Mickeyboro

But if the singer’s out front, so is the stand… Re the use of iPads/tablets, I didn’t use mine last week but had to squint at a written setlist. Would have made more sense to have had this on the clamped iPad, but I didn’t want to look as if I needed the words. What an idiot! (And yes, I know glasses would help)

Excellent stuff, keep it coming! One reason I hate music stands is they seem to make it to the foreground of every stage photo. If I see that in another band my eyebrows go up… Mind you, I dont like seeing people play bass with clip-on tuners still attached. Small minded, me?😁

Our singer used to use a music stand despite having sung the same repertoire all his performing life. He cleverly got round my dislike by building one that housed his harmonicas. Then we sacked him 😂 We now have a new singer who, while an upgrade vocally, insists on a music stand and… gulp … a reading light! Am I wrong in having this prejudice - and how can you wean a singer off this mental crutch? Advice, please!

With Twinkle on backing vox? Oh no, she’s dead too😂

What a c0ck, eh?

Thanks. I used a single One10 with my Elf on Friday as playing a very acoustically efficient venue (see gigs thread) but have just acquired a Two10… as yet untested. Have to admit I turn the Elf off at half time! Possibly scared by this thread 😂 But with an active Sandberg I know I can cope in many places with the small one.

What speaker cab(s) were you using?

Played our first gig with a new singer at Ringwood Meeting House, an old Methodist chapel. Last photo from upstairs, ‘the Gods’. Pulled about 50 on a rainy night. £10 admission (gulp!) shared with venue. Glad to have it under our belt really - not quite rehearsed enough, flying by the seat of our pants! Band - Otis Jay Blues Band Gear - Sandberg VM4, Barefaced One10, Elf. Great acoustics so minimal rig.

Perfect transaction with Rod - many thanks my friend!

Maybe if we are ‘just’ bass players then image (which is what you are talking about) matters less… It certainly doesn’t bother me as much as singers losing the ability to hold a tune or come in at the right place with the right words. Double standards on my part or cold hard fact?

I go back to my original point - would you, could you tell someone in your band they couldn’t do it any more, and how would you react to someone saying it to you…?

Who said that?!? 👂

But then no-one has to tell you that…😈

I’ll second that. Read his biography and weep… You just think’Thank f@ck I was never in a band with him…’ 😧

I love these debates - thanks all for the contributions. Keep em coming. Bear in mind though, some of you, I am talking about the decision to stop, whether you make it yourself or (and maybe it’s sometimes necessary) someone lets you know you can’t cut it anymore. I am 69 next month, and recently reflected the only discrimination I have ever personally encountered is ageism. (Lucky me, eh?) So I would never judge anyone by their birth certificate, but would hope someone would have a word in my ear should I have become embarrassing in terms of declining ability.

Not talking about the famous, so much, but among ourselves. Abilities decline with age, for sure. But when do you have to tell a band mate, ever so gently, that they don’t have what it takes any more? Indeed, have you the right to do so? And what will be the effect on them going forward? Maybe, as bassists, the answer is that we should shrink into the background and hope no-one notices us! But certainly, there are more upfront roles that beg the question: When are you too old to rock’n’roll?

A gentleman by all accounts. Sad to see our heroes check out…

Just reminded my pal Tony. - in case he taps you on the shoulder afterwards. Break a leg!

I have even owned one! We got there in the end. 👍