Stub Mandrel

For Bluesfire Alex has got quite good at calling it as we go along. We haven't got enough to do that with Bendricks yet, but that's where we plan to get. We pick things up quickly.

Is the front as nice as the back?

Band went for a beer last night 🙂 Agreed a list. Ticked off Peaches today (I already sort of knew it). Already know most of them, but Sweet Sensation is new, and I've only ever busked Delilah. <edit> seems it's 'New Sensation'...

I know, but I have an itch...

I'm feeling the urge to upgrade the tuners on my 2002 Squier Jazz. 😧

Is there a pass for spending the money one has saved on not going to see the 'Eras Tour' on gear?

I find 'election communications' ideal. You can guess which give an aggressive tone, produce false notes or 'dog whistle' sounds...

The Earl Haig with Bluesfire today, a short-notice gig to fill in for a very good local band. Good numbers, maybe 100 at the start, quite a few more by the end. Setting up, a dodgy di lead on my amp was freaking when the spots turned on. Took a while to track down. But we had the full light show, there will be photos. First half it seemed ok to us, but apparently sound was very harsh. Our sound guy unfamiliar with house pa. Second half sounded better apparently. Audience randomly joined in the vocals for sharp dressed man, quite a lot of dancing and upriarious applause. Although some of the time we couldn't see the audience for smoke. Lots of happy, enthusiastic punters and great feedback. Alex got a few sets of applause for his solos, was like a jazz gig! Apparently the bit where we co-ordinate and Alex does trills and I do finger tapping was 'epic' - we think it's silly but fun 😁 Lost track of time so started to finish early but ended up doing three encores. Were taken aback to get applause just for starting Purple Rain. Final song was let's stick together which gets manic and my fingers started behaving oddly and then virtually cramped up... just made it to then end.

It's flashback time?

Lots of interesting thoughts. My brother gave me a PA two huge 2x15 cabs, soundcraft mixer and a hefty amp. I had to swap for two smaller 1x15 cabs just to fit in car. Have light cheap powered cabs for monitors/small pa. Cost is a bit of a barrier at the moment - as I own the PA, it keeps things simpler not to invest band funds. If we do go for a band pa it will be different. I may just go for the Behringer or qtx solution for now and see where we go from there. I have come up with a solution to the monitor amp...hold plan was a snall amp to power the two 12" monitors (150W per channel). But the amps in my matching powered 15s will fit the passive 12s. I can swap over one amp which gives me the option of running two 15, two 12 or all four speakers.

This matters for me... in the long run the rack will have pa and monitor amps, plus a comprssor/enhancer, 6 way mic mixer (for the drum kit) and possibly a graphic so light will matter...

And people who didn't understand the system trying to adjust the tilt without slackening the strings and neck bolts first.

A local band of youngsters has posted on Facebook, wondering why they are struggling to get any gigs: "we have a 35 minute set ready to go at a moments notice mostly original with a couple covers thrown in" OK guys, even if you are only looking for support slots, I think you could perhaps put in the effort to learn a few more songs...

They aren't completely useless... you could stack them up to make a ramp 🤣

Got a call asking us to fill a last minute gap at my favourite venue next Sunday ☺️ Nice!

I was hoping the video would show your immolation...

I hate the aesthetics of a d-tuner, plus retuning only takes a moment... when you aren't in mid-song.

I forget the setlist!

I've looked at those. Has anyone tried qtx?

I forgot to tune up from drop d last night. Trying to play something sensible AND play all along the watchtower. I retrospect I coild have simplified a bit instead, but got away with it although I could tell I wasn't spot on.

I'm fed up of the gravitational distortion caused by our pa amp. Are there any recommendations for affordable class D amps, minimum 350W rms per channel? I've looked at Behringer 800 and LD700 but some real world experience of their reliability/ quality and other options would be welcome.

Last night's Bendricks Rock gig was right up in the Rhondda at a big social club. Excellent stage and we had a dressing room with enough space for empty cases and still sit down. Even our own loo! Fortunately we decided to bring the bigger PA although the smaller one would probably have managed. We were standing in for another band who cancelled in good time and gave our details to the venue. Thanks! First few songs affected by nerves, but then we settled down. To be honest we need to work on song structure, we play a lot of songs with unusual structures and weren't too tight on a few. Even so, they were really into the music, especially the sabbath/purple/Zeppelin songs. Our setlist is spot on for the rock loving valleys. We played until 11:30. One of the guitarists said 'I get paid to set up and take down. The playing is why I do it and I'm happy to go all night'. This got posted on our Facebook, doesn't do the lights justice.

You need to get Elton a Schroder piano.

I thought those were the groupies boobies.