Len_derby

I think Nathan East plays 5 strings all the time. In public anyway 😉

Mmmmmm, could this be Andy's subtle comment about the music he's heard me play with a couple of bands? 😂

A very happy birthday to our master-builder Andy. I hope you can put your tools to one side today and have a great day.

Congratulations, and welcome back to the fold! I played in a church band for several years; I've now bowed-out to give a couple of teenagers the opportunity to play bass. I found the church band experience a really good one for developing musical skills. It was also the only place that, at the age of 60, I was still addressed as 'young man'.

I feel your pain - literally, as I had to quit a busy and successful band last year due to shoulder pain. I'm currently having a light weight custom bass made by andyjr1515 of this forum. That's one solution. Alternatively, what about a semi-hollow? My Yamaha Bex, in my profile pic, is very light although a bit neck-divey. I've got a bass Uke and use it live often, although only for certain songs (where poor intonation isn't noticed 😉). Why worry about what it looks like and what other people might think?

Indeed it is. The Diamond Jubilee!

I think your based near me (Derby) if you want to come over and have a look you're very welcome.

I've got the Beringher B205d monitor which I think has the same dimensions as yours. A Unomat Video Bag fits really well.

Well, I've just spent the last five days like this; off grid, under canvas, with 60 10&11 year olds and performing outward bound-type activities near Doncaster. This was a very nice set of postings to come home to. And I like the low horn as it is.

As the nature of venues change, and the way people want to listen to music changes surely we adapt to it as musicians? Either that or bow out. As a balance, there's tons of events calling themselves 'festivals' (with a broad range of quality) that have emerged in the last 10-15 years. Plenty of opportunities for full bands that didn't exist previously.

Unless I've missed it you haven't said if the drummer acknowledges or accepts that he's playing too loud. If you approach him with solutions for a problem he doesn't think he has - it could get a bit sticky. A lot of tact and diplomacy need there I think. Are the rest of the band in agreement?

Thanks for that. I'm not currently in need myself but I'll spread the word.

I've found opportunities through both Facebook groups and JoinMyBand. I've also wasted a lot of time on them too. Overall, in my experience, nothing beats going out and networking in the real world. Go to open-mics, jams, gigs etc. Talk to people, make yourself and what you're looking for known. I think most opportunities begin by word-of-mouth before they get anywhere near the Internet. Good luck, hope you find what you're looking for.

I've just received a gig bag bought from Alain. A great transaction, all went perfectly. A great Basschatter to deal with

All good. Some great basses on display again. I've not seen so many Ric and Ric-a-likes in one place for a long time. Playing Andy's beautiful fretless with the side dots in the correct positions was a revelation. I think I get it now. My bass Ukelele amused a few people too.

That's good news John. I'm bringing along my bass Uke. It's only a cheapy, but should amuse Jack 😄

Me too 😄👍

The Crew Rock Bar in Nuneaton is worth a try. Played there about a year ago.

I don't disagree with this in general, I've seen plenty of it too. But, I went to see some modern ballet dance on Friday night. Not my usual stuff, but very good. The audience was of about 150 I'd guess and seated. In spite of most of us having some alcohol during the interval, if not before, there was total and respectful silence throughout the show. No phones on display that I saw. Quite an eye-opener. Afterwards we went next door (literally) to see a Metallica tribute band playing in the Flowerpot pub. Quite different.

Me and the wife go to Anglesey often. It's a great place for sea kayaking ( her, not me, I'm walking/drinking a circuit of the coastline bit by bit) and reasonably accessible from the Midlands. We'll be there for a week in August. Do you have a band page on Facebook or a website? It would be great to come and see you.

Not laziness, just using your time more efficiently. Anything that takes away barriers to picking up your bass is a good move. Shame you won't make it to the Midlands Bass Bash. Another time, hopefully.

Thanks for the heads-up on that. I've bought myself a set.

Virgil and the Accelerators. There's a name I've not seen for a while. Do you know if they are still active? Just to keep in with the topic, it's my 60th this June. I'm not having a party but I have commissioned a bass from a local lutherer who frequents Basschat and is active on the Builds forum. 😀

I'll be interested to hear how you get on with those. I went for the black Parahoe strings on my Countryman ukuelele bass. They eventually settled down but kept on stretching for ages.

Me.