blue

[quote name='Old_Ben' timestamp='1408893102' post='2534372'] there are tonnes of rock bands about at the minute! just depends on how much your willing to pay to watch them! [/quote] I wonder if were talking about the same kind of Rock? Blue

German Hand Crafted 502 Limited Edition Club Bass (#26 out of 48) GK, RBX cabs 1X15 and 2X10 GK 10001rb 750 watt bi-amp head Blue

Is Rock Music Dead? For who? Me? No The big picture, yeah for some purposes it is dead, I don’t think the industry sees much value in investing in it. Yeah there are a few true rock acts still drawing crowds, the one event or night the 60 plus crowd decides they can stay awake. In many ways it’s like what happened to big bands. Are big bands ( Duke Ellington & Count Basie ) coming back, no and they never did. Are there still some big bands out there , sure but not many. Keep in mind the generation, my generation ( the generation that built the market) except for me, are no longer buying music or going to shows. The Stones & Paul McCartney don’t count, that’s really something different that shouldn’t be a part of this discussion. Here are a few examples, I play in a 70’s style rock band and when any 20 something’s walk into a club were playing they walk out and they not only walk out, they walk out immediately. When the 60 plus person walks in, it’s like they found their way back home and become 17 again for a short time. I have spoken to some of these young folks that say they are into rock, they might be , but they are not usually well versed or really understand the history of the genre. For example, I spoke to a guy in his 30’s he was talking to me about Eric Clapton, but the guy had never heard of Cream. Here is another short example, Heart and Foreigner had a show scheduled here in Milwaukee this summer. It was canceled due to poor ticket sales. Does anyone know what I am trying to say? Help me out. Blue

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1408664418' post='2532428'] My fave semi.. [/quote] SWEET! Blue

[quote name='BassHappy' timestamp='1408662534' post='2532417'] Loving my Gretsch 5123-B and I am hearing that they are blowing them out in the states for around $500 bucks. Also available in burgundy: [/quote] SWEET! Blue

[quote name='GrammeFriday' timestamp='1408728624' post='2533051'] TBH you're not missing all that much - more often than not, being in a band is just a massive pain in the arse. If it's someone else's band you will soon begin to feel frustrated at having to make endless compromises in what you play, how you dress, even what bass you are allowed to play, and if it is your own band you will soon tire of herding cats and generally being the only one who can be arsed to do any of the nitty gritty stuff (bookings, organising rehearsals, promo, etc.). Of course, if you get lucky you will suffer neither of these fates. There will be a marriage of true minds and a fair and harmonious division of labour. But it's a big if, so prepare to be underwhelmed by the experience if you do decide to venture out of your bedroom. Personally I can totally understand why some people prefer to do their own thing using software. I remember reading an interview with Christian Fennesz, in which he said he was in various MBV-style shoegaze bands in the 90s and then one day thought 'sod it, I've had enough with all this band crap'. And never looked back. Having said that, I must admit it's not exactly thrilling live entertainment watching geezers press the space bar on their laptops all evening either, so I dunno ... [/quote] It's why it's so important to put a lot of thought into joining a band. I was in a band with great material and great musicianship but these guys were jerks to work with. For the past 3 years I have been in a band with all around good fair people. A much nicer situation. Blue

I should add the fact that while I don't play for fun, I always have fun when I'm performing. Blue

This is how I make a living, so playing for fun is not an option for me. But plenty of guys play for fun, a lot less stress. blue

[quote name='Tdw' timestamp='1408666705' post='2532436'] Definately familiar with Al Anderson, a great guitarist and piece of reggae history - very cool. [/quote] Thanks, for those not familiar with what Albert does, here's a sample; [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzAiEWRqehA"]https://www.youtube....h?v=JzAiEWRqehA[/url] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybnxmz_g3-w"]https://www.youtube....h?v=Ybnxmz_g3-w[/url] blue

Hi Guys, Ran into my long time friend Al Anderson last night at Shank Hall in Milwaukee last night. I have known Albert since we were in the 6th grade back in Montclair New Jersey. Even in High School Albert was light years ahead of all the other guitarist. They packed Shank Hall and ripped the place up. They have a few more midwest shows then they are off for a tour of Spain & Italy. The other gentleman is the great Chet Samuels lead vocalist for The Original Wailers. Also a pic of my youngest son and his girl friend back stage with Al. Albert left Montclair with no more then a one way ticket to London and his guitar in 1972. The rest is history. any of you guys familiar with Al? Blue

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1408464910' post='2530470'] I read somewhere Jones was getting $50,000 per week on tour. Could be nonsense though. [/quote] Tell you what, I know first hand about a lead singer in a "B": level international touring act getting $1,500.00 a week. And thats after travel expenses. I'll take that kind of wage in a New York minute. Blue

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1408552233' post='2531308'] Really hating this thread now - was in London today so made a detour to Wunjo, and yes, they had the Guilds in stock- Korean, £795 inc hard case, play like a dream. I now need to sell some stuff and hand on to some gig money...... [/quote] Is that a fair price for made in Korea. I mean for all I know Korean made might be a better product than US made. At this point in time I just don't know how to gage that sort of thing? Blue

I would bet Wyman still has full band membership, like a Director or something like that. blue

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1408462865' post='2530443'] But at the end of the day, despite the length of time he's been playing with them, he's still effectively a side man rather than being a band member. He'll get more than, say, the horn players or the backing singers but he'll still be on a fixed wage for a tour. With the money that sloshes round the usual Stones world tour I imagine ol' Darryl gets to boost whatever lesser projects he might fancy in between though! [/quote] Very few of us regardles of the situation end up not ever having to 9:00a to 5:00p it.Out of all the guys I grew up with I only know 2, Chuck Burgi and Al Anderson. Blue Blue

What are you looking for in a band? If your looking to gig, first it's better if you live inan area where the market is large enough for a lot of gigging activity. Also remember most original projects never stay together long enough to see their first gig. Get your name out there, don't stay at home, go out and talk to bands at gigs and let them know your looking. There's always a band on the verge of fireing their bass player. Blue

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1408542054' post='2531213'] I'm a law graduate and so thoroughly approve of this law. Subject to meaningful consent of all parties. [/quote] All kidding aside, I think the whole women/rock musician apeal is something many of us 60 plus guys struggle with, however some of you guys understand the reality of this side issue. Some guys are still stuck on, [i]"Why do I seem invisible to all the 20 something women?"[/i] [i]Blue[/i]

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1408514875' post='2530822'] I have a jubilee edition 500/1 (violin bass). It's #7 of 60. Korean made. Strung with la bella flats. It sounds awesome, it really does. Wonderful for a bit of blues rock. Both pickups wide open thru my ampeg PF500. I will, at some point, get myself a German re issue, in sunburst and remove the pick guard. I recently saw a Beatles tribute and their Macca was using a German re-issue and it sounded totally different to mine. Woollier, I think but very authentic. [/quote] You won't regret the purchase. Blue

[quote name='Donnyboy' timestamp='1408521204' post='2530886'] How about this - [url="http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/semi-acoustic-bass/1074534791"]http://www.gumtree.c...bass/1074534791[/url] ? [/quote] Sweet pic! Blue

It's nice to see others that understand the value and coolness of the semi-hollow body bass. By the way the bass in my avitar pic weighs pretty close to a ton. Blue

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1408539020' post='2531162'] Nice looking lady there, Mr Blue [/quote] Yes, word to the wise, don't get personally involved with women in your band. Unfortunately I had no choice, by State of WI Law if a 27 year old female gives an opportunity to a 60 year old guy, you have to take her up on it. I know, it's a goofy law. Blue

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1408489171' post='2530780'] I've fancied one of the CT basses for a long time. Would you say/know if the main tonal difference was the pup spacing or the centre block? [/quote] I'm not sure, my guess would be, it's the center block. blue

Keep in mind, as an aging local rock musician I love gigging, however all gigs are not great and there are some venues that are not cool at all. But it all goes with the territory. Blue

[size=3][font=Arial Black][b]There are a number of similarities and differences between a German Hofner and a CT Series bass. First of all an astounding $1,500.00. I was an owner of the Korean Made Contemporary Series Club. For me, as soon as I plugged in my German crafted Hofner 502/Limited Edition Club Bass and heard the first thump it was worth the extra $1,500.00.[/b][/font] [b][font=Arial Black]This sounds subtle, however I think it could be the rason there's a drastic difference between the tone of these 2 basses. I referring to the center block;[/font][/b] [i][b][font=Arial Black]All CT series bases have a spruce top and flame maple back and sides as do most German basses however German basses are made of a slightly higher grades of wood. CT basses (other than the President) have a center block for greater sustain and strength, German basses retain the original design and do not use a center block.[/font][/b][/i] [b][font=Arial Black]The exterior dimensions of German and CT series basses are basically the same however other than pickups most hardware is not interchangeable. German basses offer German hardware and neck dimensions that are historically accurate creating reissues of particular 50's and 60's bass models while the CT is not a reissue of any particular model. Notice the difference in the pick up spacing, also the CT bass has a polyurethane finish and The German Hofner is finished with varnish only. ( keep your belt off ).[/font][/b] [b][font=Arial Black]The CT series basses use the same German made Hofner staple pickups most German built basses. Personally I don't think they are the same Hofner Contemporary series basses come with round strings and black knobs rather than the traditional German flat wound strings and tea cup knobs. They do offer an flat wound strings ($39) and teacup knobs ($39) as an upgrade. Personally this sounds like hi-jacking the CT Bass. I doubt you would gain much or what you might be sacrificing.[/font][/b] [b][font=Arial Black]My German Hofner came with a awesome bullet style case where the CT series does not include a case.[/font][/b] [b][font=Arial Black]My old CT Hofner Pics are on the left and The German Hofner pics are on the right.[/font][/b] [b][font=Arial Black]Questions, comments?[/font][/b] [b][font=Arial Black]Blue[/font][/b][/size]

When I get home I can go through the major differences between a German Hofner and a Korean Hofner. If anyones interested. Blue

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1408476766' post='2530628'] The Animals too ... [media]http://youtu.be/MgTSfJEf_jM[/media] [/quote] Is Chas still around, I get the feeling he's not. Blue