Nicko

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1437389293' post='2825485'] You obviously have a different playing technique to me as there is no way I would able to feel it when playing where that black mark is positioned. [/quote] +1 Cant see how I'd ever get my hand in that position. To be honest, if I was in a shop buying a new bass and noticed it I'd probably negotiate a discount. But as a second hander its a pretty minor imperfection. That said, if this was a business seller you've every right to return.

Off the top of his head, our vocalist had started paying a professional graphic designer to design a band logo. I guess it will come in useful when we get going properly.but it seems a bit extreme for a band that only played one gig and a few open mic nights so far. Although he's offered to pay for the work I feel like this means I have limited say in the results and so far I'm not keen. It all looks a bit kind of 80s death metal to me. And we're definitely not that! Sorry I cant post the drafts as we don't officially "own" them. Although a logo would be handy for the website, the website is so far not up and running so I think the priorities are all wrong here.

Totally off my normal radar. Not just because it makes me think of the film. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1YkHJJi-tc"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1YkHJJi-tc[/url]

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1436951111' post='2822221'] Over time the rubbish songs tend to et forgotten and get no air play. 80s was also the birth of Hip Hop. Bands like Beastie Boys were emerging. Although Two Tone was born in the late seventies it was still going strong throughout the first few years of the 80s. Jazz-Funk. Music was definitely more polarised and there were definite genres that people only listened to and dress accordingly. It was all a lot more tribal. [/quote] I think it was polarised but I don't think it was tribal at all - at least not in the same way the 60s and 70s was. There was such an explosion of genres accessible through the charts that kinda made it ok to like "other" stuff. Even my NWBHM denim wearing friends could't wait to see the Girls on Film vid (I wonder why!) and from there its a short leap to the rest of the New Romantic music, if not the wedge haircut and ridiculous clothes. And then it was OK to like rap when RUN DMC released walk this way with the Toxic Twins guesting.and it was OK to go and buy King of Rock.

Seems to me there's two sides to this. If you really, really hate your job you should quit it. I only ever got to this point once in my life when I just couldn't face getting up to go to work so I bailed. I left a job that paid me an obscene amount of money but gave me no life at all. I had no other job to go to. At the time future prospects were bleak. It didn't matter cos it felt right to do it. If a career in music is really what you want explore the options and decide which is best for you. Then go for it. But be clear what the question is. You should n't confuse desperation with your current job with aspiration for a musical career. If the prospect of quitting the job you hate and having no money coming in fills you with dread I suspect the leap of faith might be too great. Maybe you should consider what you'd do if you didn't mind your current job.

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1436823726' post='2821224'] Not a fan of the mainstream 80s pop but that's largely due to the horrible tinny production with nasty synths and drum machines. Loved the metal and hard rock. Stevie Wonder was also pretty stand out for me. A lot of the stuff I dislike would be much more bearable with modern production applied. [/quote] I hate to disagree but Stevie Wonder in the 80s included such (IMO) drivel as "Happy Birthday", I Just Called to Say I love You" and "Ebony and Ivory". Each to his own obviously but no amount of post production will rescue this tosh.

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1436821573' post='2821193'] I couldn`t stand bands like Wham, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and the rest of that rubbish. However, i really liked The Prisoners Obviously i was in love with Wendy James of Transvision Vamp [/quote] I actually worked quite closely with a former member of the Prisoners and like their stuff, but they weren't really an 80s band - more mod revival. If you type list of 1980s no 1s into wiki you'll see how bad some of the music was. But I guess the same would apply now as well - how much chart stuff these days is worth listening to? There was plenty of minority music in the 80s that was great and to be honest probably more variety than there is now.

I played 6 sting guitar for about 15 years before I had a few lessons and that's the basis for any musical theory knowledge I have. I learnt more in the 20 or so lessons than I'd learnt in the 15 years previous. I never had a single lesson on bass technique or theory. I use some dodgy tabs to learn songs but never really looked at youtube tutorials. Not sure whether I learnt more from playing with a band in the six years or so of playing bass than I learnt at my lessons, or whether I'm getting by despite my appalling lack of technique..

I'm usually a fan of Ashdown but was seriously disappointed with the MiBass head paired with either a Mi10 or Mi12 cab. Seemed to lack the usual Asdown character to me.

I don't think you need to be qualified to say there are bum notes/the solo sucked or that the guy overestimates his talent. You do need to be qualified to say the guitarist is technically good or bad because a degree of expertise would be required to establish the technical difficulty of the lick he just murdered. I've heard plenty of guys play widdly stuff that's actually quite easy but that cant nail a relatively straightforward solo.

Some of Andy Rourke's (Smiths) stuff is amazing. So underrated I had to look up his name!

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1435610733' post='2810656'] If you fail to tell something that might affect the policy then they can refuse to pay out. Paid gigs means more travel often at unsocial hours with a greater risk of theft. Therefore higher premium. [/quote] If you are a proper professional rather than a paid amateur I'd agree, but as an amateur you don't need to volunteer "I play paid gigs" information unless they specifically ask. My insurance covers the instruments - that was confirmed. It covers them when they're out of the house - that's also confirmed. I'd suggest the very nature of the insured articles and their cover outside of the house would entail antisocial hours. In a similar way - as an amateur - I don't insure my car for travel to and from work to cover getting to the rehearsal studio or the odd gig I play even though the hours are antisocial.

Myy house is insured through John Lewis. The contents cover covers instruments inside and outside the house, but I cant remember offhand what the single item limit is - I think is £2k. I fail to see why getting paid for gigs comes up in the insurance enquiry, I certainly wouldn't volunteer this info, but if they ask you'd have to tell them.

[quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1435398711' post='2808379'] I'd disagree, I play this in our set in a schecter pj with standard 105's. It's a little loose, but it's meant to be that way if you listen to the recording. If it's the o my song you play in that tuning, it may sound off to your ears, but I play a couple tuned to Db so I'm used to the feel. Is it possible you are being a touch to gentle with your right hand? My setup is the above with just the P pickup, tone full, gritty overdrive sansamp VT, and dig in! [/quote] I suspect I'm being too vigorous with the right hand - it may of course be a complete lack of talent that prevents me getting anything even passable! I think your bass has a longer (35") scale length as well so I guess the standard 105s are a bit less floppy?

I'm another one who didn't really think they were that good. I appreciate they're getting on a bit but if you're just gonna go through the motions whats the point?

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1435241766' post='2806895'] Do you get any rules to follow? [/quote] That and this, these and those. But basically the answer is you cant really play play it on a 4 string with normal strings. I'm glad its not my technique.

[quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1435233639' post='2806761'] Yes, Fender P tuned to drop C. [/quote] That's my setup - what gauge strings are you using?

Anyone managed to play this on a 4 string without it sounding absolute s***? E string tuned down 2 whole tones just isn't working for me.

Whats the speaker config in the cab? I haven't noticed that the amp is particularly loud, and I find it a little distorted when pushed hard.

Yep, I get if for guitars, but most bass changes are not for major tonal differences or alternative tunings. I've seen may bands bass players swap P bass for P bass, where the tunings for the songs are the same.

I've always been a bit confused about people changing guitars every couple of songs on stage. I saw the Stokes at Hyde park, and they took it to the other extreme. 4 guitar amps, one big ampeg for Nik. One Fender Jazz, one Strat and one Gibson semi (es335?). Same instruments the whole way through. Never saw a stage that bare for a big gig before and it was quite refreshing.

Well, a couple of things: 1. Why ship it freight rather than either excess baggage or if you are lucky as cabin baggage. See the flying with instruments thread [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/41208-flying-with-instruments-my-guide/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/41208-flying-with-instruments-my-guide/[/url] 2. Make sure you buy in a low tax state. [url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States"]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States[/url] 3. Beware import tax when you come back. Limit is £390. Buying just under the limit will buy you something nice - personally I'd try to negotiate a small discount on a standard Fender precision (list is $599 or about $400) - and save you money compared to the UK (UK price somewhere around £500). I agree $$ your hand gives you the right to play no matter how bad you think you are.

My sadly departed brothers old bass. Its strung left handed, I'm a righty, it's battered to hell. Is a no name (possibly custom) and obviously home upgraded. So its utterly unplayable, but I'll always treasure it. Its only when he got ill that I started playing bas again.

I think people are missing the original point (maybe I didn't explain properly) The band all know the songs and structure. Practice in this context is intended to get it really tight, and to be honest we can't do that without the stickman. Anyway, we cancelled last night and bonded over beers instead which was probably time well invested but its great to see everyone's views.

For Bon Jovi I could be the constant yawning!