Horrorhiker

I've got a Peavey Minimax, which I really like, and use for both rock and Rock. I think this would satisfy all your requirements. There's a nearly new one in the marketplace I believe.

Hi all. The band consists of me on Bass/Vocals and my (adult) Son on guitar, (which I'm hoping will generate a bit of interest at least local press wise) and we need a drummer to really get moving. I have a sets worth of material written. It's a mix of Vintage and classic rock, with a modern edge. Bit melancholic at times, with songs influenced by horror and sci-fi etc. Here's a link to one of the rough demos. https://m.soundcloud.com/horrorhiker/crystal-full-band-demo We're based in Suffolk, Ipswich/Stowmarket/Bury St Eds all do-able. Plenty of experience, and a serious venture, so if you think this sounds like someone's cup of tea, please give me a shout. Cheers.

Thanks for all the input guys. Got an update as bought a kit off a guy that refurbs decent beginner kits (how he puts it ). I tried a few, and a small 'frankenstein' kit spoke to me. Its a Sonor 503 bass and 2 toms, a Mapex venus snare (sounds amazing for a budget one and was what really sold me the kit tbh), a high quality hi hat stand, cant remember the brand, and the entry level Zildjan cymbal set and decent pearl stands. 20" bass drum which will be better for the brass band, and space taking upping. Pedal seems like good one, it plays really well anyway. All set up and tuned, new bass drum skin plus a set of vic firth dampeners thrown in. I paid £250 and was pretty happy with that.

With the wife in favour of a drum kit at home, It could spell trouble. At least with basses it feels 'forbidden'.

Yes this is one on my shortlist. Its the fave at the moment. Ive nearly messaged them about it.

Brilliant thanks. I'll have a look at that. I was just saying, I'm thinking of upping the budget a little. Quite distressed to find you get gas with drums as well as basses. At least the missus is on board with this one. She plays in the brass band they need a drummer for. She isn't raising her eyebrows everytime I go on ebay for once, which is a result!

Brilliant, thank you for that! I'm thinking most about the Premier one but as ever, have started ramping up my budget a bit. I'll have to see if I get a moment of reckless abandon where I just order something. Cheers again! Will keep you posted.

Yes I know that feeling. For me playing drums isn't like riding a bike. I couldn't find a drummer and recorded a demo a couple of years ago expecting to go in and bang them out in one take, and ended up an embarassing pile of sweaty jelly in no time. Thanks for the input. I was thinking the premier one looked best too. Plus it comes with practice pads etc. I'll be needing those!

Hi. I've been asked to fill in as a stand in drummer for a couple of things while a permanent fixture is found so I'm looking to get a super cheap drum kit to use for practices only. I Will be using it for two bands, one is a heavy rock band, and the other is a brass band (talk about chalk and cheese). With the rock band, a 'dustbin lid' type sound would actually fit in ok as it's bluesy, stoner rock type stuff. I've been assured by the brass band leader that anything will be ok for them as it's just for rehearsals (and they are desperate). I can play drums ok considering I'm a bass player by trade, but have never bought any drum gear, and really don't know where to start/what to look out for. I'm assuming bass pedal and snare are the two most important factors? Can someone give me a couple of recommendations of stuff to look out for second hand up to the value of about £150 please? I'm assuming anything new at this kind of price will be false economy, even for my limited use? I know this isn't much, but I'm on a very tight budget at the moment. One option is just buying the breakables and using the rehearsal spaces shells for the rock band at least, but again, wouldn't know where to start. Also, this would be no good for the brass band. Part of me thinks 'If I can hit and it it sounds a bit like drums, it'll be ok', but I'm fully aware that some people say that about basses too, and it's not quite that simple. Cheers in advance https://www.gumtree.com/p/drums/peavey-drum-kit-inculdes-drum-stool-cymbals-and-all-iron-wear.-reduced/1291596017 This is 10 mins away? https://www.gumtree.com/p/drums/peavey-drum-kit/1292781704 40 mins away https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Premier-drum-kit-in-glossy-red-finish-hardly-used-excellent-condition/273134804420?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 About an hour away

..I sound so grumpy.

With those other things, if they came back with a scratch on you'd barely notice, with the exception of the car..I guess with that you have insurance for that. With a bass, if it came back damaged in any way, every time you looked at it, it would remind you of how you mate doesn't care about your stuff (arguably even if it wasn't their fault). It would me anyway.

My approach has always been, neither a borrower or lender be, in music terms at least. Far too many potential arguments and irritations involved in even lending cheap gear. I always make that known right from the start of any musical endevour and then it's easy. Only exception is that people can use my cabs if i'm headlining, though I make that clear that as soon as my stuff is getting abused, the electric goes off and they find someone else's. Sounds intolerant maybe, but It's always the people that feel they don't have to be responsible for their own stuff that care the least about other peoples. I realise that's not you position exactly, but if you're lending to friends it can be even more awkward. Maybe an unpoplular opinion here, but my vote would be to say "sorry but It's a policy to never lend or borrow anything".

Yes been trying that just lately funny enough, and thumb playing in general. 👍

Yeah, and to be fair 99% of the time us=fingers and them=picks

Bit of a long, self indulgant story but I had an accident when I was 18 which took the end off my right index finger. At the time I played slap, finger and pick depending on the material. The accident forced me to play exclusively with a pick for years, which fortunately I could still do after a bit of recovery time. As a result, without trying to brag, the fact that I have been forced to concentrate on one style, and the determination to get over an injury, my pick technique is very good, to the point where it has been mentioned specifically in a review (in terms of speed and complexity etc). Having to concentrate on one style has definately made that aspect of my playing better. I do keep trying to play fingerstyle every now and again, especially with my changing musical taste and wanting to get mellower tones etc. Its hard work but Im finally getting sonewhere just lately I think. For me its doubly annoying when you get 'pick snobs', that's for sure.

Bubba Ho-Tep is not only an amazing film, but also has a superb (if limited) soundtrack. Couple of variations on a main theme and a score, but all done by one guy on a budget in a short time apparently. The main theme really is great imo. If you like films that involve a geritaric Elvis and black JFK battling a mummy, it might be your cup of tea.

Band Agreement

Yeah its definitely not cut and dry. While I hate anything that's trying to be something else, tribute bands don't bother me at all. And I'm not entirely sure why. With relicing, I just don't get it. However I do agree that everything looking brand new can be equally as weird, especially with what would be considered as a 'hard working' band. I've seen several cars just lately where the paint job and general aesthetic is that the car is totally rusted and straight out of a scrapyard, the motoring equivalent of a heavy relic bass. I can appreciate the work that goes into that to some extent, but I really do not see the point. My car looks like that anyway and it cost me next to nothing. Do those heavy relic cars get washed? I would feel like a massive hypocrite washing one of those. I saw an interview with Billy Gibbons ages ago and I believe I'm right in saying that he had a new guitar relic'd to look the same as an old guitar he wanted to retire. This is one of the few scenarios where i can actually see the point. All manner of psychology going on here. It'd be an interesting topic for a dissertation for someone.

Not really. I realise its all around but its when its done intentionally and in a contrived way that bothers me.

I can't stand anything that's 'faux'. Artificial road wear, shabby chic, Mumford and Sons, Vintage Trouble and overtly vintage fashion (gaudy and expensive 50s dress shops 👎) all fall under the same category for me. No offence to anyone that likes any of those obviously. Each to their own and all that.

Not half. This is what Mumford and Sons would be like if they watched Sister Act all the time instead of The Waltons.

Sorry to hear this, I too have been there and it isn't a lot of fun. Good advice above. It's an individual thing but what works for me if I'm ever feeling depressed is to maybe look at something connected with music, that isn't necessarily relevant to your playing. For example, you could watch a music documentary. There are several good ones on netflix, but I can particularly recommend 'Hired Gun', which is a thing all about session musicians. I always feel like picking a bass up after watching something like that. Though not a long term solution, a bit of retail therapy can also help if done sensibly. Think about something small that you want that is bass related, research it online and order it. Maybe a new strap or something. It'll get the mind busy, and hopefully start enthusing you, even if subconsciously. Also try and make sure you're keeping active and doing a bit of walking if possible. It's amazing how many times I've been in an endless funk, really quite bad, and something like a walk/bike ride/swim gets the bad stuff out and something I'm keen on to just pop into my mind out of nowhere. Off the point slightly, but for me personally, camping, or just walking in woods is the best therapy I can think of. Hope you can find something that helps, but don't worry. You will feel like playing naturally when the time is right anyway. As you will know from past experience, it DOES pass even if it might seem like it won't at the time. Best of luck, keep us posted.

Definately. Its very easy to just stick it in the basket, but this seems like a good way of getting a relationship going which gives you the best of both worlds in terms of online vs shop, then. I like to be loyal to people with good service anyway, and as you say, £50 is not to be sniffed at. It's basically a free pedal or a couple of sets of strings after all.

I had a good experience in there too. Had just the right balance of being attentive but not overbearing. The only thing I would like to see is the setting up of at least some of the stuff they do. I went to buy an electro acoustic g***ar once and you needed a step ladder to get from the strings to the fretboard on nearly all of them.