Len_derby

Plus the story about Ike Turner’s band going to Memphis to record for Sam Phillips. According to the legend, the guitar combo amp fell off the roof of the car on the way. The subsequent damage produced the sound heard on “Rocket 88”, often cited as one of the first rock n’ roll records. @DylanB, do you feel the weight of history on your shoulders? 😂

Yeah, nice one. Extra points, too, for none of you being afflicted with the need to wear a hat indoors. 😆

Glad it’s gone well for you. Two questions though. Firstly, was there any resistance to it in the band? It’s a common human trait to be wary of change but whenever I’ve suggested doing something similar there’s been the sound of some heels being dug-in. Secondly, assuming you have a drummer, how have you handled that side of things? I’ve just re-read and seen that you do have a drummer. Did he/she have to rein it in?

Electric Upright Bass.

Thomann make a semi-rigid case they call the Beat Bass case. I believe it is designed with Hofner violin basses in mind. I bought one for my Fender Mustang. A slightly tight fit for a Mustang, but very good value for money.

Nice idea, that’s something I’ll think about for my locals (Foulds Guitars). I have two questions, but it’s ok if you don’t want to answer them. Compared to what you’d expect to get selling say, on Basschat, what percentage of that do you get from the shop? Obviously they have overheads and a desire to make a profit. Secondly, which shop? I’m only 30 minutes drive from Sheffield so it’s somewhere I could visit. I like patronising music shops when I get the opportunity.

If you’re a Facebook user there is a group called Washtub Bass (Gutbucket). Some entertaining videos. That’s a good book by Billy Bragg - Roots, Radicals and Rockers. I passed on my copy to my 85 year-old mother-in-law. She was a regular at the London jazz and skiffle clubs in the late 50’s. She could recognise quite a few of the people in the photographs.

What about the auditioning process to join a band? That’s an aspect of “music” that usually has a competitive element.

Yes. I love their two albums, For The First Time and Ants From Up Here. But, that was mainly because of the quirky lyrics and vocals of Isaac Black. He’s left now, but still a band to watch.

Me and you are very similar ages. Well done sir! A great attitude to new music. I’m raising my glass of Famous Grouse to you as I type this. Well, not exactly at the same time. Us seniors have to be careful. 😆

The chance to see them perform live, perhaps, before they’re in an urn on someone’s mantelpiece?

Thanks for trying.

Good question. Maybe I should have said. Thinking about it…… Radio 6music can be good, but it varies depending on the show and presenter IMO. I go to gigs in local music venues. Mainly to support them as places that put on music. I go and see bands I’ve never heard of. Can be great, can be awful. I still buy Mojo and Uncut magazines. If there’s an artist featured I like the look of I’ll pursue their music. I talk to band mates and other musos at open mics etc. Most of them are younger than me. I’ll ask them what they’re listening to. Knowing I’m interested they’ll recommend stuff without me having to ask. My adult children recommend stuff, or I hear it when I visit them. The worm-hole of YouTube can lead to interesting places. As a disclaimer, I’m more-or-less retired so I have the time to do it!

Soon about to click over to 65 and I’m still finding new artists and music that excites me. I think the word finding is the key one. You have to seek it out.

Yes, I’d noticed he hadn’t been on the forum for a long time. I thought about him at Christmas when my jazz-loving mother-in-law came to stay. I gave her my copy of Rob’s ‘Mr P.C.’ Book and a bottle of brandy. That kept her quiet for a few hours. Thanks Rob, wherever you are.

Well, we know he doesn’t see too well. Doctor my eyes….

Hi Dave, it’s a Mexican Fender Mustang. The so-called PJ configuration. The pots are master volume and master tone. There’s a pick-up selector switch on the lower horn. The bridge pick-up is a bit weedy on its own so I choose either the front pick-up or both-on choices. A future project is to switch the selector switch to a blend pot. Nice bass, I use it a lot.

The covers band, Night Shift, played one of our home venues, The Holly Bush at Marehay. It was a charity night to raise money for a community defibrillator. By donating our fee and running a raffle we raised just under £600. When added to the £700 raised by the cricket club across the road we’re nearly there. A good crowd, with deep pockets. We had some muso friends there so had a few guest vocal performances. I’m planning a quiet day today as we’ve got another one in Heanor tonight.

Playing music with other people, the most fun you can have in life with your clothes still on. I don’t know who first said that, but I’d buy them a drink if I knew.

As far as I can tell, I think the x-ray machines are the same type and size as used at airports. I reckon you could walk your bass through the doorway-type frame us ‘umans have to go through (I always forget about my trouser belt with the metal buckle 🙄, I’m sure they think I like a touch-up). One thing I’ve remembered is that since about November last year I’ve seen a lot more activity on the train by the French customs. Groups of surly and armed Doane officers walk up and down the train, every so often asking passengers questions and looking in their luggage. To my eyes they are operating on the ‘profiling’ model. So, the nearer you look to a Mid-Westerners idea of Jesus the less likely you are to be bothered. However, I think you should be aware.

As a frequent and recent Eurostar user I’ll add my 2 Euros worth. The in-carriage luggage space, overhead and at the carriage ends, is often overwhelmed at busier times. People seem to take enormous wheeled cases however long their trip is. So, even though you may have booked a seat for your bass finding space for your, or band mates, smaller stuff may be a chore. I often give in and put up with my small bag on my knee or at my feet for a couple of hours. Also, if you’ve never used it, be aware that the seating style is closer to an aircraft than a traditional train. Most seats are in pairs, quite upright with not a lot of space between you and the one in front. I’m replying late because I was at St P International yesterday. Meeting someone rather than travelling myself. I did notice a band in the queue to check-in for the midday Paris train. One of them had what I guessed to be a bass guitar in a flight case. Others had smaller cases; violins etc. They all looked happy - while in the queue at least. I hope you find a solution that works. It’s a great way to travel to mainland Europe.

If you’re a certain age and went to live gigs progressive rock was pretty hard to avoid. During my first couple of years going to concerts (72-73) I remember seeing King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Faust, Camel, Hawkwind, Barclay James Harvest, Stackridge, Blodwyn Pig, Man, Deke Leonard, Budgie, Back Door. All in a provincial backwater. I wonder who I saw that I can’t remember 🤔. Progressive was a pretty broad church. Something for everyone, I reckon.

Another vote for the Behringer Bdi. It’s probably the best value-for-money piece of kit I’ve bought. When I’m playing through a traditional back line I take it along instead of a spare amp. It’s got me ‘out of jail’ a couple of times.