1408481']
She's home tomorrow, just a short visit to see her Mum on her 80th. So she'll be home before the bass gets here Luckily she's very understanding usually
[/quote]
Good luck!
Sounds like you've got a good one there mate.

I have to admit that my wife is also very understanding, especially when I tell her it's an investment, just like some people by pictures, I buy basses!

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1318966824' post='1408436']
The g/f goes away for a couple of days & what happens - I've only gone & bought another bass! I blame ebay 100%

I couldn't resist, seen a few come & go in the past but this one looked quite tidy a bit of work required but it'll keep me busy for a while.

It's a Gherson Jazz, as close as I can remember to the one & only bass I had & gigged with for several years mid 70s, so lots of nostalgia.

In '73 I went to that London specifically to buy a Rick, had saved £400 but every one I tried had a action a mile high & felt rough to play.

I came home that day with a Gherson Blonde Jazz, Hiwatt 100 & Orange 2x18 cab, no I din't get it all for £400, I had a piece of plastic called Barclaycard as well!

I can't seem to grab pictures from ebay on my laptop for some reason so I'll get some pics up as soon as.

Cheerz, John
[/quote]
Has the G/F come back, and what was the reaction like?

I do the same with the wife, except she never goes away, so I have put one of the many others basses in the loft, and hope that she doesn't notice that I sneaked another one in!

[quote name='BigAlonBass' timestamp='1318964567' post='1408394']
Speaking as the one voice of stupidity in the thread, I had my thumb joint replaced on the wednesday, then did a gig on the saturday. The plaster kept it braced rather effectively all night, and I felt no pain, simply because I couldn't move it. To embrace the stupidity even more, the plaster was slightly larger than I had expected and prevented finger movement, so a couple of (VERY careful) minutes with a Dremel cleared the offending obstruction away from my palm.
(The face I'm pulling on the picture is for comic effect.)
Yes, the lads in the Band thought I was an idiot as well, but at least I proved it can be done.


[/quote]
You have made me feel so much better now.
My plaster is also much larger than I expected, almost down to my elbow, but my fingers are completely free, and I have been told by the specialist, that I should keep moving them as much as possible.
My thumb is completely stable, and will not get harmed in any way, and the solid base of the plaster, will rest nicely on the body of the bass.
As I have said all along, it is not a pressure gig, a lot of the audience will be familiar with us, although there might be up to 300 people there, but having a fun night is the most important thing, and I suppose seeing the bassist take the stage with a massive plaster cast on his arm, just adds to the occasion.
Although I admit that I might be slightly mad! I do realise that if it gets too much for me, one of the guitarists will have to take over the bass.

Now that would add too the fun!!!

Thanks for all the kind thoughts and wishes!

I really do think I should be ok for a couple of hours, I'm not trying to be a hero or anything,

But maybe I am a bit MAD!!!

[quote name='jonthebass' timestamp='1318937110' post='1407870']
Now that you have decided to do the gig do please get a picture of you playing with the cast, not much more rock 'n' roll than that!

Good luck.
[/quote]
It's a 'must have' memory!

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1318936283' post='1407855']
Well it sounds as though you won't be contravening the specialist's advice, so all that other stuff we said is irrelevant now!

So glad the op went well.
Let us know how the gig goes. It sounds as though it will be great!


[/quote]
Thanks[i], [/i]I will let you all know how it goes.
Cheers

Just got home today from hospital, the specialist is pleased with the way it went, not too much pain,
and my fingers are completely free, and he has advised me that I should keep [u]moving[/u] them as much as possible.
The thumb is completely protected, and I couldn't move it if I tried, and although my arm should be elevated for the first week,
he said that it doesn't have to be 24/7, so all should be ok for Saturday.

I do appreciate all your advice, and maybe I am mad, but I really do feel that by Saturday, I should be fine, and will just take it easy with my playing.
It's my plucking hand, so I will just rest my palm, which is well protected on the bass and play within myself.
It's a fundraiser event, that should be fun to play, with absolutely no pressure.
And besides, I've got a ready-made excuse for any bum notes!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1318834273' post='1406540']
Things is..what sort of condition are you going to be in to play..and what damage might you do to a joint that is already under repair...??

I wouldn't touch this myself on the face of what you have posted, as the joint will need every chance of rest to recover and be a success.
You are risking short term for long term IMO...and that is beside the fact that you may not be upto speed playing-wise anyway.

I understand you are keen to help out an old band, but this isn't really your problem.

So, that would be a BIG no from me. They should get a dep
[/quote]
Deep down, I think you are right, but they can't find a dep, and have said that even if I just keep everything simple,
it would be better than having no bass at all.

It's a charity event for 'downs syndrome', which the daughter of the lead guitarist was sadly was born with.
So it will be unpaid, and not too demanding, and hopefully good fun as well, and if it does prove too much for me,
then maybe one of the guitarists could take over the bass.

I’m having a joint replacement today (Monday), old age = arthritis I’m afraid.

Problem is, my old band is desperate as their bass player can’t make a gig this coming Saturday, and asked if I could do it, I said I would only if they cannot find anyone else, and that I would be a bit restricted because I will be in a plaster cast.

I’m hoping that my fingers will be free enough to play, but now I’m getting a bit nervous, as I was told at the pre-op assessment, that it will be quite painful afterwards, and that I should have my arm elevated for a week, although I’m sure a couple of hours playing with my arm down five days after the op, shouldn’t cause too many problems.

Has anyone else had this op, and if so, do you think I will be able to get by on the night?

I left my band about six months ago, as the singer only thought he needed to show up every now and then, even though he was always singing verse's where chorus's should be, and visa-versa, and we hardly ever had everyone there for rehearsals, and the songs we were playing was awful IMO.
I wasn't too sure that I was doing the right thing, as they did have more gigs lined up, and I really got a buzz out of playing live.

Since leaving, I have jammed with many different musicians that I met through 'JoinMyBand', which has been both interesting and enjoyable.
I now have a complete band formed, playing music that we ALL enjoy, we ALL get on well, and we ALL show up every week.

Anyway, I got a call from my old band last week, asking whether I could help them out as their new bassist can't make a gig next week, so I said I would,but I would need a couple of rehearsals with them beforehand.
So last week we all got together and I found out on the night, that there were quite a few new numbers that I had never even heard before, let alone played, so I said I will go away and work on them, and we can run through them at the final rehearsal tonight (Thursday), and guess what? I've just found out that the singer, and one of the guitarists wont be there tonight, so nothing has changed, and I'm sure glad I acted when I did, rather than just plod along with a bunch of guys, who have no dedication at all.

Go with your instincts!

I'm sure you will find a more satisfying band soon.

Good Luck!

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1317986171' post='1396928']
Can you two please PM me your details (paypal addresses you used to order) and I'll chase these up. Certainly not good enough they haven't arrived. Perhaps I'll have a new one sent out from the new supplier I have set up free of charge with my apologies. Perhaps they will still turn up.

Cheers
[/quote]
I don't mind waiting a bit longer Ped, and it's obvious you are doing your best to rectify things.
If it hasn't turned up by Monday, I will PM you with the details.

Cheers

I literally just had this said to me about 30 minutes ago, by our guitarist who is bringing along a new drummer for tonight's rehearsal.
This after [u][b]I[/b][/u] sent all the songs/mp3's over to the drummer [b]10 days[/b] ago to learn.

[b]"The drummer has not had time to learn any of the songs, because he has been a bit tied up with his other band"[/b]