Len_derby

[quote name='Toasted' post='1366707' date='Sep 8 2011, 05:29 PM']Or, just learn to play everything in standard tuning. You don't have to be in the same tuning as the guitarist.[/quote]

+1

It'll improve your knowledge of fingerboard/note positions no end. Plus you won't be a hostage to the whims of an alternate tuning maniac.

I've never been to a bash before, so it's about time I started.
I'm not sure what the format of the day is, so if anyone can enlighten me I'll be very grateful.
It's probably best to assume I know nothing!

I think the question you've got to ask yourself is 'do I want to do this?'
If the answer is a genuine yes, then go for it.
I have played for several years as part of a church band, often as the leader.
We've always had a floating list of players, people come and go,and we often have to recruit and develop newcomers.
What I've come to believe is that commitment is far more important overall than experience. (just my opinion of course). Give me keen newbie over an un-commited smartass any day.
So, if you want to do it, if you've got the passion AND your bandmates are patient and supportive, go for it!

If they're not able to give you the time and support you need it's probably not the one for you.

Hope that helps

[quote name='tauzero' post='1364201' date='Sep 6 2011, 03:55 PM']Gigs on Friday and Saturday night in Munich. Two of the best gigs I've ever played.

Report on the whole thing (which is still undergoing changes) [url="http://www.thelightning.co.uk/munich.html"]here.[/url][/quote]

Well done, that sounds like a great time. I play most of my charity fund-raisers at the local church hall. It's all of 300 metres from where I live. At least it ensures that there's one neighbour who doesn't complain about the noise.

[quote name='ojplaysbass' post='1364175' date='Sep 6 2011, 03:33 PM']Hi i'm James - currently based in S. Wales

I've been playing for about 15 years now - done all kinds of playing from metal tours to big bands to pop bands to jazz ensembles and sstill got a lot to learn.

i've got some bits and bobs that i need to clear out of my garage which some of you guys might find interesting - a couple are up already but there's more lol

other than that, thanks for having me [/quote]

Welcome James. We love a garage sale.

[quote name='malcolm.mcintyre' post='1363746' date='Sep 6 2011, 08:29 AM']Well the Microcube is a LOT cheaper than the PJ Briefcase, and the briefcase only does 1 hour on its battery, so I think I might go for the budget option.
When you advise head-height, can it go on a mic stand?[/quote]

As Mr. KiOgon says, it's a bit too heavy for safe use with a mic stand.
But, it has got guitar-style strap pegs on the side. It comes with a rather pointless strap that's far too short but a normal guitar strap would do. That way you could play with it over your shoulder. Whenever I've played outside with it I used a handy bench or wall. You can't always be sure there will be one of those around though. You might find that for you having it at floor level is ok (perhaps with a bit of 'tilt' as well).

[quote name='seashell' post='1362575' date='Sep 5 2011, 08:42 AM']Gig with my mate the ribald comedy singer (Dik) last night. My second gig ever.

We were on last, after a succession of po face women and earnest young men singing songs about 'relationships'. Then Dik comes on with his unique brand of robust Brummie humour. Audience (small but perfectly formed!) loved it, and were all laughing and singing along.

I was a bit rubbish though. Really hit by nerves again and bottled out of all the impressive bass lines I had been practising for weeks! Just stuck to the really simple stuff, and even messed that up a coule of times. The thing is no-one notices anyway as they are all listening to Dik's lyrics and having a lauch. I managed to relax when we did the very last song, cos that's when they all started singing along, so I was able to let it flow a bit more.

Got a few compliments afterwards, which was really nice. (Including from the sound guy!) But I suspect that was because they know I'm really new to this, and also being female might have helped a bit.

Anyway, hoping to get the chance to do it again. Dik said he though I did well, but it remains to be seen if he will invite me to gig with him a third time![/quote]

Hey, well done for doing it again. I think it's almost certain you will have been better than last time. You know now that you can do it and will have higher expectations of yourself - not a bad thing at all.
Accept the compliments at face-value. My experience is that soundmen in particular are almost totally B.S.-free when it comes to things like that.
You've also found out the same thing as most of us. Unless you draw attention to it most mistakes are not spotted by the audience.
Onwards and upwards!

[quote name='malcolm.mcintyre' post='1359986' date='Sep 2 2011, 03:30 PM']One of my bands has got it into their heads that they want to go on a busking tour!! Alright for them with their bloody fiddles and guitars, but I'm going to need an amp. Is the "briefcase" the way to go, and does battery-power actually work?[/quote]

I've got a Roland Micro Cube. Worth a look and cheaper than a Phil Jones. Acceptable sound for something of that size, plus a built in tuner, drum machine and various effect like wah, chorus and octaver. It does work on battery power, but 6 AA batteries does increase the weight noticably. I've found that when using it outdoors it does need to be as near to head height as possible to ensure you can hear it yourself.
Worth a look, as I say, and if you're ever up near Derby come and try mine.

[quote name='Beedster' post='1360378' date='Sep 2 2011, 08:40 PM']Having just bought my old and rare Ovation Bass back from the guy who Bob (Burpster) sold it to, I'd rather not consign it to Parcelforce or the like. If anyone could help, I'd be very grateful as I can't get up there for a while.

Cheers

C[/quote]

What about a Basschater's relay?
I'm prepared to pick it up from Nottingham and drive on for an hour or so.
If there's anyone who could then take it all the way or the next leg we could get it to you that way.
We could get a good thing started here boys (and girls).

The real b***er is that I drove down to the Kent Weald a couple of weeks ago!

Very impressive.
But why does it make me think of Darcula movies? Mmmmm

Welcome Sergio.
I hope you achieve your ambition, but at least you know your employer isn't going belly-up any time soon.

[quote name='ceilidhswinger' post='1358776' date='Sep 1 2011, 01:39 PM']Busy making a hard travelling case for my Palatino EUB out of plastic Culvert pipe split in two and joined with piano hinge and filled with expanding foam complete with catches n handles, might put a castor or 2 on..

pictures later![/quote]

That sounds very interesting, looking forward to some pictures.
Be careful when you take it outside. Remember when the Met shot that bloke carrying a chair leg because they thought it was a sub-machine gun?
I'd hate to hear about the 'Dundee Bazooka Incident'......

What about as a dream, no rig at all?
Everywhere you turned up to play there was a top-notch PA and soundman.
So all you'd need would be yer bass and your pet DI/Effects.
Surely no one in this day and age wants to have to lug an amp and cab around?

Brilliant post, thanks for sharing it. He's always been one of my heroes too. It's interesting what you say about his singing. I heard a recent track on the Paul Jones Radio 2 show and thought how good and 'youthful' his singing sounded.

After such a long, distinguished career ( and the liver transplant!) he still seems to have the passion, and is big enough to revisit what must be the world's most iconic back-catalogue of bass lines.

Truly one of the greats.

Greetings Pete. Hope you enjoy your time on Basschat.
There seems to be a few of you from Larkest Dancershire.

[quote name='Stingray5' post='1353079' date='Aug 26 2011, 09:41 PM']"It's not what you play, it's the way that you play it".[/quote]

And it's not the notes you play, it's the ones you don't play.

I'm at this moment listening to George Porter Jnr. playing with Jon Cleary, Jon Schofield and Rikki Fatah on the album 'Piety Street'. Sometimes the bass line is barely there, but it's just so right.

I think most people would agree with that quotation.

The discussion point is probably[i] how[/i] do musicians get to the point at which they can acheive it?

Welcome Scott! Someone was kind giving you a bass.
I'm sure you'll find out more than you ever wanted to know, and more, on this forum.

Had mine about 9 months now. I bought it second hand from GARETHFRIEND on this forum. My intention was to use it as the basis for my first go at modding. However, it's so nice 'as is' that I've left it.
Looks great, well made and plays really nice.
I've got flats on it, and with the satin finish neck it's a joy to play.
It's now my regular work-horse bass for my weekly church band outing.
Highly recommended for the price.

I bought an OBBM cable of Marc.
Prompt, clear and all round good.
A nice guy to do business with.

Nasty beasts.
I've been doing a job outside today near to some plum trees. The bumper crop of fallen fruit was attracting far too many of the b*gg*rs.
Got me thinking about one of the side-effects of the smoking ban and general swing against smoking.
There's nothing like lighting up to drive away flying beasties, whatever you may choose to smoke....

Welcome Noah.
Enjoy your time on the forum.
Where in the midlands are you?

[quote name='barneyg42' post='1346036' date='Aug 20 2011, 06:30 AM']Had he lived Phil would have been 62 today!
Gone but never forgotten......RIP Phil![/quote]

Yes, he went far too early. One of the great singing bassplayers.
Reunited with Gary Moore now though.

Greetings from a fellow Midlander.
Enjoy the forum.

Welcome, and carry on Sgt.