uncle psychosis

Glad you're enjoying the new setup. I do, however, always think its a bit strange that people say things like "I don't like active basses", as if all active basses are the same (or passive basses for that matter). Its not a dividing line that makes sense to me.

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1399025666' post='2440067'] Secondly, head offices of music retailers are sales driven. In order to have funds to constantly buy new stock, you have to sell stuff. This means sales targets and staff who are employed to SELL. As a manager who is responsible for a SALES team who have to hit certain figures, do you honestly think they'll encourage their sales staff to spend 2 hours with a group of 15 year olds wanting to try (thrash) a £3k Les Paul and ignore customers who actually want to make a purchase?! Of course not. And whilst those 15 year olds are the future buyers, board members and senior management want money in the tills TODAY, not in 10 years time. It's sad that these pressures create an often frustrating environment but the attitude of the sales staff is often born from the pressures to sell that they get from above. [/quote] Except the common complaint about music shops isn't that you get the hard sell. Its that the staff are unhelpful, rude, and seemingly uninterested in selling you [i]anything[/i]. If someone at my work asks me to do something for them, I don't keep them standing at my desk for 10 minutes before shrugging and giving them the brush off! I'm not a teenager. I'm a 30-something who dresses reasonably well. I always ask (politely) if its ok to try gear. I don't mind being asked to remove a belt or jacket before playing. And still---still---I get left standing like a chump for 15 minutes whilst the grumpy gits behind the till stand around chatting despite telling you "yep, I'll just get you a cable, with you in a minute..." [quote]Having worked in music retail, there's nothing more annoying than talking to a customer who asks for something really specific and cool and you don't have it in stock because it wasn't part of the stocking plan and then you HAVE to say (whilst hating yourself for being THAT guy), 'Im sorry we don't have it in stock but we can order it for you'.... [/quote] That probably is annoying, but if a customer asks you for something and you tell them you'll phone them when you get it in (like in the first post in the thread) then you're doing something seriously wrong if you then don't (like in the first post in the thread). I understand that retail is a tough gig. But even given the constraints they operate under most music shops do an utterly pisspoor job.

[quote name='notable9' timestamp='1399023182' post='2440020'] I'm not surprised at the attitude of some retailers. You've got to see all of this from their point of view. Can you imagine running a green grocers with customers coming in and trying the fruit leaving apples, oranges and bananas left half eaten on the side.....I know that sounds ridiculous but the analogy kinda stacks up. Its Saturday afternoon and a group of spotty youf walk in and one grabs a brand new 1500 quid bass of the wall and starts hammering on it, and yes and he's wearing a buckle, and a fashion jacket covered in bits and bobs, and you just know he ain't gonna buy that thing. I can only imagine it must be a a very difficult balancing act running a music shop where you have to let customers try things which at the end of the day need to be sold, and trying to keep your stock in tiptop condition. [/quote] I see where you're coming from...but frankly I don't agree. Bits of my job are really hard. That doesn't mean I don't bother my arse when it comes to working. Sometimes I have to do things that aren't fun, aren't easy, and aren't very rewarding---but thats why I get paid to do it instead of being a volunteer.

[quote name='spinynorman' timestamp='1398897267' post='2438928'] Morally doesn't come into it. You can put it up on eBay with a BIN set at what you paid + postage + handling charge + restocking fee and have hoards of stinking scum wave their genitals at your magnificent offer. Or you can put it in an eBay auction starting at 99p, so stinking scum can force you to sell it to them for half what you paid. Or you can put it on Basschat, where fragrant angels will sing of how they would buy it if only it was something it isn't; or if only they had some money, which they don't; or if only they hadn't bought exactly the same thing yesterday from their local music shop for twice what you're asking. It's amazing anyone ever sells anything. [/quote] Genuinely lol'd at that. Top work!

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1398732613' post='2437115'] Whatever else happens, he was in The Smiths. The most vocal critics of Morrissey didn't like The Smiths, and those people can't be trusted. [/quote]

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1398432553' post='2434071'] Not of the GTB/GTS models. According to the G&L website, the 5 string Tribute M-2500 is only available in black/maple or honeyburst/rosewood. [/quote] Shame. The white one is gorgeous. Black is boring and I'm not keen on the honeyburst :-(

No idea about where you can try one, but this is pretty much the exact reason that DSRs exist! :-)

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1398079593' post='2430124'] [/quote] Oh man thats pretty. I like that a lot. Are there 5 string versions?

It always seems to me that there are lots of guitarists (and some bass players) who genuinely think that knowing some theory will somehow inhibit creativity. I think these people think that players that know theory are constantly thinking "right this is a Dm7 chord...so erm...right...what do the textbooks say I can play again?". The reality is that its not like that. Having a proper grasp of music theory is to music as spelling and grammar are to language. I don't conciously need to think about how to spell words, form sentences, or punctuate properly---it happens so quickly that its completely natural. Thats the end point of learning music theory---knowing what you're doing without thinking about it.

That kind of BS does exist in Scotland as well, thankfully I've only ever encountered it a couple of times.

[quote name='Diablo' timestamp='1397978166' post='2429067'] Shops blame online competition, but I don't see that really. It is how the customer perceives the service and how you stock and present goods the customer wants to buy. [/quote] Indeed. Shops can't compete with the internet on stock or price, so they have to compete on service. Sadly most of them don't seem to have worked that out yet.

Bassstringsonline are brilliant.

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1397480528' post='2424285'] But the sale of real Rick's 2nd hand doesn't need THE CURRENT MODS. I have little doubt a "real" expert and a faker expert would volunteer to do it. That's the nature of most folk on this site. [/quote] It boils down to this: Risk to the site: massive Reward to the site: naff all The mods have taken a perfectly sensible decision. I can't believe they're *still* being berated for it.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1397479562' post='2424263'] This is what annoys me. I like Andy Baxter's site. There are some nice basses on there with detailed photos and decriptions. He's UK based and he is able to sell any Rickenbacker he likes. It's deemed OK because he only sells genuine Rickenbacker shaped product. By that argument etc etc and round the circle we go again! [/quote] Yes, but Andy Baxter presumably (literally) handles each instrument personally and knows exactly what he is selling. Selling basses is what he does. That is not the case at Basschat. The mods don't have the time or the ability to inspect every instrument for sale, they're not all experts, and the profits from selling basses go to private individuals, not back to basschat. Yes, the mods probably [i]could[/i], maybe, have a system where real Ricks were OK. Except it would be a lot of hassle for almost literally no reward as far as the site is concerned. A few people get to trade some basses, the site makes a couple of pounds a time. In return, the admins and mods have to police the for sale forum and run the risk of a faker slipping through the net and causing them even more trouble. [b]Its just not worth the effort. [/b]

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1397477899' post='2424238'] 1 - because it is perfectly legal. I could add 3 - TB is evidently not afraid of empty, inane and groundless threats the way we plainly are. [/quote] Even if you are 100% in the right defending legal action is expensive, time consuming, and stressful. It has become a sad fact of the modern world that---even if they are wrong---companies can tie up the little guys in legal knots. Thats the way it is, and unless our legal system changes thats the way its going to remain. Sure, basschat [i]could[/i] call Rickenbacker's bluff, but what would be the point? The mods and admins would risk massive hassle, stress, expense, and even risk losing the whole site, and in return for "victory" a few people would get to trade a few basses. Sometimes its worth making a stance against "injustices" but sometimes the stakes are so unimportant that its just not worth it.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1397466003' post='2424053'] I think we need a new section ... Lawchat. Like Hiram, I detest JH's bullying tactics and I would LOVE to call his bluff. Last time around, I suggested having a Basschat whipround to raise a fighting fund to pay the lawyers. Like Bassassin, I know a fair bit about RIC and their finances - they're (relatively) tiny, and highly unlikely to be able to cross the Atlantic with a high-powered legal team. [/quote] I would also love to call his bluff, but an additional problem is that the first step in any legal action could well be a strongly worded letter to Basschat's ISP---and ISP's aren't exactly known for fact checking before closing sites down. A letter from a relatively well known American company claiming copyright infringement, along with the mention that "eBay comply with our takedown requests" and suddenly the site disappears. The admins would probably be eventually able to get the site back online, but at what cost in terms of time, effort, and legal fees---not to mention the effect on the forum of it disappearing for some length of time. Even if Basschat were 100% legally in the right (and I suspect we would be based on what I understand of EU law) Ric can still cause massive headaches. Its just not worth it.

[quote name='geofio' timestamp='1397341010' post='2423088'] why should John Hall decide what is for sale on Bass chat. because in reality that's what's happened here. [/quote] Because John Hall has time, money, expensive lawyers, and a seemingly litigious nature. Basschat has none of the tools required to fight that. I can't believe we're discussing this *again*. Personally I think asking basschat and the mods/admins to run the risk of legal action by Rickenbacker just so a few people can buy and sell some basses is extremely rude. Are any of the people who want to overturn the ban willing to stump up all legal fees and take responsibility for defending the site, or do you just expect the mods to do it for you?

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1397078752' post='2420534'] So I chickened out until the end of rehearsal. I said to them they would need to get a new bassist but that I would work with my replacement as much as they needed until he/she were ready. I also said I would do all the gigs until somebody was ready. The Troyen guitarist asked, quite sharply for him, what my reasons were. Unusual for him, he really is a nice, gentle man. I mumbled I had my reasons. [/quote] You've got to do whats right for you, I suppose, but there's something quite amusing about someone quitting a band partly because of his bandmate's failure to communicate with him and then not telling them why!! [quote]Thank you to all you lot for the last week. The supporters and the ones who think I'm a tosser. For good and bad, you have all been the musical sanity in the vacuum between my lugs. Thanks all. [/quote] Don't think anyone thinks you're a tosser. A few people thought you were overreacting (I still do) but at the end of the day only you can decide whether you want to be in a band or not. I still think leaving a band because of something that might happen rather than something that has happened is jumping the gun somewhat, but then again its not my band so you should do what you want.

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1396967938' post='2419228'] Oh, YOU were the one . I've heard about you! [/quote] Once went to the Yates' in Darlington, needless to say it didn't strike me as the wisest place to be Scottish in public

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1396966695' post='2419211'] I'm from Darlington originally, you will need to make allowances I'm afraid [/quote] I had a girlfriend from Darlington. Nice girl. ...and thats the best thing I can say about Darlington

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1396966187' post='2419197'] See the row of ..................... following the statement? It was an open invitation for somebody to post a link to Python's Spanish Inquisition. Well, it was in my head. T'interweb eh [/quote] I see. Smilies are always better than ellipsis for signalling intent

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1396960532' post='2419100'] Didn't expect a Spanish Inquisition................ [/quote] A few people saying "I think you're overreacting" is about as far from Spanish Inquisition as it gets. If you didn't expect people to give you their opinion then why did you post on a discussion forum about it?

[quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1396956616' post='2419037'] I'm a late comer to this, but Karl, I struggle to relate to why you are so annoyed about this other band. Granted, they could have approached you and spoken before it went on FB but that's just how the world is now. I've been sacked from a band I had been working on for a year by text message! Personally, I'd be more pissed these other two clowns have just let you do all the pa monkey work without offering to help, nothing kills fun quicker than resentment. Have a good old fashioned truth session with your band, IF all of you are brave to enough listen to what comes out without throwing punches, it's not everyone's cup of tea! [/quote] +1, I think the OP is more annoyed than he should be about this other band. Until it actually starts to interfere whats the problem? The PA issue is far more worthy of annoyance IMO.

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1396864812' post='2418004'] 8/8 = 1 and a 2 and a 3 and 8/8 (another one) = 1 and 2 and a 3 and a [/quote] In 20 years of reading music I've [i]never [/i]come across 8/8. Its much more common for music to be written down using changing time signatures than it is using these "odd" ones. Your first example would be much clearer written as a bar of 6 and a bar of 2, for example. In my opinion the only time signatures theory beginners need consider are 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 2/2, 5/4, 7/4. 6/8, 9/8, 12/8 and thankfully those are all easy to understand. These really weird things like 8/8 are little more than theoretical constructs that you'll only come across once in a lifetime unless you're into some pretty niche stuff.

I have relatively small hands and the only thing that annoys me about my 35" bass is getting strings that are long enough. Playing wise its fine.