JTUK

With things like these, I think it takes conviction. If people don't try then you don't get your true 'originals' but you'll need to do it well to avoid cliches and to make it work. If you are someone like Mick Karn, you can find a voice... but very hard to do, IMO.

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1420810828' post='2653736'] Not sure if they still do it, but Fender dealers could have their franchise removed if they were caught discounting as well. They'd also only allow one Fender dealer within a certain area, which called for a little 'creative thinking' to get round when we wanted Fender kit. We were 'Gibson' so we did a deal with a 'Fender' shop in the next town - they supplied us at cost plus a drink and we did the same back. [/quote] A lot of shops are quite desperate for a big name to validate the shop, so the likes of Fender have very tightly nailed down supply contracts. I'm using Fender instance here but I am actually talking about another large name and the deal is very very specific about do's and dont's... And it isn't always a one way street. If they honour the conditions, then that supplier is very good to have onboard and to satisfy their criteria gives the shop credence to other big name suppliers.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1420803782' post='2653565'] Bought 3 US Fenders and a Ric S/H online without playing any of them. No important issues with any that a good set up didn't cure. Most basses I see new in shops are often in need of a decent set up anyway so that would be done in any case. I can see how many 'physical' retail shops are under pressure. Especially the ones with poor customer service. [/quote] Or poor customers i,e .. the ones that test out the gear and go and buy elsewhere

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1420759027' post='2653250'] We were booked by the brides Dad for her big day after he saw us at a gig. It only took 2 numbers to clear the room. I warned them! I knew that would happen! I told them when he booked us that a Chicago Blues Band (even a good one) wasn't the right band for a wedding. [/quote] This is why we insist they come and see us... and even then if they have too many demands, I'll talk them out of it. Admittedly 'they' ( the father of the groom ) did come and see you, but our price for weddings and parties tends to put 'pub band wedding' prospects off...and that is one of the reasons for the price.. plus the fact that we don't do a typical wedding set anyway. I guess we don't want too many weddings..

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1420803213' post='2653553'] Depends where you are. I see you are based in the South East - much closer to most sellers. Up here in the frozen (and windy) North we have to be a bit more creative... [/quote] yes... maybe, but I've travelled down to Yeovil to try ...and as it happened, buy. We also travelled up to Liverpool ...

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1420802563' post='2653539'] [b]I must admit I will always go try a guitar/bass in a shop if I can and then go and order it online somewhere cheaper.[/b] Some people probably see that as 'bad' but if I can get something £££s cheaper I will, its my money at the end of the day. The other issues guitar shops have is the lack of varied stock, if you want a Fender or Gibson thats great but if you want anything else you're having to order online anyway. Stock of bass guitars is even worse... [b]I wont be suprised to see guitar shops start closing over the years [/b]and an eventual end to rock n roll in general. [/quote] For this very reason... If I owned a shop and knew this was what you were going to do..without even asking me if I could or would price match, I'd charge you to try out the kit

[quote name='andy67' timestamp='1420801851' post='2653523'] Bought my last bass from a shop, however, I'm sure you have bought S/H without trying? [/quote] One bass.... but it was a custom bass for a great price so I knew the risk was very very low.. It wasn't a risk at all as it turned out as it is now my main bass. But I wouldn't buy lower cost basses without seeing, hearing and playing them

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1420800223' post='2653484'] Most shops will do a deal, I got a local retailer to match a Thomann online price recently. As for secondhand, now we have the net everyone knows the price of everything but there are people out there who will pay more than they should, just because! [/quote] My local shop says that Thomann can sell at a price that they can't buy at..which has led to a few shops buying direct from Thomann. This is why some companies make their contract supply deals so watertight and are very hard if a shop betrays that sort of commitment, not to say, contract. Shops will try to match online, upto a point, but this is unfair, imo, as online doesn't have shop costs. I support shops as that is where you go to try the stuff.. so there is your premium. When there are no shops, then where do you try the stuff out. Buying a bass online...?? you have to be joking, IMO.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1420759043' post='2653251'] I'm a Rock & Roll guy, what do I know other than how to have fun. I'm not sure what [i]"pub rock"[/i] is. We play everything from Peter Green to Dusty Springfield and Robin Trower to Nancy Sinatra. Plenty of variety and certainly not limiting for me. My position remains, I like to listen to and play a range of genres too. However, I don't think you have to be in 2 bands to do it. Don't get me wrong, some of you guys like being in multiple projects, nothing wrong with diversity. Just not for me. [i]"One Band, The Right Band"[/i] Blue [/quote] I assume this is because your gigs are 4 sets long then you have to be all things to all men .. Pub bands here tend to be a feature and therefore the band will have a theme. They will be blues, or metal or ...but they wont stretch too far off those genres. That is why you only want to hear them for 90 mins max..and they'll mostly only be able to handle one style anyway. Having said that, they are some very good one trickers around, A band that plays more than 90 mins (2x45) tends to be a function band and they don't cross over into pubs too well...in that they'd have a function set and pub set...generally.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1420747866' post='2653050'] ................ In the real world, starting a band is also a "start up" band. Over here start up bands have nothing to offer, hence your not going to attract musicians that are band ready. Me personally, I wouldn't take 10 years to find 2 people or 50 people for that matter. My point, I'm an example of the guy that starting my own band would not be an option for a myriad of reasons. at the top of the list would be, not being able to pay anyone. Blue [/quote] I have a start-up band from scratch and I have gigs in the book for March. I accept I wont hit those dates but May is realistic IF I get my finger out. I find that any new enquiry to a muso requires credibility and conviction and I feel I'll have both. Of course, they need to be prepared to put the time in and that is what the 'sell' is really for... so I have to convince them that my project is a better prospect than an established band. A fresh new exciting band rather than a tired old unit that still will need a few rehearsals to get someone up to speed.... I guess I need to convince the people I go after, that this is not a waste of time.. I think that is the most important thing... For example, there is not a band around here..that I can recall off the top of my head, that I would want to join...so in that sense, if others feel the same way, then my offer might be a very good one.

Strings go off because they have been played... and I change mine when the feel is off, rather than the sound. They feel crap rather than sound too bad... but I wouldn't expect any sort of result from old strings even if they had been sealed for all that time. Fine, if they sounded ok, but I wouldn't have strings that old sitting around, anyway.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1420746781' post='2653030'] For those looking for gigging bands, here's a tip. "We want to gig once a month" means, this is not a gigging band.That's the way it is over here. Best not to pursue the opportunity. Here's another trick bands use to solicit musicians; "Signed Band Needs Bass Player" IMHO, being signed could mean anything usually it means nothing or the band wants money from you up front. Usually for nothing but their pockets. Blue Blue [/quote] I wouldn't say this is true over here... Gigging once a month can mean just that... but since they have websites and/or FB..that is easy to quantify..ie, if they are a gigging band. Also, in my area, you'll have heard of the gigging bands or come across them and if you haven't then that puts a question mark over the player. No one says 'signed' anymore... but every band has 'released' a CD...and again, you can file that under various degrees of delusional which can easily be quantified. Basically, an experienced hand will sense and detect BS and you will then just let the enquiry go... More pertinent is 'recommendations' from someone you don't know which is what FB locally is good at as you'll generally find up you are hooked up with the same sort of guys.... so this is a circle you swim in and you/they carry the same sort of 'credentials'. And to make it a tad more topical.... why would you like, befriend a band or a musician you didn't actually know anything about?

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1420717595' post='2652439'] I wasn't naming names but.....lol [/quote] I know what you mean but around here things can get ...er... 'competitive' and I know who has an ego and who doesn't... I just find it funny that they want to keep it a secret. They are the ones that dream up these dramatic ideas and want to make a 'statement' etc etc.. They are the bands you look out for Of course, musicians have egos.. half of it is all about 'look at me, I'm up here doing it'

I loved early SWR but was never convinced by this series... didn't rate the 350. Far preferred the SM series... and I've seen the SM900 go for around £450 so I'd go for one of those...

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1420670275' post='2652119'] For me whatever band I`m in must be a gigging band............. [/quote] What other sort of band is there..??

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1420571761' post='2650814'] ............ Very nice appreciative crowd rather than a pub full of 'experts' pulling your performance apart [/quote] That's what you go for....

My tone has a lot of life in it and is pretty lively, but I don't put anything in between bass and amp.

I don't like imbalance of new and old so I'd have the whole set off...clean them up and use them another time. When I change strings, I change them all... I just can't see strings being a few months old being sonically compatible with new strings.

No, but I've used both... never really been that big a fan of the Markbass altho I think they do things well, just that there seems something lacking to me. I instantly liked the PF500 but wouldn't buy one. Half of this is reliability, altho ppl seem to think that they have finally gotten over that, but the 800 never had the same issues. Soundwise, it is good as far as class D goes for me, but I prefer the TH500 which is pretty basic and loud enough. Maybe the PF has a little more for some ppl as it has its boost buttons but I prefer more of an uncoloured amp which I feel the TH is. I really liked the PF500 and PF cab demo but I had doubts it would do that at gig volume... so I never got it to that stage. If I had to look harder at amp options for a lightweight package, then I would probably add the PF to my list.. Not much help, I guess...

Get common ground on what you are trying to do..what you will do and get the right people. There will have to be compromises as you don't want sheep either so pick your battles and accept you can't win them all..and nor do you want to if you want the band to stay healthy, IMO.

Spooky..6th year and the drum position has been the most fluid... We hit the ground running as we were a good band from the off... so much so that the local music mafia wouldn't come and see us. This year we crashed their local party ( it took them 5 years to invite us ) and they loved it so it was all a bit silly for so long, but there you go. We don't really measure ourselves against others so much but we can at least hold our ground against anyone round here, tbh. Gigwise, we stick to a handful of pubs..which we like and they are a shop window, and we look for bigger and better gigs. If the band stays still or goes backwards then that is the time to stop, so as long as we have the energy and desire, ..onward..!! The only gig I think wehaven't gotten in yet is a local Pizza Express which does very well with certain acts that can charge for tickets, but we do a few tickets shows they don't so roundabout and swings... and tbh..seliing tickets too often can be a bit stressful. Wintergigs are 1-2 a month, summer is double that and sometimes 2 gigs a day but you have to be careful about family life with certain members so you only 'flog' them for good payers.

Thought this was going to be a trick thread

I'd say no advantage ......... it is likely something the just suits that particular player...as it seemed the easiest thing for them to do.

[size=5][sup]There tends to be a reason for the meeting...we don't use them as socials..[/sup][/size]

All these things need time devoted to them so they need to achieve something. Same as rehearsals..get it done and make them productive. Nobody needs their time wasted and I'd be pissed if that turned out to be the case.