blue

[quote name='Maude' timestamp='1502295833' post='3350545'] Nobody ever seems to mention them in this sort of discussion, but I always think a Danelectro Longhorn would be good for youngsters. Short scale, very lightweight, cool funky looks and generally lovely to play. [/quote] Excellent recommendation. Here's another, the Hofner Club Bass. Short scale , super light, classic look and fun to play. Blue

For me and because our sets are pretty diverse, I'm changing revetbs, chorus, phase, distortion and octaves several times in each set. Blue

Depends on the type of gig. For bar & pub gigs I don't think it really matters, you just start your first set, IMO.However pubs and bars can be tricky. If the room is empty you probably don't want to start with your stronger songs. At big Festivals a host or announcer usually introduces the band. For these types of gigs there's a host of options on how you start. Blue

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1502190909' post='3349848'] It's all down to compromise like any relationship. You'll have a natural leader who needs to be able to take into consideration other people's views. A band is essentially a team. You don't have to be mates, you just have to work well with each other while performing and practicing and have good communication skills. It works both ways, people aren't mind readers, sometimes you have to spell things out when they're not working as expected. [/quote] Communication is key.If you don't have it in a band sooner or later there will be a consequence. Blue

[quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1502182759' post='3349740'] I understand your hesitation Blue, but let's face it, they are just hooks to hang an excuse on. I managed to rebuild a band with my drummer 3 times while holding down a full time job and have two kids under 4. Granted, we fit into the weekend warrior category, but it's still takes commitment. You are either in it or you are not. If you want to make it work, you will. Musicians are some of the flakiest people I have had the misfortune to meet. They can take the fun out of playing Music in a heartbeat. On the other hand, if you get the mix of personnel right, it's downright amazing!! [/quote] Agreed, however I would say you are the exception. Blue

[quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1502209259' post='3350016'] Im not so bothered about damage as that would count as normal wear and tear, within reason! It's more about someone taking it, although I'm guessing most people wouldn't realise what it is, just need to keep an eye on it, never let it stray too far! [/quote] I wish I gigged with my more expensive basses more often. German made Hofner Limited Edition Club Bass with Cavern Club PU spacing, Gibson Gold Top Les Paul Bass and Gibson Custom Shop ES-335 in vintage faded cherry. I can't afford to continue babying these basses. I paid good money for each one. I have to start gigging them. Blue

My ex girlfriend and her boyfriend sold mine. Blue

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1502135470' post='3349553'] Bwahaha. Oh, stop. You're killing me. [/quote] I'll take that as a "yes" and that all is good. Blue

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1502095782' post='3349204'] As the title says, I played at an outdoor charity thing yesterday, depping with a band that prides itself on cheesey party tunes. The Mavericks, Billy Ray Cyrus, Greased Lightning, summer of 69, Simply the most fun I've had in ages. It was my kind of band. They totally accept artistic integrity goes out of the window. They know the job is to entertain the masses and have fun doing it. Anyone else managed to have this much fun lately? [/quote] It's all about attitude. Every gig I play I make sure I have a blast. It's about having fun and not taking yourself or your band to seriously. We're not that important. Blue

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1502102244' post='3349277'] I played a sh*t-hole in Wardour Street, London on Saturday night. St Moritz. It was a dungeon with a labyrinth of rooms and the place stank very badly of cheese, so much so that I actually gagged when we went down there initially. Stage was about ten foot square, about a foot high. There was a fecking great aircon unit on the low ceiling over the stage ('Over six feet tall? Mind your head then.'). Vocalist insisted on standing on the stage, knocking into everyone, terrible sound, just terrible. We only did it because we thought it would look good on our CV. I'd rather have stayed home and watched the athletics. [/quote] Did you get paid? Blue

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1502114408' post='3349368'] If you're happy forever doing birthdays, weddings and bar mitzvahs, and aspire to nothing else, then playing covers in the time honoured tradition is fine! [/quote] Aspire to nothing else? There are a lot of musicians that would love to get to the consistent wedding, bar , pub level of playing. Blue

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1502080773' post='3349112'] You probably also like being paid to play in front of an audience. [/quote] There's certainly nothing wrong with not getting paid and not playing to an audience. Some musicians are not into that. It's a personal preference. I prefer to play to anudience for a fee. Comerse allows us to do that. Blue

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1501781304' post='3347347'] I remember being "berated" by the guitarist of a band I was in, because I wasn't playing the song right. [/quote] Sounds more like a "I picked the wrong band" issue than a playing it right issue Why would anyone join a band that berates another member for any reason? Blue

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1502080773' post='3349112'] of course you don't, you've never written an original piece of music and thus don't understand that it takes far more talent to write a song or bassline than it does to mimic what someone else has done. You belong in cover bands for a reason. You probably also like being paid to play in front of an audience. Original bands usually do neither of these things, but I am cool with that. Music is art to me, not a money making opportunity. [/quote] " It's art when the check clears " Andy Warhol 😁

[quote name='pbasspecial' timestamp='1501925527' post='3348231'] This and then playing the stronger notes (chord tones) on the 1 & 3 (Kick Drum) and the weaker notes (2, 4, 6 and chromatic/passing notes) on the 2 & 4 or snare drum in standard 4/4 time signature. [/quote] Playing with metronome will help your timing. Most of us are rushing and we don't even know it. Go to YouTube and search 140 BPM and your good to go. Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1501874173' post='3348022'] We get contracts if the gig is booked through an agent, but never if I book the gigs myself (obviously no one else in the band would ever dream of arranging anything!). Personally, I am in favour of doing more gigs though agents, as it does give us protection and there is a layer between us and the business side, which I prefer. [/quote] Dave The lliken the use of a contract at a bar to finding a clean bathroom in one.😁 Blue

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1501869363' post='3347966'] I'll have you know, Blue, that we have fantastic summers in the UK. Especially in the North West. This year's was on a Wednesday. I was in work, unfortunately... [/quote] Cool, good to know. I was really disappointed watching several Glastonbury shows and it seemed like it was always raining. Blue

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1501857498' post='3347848'] I was about to say this. They'll also take up the case for you if you didn't get paid. Not to mention the included gear insurance, and the included public liability insurance, and the free regular workshops and the diary . [/quote] Depends on the strength of the Union and who they cater to. In my neck of the woods the MU is not going to bring much to the table for bar bands. Contract? Contracts are usually presented by the employer not the band.We see them only for high end gigs, major fairs or festivals. If we presented a contract to the bars we play they'd have a good laugh of it. Blue

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1501866597' post='3347942'] Happened to my band last year. Pub was almost empty and the landlady said at half time we should stop and she'd pay us half the fee. Sadly, the guitar player, who was a bit of a wuss, agreed without consulting the rest of us (she took him aside and did the foul deed whilst we were discussing what to play in the second set), which left us a bit high and dry. [/quote] Not uncommon and IMO not completely unfair. There was no business and the landlady made a business decision. I've heard about this happening with my local peer bands. Last Sunday a friend showed up at my gig and told me his band was playing a bar a few miles away the same day. It was new ownership, no business scenario. They were asked to pack up. However he said they were paid in full. Not sure how it happens in the UK, but this no business,empty room sydrome happens for a reason. In the US it might be; 1.A bar that's new to hirering bands and wants to grow the business with little to no experience. 2.The gig is booked the same time and date of a major sporting event. 3.Bad weather 4.Bars where the actual service bar is in a separate room from the band. I'm sure there's are others. Blue

It really sounds like there was no one really in charge at the pub. If there was they should have approached the band at arrival or even called before hand and cancelled the gig. Do you think it was a combination of poor and shady management? I'm so glad we have an off stage business person that can sniff these things out before they happen. My unsolicited advice, be carful when there's no pub ownership or true management on the premesis when you arrive. A few weeks ago We played a bar gig at a big local biker bar that we've been playing for the last 5 years. Ownership had changed and the new owners were there. We made sure the proper representative of the band shook hands an introduced themselves to the new owners. Blue

Low frequencies, not good. Sometime I can't hear the young ladies(baristas)at Starbucks when they take my order. The few opportunities I get to have a verbal exchange with a young attractive woman and all I can come up with is; "huh ?" Blue

If I ever defect from GK, I'm partnering with Orange. And I'll run my bass through 2 of their guitar heads. Blue

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1501736888' post='3346932'] most gigging musicians have no original bone in their body.[/quote] In my neck of the woods I could make the argument that most original musicians don't have an original bone in their body. Blue

Back in 2008 I replaced the bass player in 2MorrowEvrAfter. I liked the original material. Nobody was even slightly interested. https://youtu.be/35QiodVB-Ew Blue

Always thought they looked cool. Love that day glow lime green. Never played through one. Blue