The Admiral

Immigration officers work in mysterious ways it seems. My brothers goddaughter - British - met a lad whilst at college in the USA, and they were engaged after 2 years of dating. She finished Uni inn the USA and came home, and he followed later, for a 4 week holiday, before he needed to return to the US to take up a coveted job at the Uni as a teaching assistant. Arrives at Heathrow wearing a Premier League football shirt and carrying a rucksack, gets pulled in for interview. Explains the situation - engaged, holiday, staying with fiancee's family, has a job he has to go back to take up etc. They searched his stuff, then quizzed him on how much money he had with him, and he showed them his £500 in cash. Result : You can't survive on £500 for 4 weeks, so straight back on the plane home. Not allowed to call fiancee who was waiting in arrivals about 100 yards away, no attempt to contact her parents (who were with her) to confirm that he was indeed their guest and would need no money for hotels etc. 2 hours later he was back on the plane home (and denied entry to the UK for 12 months I believe). That was 7 years ago. They are now married and live in the USA, where she is a citizen. Clearly, we can all suggest there must be more to it, but I can assure all readers, he's the nicest, straightest, cleverest, most honest lad, and least likely 'dodgy tourist' you could hope to meet. Doesn't even drink or smoke and has very respectful 'southern' manners and certainly wouldn't have given them any lip. All a bit random, but thats how it works it seems.

Joking aside I once saw a Jamaican sound system with a couple of wardrobes converted to 2 x 18s! Mad bass, but probably needed about 10 blokes to lift each one.

We moved in April and I've got 40+ top quality removal boxes which I want rid of. The movers didnt want them back, so if you are moving or putting stuff in storage, these are ideal : made for the job, stack brilliantly, and in two sizes - book boxes, for books and CDs etc, and larger ones for duvets, clothes, kitchen stuff etc. Yours if you collect - Gnosall, Staffs.

I remember the thread. The guy was using a cheap storage place - might even have been on farmers property, or a tired industrial unit, and the lot burned down. His insurance covered him for about £100 IIRC, and he posted recently saying something along the lines of ' the loss has killed his desire to play', and it was a lot of money he lost - a couple of top end Warwicks I think at least. Terrible situation. Definitely read the insurance small print carefully - the unit I had, from a big name, specifically excluded musical instruments beyond about £250 I think, so I kept my gear at home and stored other stuff! I'd also suggest taking pictures of everything, and making a note of all the serial numbers, as well as creating an inventory list with current valuations, if you can get your local dealer to give you a 'valuation for insurance' on headed paper.

[quote name='JamesTun' timestamp='1412551629' post='2569955'] Thought it was a pretty amazing documentary. Hackett is bitter isn't he? I relish his solo work. But to bitch and moan about not getting enough air time is stereotypical of an egocentric guitarist. [/quote] Depends what your expectation is I think. Hackett's Facebook page makes it pretty clear that he was assured that everyone's careers, both within the band and solo, would be given equal air time. Naive? Probably - he's had no career in the limelight post Geneis, at least not in a mainstream way , as per Gabriel and Collins. Why would they give him as much time for his solo work - as for So, or Face Value? That said, if that what he was promised, and it may even have been a condition of him taking part, then why wouldn't he be pissed off. He may feel he was strung along to get him to turn up for the photo opportunity.

[quote name='wombatboter' timestamp='1412515264' post='2569479'] The body language of Tony Banks was very clear :-) [/quote] This for me was the most fascinating aspect - they all looked pretty uncomfortable I thought, but I don't think Tony Banks did himself any favours. He came across as bitter and envious I thought, certainly of the success Collins and Gabriel have enjoyed, and for me, this was rooted in the belief that he's the most accomplished musician in the band, but hasn't enjoyed the success he feels that merits. Gabriel is an ok keyboard player and drummer, Collins plays mongrel piano, and might be a crack drummer, but he's not had a proper musical education - "so why them, not me" kind of attitude. He reminded me rather of an arrogant schoolteacher, who can't stand the thought of the kids who he considered thick and useless, turning up at the school reunion in a nice car, and clearly having been more successful and now more wealthy than he ever was or will be. Steve Hackett got a pretty raw deal too IMHO, with the original school band guitarist getting more air time. Gabriel was well out of it from what I can see, and it was telling that Collins is still made to feel like the junior member of the band, and is quite clearly the grudgingly accepted senior NCO, and not an officer and gentleman in the manner of Rutherford and Banks.

A local Gumtree ad (not mine by the way) : Ibby RDGR bass - with some damage, but savable I would think. And just £35!!! http://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/ibanez-rdgr-bass-guitar-for-sale/1082413374

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1411545215' post='2560447'] $100 a man or the gig..?? As for the quality of player... many guys with very good CV's are out there turning over money. £150 a gig..which is what a function will easily pay will get guys willing to travel from 100 miles away. Local guys on gigs round here have played with Groove Amarda, Take That, L42, Nik Kershaw, Paul Young, Bryan Ferry AC/DC, Texas etc, etc etc and you can get these guys for pub money IF they haven't got anything else AND you are a good gig. Some of these guys are still getting the top gigs but most have made their money. The younger guys will take TOP rated gigs for the same function money as the older dudes will go out for so this has pushed some of the older guys out of London in terms of the going rate. The relationship between player and booker is based on trust so you have to do as well as you can for these guys but they still want to get out and play for a decent gig. [/quote] $100 a man, and that's based on being a great player, but I take the point about whether it's better to be out playing for average or poor fees, rather than sat at home earning nothing. I think in the case of the guy I talking about, he's had enough of dragging his gear across the city for a long gig, and earning $100 - getting in at 2 or 3 a.m.. He still takes the odd corporate gig with a big name - he picked up $8500 for a credit card company convention party the other year, plus private jet to and from - to the Caribbean, so it's not all grim, but he now has other business interests, which make him more money for less work, so the necessity of gigging is less.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1411610110' post='2561186'] I have been out running every weekend either gigging or checking out other bands for the last 50 years and have no regrets. I am going to run the tires off of my life and I'll have a lot of great memories. Blue Blue [/quote] Great attitude - "we only pass this way but once" as the saying goes. I do think there is a bit of a cultural issue here too, insofar as I have friends in NYC and NJ who are professional musicians, and I've been at social functions where it's clear when this comes out, that the person they are talking to (usually a banker, real estate agent, lawyer etc.) sees this as being shall we say, less than worthy - as if it's not a real job and they have in some way let the side down by not buying into the 'American Dream' of making as much money as possible, and whoever dies with the most wins. And this is in a country where what you do and what you earn is a significant signifier and arbiter of your social standing, far more so I think than in the UK. Also, those who are doing well financially are very happy to let people know about it in the USA, sometimes openly talking about how much they earn - which in the UK is still regarding as very non U : the discussion of money remaining a slightly vulgar subject. I remember tagging along to a fund raiser one of my friends was playing, in a bar in Manhattan, for a Republican candidate in one of the local elections. It was after office hours, and the place quickly filled up with very intense and earnest fresh faced and well scrubbed young men and women of all ethnicities. I actually found it profoundly sad, as the desperate, clawing career climbing vibe coming off them was palpable, and I had several conversations where as soon as it was clear I was not someone who could do anything for them, they were off like a shot to talk to someone else. Also - the musicians were actually dealt with as if they were performing monkeys - back to that point about respect driven by profession etc. Clearly it's not universal, one of my friends best buddies is a dentist, who is a great keys player and a thoroughly lovely guy - who just happens to make a lot of many as a dentist, but doesn't let that define him.

Just seen one advertised locally for a very attractive price. Anyone any experience? Thanks

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1410364027' post='2548593'] We are a 4 piece, we won't turn the car ignition on for less than $100.00 US green backs per man. Again, it's a little different in the US most bar/club gigs are 4 hours. Blue [/quote] I know a guitar player based in New York who has played sessions on a good few hit albums, toured with the likes of Vince Gill, Bo Diddley etc. and gets offered big tours quite regularly. He was telling me that the fee for a standard bar NYC gig has been around $100 a night for the last 10 - 15 years plus, and that's for 3 - 4 hours, which is why he's spending hardly any time playing now and more on his gym and personal training business. He loves to play, he's a very, very good player, but it's just not worth it for the money - and he can't take the big tours any more as he has commited to being at home more whilst his daughter grows up. The USA market in my experience expects far more ability and quality for the money than the UK - not least because there are so many good musicians and great bands - all looking for a gig, they can afford to be fussy and pay crap fees. That may only be a New York thing, and it's different in the sticks, but I'm amazed at the quality of muso I have seen in bars in the USA -and on more than one occasion.

I missed this : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Odyssey-Korean-wide-neck-48mm-nut-acousto-electric-for-big-hands-with-hard-case-/191333407117?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c8c5c198d

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1411386970' post='2558934'] Well I've told them... Kept it brief... They have got somebody waiting in the wings to fill in anyway, but they want to borrow my rig for three months. NOPE! [/quote] FWIW. My thoughts are - My Spidey senses make me suspect that this is being driven by the other girlfriends and one in particular, and they have been pulling strings for some time - not least because they conveniently have another bass player waiting in the wings. The old pillow talk persuasion can be corrosive and the last thing you want is for the singers girlfriend to be poisoning him against you and this to ultimately come between you and your partner. The things to do now are : A) walk immediately, and put together the band with your GF and be significantly more popular than the band you leave. Life's too short for dealing with this kind of sh*t, and given how good you are (born out by independent BC brethren ), you'll never want for a gig. Covers bands are easier to find than special women. Good luck.

I copy a lot of CDs fron iTunes. I've bought the original, but I don't like taking the original out in the car, so I just rip them - and if they get nicked or trashed (ably assisted by Mrs A not putting them back in the wallets), it doesn't matter. The original, complete with nice booklet, gets stored safely.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1411162574' post='2557254'] Yes, some of the threads did get nastily personal and that's a shame. I will point out that there's nothing to stop anyone from following his listings on eBay in order to appreciate his inimitable selling style though, as he's still very much in business! A quick search for "Wide neck guitar" will invariably turn up some of his work... [/quote] Ah yes, found straight away. If you don't fancy a wide neck guitar, he's also got a Pacifica, which still had the tags on, which he's hard tailed with a block under the plate, and a very innovative fitting of a J pick up to a P, plus a replacement tuner, which has been 'jauntily' positioned. The highlight though is the Fender Jag body, with a Peavey Predator neck fitted. ( having been first sanded to a tele style headstock shape), and with a positive United Nations of tuner finishes, black, gold, and silver. Fascinating.

What happened to our old friend, I haven't managed to find any of his work recently, or is this now a bit like discussing Rickenba*kers - very non PC?

We lost my brother-in-law to lung cancer last year and whilst he didn't have a bucket list, we were aware of a number of things he'd always wanted to do, and consequently the family all chipped in: zoo keeper for a day, helicopter flight, wind tunnel sky diving etc. but the thing that gave him most joy was being a granddad for the first time. They gave him 6 months and he managed 4.5 years, and saw his granddaughter walk and talk : she still talks about him now. Nothing wrong with having things you want to do, but I'd agree it's the crapping on about it that is slightly distasteful.

But has your guitarist got a 'voice box' all a Pete Frampton and Richie Sambora? Great if done well - but hard to master.

Sweet - Wig Wam Bam Shang a lang - Bay City Rollers Tiger Feet - Mud 48 Cv rash and Devil Gate Drive Suzi Quattro See my baby jive - Wizzard California Man - The Move The Witch queen of New Orleans - Redbone Spanish Stroll - Mink De Ville Roll away the stone - Mott the hoople Love is the drug - Roxy Music Marc Bolan - too many to choose from, but 20th Century boy is a banker (but please don't do it with the 'Robin Hood' lyric. It's actually - Friends say it's fine, friends say it's good, Ev'rybody says it's just like rock'n'roll, I move like a cat, charge like a ram) Slade - ditto Bowie - Jean Genie Not strictly glam, but still 1970s The boys are back in town - Thin Lizzy Lust for life - Iggy Pop My Sharona - The Knack King Rocker - Gen X Down at the doctors/Milk and alcohol - Dr Feelgood Doctor Doctor - UFO (and who doesn't want to do a bit of Pete Way chugging) Silver Machine - Hawkwind Black Night - Deep Purple 2 4 6 8 motorway - TRB EVER FALLEN IN LOVE - Buzzcocks

I'll take it - let me know what you need for postage. PM sent.

I'll take it off your hands if I may?

Is this still doing the rounds? I wouldn't mind a read if it's available. Thanks

When I lived in Manchester I ran a successful monthly live music night for a couple of years, but, due to family and work commitments had to close it down. I’ve recently moved to rural Staffordshire and it feels as if it might be time to start up again, not least because there isn’t much going on very locally, other than some open mics and pub covers bands in one of the locals on a Saturday. I’m looking at a folk/Americana/blues genre – with mostly acoustic acts, but the occasional electric band. We have a very good local community hall, which is about badminton court sized, is cheap to hire, and has kitchens and a bar - I’m looking to make it a pretty intimate ‘house concert’ type vibe. I have a mate who is an engineer, who will run the FOH sound etc., so that bit feels pretty evolved – but the bit I’m unsure about, and where I’d welcome a bit of input is regarding two things : when, and how much? [b]When?[/b] I used to run on the last Thursday of the month, as that was down to the availability of the venue, and I wanted to be close to pay day. I don’t have the constraint of working to the venues agenda now, so I’m thinking either a Friday or a Saturday, and probably the latter. Also, I’m thinking of the first Saturday in the month, given that most people get paid either at the end of the month, or the 1[sup]st[/sup], I’m looking to catch people whilst they still have some money in their pockets. So, Friday or Saturday? [b]How much?[/b] I was charging £7.00, which was entry only, and for that you got a semi pro support for 30 mins and a pro headliner for 2 x 45s. For context – I put on the likes of Amy Wadge, Clive Gregson, Michael Weston-King and Angie Palmer : all good Bob Harris friendly fare, and great acts. An example of the quality and genre I’m looking at – Amy Wadge at Little Rabbit Barn in Colchester (who charge £10 for minimum donations – which gets around a lot of the health and safety crap associated with charging entrance I believe): [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLEjejD6Edw"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLEjejD6Edw[/url] I’d like to charge ('donations') at a tenner too, but everybody I have spoken to locally (based on village events like PTA socials etc.) says that it’s too much for the area, and people won’t pay it, but am I being unreasonable? A great Saturday night out, with 2 excellent acts, for £10 a head? It’s certainly a rural community, but that’s not a lot these days surely? All thoughts welcomed. Thanks.

Guts of a Steinberger transferred to a custom body? It could of course be a prototype and wiser heads will probably arrive shortly to advise!

Out for lunch with the Mrs today and dropped into a pub we've not tried before. Landlord is a big music fan, and has a great shelf of books to read whilst drinking. I found my self flicking through a 1970s book on Fenders, and Pete Frame's Rock family Trees from 1982. (Who knew Chas from Cash and Dave used to play with Ritchie Blackmore??) In the Fender book was a picture of a bass I've never heard of - a Fender V, from 1964, which was their first 5 string, with a 34 inch scale, but a 15 fret neck and the 'extra' string being a C. This actually gives no more note options than a standard 4 string as far as I can see, but spreads it across 5 strings! Weird. Anyone see one or played one? I found this on the net - from 1970 - yours for $4,000.