JapanAxe

Glad it's not just me then!

Has anyone had any success using this website? I got so fed up with its general user-unfriendliness, I decided to delete my account, only to be told I have to wait 48 hours! Grrr!

Thanks everyone for your replies, much appreciated.

I'm sure I read somewhere on here that valve amps are generally a better match with sealed cabs than with ported ones - something to do with damping? I tried a quick search but there were gazillions of hits! If I were to run, say, a 120W valve amp through my Barefaced Super 12 (which is claimed to handle amps up to 1200W btw), would this cause any problem for the drivers or for the amp? If so, what, and would simple EQ adjustment mitigate it? Share your wisdom, BC posse...

Competent country lead guitarist seeks gigging country band (no backing tracks please). I'm currently playing bass in a band on the country covers circuit, but the band may not be operating past the end of 2018. I have a large repertoire, I'm a good ear player, and I have excellent kit and reliable transport. And I love country music! I live in Swindon so M4 corridor is preferred for rehearsals, but I'm happy to go further afield for gigs. I can also take lead or backing vocals. You can find audio and video clips of my playing at www.graemescott.webs.com/guitar

@Happy Jack I think you deserve the Basschat Grace Under Pressure Award!

I now ask beforehand whether the band follows any particular version of any of the songs, and what keys they play them in. This can fall down though, as some people assume that the key of a song is the same as the first chord. It's also worth asking the name of the artist for each cover - I once learned the guitar part to 'Best of My Love' by the Eagles for a first rehearsal, only to find the that it was the Emotions song they were doing. This is particularly important if the song title is 'Let's Dance'!

With hammer-ons and pull-offs, the notes are obviously different. In those cases the curved line is not a tie but a slur, indicating a smooth movement from one note to the next (i.e. without re-picking).

The setup described by the OP is not entirely without precedent in my experience. I can think of 2 ensembles that ran a similar setup - neither: (1) 6-piece functions band that put their electronic drums through a second PA, with a pair of cabs sitting either side of the drummer. That band was so loud that that the guitarist was obliged to run two 100W half-stacks in order to compete. (2) Rock covers duo consisting of a singing guitarist and a singing bass player. Instead of backline amps they ran their instruments through amp simulators into a PA behind them. I think their backing tracks went through both PAs. I considered both to be nuts, just as I do the OP's band leader.

I used some white rub-down dots from a US eBay seller on one particularly troublesome instrument. Unfortunately they did start to rub off after a while. I thought about trying one of these, but never got round to it!

I regularly play a 10-midnight spot at an O'Neill's pub with a 4in-high stage. If any punter tries to get up with the band, a bouncer quickly gets them shifted. This is very much appreciated!

Bought a cable from Mark, arrived well-packed and as swiftly as one could imagine.

Going to visit Chester actually. Dawsons and Back Alley Music a-callin'!

The guitars are in Manchester and (possibly) Worcester!

Sadly a GAS-fuelled guitar-buying trip has morphed into a family visit and a shop-a-thon for Mrs Axe, so I'm afraid I'm out I'll still be buying at least one geetar though!

^^ Thanks @warwickhunt, very comprehensive overview

Sunday 8th April near Taunton. It does sound good doesn't it!

There's a conspiracy between all the gear manufacturers to stop the tablets becoming widely available. They've also conned you into believing that the earth is spherical.

Will it be making an appearance at the SW Bass Bash?

Years ago I used to get quit ebad stage fright when it came time for me to play a guitar solo. Now I get more apprehensive about getting to the venue on time, getting access, parking etc than I ever do about playing. I play both guitar and bass btw, it's not just about being able to hide at the back!

I do this with my 'no.2' band, in that I am first call out of 3 bass players for any gigs that come in. This involves being 100% on top of each and every diary involved, i.e. my own calendar (synched between all my devices) and those of the no.1 and no.2 bands. So far, so good.