4stringslow

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1471087969' post='3110432'] ... of course I will only know how good the cover really is in the event that I have to make a claim [/quote] I think this is a more important point that just asking who we all use for insurance cover. I've asked before if anyone has any actual claim experiences but there was no reply, so probably won't be this time either. From what has been discussed in the past, it's really important to read the small print in any musical insurance policy, especially the exclusions! Personally I don't bother with insurance, except for the fairly standard cover that comes with my home policy, because when I'm out rehearsing or gigging my gear is pretty much always in sight and when not being used my bass stays in its hardcase, so I judge the risk of theft or damage to be so small that it's not worth paying for insurance. Plus, this approach has worked for so long now that even if someone did steal my gear, I've saved so much in premiums over the years that I reckon I'll still be quids in after replacing them.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1471056003' post='3110273'] I'm calling "malarkey" on this one. I disagree. This sounds like the old, "I have a traditional job, I play what I like when I want" so I'm a little better than those that play for a living. Sound more like a wannabe IMO. I love every gig I play. However I don't play for love, I play for money. I also play music that I love. I don't find myself playing music I don't like. Personally, I love the fact that I'm obligated to play in order to pay my bills.And what a cool way to pay bills, playing electric bass guitar and singing in a rock band. What you call an obligation for some of thef us is "Living The Dream". I would hope there are others that share my perspective. Blue [/quote] Call it what you like, that's your prerogative, even if you're mistaken. I'm pleased you're happy playing music as a job - it's always a big plus to love the job you have to do to pay the bills, which is what I meant by 'obligation'. I'm fortunate that I no longer have that obligation because I'm retired and no longer obliged to work at anything to pay my bills. That's why I say I play and gig purely for the love of doing so, because what other reason do I have?

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1471035979' post='3110204'] Maybe, who knows. We've haven't been able to define pro or semi pro. [/quote] Surely 'professional' means earning a living solely from playing music? Not sure about 'semi pro' - someone who earns some money from playing music? Though I'd suggest it would have to be a significant proportion of overall income rather than just 'beer money'. I'm in neither camp so I guess that makes me a hobbyist, but I'm fortunate to be able to play and gig purely out of love of doing so, which means I'm not obliged to gig or play anything I don't want to in order to pay the bills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwru3q10LW0

I've been to see what I've thought were some pretty ropey pub bands but my (non musician) friends thought they were fantastic. My take on this is that when people hear a song they know, they actually hear their memory of it. So unless the band makes real howling mistakes any slight mistakes or poor bit of timing is completely overlooked because the punters are replaying their memories of the song to the sight of the live band - especially when the alcohol kicks in! How many of us have made a mistake at a gig and no one noticed? I know I have. Any gigging musician is likely to be far more critical and therefore notice things like mistakes and poor sound balance that the average punter would miss completely. So yes, I'd say they just want to hear songs they know, have a few beers and a good old knees up.

Smaller batteries is an interesting idea, especially if it meant being able to fit two of them into the existing cavity. One thing to consider with DC voltage doubling circuits is switching noise. Not necessarily a problem with a well designed circuit but it's something to be dealt with whereas a couple of batteries are intrinsically noise free and provide rock steady DC. Just a thought.

Me too - what an excellent idea! Would it be too sneering to suggest that some jobsworth would stamp on such idea over here?

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1470826090' post='3108727'] Whether or not saying, 'Adam Clayton is a talentless bass player' is defamatory or not, is all that's questionable, same goes whether or not people agree with the aforementioned statement. Look, at the end of the day, he's not John Myung or Geddy Lee. Or Flea or Bootsy. (Or <insert name here>.) Yes, I get that. He obviously must have something going on otherwise U2 would have fired him years ago, but you know the thing is after all this time, I'm still struggling to work out what it actually is. [/quote] What none of us should be struggling with, because it's staring us all in the face, is that he hasn't held back U2 from becoming one of the biggest, richest and most successful bands on the planet. That's quite some achievement in itself isn't it?

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1470773854' post='3108406'] I really do not get the jealousy thing, can I not just be allowed to not enjoy a band without being anything other than just not enjoying it? Does there have to be a reason, jealous,ignorant,not musically educated enough, etc etc? [/quote] Me neither. I was thinking more about the criticisms of Clayton's ability than U2's music itself. Not liking a particular piece or style of music is fine by me - heck, I'm guilty (if that's the right word) of this myself - and really doesn't required any justification as far as I'm concerned. I was just pointing out that Clayton might or might not be the worlds most gifted bassist but he's very well suited to U2 and he doesn't seem to have held them back in becoming one of the planet's most popular bands. As such it could be argued that he's one of the planet's most successful bassists

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1470770213' post='3108360'] Same here, New Years Day, I Will Follow, Pride, With or Without You, all have a great feel to them and suit the song perfectly. Plus New Years Day is probably one of those iconic basslines where many know it and can recognise the song purely from that, even if they don`t know who AC is. [/quote] I'm not a big U2 fan but I entirely agree. We read a lot of posts about the merits of 'serving the song' and surely this is what Clayton does in spades? And given that U2 are one of the most successful bands in the world his contribution is surely beyond reproach. Someone mentioned jealousy earlier . . . .

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1470755195' post='3108199'] Oh I dunno you know. I do like a bit of Trout. [/quote] Walter Trout?

I've bought stuff in USA using a DC adaptor 'brick' with a US mains plug. Check the ratings label because some of these devices will work OK on UK mains voltage. If so, all you need is a travel adapter to conver the US plug to a UK one and you're good to go.

So Led Zepp are cleared of the charge of plagiarism by a court of law but end up the best part of a million dollars out of pocket. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37014778 I guess the judge doesn't like them, but denying them their costs of defending themselves from a false allegation (as it turns out) doesn't seem like justice to me. Since when should the innocent party end up out of pocket? Yes, I know they can easily afford their own costs, but that's not really the point is it!

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1470753311' post='3108174'] An ex's uncle made a good living on the Northern club scene in the 60's. He was primarily a joke and song man, but very accomplished on the keys, although didn't get the breaks to move into TV. Anyhoo, he knew Ringo Starr from his club days before the Beatles. He said Ringo was an excellent drummer and couldn't understand why he came in for so much flak. [/quote] No flak from these guys who know a bit about drumming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqeBt5ZO4mU

I suppose it might help Elton John when he's touring with a piano

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1470649298' post='3107265'] And don't take the receipt home with you. Post it, if you must. [/quote] Well, if you're going down that route, buy it with cash, not a credit card that can be easily checked.

It's not working illegally if it's a free gig at a private party for friends

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1470650896' post='3107281'] So the price of all tickets will increase so double bass players get to take their instruments for free? What next? Cyclists on cycling holidays? [/quote] Exactly. And where will all this 'hand luggage' actually be stored inside the cabin?

Hmm. To be honest, I'm not sure this is a practical request. How can musicians seriously expect the right to carry their 'instruments' as hand luggage when the size of an instrument can vary so much? I'm guessing that a flautist doesn't have much trouble carrying their flute as hand luggage while a double bassist probably does . . . and, frankly, I can understand why. Airlines have hand baggage rules for good reasons.

Don't forget that this forum is populated by a self-selected set of bass fans, so it's likely that we can all appreciate the skilful playing of someone like Jaco. I know I couldn't play any of his stuff and can therefore genuinely admire his virtuosity. But it doesn't mean I actually like the music he plays and nor should it, necessarily. The two things are completely separate. Also, consider those less fortunate than ourselves and who cannot play any sort of instrument. They would likely admire anyone who can strum three chords on a guitar, but again it has nothing to do with the music being played. Even more extreme, there are those people who have little or no interest in music at all, at any level. Now that I'm really struggling to understand

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1470561687' post='3106673'] Just stop for a moment and consider how much of a sad and dismal old world this would be, if everyone liked the same things. I find it alien that a lot of my friends don't get something out of the music that I like. Thankfully, that's the way of the world. [/quote] Agreed. Seems to me there can be two main reasons to admire a musician - their ability and their music - and they can be appreciated, or not, together or separately. There is no inherent link between them.

The (original) fuse in the amp would have been carefully specified to be suitable for the design of the amp, so no need to worry about the fuse in the mains lead. Indeed, anywhere outside of the UK and the mains lead wouldn't even have a fuse.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1470480213' post='3106274'] Playing music that touches people, and "talks" to them, is an entirely different matter. [/quote] Agreed - and probably the only thing that matters. If music doesn't connect then what's the point?

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1470416342' post='3105898'] It's probably for the best if we don't have interest rates at all. [i](Sticks hands in pockets, awaits arrival of Dad3353 bearing proposals for 'villages')[/i] [/quote] Now there's an idea, though current interest rates are almost non-existent anyway. I say that as someone who remembers those heady days of the 80s when mortgage interest rates were 12% or more and everyone moaned about how unaffordable they were. These days, borrowing has never been more affordable except 'the powers that be' conspire to make borrowing just as difficult by insisting on large deposits, which of course are mostly unaffordable. An acquaintance recently had to renew his mortgage when his fixed rate period expired. As it turned out the new interest rate was slightly lower so his new repayments were slightly less . . . but his bank would not offer him a new deal because his loan to equity ratio was no longer within the bank's revised 'affordability' criteria. So he was turned down for a new mortgage on the basis of affordability even though he had a proven track record of being able to afford higher payments than those on offer! Such are the sorts of anomalies that can arise when the 'computer says no'. Fortunately, said acquaintance was able to beat a path through the bank's automated 'help' lines and eventually have a conversation with someone with the sense and authority to realise the stupidity of the situation and eventually authorise the new loan. Anyway, where were we . . . . ?

If you think the current situation is bad, wait until we have negative interest rates . . . . http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-36979230