4-string-thing

[quote name='tarcher' post='722208' date='Jan 23 2010, 02:47 PM']Whenever I buy something for myself I usually get something for my wife. The last time I bought her a new bag and belt. I was happy,new bass. She was happy and the Hoover works really well too. [/quote] My g/f wants to know if you're still married?

I think my problem is that I've never been one for learning things "note for note" I'll probably do what I usually do when playing covers, play something thats pretty approximate and add, or subtract, bits when I feel the need without going OTT. Its an Oasis tribute, so as long as they have a Liam and Noel, the rest of us can be pretty anonymous, I suppose (no wigs needed then)

[quote name='teaser360' post='722036' date='Jan 23 2010, 11:33 AM']Im looking for a courier to collect 2 basses from the Uk to Ireland, and the same courier to collect 1 bass from the same address and return it to the uk, any ideas people?[/quote] At work, In Leicester, we use Fastway, they seem ok and cheaper than most, not sure they go to Ireland though. My g/f reckons you should google "send it now" and there are some cheap couriers there.

OK, after a couple of months without a band, I've got myself an audition for a tribute band this week. I have never been in a tribute band and to be fair, it's not really my cup of meat, but a gigs a gig, right? And they do get some pretty well paid gigs. The bass lines on the original bands records are to be fair, pretty simple (some might say boring) so how do I approach things? Stick to the recordings and get bored out of my brains, or embellish things a bit to show off my chops (such as they are)? I suppose I could ask the guy what they're looking for, but I don't want to sound too keen/stupid. Suggestions, much appreciated, as always! Mark.

I told the guitarist, in the pub after a rehearsal. It had been a funny rehearsal, fiddler moaning about me getting them "the same old rubbish gigs" when I was the only one who actually got any gigs! I told them I was looking forward to doing the gigs in 4star hotels that she would be getting from then on. Only the guitarist could be bothered to go to the pub that night (usually we all went) he asked me to reconsider coz they would fold without me. When I asked why, he said " coz you do all the work, and without you we don't have a P.A system" The rest got a multiple text the next day! The singer and drummer both left within a week..... Mind you, I regret it now, cos we were a pretty good band, and nothing anywhere near as good has come along since. I'm sure you have thought about it a lot, but be absolutely sure you are doing the right thing.

[quote name='richardrickenbacker' post='718405' date='Jan 19 2010, 09:04 PM']I'd say that the Proclaimers 500 miles is a bad area of the covers set.[/quote] The folk-rock band I used to be in spent hours working on arrangements of trad songs, none of which went down as well as this song that we did for an encore! Bloody typical!

[quote name='7string' post='717358' date='Jan 18 2010, 11:37 PM']That what ex's are like. My ex-wife still has my coveted Trace Elliot baseball jacket. I'd rather lose the jacket than still have her around....[/quote] I'd rather lose my testicles than have my ex around!

[quote name='Sarah5string' post='718317' date='Jan 19 2010, 08:00 PM']Why not start your own band if there's no bands YOU want to join?[/quote] Yes Sarah, have tried that too. It's just as hard to find individuals as it is to find a band. I started a band a few years ago and spent the next 4 years doing all the work! Which is why I am looking for a band that is already up and running.

[b]oops - thats hilarious - you're as young as you feel I suppose. Anyway, great your still rockin grandad! Wow someone's older than me. Slightly.... 46 [/b] Er, thanks chaps. I suppose I might as well sell my gear after all then. I mean, it's only a matter of time before arthritis sets in and my fingers stop working!

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated! I guess you're right, giving up and selling my gear would be a pretty stupid thing to do! I will probably try the open mic night approach, as I find trawling through the "musician wanted" ads the most depressing thing ,doesn't anyone want to play anything other than metal or blues? As for the guy who said, wait til you're middle aged, I had to laugh, I'm 47! (nice one, though) Mark.

I quit the band I was in about 8 weeks ago, coz I didn't like the guitarist and was fed up with him abusing everyone (his idea of humour) Now, I'm depressed because there are no suitable bands out there and I'm sick of playing at home alone. So depressed in fact, that I'm thinking of selling all my gear and giving up music altogether! Anyone else ever felt like this? If so, how did you get yourself out of it?

[quote name='Linus27' post='712504' date='Jan 14 2010, 01:05 PM']I've ordered a Corvette in Ash. I think it looks yummy but no different to the last whever amount of years.[/quote] Excellent choice sir!

In Leicester there's a really good guy called Jacob Bonner, who plays in a few bands. The Splitters, Pig Iron Joe and Jiggy are 3 that I know of, he's well worth a look. Big tall dude with dreads, never looks at his bass while playing, just stares ahead into space!

I dream of being in a blues band called Little Willy & The Slip-ups, except I hate the blues.....

I doubt very much that Adam Clayton gives a toss about what people on here think about him, his playing or his bass. He's probably too busy touring the world and checking his bank balance! Good luck to him.

[quote name='rjb' post='706387' date='Jan 9 2010, 11:05 AM']Knowing BC I can already see how that would work out. Uncool: Warwick, Spector Cool: Fender, Musicman Sub Zero: Celinder, Sadowsky [/quote] Thats me screwed then, as I own a Warwick and a Fender and think they're both cool! Mind you, anything Ampeg is seriously uncool! (ducks and covers head with hands)

Bump!

Underrated: Dave Pegg and Ashley Hutchings. Anyone heard Hutchings bassline on Fairports Tam Lin? Jeez... Oh, and Danny Thompson! Overrated: Me, the singer from my old band just described me on facebook as a "musician" Oh, and whilst on Youtube, came across Mr Wooten doing Norwegian Wood....obviously a very, very talented bass player, and whilst I had to admire his playing, I got bored before the end of the song! Still wish I had a tenth of his talent though....

I am one of the Otway 900! I "sang" backing vocals on his version of House Of The Rising Sun (the B side of his 2002 hit, Bunsen Burner) along with 900 other members of his "choir" Its probably the only time I will get to record at Abbey Road! I also bought Keith Allen a beer once, when he did 3 nights of stand up in Leicester, around 1982. Oh, almost forgot, my last band supported Basil Brush at the Loughborough christmas lights switch on a couple of years ago!

[quote name='bassmansky' post='694801' date='Dec 28 2009, 12:38 PM']theres still a good deal on a mag 600w amp online.£230 i think.good price for 600w imo.[/quote] I've seen that, but would be worried about having too much power for my cabs.

[quote name='chris_b' post='694198' date='Dec 27 2009, 12:16 PM']If you're keen on Acoustic, I'd get your amps serviced/fixed and just carry a very cheap amp as a backup. Have you seen this site for Acoustic fans? [url="http://acoustic.homeunix.net/twiki/bin/view/Acoustic"]http://acoustic.homeunix.net/twiki/bin/view/Acoustic[/url][/quote] Hi, yes, I've been a member on the Acoustic forum for a while. I see what you mean about getting the thing serviced and buying a cheap head for backup. I bought a non-working Acoustic 120 for that very purpose, but it looks like its gonna cost more to get it fixed than it cost me in the first place! Besides, a bit of variety is no bad thing....

[quote name='chris_b' post='694173' date='Dec 27 2009, 11:46 AM']Hi Mark, I think your amp is better than your cabs. I've heard the 220 through an EV cab and it sounded great, so in your place I think I would look to change the cabs first. You'd be surprised how good modern cabs sound these days, smaller, lighter, better tone and more powerful![/quote] Hi Chris, problem is, I'm not looking for something that sounds better (I doubt there is any amp made that sounds better than an old Acoustic) just something that is maybe a bit louder and that I won't find myself wondering if it's going to let me down at a gig.

[quote name='maxrossell' post='694157' date='Dec 27 2009, 11:03 AM']Try a guitar amp head. Might not necessarily be your thing if you're going for a high-fidelity sound, but these days every time I've stuck a bass into a decent valve guitar head I've found a sound I liked about a billion times better than any bass amp.[/quote] Hmmm, in the 70's I used a Marshall superlead, and it was ok but surely a decent valve head is going to be way over my budget?

[quote name='umph' post='693838' date='Dec 26 2009, 05:30 PM']if it's not broken why fix it?[/quote] I see your point, but I look at it this way, it's 30 years old, how much longer can it go on for? And it seems sensible to have a spare amp. The other Acoustic head I have, has blown and doesn't look like its going to get fixed anytime soon. Besides, I have amp GAS!

Ok, here's the plan. My beloved Acoustic 220 head has reached the ripe old age of 30 and I've decided to semi retire the old girl. I'm in the market for something to replace her at gigs, MY budget is around £250 and I need something of around 250/300watts. I have been looking at a few heads and was hoping for some opinions on the following. Ashdown Mag 300, Little Giant 350, Hartke HA2500, or maybe a Warwick? I play Rock or Folk-Rock using a Warwick Corvette and a 78 Precision and want a clean, punchy sound. I'll be using it with my Acoustic 2x15 and home-built 2X10 cabs. All comments appreciated. Mark Kinton.