bear-foot-bass

All the above comments are true and correct ... but in my experience if the singer's not up to scratch no will take the band seriously no matter how brilliant the musicians or songs are. Some originals singers can escape a bit because of stage prescence / character / great songs etc - think Bob Dylan. Theres nothing worse than getting to the end of a gig and trying to book another and the venue says 'great band, lousy singer' and you know in the back of your mind that they're right but you didn't want to bring it up earlier cos they're a mate or good guy. So in the nicest possible way its time to get harsh or get out. PS it's your time you put into practice, so it is your band. PPS as its the brother of another member, get him to break the news

Playing with others is the only way to find out what its all about. i find that I always learn so much by playing with new people, even if its just once for a jam than I ever would twiddling at home. Just ask any band to go through tracks while you write down chords, it will get you off to a start at first session. Don't expect to absorb songs and structures without having ever heard them even though some people will expect you to. Keep to basics until you're comfortable, which will be soon I'm sure if you've had some lessons and go for it1

Thanks for your help - I get it more now and will always take the VXL where we are in larger venues. Having said that, have played 2 gigs last couple of days and left the DHA on full time cos I've fallen in love with the sound. I find the 'colour' options lose bottom end so I have on just straight gain 12 o'clock for a bit of beef. So I'm going to experiment with the VXL after the DHA as a futher boost / OD option for those songs where a bit more is needed.

I play in 2 bands - one rock covers in pubs and clubs and another more mellow one in churches. For the rock band I use a Peavey Mark IV head and 1x15 Black Widow cab. I use a DHA for overdriven sounds on some songs. The sound is great, only challenge in smaller venues is keeping the volume down on the backline - rarely going past 1 on the master. For the church band I use an old practice amp, its a bit ropy so I go through a Hartke VXL DI'd to the desk which gives a little extra definition to the sound and the option of some OD if needed (don't tempt me). Works well. At a recent outdoors gig with the rock group we had a sound guy who was keen on taking a DI rather than the line out of my Peavey that I normally use. Whats the advantage of a DI feed rather than a line out? Also as I already have a DI in the Hartke, which I'll take for future large PA gigs, should I be running through the DHA>Hartke>amp/PA in the pub band. Where I typically have more than enough volume and gain options. Any ideas / thoughts welcome.