leschirons

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1476178994' post='3151951'] It's not an ego thing - the benefit is for all users of the marketplace. It shows us that X is a trusted seller and/or buyer, and promotes confidence. [/quote] Exactly.

If I'm after buying something on BC, the first thing I do (if I don't know the member) is check their feedback. It gives me an insight into what they're like to deal with as a buyer and seller and If people don't bother to leave it, that all breaks down. I've always left feedback as a buyer (I've rarely sold anything on here) as It helps others make an informed decision. It's not fool proof, but it helps. I used to get annoyed when this wasn't reciprocated. Especially even after reminding people that I'd done theirs and would appreciate the same in return. Too busy is no excuse. We're all busy but we can all find 2 minutes to do some feedback, even if it takes a month to get round to it. I'm one of those that tends to cut my nose off to spite my face. Always have been. Consequently, I wouldn't buy a second time from someone who couldn't be arsed to leave feedback the first time. No matter how good the deal.

First bass I really had GAS for was a Hohner Jack. Eventually got one, kept it for a couple of years.

Age is now taking it's toll as eventually, our bodies wear out and mine certainly has. I've changed all my bass gear in the last two years due to weight of instrument / rig etc and have quite a few structural problems to contend with I gig regularly and have for the last 47 years as I love playing and, the people in the current band. Deps are fun too but I can't deny, it's hard work these days. I even fell over after Friday's gig, tripping over a kerb stone. Swollen knee, cut shin, gravel in the hands and a bruised rib didn't help for Saturday's gig and due to my age, I'll feel like crap for the rest of the week at least. I'd like to gig until 70 if possible but if I don't, as long as there's an acoustic guitar laying around, that'll do. It doesn't have to be bass for me. I could quite easily spend my time working out the chords to old Burt Baccarach songs

Just got in. It fired up and I had no problems at the gig. I've been really damn lucky but will still get it checked over next week. Will take the amp sleeve off tomorrow and see if I can refit the handle (properly) ha ha. Thanks for all your replies.

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1475931628' post='3149862'] Bad luck. It looks like you shouldn't have a problem. You should be able to just use the cab as a cab and it looks from the manual as if all the sockets are just normal parallel sockets. Just make sure you take a couple of spare speaker leads.. The Hartke may only take jack leads. Let's hope ot is still all working when you get there. Of course with something dropped like that even the cab might have suffered, can you go straight through the pa at a pinch? [/quote] The Hartke 2500 has 2 x 1/4 jacks out min load 4 ohms so worst way I could just run the 400watt 1 x 12 Genz ext cab at 175 watts as my backline monitor and then DI into the P.A as we have two 600 watt subs. I'll take some speaker leads with me. I'll fire the combo up as soon as I'm there and if there are obvious problems, maybe use the option above for peace of mind but good to know that I can input into the output so to speak. It's not going to be a loud gig as it's a birthday party in a restaurant. Just that the guitarist always prefers me to split my cabs either side of the kit so he gets exactly what I get my side. Not sure how fragile these neo cabs are but no doubt I'll find out tonight. I'll run the combo into my amp guy on Monday as there are no more gigs for a couple of weeks after tonight. Thanks to everyone that replied. Much appreciated.

Had to drop off my rig (Genz Shuttle 6 combo + ext cab) at the singer's house so they can get there early to set stuff up for tonight. Handle snapped on the combo and it's hit the deck from 1 metre. No idea if this is going to work tonight. I have a spare preamp tube but who knows. The guitarist is now bringing a Hartke head in case I need it. Question is, on the combo cab, there is a short fixed speakon cable which goes to the head and also ( on the cab) a speakon and jack out to feed an ext cab. Can I use the speakon or jack "out" as an input into the cab. I'm not sure how this is all wired up. I won't have time to remove the Genz amp carrier tonight and can't balance his head on top of it as the cable will be too short to reach the higher head if all that makes sense. Any info appreciated. Thanks.

Drop it from the set and do Mustang Sally

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1475500823' post='3146403'] Among other things he played in an Essex covers band east of Java that played the same pub circuit that my old covers band Hedgehog played. Tragic [/quote] Yes, they used to do the Cauliflower and the Castlemayne. Excellent band. He'll be sorely missed. You were in Hedgehog? My Mrs has just posted a video of theirs on Facebook. Live at the Mayne. Another good band. Probably saw you play at some point in the past.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1475497022' post='3146348'] I did a gig recently on a borrowed 4 string bass, after 15 years of playing 6 string basses. It's not so much muscle memory, as knowing the notes on the fretboard, and more importantly, playing notes rather than bass lines and patterns. I encourage my students to learn to play notes, rather than patterns. [/quote] +1 I agree. Fret board knowledge is the key. I usually play 5s and 6s on 90% of gigs but if I use a 4 string it's never a problem other than preferring the sound of a low D or Eb on a few particular numbers.

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1475495863' post='3146330'] That's the brain's job, not the muscle memory's, which usually simply remembers the 'second string from the bottom, fourth fret' and similar. The brain might be a tiny little bit slower than the hand, and oops, you play a G# rather than a C# (or vice versa)... [/quote] It's just that anyone I know who plays a 5 most of the time doesn't have a problem switching back & forth between the two. I know most of us may have had a problem for the first few sessions with an extra string but I really can't see that it would require lots of dedicated practice time to overcome. Bit like riding a bike isn't it?

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1475493526' post='3146300'] That's why it's easier to just play one or the other. Or just the 5, because then you have a stable environment on the fret board and can play any song on the one instrument. IMO, trying to keep the 4 in play as well serves no useful purpose and just causes unnecessary complications. . . unless you can give over a lot of practise time to developing 2 lots of muscle memory. [/quote] Do you need two lots of muscle memory? Surely it's just knowing that you have a B string on one bass and not the other.

Ah, To B or not to B, that is the question. You made the right decision. No looking back now.

The groom at a wedding we played, came and picked up my spare bass to "air guitar" to a Quo number he'd requested. Despite being slightly hammered, he did ask if I minded. Difficult one really as he's the guy who's spending a lot of money on you and there are 50 guest's cameras pointing at the two of you. I said okay but if you drop it or scratch it, you buy it for £2,000. The wad of notes he took out of his pocket confirmed he could have so I let him have his moment although I wasn't happy about being put in that position. A random pub punter is no problem to refuse but it's a little different when it's the bridegroom and you want repeat work at the venue. Forgot to mention, with other musos, no problem handing them an instrument.

Just read a Facebook post from a mate who says guitarist Michael Casswell has passed away following a tragic accident. If this is unfortunately true, it's a sad loss to music. He was absolutely brilliant.

The only thing I really thought about before joining my first proper working band was "Can I play actually well enough?" I'd guess that if you answer yourself with a "no, not really" then the other things to think about are on the back burner for a while

Our Dad hated the thought of us being in a band (brother was learning guitar and I wanted to be a drummer) There were many band name suggestions from him such as the remarkably clever offerings of "The Hairy Nits" and "The long haired layabouts" That was, until the neighbour complained whom he hated with a passion. Then, it was all systems go. Even suggesting that we have full band rehearsals in the front room, on a Sunday

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1473797456' post='3133258'] 40 years ago with a band that arose from a hall of residence in London, playing a mix of originals and covers on a Hayman 4040 and getting paid £100 between the four of us. Not bad when beer was 20p a pint. [/quote] Our (my) first gig was £15 between us AND, we'd hired the van You had a £100 gig 40 years ago? You are John Paul Jones and I claim my £5.

Not any more these days but it does feel great to do it at some point if you can so go for it if it doesn't impact on your family finances.

I used to gig an 85 quidder until the weight became a problem.

Our singer owns a Mackie P.A. I own a small HK P.A and the guitarist owns and hires out a huge HK system as a sideline. We usually use his and all chip in with the lugging and set up but if need be, one of us can always take one of the small ones if the gig / circumstances dictate.

Bruce Foxton. So perfect for what Jam did but of no use to me at all.

Played a wedding gig last night. They'd hired out a whole pub/restaurant and 75% of the guests had flown over to France from Australia. Absolutely brilliant crowd, up from first number and still all up at the last. Only fly in ointment was the venue owner trying to persuade us to carry on playing for another 30 mins despite that we'd finished at the time we were specifically asked to finish by the groom. Apparently the owner had kept an area open for the public and was trying to keep them there with entertainment that he obviously wasn't intending paying for. Had a couple of serious tambourine scares as our singer had forgotten to keep her foot firmly clamped on it and then the bride's father asking to sing Mustang Sally (no, it's not in our set list) however, turns out he'd been in a couple of bands back in Oz and could seriously sing. Makes a nice change. All in all, a great night.

Jeff Beck group