BillyBass

We had a gig at a pub in Watford that we had played before, in fact they gave us our first gig. The landlady booked us on a day that all the locals left to go to a golf tournament. We played to about 6 people! We then offered to take a cut in our fee but the bar staff wouldn't have it. The Load of Hay in Watford, good pub.

That's how I see it. I've never played Soul and Motown before and I was most certainly out of my comfort zone but I like learning songs so all is good. I tried to reign in my rock bassist habits a bit and I think I came across as a bit underwhelming. I lacked the groove necessary according to the feedback I got. Still, now the tone control is back on full, there is a pick back in my fingers and the round wound strings through GK amps can be heard in their full glory. I've been back on Joinmyband too, I've got in touch with a drummer and we have started learning a few 70s 80s rock songs before a meet in a couple of weeks; hopefully a covers band will rise out of the ashes. And I'm tempted to go to a local pub that has an open mic/jam tonight. Good luck with your search too.

There is another video of him playing this song at the Cavern no less! He messes up, starts again and the crowd give a big cheer when he finishes, possibly more out of sympathy.

Great YouTube clip that. So I watched one of the YouTube suggestions that appear at the end, one about a guitarist 's teeth falling out then this one below was suggested:

Thank f*ck Toyah Wilcox isn't in the band.

I didn't get it. The other auditionee was better than me🙁 Or rather I wasn't good enough. I've never played soul and Motown before and was a bit nervous. Never mind...back to Joinmyband!

That is bloody awful news.

One day at a time.

Welcome to the forum mate!

Thanks, and, yes! It certainly has. I really like learning new songs.

Following @markbunney's posts about his recent audition in the brilliant 'worst auditionee' thread, I thought I would start a thread about forthcoming auditions...because I have an audition tonight! This is for a Soul/Motown band, which is a little out of my comfort zone. I'm used to playing rock, indie and punk and I've had to change my playing style and my sound to suit the band's setlist. Learning the songs has been thoroughly enjoyable though, they have a cracking setlist! I'll let you know how I get on.

I have both the Fusion 1200 and the Legacy 800, no chassis issues, or any other issues for that matter. Fine heads both of them.

Yes, currently, it seems there are some good deals on the Frank Bello model. The American RRP is US$250-300 dearer than their non signature basses, according to the website. I have never played the Frank Bello bass, so I can't compare the Frank Bello EMGs to the DiMarzios in the standard models. I just don't like the look of the Frank Bello signature bass, so haven't looked into it. The DiMarzios that the standard models come with are quite hot, which is something to bear in mind when matching them with other pre amps.

No, the pre amp is where they saved money. I swapped out the pre amps in all three of mine, though they sound just fine passive too.

I'm guessing the next move will be to add a few more colours to the range of fivers. The satin black should have had gold hardware but I think the cream pick ups really go well with the black.

I've only just seen this: https://www.charvel.com/gear/bass There are 4 new basses: a sonic blue and a satin black in the usual Alder and a 'satin Ferrari red' and natural in Mahogany. I really doubt I could tell the difference in tone between an Alder and a Mahogany bodied bass but I really like the look of the natural mahogany finish bass, it's a bit like those Joe Dart MusicMan basses. I doubt if I'll buy one as I already have two Charvel 4s and a fiver. But if anyone else wants to, GAK have them on order: https://www.gak.co.uk/en/charvel-pro-mod-san-dimas-bass-pj-iv-natural-mahogany/971991

That P bass with the white pup covers looks tasty, a bit like one of those Joe Dart Musicman basses

This is, sort of, what I do. I only started gigging last year but used 5 basses over 10 gigs. I've been working out what suits me. I can see me selling a few more this year.

Nice one Ely, that was pretty good. Any gigs in London on the horizon?

Now something needs to be done with the sofa.

I have 5 straps, including these: My favourite strap, however, matches the roasted maple neck/fretboards on several of my basses, not the body and I think it works quite well. I'll post a pic soon.

A few years ago we auditioned a guitarist, not named Dave. He walked in, saw my pedal board turned his nose up and said, "You've got too many pedals for a bassist". I then sort of understood why everyone on bass forums called guitarists 'geetards'.

I suppose if your experience of, for example, Chinese made kit is all positive then I would understand your point of view. My experience of Chinese built stuff isn't all positive. I have never visited a factory where bass kit is made, I know very little about quality control in any place of manufacture and, no doubt, every different factory in China will have different quality control standards. I perceive, rightly or wrongly, that stuff checked, made, assembled, or a combination of those, in the west will likely be better. So I am happy to pay a premium. 20% extra for something I feel condfident isn't going to fail the day after the warranty expires isn't bad value.

Congrats on your luck! Every now and again Thomann sell off stuff at a huge discount, which, I'm sure, makes economic sense to the company. My Fusion 1200 was 2nd hand from here, bought originally from Polar Audio and my Legacy 800 was new from Polar audio. I'm well happy I bought the stuff cheap but I probably would still pay Andertons prices if I had to because I love the GK sound.

From your first post I take it you like the sound of GK kit. I am biased but I have to agree, GK has a particular sound, not loved by all but it suits the music I play perfectly. I own a GK Legacy 800 and a Fusion 1200. Great heads.