Nicko

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1469089592' post='3095586'] a band that plays songs made famous by someone else. [/quote] Except if you are the Zutons or Billy Bragg I guess

We recently had a cull of songs that had been suggested to add to the setlist but never quite got around to being learnt and practiced. We had about 30 songs on the list and rather than a veto we tried to see how much interest there was in the songs. We ended up dumping around 25 songs, and surprisingly there were 10 or so that got no votes - so even the member (and I use the term advisedly) who suggested them decided they were wrong. I was unfortunately unable to dump "Are You Gonna Go My Way" or "Rocks" which were already in the ready to gig list.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1468615848' post='3092236'] We have employed a one person can veto a song choice rule in our band, we've decided that there must be enough songs that we all like and hopefully the audience will too, it's a bit of an odd set but it's getting tweaked at each gig. [/quote] ^^^^ This. With a well chosen set list theres no reason why you can't please both the band and the crowd most of the time. I must amnit though I end up witholding my veto for the really crap stuff which means I end up playing crowd pleasers that I personally dont like. What started out as a 90s set list now includes some very modern stuff and a few classics thrown in as an encore. Our target audience is 30 somethings, but we have never had anyonne complain that thy don't like the set..

Although I already had a few guitars, I got into bass guitar, bought one and a practice amp for about £500. Then I bought another for about £900, and an amp/speaker for another £500. And some pedals, maybe another £300. I haven't sold any of them, but had to sell my house and buy a bigger one. I reckon that cost me about £200k, plus the solicitor fees and stamp duty.

It would be great if someone occasionally recognised me as the talent in the band, and described me as f***ing awesome, but I fear it may be a long time coming. As long as they say the band is tight I'm happy.

All for different reasons: Geezer Butler Andy Rourke (The Smiths) Mike Durnt Flea John Entwistle

I'm in a band. The fact I play bass is irrelevant TBH. In between bands I find myself playing more 6 string and composing (badly). Outside the band I only play bass if something particularly sparks my interest, or when I'm looking for a bassline for a composition.

Thanks guys, looks like this may indeed be french polish as the problem as the damage does look a bit cloudy.

Check out RK music's website [url="http://www.rkmusic.co.uk/jam-nights/"]http://www.rkmusic.co.uk/jam-nights/[/url]. These guys used to attract reasonable interest when they had the night at the Middlesex Arms (now cancelled). A bit too blues based for me but plenty of solo guitarists, bass players and the occasional skin beater. Seems they are looking for a permanent home at the mo. Bit of a trek from Letchworth though.

A gittard mate of mine has damaged the finish of his acoustic 12 string cleaning a small area with washing up liquid. It's reparable, but how can he tell whether the original finish is Nitrocelllose or Poyurethane? Its manufactured by a small maker and ther's no help online

Its rather like asking whether a chicken madras is better than a lamb dhansak. There's no reason why a bit of variety should be considered a bad thing. But if I could only choose one it would be a P.

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1463665369' post='3053209'] Everything was better in... soft focus ? [/quote] That was probably grime on the lens though

According to [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/284943-have-we-all-become-wimps-or-is-it-a-sign-of-an-ageing-population/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/284943-have-we-all-become-wimps-or-is-it-a-sign-of-an-ageing-population/[/url] everything was better in the 70s. As a child growing up in the 70s I can safely say from my point of view Haircuts, Music, Cars, Summer holidays and Fashion were definitely not. By the end of the 70s I'd had a few illicit half pints of ale, and that definitely wasn't better either. And the food was pretty ropey, especially if you wanted something exotic like a Vesta curry. I'm coming round to the conclusion that of my 5 decades the noughties was actually the best, at least until 2008. How free we were spending other peoples money. What a fantastic mix of cultures we enjoyed, we'd discovered wines of the new world, food of the new backpacker destinations and were gorging ourselves on a post punk indie revolution that had jettisoned the worst of britpop. Or maybe its an age thing.

Reluctantly added the vote because I never really switched. I went lightweight with my first real gigging kit. I haven't really seen anyone justify non lightweight on anything other than cost.

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1462886161' post='3046627'] And four corners!!! Of course a professional bingo player would use a dabber!! [/quote] Spelling nazi alert: A professional would also know its called a dauber, not a dabber, as in "[size=4][color=#545454][font=arial, sans-serif]Was it a Mecca Dauber or a betting pencil?" [/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#545454][font=arial, sans-serif]Score 4 for my previous 4 bands, and 2 in the current set list.[/font][/color][/size]

Another vote for the Blackline 250. I use mine in a 5 piece playing small to medium pubs. A 4 ohm 2 x 10 with this amp is definitely enough unless you want it very loud. I never need to turn up beyond halfway. It does tend to break up a bit if you use an active bass in the higher output range though.

This just came on my MP3 player. Me likey. Very much. Might even be my favourite Flea bassline.

The only reason for a 20 song audition IMO is that theres a gig to be played and they need to check whether you could cover it. 3-4 songs is more than enough for a regular audition. Generally I'd know before the end of the first song whether the auditionee would work in the band.

Good on you. I did RGT graded exams on electric guitar a while back after playing with myself (ahem) in the bedroom for too long. I probably learnt more in the 3 years of lessons and gradings than I had in 20 years of unfocused widdling. I found the paying bit quite easy. The ear training assessments and theory are probably more of a challenge. You play something good improv, and they ask you to explain musically what you have just done for example.

Jack, I tried your A frame and stretches before practice last night. I really think they helped. Cheers.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1459933581' post='3020909'] American accent? [/quote] I forgive Jack. The mullet would suggest an accent somewhere south of the Mason Dixon.

Buddy Holly is on our setlist and goes down surprisingly well. I love playing it too.

We do mainly 90s and naughties stuff with a few older and newer things thrown in. The choice of venue is key, essentially this is what was playing in the Student Unions 10 or 15 years ago so you'd be looking at a mainly 30 somethings crowd. Choose the material wisely and bear in mind that the most guittards will want to put some classic or hard rock in there because he wants to show off their "talent". We have played a few gigs that have gone down brilliantly with the crowd and the staff and we've had repeat bookings, but we are struggling to get a few more LLs on board.

No such thing as a favourite voice. My music choices are eclectic, and voices should fit the music. How would you choose the best voice from Neil Diamond, Chris Cornell or Alfie Boe? I'll happily (or not) sit down and listen to a "great" singer like Alanis Morisette, or an absolutely awful one like Billy Bragg depending on my mood.

Our singer has a habit of doing the intro just at the bit where I have to really concentrate to get it spot on, and it distracts me so I c*ck it up. I don't see the point in ay case.