Doddy

Sounds like a soundguy who wasn't much cop to be honest. Like I say,I use in ears all the time for gigs where more of a performance is required and love it.

[quote name='matski' post='1111317' date='Feb 1 2011, 05:31 PM']So, much like any other profession where you are freelance, basically. Interesting.[/quote] Basically,yeah. It doesn't mean it takes the fun out of it,because pretty much everyone I work with has various projects that they do just for the craic.

[quote name='cocco' post='1111228' date='Feb 1 2011, 04:38 PM']That's gorgeous! What's the spec?[/quote] Mine? Thanks. It's a white ash body with a 'cooked' maple top,maple and wenge bolt on neck with a rosewood 'board,24 frets, EMG pickups and Shuker 18v preamp,wenge knobs,monorail bridge,2 over 3 Gotoh machine heads,brass nut, matching headstock. It's just beautiful to play,and sound killer.

[quote name='matski' post='1111177' date='Feb 1 2011, 04:00 PM']Anyways, back on topic: So it boils down to this: if you're a pro, you should never say no. If you play music for fun, you can do what you like.[/quote] I think at least initially you should be taking everything but as you get more established there are certain gigs that you don't tend to get offered as much anyway,as hopefully you continue to get 'better' work. I've never turned down a gig for stylistic or personnel reasons.The only ones I've turned down are because they haven't been worth it,usually financially.However,I'll still do occasional gigs for these guys,because you may need them to call you for a gig if it's been a slow month,and you don't want to burn any bridges.

[quote name='Marvin' post='1111085' date='Feb 1 2011, 02:56 PM']Being a postman, I'd say that not wanting to get up because it's raining is far removed from being asked to do a benefit gig for say the BNP, in my case. One is a pain in the proverbial the other is a matter of conscience imo [/quote] But what about if you have to deliver BNP (or whoever)promo material? Would you flat out refuse to deliver it,or just get on with it and do your job?

I've got basses with brass,bone,plastic and phenolic nuts,and to be honest,as soon as you fret a note the material of the nut becomes irrelevant. Brass nuts are great,but not particularly vital.

[quote name='cheddatom' post='1110994' date='Feb 1 2011, 01:55 PM']Would you play for Gary Glitter? Not even for a million pounds?! [/quote] Sure. He might be a nonce,but he's got some great tunes. Playing the gig doesn't mean you have to hang with him. I've got to earn a living,so I'll take pretty much anything. I've turned down stuff if the money sucks,but I'll happily take whatever is being offered.The time to worry is when the calls stop. Let's be honest,everyone has times when they don't want to go to work,but have to anyway. After all,we've all got bills to pay. If you are a hobbyist,then you can do whatever you want-you don't have to play with people you don't like and can play all night for nothing if you want (as proven in other threads).But if you are pro,things change as you don't have the security of a day job to guarantee your income.

So,am I the only person here who enjoys (or admits to enjoying) soloing?

[quote name='matski' post='1110878' date='Feb 1 2011, 12:33 PM']Edited that for you! [sub]I'm sure he doesn't really. He does those gigs because he loves the music and to increase his street credibility. [/sub][/quote] Or more likely because he's a pro who doesn't have any prejudice regarding gigs,and will be killing it regardless of the artist. Although,obviously it's better to have 'integrity' and not get high profile gigs.

Time to learn some synth bass

iPhone pic of my Shuker. [attachment=70601:180701_1...699244_n.jpg]

It depends who it was with and what the deal was.

With one of my regular bands my first few gigs were reading the charts as I was only depping and the drummer/MD had written out pretty much everything. As it got a more regular I did a couple with my stand just out of view so that I could have a quick glance at any hairy moments,and then on one gig I just never set my stand up,and haven't used the charts since-unless a new number is being added,in which case everyone will be reading it anyway,because we don't rehearse.

[quote name='leroybasslines' post='1109791' date='Jan 31 2011, 06:12 PM']Having said that, just starting up a jazz/soul instrumental trio with some players I've known for a while - keys/piano, drums and EB/DB. This is what made me think that fx might be fun...soloing and all that.[/quote] For that kind of stuff,I generally just use the OC2,DiscumBOBulator and a TC Nova Repeater. I like the TC for soloing-it just gives a bit of a different character over the regular bass tone,if you use a really short delay.

[quote name='leroybasslines' post='1109760' date='Jan 31 2011, 05:45 PM']That's interesting Doddy! Not that I use them much at all, but I'd have thought that was counter-intuitive! Why do you reckon that's the case?[/quote] Mainly because in a larger band with guitar,horns and keys I don't need to worry about filling the sound out and use effects to give more synth like tones and give a different texture to some tunes.

I've got a set of Dimarzio Ultra Jazz in my main Jazz Bass and really like them.They sound really good and are dead quiet with them being a split humbucker. They're a bargain aswell. I also hooked up a series/parallel switch which gives a more Precision-y kind of tone when in series.

For an octaver,I really like the EBS Octabass and the Boss OC2,and my favourite envelope filter us the EMMA DiscumBOBulator. It's funny,I find myself using more effects playing in a larger band (8 piece) than when I'm in a smaller guitar based band.

[quote name='alant' post='1109301' date='Jan 31 2011, 12:21 PM']Most pubs we play usually start at 9pm and go through to midnight. We play 1 hour first set, then half hour break, so 2nd set is usually 9.30pm to midnight or thereabouts.[/quote] That's clever

It's interesting to see the number of people who rarely post anymore. Right then........ I'm 30,pro and been playing electric since '96 and upright since 2000. Played all over the place-UK,Europe,America- with various cover,tribute and original bands and people that you've never heard of and people that you may have heard of. I've got some chops and really enjoy soloing,even though the vast majority of gigs don't require it.I still play pretty busily though, but as long as it's in the pocket and I keep getting hired,it's cool.I'm also pretty animated on stage. I really enjoy sitting in a theatre and reading charts aswell. I've got far to much gear and loads of Bass books,DVDs/Videos and magazines. I'm also more knowledgeable about drums and drummers than most of the drummers I've met,even though I rarely play.

I like the high C option but have a lot more use for a low B,so that's the way I go. The only time that I really like the extended upper range is if I'm soloing,but even then,with a two octave 'board it's no big deal. Other than that,I don't really need that range and I've got no problem shifting higher up the neck if I need to.

[quote name='Linus27' post='1108481' date='Jan 30 2011, 07:04 PM']Are you saying that his beaten up 53 is a fake and those scares etc are not genuine?[/quote] No....I'm saying that he leaves his genuine '53 at home and tours with a Custom Shop replica.

[quote name='Linus27' post='1108402' date='Jan 30 2011, 06:10 PM']I love Sting's bass and the whole beaten up thing. Its probably travelled the world thousands of times over and hasw played to millions of people. So very cool.[/quote] Or not,as the bass he uses pretty much all the time is a Custom Shop replica of his '53 Precision.

[quote name='LiamPodmore' post='1108336' date='Jan 30 2011, 05:18 PM']For me its Bass, Combo (For now) 20ft and 10ft jack leads, spare bass, picks, tuner, spare used strings, phillips screwdriver, allen keys, batteries, earplugs, towel, tshirt, deoderant, hairbrush. I can fit all that into 2 gig bags, and my guitarist delivers the combo as its his. Liam[/quote] So,you are missing an essential bit of kit if the amp isn't yours. It'll become a big problem if someone else wants you for a gig.

I don't think it's fair to say that factory instruments have 'no soul'.Marcus or Jaco's Jazz Bass anyone? Or Jamerson or Ducks Precision? You're lucky to have some money to spend,but what do you want a custom bass for? You're only young,so is it for flash reasons? What bass do you play now? What are your plans for the future and is it worth spending a fortune on a bass? I'd be looking around shops and looking for an instrument that felt nice to me and doesn't cost the earth-new and secondhand. Or,if you've already got a decent bass,I'd get a decent amp to go with it. Remember,a fancy custom bass is very nice,but ultimately it comes down to how you play it.

Plenty of cables-1/4",XLR,Speaker and Patch. A good gig bag-I don't like hardcases and never use one anymore.Picks-just in case.Strings new and old.Screwdrivers and Allen keys.Instrument stand.Music stand-not one of those flimsy,collapsable ones.Stand Light.Plug Boards.Batteries.DI box.Tuner.Pliers.Pens and Pencils.Fan-got to stay cool.Ear plugs or in ear monitors. Non musical,but still essential. Reliable car. Sat Nav or map book and route planner.Plenty of shirts.Jacket.Ties.Deodorant and general toiletries.