4-string-thing

Insulting and lazy keyboard player, singer thinks he's gods gift and they all expect you to lug their gear around.... I'd have told 'em to find someone else long ago...

They're on a Facebook group blacklist.... [url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/785366954866907/search/?query=Negart"]https://www.facebook.com/groups/785366954866907/search/?query=Negart[/url]

Bit of small metal tubing, just big enough to go over the screw.... cut a V in the end and use it in a hand drill or cordless drill on a slow speed. Cut the V so that there is one side of it straight and one at an angle. If you do it right, the straight edge cuts a hole around the screw and do it so it goes anti clockwise which helps loosen the screw. Its a bit like the hollow drill bit, but works in reverse.

The cheerful insanity of Giles, Giles & Fripp, In The Court Of The Crimson King & Counterpoints by Argent....

Wow, thanks for that bluesparky I'm not sure how much of it I actually understood, but I'll have a good re-read of it when I have more time and try to absorb it properly.... I've seen simple DMX controllers on ebay at very good prices, so I'm hoping something like that would do what we want....

I do remember the other thread started by Norris, but I must be a complete dummy coz I didn't understand much of it I also never really got to grips with MIDI either... Norris, we're from the same neck of the woods though so I may just have to pop along to one of your gigs and have a look at your system!

It's a mixture of cheap ebay purchases, they all have auto run, dmx and sound activated, but are all different manufacturers! It would be nice to just change colour every 10-20 seconds and then have the odd one flashing a bit on more lively tunes. I'm guessing a DMX controller and footswitch would be needed? Thanks Bottle, I never thought of Wikipedia, though I am googling DMX for dummies....

With the prospect of some gigs coming up in the autumn, I've bought a few LED PAR cans to make us look a bit more interesting when we play The Dog & Duck etc. Trouble is if they're sound activated or on chase mode, I'm worried it'll look like a 70's school disco. We don't want much flashing, just gentle fades from one colour to another maybe and a bit dimmer between songs. I understand there is DMX but I don't know anything about it, or how it works. I don't want to be fiddling about between songs, and obviously we don't want a sound/lights guy to be taking a share of our fee, so can anyone explain it to me in very basic laymans terms? And what else I need to buy to get it working... Thanks in advance!

To be fair, apart from the visual aspect, I'm ok with electronic kits and I'm sure my hearing will benefit in the long run! And as it won't be me that has to transport the kit or the PA, I should be happy! It also gives us the opportunity to record demos at home rather than going into a studio, as I can just plug it straight into my desk, DI the bass and shove the guitar amp in the hallway with a mic in front of it....

How did a "vocal only" PA cope with a bass drum?

When I was a kid we lived in a tiny, very old, stone cottage which came with my dads job. Apparently things were always being moved around in the night, my parents never told us as they thought we'd be scared. My mum told me recently, that one night she woke up freezing cold, thinking my dad had pulled the blankets off her, she put the bedside lamp on to find all the sheets and blankets had been taken off the bed and neatly folded up and placed on a blanket chest on the other side of the room. Years later I read a book on the history of the village and apparently our house had been previously occupied by a mother and son. The son came home drunk one night, got into an argument with his mother and pushed her down the stairs, killing her...

Actually, I think just the opposite... The early albums were just pretty trite pop songs or Rock n Roll covers and the albums after were patchy affairs which were not even played by "The Beatles" So, IMO it's the best Beatles album...

Well, yes it did go a bit too well.... My only issue is how the electronic drum kit looks on stage, but as I have just gone down the small, lightweight route with my rig, it would be a bit hypocritical to moan about him doing the same I suppose! I mean, for a true 60's image, I'd need a Fender Bassman with a 2x15 or a Vox with an 18" cab and a couple of Wem columns for the PA....

Had this with a singer once, she was diabetic and was always using that as an excuse to skip rehearsals (usually texting about an hour before) Sacked her after we found out she'd pulled out of a rehearsal and then had gone to sing at a charity do with the bands old drummer...

Well, that went rather well.... Tried out my old drumming mate tonight, he played really well, loves our material and is happy to commit to just the one band. Want's to rehearse weekly (Sunday evening, which is our preferred time) gig once or twice a month and doesn't mind playing my acoustic drum kit, which I've bought for peanuts and am picking up tomorrow (or his electronic kit if required) So, it looks like I've found the holy grail after all...

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1438767147' post='2836978'] I'm sure you would be upset if you didnt get a gig because your rig or bass didnt "look the part". And, having played in a couple of bands with electronic drums I can tell you its a complete game changer in term of the quality and controlability of the bands overall sound so long as there is decent amplification for it. Sure in one of the bands which was a blues band we had the odd purist grumble about how its not right etc but the vast majority of punters didnt care (assuming they even noticed). [/quote] Not really, as I think I have enough kit to cover pretty much any gig offered, and if not, I'd be prepared to get whatever was needed (except if they specified anything by Ampeg or Peavey) Although I was once turned down by an Oasis tribute because I didn't have a sunburst jazz.... Yes, electronic drums may well be a "game changer" but as the drummer has already said that they're a pain to transport, plus the fact that we'd need to use more P.A to amplify them, which is also a pain to transport, means that surely the cons outweigh the pros?

I know, who'd have thought it? And to think we've all wasted thousands on bass kit!

It is indeed, Annoying Twit, I've found a Mapex kit, just a few miles from me on Gumtree for £30! I'm buying it anyway, whether he wants to use it or not!

[quote name='Shedua511' timestamp='1438711209' post='2836633'] I love a good electronic drum kit: the really good one sound great, take up less space, are very easy to move, soundcheck takes a minute and volume is never a problem. OK, an acoustic kit looks cooler, but so does an upright bass [/quote] Strangely enough, he said it's a pain to transport. I can see that it's easier with regards to soundcheck and overall levels etc though. It's just the visual thing that I have problems with....

I think traditionally drummers have always been the hardest band members to find... And keep!

Actually, he is a pretty decent drummer, I've been in a band with him before so I know he can play. He has a wife and youngish kids so I know that one or two gigs a month is enough for him. I know drummers like to be in more than one band (for some reason) and guess that's acceptable to most (we were fine with it with our previous drummer, til it got too much for him, 4 bands was too many) The only issue I can see is the electronic drum kit, if he is happy to buy an acoustic kit for gigs, or even just play one that I buy, then it's not really an issue. I also know that finding a good drummer who is committed to just one band is nigh on impossible. We're auditioning him tomorrow and will see how things go....

Thing is, I don't want to be gigging that often, so one band is enough for me, same with the guitarist. I'm pretty sure this guy doesn't want to be out every weekend either. It's just we are reluctant to share "our" drummer because sooner or later it will cause a problem when dates clash. JTUK, you're right, try asking The Big Figure to play an electronic kit and see what happens!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1438601479' post='2835668'] I don't think so. A good band should be able to find paying gigs every Friday and Saturday night. Since these are really the only nights worth playing (unless you are sharing the bill with someone very well known with a large following), anyone considering being in a good band won't really have time for another gigging band. [/quote] Agreed! [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1438629050' post='2835949'] Anyone any good will be in demand... once it is known they are taking gigs. And if they are any good, they'll have better offers than a pub date. But if the band is decent, then you should be able to pay him £80 a gig and that might focus his mind a bit. Outline the plan... £250 for 2x45 min fee..and split 3 ways. If your new guy wants to play... buy him a kit..or he can buy his own and you can get those gigs. [/quote] Pubs round here don't generally pay £250, I was aiming for £180 between the 3 of us.... I have seen him play a gig with his electronic kit, it sounded ok but looked really naff. I know it's only a pub covers band, but we are trying to portray a bit of an image (somewhere between The Animals and Dr Feelgood) [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1438629346' post='2835951'] I refer you to the comment of the late, great Reg Presley: 'F**kin' drummers, I f**kin' s**t 'em!' [/quote] Indeed!

Actually Cheddatom, that thought had crossed my mind... I would probably be happy to fund a small, cheap kit and store it at my place for him. He is loaded though, and he has a much bigger house than me!

So, a few rehearsals and one gig in and everything is going well. Loads of songs being suggested and learnt and we're almost at the stage of looking for paid pub gigs, with a view to starting in a few months. Til then, do a few open mic nights and maybe support slots. I suggest recording a demo, get some decent photo's and maybe a bit of a biog etc to help with said gigs, all good so far. Guitarist is keen but drummer remains very quiet. At last rehearsal, he mentioned he'd joined another band so was now in 4! I could have predicted what was about to happen, but said nothing... Anyway, I got offered a very good deal by a local studio and was looking at dates to go in, drummer still says nothing, so I push him a bit which is when he tells me that he's leaving. Seems that he's more interested in the "psychedelic" band he's in than us (just sounds like badly played hippy dirge to me tbh) Bugger! We've got a spot at a plug in and play night this week.... This leads me up to where we stand at the minute. Auditioned a drummer last night, nice guy but a bit "tippy tappy" Got the impression that he thought he was too good for us (he plays bass and guitar as well) Neither me or the guitarist felt very comfortable and have pretty much decided that he's not our man (he also has other projects on the go) We have another guy auditioning on Wednesday, I know him and have played with him before, he loves our stuff and has no other bands on the go..... Great! He however, has just told me he now only has an electronic kit.... Great for practice but looks rubbish at gigs (we play 60's RnB) and is in his own words "a bugger to transport" Why can't things just be simple? Or am I worrying over nothing? (this has been known to be the case) All we want is a half-decent drummer, who only wants to play in one band and who owns a smallish, appropriate kit! How hard can it be? Rant over, sorry if it's a bit long!