Len_derby

Since you say the aim is to give your vocalist a break, why not take a different approach? One, or more of the rest you take over the singing. I spent years in the 'can't sing' camp. Like most things, it's down to practise and confidence.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1386269714' post='2298113'] Are there any manufacturers that supply amplifiers without power leads? I don't know of any. I was a bit miffed when I was sent a previously enjoyed amp without one. I could have used the lead from one of my other amps, but why should I have to? If you were the original purchaser, send everything on as you received it. It's not difficult and it's good manners. [/quote] I agree with this. But, I am quite old and still wear cuff-links.

I don't think there's a 'right' way or 'wrong' way to run a band. The problems occur where there is a mismatch of commitment or expectations between members. I'm been in bands at both ends of the spectrum at different times. I'm pretty easy-going but the one that got me was the keyboard payer who refused to practice between performances because 'if you come to songs fresh each time, you become a better musician'. He never did.

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1384715701' post='2279894'] So, in a nutshell, is it a good buy? [/quote] I'd say yes. I play in a ceilidh band often on old-style wooden stages (think village hall). The pad allows me to have loud bass (requested by the caller to drive the dancing) without the 'boom' that would ensue without it. Whether you buy one or decide to make your own depends on you.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1384715211' post='2279885'] Only if your time isn't actually worth anything. I worked it out once comparing the price I paid for mine and taking into account the 10 minutes of web surfing it took to find the best price and order it, against finding all the materials individually, ordering them and then estimating how long it would take me to put it all together and calculated out that I would save about £15 at very the most, but I would have spent at least 90 minutes more doing it that way, which could either have been spent working to earn the money or doing something more useful like writing another song. The actual device whether you buy the Auralex version or make your own is one of those things that you don't notice doing anything if it's doing its job properly but you will notice the first (and only) time you forget to bring it and end up spending the gig trying to control the bass boom that it normally eliminates. [/quote] He's right you know. As usual. In addition, I know that if I'd tried to make one it would have looked absolute cack.

Tune into Paul Jones, Radio 2 Monday 7-8pm. Available on play-again via BBC website too. I've picked up on lots of artists from there over the years.

There's a Paul Chambers 'Eight Classic Albums' CD box set that I can recommend. It would make a great companion-piece to 'MR P.C.' the book written by our very own Bilbo.

He's just about finished a very short tour with the Mississippi Mudbloods and this was taken at The Flowerpot in Derby last Friday night. On a couple of songs Ian swops vocal and guitar duties with Lightning Malcom, who is playing bass for most of the set. For those of you who are Siegal fans, the show was absolutely storming. Even by his standards.

Hiya Mitch, welcome to Basschat. The Staffordshire Moorlands is a fantastic part of the country. Years ago I spent many an hour climbing on The Roaches, Hen Cloud and Ramshaw Rocks. If you're new to on-line forums I suggest taking a laid-back 'pinch of salt' approach. These places are full of no-hopers and misfits masquerading as Alpha-Males.

Welcome aalam. Enjoy your time on Basschat.

Welcome Julius, enjoy BassChat.

Go man, go! Looking forward to hearing all about this!

I had a couple of dry joints re-soldered on my HA2000 about 3 years ago. Since then I've used it almost every week for rehearsal or live and it's been 100% reliable.

Played a charity gig for Sight Support Derbyshire with the Daz Kelly Band. A great night and £750 raised for the charity. We were due to share the bill with a young female singer who was going to sing some of her own compositions to backing tracks. She didn't show up so we did two sets, probably two hours of music altogether. There were lots of visually impaired people there, unsurprisingly, and the cliché seems correct. There were a lot more interested comments and questions afterwards about what we played compared to a normal gig. A hearing-attuned audience. The event was held at the county cricket club pavilion. I particularly enjoyed parking my dirty Clio in the Chief Executive's named spot and having a vile dump in the visiting team's dressing room.

One of the band last night said his mic 'smelt of wee'. It made me decide to get some spray to give our mics a healthy clean. Does anybody have any suggestions or experience on what to use and how to use it please? The mics are SM58s.

[quote name='Donnyboy' timestamp='1382638275' post='2254895'] Interesting, not sure about the Band of Friends,exactly because of the "New Rory" thing. Hair,checked shirt,battered Strat. Id feel more comfortable if he didn't look/perform like the great G Man. That aside I too am a big Gerry McAvoy fan, and always thought that Ted McKenna was by far Rory's best drummer. [/quote] Know what you mean, but the chance to hear and see Ted and Gerry working together - got be worth the misgivings? I got the chance to have a beer with the band after the show and I got the distinct feeling that it wasn't the guitarist's preference to dress up like Rory. For one thing, he's about a foot taller!

[quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1382630963' post='2254723'] I've been reading about this on a Rory forum. I'm a massive RG fan. RG was a major crime novel fan, and apparently this is how the project came about. The recent remasters of his albums sound excellent, and if it brings new fans to his work, then that's great. Has anybody on here been to see the 'Band Of Friends'? I'm a bit put off as it looks like a tribute act - I think Gerry's playing was/is great, and Ted McKenna on drums is a draw, but the frontman just looks like an RG impersonator to me....right down to the dress sense and identical Strat! [/quote] I'd say go. I saw them earlier this year. Not really a tribute band, more a 'homage' if that makes sense. The guitarist is an American, barely said a word between songs and didn't really try to be Rory. It's very much Gerry's show and he has some cracking anecdotes.

I've just traded my '57 Reissue Precision for Darren's Jazz Special. A good, hassle-free exchange with tip-top communications from Darrell. The bass was exactly as he described it and hopefully he'll be as happy with the swap as I am. There was a nice welcome from Darren and his lovely family too. You can deal with this gentleman in confidence.

I love Dave Bronze's playing, especially with Eric Bibb. Check out 'An evening with Eric Bibb' a live concert recorded in Australia and available as both DVD and CD. A master class in how an electric bass/acoustic guitarist duo can work.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1381528108' post='2240489'] I played guitar in a church music group for a lot of years. Only do it if your motivation is primarily spiritual (whatever that means) rather than musical, or you will end up very conflicted. [/quote] Agree with that one. It's not about 'performing' as such, but facilitating other people's worship. Also, you will find fellow musicians who have a different attitude to practise, rehearsal and 'getting it right' than those in the secular scene. It drives me bonkers sometimes. As for the Blues Brothers clip, I've always thought it was Willie Weeks on bass. I don't know where I got that from though. I'm sure somebody with a better quality anorak to mine will put me right if necessary.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1380360205' post='2224193'] Yes, Rory and Paul Kossoff were always mentioned in the press for the beaten up look of their guitars. They stood out so much in the shiny world at the time. [/quote] At a (much) lower level of skill I remember that most of us playing guitars and basses back in the 70's had bought them new on the 'never-never'. Usually with their mum having signed the H.P. agreement. That was the most common way for a kid to get an instrument. Probably the cheapest in terms of cash needed up-front. Before the internet the second-hand market was miniscule (certainly in small towns).

Interesting observation. I remember seeing Rory Gallagher for the first time, in about 1973. As an impressionable teenager I was genuinely stunned that he was playing such a beaten-up guitar (sunburst Strat). I'd never seen anything like it before.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1380217296' post='2222492'] Doesn't anyone here just enjoy playing for the enjoyment of it? [/quote] Guilty as charged M'lud. I don't mind playing to one man and his dog. If it's a cute dog, even better. I think of playing in public the same way as I do about job applications/interviews. If you don't do it regularly, when something comes along that you really want you're not sharp enough to do yourself justice.

I use a Roland Cube 100. Enough volume, unobtrusive size and shape and it's possible to easily get a nice clean tone. If needed, it directly DI's into the PA and the combo speaker stays on to use as an onstage monitor. Not all combo speakers stay 'on' if DI-ed. I used to use a ABG, but got rid of them for the reasons mentioned above. Now I play what I feel like taking out that day. No one notices anyway.