ambient

If I wanted an instrument valued I'd take it to a specialist shop. I'd check eBay, I'd search the internet. I wouldn't take it to an antique expert, he may well be an expert in valuing a pot by Clarice Cliff, but a vintage Fender is something totally different. You only have to watch the programme to see how out they can be with their valuations. People are saying the responsibility lies at the feet of the owners because they own it.

Surely the couple selling should have done some research? If they couldn’t then someone they know could have done. I thought it was pretty common knowledge that some old instruments can be quite valuable?

There’s a similar programme called antiques road trip that my mom watches. A few times now people have bought items from antique shops and sold them for hundreds of times more.

I’ve done whole albums on bass; chords, melody, everything. It’s down to your imagination I guess. Just enjoy it.

Surgical spirit or meths works too. Maybe try whatever you use in an inconspicuous place first though.

Are there any community bands that might want them?

I played very briefly with a Free tribute band, they had an awful drummer who’s count-ins were never in the tempo of the song. He also had no grasp of even rudimentary rhythm, his idea of a fill wasn’t 8th notes across the kit, just 8 notes.

I’d agree with you. It’s like Autumn leaves, there’s a three beat anacrusis. Most drummers would count in 1, 2, 3, 4, 1 and then the lead would start. I did occasionally play with a band where the clarinetist would start on 1.

As per my response to the other thread: I wonder how many people have bought cheap and poor quality musical instruments over the years, struggled to be able to play them then abandoned them? Most beginners, indeed even a lot of seasoned players don’t possess the knowledge or abilities to make the necessary adjustments to get an instrument playable. I always tell students to beg or borrow that little bit more and get something decent, that won’t either inhibit their creatively or put them off playing.

I wonder how many people have bought cheap and poor quality musical instruments over the years, struggled to be able to play them then abandoned them? Most beginners, indeed even a lot of seasoned players don’t possess the knowledge or abilities to make the necessary adjustments to get an instrument playable. I always tell students to beg or borrow that little bit more and get something decent, that won’t either inhibit their creatively or put them off playing.

There are music shops and music shops. That applies to online too, some are awful, others are brilliant. To be successful I think you need a good selection of good equipment, not just cheap and cheerful gear. Look at bass direct for instance, their stock is amazing. You also need to provide good customer service.

I’ve only heard of four of them, and couldn’t name a single song by three of those four. Doesn't this happen every few years though? Are there any big name bands currently touring?

It’s never really bothered me. I played guitar before playing bass. It’s a useful skill to be able to read both, particularly in jazz where you might want to quote the melody in a solo. On my undergrad degree course we had to write for orchestra which was an absolute nightmare, switching from bass clef for some instruments, to treble clef, then alto.

Has your instrument already got a preamp? If so maybe there’s a trim-pot inside that lets you adjust the level.

I didn’t think it was on this year?

I bought a bass last year that had badly tarnished screws in the bridge. I soaked them in Coca-Cola for a couple of days. They cleaned up quite nicely.

I occasionally teach via Skype, it's often beset by problems; drop-outs, latency etc. I'm told that Face timing is better. My niece has multi-way Face time conversations with her mom who lives in Turkey, and her older sister who lives in the UK.

Remember it doesn’t necessarily have to be a full band that rehearses. You could get together with just the drums and guitar, maybe the vocalist?

Yeah, I guess. Me though, I don’t like the social aspect, but I understand most do. Does it really take weeks or months to work on endings? My gigs have always tended to be either dep type where I’ve never met them before, I just turn up after being given a set to learn, or I’m given a pad of charts to read. The others tend to be where I’ve known the guys for ages anyway.

I’ve never really understood this weekly practice thing that so many bands seem to have. Surely people should just learn their part at home, then maybe a couple of rehearsals prior to a gig, just to ensure everyone’s singing from the same sheet.

They’re available from Amazon. Designacable make some nice cables. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Designacable-Custom-Length-Speakon-Neutrik/dp/B005GJ6NWY/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2CIMJDQILJZQ1&keywords=speakon+to+jack&qid=1557356164&s=gateway&sprefix=Speakon%2Caps%2C481&sr=8-4

Most of them are annoying.

You have to watch them, sometimes they end up with your phone details and send you premium rate texts. My mom got caught by one a couple of years ago, it cost her the best part of £100.