Len_derby

Do it anyway 😉

As to the other part of your question; yes, you can gig with a U bass. I’ve done so, as lots of other people on here have. It’s obviously got a very different visual presence to a traditional bass guitar or upright. But, so what? There are bass players that even think wearing a hat indoors looks cool 😂

What about rearranging your music so that you don’t need a guitarist?

I think you’re having what’s termed an ‘active retirement’ , Pete 😆

Surely the impact would have set off car alarms. 😝

That’s the thing, isn’t it? I often think that the folk on here who get on their high horses about social media either don’t gig, or get others to do the dirty work for them.

I don’t know what it’s like in the cities, but in the circuit of small towns and villages I play in musicians usually know each other. If someone is a ar€ehole their reputation gets around. Off the top of my head I can think of two local bandleaders who struggle to recruit members because of the way they’ve treated people in the past. One, in particular, seems to only use the young and naive now - who don’t stick around for long. Having said that, I understand that some musicians have enough talent to make it worthwhile overlooking their ‘quirks’. We don’t seem to have those in the East Midlands, though 😆

I think the realisation you have there, Daryl, is a good one. If we’ve got good band situations going it’s important to nurture them. Be reliable, not a drama-queen etc. As you get older it gets harder to start over. As to why guys (and gals) give in, my experience is often physical aging. The driving, parking, gear loading, standing playing for a couple of hours etc. gets harder. Luckily, I’ve been blessed so far with good health, but I don’t take it for granted. I also have a drummer friend who now has carer responsibilities for his disabled wife. I try to cut him plenty of slack, as he did many years ago when I became the father of twins!

Well, I’ll start off with a quote I first heard many years ago and still holds true. ”playing music with other people is about the best fun you can have with your clothes still on”. I’m just about to turn 67, actively gigging in two bands and getting involved with new musical ventures where I can. I don’t plan to stop until I have to.

Ours too, but then again, we’re obviously halfwits. 😂

Not last night, but this afternoon. My acoustic trio, The Desperate Cowboys, kicked off a two-day festival of original music in Wirksworth, Derbyshire. A forty five minute set of our own songs. It was overcast and slightly chilly when we started but the sun came out part-way through. We were very happy to take the credit for that. 🌞 Taylor mini bass through my Trace Elliott Elf and Barefaced one 10. Black leather Chelsea boots.

I'm very happy with the one I bought off here last week. It feels slightly heavier than my Mustang but haven’t weighed to check. Also the bass sits naturally at a more horizontal position when I’m standing. Neither feature is a problem, though, that’s just observation. I’m not a ‘tinkerer’ and don’t change anything on an instrument unless repairs are needed. Have you changed anything, or kept it stock?

Sorry if this sounds too obvious, but do the batteries need replacing? I’ve got a TM-80 and it starts being unpredictable when they are running down.

It often is for those of us who live here Daryl! 🤪

Not a bass, but the longest journey I’ve taken is to collect a bass speaker cabinet that a member* generously donated for a teenager jam-night I was hosting. It was a twisty, spectacular drive into the beautiful heart of Wales. I also have a cautionary tale about the trip. Having looked up the specification of the cab I carefully measured the inside of my hatchback Hyundai. It was going to fit, just. However, I didn’t check whether any casters had been fitted to the bottom of the cab. They had……🤭. Got it home Ok. *I can’t remember the user name of the kind member. He lives, or lived, inland of Aberystwyth. It was a few years ago and it’s no longer possible to see the messages we exchanged.

You haven’t mentioned his age but I was just thinking that given the demographic of Basschatters and their bands, his hearing could be somewhere on the cream-crackered spectrum.

Perhaps he can’t actually hear it, or not to the extent you can?

Yesterday I bought a Squier Jaguar off Ian. Everything went smoothly with great communication throughout. I can recommend Ian as a good man to do business with.

NBD. A short-scale Squier Jaguar, purchased from our own @Ian Somerville at the lovely Trowell Services on the M1. After giving my HB shorty P to a charity I’d been looking for a backup to my Fender Mustang. Plus, I’ve never had a red bass before.

My advice is to get out there in the real world. Open-mics, jam nights, local gigs. Talk to strangers. Offer your services to solo performers. Let people know that you’re looking for a band opportunity. Good luck!

Berry and the Cakemakers.

Transitioning Vamp

Are you persevering with the JMJs Loz? I remember reading you were finding the neck uncomfortable to play.

Phew, glad it’s just not me.

Good book! I’ve read mine a couple of times. You don’t have to know him or his music to get things from it. In fact, I bought a second copy and gave it to the guitarist I mentioned in my previous post.