Len_derby

Cheers! Most of us in the band are hard-bitten veterans of the Notts/Derby Badlands. We have a newbie guitarist from rural Leicestershire, it’s going to be a baptism of fire for him 😆

A newly reopened and renovated pub in Alfreton, Derbyshire. 3 x 30 minute sets.

You’re probably right, but they’re better than no Mustang 😌

First of all, congratulations on becoming a grandad. Fun times ahead, and what’s sure to be a special Christmas. To the main subject, I now use any kind of courier as a last resort. Wherever possible I go for face-to-face meetings with the buyer/seller, whether that’s collection, delivery or meeting part-way. For me, giving up some time and perhaps driving a few hours is much less stressful and much more predictable than entrusting a musical instrument to a courier. Plus, no need to mess about with packaging! I’ve met some lovely people doing it this way, too. I live in the middle of the country with easy access to the motorway network and I realise it may not be a viable option for you.

Do you advertise for the kind of guitarist you want, and by implication, what you don’t want? I know your area a little, having holidays in the Woolacombe area. There doesn’t seem to be a great population density, so I guess your options are limited compared to the big cities and conurbations.

Welcome back Dave! I hope it goes well for you. My brother lives in Sheffield and it’s a particularly confusing place to drive into and around. Rock on buddy!

Yes, I can see your point there but he’s not apparently turning up for rehearsals which is what made me take the harsh line.

Refusing to rehearse while a new member gets up-to-speed would be the red line for me. What if you all felt the same way? But, I agree with PaulW, don’t sack him until you’ve got a replacement. Especially if you have gigs in the diary.

BB BlackDog, a steampunk band led by our own @BB BlackDog. They’ll be launching their new CD on the 27th November at The Bull Shed, near Belper, Derbyshire. I have no personal connection apart from being a local fan.

The Derby/Nottingham M1 corridor has a pretty healthy scene. Apart from the two cities there are lots of small towns and villages (mostly ex-mining communities) that contain pub and club band venues. I tend to gig between 2 or 3 times a month and I can’t remember the last time I had a drive of more than 30 minutes to a venue. As much as I love the countryside, living out in the sticks would put too many burdens on being in a gigging band. For me, anyway.

I think @ezbass and @bassbiscuits have nailed the attributes I’d list. My covers band is on its third drummer in a year. All three of them have lives that are, shall we say, complicated. Meaning they’re the band members who have the most difficulty committing to gig dates or rehearsal schedules. I don’t know if that’s an unlucky coincidence on our part or it’s a drummer trait others have noticed. So, I might add the ability to commit as a desirable characteristic.

‘Loving this thread @Mickeyboro thanks. Almost glad the magazine tanked 😆👍

Thank you, that is very illuminating! My covers band have fairly recently recruited an Italian as a drummer. He comes from Sicily and has come over to the UK to work for Rolls Royce. I now understand why he drums like he does 😆

My experience is that a 5 string version of a favourite 4 string can seriously disappoint. I love my 4 string Jazz and I bought a 5 string version but it was very mediocre. My advice would be to treat it like a clean slate and find a five string that you like and fits your budget.

A disaster. My originals band, Diamond Bridges , secured a slot at yesterday’s Oxjam Festival in Beeston Nottinghamshire. The headliners kindly agreed to me using their bass rig, Beeston is on the main rail line between Derby and Nottingham. So, I thought it’d be great idea to travel light and use the train. Train cancelled due to points failure with no prediction as to when it’d be fixed. No time for me to get home and use the car, I’m thirty minutes from the station. No suitable busses. So, I never made it in time for our slot. Top marks to the other two guys in the band who played the gig as a drum n’ guitar duo. As icing on the cake, yesterday was the first use of my senior railcard I’d shelled out for. 🙄

I have a Japanese-made Fender Jazz, ocean turquoise with stacked-knobs. It used to be my go-to bass for most gigs until I treated myself to a custom-made bass form our own Andyjr1515. It’s not been out of its case now for about three years.

It’s a tough one. Drummers and singers seem the hardest to replace. Here’s three ways bands I’ve been in have tackled it. Each has its own challenges, pros and cons. 1. Do without a drummer. Use a drum machine. 2. Someone in the band retrains as a drummer. Tip - it always seems possible to find a guitarist 😉 3. Approach local colleges. This has to be done carefully with tact, but my current covers band found a really enthusiastic 17 year old drummer this way. She’s now joined the police and stepped back from gigging due to shifts but we got two great years. Good luck with your search. Drummers who are not already over-committed are tough to find where I live, which is the densely populated Derby/Notts M1 corridor.

There’s something about this area that makes you spend money 😉😆

Postman Pat - stupid hat. Particularly relevant for bass-players.

Just back from playing at The Old Star in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. It’s a pub that consistently supports live music, has a proper stage and friendly, obliging staff. But……bands play outside in a courtyard area. By the end of the second set tonight it definitely felt chilly. Time to get the hand warmers out again.

It can be very sad to see favourites past their best but I wonder if some of them can’t afford to retire.

No, I don’t think it’s worrying. Fashions come and go. The low frequency notes in music don’t have to come from a bass guitar. The average music listener doesn’t know or care (or need to know or care) which sounds come from which instruments. To me, it’s all about making music that people want to listen or dance to. If one of the bands I play with tell me they don’t want a bass guitar I don’t thing I’d struggle to find other options.

I do, and I’ve just had a double-check by trying it on. I’ve found it comfy enough, and I try to avoid using my car where I can so I often have a decent walk - I’m a skinny 6’1”, if that makes any difference to the fit. I guess the point is to try a bag if possible before committing.

Yes, the M80. I’ve had it more than 10 years. It doesn’t show any significant signs of wear.

I’m sure others will be along soon to give their suggestions, but my favourite, which has served me well for years is the Mono Classic gig bag for bass guitar. Not cheap, but ticks the boxes.