dmccombe7

Try Ivory Blacks in Glasgow if up this way. They have a good following of young heavy rock bands. Hotels are an expensive way to tour if only just starting off. If you can afford it then by all means go for it though. Its how i did it way back in the day and i enjoyed every minute of it. Try B&B accomodation but it does limit the end of night party. Hostels are another option but haven't tried them. Dave

Jings crivvens Karl - you didn't keep the DD precision very long. You seemed very pleased with when i was visiting. GAS - its a dangerous antidote to stress - LOL PS i don't remember those weird biscuits but then again maybe that's the reason. Hope all sorted with the Rik copy mate. The Berg cab is fantastic. What a sound. Exactly what i was looking for. I now run my GB into my HT322 and my Warwick into the AE112 cabs. Fantastic full sound combining tubes and Solid State to full effect. All the best Dave

Bought some lights from them. Had a minor issue with one. Emailed and they sorted all out within 1 week. Return postage paid and replacement item. You can't ask for more than that. No hassle just good service IMO Dave

The whole thing seems to be very confusing for everyone involved and lacks any leadership. I personally think that every band needs someone who takes the reigns and runs with the major issues and concerns rather than "hope for the best" attitude. That person whoever it is needs to make sure everyone else is informed and knows exactly what, where and when. Dave

Find it hard to use a pick and get rythmn spot on but having practiced for past 6-7mths using my index finger as a pick i can cope really well. Ony real problem is i hit quite hard and my finger eventually gets numb under the nail after about 3 or 4 songs and i struggle playing for a bit after that. Upshot is i grew my nails and click the strings giving similar pick sound. This works for me won't for many. Trial and error over many yrs. I started with a pick, moved to finger style after 2-3yrs and have kept with since because it suited style i was playing. Dave

I'm a trad 4 stringer for 30+ yrs and tried a cheap ESP 6 and liked it a lot but found my right hand missing strings when moving fast across the bass. When i compared string spacing i found it was 16mm rather than 18 on all my other basses. That isn't something i planned, in fact i couldn't have told what spacing was at bridge up until that point. I then tried an Overwater custom with 18mm spacing and what a difference. That's why i have the one on my profile piccy. Don't get me wrong i still need to think a lot more when i play it but i don't get lost now - LOL. I still tend to prefer my trusty Jazz 4 stringer though which just seems to fit all my current needs without any fuss. There are some nice cheap 5 or 6 stringers about especially the Yamaha's which also have adjustable spacing at bridge. Keep that in mind when buying and adjust spacing to same as you have now. Dave

I guess every "band" thinks their band is more important than the others and can get a bit selfish to a certain degree. Band politics takes a fair bit of getting used to and one of the reasons i stopped playing in bands many yrs ago and only restarted last year. Even my current band have had a few moments where members wanted to play in other bands to make money. I personally don't have any issue with that because quite simply bands are a hobby to me and my own job would take priority over band when it comes down to it. I think an up front, honest and balanced approach might work. Clear the air and find out exactly what the other members are looking for and what they expect from you and if it doesn't fit with either yourself or the band then move on and enjoy doing what you do best and play with the other bands you are part of. I wouldn't get overly worked up about it. You seem to have various other options open to you which by the sound of it pay more money if that's the reason you are playing bass. Personally money isn't really why i do it but each to their own. Its a release from the stresses of my day job and i just enjoy the fun of it. If it gets too serious and i see a return to the in-fighting and bitching of my younger days i will simply walk away and look for something else. It quite simply isn't worth the hassle IMO. Good luck with whatever comes out of it and hope it works out the way YOU want it to. Dave

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1338208816' post='1670775'] I like about half the album a great deal, and about a quarter of it tightens my sphincter uncomfortably, not as bad as listening to Liza Minelli which has a sphincter factor of about 9.5. I'd say Esperanza's album has a jazz sphincter rating of about 2.5, which is excellent for what is essentially a soul/jazz album. Hope that helps [/quote] This IMHO is a very anal approach to rating your music collection. Dave

[quote name='Dr.Dave' timestamp='1338378137' post='1673476'] There is a school of thought that says if all you ever do is practise then all you ever get good at is practising. That may sound glib but I see the point. So for the improvers and 'between projects' players among us my advice would be simple - practise what you can't play - not what you can. That way , you're not just practising but learning. [/quote] I would probably agree with that statement too. Big difference when in a full band with an audience. Puts more pressure on and there is also the fact that you learn techniques for covering any mistakes you might make. At rehearsals we generally stop the song if someone makes a mistake or it isn't sounding right which can be extremely frustrating at times. Dave

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1338019508' post='1668620'] I used to play for most of the day when I had the time, but since we had two sex-trophies (one nearly 5, one 20 months) I'm not really playing regularly. I was at the stage where I could pretty much do anything I wanted but have noticed that , even though I'm still competent player, I've plateaued and I'm not really exploring any new territories. I think I need to book some lessons with a local teacher to 'pin down' some proper practice time. Must try harder. [/quote] I've never managed to win one of those but i am committed to keep trying and practice as often as possible - My routine is run through set list or areas that i have issues with. Then doodle about for a bit to see if i can pick up new ideas. Then I'll learn any new songs required for band. I do tend to jot down notes as a memory jogger. I find i can remember what I've written easier than just playing along to tracks. Works for me. Dave

Saw the Tues night and thought it was a very relaxing track. She seemed quite comfortable with what she was doing and i personally thought it suited her well. I had never heard of her before so I'm no expert in her other material. I just liked her style of both singing and playing. Dave

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1337804683' post='1665844'] Sit down everyone (I have to when I think of this). [list=1] [*]Fender Precision (mint condition) serial number 0189 - bought at the Bass Centre for £995 (one of Entwistles) and sold through V'n'R about 2 years later; and [*]Fender Precision '66 Slab body - turns out they only made 20 - another Bass Centre purchase for £895 (IIRC) and sold about 3 years later. [/list] Can anyone beat that level of stupidity (though little choice at the time)? [/quote] Ouch that's gotta hurt a bit. Still you were young, carefree and not a care in the world. Oooh how its all changed. Think this one wins hands down for me. Dave

My WAL custom fretless, Fender Jazz circa early 80's, twin neck Shergold 4 & 8, Aria SB1000 Would love to own them all again but probably won't ever happen Dave

And the classic "turn everything up louder than everything else" Now that is pure Rock and Roll and my fav. Dave

Guitarist bought the PA and he owns it outright. That gives him the ability to PA Hire. We agreed that some % of any gig money would be set aside to cover cost of PA a bit like hiring from guitarist. I bought and own the lights and same for them. It seems to work for us. I agree that each person owns a major bit of kit rather than shared costs when it can develop into a major issue if someone leaves. Dave

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1337470697' post='1660656'] Depends on the context. When I'm playing in a great venue with musicians I really admire and respect to a horde of punters who've paid for the privilege, I sometimes think 'Yeah.. I must be doing this right'. ...then someone posts a clip on here of their latest solo bass composition, and suddenly I feel hopeless. [/quote] Yep I'm definately in this category and I've been playing for 35 yrs or thereabouts Dave

its all about supply and demand i guess. Remember it is a business that's being run. Would we be any different if we were in their position - who knows ? £65 a ticket for 3 hrs entertainment by one of the greatest rock bands ever i reckon i can afford that every other tour but not every time they come around. Dave

I missed them last tour so have booked mine for Glasgow. Dave

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1337149736' post='1656103'] I think you misunderstand me. I am certainly not saying Rush shows are only attended by long haired rockers. Certainly, those aforementioned long haired rockers are more 'prog spod' than 'Hell's Angel'. I go to Rush shows and to look at me, you'd be hard pressed to guess what kind of music I enjoy yet I would consider Rush my favourite band. No, the point I was making is that whenever you go to a Rush show there are always typical 'rocker' types who go mental for [i]Limelight, Tom Sawyer [/i]and [i]Passage to Bangkok[/i], yet don't really seem that interested in anything else Rush do and that they might find a rendition of the entire [i]Signals[/i] record to be a bit dull. More to the point, I find them a little out of touch with Rush as a whole because they are mad about the 35 year old prog rock tunes but considered [i]Permanent Waves[/i] to be the swansong of the band. In relation to that, a friend of mine went to highschool in the late 70's/early 80's and remembers a time when all the rock kids, who wore denim jackets and had long hair, were mad about Rush. Then [i]Signals [/i]came out and they all lost interest. It heralded a new era for the band and attracted a new type of listener. I suppose the pertinent point in my musings here is that the old-skool prog rocker fans never really grew with the band, which is ironic given that many of them attach such worth to the 'progressive' leanings of early Rush efforts. [/quote] See your point now. My mistake. Picked you up wrong. I guess I'm one of those guys who accepted them for what they did at the time. Although i lost touch with them in 80's at one stage it wasn't specifically Rush but rock music in general and moved to other more relaxing styles for a bit as i grew older. Then found them again few yrs later and really like the idea of a band changing with the times. I also liked the idea that when i first bought their albums they were virtually unknown over here. Selfish i guess I'm also a huge Prog fan though. Your point about one era being portrayed at the concert could be kinda boring for a lot of Rush fans who preferred a specific Rush "Time". You just can't get away from the fact they are all incredable musicians and that's the bit i like about them. Each individually talented yet when they come together it is perfect harmony. Love it. Dave

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1337165762' post='1656389'] Not true. I got my ACS moulds done at David Ormerod. There should be one in all large Boots stores. Usually they are situated next to the opticians department. [/quote] Thanks mate. will get a look at weekend. Just done a quick search and there are no Boots David Ormerod stores locally to me or Glasgow area for that matter. Someone mentioned specsavers so might give them a look next. Dave

[sub]I have a regular hearing test every 2 yrs but have only started playing in classic rock band last year. I have noted on occasion that cymbals affect my hearing to a certain degree. Not painful but noticeable.[/sub] [sub]I think i should maybe look at earplugs in more detail.[/sub] [sub]I have a slight drop in one ear due to loud bikes in my 20's but still above average and would like to keep it that way.[/sub] [sub]Are there any other recommended ear plugs for musicians as Elacin require you to attend their clinic in London.[/sub] [sub]Somewhere more local to Glasgow would be nice or can they be bought over internet ?[/sub] [sub]Dave[/sub]

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1337100100' post='1655483'] As cool as this would be, I'm not sure it would be wildly popular with the paying audience. Rush shows are attended by a lot of long haired leather jacket wearers who think Rush disbanded in 1980. I'd love to see all of Signals live though. [/quote] Hi Chris I beg to differ on who goes to Rush concerts. I'm 52, married and manager of a large chemical / gas manufacturing company and don't have long hair and although i own a bike I'm not generally seen in leather jacket. Yes i wear jeans and tee shirts but so do a lot of other people. I've also followed Rush since they became popular in 1976 with 2112 and although I'm not a huge fan of everything they do i still enjoy most of it. I think you have a distorted view of who attends Rush gigs including a growing number of women. I've always assumed i was pretty average and many of my friends who are into Rush are in similar vane. There will be a lot of people there with long hair and jeans but Rush are in no way a biker group. Not really sure where you get this notion from. Are you talking from experience or just here-say ? I can only assume this is a wind up considering your tag is actually "Chris2112". Dave

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1337028013' post='1654397'] Not very "rock n roll" is it organising gig dates over a year in advance? How do we know they'll still be alive? [/quote] Ouch !!!! How do i know i will still be here. I'm not that much younger you cheery sod. Now I'm not just at work but I'm depressed too. Dave

I like to memorise but like having notes with me at rehearsals until I'm fully confident and can play songs without giving it any real thought. Dave

[quote name='ojplaysbass' timestamp='1337070863' post='1654758'] separate from the button issue, but on the whole strap lock subject...... has anyone ever had issues with the hex nut loosening itself? this has happened with my warwick and schaller locks any remedies or is it just a fact of life? [/quote] Never had any issues with my Warwick and hex screws but i couldn't find strap locks that would accept the hex screw. ??? I now use "Strap-Lok" over button style which is a retro that fits onto your existing strap. Preety good and safe too. Dave Dave