Len_derby

Clothing fashion seems to have hijacked the word.

My daughters talk about their ‘vintage’ outfits. When I was their age I called them Jumble Sale. 

47 minutes ago, SH73 said:

The type of music I like mate, and the time they start is mostly at 9pm. There are occasions bands play afternoon gigs at festivals etc and being home at 7pm would be ideal. Probably more opportunities over the pond.

As for @casapete, I’ve seen the Sunday afternoon gig grow scene grow in the last 5 years. There are four pub venues doing it around my small town. None of them ‘food’ pubs, either.

The Flowerpot, generally Americana, blues or folk.

The Smithfield, exclusively heavy rock or metal, (no housing nearby 😆).

The Crossroads Tavern, generally covers bands.

The King William, usually acoustic acts.

Having played Sunday afternoons at two of them my experience is that pay rates are lower than an evening slot. However, there’s a balance of getting home early, usually easier drive-in and parking and more sober audiences.

It might be worth talking to Roqsolid. Based in Yorkshire, they make excellent amplifier and cabinet covers and I’ve got several. From my experience with them, If they don’t want to take on your requirements they’ll have someone else they can recommend.

Top quality combo, great for home use or quieter gigs.

It is in perfect condition, but the carry-case has been repaired by me. I’ve stuck some vinyl patches over where some splitting of seams happened. The case is still fully functional.

It’s not used anymore because the acoustic blues trio I used it with no longer gig.

£275, with postage to a UK address included. I  would  deliver or meet-up up to a max of 60 mins drive from Derby DE22. Reduced price for collection, too.

Here’s some blurb.

The Small Practice Amp That Can Be Used Live

Sometimes all you need is an amp that can deliver true bass tone without the hassle of hauling a big rig amplifier. The Bass Cub is 100 watts of pure tone in a “shoebox” size package. It is so light, that it can be lifted with one finger!

With these features and great sound there is no longer an excuse you cannot practice.

It can sit on the floor or on top of a desk. Two independent channels can accept two instruments or one microphone. It also has a stereo input for Drum machine or iPod/MP3 player. Practicing can be done with the 2 internal speakers or headphones.

It can sit on top of, and be connected with a PB-300 250W active cabinet, making a 350W powerful stack.
 

As it’s been said before, budget instruments used to be of poor quality, but mostly not anymore.

I’ve been thinking about this topic with relation to the jam night and open mics I go to. I’ve realised that, generally, if someone gets up with an expensive instrument they are most likely to be a fumbling newbie!

(Nothing wrong with being a fumbling newbie, we all were once).

It could be that someone who wants to start out and has the money still believes that you have to spend a lot to get an adequate instrument.

All true. One of my favourite gigging bases is my Harley Benton short-scale P bass. £79, brand new. Any snide comments from band members about whether I could afford a ‘better’ instrument is met with “it would have been a waste of money playing with you.”

That looks exactly the same as mine. I love it, and it’s much more versatile than some would think. Realistically priced, too. GLWTS.

Brilliant, I love the look of these. In fact, getting one is really the only bass ‘itch’ I’ve got. Did you buy it new? They don’t seem to come up second-hand very often.

Small Behringer mixer. Bought for a project that never got started. Unused and with all original packaging and manual.

£35 delivery included to a UK address.
 

My take on this, based on my experience, is that he’s ‘coming in to landing’. He sounds like he wants to carry on playing the same songs, in the same way, until such time as he retires totally. I don’t think you’ll change him and it sounds like suggestions you’ve made already have been resisted. So, if that is the case you need to decide how you will manage that. How do the rest of the band feel about it?

Another possibility is that he’s got things going on in his life that mean he needs to disengage with aspects of the music. Increased caring responsibilities for a partner, for example. 
You’ve got a good schedule of gigs for the year, so you must be a decent band!

My covers band is in the process of a complete overhaul of our set list. 
We’ve agreed a schedule of two new ones per rehearsal, which usually happen weekly. Of the five in the band, three are still working full-time and of those, two have young children. It seems to work for us.
One aside is that I encourage the band to come clean if they haven’t had time to learn a song - real life stuff happens. Precious rehearsal time is wasted if  people are learning songs on the fly. That’s my view, anyway.

That looks good. I swapped out the bridge on a Squier Telecaster bass. I replaced the old-style two saddle bridge with a Badass. It improved the adjustment and intonation no-end and basically, made a good bass even better. I originally bought and set it up for my daughter. When she lost interest I gladly took it back 😆

The real tricky part is the fact she’s the drummer's wife. I avoid playing in bands that have a ‘couple’ in their ranks after a particularly bad experience. What’s best for the band quickly goes out the window, I found.

This is a creation of our own @Andyjr1515. I was privileged to see it during different stages of construction and have a little try-out. Whoever buys this will get something very special.

27 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

Nice bass. what is it ?

Dave

Dave, it’s a custom job made by our @Andyjr1515. If you want to know more there’s an old thread in the Build Diaries top called ‘A build for our own Len_derby’.

I took it out last night because Andy only lives 10 minutes from the pub and there was a chance he might come. But he’s a busy lad. 

With the Daz Kelly Band at The King William in Milford, Derbyshire. Dave, the landlord likes us and we had an appreciative crowd in spite of the weather. It’s an old, cosy pub serving good ale but on a tricky double bend of the A6, no car park and only one narrow door in and out. Only a 10 minute drive though. I played my @Andyjr1515 Swift Lite through a TE Elf and Bareface One 10, which was totally adequate for the venue.

I managed to get home for a whiskey before the snow started, too.

Luckily, I haven’t had any body issues that have affected my playing.

However, five years ago I had a bout of Bell’s Palsy (facial paralysis).

I made a non-too-pretty band a whole lot uglier. 

A charity event at The George Inn, Ripley, Derbyshire.

My covers band, Top Deck, headlined the multi-act event to raise money for a local youth project. A very busy pub and lots of money raised.  The crowd demanded, demanded I say, that we play Mustang Sally for an encore.  We obliged. 😆

On 13/11/2023 at 16:51, Mickeyboro said:

That is definitely the look!👏

You and I both know Martin Ace 😉

6 hours ago, Rodders said:

I've debated wearing colourful blazers/jackets in my new covers band a la Entwistle but I'm yet to take the plunge..

I’m a big fan of traditional blazers/jackets. They have lots of pockets to hold all sorts of stuff. I have a selection, mostly bought at charity shops. This is one of my more sober ones.

An interesting story from today’s BBC website, about a folk duo who toured on foot carrying all their gear. Not for everyone, but well done them.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67219848

First of all, sorry for your loss. I can’t pretend to imagine what it feels like, but I hope you’ll be able to find peace and move on.

I had a think about the things that have re-energised me when I’ve lost some enthusiasm.

Hearing a band or artist that was new to me , often on the radio.

Putting an old favourite back on the record/cd player.

Going to open mics or jam nights, meeting new people.

If you live anywhere close to me, Derby, I’ll be very happy to take you out to some of my local open-mics and jam nights. 

Robert Plant finds he has too much soapy lather in the shower.

A whole lotta Dove.

13 hours ago, ricksterphil said:

40 minute set as part of the Oxjam Beeston Music Festival, which is held annually in 20 venues in Beeston Nottingham with 100+ bands and artists. Fantastic gig and the crowd really go out into our set. Oxjam Beeston, entirely run by volunteers, has raised £150,000 for Oxfam since 2011, not including this year. As you can see from the headgear, we're a Country Band

 

It was the busiest Oxjam I’ve seen. Probably helped by the football international break. The Bendigo Lounge, where we played, was rammed at 5.30. I hope the big crowds mean big money for Oxfam.

The Oxjam Festival in Beeston, Nottingham. Playing with the Daz Kelly Band at the Bendigo Lounge. A large and full bar; not everyone was there for the music but there was enough appreciative folk to make it worthwhile. It was a five minute walk from the car park but we were using the house PA and I’d only got a bass, Elf and a Barefaced 10 to carry. We had a few friends and family turn up and my one drink was bought me by my son-in-law. An over-priced, over-chilled craft ale. 😆