odysseus

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1454059832' post='2965811'] Just realised I'm 33 this year. Starting to get gray hairs too. I really believe in staying fit, weights and cardio. And so it does slightly annoy me all this talk of lighter gear although I can understand why. I'm using older TE gear and it's a pain in the arse. But a man should really be able to haul heavy gear without injury and I hope I will still be able to do just that long into old age. [/quote] I'm 46 and have much the same outlook on fitness as you do. I use light gear because I've got to haul it up and down 4 flights of stairs to my flat. For me it's one less risk to my lifestyle - it's not the weight so much as the shape and awkwardness. I'm one miserable git if I can't weight train, bike or surf, so light gear is win-win for me

[quote name='deksawyer' timestamp='1453321485' post='2958491'] something for everyone in this pic: [/quote] What the hell is that behind and just to the left of the bass? Does it belong to the missus perhaps? ;-)

<p>[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1454069220' post='2966015'] Hearing something I'd written played on the radio was the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me musically. Incredible feeling. [/quote] That must feel really weird! Unfortunately, the nearest I've come to that is having 4 tracks I picked played back to back by Tommy Vance on the Friday Rock Show in 1987. I never did receive the £15 record token though. F*****r.... :-(

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1453930732' post='2964454'] Guys, I'm not old, I'm merely older. I'll never be old. Blue [/quote] Hehe I like that one! I might have to steal it... but not yet!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1453910827' post='2964132'] And I'm sure that if you look you'll also find places putting on live music that weren't before. Things change. That's how it is. [/quote] True. Also, if things get so bad, maybe get together with a couple of other bands, hire a hall/marquee/barn, advertise on the local media and see who's up for a night of rawk. Carpe diem.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1453855113' post='2963579'] Agreed, but I sense over all the enthusiasm for gigging musicians once had is also down. Blue [/quote] That may be related to your point 4 about decreasing opportunities to gig. Where I am, that's not so much of a problem, though I sense it may continue to get worse due to venue's having to abandon live music - in recent years, around here, there has been a spate of occasions where someone has bought a house right next door to a pub that has live music and advertises this in big letters on the outside of the pub, yet the new resident has complained to the council about the noise, and the council has sided with the resident, leading to the pub having to give up on live music. I think people (here, anyway) still have the enthusiasm for gigging (circumstances allowing) but maybe will have to lower their expectations with regard to frequency. Writing music has always been my prime motivation for playing, so I guess if gigs dried up entirely then writing and recording would have to suffice.

A couple of years ago I was looking for a couple of 2x12s to replace my stack. I took an interest in the Big Twin 2s. He could have kept quiet and sold me 2 of them, but he said, "Er... you'll only need one of these, mate." He was indeed correct. Unusual honesty!

Music all the way. Lyrics just carry a melody for me. The only band whose lyrics I took much of an interest in were Rush, and then only certain songs...

Haha!

Overwater's Scott Devine sig jazz bass is tickling my nads recently. Anyone need a kidney?

A 2nd hand Squier Jazz could be a winner - might need to get it set up properly though.

Crikey! That's mighty impressive!

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1452251363' post='2948006'] bet that sounded good... [/quote] Like a ballbearing going ape-sh*t in a metal dustbin

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1452215216' post='2947803'] I started playing electric bass guitar in 1966. I've yet to break a single string. I thought string breaking was for guitarist. [/quote] More or less the same here. The only string I ever broke was a superwound G 25 years ago when I was horsing around trying to pull off ridiculous bends in practice. I know a few pick players who break strings now and again. A few years ago I knew a guy who use a 50 pence piece as a pick (seriously!) and he broke strings regularly, not surprisingly! He had all the finesse of a charging rhino.

Got 6, but playing in a rock and roll band I usually take the 2 Fender jazz basses. It'd look a bit odd playing Oh Boy on a 5 string headless Status!

Fishman Fission Powerchord FX. Loving the octave plus overdrive!

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1451993305' post='2945243'] My most recent project is a mostly instrumental rock band. It's crazy music with a crazier image. I honestly never thought we'd win over any audiences as it's all so weird, but it's been very successful so far! So, you never know what's going to go down well I wonder what causes some of these threads to turn into an "originals vs covers" battle? I play in 4 originals bands but I really don't care what anyone else does. As far as I'm concerned, once the song is written, we're all the same, out there playing to audience, trying to win them over [/quote] Amen to that!

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1452064821' post='2945948'] The few long term pro musicians I know are all so jaded by the whole thing that they no longer play any music for enjoyment or as a hobby. If they've got any time off the last thing they want to do is play. [/quote] A friend of mine has been in a function band for years and can no longer stomach rehearsing for that band or even doing anything new. I tried to recruit him for a project last year, he turned up for a couple of jams than admitted after that he hates playing guitar these days. It's a massive shame because he spent years learning his craft, has a great skill set, and probably knows more theory than anyone I know - I've learned heaps from him. He's leaving the current band - maybe after having a lay-off he'll come back and rediscover the fun side? I certainly hope so, losing great musicians is not good.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1451903404' post='2944347'] You're still creating something. Regardless whether it's a copy. Doesn't matter how closely you think you're copying the original you'll always be putting your own feel on it. A better word might be 'making'. [/quote] Quite possibly. It can be considered as a spectrum IMO.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1451868935' post='2944243'] What I have a problem with is the snobbery expressed by some. Like, "I have a real job and don't need the money" Funny, I never see any of these guys that dont need the money turning it down When they are handed their cut. [/quote] It's not snobbery, it's reality. Where I live, we don't expect to get paid for playing original material, so if you want to gig solely original material, you're going to need money from somewhere else to live on.... like a job. So.... there ain't a cut. Mind you, I live at the ass-end of Britain. Maybe things are different in the States. [quote name='blue' timestamp='1451868935' post='2944243'] And by the way, anytime any if us picks up a bass and starts playing it's creative as far as I'm concerned. This notion that creativity is limited to those performing original material is rubbish as far as I'm concerned. [/quote] Many people consider the notion that making money off the back of other people's work can be called 'creativity' is stretching the definition of the term 'creativity' to well past its elastic limit. Such are the differences.... *shrug*

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1451689943' post='2942603'] For me playing covers is also creative and fun especially if your geting decent pay. [/quote] Well it can be fun for sure. I don't know about creative, unless your doing some sort of reinterpretation. Creative to me means bringing something new to the table. Also, your quote above seems to link creativity and fun to money - I'm not sure if that was your intention or not. [quote name='blue' timestamp='1451689943' post='2942603'] I think this whole creative thing in some cases is overplayed as well as an excuse for some that have problems getting consistent bookings.[/quote] Creativity and writing of music is an important part of being a musician for many, but not all. It's what you want it to be. No excuses required. Some of us don't need to get involved in some sort of 'competition' where the number of gigs in the diary decides the winner. I guess it's a part of the hobby element of music that many of us enjoy. I also surf, cycle and lift weights, but I don't expect to compete and get paid for that either. Similar principle. [quote name='blue' timestamp='1451689943' post='2942603'] And I'm never sure about this "I don't need the money, I have a job". Seems like a slap in the face for those of us doing this for a living. [/quote] It doesn't matter what other people think as long as you're getting what you want out of it. Music for me is a hobby. For you it is a job. The dynamics are different. If you want to take it as a slap in the face, that's entirely up to you, but that isn't the way it was intended. Different strokes for different folks and all that. As long as we're playing and enjoying it, it's all good IMO

It depends on what 'purpose' your gigs have. If you want to make a living from it, or the fee is a significant part of your overall income then you will need to wheel out the old favourites. Even then, there's no reason why you shouldn't slip an obscure one or two in the set to keep yourself interested. I'm a firm believer in playing for the fun of playing, so much the better if there's some original material being written. I really like the creative side of music and I prefer it to playing covers, but then I have a job, so gig money isn't such a big deal for me. There's no reason why people can't have 'money band' and a 'fun band' on the side where you play whatever you like for the fun of it. Makes sense to me....

RIP big fella. Thanks for the music.

Depends whether you like your vocals in the tuneless wail of Bret Michaels or alternatively.... Cookie Monsterrrrrr!!!!

Loads, because the knowledge and techniques contained within can be worth more than the value of playing it live (to me, anyway)