The Saint

[size=5]OK, not much help to you guys in the UK but here in France we have our own issues.[/size]

[size=5]I live right down on the Med, so we have a ready-made market of holiday people keen to enjoy themselves. Which is great from May through to September as there are literally hundreds of bars within a 45 minute drive. [/size]

[size=5]All the beach resorts have live music through the summer and if you start to include the hotels, self-catering resorts and camp sites it opens up even more venues. In one resort nearby, the evenings are a cacophony of noise with 10-15 bars in a row all sporting a live band. And every place is jam full of punters.[/size]

[size=5]We’re tapping into the expat market of summer garden-parties, which promises to be lucrative. [/size]

[size=5]We’re also getting approaches from festival organisers. Now that’s good money and a lot of fun.[/size]

[size=5]We started gigging in the spring and at first I couldn’t believe how easy it was to get gigs. Really….!![/size]

[size=5]I’d walk into 10 bars and come out with 6 confirmed bookings. This was for a new band with no history, no website with the request coming from a guy sounding like Officer Crabtree out of ‘Allo ‘Allo…. My French is/was crap and they trusted me…!! [/size]

[size=5]The first couple of gigs were for food and beer only, so they could get an idea of what we were about. But every gig resulted in being asked back for a decent fee. I soon found out that every band is fed and watered (as mentioned above) without question so they must have thought I was mad.[/size]

[size=5]Anyway, within 3 months we were out at least 2 or 3 times a week. And that continued right through to late September. [/size]

[size=5]And that’s when I realised just how seasonal this area is for music. The boss would just came up at the end of the night, thank us and said ‘see you in May’…[/size]

[size=5]We’re lucky in that a few of the local village bars kept us on during the winter, but for a much reduced fee. But it keeps the band together and sometimes it really is a paid rehearsal.[/size]

[size=5]We’ve had no bad experiences from bar owners. All have been as good as gold, always get paid the agreed fee, cash ready in the envelope and never quibbling about the bar tab, although we all drive so not too much of an issue.[/size]

[size=5]So, to answer your points…[/size]

[indent=1][i]1 Location, is it down town where a lot of people including your fans can access it[/i][/indent]

[indent=1][size=5][i]2 Is it sitting out in the middle of no where [/i][/size][/indent]

[indent=1][size=5][size=5][i]3 Does the Manager or owner have experience with live rock bands [/i][/size][/size][/indent]

[indent=1][size=5][size=5][size=5][i]4 Does the Manager understand his clientele [/i][/size][/size][/size][/indent]

[indent=1][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][i] 5 Do they have a history of having live bands at least once a week, do they book bands like yours[/i][/size][/size][/size][/size][/indent]

[indent=1][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5]The first two are answered above. The last three are[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/indent]
[indent=1][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5]all yes, very much so. They wouldn’t last long if they didn’t.[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/indent]

[indent=1][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5]Do they appreciate the kind of music we do? No, most couldn’t care less..!![/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/indent]

[indent=1][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5]I’ve hit on a big plus for me as the singer. I speak English..![/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/indent]

[indent=1][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5]Most French front men and girls have awful accents when singing. I know I’d have the same issues if I tried to sing in French..! So similar bands to us can be quite painful to listen to.[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/indent]

[indent=1][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5]So immediately the band sound more authentic because, as far they’re concerned, we could be English or American. We play early rock and roll and rockabilly so it works well. [/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/indent]

[indent=1][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5]I tried to get my French guitarist to do the chat to the audience, but he refused. I asked why and he replied that it sounded better when I did the banter in English. “But they can’t understand an effing thing I‘m saying…..” He smiled and said that it was what the punters were used to. They watch videos of English and American bands pratttling on so it was all quite normal. I swear I’m going to recite a nursey ryhme one night and see if I get any reaction. Apart from my American drummer…!![/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/indent]

[indent=1][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5]So we certainly don’t get any negativity from gigging. We have quite a few venues that we can play every 6 weeks or so and that keeps it fresh. And if we’re gigging 2-3 times a week in the summer, that’s about as much as I want. And keeps the money coming in..![/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/indent]

[indent=1][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5]I hope I haven't made all this sound too rosy. I don't want you lot coming down here and nicking all my gigs...[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/indent]

[indent=1][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5][size=5]Graham[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/indent]

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1421334894' post='2660038']
Weird rock n roll fact - Dave Dee was a copper before he was full time in music and attended the scene of the accident when Eddie Cochran died.
[/quote]

According to folklore, Eddie's guitar was recovered from the scene by Dave Dee and stored at the police station until collected by family reps. As a budding musician, you can picture Dave taking the opportunity to take a good look at it, maybe even playing a few riffs....

Has anyone got experience of using these guitars, an acoustic version of their more popular solid bodied guitars? [size=4]There's a used one for sale in my local shop at a good price. [/size]

[size=4]I tried it out today and was very impressed with the [/size]various body options, but both the 12 strings were outstanding. Can't see me using the banjo and sitar much though...!

It has the ability to connect to the Line 6 foot pedals for even more options, but I don't think I will have much use for that.

I'll be buying it for live use in my rock and roll band for a few songs to save using a conventional acoustic with all the associated feedback issues.

Any advice appreciated.

Graham

I had the pleasure of spending some time chatting to Dozy at a gig around 5 years ago.

Really nice guy who was happy to chat fondly about the glory days.

Top bloke....

I've just caught up with thread and a very heartwarming one it is too.... A great effort by a great community of musicians. [size=4]So my question is this...[/size]

[size=4]​What are the [/size]chances[size=4] of it coming across the channel to France? [/size]

[size=4]I live in the [/size]sunny[size=4] [/size]bit down[size=4] on the Med and have lots of contacts with bands and venues here. My band would certainly like to be involved. There is a huge festival scene here in the [/size]summer[size=4] months and I could see this bass covering a lot of kilometres. There is a well supported network locally for families touched by cancer, mainly French but large numbers of ex-pats are also involved. I'm sure they would take on some publicity to help things along.[/size]

[size=4]If someone thinks its doable, let me know.[/size]

That's why I was unsure about the construction. If it has a solid body, why would it have a laminated top..?

But the fact that it's light is really all I need to know.

Thanks for the info....

I've used Thomann on numerous occasions and they have always been superb. The tracking service has always been accurate, so no complaints there. Having said that, a guitar arrived damaged once but Thomann sorted it quickly. Excellent customer service.

I ordered a guitar from Andertons in Guilford a month or two ago and they used UPS. I ordered at lunch time on Wednesday and it arrived at my doorstep in France at midday Friday.

So good service from both couriers.

Hi and thanks for the update.

I've been looking for a thin bodied guitar that will give me a good acoustic tone and that one seems to fit the bill.

I was in my local store yesterday and they had a used Line 6 Variax Acoustic 700 for sale. It promises a lot, especially when paired with one of their floor pedals. I couldn't try it out fully as it had a fault but I'm going back next week to take a closer look.

I still can't figure out if the Neligan is a solid body or not.

I'm keen to know how this guitar has performed so far...

Any update....?

Cheers

Graham

That's one heck of a guitar for the money....

Last month I bought an Epiphone Casino, the Lennon signature one from Andertons. Excellent service (£4 delivery charge, 48 hrs service to me in the south of France....!!) and a brilliant guitar.

Epiphone really make some cracking guitars that are probably 80% as good as their Gibson cousins, but at a quarter of the price.

If I hadn't bought the Casino I'd be seriously looking at one of these.

Hi Gaf

I've sent a PM with an offer....

If it's still there, I'll have it please...

Really nice looking guitar, they've had a lot of positive reviews recently.

I've had my eye on a John Lennon Casino for a few weeks and couldn't resist in the end.

It arrived Friday morning and had it's first gig a few hours later.

Good luck with the sale...

Graham

Hi

PM sent...

Hi

Do you have any pictures please...?

[size=4]Ta[/size]

[size=4]Graham[/size]

OK, we've just started doing 'San Francisico Bay Blues'.

If it's good enough for Clapton.......

Thanks for all the advice.

I think I've settled on a RCD with surge protectors. Simple and fairly cheap...

I think the item above will tell you if the live and neutral are reversed. Used to have in in my caravan when touring. We don't need them here as the switching is different, but thanks anyway.

Graham

Thanks Brensabre

I think that's the way to go. A UPS would be problem for me as I have no knowledge of them and I'd have to take advice from a dealer. My French is ok for most things but when I don't even understand the English words associated with what I'm buying, I'm on a hiding to nothing from a dealer....

Cheers

Graham

Hi BOD2

Brilliant, that's exactly what I (and my gear) need.

Neither should be too expensive, a bonus.

Thanks

Graham

Hi BOD2

Thanks, you posted while I was typing my reply...

I really don't want to add weight to my set up, having just bought a lightweight PA. I suppose I really want something that will just stop my gear getting damaged, as so nearly happened the other night. The ability to play on for a few seconds would be nice, but it's certainly not a priority. I just want a device that will cut in before anything goes bang.

Are the surge protectors you see in B&Q suitable? I assume that anything that takes a 13 amp socket will do, or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Really wish I knew more about this new fangled electricity stuff....

Graham

Hi Karlfer

I suppose it's a bit of black humour! At the time it was no big deal, but my wife made me only too aware of the possibilities after the gig. Seriously though, it could have been a whole lot worse. Hence the decision to ensure we don't get a repeat.

Monckyman..

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to go about finding the right system for me. What should I be looking for in a UPS? I looked on e-Bay, but could only find stuff that seemed suitable for computer use. I want something to protect my PA, mixers and FX boards.

A Google search took me to a site that spoke about 'single-phase line-interactivation' systems..!! We're on a different planet there...

Could you provide me with a link to something suitable? Do Thomann sell something that would do, bearing in mind I live in France? I guess that similar systems are available across Europe.

Thanks

Graham

Hi

I need some advice on the best way to protect my gear.

We did a gig on Saturday and just on half time, there was an almighty popping and crackling from the PA. I looked across at my mixers and FX board and they were flashing like a Christmas tree.
[size=4]Before I had chance to bring the levels down everything went dead, including stage amps, Roland drums, the lot.[/size]

[size=4]I disconnected everything from the mains, whilst a tech guy from the venue investigated. We then took our supply from another source (a back room) and [/size]continued[size=4] with the gig without incident. [/size]

[size=4]I didn't think too much of it at the time but later realised that everything could have been fried, leaving me with a hefty repair bill. I suppose we could have been fried as well, but at least I wouldn't have had the repair bill...[/size]

[size=4]So, my question is this. Does a surge protector have the same qualities as a power conditioner? Should I have both or will one cover all basses?[/size]

[size=4]​I'm rather [/size]ignorant[size=4] of these things, but the incident has focussed my attention somewhat....[/size]

[size=4]What do you guys use?[/size]

[size=4]Cheers[/size]

[size=4]Graham[/size]

I used to play in a ukulele band in the UK, one guy insisted on using his banjolele. It was bloody loud and just drowned out everyone else. We eventually 'educated' him and once the volume came down, it was actually quite good. It really came into it's own when we launched into a skiffle set....

The only difference I've found is that the metal ones seem easier to play, as the plastic ones get sloppier the longer they stay in your mouth... There really ain't much difference in the sound, just try a few till you get one you like. Wooden ones tend to have a deeper tone.

I grip mine in my teeth (this reply is getting seedier by the second) and the metal ones just seem easier to hold. OK, confession being good for the soul, I'll continue by saying that I find it best to use one of those harmonica cradles (think Bob Dylan) so that you can take a short breather between solos.

And just to complete the picture, I only play kazoo when playing in my ukulele band......

I now wait to see if I'm ever allowed to post on this forum again.

Graham

PM sent...