dmccombe7

1 minute ago, dclaassen said:

Trying to keep cables from underfoot at a small venue is a challenge. I'm considering using a wireless rig just to keep from tripping on my patch chord.....

Yep i use wireless and its a fantastic bit of kit. 

I started with the Smooth Hound one but started getting occasional interference and opted to upgrade to the Shure. Expensive but in the year i've owned it i've had absolutely no issue with it at all.

Mine is the pedal version with built in tuner and that sits on my pedal board and cable from the board goes round edge of stage to my amp.

Dave

25 minutes ago, scalpy said:

That was after the first set and jumping around for an hour. The venue has 4 sockets. It looked better than that when we started. 

Because of the Glam platform boots we have a stage tidy area and run all cables from front to the sides and back to amps or desk which the drummer controls for most gigs. 

We also wont use gaffa tape as it leaves everything sticky when removed again.

Dread to think what it was like when you started 

Dave

28 minutes ago, scalpy said:

Thursday night wedding just outside of Malvern and the second time we’ve played at the venue, which was also on a Thursday. Both times we’ve been there the crowd have been crazy, I always think it’s going to be a tough sell but they go nuts. Some deps onboard for this one but they all did a fab job and we used the hk elements rig which I like to reinforce with an actual amp onstage as the PA hasn’t got the biggest bottom. 

Might be worth looking at how to tidy up the stage when playing. Recipe for problems there. 

Dave

57 minutes ago, Bluewine said:

 

Thanks Dave,

 

Thelma Performing Arts will do some advertising and so will we.

 

I'll be reporting on the gig with pics.

 

Daryl

Looking forward to the gig review Daryl, hopefully some vid clips would be great too.

Dave

11 minutes ago, BassAdder60 said:

Wow 4 pages of response to my question !! 
 

I’m looking to flip sides and go stage left ( next to lead guitarist ) and see how that works out 

WOW lead guitarist won't like that. Having to share his side of the stage with someone else. I can see much huffiness 

Dave

Hartke for me. Bought a Kilo amp head when they first came out from Thomann. 

Didn't work. Even at full master volume i could talk over it at home.

Tried contacting Hartke and even the owner who was forever advertising that he would answer every email. They didn't respond at all.

Returned to Thomann who were excellent and gave a full refund without issue.

WAL basses. Bought a custom fretless in early 80's. Had a dead spot on G string. WAL didn't want to know. Would never buy another new one. Well that and the fact they now even more stupid money.

Lookers Volvo Glasgow much the same as others have said about car dealerships, told me things were needing done but when i took to my local garage they couldn't find any issues at all. Also poor customer service in dealership. During Covid you had to book your car in for a specific appointment and i decided to wait as it was a minor service. While there the girl at front desk who is meant to be the welcoming face of Lookers Volvo, asked everyone in the sales room if they wanted a tea or coffee except me the one and only customer who had been waiting for 2hrs. No-one even spoke to me while i was waiting except for the floor cleaning guy who said good morning and a bit of a blether. Compare that to a Porsche dealership that i didn't even buy from but offered me tea or coffee and expensive type choc biscuits while i was just in looking around.

Sure there are others.

Dave

1 hour ago, nilorius said:

I don't care - more right or left. Don't remember i had a chance to stand at the center ever.

In 3 piece bands i've been in there was no centre stage. Guitarist/singer at one end of stage and bass (me !!!) at other end and we came together in middle for guitar solos on occasion.

Love a 3 piece band tho. When it works it really is the dogs "elbows". 

Dave

43 minutes ago, tauzero said:

All these people saying they base their position on not having the headstock hitting things - for heaven's sake just go headless, then you only smack the singer round the back of the head if you really want to.

Is that not what the "head" stock is for. ? 

Dave

5 hours ago, peteb said:

After a couple of gigs with the new band last week, it was back to the Zep tribute on Saturday playing a relatively local gig at Studio 5 in Keighley (or K-town as it is known in these parts). 

 

A good gig all in all, with a pretty decent turnout (always a relief when you are playing locally). The only issue was the guitar players Helix multi FX playing up when he changed guitars (he had to turn it off and on again) to the double-neck! It's funny how that guitar got a cheer all of its own when it was brought out, a boo when we thought that it was the guitar playing up and Chris would have to use the six string, and then another cheer when he realised it was the Helix and plugged the double-neck in again! 

 

Next gig in Llandudno in North Wales on Saturday. 

 

Have to admit i'm always impressed when i see the twin necks out in mates Zep tribute band and on occasion a Rush tribute will have them. They do look good. 

Must be great playing some of those Zep bass lines Pete. Nice set up you have behind you too.

Singer looks like a young Coverdale in that pic LOL

Dave

41 minutes ago, Huge Hands said:

I tend to favour standing to the drummer's right as I often play EUB and sing backing vocals and want to look across the instrument/my hands (when singing) towards the lead singer who is usually centre stage.  It all feels a bit backwards otherwise.

 

 

That was always my way of thinking until i had to move to the other side and that forced me to play without looking at my left hand which was great when the only bass i used was my Sandberg VM4. When i changed to a Fender or the Godin with less frets it seemed to throw me for a bit until i got more of a feel for the other basses.

Dave

4 minutes ago, TimR said:

 

Yes. We also have 'house lights', and 'front of house' PA. 

Of course and i never even gave that a thought to be honest. 👍

Dave

3 hours ago, TimR said:

Stage Right is right hand side looking from the stage towards the audience.

 

House Right is righthand of the stage looking at the stage from the audience (house). 

The thread had gone too far and wasn't worth trying to correct it now but nice to hear it explained.

I wasn't aware of house right and left, so that's a bonus.

Dave

Almost always stood on LHS of drummer looking at the band from an audience view until we started the Glam band and the guitarist wanted to stand at that side. Then when i joined the punk band the guitarist wanted the same side. I now stand at RHS of drummer in both bands.

It doesn't really matter to me TBH.

If playing in rock bands with keys players it was usually keys on left then bass then drums and then guitarist with singer out front and that seemed to be the norm much the same as Deep Purple. 

I preferred the LHS because i didn't have to worry about hitting headstock off walls on my left plus it meant i could naturally look over my fretboard hand and it would look like i was just looking at other band members or singer etc but that's more tongue in cheek than true. 

Don't honestly think it matters and audience probably wont notice.

Dave

4 hours ago, Bluewine said:

 

May 3rd , Thelma Performing Arts Center is my next gig. Tickets are $20.00 and the event an hour away from our base. I don't know how we're going draw even a respectable size crowd.

 

Daryl

Looks like a nice venue Daryl, sure you will pull in a decent crowd. Who is doing the advertising and promotion for it. You just need to push that and make sure the local Facebook "what's on" or "gig guide" pages have your promotion on them.

We have around 3-4 FB pages in different areas we play that we fire the gig advert onto. Not sure if it helps but i like to think it brings the band to people that may not normally follow us.

Dave

2 hours ago, Leonard Smalls said:

We had a pretty good one in Malvern last night supporting old skool punx The Samples.

Decent sized crowd (room was almost full for us) and sound was pretty good - as the PA was vocals only and I had the biggest amp I could actually hear myself. I'd also put in simple tube compressor/noisegate combo in my Helix for a clean (for me!) bass sound. Gear was Parker bass through Helix into BBE pre and DBX rack compressor, Crown pwer amp and Markbass 4x10.

Icing on the cake was that everybody hated us and nobody gave any compliments about anything we did until we left the stage and there was a collective shout of "Thank fck for that!"

Anyway, here's a bit...

 

 

There's people dancing, couldn't have been that bad plus i like that song.

Dave

No gigs till start of May for me. Its actually been a welcome break in April having just the drummers birthday gig last weekend which took up 3 days Set up Fri, gig Sat and collect the gear Sun.

Enjoying the quiet weekends.

Dave

15 minutes ago, casapete said:

Got a call from a friend yesterday afternoon asking if I could dep at a local social club last night.

They have a rock’n’roll night on Wednesdays which is quite well attended, and I’ve depped there

before. Just a 3 piece band (guitar, bass, drums), and when I arrived I found out it was a dep

drummer too, who turned out to be an old mate who played with me in the same band years ago.

Had a cracking gig, both musically and socially. Two 45 minute sets, nice people and well paid!
Used my Danelectro Longhorn into a Fender Rumble 500 combo. Home before midnight too, so

happy days. Tired today though, and got 3 more gigs this week - tonight at my local pub with 

the acoustic duo, then Redditch tomorrow / Shrewsbury on Saturday with the ELO Experience.

 

Gotta ask Pete. What's the Danelectro bass like to play ?

Dave

17 minutes ago, tauzero said:

 

I always use one except when I'm using the Nux Mighty Plug. Leads just get in the way. With bug-type wirelesses, it's hardly any more onerous than plugging a lead in.

At home I just leave my cable attached to the amp and the other end left on the floor next to the amp. If i'm using a passive bass at home to practice i'll just leave the lead plugged in so its not really any bother. I usually sit down at home to practice or learn new songs so i'm not tripping over any leads and not an issue for me.  I can understand when you have kids or pets in same room tho. As for ease of use a cable left attached is no different from plugging in the wireless every time you want to use it plus i don't need to charge it.

Dave    

41 minutes ago, Acebassmusic said:

 

I use a few different wireless units (for practice, rehearsal and gigs) and the ones that dont come with a clip (LEKATO WS-90 and Smoothound) I came up with a solution that works for me. If you're jumping around the stage then you'll probably need something more substantial. I simply use a hair wrap the strap end is fed through, patch cable and jack to jack socket!

 

 

I had a cable made up for my Smoothound with a locking female jack one end and standard jack the other and bought a slim holder to attach to my strap.

Dave

2 hours ago, SimonK said:

 

I have three kids, three cats and two dogs - avoiding a lead trailing across a room is a very good thing so I always use one at home!!

 

Ironically I seldom use my wireless when gigging as I often don't move far from the amp and find a cable a little more reliable!

Fair point.

My gear is in a specific room with door closed at all times, no cats and no wife allowed in without permission ............... unless she tells me she's going in of course 

Dave

If you don't gig i'm not sure why you would bother with a wireless system to be honest.

I use a lead at home when practicing and i don't find it a problem but i much prefer a wireless system when gigging especially with the Glam band. It saves tripping over any leads when wearing platform boots which was my main reason for one.

I had the Smooth Hound one but it was picking up occasional interference altho it was only rare occasions but it annoyed me when it did so i opted for the Shure GLXD pedal but that's only because i gig a lot.

Too much money if i wasn't gigging.

Our guitarist has tried a few cheaper versions and is currently on a BOSS wireless and he had trouble with it at our last gig and went back to his lead.

Dave

Not a fan of single cutaway basses.

Dave

Cheers for that Tim, thoroughly enjoyed it. Looks bitterly cold as i could see the singers breath when he was singing.

Great voice too, deep and powerful when it needs to be and soft and gentle at other points.

The various acoustic instruments work exceptionally well with the songs. 

Great idea using the old church too.

Brilliant stuff

Dave

2 minutes ago, Cat Burrito said:

Deadlight Dance had our album launch at my local pub. I was mostly on the mandocello with occasional mandolin and three songs on my bass vi. We sold a few albums to a respectable sized crowd and my absolute highlight was we got sketched - the picture is to be framed in the pub wall! 

 

 

I thought we played well and I particularly like my growing confidence in the bass vi. 

 

Anywhere we can hear something from the album and where to buy it. Its not my usual style of music but i'm very curious with the various instruments you use, could make it very interesting.

Dave

14 hours ago, martthebass said:

A very local gig for me last night, only 4 minutes drive (yes I timed it 🤣). Place was a WMC in the next village that’s only just started to have bands back on after a couple years hiatus. It was about 2/3rds full which was nice as it’s a big old place and even 50 people would have made the place look empty. Quite a few people were non regulars who’d seen us at other places in West and South Yorkshire so that was appreciated. One guy brought a small entourage and a selection of wigs and hats in line with our glam theme that he let the masses wear. All in all a decent night, paid more than agreed and promises of more gigs. Next week it’s the middle of Hull….

4 min drive to a gig that must have been the perfect gig 

Love the wigs along the stage there. 

Dave