leschirons

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='1226756' date='May 10 2011, 08:31 PM']Nice post! It's definitely true that 'all that glisters is not gold', though trying to stay true to that idea with Basschat around is another story![/quote] Unfortunately it's taken me 20 years and about £20,000,000 to realise this. I was going to say I'd had an epiphany but people would think I'd just bought another bass cab. Ahhhh the simple life for me from now on.

Some while ago I sold my 5 string Fbass on here as I wanted to move over to a 6 string. Whilst searching for the perfect BN6, I bought (blind) as a stop gap, a Spector 6 string from Xantes (nice guy) It wasn't really me as the neck was so big compared to the Fbass. I have to admit it was a lot cheaper than what I was going to spend. The other thing that got to me was the output. I could make people feel sick with the low B without any bass boost. Due to a recent financial setback, all purchases are on hold for probably the rest of the year (and hopefully forever) Anyway, the point is, I got bored and defretted an OLP Stingray. It took me about an hour to have the neck off, defret it, fill the slots, seal it and refit. The thinking being that if I bugger it up, it only cost £100. It sounds and plays awesome and cost nothing to do. I'm in love with it. I had now got used to the Spector neck and decided to do something about the output via the trim pot. This done, I'm in love yet again. People slag off the TonePump EQ but I love it. In 20 years I've never been so happy with my basses and the sound I get. All this has cost nothing to do. I think I've only just realised that I was an immature twat when it came to buying stuff. I never persevered with any of it as there was always something new to buy that "must" be better as it was more expensive. All I had to do all this time was use the gear I already had. It's made me realise that it's not the price, simply if you are happy with what you have. I've grown up a bit. Lets hope it lasts.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='1218022' date='May 2 2011, 07:35 PM']Hi Raphael and welcome Frenchies entirely welcome here. And, as [i]always [/i]seems to be the case with Frenchies, your English is as good as everyone else's here Enjoy the forum.[/quote] I dissagree, I'm British and living in France and Raphael's English is better than mine. Welcome to basschat Raphael.

Son of a preacher man. A: I can't hear everything that's going on. B: I can't keep it that busy without seeming to crowd out the whole song.

What's prompted this post? You've been listening to early Oasis again haven't you?

[quote name='Darshan' post='1206880' date='Apr 21 2011, 11:20 AM']Anyone know what kind of effect the 2nd Bass player is using here for the solo right at the end of the tune? I want that pedal! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00tzcnyDL68"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00tzcnyDL68[/url][/quote] If you're into this kind of thing, check out Brian Bromberg's studio album "You know that feeling" Especially the track "Joe Cool" Despite what you'll be hearing on it, there are no guitars at all on the recording. Absolutely brilliant.

I would guess that most of the members here who say that they have no theory probably actually do have a fair amount under their belts albeit subconcious. I learned to read at 8 years old and used that skill once, aged 10 in the school orchestra (violin) From 15 years onwards, I just played. I could not read nowdays even if my life depended on it. I would place myself in the intermediate bracket when it comes to playing, certainly no higher, but I enjoy what I do and, along with the acoustic duo thing I do with the wife, I'm in six bands at present. Some with a few gigs and some with lots. I'm not in any situations where reading is required and although I do wish I had continued to read (for my own sense of achievement) I have never needed it in the last 50 years as I enjoy playing covers and it's not been required. Yes, I probably am lazy but I don't have a problem getting the gigs I enjoy. My biggest problem is not being able to say no. I have played with musicians who read and have had both good, and terrible experiences. The terrible ones were usually either down to them not being able to actually play very well, or trying to casually start conversations where they could talk about their reading and theory skills. From time to time, one does encounter a certain snobbery attached to reading. I see this as their problem, not mine. If I don't know a number, I'll learn it by ear. It's never been a problem in the past and I don't foresee it being one in the future due to what I enjoy doing and who I enjoy doing it with. There are many "journeymen" on this site who can do the job with the experience they've gained over the years and 50% of that experience is probably subconcious theory. Many here play for relaxation / therapy / fun / socialising etc. The thought of learning to read would probably spoil all that in one swoop. If you need it for your gigs / career, self achievement, fine, learn. If you don't, just enjoy playing. The only rule is that there are no rules to enjoying music. You can do that at any level as long as you are content with where you are.

These are the details of the only authorised Gibson dealer in Argentina. Import Music Argentina S.A. C1042ABD Buenos Aires Sarmiento 1526 Argentina Website: [url="http://www.importmusic.com.ar"]http://www.importmusic.com.ar[/url] Email: [email protected] Phone: 54 11 4370-4000 Fax: 54 11 4370-4005 Authorized For: All GMI product lines Surely he should take the guitar there and get it checked out. If he can send you a report on their headed paper, and allow you to call them to verify the letter, you'll know where you stand.

[quote name='icastle' post='1149096' date='Mar 4 2011, 12:44 AM']Oh, was that the Excalibur rock opera thing they've been doing? They're touring it in Europe again this year I think.[/quote] That's one of the operas yes. I think Martin Barre is now involved as well with that. We saw them in "Anne de Bretagne", also written by Alain Simon. Also had Les Holroyd in it (bassist from Barclay James Harvest) but doing one of the main vocal parts. Dave Pegg was on bass all night. Great stuff.

[quote name='icastle' post='1149079' date='Mar 4 2011, 12:27 AM']Never mind, you'll have your chance again, then you can do the work for me - 'cos I'm a lazy b*st*rd [/quote] Bugger, can't go anywhere from here now. Saw most of Fairport in France a couple of years back in a big rock / folk / theatrical production. Absolutely brilliant.

[quote name='icastle' post='1149071' date='Mar 4 2011, 12:18 AM']Cool ... and when our time is up we can see all our friends... [/quote] Fair enough, but if you can't make it, I'l be all alone, but that's the only way to be. So no worries.

[quote name='icastle' post='1149026' date='Mar 3 2011, 11:48 PM']I'm off to see them in Birmingham this weeked [/quote] Great, I'll meet you on the ledge then, about 8.30.

I'm a firm believer that if there is a problem with someone's performance, be it musical. work related etc, they should always be given to chance to put things right or at least comment on the situation. That's assuming the criticism is even justified in the first place. I reckon you're better off without this bunch. It also seems that covers bands are the worst anyway. Full of people who don't have the talent to compose or get into pro outfits (including me) and they don't like their egos dented. When I moved here, I left a covers/function band in the UK that I'd been in for 13 years (my brother remained in the band) He left 3 months ago under a cloud having dared to comment on the wannabe rock god guitarist's ability and they also told him at the time that the band had been so much better since your brother left (me) Apparently due to the fact that I was too critical of the band's performance. Bloody hell, if you're taking £750 off someone it needs to be right. But now, they can all stroke each other's egos and convince themselves it's great. Don't sell your gear, take a break, you'll find another band with sensible people in it eventually.

[quote name='Doctor J' post='1148532' date='Mar 3 2011, 05:15 PM']To be honest, I'd take confidence/bravado over someone who barely registers a ripple of interest any day.[/quote] Good point, apparently he was in gigging rock bands all through the 80's in Holland on guitar and bass.

Or this lot. Are we not men?

[quote name='Lozz196' post='1148095' date='Mar 3 2011, 11:06 AM']Sounds good - nice to see someone with a positive attitude to an audition, by suggesting songs that they think will work for the band.[/quote] Not sure that's how he meant it but I'll reserve judgement until we meet him. Could just be me although it's been mentioned by two others in the band as well.

[quote name='Machines' post='1148240' date='Mar 3 2011, 01:07 PM']Just wait till he wants to get rid of the drummer .[/quote] That could be a distinct possibility but I hold all the aces. It's my rehearsal studio and I own the big P.A. I've found that this is great substitute for talent over the years

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1148223' date='Mar 3 2011, 12:56 PM']I think that finding suitable replacement musicians is all about being in the right place at the right time. My last serious band went through this when the original drummer left. The guitarist (who was a good friend of his) decided that it was time for him to pack it in too since we were unlikely to find another drummer as suitable. In fact we found another drummer who was even better for the band within a month, but it took us almost a year an countless auditions to fill the guitarists position. After this time I'd pretty much learnt all the guitar parts as it was the only way to teaching prospective new members some of the songs that we didn't have proper recordings for (this was an originals band) and we thought that we might as well advertise for a bass player too and I would play which ever role didn't get filled. We found a new bass player within a week of advertising and I switched to guitar for the rest of the lifetime of that band.[/quote] Interesting reply. Did you find yourself judging the new bass player at any point and think that you may play this or that better / differently?

[quote name='JTUK' post='1148105' date='Mar 3 2011, 11:20 AM']Do you have to go this route and change. in effect, two positions..? Is it that hard to find decent drummers..?[/quote] Good drummers are a bit thin on the ground here. Seem to be loads that feel owning a kit qualifies them as a drummer. Yes it means two changes but at least I still get to play bass in two other bands. I wouldn't have agreed if it was the only band. It might even improve my bass playing somewhat if I'm in touch a bit more with the drumming side of things. I would also guess that I may be less critical of others in future if I've had a taste of the "dark side" myself.

After a couple of nightmare auditions for drummers, we decided one possibility was to look for another bassisit and I'll move to drums. So, an ad was placed and last night I got an e-mail from the singer. She'd had a reply from a bassisit and she sent him a set list so he could choose 4 songs to audition. One of which was "Kid" His final comment was " and I think we should think about adding Brass in pocket to the set list for the future" His audition is next week.

In a band I was in, in the UK some years ago, the guitarist (who was very good) and I decided to change instruments for a laugh one night behind the singers back, just for one number to see if he'd actually notice as he rarely turned his gaze from his adoring audience. It went as well as could be hoped for (singer noticed after we'd finished) but afterwards, the guitarist uttered those magic words, "Weird, It's like......... you don't always play the same stuff as me"

[quote name='dan2112' post='1146656' date='Mar 2 2011, 02:00 AM']So tonight (wednesday night) is my first proper gig in just over a year and i an't wait! It'll be my first time gigging with a 5 string and i'll be christening my orange/ashdown rig. I'm not nervous or anything as i used to gig with two bands last year frequently but i'm probably forgetting some gig basics.[/quote] Not giged for a year? You probably won't know about the new code of practice for live gigs then. If the drummer slows down, it's usual to smack him with your headstock on the back of the head. They immediately know to increase the tempo a little. Best of luck tonight. Have a good one.

[quote name='chris_b' post='1144793' date='Feb 28 2011, 07:52 PM']I'd declare it because you'll be very lucky if you fool the customs guys. It's their job and they're not stupid![/quote] +1. I recently drove back to France with an empty bass case I'd bought and a Fender Tele in another case. Conversation went.. "What's in the cases?" "The big one is empty and the other is a Fender guitar" "Looks like a Tele in a case that size" "Yes it is, it's a Lite ash Telecaster" "Oh, not a real one then" (with a cheeky smile) There would be no duty to pay in the EU but it goes to show that you could just get the wrong guy at customs. Not worth the risk.