Drax

Yeah fair point - both big areas. Work in London, but live on the Kent coast. Spend much time travelling between the two so can easily divert. Happy to look at anywhere in London, or anywhere east Kent (east of M20)..

I play to a decent standard and have been digging into the Real book lately, got a half dozen tunes down, inside out - and thought it might be fun to test my mettle at an open mic jazz jam. Hoping the BC community might have some pointers to help me shortcut round those too intimidating, or complete closed shops. I live London / Kent but can travel. Equally any tips for turning up for the first time. Music stands etc

[quote name='ChunkyMunky' timestamp='1423762811' post='2688789'] Has anyone here done cruise ship gigs? I've been practicing like absolute crazy and I'm a bit concerned I'm wearing myself out trying to make sure I'm good enough for the gig. Any help, insight or advice would be massively appreciated! Thanks so much for reading and take care. [/quote] Do you have this gig lined up, or are you auditioning ?

[quote name='Monckyman' timestamp='1423825713' post='2689392'] And Supported by Black Rivers (Doves offshoot), who have a very good LP out. [/quote] Cheers Moncky, not aware of that - downloading now..

You've bought on exactly the right premise - what feels 'just right' when you pick it up. Happy playing! Great looking bass

I've got the GWB35 (the cheaper of the two Gary Willis Fretless 5 strings), and its well balanced, lovely slim neck, light. If I had a 4hr gig I'd take the Ibanez. Never totally fallen for it though - find myself gravitating to something with more bite and character, especially for recording.

..worth also adding, the UI on Bass Fretboard Addict is pretty appalling. I've been using it in spite of this 'Music Tutor' works well for notation recognition (appreciate not quite where your aiming..)

Welcome Kaz. Spent many a happy year living in Nottingham.

Living in Broadstairs, we have the annual Folk Week which invades every single pub / hall / club, so live music (and it's ability to ring the tills) remains front of mind for landlords. It's a relatively small high st, but at least 3-4 pubs have live bands both Fri / Sat.

I noticed it hasn't been mentioned yet in this thread, and it may help anyone currently needing help - but BAPAM was recommended to be on BC and they have been great. http://www.bapam.org.uk/ I started off concerned I had CTS, quickly diagnosed as rotator cuff injury, and I'm undergoing treatment through them. The specialists understand the demands and nuances of playing an instrument. Also - stating the bleedin' obvious - but vital you review how your work environment affects the injury too (if you have a non-bass day job). I spent far too long coiled round a laptop. Moving to proper ergonmic set up has really helped.

Like any hobbyist magazine after a year or so all the editorial feels a bit circular - there's only so much you can say. I do still the like the tutorials in the back, but find the reviews are pretty insipid. Woe betide offending any potential advertiser, and you can't blame them, the whole magazine industry is running on fumes.

[quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1423727310' post='2688255'] Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd It is musical artistry and just has to be listened to from start to finish. [/quote] Completely agree. Lots of esoteric choices so far, and a lot of new names to me I'm playlisting. But sometimes the albums that need revisiting are the big ones hiding in plain sight. Recent road trip to Michael Jackson - Thriller in its entirety, a masterclass in songwriting and production (and a stack of great basslines). Like DSOM or Sgt Pepper, worth reminding yourself why it is legendary.

I've been using Bass Fretboard Addict on iPhone, partly for fretboard but mainly for the dual Notation tester. Shows a note on a stave, and a fretboard simultaneously, you have to say what the note is. Very addictive

Great shouts. Just download Simple Minds and Eno. Been a lot of love on BC before for their bassist Roly - but a landmark album for my youth Ozric Tentacles - Pungent Effulgent Deeply uncool and utterly absorbing. Went very well with other extra curricular activities at the time.

Ethan Farmer! Still - there's enough interesting exhibitors for me to make the trip. Says this year there are now 200 performance tickets available for pre-sale on the day, is the assumption these are snapped up by people queuing at Olympia before the doors open?

Yes attempted similar - technically possible but can make your head hurt (or made my head hurt). Personally I'd just retune.. and anyway you've got 2 basses

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1423594157' post='2686834'] There may be a little confusion here. Basically, the only thing that has changed is the Pro Series is now being produced in Germany, rather than overseas. The Warwick 'Custom Shop' series are still the same german basses that were built last year, and those prices I believe have gone up slightly as would be expected. There hasn't been a climb down in price, simply a relocation of where the Pro Series is made, which will appeal to many. The woods and such are not the quality of the 'proper' german Warwicks (Ovangkol rather than Wenge, lower grade maple, BO rather than NT e.t.c.) and they have limited options, hence the lower price still being offered. I think as a result we will see some stockists in the UK again, which will be great to see [/quote] Thanks Kev for spelling that out, didn't wholly appreciate the difference (or lack thereof) in the Pro models. I'm sure the broad message of German made = quality will flow through to all their marketing and in store sell. Agree good news all round for retailers.

I bought my Streamer in '93 - was about £1k. Didn't order it, it just happened to be in my local music shop. As we know - biggest hurdle for german Warwicks is no UK dealer can afford to stock them. I was fully up for buying a new German made last year, but none to demo meant the money went elsewhere. Quite glad I didn't now. This should mean we'll start seeing them stocked in shops again. Be interesting to see how they spin the climb down on price.

The stuff I play live I really enjoy playing, its fun and testing, and many of these were tunes I've included because I like them. Once I've learned and gigged it, I lose the desire to listen to it..

Vast gaps between the music I listen to and play live. There is another list - the 'Mustang Sally Files' - tunes I cannot ever listen to, or play.

It's a beauty, great choice.

Thomann have the V7 5 strings in stock apparently, tempting price. Has anyone got their hands on one yet? [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/marcus_miller_v7_swamp_ash_5_nt.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...mp_ash_5_nt.htm[/url]

It's bizarre - and patronising to Beyonce. And are artists really bothered about awards? FFS even that free U2 album was nominated - there's not much integrity in the voting. If nothing else, the Kayne tantrum has made me check out Beck's album today.

Belated happy NBD! Cheaper than the pedals you'll be playing it though