Len_derby

You answered your own question really. Have a laugh about it and move on. In terms of being able to control what goes up on-line the stable door is off its hinges and the horse is already in a tin of dog meat.

Interesting what you say about Sunday afternoons. The paid, Sunday afternoon pub gig has definitely been growing in my area in the last couple of years.

I've been in a similar position a couple of times; start-up originals bands, reluctant to take that first step. My solution was to go to a local open mic (that accepts full bands and if possible has back line and drum bits) and pop the cherry. I worked my local contact with the organiser of one to get 30 mins. I did this with a band I've since left who have recorded two CDs and play medium sized festivals. They still talk gratefully to me about 'that time you made us play at the open mic when we didn't feel ready' However, if people really haven't got the stomach to play in public......well you know the answer really.

I've tried a few but the one I keep going back to is my Markbass LM3. These things are quite subjective though, so try a few if you can. Where are you based? Us Basscatters are quite a friendly bunch (generally 😉)

A headstock tuner that muted your instrument when you switch it on. The guitarist in one of the bands I play in uses one and between every song it's twang twang hell.

Some interesting insights here. My thoughts are that any bass player who is concerned about being unappreciated, misunderstood or overlooked has possibly chosen the wrong instrument 😊

I shall be following this build with great interest. In an early celebration I've updated my profile picture with the 'original' Swift Lite at a recent outing.

I have two, and I carry them, one in a small sports hold-all and one in a old-school camera bag. I took the dimensions plus a tape measure to a variety of charity shops and bought the bags. They do the job just fine for me. Gary, I'd recommend getting one 👍

Ah yes, the poison from within. I think that at the grassroots pub band level there are too many lack-lustre, mediocre bands who have no chance of attracting new listeners. I've stood supporting too many of them just through loyalty (and played in some to be honest). Also, visual image has always been crucial in rock. For physical and sartorial reasons the majority of pub bands look terrible. About a year ago, whilst at the bar during the break I overheard a youngster, "that guitarist, he looks like the old **** next door to me who cuts the grass when I'm trying to have a lie-in'. A sort of epitaph.

I wouldn't take that as a criticism Blue. Bass playing in a band is one of those things that, when it's done right, the average punter doesn't indentify as a separate thing. Plus, I know Norris. You look a lot scarier 😀😀. In a good, rock way. 😉

Or the members have credentials you know or can check on, if it’s a new band being set up. Regarding the OP, I wouldn’t say playing at open mics makes it a no-no. Hell, I do it myself sometimes 🤗. Maybe it’s the context they’re done in, and if it’s the only place they play at.

Yes.

And I've been drinking really cheap cider from 3ltr plastic bottles! Back on topic, of the mates I played in my first bands with (early 70s) I think I'm the only one who is still actively involved with music. Reading other posts it seems like the drop-off rate is really high.

Having lived in York and still visiting friends there I'd say that by northern standards house prices and rents are high. It's rammed with visitors too.

True, thinking about it his situation is probably fairly secure. But if Sir Mick and Keef were planning side-projects I doubt if telling Daryll about it would be very high on their to-do lists. Perhaps not telling Charlie either!

My take on it is that if those two have played for a while as a duo you'll probably always be a marginal semi/detached member of the band. I was in a similar situation when I joined a band run by a husband and wife duo. You just need to decide if you're happy with that. Think about Darryl Jones. Played with the Stones for 22 years and not considered a proper Stone...

I had a chat to Glaswegian Alan Nimmo (Nimmo Brothers, King King) a couple of years ago and I asked him why Scots could be so soulful. He said something along the lines of 'we come from somewhere where we should be miserable but we're mostly upbeat and happy'.

Congratulations on the planned move and I hope it all goes well. With a wife who was born in Germany and spent her childhood there (army baby) and having worked there myself for BASF I know what a fabulous and under-rated (to Brits) country it is. My experience is that they treat live music with a bit more respect than is often the case here. Thanks for all the effort you put into the Bashes. I've always had a good time and made some 'real life' friends.

My experience of pub and club bands now is that you very, very rarely see a Gibson bass. In my neck of the woods anyway.

Excellent news. I've played in that room as part of 'Dovefest' in 2017. 1. jebroad 2. Len_Derby

I've been following this thread with interest and over the last week had the opportunity to do a little comparison with retail outlets in a different market. Mrs Len is a keen sea kayaker and I've just come back from a week in Anglesey north Wales. Brilliant coastline and relatively empty of tourists. Anyway, we visited 3 different specialist gear shops for sea sports. These are my observations. All had on-line/website options, what percentage of their turnover this represented I don't know. There is great local knowledge and experience in the people that work there but their attitude is very laid-back and you don't get hassled. Newbies didn't get patronised either. I tried asking a few silly questions as a test. They'd all dumped the high street presence. All three were in edge of town business-park/warehousing type locations. Not pretty, but lots of free parking on-site. Water sport is similar to music in that, for most of us, if you haven't got wheels you're stuffed. They were all very definitely 'hang out' spots. All had tea/coffee machines, seating areas and lots of info and notices on the walls. For participants of the sports these are the places to go. My patience was rewarded when Mrs Len bought me a nice Rab base-layer top. At the till the bronzed and buffed chap said 'we're doing a special offer on these on the website, I'll give you that price'. He didn't have to, we would never have known, but it was a nice touch. Not a scientific comparison, but it was interesting to see how a different high-value specialist retail sector operates.