FinnDave

I think he lives somewhere out of Leeds, not an area I know well (even though I was a student there in the70s!). The band is called The Grateful Dudes, it's a Grateful Dead cover/tribute band.

The band played there last year, so they know the ropes, but it's my first time with them and first time up there. My gear is fairly light so the stairs shouldn't be too big a deal. I might be staying near Leeds after the gig, guitarist has offered me a sofa to crash on before I drive back home.

(quick check of diary)..yes. Do you know it? Not been there before, it's a fair old drive from Oxford!

Hebden Bridge

Of course!

Thank you, there's a lot to learn but it's certainly worth it! First gig is on April 1st in Yorkshire.

Only just discovered this thread, I can certainly agree with the thoughts that you're only as old as you feel, it's all in the mind (I thought it was all in the fingers, when did we change it??) and long hair helps! I turned 60 a couple of months ago, still have long hair, and was recently asked to join the best band I have ever played in, in fact one of the best I have heard. The future is looking good, and only a few months ago I thought life would be all pipe and slippers once I became 60!

I always carry two hard cases in one hand. My good hand, the left one, as the right one's knackered. I just don't carry them at the same time!

I think that's really down to the amp's EQ. I like a quite thumping bottom end, but I was rehearsing yesterday and the band felt it was too boomy (I was using the rehearsal studio's amp and cabs) so I wound down the bass on the amp and boosted the upper mids, it then had bite to spare. And that was the LaBella equipped Precision, played with fingers. In fact, for my taste, it was too toppy, so I'll take my own amp and cab next time. So even a 'bassy bass' like a Precision with LaBellas on it can be made trebly. I think the LBs excel at producing a warm mid range that sits well in a live situation. Yesterday's band was a 6 piece, with two guitarists, keys and 2 drummers in addition to my bass.

Welcome! I am finding that I prefer the LaBellas and will change one or two more basses to them this year.

The 'must keep buying' habit is hard to break, though. I discovered that a Precision is my perfect bass years ago, but the buying habit means I have five of them (was six until I sold one last week!). I really should cut back to two, it's all I need and I almost always play the same two anyway!

When I was working in television (1980-96) there was an unwritten rule (actually, it might have been a written rule) that staff did not approach talent they weren't working with. On the other hand, almost all of the talent I did work with were delightful company. There were one or two newsreaders who thought themselves above talking to the staff, but others, such as Moira Stuart, more than made up for that by being absolutely delightful company at any time.

I have recently strung one of my Precisions with LaBella 760FS flats, the others are strung with 50-105 Chromes. I would say that the LBs are slightly lower tension, but there is very little in it. The Chromes are a lot brighter (in sound, not shininess!) and my now 2 month old LBs sound more mellow than a set of 10-12 year old Chromes I am still using.

I'm seeing a bloke on Tuesday who has fitted flats to one of the new Epiphone T Birds. I'll let you know what he thinks, and if i get a chance, what I think too.

Bass Direct is a good place, but I don't remember seeing any Epiphones or Gibsons there, and very few Fenders. My impression is that they focus on the smaller manufacturers, with some very interesting and attractive basses, but such things don't come cheap. As a Fender player, I have enjoyed a couple of visits there, but all I have bought from them so far is a strap and some strings. Very helpful and knowledgeable owner & staff, even if you are only buying strings!

I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm off to see Live Dead 69 (former Grateful Dead keys man, with other west coast luminaries, playing the iconic GD live album material from 1969) in Leamington Spa on the 11th. As I've recently joined a band playing the same material, I'll be watching them very carefully!

Yup, been there, walked away from that one too.

Yep, saves time, just hit the 'next' button!

Yeah, I've responded to 'bassist wanted' ads, asked who's on drums and they've asked me if I know anyone...the conversation usually ends there.

As much as they feel they need. I don't get it either, but the fact is that there are people out there who enjoy rehearsing for its own sake, they are not as focussed on gigging as some of us are. In the end, it's less competition for those of us who want to gig as often as possible!

Blue, it's a good, clear ad, just not aimed at the likes of you (or me). And it tells us enough that you or me wouldn't waste our time or theirs replying to it. I've wasted enough time on answering adverts that are basically asking for what these guys are, but are too vague about it.

I'm pretty certain he did, yes.