TimR

14 hours ago, MrDinsdale said:

 

Did people get signature instruments and gear in the past because of their musical prowess or was it more of a commercial decision based of how much units they’d shift. I’m not sure that anything’s changed in that respect.

Its always gone on. Sponsorship, not necessarily signature instruments, that's a more recent phenomena with mass production making it simple to do a run of 1000 instruments all exactly the same. 

Certainly bands sponsored by strings companies, some BassChatters have got free strings for tours etc.

I imagine Paul McCartney got given a fair few basses. 

One tip is not to have bright lights pointing out at the audience from the stage. It makes you difficult to see. 

If you're going to have lights for the dance floor, have a good think about their location. If lights are to light up the band, they need to be at the front, as high up as possible, down onto the band. Side fills are ok, but they will put the band into silhouette if there's nothing from the front. 

You're not a disco, people want to be able to watch you. 

21 hours ago, Uncle Rodney said:

Ya know, I did give this some careful thought at the time, but I wasn't expecting the answerphone because Mr B was expecting my call.

I've found sometimes no matter how carefully I choose my words, it all depends how the receiver interprets them at that precise moment. For example asking "how are you?" can get "f**k off don't waste my time" because they are not the type of person who responds to that (apparently German people hate that question as do many Northeners).

Another "I'd like to talk with you regarding the band" can produce "why just not say it then!" or "you're not the BL so fo" and so on. It all depends how the person feels at that specific moment.

I think my on-the-spot message was "I'd like to talk to you about recent events in the band.."

 

As an aside I have used the "it's not you it's me" tactic and found some people REALLY hate that. My Hungarian friend (really nice young man) we were discussing this phrase and he got really animated! 🤣 He said "we eastern Europeans say exactly as we see it, if you smell we will say "YOU STINK! non of this nonsense you Brits comeout with." 🤣 I did laugh.

 

Shoot me 😆

Don't overthink it.

I left a band because people who knew my situation were too immature to recognise how it was affecting me mentally, even when I told them to cut me some slack. 

If you are not aware of things going on in his life that are preventing him from picking up the phone you can't temper your response accordingly.

If he has always been rubbish with comms, that may be why A wants to get rid of him. If it's a new new thing then it probably needs a chat, or he will walk anyway. 

Yeah, but what's with the thumb over the top of the fretboad?

Everything else pales into insignificance compared to that heinous crime. Even the faux leather engine driver's hat. 

I have 

Chauvet Obey 40

4x QTX LED parcans (4 channel)

4x Mini Led spots (6 channel)

Galaxian Gem LED Moonflower and Lazer (5 channel)

2x 8 Led Moving Head lights (7/12 Channel modes)

With the wireless I'm ulltimately planning on having 2 pairs of parcans either side of the stage linked locally by cable with a wireless receiver on each pair.

The Moving Heads just linked with a single cable and wireless reciever to one. 

4x mini spots along the front all linked via cable with 1st one wireless receiver. 

The Laser/moonflower to light the audience I'm thinking it can go anywhere now, where previously it was behind the band - not ideal. But it doesn't seem to have many useful modes. Just speed and direction of rotation of the laser and 8 preset chases for the moonflower plus speed.

I'm likely to operate the moving heads by switching between sound mode so they pan and tilt on their own, and then stop with a set colour as a chase. Programming in a slow pan and tilt is a mission that I haven't got to grips with yet.

The kit comes with 3 receivers, but can add more later. 

Learn Binary, you may find some fixtures still have dip switches for addressing. But it helps if you can visualise the assignments.

Try and assign each DMX fixture 8 channels (or one page) even if they only need 5 or 6.

Some may need 12 or more, but most seem to need at least more than 4 but less than 8. 

Then set them out logically before plugging any DMX cables in.

Parcan 1 - Address 1 - 00000001

Parcan 2 - Address 9 - 00001001

Parcan 3 - Address 17 - 00010001

Parcan 4 - Address 25 - 00011001

Etc.

Although if you are using software this is probably less important. 

I have a Chauvet Obey 40. It's only been used at home so far but I did use one in a band about 20 years ago and setting up 5 simple chases and using the 'rate' slider to vary the speed of the chases was all I needed. Select a different chase each song. 

About to buy some WiFi transmitter/receivers as the amount of long cables that have to be run and packed up. It'll pay for itself in cables and time. 

Currently only DMX control is 4 mini spotlights linked together with one as master (and sound to light) and everything else is just sound to light solo. It can look a bit manic. 

I have

4 8" led Par Cans

4 mini Led spotlights

2 Moving head lights.

We have a laser with coloured lights in it as well.

I link the 4 mini Led lights together spread across the front to illuminate the band.

2 of the par Cans on stands either side.

The 2 moving heads linked together and they mimic each other in reflection.

It's ok but the sound to light just means random flashing lights all over the shop. 

I also have a Chauvet Obey 40 controller. I've played with the controller at home with everything connected but it's too many cables to connect. Next purchase will be WiFi DMX transmitter and rechargeable receivers. 

My plan is then to take everything off sound to light and program some simple chases where everything is a bit less manic. Will leave the moving heads in auto as programming sweeps with them is challenging using the Obey. 

I am eagerly awaiting his forthcoming video where he quotes from a load of old blokes on one of those old fashioned forums, and finally answers the age old questions; What bass is best for metal? Which is the best Jazz or Precision? Rounds or Flats? Can I mix cabs and heads? 

I went to the tip today with a load of polystyrene. 

No one asked for it. I Didn't even ask for it, it came around a cupboard my daughter bought. 

If you wanted it, too late, it's gone. 

10 hours ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

New pure-tone socket on the left, crappy flimsy cheapo rubbish original socket on the right.

7 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

That flmsy socket looks a long way from becoming unreliable. Tne contact is virtually aligned with the midline of the socket.

This is a really good demonstration of exactly what rubbish is.

One thing that, to one person, is no longer usable, or fit for purpose, so they are going to throw it away.

The same thing, someone else would possibly be prepared to buy from them.

The real question is; whether Jean-Luc has thrown it away, sold it, or put it in their spare parts box...

I see this sometimes at the local council tip. Wonder why people are throwing things away that look perfectly useful. And I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason for it, but you're not allowed to buy and sell things at the tip. Although I have seen people taking items off people as they're emptying their cars. 

So is it rubbish, or is it ready to be recycled? A lot of rubbish music seems to have been recycled by various people. 

Ha!

I have Lozz's Keeley compressor, which I bought from him 4 years ago.

It's brilliant. Always on. 

I am not tiny! 

I am still in. Truss rod adjusted last month - seems the saddles are at the lowest they'll go. Still plays well. 

A friend of mine died last month. 65.

Our drummer is going in for stents next week. 60.

A manager at work had a heart attack- has been off for 4 weeks so far. Stents fitted. 48.

Stay safe everyone. 

What is B doing wrong that is preventing you from progressing? 

Where do you hope to progress to and when? Is everyone else 100% on board and capable of committing to playing at that new level? 

The best musician is the one that can make the gigs. 

4 hours ago, Dan Dare said:

If I'm reading this correctly, it appears the venue wants 10% for recommending bands to those who book the place if those bands actually get a booking. Given that agents charge at least that in commission, it doesn't seem too bad.

 

Perhaps I'm missing something.

Yes. Quite.

2022 post so presumably post pandemic. Venues were trying anything to recoup losses back then. 

A search for 'lift up arms' with Office Chair, Gaming Chair, musician's chair comes up with a few ideas.

https://amzn.eu/d/0rmqpAr

Gaming Chair

https://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/modul-Studio-Chair-Black-and-Grey/5889?origin=product-ads&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22258054978&gclid=CjwKCAiA24XJBhBXEiwAXElO3xJyDdPbrq7F3sGRBxa_hAq3q-dlTLleDRrYUjB-6z0xhpQ1o7LIhRoCn7kQAvD_BwE

Think the IKEA one isn't going to work as ideally want the arms on and off.

And the Herman Miller ones are what we use at work. Keeping hold of a working one is impossible. I'm considering chaining mine down. 😬

Looking to replace our home office chair. The current one was selected by my son as a computer gamer chair. It's been heavily used and abused and needs to go.

I'm looking for something that I can sit and play bass on. ie removable arms or arms that can adjust well out of the way.

What are you using? 

Many many years ago...

http://www.thomann.de/gb/keith_mcmillen_batt_o_meter.htm

The artists will have to decide which sellers will give them the best price for acting as ticket agent. 

Otherwise there won't be any ticket agencies. 

Aklot currently £32 on Amazon. 

11 hours ago, Misdee said:

Could I just say how refreshing it is for someone to ask a question about actually playing the bass.

That's only because he's posted in the wrong sub-forum. Should be in the Theory and Technique section...

https://www.basschat.co.uk/forum/31-theory-and-technique/

Which IMO should be listed above General at the top of the forum and not 4 page scrolls down on the phone.

I have a great app on my phone called Chordbot Lite. 

You can program chord progressions in and then play along. 

I'm sure there are other apps and PC programs but this is incredibly simple and intuitive to use. 

Its that time of year when my wife tells me not to buy anything and to put it on my christmas list.

Unfortunately the dog has eaten all my socks and I'm down to my laat two pairs. So I bought some more on Saturday. So.

1. Socks

I also bought 2 pairs of jeans brown and black - as I can't wear my curent ones out for any Xmas parties.

2. Jeans (I may or may not wear them, then they can be wrapped and I'll open them)

3. Trail running shoes - I'll buy them and they can wrap them.

4. DMX WiFi transmitter/recievers - I'll ask for Amazon vouchers and buy them after.

5. A new bass - no idea what, 3 string, possibly Ibanez - I don't need one - I doubt I'll find one....

1-3 are dead certs.

4 I may change my mind.

5 may stay on the list for the next 10 years...

10 still in I think.