chris_b

I used to hate the bus rides home.

The whole band is using stands. It's a gimmick.

Musical theory is only a way of understanding and writing down what you're thinking and hearing. It's a good thing if you know how to use it.

Are these amps new, returned or B stock?

It wasn't a "blanket" question. It was asked in the context of the cost and effectiveness of various plugs, from foam to moulded, via the rest. The OP didn't want that discussion, but this is a subject that is very pertinent to many musicians, many of whom play way too loud and don't take enough precautions. I see many guys on the "circuit" who now use hearing aids. Hearing aids are much more expensive than moulded plugs and never sound as good as natural hearing. It's an important subject to everyone.

I did an occasional gig in a Free tribute band. That was the first time I really listened to their songs. It was a great gig, with a great drummer and playing those "empty" bass lines was a lot of fun.

I usually buy amps that sound just right with all the controls between 12 and 1 o'clock. Then I only have to worry about the volume. I can't think of anything more simple to manage.

Finishes it off nicely. This one gets my vote.

Really? You highlight the solution and then tell us it's too expensive. So my question is very relevant. What do you want to do, save your hearing or save your money? I'm not going to apologise for being blunt. Don't be offended, just get fitted up for ACS earplugs. They would be cheap at double the price.

Leave your cards at home.

I have no idea who Mark Hoppus is, but I have several friends having cancer treatment and a couple who have recently died, so my best wishes go out to him. This really is a shitty disease. Every one of us should have regular MOTs and check ups.

What covers are they playing? I've been in covers bands for decades and have never needed pedals or effects! Presumably you didn't use pedals in your audition. Has the band asked you to use pedals? What makes you so sure you need them now?

Poor timing, overplaying and an overriding belief in their own greatness. IMO these also apply to everyone else in the band.

How much is your hearing worth?

I don't really know what you mean by "crack". Could the strings be hitting the pickup? I'd guarantee it's not the cabs. I doubt 2 separate cabs would fail with exactly the same symptoms and at the same time. You need to trouble shoot everything else you used, leads, amp, bass.

If you really have to use wire wool on your strings off, please take them off the bass first. Sounds to me like that would damage the strings as well as shine them up!

Nice body, I don't like the headstock, though.

I like showboaters. I'm impressed by any bassist who is good at their craft. I like inventive players who have good skills and technique. I stood 6 feet away from Victor Wooten when he was doing a bass clinic and my eyes were out on stalks for most of the evening. Sadly, I can't see most of what they play fitting in to any musical situation that's relevant to me. Maybe I should have more imagination!

Just like all the Motown artists.

The guys in the band I love playing with most are drummers. I'm lucky, I haven't played with a bad drummer in the last 25 years and many of them have been excellent players. I've been thinking about my favourite drum breaks. I always love to hear this from Ritchie Hayward. A perfect drum break to bring the song in. . . from 20 secs in. What's your favourite drum break?

The only fake encores are when a band does an encore when the audience doesn't care and hasn't asked for one. If the audience isn't bothered about an encore, then you haven't done a good enough job. You either do an encore (the audience likes you and wants to hear more) or you don't (you're crap and the audience has already gone home). Some bands don't do set lists. All pro bands do, so having all the numbers/songs thought out and assessed for their effectiveness in a running order is the sign of a better band. Encores are part of the set and should still be planned so you can make the audience happy and still send them home wanting more.

IMO these basses look very interesting, so I checked them out at the bass gallery and was disappointed to find that the 5 strings come in at around 10-11lbs. That's a deal killer for me.

Best wishes. Fingers crossed for you.

Keep your ears wide open and soak everything up. Ask as many questions as you need. If you have the right attitude people will be happy to help. Practice until you can't get it wrong. Decide what works and why, then build up your library of licks and the stuff that makes the lines yours. IMO it's OK to play with someone who's learning if they are positive, fun to play with and you can see their progress coming out in their playing.