Pete Academy

Hailing from SOT, I know Doug well. He's still building instruments. The price sounds about right.

[quote name='jezzaboy' post='548179' date='Jul 22 2009, 08:47 PM']Do the gig Pete. We play in local boozers and on one sunday evening there was 4 bar staff, 4 in the band and 3 punters! It is what we call a tumbleweed gig as at the end of each song that`s what blows across in front of you. Put on a good show for the people that turn up.

By the way, were you in bass mag a few months ago?

Jez[/quote]

Yes, mate, that was me.

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='548146' date='Jul 22 2009, 08:33 PM']I wish I was bringing in 50 people.... I average one person aged 50 for my audience! Do the gig! We have ALL experienced credit crunch style audiences. I've played a bunch to the other bands & bar staff this year! And Pete Academy has to be THE coolest username yet![/quote]

Ha!! Cheers!! It's strange at the moment. Gigs we think will be disastrous are great - gigs we think will be great are disastrous. We are used to it, though. As a 10-piece we've played some gigs where we've tarvelled 150 miles and outnumbered the audience. That's showbiz...

[quote name='thepurpleblob' post='548107' date='Jul 22 2009, 08:15 PM']I don't see it. You're booked to do the gig. It wasn't your idea. If only one person turns up - doesn't matter. You have to play like it was full for that one guy.

Those 50 people you piss of by cancelling will tell their friends [/quote]

That's what I think. You're right.

As for the website, comments appreciated. I'll forward to our webmeister.

This has been a tough year because of the economic climate. We've advertised in the national press at a high cost, but getting bums on seats has been a nightmare.

Anyone else suffered from this?

We just don't want to be seen as a band that charges a load and can't pull the people in. I know it sounds strange, and a lot of people would take the money and run, but we have a good reputation. It wouldn't take long for new venues to suss we might be a rip-off.

The gig has been heavily advertised (Mojo mag etc) by the venue.

Our band Nearly Dan are booked to play the Assembly in Leamington Spa next Thursday 30 July (first time there). We have booked this through an agent (not something we usually do) and are on a really good fixed fee. The problem is that, at present, we have sold only about 50 tickets. The temptation is to do the gig and take the money. However, we don't want to be seen as charging high fees and playing to low audience numbers.

I asked Mark from Bass Direct what he thought, as he lives there. He said there was little chance of getting a good crowd because of the holidays.

Has anyone played there before around this time? We'd like at least 100 people. Is the walk-up good for this venue?

Amazing skill, groove and timing.

Amazing! Even after a big warm up I struggle with this line. Very impressed!!!

I played a gig in Nottingham a few years ago. The sound guy played me a recording of a band who'd played there the night before. The bass sound was unbelievable...like a Jaco sound on steroids. I emailed the band asking what gear the bassist used. Turned out to be a cheap Stingray copy and an old Peavey combo. Oh well...

The former I would say.

Check out the latest edition of Bass Player. Total waste of money. Give me BGM any day. The only saving grace is an old fella's letter...hilarious. The Victor Meldrew of the bass world.

I think Flea is one of the best players around. Blood Sugar album is a classic. I think his playing is really clever, especially on more recent albums. I think people mainly judge him as a slap monster.

[quote name='Faithless' post='547021' date='Jul 21 2009, 09:08 PM'][url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYmf1LJg8V8&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYmf1LJg8V8...feature=related[/url]


Here Keith goes! [/quote]

Blimey!!! I know of this guy but it's the first time I've seen him play. And I want a Warrior now!

I can never settle on a gauge. 45 to 105 definitely sound fuller, but 40s are easier to play. I tend to stick on 40s these days.

Can anyone tell me how Jimmy Haslip of The Yellowjackets manages to slap and pluck his bass when the strings are upside down? This has flummoxed me for ages.

[quote name='old36' post='546913' date='Jul 21 2009, 07:33 PM']Around the £100 mark so the Ashdown and Marshall sound good options. The cube is very tempting but a bit too much.
Thanks for some really good info and links.[/quote]

I'd bet you could find a s/h cube for £100. Worth looking for.

IMO the Microcube RX is unbeatable. Amp modelling, effects, drum machine, etc.

A mate of mine wants to sell his 2006 Warwick Thumb 5, bubinga, neck thru. Apart from a couple of dings it is mint. He has had side and front blue LEDs fitted, at a cost of almost 500. No pics at the moment, but just thought I'd see if anyone is interested. Offers?

[quote name='bubinga5' post='545952' date='Jul 21 2009, 04:18 AM']Just wanted to show this erm....again, just pure groove...this has got to be my favorite YT bass clip....Mcbride is smokin on the jazz..Joshua is smokin on the sax..in fact there all.....pretty smokin


[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0rc52uu1AQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0rc52uu1AQ[/url]


Also this guy Wojtek Pilichowski...just incredible....You got to check his solo from 2.35..just wonderful...You can see he must destroy his strings ans frets..looks like a very powerful player... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haMvqvixazA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haMvqvixazA[/url]

Anyone know this bass...is it a Mayones?

Check him on a Status on YT....[/quote]

Love Wojtek. Think he might be a Mark King fan?

[quote name='dunetune_jazz' post='545539' date='Jul 20 2009, 05:56 PM']Truely outstanding service.... [/quote]

Swings and roundabouts. Could have been someone who came to the counter and said: 'I'd like to buy the MM Stingray 5 please.'

Just thought I'd mention this: A young girl came into our shop last Saturday looking for a beginner bass pack - bass, amp, etc. I gave them at least an hour of my time, which included:

A detailed run through 3 basses - a Squier Affinity P, Yamaha RBX, Cort active. All around £200.

I explained the difference between single and dual pickup configuartion, and the active tone controls on the Cort.

Ran through the features on the amp - an Ashdown Tourbus 10w.

Showed her the correct way to hold the bass, right and left hand positioning etc.

Because her Dad was into Cream, I gave an impromptu lesson on how to play Sunshine Of Your Love.

Demo'd the difference between playing with fingers and pick.

While she was practising the aforementioned bass part, I showed the parents some books and explained how to read tab.

The parents commented on fingerprints being all over the bass (!!), so I took ot and polished it.

When she chose a strap (chucked in for free), I adjusted it to the correct length.

Answered every one of the million quiestions they threw at me (Secret Shoppers?).

The whole sale came to £244.

Nuff said.

[quote name='Machines' post='545092' date='Jul 20 2009, 08:00 AM']It's Gaz isn't it ? Looks a bit like Yoda.[/quote]

Who?

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='544945' date='Jul 19 2009, 09:42 PM']Well, that's because I've been out and about, coming back to find your posts above. Yes, it's true.

PM'd and awaiting response. [/quote]

Oops, sorry if I upset you. The whole episode in PMT did seem a bit extreme, if not unbelievable. I know the manager really well, which was why I was so interested.