Immo

Forgive me if I put this topic in a wrong forum. I'm not sure what to do about my current [b][size=4][i]band vs. life vs. me [/i][/size][/b]situation. Let me explain: In my band, I have two old time buddies and two "strangers", but it's not a problem - the problem is the band's approach: the entire rest of the band wants to start a glorious career and thereby they create pressure, which does not suit me. For me, given my current life situation and my approach to certain issues (not to count my low musical ambition and non-stop fatigue), the ideal band style is '[i]I have[/i][i] a pub[/i] (in the sense I am the owner / co / something like that), [i]in which[/i][i] I jam every Saturday for the [/i][i]people.[/i]' The vision of making a great career for the guy at my age is not so exciting (I'm 25, they're 16-19), as I would like to play with friends for 100% fun, not for preparation for the big concert that will open the way to fame and glory. [b]This does not make me happy, that makes me even more tired.[/b] And another problem: the guitarist has the makings of a virtuoso, as for now he sweeps almost impossible riffs with ease, the same applies to the keyboardist, a drummer is a fast, agile and efficient - I do not recall any mistakes at the rehearsals! - and my technique is poor, and within a month I can not (given the current turmoil in my work (no salary since 2,5 months + no perspectives), reconditioning of my house, eternal fatigue and my laid-back, lazy character) catch up with them. I think about playing the bass almost non stop while I'm at work and when I finally come home, I'm so tired I only want to play computer games or take the bass and improvise a bit, not learn and master the whole songs. [b]I just can't force myself to practice...[/b] And I find almost no joy playing with them - the only moments when I have fun are the bluesy jams or simple, yet powerful songs like Clapton's '[i]Cocaine[/i]' But they're very happy to finally have a bass player in the band and even started to rent a semi-pro rehearsal room, cause now they can afford it with 5-person band. [b]What should I do? [/b]Simply tell them everything I said here, find another player who would want to play with them and quit?

That ^ bass looks a lot like a 60th Anniversary P-Bass, but it's a lot more Discreet while a lot less discreet. Thing of a beauty!

[quote name='Immo' timestamp='1327265331' post='1508640'] The depressing thing my bandmates say is: 'We don't exist.' [/quote] OK, now I have a band. The most depressing thing they say is that [i]the band's gonna be great[/i] and they [i]trust in[/i] me and they [i]know I'm gonna make it[/i], while I'm totally overwhelmed by reponsibility and - having some serious personal problems and being awefully tired - I'm completely unable to learn the covers they do right now, especially due to the fact they're quite sophisticated for my skill - Who's, Floyd's, Zep's etc. I don't believe I'll fulfill my role as a bass player in their band.

In the second row of text formatting you have the 'Image' button (under the font colour and Smiley selector). Wit it you could post a photo previously uploaded on other server like ImageShack etc.

[quote name='Leon Transaxle' timestamp='1330706125' post='1562004'] My pair of Ps [/quote] Beauty can take on many forms... ...but this time it did a goddamn overkill.

Whoah, Barney, you one of them Green Lanterns?

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1329998161' post='1551001'] I refinished my 78 P last year in Capri Orange. Now with the proper black screws. Also, as I'm on a reggae tip, I've gone for RS black nylon tapewounds. [/quote] Apart from the JB pickup chrome cover (sorry ) this bass is PERFECT. And strings - those are TruBass 88's? My favorite strings. Congrats.

[quote name='billyapple' timestamp='1329948300' post='1550362'] I'm lost here, and forgive me if I'm wrong, but I thought Tottenham were your team? [/quote] Maybe he likes to be in the center of the mosh pit?

[quote name='EdwardHimself' timestamp='1329936404' post='1550081'] Here is me in the CEX shop: [/quote] I want to say something cheeky, EH, but I fail to do so. However, I imagined you look a bit different.

In the base of the problem lie the two opposite ways of thinking among bassists. It is not uncommon that the older ones think that bass player should stand in the rear part of the stage and 'fill the bottom part' of the music. [i]No solos, no smiling, just listen to the drummer and shut up![/i] On the opposite side there are guys who have seen Claypool or Flea and want to stand on the bass drum in weird outfit, do the solos and play ridiculous lines. Each group will show their idols representing those two different stances and point them out as a fine example of bass players. In the meantime, the modern players usually are something in between the opposites - they do their 'bottom part' job and also want 'something for themselves' from the show, while for both groups pointing the modern bass players out as examples of fine players seems to be a bit [i]passée [/i]these days. Among the musicians the stereotype of today's music being 'pop' (in the means of being conformist, appealing to the masses etc.) or some sorts of genres considered slightly disgraceful lives on. The missed point is, that most of today's players ALSO 'want something for themselves from the show'! Of course I'm generalising, but I've witnessed this while reading forum threads and talking about bass players with my friends.

[i]Danelectro Longhorn[/i] gives the vibe, lots of twang, unique sound. And it looks weird. Stylish, yes, but weird. And I guess that's not the tone you're looking for. [i]Fender Mustang[/i] has lots of mids, I consider it as a 'oldschool punk rock bass' as it was once inexpensive, entry level bass frequently used by garage bands. I love it's sound and certainly buy one if available cheap. But that's supposedly not the tone you're looking for. [i]Gibson SG[/i] is a thing you're looking for - full tonal spectrum with LOTS of warmth and low end. Has punch, blows the head off if plugged into proper amplification. Certainly, the most versatile of the three. I'd take SG (or same vintage Japanese copy, even the better choice!).

Nice one, I'd love to have something of this sort in future.

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1328479329' post='1527905'] In case you all think I look like a large cock, here's what I actually look like. You may of course still think I look like a large cock ... [attachment=99338:P1040381.jpg] [/quote] Psychobilly? Recently wanted to play this sub-genre but double bass is a bit difficult instrument, not only in termes of playing, but transporation and, well, obtaining cheap.

[quote name='Blademan_98' timestamp='1328462886' post='1527448'] Fat and ugly and LOUD [/quote] Who, me? No, I'm slim, handsome and loud.

Bloke born on 1987, raised with radio playing classic rock and pop. Fan of 70's and 80's music, as well as hard rock, heavy metal, funk, punk, hip-hop and practically anything else. Lazy player whose G.A.S. is bigger than skills. Trying to play anything he likes, but prefers to play southern rock, funk, punk, stoner or rockabilly. Soon will try out the band.

[quote name='EdwardHimself' timestamp='1328441608' post='1526856']I've had to get my [b]hair cut[/b] too, [b]job interview[/b] lol.[/quote] God bless the 'artistic' Game Dev branch.

[quote name='JimBobTTD' timestamp='1328430448' post='1526687'] Is it hard to play with only one arm?[/quote] I was regenerating my right arm those days; after they found me playing slot machines in Vegas while being two weeks before 21st birthday, they decided to punish me with making me similar to the slot machine itself - and so I became the [i]one-armed bandit[/i].

It's from 2008, but I'm not ageing since 2006, so may as well put that one here: The only thing that changed in me is my bass preference - now I crave older stuff. It's from the photo session made by my friend; I needed a photo with bass, she needed a model. Win-win situation.

I use Pigtronix Mothership. Really different piece of equipment, this little effect is. Difficult to set, hard to operate properly and energy-guzzler for a quite tiny stompbox. But it's nice, it delivers really strange sounds and can be used with literally any input source - guitar, bass, vocals... Plus it looks like an orchid among clover in any pedalboard. While hard to operate and requiring hours of turning those dozens of pots, it really does the trick if you want to sound like a captain of an Alien Invasion Force. I can't wait to buy EHX Micro Bass Synth and an envelope filter to combine them into the weirdest bass effect of all time. Speaking of Micro Bass Synth - my guess it's the most versatile synth you can use with the bass.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1328115016' post='1522078'] This topic is making me think... [/quote] Me to! Makes me think about nice way of exposing my basses on the wall - like, some altar-style decorated set of hangers

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1328009530' post='1520154'] For me, the plan is to not have basses I won't use.[/quote] Yeah, but... [quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1328010018' post='1520165'] Unless money's tight I would keep hold of it...You'r more likely, in the future, to regret selling it than [i]not[/i] selling it. [/quote] [quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1328009819' post='1520159'] Keep it, you'll never know when you might need it! Unless you really need the cash or you really need to upgrade your gear, there's no point in selling it. Just keep it in good nick and then maybe in a few years time it'll be more useful to you![/quote] That's my philosophy. But now I play all of my basses, switching from one to another if I need to change the technique (Tele's not too suitable for slap, T-40's not too suitable for warm, muddy sound, P has her unique funky vibe I love etc. etc.)

If it was BLACK sparkle, it could be slightly interesting, but GOLDEN? What the hell...?