rOB

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1320841635' post='1432077'] I remember the 40+ year old singer in my first (HM) band announcing to the audience at the Bristol Granary that I was a virgin. I was a typically self conscious 17 year old at the time (1980?) so didn't take it particuarly well [/quote] rarely do I feel the need to express my laughter in text form but LOL

I have a P bass with a Wilkinson pickup. Not fantastic but definitely does the job. If the pickup you're getting is weak then maybe worth a punt but I'd always look at the second hand market first, might scoop something better for the same money.

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1320763483' post='1431024'] The broken string rationale is a funny one cos theres a thread running on here at the moment about the last time you broke a string and most people who have responded haven't broken a string or if they have it was years ago. [/quote] True, most people on that thread haven't broken a string in years. I take a spare bass to gigs purely out of paranoia and nerves, same reason I turn up earlier than necessary for sound check and drive my band crazy with rehearsing new songs a million times before introducing them into the set. Anything I can do to reduce the liklihood of things going wrong on the night helps my nerves. I'd never begrudge a collector from collecting. For me 2 is enough.

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1320759324' post='1430898'] My band was unable to play all last year because our drummer was too busy with another band - we're all best mates so it wasn't a case of just replacing him and we coudln't get a permanent dep/deps. We finally agreed to go our own ways and then our guitarist decided we were going to have to play covers (why, I have no idea). After a half-hearted attempt to go along with this, we realised it wasn't going to work and he left too. The band is now defunct, after several years, which is difficult in some ways. But to be honest, the death of my band has been a minor issue compared to the torrent of crap that the past few years have been. So, 2011, good year? No. 2010? No. 2009? No. 2008? No. Get me back to'88 and you're talking... [/quote] Sorry to hear about that. Sounds like a great opportunity to start something all your own?

If its a non-muso, I'll generally play the riff to Seven Nation Army, Superstition or intro to Rock the Casbah depending on the person, very recognisable. If its a musician then I'll play bits from my own band, which are often songs that started as bass and vocals. On a side note, I'm really starting to like the sound of just bass and vocals without any guitar or other traditionally melodic instrument.

[quote name='bigthumb' timestamp='1320690347' post='1430096'] I wonder how many take a spare amp for back up? I remember my old Ampeg going bang at the start of a gig, luckily I had an ABM500 with me. [/quote] Very true. I've started carrying a DI box as sort of a back up to my amp. The idea being that if my amp dies mid gig I can whip the XLR out of the amp and have a bass sound into the desk and monitors quickly.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1320691770' post='1430131'] Nirvana-Unplugged FTW [/quote] oo good call

[quote name='Jigster' timestamp='1320685394' post='1429995'] always gig with a back up [/quote] +1 Really I have 1 bass and a backup, hence the P being slung together and has been played only a handful of times live.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1320679606' post='1429838'] And have a pee [i]before[/i] you go on. [/quote] I'd recommend having a couple. Nerves always make me need to go.

starting the second set with a funk, soul and pop rock covers band and realising that the singer is drunk enough to have forgotten the switch his mic back on after the break and missing his cue. Sorted it out and realised that he'd also forgotten all his words so he just howled a very rough and very out of time approximation at the vocal melodies for the whole 45 minute set at a 60th Birthday party.

RATM - Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium Powerful

Good luck. Let us know how it goes

Glad its going well!

[quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1320601338' post='1428851'] I appreciate that rOB. Because the Americana scene is quite small but loyal I know the 2 main promoters in Leicester (we played there back in Feb at The Donkey & had a fantastic time). I guess we're now just looking for a halfway home venue between Liverpool & Berkshire for Sunday so it doesn't have to be Leicester necessarily anymore. Thanks for the offer [/quote] Fair enough. Best of luck finding something.

[quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1320596425' post='1428757'] Unfortunately this one has now fallen through so we're looking for Sunday night too [/quote] Obviously not knowing where you were booked, I'd try and get in touch with The Musician and The Donkey for Americana, maybe try Soundhouse too. Drop me a PM if you're struggling with contact details. Think I've got some somewhere for some of those.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1320584876' post='1428537'] No, you just need to find the point of equilibrium so it doesn't tip over backwards. I place my amp on top of the cab at the front, to counterbalance it somewhat. [/quote] mmm, not sure I'd trust myself not to bump into it whilst on stage and knock it backwards. Glad it works for you.

Very bad form not to clap in my view. Even if I don't like a band, it takes a lot of effort and courage to step on stage which deserves respect and a bit of a clap. It is upsetting when people don't applaude your performance. Keep going, there will always be some people who don't appreciate what you/we do as musicians [quote name='Pete Academy' timestamp='1320576416' post='1428397'] A few years ago a customer came into our shop and said he'd had his PA amp modified by an electronics guy. He had a switch fitted, and he said before that nobody ever applauded his performance. However, when he flicked the switch, the audience clapped every time. [/quote] What did the switch do?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1320582504' post='1428493'] +1 for angling cab/using stand. Easiest option and uses little (if any) more floor space. I use one of these: [url="http://www.giggear.co.uk/p/MarkBass-Mark-Stand/"]http://www.giggear.c...ass-Mark-Stand/[/url] Bit pricey new, but they turn up second hand on here and can be folded flat for easy transport! [/quote] Mm that looks good. I've been looking for a more portable stand/angler solution. Seems to tilt quite far back without any support at the back. Have you ever had any stability problems?

Just a G string once when first attempting slap & pop. Still take a spare bass on stage at every single gig though. I'm totally paranoid about breaking one during a gig and not having an immediate replacement. hmmm, think I should change my strings this week.

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1320534718' post='1428219'] Oh and I got married - which was awesome [/quote] Congratulations! 2011 - bit of a mixed year for me +ves: Finished putting together an originals band to play music that I've written in a style that I love. Gigged a fair bit and did a bit of recording with them. Strong creative control. Played a few gigs with the covers band and met some excellent people through them. -ves: Politics within both bands can be tricky, availability can be an issue with some other members working shifts. I'm finding being a band leader for the first time quite difficult what with dealing with booking gigs, organising rehearsals, balancing different needs and expectations from the other members and writing all the music and lyrics for the originals band. Edit: Band politics have suddenly become very very tricky.

I suggest this all the time but what about an amp stand like this? [url="http://www.soundsavers.com/shop/musical-instruments/guitar-accessories/products/chord-adjustable-guitar-amplifier-stand-.html?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping+Results&utm_medium=Product+Feed"]http://www.soundsavers.com/shop/musical-instruments/guitar-accessories/products/chord-adjustable-guitar-amplifier-stand-.html?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping+Results&utm_medium=Product+Feed[/url] Obviously it depends on the size of your amp/cabinet but I swear by mine when using the little rig, never stuggle to hear myself.

congratulations! Love it when something just starts working. Had that happen recently with a song that I've been writing on and off for ages.

Cool, let me know.

oo when and where are you playing in Leicester?

[quote name='EskimoBassist' timestamp='1320103322' post='1422503'] LS-2 is your ultimate utility pedal for guitar/amp/line switching, for parallel chains and clean blending. The swiss army tool of the pedal world, it will do this a easily. [/quote] Right thanks for all the advice guys. Think I'll save this thread and if my 4-piece band falls apart then the next idea is a bass, drums and vocals trio (Kinda want to do this anyway). Things like this could be very useful