12stringbassist

If you need to postpone for a few weeks, that's fine. You're in charge. Any Sunday afternoon for a few hours seems ok to me.

The main thing at your first gig is to just enjoy it and to do your bit properly. One good thing about being thrown in at the deep end is it makes you get on with it. One gig is worth a dozen rehearsals. Being worried about it is normal, but don't lose sleep over it. It's supposed to be fun. Don't think that every twiddly note you play is going to change the world or that every mistake is going to be with you forever. It's entertainment. I worried myself stupid before my first gig, yet two songs in, it was great. Have a great time and let us know how you go on.

I have been sacked from bands twice in my life. Both times because the group wanted someone else in. No names - no pack drill Once was when I couldn't make a last minute gig at Blackrod Labour Club (Oh, big deal) because three months earlier I had booked a coach and concert ticket deal to go and watch Bowie in Germany. The singer - whose band it effectively was - got this bloke in who was about 9 feet tall who only played root notes on every song. The rest of the band asked me what I was doing next as they wanted to go with me. He later organised some dates in America without consulting the others about whether they could go or not because of their day jobs and so the group broke up in a little pink huff. No-one at all went to America. Hence no second wave of the British Invasion. By that time I was playing with another band full time. The other time was a shock because I was getting the band approaching half the gigs we did (and we were BUSY). The guitarist rang me up and said I had to go because the drummer 'didn't like my harmonies'. 'B*ll*cks', said I and then immediately rang the drummer up. He said their old bass player (who had frequently let them down) simply wanted his job back and the guitarist just said yes, as they were great mates. I got over it. Both times. sh*t happens.

[quote name='tayste_2000' post='504630' date='Jun 3 2009, 01:05 PM'][url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=50785"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=50785[/url][/quote]Ta!

This is quite a possible for me. I'll bring up to 3 from my menagerie. See my sig - any preferences?

Good luck with the Motown thing. The basslines are pretty clearly defined, so your work is pretty much done for you. A P bass or Jazz bass sounds like the ticket for Motown. [i]As to whether to go semi -pro or pro?[/i] I was offered the opportunity a couple of times, some years ago, at a very good level and I rarely miss the opportunity to kick myself for not taking up the offers due to a lack of self confidence (and worrying about the security of the job) at the time. You live and learn. If the Stockport gathering comes together, make sure there is a thread about it, I'd like to pop down. Cheers, Ian

A Google search shows one for sale here - clearly labelled 'Rockinbetter by Tokai', as per The Bass Centre. [url="http://www.basscentre.com/4-string-bass-guitars/tokai-rockinbetter.html"]http://www.basscentre.com/4-string-bass-gu...ckinbetter.html[/url] I'm absolutely certain that I have seen more than one branded 'Tokai' and have tried a couple before I got my own Rics. Obviously this one is from a Tokai Ric guitar copy:

[quote name='Bassassin' post='503755' date='Jun 2 2009, 12:20 PM']What do these Rockinbetters have to do with Tokai? I can't find a connection. J.[/quote] Possibly that Tokai actually make them. I have seen both types of copy and all that appears to have changed is the name on the TRC. They don't seem to have got the Rics to sound right. Tokai do Fender very well, though - I have one of their early original 80's Strats. Marvelous. Here it is, lent to some bloke for 10 minutes...

Re The John Birch: The scale IS a little longer, but it's not that hard to manage, like on my Burns Bison. That has the longest reach I've ever dealt with. The Birch is lovely to play, with action to die for.

I don't like the bridge at all. Gibson bridges generally suck. The rest of it looks nice.

PM sent with all my contact details. Ian The Kerbcrawlers

I have a Dean Rhapsody 8er and there's nothing wrong with it. Lovely to play, nice action, big sound great EQ control.

One of mine is NOT a Ric... [url="http://www.crazeeworld.plus.com/kerbcrawlers/images/basses/gang_of_four.jpg"]http://www.crazeeworld.plus.com/kerbcrawle...ang_of_four.jpg[/url] A 1976 John Birch SCDR bass, with far too many knobs, in a most fetching greenburst. [url="http://www.crazeeworld.plus.com/kerbcrawlers/images/basses/_johnbirch_winston's.jpg"]http://www.crazeeworld.plus.com/kerbcrawle...nston's.jpg[/url] Sounds nothing like a Ric.

Here's one (not mine) and another... (also not mine!) Last one has a pickup cover added...

I have a Dano Longhorn from about 5 years ago and it's a great little bass.

ALEMBIC.

DAWSONS AND DOLPHIN - OPPOSITE EACH OTHER NEAR JOHN LEWIS'S Dolphin Music - www.dolphinmusic.co.uk 70-72 Evans Rd, Liverpool - 0870 840 9060

Alembic, Inc. The goal. Aria 80's B.C. Rich Guitars The pointy ones Burns Gorgeous retro Cort Guitars Nice, not highly rated enough Danelectro Cheap, cheerful retro, great value Epiphone Save your money Ernie Ball Co. MusicMan basses. Yum yum. ESP Guitars Makes me think of Metallica etc - probably doing them a disservice. Fender The originals, if not the best Fernandes Guitars USA Inc. Nothing that original. Fodera Guitars Inc. Nothing that original. Framus Regret Gibson Their basses are not a patch on their guitars. Gordy Gorgeous Hamer Guitars One of the very best makers. Hofner Price x3 Ibanez I'm sure they're great but they have never really got me going yet. Italia Sparkle Jaydee The mutts nuts John Birch Once fabulous Lakland Basses They shouldn't have to resort to Fender designs Modulus Guitars They sound like they weigh a ton, with all that graphite. Peavey Mid range Plank Bass custom bass guitar makers who could have thought of a better name! Rickenbacker Fabulous Ritter Out of this world Sadowsky Guitars, Ltd They shouldn't have to resort to Fender designs Schecter Guitar Research Nice Steinberger Cricket bats Wal $ Warwick Dependable, great, exotic ..... but quite dear! Washburn Midrange Yamaha OK

Framus made two SuperYob guitars. The one pictured above now belongs to Paul Day. The other one was simply sold by Dave Hill. He now uses a John Birch replica with neck LEDs. Here's a photo of it from my Slade site, [url="http://www.slayed.co.uk"]www.slayed.co.uk [/url]whilst it was under construction .. [i]John Birch guitars, less the late John Birch, started work on a number of 'replica' SuperYob guitars. These were based quite closely on the original Yob, which Marco lent back to Dave Hill and John Birch guitars while it was needed. I don't think the small limited edition ever got to the intended number of 50 copies, which can only serve to make the small number that were actually built and sold even more valuable. Mind you, you could still get one made... Ex-Slade bassist Dave Glover did talk to the company about a bass version of the SuperYob, but the body to neck proportions would have been all wrong. The idea was abandoned. No basses were made.[/i]

If a company brings out a budget range bass, it should perhaps be badged 'slightly' differently. I suggested the idea of putting the W in a circle to very subtly point out the difference. As to the Warwick / Spector issue... licensing a body shape possibly shows a lack of imagination on Warwick's part, but they have made a good job of the bass and you know which you're getting if you have the choice of either in a shop, as they are badged properly. It's hard to mix them up. I was just saying Warwick shouldn't really just use the plain W logo on a Rockbass... but it's their decision in the end and the punters will probably flock to buy a Rockbass that doesn't clearly say it's a Rockbass anymore. Sales will go up - +1 to Warwick. It just irritates me in the very same way that 'Rockinbetter' copies of Rickenbackers do! My first Squier P was badged 'Fender' - and it was a good bass that was simply sold due to underuse.

[quote name='bumfrog' post='481811' date='May 7 2009, 12:06 PM']sounds like he cares more about what's on the headstock then what's actually in his hands.... Happens in all walks of life for all things. Some people like to wear the money they spend on their sleeve and want everybody to know they've spent a lot.[/quote] It's not all about what I've spent. I don't keep the price tags hanging off them. And I DO care about what is in my hands which is why I've bought the particular basses I own. It's all about Warwick branding their budget range the same way as their better basses. It doesn't distinguish very well between the two and is surely an attempt to boost their cheapo bass sales. I'm sure that all the Fender USA owners would love it if the Squier brand was rebadged as Fender, or Gibson buyers if Epiphones suddenly came out with Gibson logos. I wonder what Bumfrog plays? Or if it matters...

[quote name='jezzaboy' post='481505' date='May 6 2009, 11:07 PM']That bass is on the Glasgow gumtree today and he was looking for £200 a couple of weeks ago but has droped the price to £150 now. Jez[/quote] £150 is a reasonable price, providing it's mint.

As an owner of two "top range" 'Wicks, I'd prefer to see the logo on the Rockbasses clearly defined as visibly different from a first division Wick. Perhaps they could put the W in a circle, or something similar.

I used to be in a cabaret band, playing working mens clubs, functions etc. The setup / souncheck routine was diabolical. They would sometimes ask me to turn up at 3.30 on a Saturday afternoon for an evening function. Screw that. Bearing in mind the lead guitarist was pretty much allergic to bass and that I was wasting my time being with them at all as I liked to be able to actually hear my bass, I just let them carry my gear in, set it up and mic it up and I just got into the mix when I arrived. Quite often it was the case that we'd normally arrive at 6.45 for 7.30 doors. Not unreasonable. With my rock band, it's arrive 8pm for 9.30 start and if the punters hear a 5 min soundcheck, so what? The main thing is that everyone does their bit and gets on with it. People faffing about and not getting their job done need to be told.