TimR

Amazon workers Balloted for GMB Trade union membership. I don't know what the outcome was. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd11j9p9g0po

The things I buy 'from' Amazon, seem mainly to be 'through' Amazon. ie The goods come from a shop somewhere. That may well be someone's garage, but Amazon aren't buying from the manufacturer. As far as shops are concerned many are actually using Amazon or their own websites for sales and my local shop seems to have a lot of guys behind the desk continually on computers, I assume they're fulfilling online orders or on GuitarChat* all day. The shops need to up their game though which is a circular problem - skilled knowledgeable sales people need to be paid well, which means they have to make expensive sales. * Definitely not BassChat as they only have 10 basses in the shop.

Ultimately, regardless of the instrumentation on the original, if the guitarist can strum the chords and the singer can sing it, the rest is down to your arrangement.

I've never seen any reason to veto any song. It's 3 minutes. Play the thing and see how it goes down. I have voiced an opinion on songs that have been suggested that I've learned for previous bands that have bombed. But that's from past experinece rather than some 'feeling'.

It's called the Entertainment Business. While it's very romantic to think you can have fun amd make money playing only songs you like, if you don't treat it like entertainment and business, then you won't be either entertaining or making money. That means you have to put on an act and look like you're enjoying every number you play, even if you're not. As far as our band goes, and I've said it before, if the audience at every gig are asking you to play something they know, then you've chosen the wrong songs.

Elasticated material cover for the Bass Drum?

What about the other bands he plays in?

This is the bit I don't understand. There's a lack of communication that then breeds suspicion and mistrust. If you're upfront and tell everyone what's going on, then there's no problem. Some people do get a bit precious about other members being in other bands but that's their problem. As long as that member is available for all the gigs everyone else is available then there's not a problem. I've found that usually someone else isn't available for gigs when I have a potential clash, so that usually sorts itself out. Other than that, it's first come, first served. Certainly other members of the bands I'm in seem to put everything else first. Hence why I've found other bands to play in.

I agree, however, there are exceptions. No one should be touching Lemmy's bass. Ever. We are not worthy.

My old band made some printed lightweight material covers that sat over the 15" tops.

Vinyl looks to be about 2mx2m. Held up by photography backdrop stand and cable ties through reinforced rings. Think I'm going to get some black bungee ball toggles as the cable ties are a pain to deal with. https://www.diy.com/departments/4-ball-bungee-range-of-pack-size-loop-bungee-cords-tie-downs-for-tarpaulins-pack-of-10-/5056596110727_BQ.prd

Technically, if you're distance buying, you're trying before you're buying. You still have the option to return it if you don't like it. 🤔 There is no substitute to going to a shop with a wide range of instruments though.

If you just want to tidy up loads of cables then get a couple of rolls of velcro tape. https://www.screwfix.com/p/velcro-brand-black-self-gripping-ties-5m-x-30mm/74887

If you want to reduce cable mess to the mixer buy a snake/stagebox. Not too expensive vs the same number of XLR cables. And can use at a gig as its not installed as fixed wiring in your studio. https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Omnitronic-MUS-810-8-Channel-Stagebox/3ODK

That's some expensive speakers. 🤣 Not doing gigs is a bugbear of mine. Especially when the band is insisting on practices.

Yes. Sunk cost. Although it depends how many gigs you've done when you leave as to whether you think you've had your money's worth.

The problem with 'items' of equipment, is they're just that. They don't really have an intrinsic worth without the rest of the equipment. You would be doing just that (holding it to ransom). And if the band is still going, you end up with the same problem of discussing what it is worth. If the band dig their heels in and buy a new sub somewhere else out of principle, you're left with an item of equipment to try and sell. I also have a PA. I've tried selling it recently but no one is interested at the price I think it's worth. Problem is you can now get a pair of active speakers for under £500 new. So a pair of passive speakers and a power amp are going to be worth less than £200 if you can find anyone interested

That's frustrating. Hopefully the gear is getting a good workout now.

@Silvia Bluejay move to PA section?

There's a whole thread on shared ownership. You've done extremely well out of the deal if they've returned what you've paid out with no depreciation factored in. My take has always been: someone owns the PA and they get an extra "PA cut" for maintaining, storing and transporting the PA.

Valuing the present gear is the key. You're not going to get back 'your share of the cost'. So you first need to get a decent valuation and then you'll have to negotiate.

I was there. It was a job just to stay on your feet when a band came on and the weight of several thousand people pushes you forward. The mud didn't help. I don't think anyone thinks about it seriously until you're actually being crushed and can't breathe. Up to then it's all a bit of a laugh.

Yes. That's what I said in the 1st paragraph. Seems a bit odd to me that people make music and being in bands like some kind of 'team' activity. I'm just upfront. When I joined the first band I was in another band (I could see the writing was on the wall and was just hanibging around waiting for it to peter out). I told them so they all knew, and they didn't have a problem. Usually it's the other guys that can't make the gigs anyway.

I think moving on and then poaching other musicians isn't really a good look. Probably not helped when musicians feel they can only be in one band or the band thinks musicians should only be in one band. I'm playing in 3 bands at the moment. No one seems to be that worried. It's not like its a full time job. I've not had a practice with any of them in over a month.