solo4652

5 minutes ago, JoeEvans said:

Yes - I think keep it friendly and supportive re her journey into playing bass, but firm, polite and definite about her not playing bass in a band which already has a bassist ... 

I think that's it, yes.

1 hour ago, oldslapper said:

I’ve just ditched one band where the leaders wife is a bv but is a deluded control freak with little musical talent and he sheepishly goes along with her nonesense.

My other band has 2 couples in it, but they seem to be able to maintain professional boundaries and all 4 people are not mad. 

I’d be interested in knowing your keyboard players intentions before I’d decide anything. Is she deluded, curious, a keener, or just inspired by your playing. Has she made her request to the whole band? 

At this stage, I think she's curious. She's a good trombone player, but a poor keys player. Her husband plays drums, guitar, keys and bass. Being a multi-instrumentalist seems de rigeur in their family. Difficult to tell exactly how serious she is about playing at gigs. I've given her advice about what home-practice combo to buy, and I've offered to do a basic set up on her bass. She asked me for lessons. I declined, saying that she needed to find a professional teacher, not me. I get on well with her, and her husband. 

Maybe the best approach is to sit back and see what happens. In the nicest possible way, I'll avaoid giving her playing tip. It might just fizzle out. However, if she (and husband) make serious suggestions of her playing bass at gigs, I'll say No at that point. I don't play any other instrument in the band.

I play in a good 5-piece pub covers band. Drummer's wife plays keys - sort of. She has bought a bass and at last night's gig she told me she wanted to play bass "on a few songs" next year. Hmmm....

18 bids already!?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266551132381?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110025%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.COMPOSITELISTINGS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20220405142716%26meid%3Db5eaa6d8c9734f6a86e7d108d8aa6dba%26pid%3D101506%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D25%26sd%3D314653778131%26itm%3D266551132381%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D3458402%26algv%3DAlgoIndex5SimRanker%26brand%3DBrand&_trksid=p3458402.c101506.m1851

I'm having a pause for thought too. I moved from Manchester to Devon just over a year ago and was lucky enough to join a decent pub covers band pretty much straight away. As usual, I threw loads of time and home practice at the setlist to ensure I wasn't arriving for rehearsals under-prepared, or delaying gigging. The band has struggled to find gigs, mainly due to the (un)availability of a couple of members. For example, I managed to get us 3 gigs in the summer, only to be told that the band was having a "much-needed summer break for family time" for two months. I felt that I wasn't getting the return on the time and committment investments I'd put in.

So I decided to put together my own band to run alongside the main band. Perfectly possible for me since I'm full-time retired. I've put bands together before, but I'd forgotten just how hard it is. New band has guitarist, drummer, bassist, rehearsal room, and gig prospects in place. But female singer we had lined up can't seem to get over her sore throat. We're talking to another singer but, already, I'm starting to wish I hadn't bothered. At least I've been able to play the songs I wanted to play and have a lot of input into setlist and band line-up. 

Nothing new here, of course. I suppose I'm saying that stopping playing is not something I've considered. Changing what I'm playing, and the people around me, has kept me going. So far.

Last in, first out.

Not bonding with it.

Not getting played.

It's just sitting here.

Just stumbled across this. Didn't for one moment think it would work. But....

More (hearsay?) information/suppositions/rumours here. although from "Rolling Stones Data" website, so most probably not especially independent nor impartial. 

https://rollingstonesdata.com/news/so-what-do-we-know-about-the-stones-new-album-2023/

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/23/the-rolling-stones-sneak-cryptic-teaser-ad-for-new-album-in-local-london-newspaper-hackney-diamonds

Is this real or a wind-up?

2 hours ago, Supernaut said:

Pay To Play happens all the time around my neck of the woods, sell tickets and give us all the money etc etc. Tell these shady promoters to stick it. 

Just had this from a venue we had approached :

"We would love to have you. We would prefer it if you could charge tickets to cover your fees but we can discuss other options if needed.

Let me know what you think"

Before telling them to Naff Off, we have politely asked what the "other options" are.

This process pretty much works for me to learn a new song for a covers band. Most points already covered in this topic thread.

 - Firstly, agree with the band which version of the song is being played. This saves a whole load of frustration, irritation and wasted time later on.

 - Use Audacity to strip the MP3 file off the Youtube video. 

  -Do some ironing and play the song in the background so it starts to work its way into your memory banks. Doesn't have to be ironing. Could be gardening, driving, whatever.

 - When you've got an overall appreciation of the song tempo, structure, vibe, find a good cover of it on YouTube. Usually plenty to choose from.

 - Look up tabs on Ultimate guitar, or something similar. Be wary - some tabs are OK, some aren't. Be midful of tabs written for capo use, or non-standard tuning - not always obvious.

 - I then write my own tab. This is a key part of the learning process for me because it makes me really listen to the song. Also I have my own way of writing tabs.

 - Play, repeat, tweak tabs.

 - Go to rehearsal and listen to everybody's excuses to explain why they're not as prepared as I am. 

Anybody else covering Levitating? I like the bassline, but the Teletubbies style lyrics make me cringe. 

Thanks for your comments, folks. The band seems to be starting to lean a little more towards pop and funk. I think we'll continue to aim for a wide spread of genres. Keeping the string-bending lead guitarist on board may eventually become a bit of a challenge, I reckpn. 

@asingardenof - Could I please ask which songs you would regard as the "less popular" ones?

I recently joined a 5-piece pub covers band a few months before the first gig. Band trying hard to avoid going down the Dakota route. Six pretty successful gigs down the road, the band's showing all the classic signs of growing pains, particularly with reference to song choice. What do you think of this setlist, please? Too haphazard? Band spreading itself too thin? Confusing hotch-potch of songs? Or - a good selection of material from different genres and decades chosen to offer "something for everyone"? Some band members want to have a more focussed setlist, with a clear band/song theme. Other band members want to continue throwing the net as wide as possible, at the risk of appearing lost.

Set 1

Valerie

Proud Mary

Mustang Sally

Who knew (Pink)

Perfect 10

Don't call me baby (Voice of the beehive)

Put your records on (Corinne Bailey Rae)

Good luck charm (Mastersons)

Jolene

I want to break free/Another one bites the dust segue

Price tag

Purple rain

Set 2

Long train runnin'

Summer of '69

Hard to handle

Runaway baby (Bruno Mars)

Mmmbop

Brimful af Asha

Get this party started

Play that funky music

One way or another

Are you gonna be my girl (Jet)

Monkey Man (Specials)

Let's dance (Bowie)

Walking on sunshine

Locked out of heaven (Bruno Mars)

In preparation:

The Chain

Le Freak

Rude (Magic!)

Levitating (Dua Lipa)

1 hour ago, Bigguy2017 said:

I'd try a with wiring check plug at Rehearsal room 1 - It may have a missing earth   ;-(

 

Do you mean one of these?  https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-ms6860d-16a-socket-tester-230v-ac/91596?kpid=91596&cm_mmc=Google-_-Datafeed-_-Tools?kpid=KINASEKPID&cm_mmc=Google-_-TOKEN1-_-TOKEN2&ds_rl=1244066&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrOrqx-2LgAMVWJODBx2qNw5oEAQYASABEgJdIvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds    

Wouldn't that just tell me whether a particular plug socket was faulty? I've tried 3 different plug sockets at rehearsal room 1 - same result each time of awful buzzing/interference. Also, I only get the problem with that particular bass, and not with either of my other 2 basses. 

Flourescent lights - yes. Dimmer switches - no.

I have a Harley Benton MV-4MSB Gotoh bass. It's a P/J bass, completely stock, as it arrived from Thomann, apart from different strings. I'm getting a huge amount of hum/interference from it, but only really in one room. I was starting to consider cavity shielding, extra earth wiring, fussing with pickup polarity and such like but, realistically, all that kind of electrical stuff is beyond my skill level or knowledge. But - do I actually need to do any of that? Here's the background:

Bass at home with 50W Eden combo - no hum or interference at all.

Bass at home with my practice rig - no hum or interference at all. Practice rig is GKMB500 into Tech Amp 12" 500w speaker. Completely dry signal path.

Bass at rejearsal room 1 with my practice rig - huge amount of hum, regardless of tone or volume settings on bass, or EQ on amp. I can just about find a room position where interference is reduced, but the moment I turn or move position, interference returns. I could use the bass as a radio direction finder! Room is a small classroom at a school - bit tight for a 5-piece band.

Other basses at rehearsal room 1 with my practice rig - no hum or interference at all.

Bass at rehearsal room 2 with my practice rig. A little hum and interference, but nowhere near as bad as rehearsal room 1. Rehearsal room 2 is a large function room at a local museum.

So, it seems that I'm only getting the hum/interference with the HB bass at just one room. 

1 hour ago, Moose said:

Just bought one of these. It is very similar to my old Gramma pad but much more affordable.

I've gigged mine a couple of times, both on wooden stages. I think it's cut out a lot of boominess from my tone, however I've also been trying different EQ settings on my amp and mixing the pickups much more towards the bridge.

Plan D: Just bought one of these: https://www.studiospares.com/studiospares-speaker-isolation-riser-465310.htm

Probably couldn't make one for that cost!

22 minutes ago, Matt P said:

 

they don't quote a maximum loading weight, only that it is for 6" to 10" monitor speakers, at a guess those will be under 10kg a side so with 27kg on it i'd expect this to be overloaded and possibly squashed fairly flat?

 

 

 

Matt

Aaah, right. Good points. Thanks.

Plan B is to glue these under a carpet-covered chopping board: https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/monitor-isolation-pads/nowsonic-shock-stop-s-studio-monitor-isolation-pads-set-of-2

Plan C is to buy this: https://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/AcouFoam-Speaker-Cabinet-Isolation-Pad-by-Gear4music-Medium/2F4R?origin=product-ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpO-In7GI_wIVEt7tCh0tqwjgEAQYBCABEgLYAPD_BwE

I'm considering making an isolation pad to go under two Tecamp 12" speakers and a lightweight head, total weight of 27 kgs. I've been reading DIY threads on here and was all set up to buy an extra large bamboo cutting board, isolation foam, carpet tiles and adhesive. Then I stumbled across this at BAX: https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/monitor-isolation-pads/devine-mon-pad-03-monitor-isolation-pad-single?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&srsltid=AR57-fBXA8ub5UwpwPR6zsDhWuoVBY3DGnsBDJe_ZYoINoeAr7Hx8v1QxpE

What do we think? Buy one and glue it underneath a chopping board (surface area of one isn't quite big enough to go under the feet of a speaker).

N.B.  Both sets of Status strings sold - only the Daddario's left.

Set 1: Status Hotwire single ball black nylon 40-60-80-100. Brand new -  still in sealed packet £18, posted.

Set 2: Status Hotwire single ball black nylon 45-65-85-105. Brand bew - still in sealed packet. £18, posted.

Set 3: Daddario EXL 165's roundwounds, 45 - 105. These were on my Harley Benton MV-4M when it was delivered. I removed them immediately - they've never been played, so they're "as new". Cut for 4-a-side headstock. £18, posted

39 minutes ago, gafbass02 said:

We do it pretty straight with a nice big synth bass sound. It’s fun

 

IMG_0584.MOV

Thanks for sharing that. 

I've recently joined a nascent pub covers band doing pop, soft rock, soul, funk. One song suggestion is to do Blinding lights by The Weekend in reggae style. I didn't know the song, but quickly discovered the original is an electro-pop number released in 2019, topping American charts for many weeks. Here's a reggae version:

I rather like that reggae version and would look forward to giving it a go. However, I'm wondering how well it would be received down at the Dog and Duck, given that it's pretty different from the original. Would it confuse an audience, do you think? Better to leave well alone, do you think?