molan

The importance of SEO is hugely overrated these days. Ever since Google introduced personalised (and localised) search back in 2004 it’s become harder and harder to manipulate listings. Loads of little agencies flogging it as a service but rarely able to genuinely show effectiveness of results. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t follow basic hygiene factors but a small site, from a small band, won’t get a lot of significant search results from ‘cold’ searchers.

Most band websites generate a tiny amount of traffic. Simply install a basic Google analytics tracker and you’ll be able to measure the numbers. It’s kind of a decent ‘hygiene’ factor I have something but not worth spending lots of time/money on. Using a combination of social platforms can be a lot more efficient. Not just FaceBook but Twitter and Instagram plus any decent local music sites. Be sure to think about your audience - are you after punters to attend gigs, landlords to book you in pubs, bookers for social clubs or smaller venues etc etc. So many people design their marketing based on what they like themselves or think will impress their mates, family, girlfriends etc.

I sound-engineered for Hawkwind once. I was on stage monitoring duties. Completely crazy evening and had a long conversation with Dave Brock about rust in late ‘70’s Mercedes SL convertibles 😆 Huw Lloyd-Langton was lots of fun. He lived quite near me and we bumped into each other a few times in the town square. Always stopped for a chat but I’m absolutely certain he had no idea who I was!

Yes, spotted it completely by chance. Jens discovered he had 4x white LH tuners so he decided to make a black bass with all white hardware and a 4 in line headstock. Purely as a one-off build and with an extra hot wind pickup placed in the P position. This would give me a white J-style and black P-Style!

It would appear the time hasn’t happened yet then. . .

It’s a Chinese reissue. Actually surprisingly nice and way better made than other Chinese Fenders I’ve tried. It doesn’t really get played much I’m afraid

The Sadowsky has an ash body but rosewood board with a flamed maple top and burst finish. Usually Roger uses ash/maple or alder/rosewood combinations so I guess it’s a kind of hybrid. The Lakland custom sits in the kitchen on the wall - it’s the only bass my wife allows in the house and I often forget about it 🤦‍♂️

The loss of our Vic knocked the heart out of us really. Although we’d already decided to close the main shop, Vic & I had put a plan together to keep a smaller version of the business running on an ‘appointment only’ basis. Without him I lost the motivation to do anything. Might have something interesting on the horizon later this year though 😉

I think if the time came when I had to keep just one, then my white Ritter Cora would probably ‘win’. I realise that Ritters aren’t for a lot of people but it is often the one I reach for first when I need to learn something new.

I think I’m an ‘accumulator’ rather than a ‘collector’ 😂 I gig all of my basses too.

I should add some ‘previously owned’ I guess: MTD - 2 F Bass Alembic - 5 Musicman - 2 Shuker Alpher Modulus - 2 Wood & Tronics Status - 5 Performance Probably others too! I don’t like Wals at all. I’d take an Alembic ahead of a Wal any day.

I can’t play them 😱 I’m a ‘thumb on the neck pickup’ player and the MM pickup positioning always catches me out 🤦‍♂️

Of course, the simple answer is ‘never’ but this thought genuinely occurred to me this afternoon. I walked into my study and looked at the main wall of hanging basses: Ritter Stenback Sadowsky NYC Sei Fodera Alleva Coppolo 63 & 66 Jazz 21 black paisley Jazz In other parts of the house there’s: 64, 78, 87, 93 Precision 82 JV Precision medium scale 70, 86, 07 Jazz Rickenbacker 4001 2 more Sei McIntyre based Precision Warwick Star Fender Starcaster Ibanez 824 Various other Japanese Squiers, Aria, Fernandes etc Oh, and a token Fender Strat and a Novation Bass Station Surely now is the time to stop 🤪

I have spoken directly with Roger, more than once, about his connection. He is very much involved in everything that carries his name.

Ben and I agreed a trade recently and had some really interesting conversations along the way. Lovely guy and 100% trustworthy should anyone want to deal with him.

Doh - I completely forgot Soundcloud! I even use it myself!!

I was chatting to someone last night about the rise & fall of MySpace and he asked where people now 'meet' online to share new music & look for other musicians to work with remotely. I realised I had no idea - basically because I'm a covers band guy and not a new music creator! I figured people here might have some ideas of good places to visit?

I hadn’t realised the Mama’s Gun connection - makes complete sense now 🤦‍♂️

I have a Porsche Boxster - perfect for my gear carrying needs 😂 Markbass 2x10 slots perfectly into the front trunk (frunk!). It’s like it’s been custom built for it. No movement whatsoever! Little amp also has a cubby hole just above the cab and a bass sits in the passenger footwell. I can even add a 12” powered monitor cab in the boot if I want

Great band!