Dood

[quote name='visog' timestamp='1468000018' post='3088007'] Can you whistle a single BS lick or line? [/quote] But since you're asking I can play quite a few of them, my whistling sucks though.

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1468008043' post='3088083'] Billy is a rock band bass player - he locks in with the bass drum, plays parts which serve the song and sings. That's 95% or more of what he does. [/quote] I think you've just nailed it. Yes, he can do the bass guitar finger gymnastics, but it's not about what he does 95% of the time.

[quote name='visog' timestamp='1468004024' post='3088048'] So Mark King we have 'Hot Water' or 'Love Games'. Marcus we have 'Run for Cover', for Billy we have.... ? ermm ? that one with the tapping. You know... diddley, diddley, plunk? [/quote] Which would of course make sense to Mark King and Marcus Miller fans, but Sheehan fans could happily reel off Mr Big anthems, Winery Dogs grooves, Niacin, Dave Lee Roth and Talas bass belters with ease. I'm sure that there are plenty of Sheehan followers who can name a whole bunch of Tony MacAlpine, Ritchie Kotzen (now with WD's with Billy) and maybe a few of the Terry Bozzio tracks too, albeit the Bozzio offering is a bit leftfield for my liking. I suspect that may number more than a handful of tracks.. per band..

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1468000609' post='3088013'] Certain things which are not acceptable in guitar bands: * [b]Headstock tuners[/b]: Popular with airy-fairy, pinko folkies* and sensitive singer-songwriter types. If you can't tune by ear use a pedal tuner. Or grow a pair. * [b]Hats[/b]: If you're a slap-head, don't hide it - embrace it. Think exotic headwear makes you look interesting? That's too heavy a lift for one little hat. * [b]Onstage[/b] [b]Banter[/b]: Unless your frontman is naturally funny (as opposed to laughable) tell him to zip it. No one laughs. And [i]you[/i]? You're not as funny as he is. * [b]Medleys[/b]: Unless you're playing a supper club ... just ... no. * [b]Reggae / Country / Metal versions of current pop hits[/b]: See above * [b]Encores[/b]: Only permissible if you actually [i]leave[/i] the corner of the pub into which you are shoe-horned. Otherwise it's not an encore - it's just another song. * [b]Encores[/b] [b](having left the stage)[/b]: See medleys * [b]Playing for free[/b]: only (i) talent-less amateurs and (ii) the charitably inclined play for free. If you are (i) go dig a basement then drag the earth back over you * [b]Playing for money[/b]: Only play for money if you are a total bread-head. Otherwise the money will blister your fragile soul like holy water on a vampire. * [b]Bringing spare kit to a gig[/b]: WTF! We are [i]free spirits[/i]! We are rock'n'roll [i]outlaws[/i]. We don't carry spares and don't wear badgers. * [b]Lending gear[/b]: No one ever lends gear. Unless you're supporting Wilko Johnson; Norman will ask for a loan of your amp. You may not refuse; it's the law. * [b]Asking to borrow gear[/b]: Just ... [i]get out[/i]. But you had a last-minute equipment failure and didn't bring a spare? That's [i]your[/i] fault, you stupid rock'n'roll outlaw. * [b]Stacking multiple 2x10's vertically[/b]: Hubert! Hubert? Are you [i]trying[/i] to kill someone, Hubert? Learn to live with comb filtering, you homicidal m****rf**ker. * [b]Music Stands[/b]: Advisable in all circumstances. Only a ninny would gig without a music stand. Ask the Geoff Love Orchestra (but expect a savage leathering). &--#62; [/quote] I'm quoting the whole post, because I will probably re-read it again later and laugh just the same

[quote name='visog' timestamp='1468000018' post='3088007'] I'll go with it's because he never had a hit or anthem, What's his 'Eruption', 'Jump' or 'Beat It'? Can you whistle a single BS lick or line? [/quote] Well, you say that, but everyone wants to be Mark King / Marcus Miller etc etc at the LBGS but no one I've seen has been able to do a decent version of a Sheehan track.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1467995761' post='3087962'] This has become something of a Basschat meme, cropping up all over the place, which makes it tricky to pin down where it started. I can remember it also being used in the context of bass stands, vocal autotune, and drummers playing around the beat! [/quote] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Hee, hee. Yes, but no-one can remember who said it.[/size][/font][/color]

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1467917080' post='3087333'] So cover bands in the UK are still playing Mustang Sally? I'm starting to think cover bands in the UK are very different than our Milwaukee cover bands. Blue [/quote] I like cover bands that think outside of the box and play something a bit different. What's a typical set from a Milwaukian cover band?

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1467988291' post='3087890'] That looks great thanks, I saw one of those earlier on Amazon. Even got a little bit for the interface to sit on . [/quote] Don't use it on stage though, people will start talking I've been pleased with this one. It's certainly less flimsy than other Stagg ones I've had in the past where the plastic knobs break.

But I was going to purchase this one! http://meinlpercussion.com/products/Product/show/1593/1671/1584/ If it's good enough for a drummer's kit bag....

This one: http://www.staggmusic.com/en/product_detail/cos_10_bk.html?backp=1

Ahhh yes! Mine! Let me get a link! it has been superb so far!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1467985884' post='3087836'] It all depends on the type of music being played, but for any music that has it roots in "rock" it's a good idea to avoid things that get in the way of your performance and the audience. Even something as innocuous as the simple mic stand can do this. I've seen several performers with an "energetic" stage presence during songs spend an inordinate amount of time between songs fiddling with the mic stand to get it back to a suitable position which IMO can completely kill the energy that they've just been building up. Either get something that will stand up to the abuse, modify your performance so you don't have to rebuilt the stand after every song, or learn to live with it and make sure that you practice coping with it. [/quote] Indeed and I agree with this hence my other comment about a 'psychological barrier'. Definitely agree with making sure that everything works properly (ehem, adequately!!! - Venue provided kit) before a show too. My post was more questioning those who dismissed a performance at the sight of such hardware, good gig or otherwise.

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1467975369' post='3087699'] For me, yes. Using a tablet or a music stand is a complete no-no; unless you have a medical condition that prevents you remembering songs (as someone posted earlier) just learn your part and leave the prompts at home. [/quote] So, the assumption is that if musicians are using that kit on stage then they are somehow unprofessional or medically incapable? (edit to include a smiley!) Pretty much all of the bands that I've worked with recently that have used laptops, tablets and music stands have not been using them for music, crib sheets or prompts. I'm wondering if there are those who see that kit on stage are jumping to conclusions before the band has started? Laptops for running backing tracks, or some sort of automation, tablets for running applications such as Positive Grid's BIAS or Jam Up and Music stands? Well my friend keeps all her capos, plectrums, mouth organ, tuner and hand wipes on hers.

[quote name='paul h' timestamp='1467974387' post='3087675'] @dood I think anything that creates a barrier, physical or otherwise between the performer and the audience can be a bad thing. However, if the band you're in isn't particularly showy or doesn't rely on a lot of stagecraft, then it probably doesn't matter too much. [/quote] Ah-ha! Someone who can read between the lines of my question - I really wanted to know why people had a problem with music stands and maybe not other kit. My main issue is the subliminal or psychological barrier that is between performer and audience. Ok, so some installations/art pieces uses this as a device on purpose and I find that interesting, but a rock band I wouldn't want to see hiding behind and staring at screens all night. I have worked quite extensively with students of complex needs in nature and it has been very fruitful to study what happens when you start using equipment such as ipads and screens when you are looking for focus and attention. That's a discussion for another day though.

So, is it still a problem if an artist has a laptop, tablet or screen of some sort in front of them? I'm interested in views.

Big Ben. I think he's probably got it with a single note.

*Apparently.

It's ok for a classical quintet to use music stands. The likes of SikTh, Periphery, Meshuggah and other bands that are playing arguably as complex music, not so.

Sounds good - I like the Dry Low pass control. Nice addition.

I never di d get on with the two separately, but the way that I used the Sansamp was to run it in parallel with the distortion I was using at the time rather than in series. - I used a signal splitter to do so. The sound ended up being so much better than one in to the other. Maybe something to try?

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1467790365' post='3086192'] They're totally different instruments - you need to know what you actually want first, but you can try both at BassDirect anyway so asking us for opinions won't help you. [/quote] Definitely this The only thing I have against Sandberg - and it's almost silly... I just don't find the headstock pleasing in design. Everything else about the VMs model is superb!

I'm surprised you haven't! There's loads of bands where I live that cover 80's stuff! A mate of mine plays in a function band that pretty much specialise in the 'genre'.

Great reading, all input welcomed, thank you! I don't necessarily need millions of inputs but latency is something I want to keep down. Whilst my current interface is fine, I'm starting to get glitches in my recording which I need to find the source. I will be doing all the usual stuff anyway, but it has also got me thinking about upgrading my interface to include some functionality that I currently don't have.