bonzodog

Cheers for the help guys. I think at present I am leaning toward active, as I have also just aquired a fairly decent none powered mixer so just need a pair of active tops and we are away. We will add bass bins at a later date but can still hire them for the time being if needed.
I think I may try out the Mackies that have been mentioned, as well as the EVs that I am already familiar with

Cheers

I know every venue is different but I don't really get the 'audience will lose the buzz' if you take a break longer than 15 mins. I agree with whats also been said that people don't just come out to see the band. They also socialise with their friends who they have probably not seen for a week, and also have a fag or two. In general, I would say most gigs we do, and what I did as a solo singer was 9.30 till 10.30 and 11pm till 12am. 30 minute break was accepted.

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1392562662' post='2370034']
We usually play 2 x 90 minute sets with a 30 minute break. I personally think that is reasonable break for 3 hours of music.

Seems to be the done thing in our neck of the woods.
[/quote]

Fair play....dont think my back, fingers or vocal chords could do 3 hours of playing. 2 is enough for me

Venues normally have an end time and you work back from there so i assume the band did not have enough material for a shorter break.
Ive just booked a gig in 4 weeks and told the gaffer of the pub we can do 2 x 60min spots. He said thats fine....start at 9 and finish at 12am and have a 15 min break. You do the maths!!!

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1392468283' post='2369079']
To give you a bit of insight into whats popular.... I work for EV/Dynacord here in the UK. I'd say at least 75% of the sales we have are for Active/Powered speakers. Passive generally is still used for bigger set ups (club systems/small tour type system) but we are seeing more and more more powerful boxes in the Active market.

With regards to the above posts.... Active speakers today weigh little more than their passive twins... You may see more faulty units around than Passive as there are more things to go wrong in an active cabinet..... you see plenty of of faulty amplifiers up for sale if you look.

There is little difference between sound quality between the two types as most use the same components... Generally with Passive systems there are other things that cause a difference in sound... be that the type of cable used between the amp and cab, the type of amplifier and gain staging between all these different stages.
[/quote]

My last passive PA was EV speakers and i loved the sound. Had the sx tops and sb122 bottoms so if i did go active i would look at EVs

In previous bands and my solo career i have always used passive systems. Mixer into power amp into passive speakers.
Current band is now doing rather well and up to now we have either played venues with an in house PA or hired one with a sound engineer.
We are now taking on a few smaller pub gigs so need to invest in a PA.
I am considering going active as i like the thought of just a small mixer and a pair of powered speakers probably about 500w each. The benefit we will probably buy three and use one as a monitor and then also becomes a spare if one dies.
Has anyone got any views on active or passive pros and cons

Of couse the other end of the spectrum from Clapton is I've seen U2 a few times. Hes not as bad now but a for a few years Bono spent half the gig sitting down at the front of the stage telling us how he was going to save the world.

I have one of these, all be it the older style with only three controls.
I love it to bits and agree that it plays beautifully

There is also the added cheesiness of if you do decide to say something witty you can be sure your drummer will follow it with a quck drum roll and cymbal crash

As a three piece band, me and the guitarist share vocals (He sings some and I sing others). I am also the 'frontman' in as much that I do any chat between songs.
The reason I do it, is because in a former life I was a solo pub singer and used to talk to the audience a lot. I dont mean telling jokes, but just the general 'how you all doing' and introducing songs and trying to get people dancing
As a solo singer this felt normal but now in a band I feel its a bit cheesy. We supported a band last week who hardly spoke between songs and there was an almost coolness to how they did not interact much with the audience.

I know a lot of its depends on what sort of band yoiu are. As a rule I would say a covers band would chat more, and an originals band may be less but would be interested to see what you guys think and do.

The other two in the band are vey complimentary of what I do, but sometimes I feel a bit 'caberet' when I ask audience if they are having a good time etc

[quote name='Luulox' timestamp='1391952266' post='2362894']
Thanks for the heads up on wikiloops, its a great site
cheers
pete
[/quote]

No probs...I think it was somone on here that recommended it to me

Wikiloops is very good to jam along to

I always stand on left (looking at band from crowd). Not sure why, I think it just happened but strangely in my last band when I played lead guitar I also stood on left with bass player on right. I think I would feel odd now on the right

Pretty much every Phil Lynott / Thin Lizzy song

Vintage range are very good alternative to Squier

http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintagebass.html

+1 for Blackie and Hellion

Also,
Bruce Foxton - News of the world

Sounds logical and if you've been used to one neck for a while then change, then its common to get some discomfort. I would stick with the Jazz for a while to see if the pain goes, but if it doesnt then stop.
I play bass 100% of time now (used to be a lead guitarist) and whenever I pick up my acoustic six string for a jam, my palm really hurts.

Ive always used Dunlop Yellow 0.73mm and they feel great. I would not really want to use anything else.

Maybe there is a sub consious side that he doesnt appeal because hes on his own not a band. He obviously has a band but i grew up on same music as you and i loved the idea of the whole band thing with a group of guys. Just a thought

[quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1389628438' post='2336274']
I have 100% positive feedback!
[/quote]

Exactly the same happened to me about 6 months ago. I also had 100% feedback and when I complained via email I got an auto response saying it was because my rating was not 100%. After about 3 emails going backwards and forwards I gave up because they simply don't read the emails. I too am not a business and really needed the cash, but they didnt care

Very interesting thread this.
I have never not been in a band of some description so I could not imagine playing my bass (or 6 string before that) without being in a band. When I was 13 I dreamed of being on stage so I learnt guitar to become a rock star in a band. Now I am 40 I still dream of being a rock star (although its fading fast) and couldn't imagine only playing my guitars at home.

Cheers for your help guys. Think i will pop in and try and get more info

Does anyone have experience of Hondo P Basses. Looking for a cheapish bass to do up and there is one in a local music shop thats quite cheap and sounds quite nice

Does anyone have experience of Hondo P Basses. Looking for a cheapish bass to do up and there is one in a local music shop thats quite cheap and sounds quite nice

Village hall, high ceiling, and wooden stage are all a recipe for disaster so you probably couldn't have done much else. I agree to may be turn down a bit but you will quickly realise the size and shape of venues pretty much dictate how you will sound, unless you have a very good PA system
We turn down gigs now if we know its in a room where the sound will be a nightmare