Allons-y!

Does the singer make himself sound like that or is it his voice? I ask because it doesn't sound natural. Music sounded pretty good though.

Two friends (guitarist and drummer) of mine encouraged me to play one with them. I told our band director that I was better than his current bass player, so I could use the school bass instead of buying one. Turns out after watching Victor Wooten on a DVD for a couple days, I really was better than him. I'm just glad he sucked.

I just got the green mile overdrive and cruncher distortion. The green mile is the pedal I have been searching for since I started using effects. A very subtle overdrive. It sounds like preamp tubes being pushed hard. It has two settings warm and hot. Warm cuts all the bass but hot seems to add bass. The cruncher is a high gain distortion similar to a bass big muff but the break up sounds much tighter. It's less fuzzy. It doesn't cut bass either. I tried both along with a bass tubescreamer. The ts sucked. It sounded like it was in a box. And it didn't seem to get any more distorted when I turned the gain up. For the price you can't beat the Mooer pedals.

I've been thinking of using a 5 string tuned standard (We play in Eb) so when the guitarist plays in drop d I dont have to worry about retuning. . I would tune the 5 string down but that sound bad on my bass.

[quote name='The Admiral' timestamp='1423633988' post='2687197'] Just read this from the start and I'd say you've made a good choice. You can always find another band, but special women are hard to come by, and I cannot imagine there are too many kids who wish their dad had spent less time with them and more time gigging. I remember reading a piece about Metallica's Black Album tour - where they kept adding dates and it finally lasted about 18 months. The article included a list of everything that had been used in the tour - effectively the costs. The final line was '3 marriages'. That's a lesson right there IMHO. [/quote] Yeah it's not like there's a low demand for bass players. Thanks, Admiral.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1423610589' post='2687135'] You can't lose. Music and bands is not the primary focus of your life. For you I don;t think there was a right or wrong choice. Blue [/quote] Yeah you're right. I think it would have been the wrong choice for someone more serious with playing live. But for me it wasn't has big a deal as I thought it was.

In case anyone cares, I quit the current band. I don't no why I got so hung up on it, but everyone was super helpful. Time will tell if I made the right choice.

I don't think I've ever been payed to play on a big stage. I think all of them have been charity events for me. But even without pay they seemed to be more fun. As long as I can see the drummers body language I'm good.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1423456624' post='2684947'] That's a cultural thing and one reason ( there are others ) why I like the British. Over here were taught from day 1 that money is all that matters. Over here, the only people I know that say they're not in love with money, have money coming out of their ears. Blue [/quote] I live in South Carolina and I know what you mean about being taught that money is all that matters. My parents are still trying to make me see reason. I quit my job when my son was born so I could keep him during the day. I get the weirdest looks from everyone when I tell them what I do( especially people over 70 ). The bills are payed and no one is hungry So I wouldn't trade hanging out with my son for more comfort. The first month was hard and I wanted to get a job, but thankfully my wife talked me out of it. I love the British. I also get weird looks for the way I drink my tea and the odd voices on my television. I guess you could say I'm never in it for the money.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1423449362' post='2684936'] There must be a way for you to make this distinction between both bands to make a decision which band to go with. Sounds like your closer to the P & W side with guys your own age. For me since I'm in this for the money it would have to be the band that makes the most $$$, because it also sounds like the guys in both bands are good people. I don't think you can lose either way. Good Luck Blue [/quote] I like money but I'm not in love with it. I'm thinking I will probably go with the p&w/rock band. After reading all the posts it seemed like all I would miss out on is money. I don't think there is much else I can learn from the oldies. i could be wrong about that, but either way I think I will gain things from either and miss out on either. Thanks for all the advice, Blue.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1423448503' post='2684934'] [i]"We have been playing every weekend and I think my wife gets annoyed with that a little bit."[/i] [i]?[/i] [i]Blue[/i] [/quote] To be fair it doesn't take much to get on a woman's nerves. I didn't mean to imply that she has a big problem with it. I can just tell it would make her happier if I was home at least one weekend a month. i will never have the chance to play in the big league. I gave that up when I said I do. I wouldn't change it for the world though.

[quote name='dadofsix' timestamp='1423441380' post='2684913'] I didn't see where you mentioned your age, but, if you're in your twenties or early thirties, you've got time to make a mistake or two and recover from it -- just don't needlessly burn bridges. It appears that you'll still be playing with your friends in the church setting and there's value in the stability. But, as a number of folks have mentioned, there's much to be learned from older players who still enjoy what they do and are confident enough in their ability (and your ability) to wing it at shows and make it work. Clearly these folks have been together for a long time. There's a foundation for growth here that I don't see in the other band. ON THE OTHER HAND, "wifey" doesn't like the hours you're keeping . . . ! Good luck!!! :-) [/quote] Actually the current band has never played together before I got there. I was at the first gig. I think I worded it weird when I was explaining it. I'm not worried about burning bridges because both bands are very understanding but thanks for the tip. Of course you never know why people will get angry so I'll be careful.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1423435023' post='2684819'] I think your at a disadvantage, in that it doesn't sound like you have been doing this long enough to know what's important to you or what you like. Your younger and for many younger musicians live gigging is not very important. I say, if your looking to grow musically, IMO that doesn't happen in the basement with friends.I think musical growth comes from live performance and a chance to play with guys that have already been through stuff your friends probably haven't. And you seem to have a bigger problem, if you like gigging and your wife is not on board with that, your done. Me, I make it clear to all women I become involved with; [i]" Music and gigging is number1, your number 2 "[/i] It's probably why I'm not married. Good Luck Blue [/quote] They will both be gigging and I've actually been playing with these friends of mine on a stage for years. Not In a basement. The band leader is also deep in the music scene. They will be playing less purposefully. My wife is on board with any of my musical adventures. When I married her I decided to put her before everything. She has never told me she didn't like me gigging, but if she did I would drop it in a heart beat.

Thanks for the comments! It's going to help me make my mind up.

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1423377888' post='2684021'] As above , can't you manage both for a bit longer and let time tell? Be honest with both re first in the dairy gets your commitment though Good luck [/quote] It might be possible to hang with both for a very small amount of time, but I think I might end up burning a bridge if I had to pick a band I would play with if they both had bookings for the same night. I would rather make it a clean break. (Edited for spelling)

[quote name='Drax' timestamp='1423377228' post='2684017'] Hey Allons-y. Welcome to BC! Difficult to call without knowing your ultimate aim, both have merits. Why not keep both? Sounds like head vs heart, and money often wins. [/quote] The band I'm in plays so offten I wouldn't have time for the other one. we are basiclly a house band for a venue. You are right about it being head vs heart. I'm not sure of my ultimate aim because I don't have much experience with regular gigging. I would love to make more money, but I'm worried I will miss out on a better experience. Do you think it's common to regret playing in a band for more money when you could have played in a band that was into the same music as you? Btw the deference in money is probably £200-£300 a month. I'm not trying to make a living of playing, but I'm not complaining about extra income either.

Hello Bass Chat. This is my first post so if I'm doing something wrong feel free to let me know. CURRENT BAND: I haven't been playing with them long, but I like the music and I would probably make more money with this band. We have been playing every weekend and I think my wife gets annoyed with that a little bit. Everyone is over double my age. I've only known them as long as I've been in the band. They are great musicians but do things on the fly. Sometimes upto 1/3 of the set is stuff we have never even practiced. OTHER BAND: All of the members are close friends. It's rock but the members are the same as the praise and worship band at my church ( lead singer is our preacher ). I love the music. I would play less shows and make less money. These guys are all about doing everything right. They leave the guess work at practice. I know this might be odd to ask people I don't know, but I just can't make my mind up. If anybody thinks of any other variables to consider, please let me know.