JTUK

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1444397672' post='2882921'] Sometimes my "discipline" at a gig is poor, and sometimes when I am practising at home I am very disciplined (if we are using the word in the same way). So I'm not sure what you're trying to say there... [/quote] I mean if you play for yourself at home to only please yourself...it doesn't matter what your discipline is like... but when you play with other people or to other people you have to adhere to other people's parameters.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1444397672' post='2882921'] Another example of BC members passing off their own opinions as established fact. And a little dig at other bass players and musicians too - nice! [/quote] There is no way that music is not a pursuit of excellence, IMO...so it is going to crop up A LOT...again IMO. I don't know a single gigging musician that doesn't have an ego and that 'better' will always be in equation. I never mind that myself..I know it's there and I know who has got it... it is what it is. And again, like it or not, 'opinion' is there as well... as why are we all here....? and if you have a good opinion, you'll know it is the driver in what you do.. and you'll know the value of it. You'll also know how you stack up with your contempories...and you really should...as you are all after the same gigs.. Auditions ..?? same thing? you are asking someone to evaluate your playing, pretty much. I

[quote name='Slipperydick' timestamp='1444397029' post='2882910'] Seen a few people knocking covers bands in this thread. Theres nothing wrong with playing covers, and I'd recommend it to anyone starting out. although I wouldnt want to do it myself anymore. I did it for a few years. Its a good grounding for anybody. Some people enjoy it, and are very very good at it - fair play to em, if you enjoy it, why not ? If I'd known what I do now when I was younger I'd have been gigging and getting experience much sooner, and would have saved all the time I wasted looking down on covers bands almost, and playing with originals bands that never got out of the 'writing, rehearsing and planning' phase. [/quote] I joined two local cover/function bands from the age of 16-21... Personally I thought my playing technically was up to it at that time... but I was young so maybe they had other ideas, but neither kicked me out but I'm sure that that was the best thing I could have done and I definitely LEARNT a lot. I took it for granted but later I realised that I was very fortunate to have that experience at such a young age. I earnt good money for the time in one of them and played on a lot of decent bills. So, my advice is to get out there as soon as possible and JFDI..!!

Even though I choose which gigs...the whole point in my opinion is getting out there in front of people. I don't think 'covers' is the easy way out either ...as you don't have to play by numbers ...and you really should be putting your own stamp on it anyway. You could say that playing at home with limited discipline and zero feedback from an audience is an easy outlet...? Personally, I think you either play your songs well and they go down well or you don't...and the only criteria for the songs you play should be that they stand on their own as worthy on being in a set.. be they covers or originals. But also, every musician should have originality and the audience is your feedback..IMO I never play covers note for note... I'm always trying to work the song and unless I wrote the actually song, that approach is no different to how I record. The part is my part and fits with the other players as I see fit. Some people's material should never be let loose on an audience for sure...but then again, some people's playing should be never be allowed either..

I get the point about never getting out of the bedroom. We had a plan in our first band that we would be doing 'this' within 2 years, that within 4 etc etc .. and I was in a function band at 16. The other guys never got out and played live, to my knowledge. As far as I know, the most advanced and intense guy gave up completely within 4 years. If I didn't have gigs to look forward to, I would as well..I'm pretty sure. I'd see no point putting in my hour a day or so... I just don't want those gigs to drain me. When I get to thinking half was through a set, 'when will this be over', or 'what am I even doing here'...they are MAJOR warning signals and you've over cooked it, IMO. This is why I want to know as much as possible what the gig is about and what it will give me. If is often not enough to say X number of £'s at the end of the evening.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1444319261' post='2882229'] Interesting, I say there's no such thing as a bad gig by principle. However, we do have venues we have decided not to play anymore. Blue [/quote] From my point of view, there are plenty of gigs I'd rather not do ..and by that definition, they are bad gigs. As I've often said, pub work is too much hassle for the money and so I want a really easy ride. That is not to say there aren't great pub gigs every now and then but trawling around every Dog and Duck for an average gig is not my idea of doing it properly. It isn't upto me if others do it properly, but at least I make sure we do.... from my view point.

I'd put the DB750/751 up there... but we'll do this to death. Cabs next..?? that'll be fun

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1444306969' post='2882071'] If you want to learn a language put away the book and talk to people from that country. As a bass player you only get "match fit" by playing live and in front of an audience. I learnt bass so I could join a band and gig. I practice a new number when one gets added to the set and so far this year I've only rehearsed 3 times, for a new band. For me the only reason to play bass is to gig. The other buzz is when a good player says, "Well played". It's R4 or the World Service for me on the way home. [/quote] I agree about being match fit and that is why I'll take a dep...but I'd not join most of those bands in a million years, tbh. There can be a multitude or reasons for that as well. They work too much, play places I don't want to play, crap money..the music doesn't work for me,. the players don't work for me (same thing, really) plus the fact that I've been doing it for so long, and have burnt out at some point, I'm just not going to invite that situation along again. So, do it properly or not at all...IMO. I never want to be thinking how long to go with this set or bug, I've got to load the car and get going or 'WTF am I doing here' mid-song

Good gigs only for me... not interested in the rest. PITA and Ballache.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1444177337' post='2880960'] For me the best tone in bass playing, in no particular order: Reggie McBride with Keb Mo. Cornell C Williams with Jon Cleary. Anything by Bob Babbitt and everything by Nathan East. [/quote] Have to say I like Nathan East's playing but thought his sound at times was borderline poor. I'll see if I can dig up a few examples.... which is weird since he ends up playing with everyone, His slap can be very average, IMO.

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1443983551' post='2879225'] ................. Pesky pianos go to deep for a 4. [/quote] Which can be very desirable... Plenty of artists don't want a 5...

Plenty of original bands round here get work and knowing the quality of some of them, I'm sure they get paid well. They wouldn't dream of the pub circuit ...altho they might do one or two as a special. You have to get away from thinking pub work is the be-all and end-all for acts... they are really the first rung of venues, tbh. Original acts will get work round here if they offer something original and are decent... Obviously there aren't as many venues as there are pub venues but then the two would hardly go together anyway...

Well, at least you know what you might be giving up as it sounds the business to you. For me, 'bloody hell, that sounds good' trumps 'quiet nice' but there are practicalities to consider. I'd keep the big rig as there isn't anything like a big rig with Iron in it..IMO..and that is your No 1 to come out on special occasions or really discerning gigs where you can get help with the load-in... and use the B rig for all else.

[quote name='CHW' timestamp='1444044094' post='2879666'] Of course- everything has it's price, but this is more about a middle ground between "I need some cash" and "it's not for sale but for £50K it is yours" [/quote] No, I don't think so... a feeler is just something that you'd sell, the price is fair, but in a world of low balls, you'd turn it down. The point being you don't have to or are not desperate to sell.

[quote name='Painy' timestamp='1444073089' post='2880119'] Funnily enough I was thinking about ways to modify the existing cabs (it's actually only the 2x10 that's 4ohms - the 15 is 8ohms so a rather annoying 2.67ohms total). I was actually wondering about the possibility of making the 2 10" speakers switchable between series and parallel to choose between 4 and 8 ohms (drivers are 8ohms each). Would then draw the power equally into both cabs when used together or still allow the full power to be drawn from the amp if the 2x10 were used alone. The only hurdle to this plan though is that I think I may now just be gassing for some shiny new cabs [/quote] Depends on the quality of the 10's, making the cab 16 ohms isn't that mad an idea. The power bias would go to the cab on least resistance, which is real terms might be 15"/300 driver and 210"/350. The 15 would take more of the load and maybe give the whole unit the 15" sound bias. I do this with a 212/4 and 210/8 and it works well, IMO... but the amp can run to 2ohms and the cabs are 600w and 350w respectively. Maybe wire up the 210 and see how it goes when running the combined rig at fult tilt. That is about the only way you are going to know, IMV.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1444038015' post='2879570'] This is all advice in the dark, but if you're stuck on the Ampeg sound the SVT3PRO and the PF800 are the only amps of theirs I'd look at. You could wait a couple of months for the Mesa Subway to come out and see what that can do for you. IME an Aguilar TH500 is a fantastic amp in the "vintage" bass sound area. [/quote] I agree with the TH500 being an alternative, potentially. I could use a PF but it depends how you play..I'm less keen on the hard attack break-up aspect myself, but some guys would lap that up as a Must-have..

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1444045861' post='2879691'] ^^^ It certainly is! Just by the way, I used my 21012L at an audition last Friday and it sounded incredible. The band commented very positively on the sound I was getting (P Bass/SVT350H/Schroeder) which is a first for me at an audition. But then it's the first time I've ever used my own kit at an audition, so... [/quote] Liked it enough to get the gig..??

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1443988533' post='2879297'] Yup, the last two gigs we've gone on after the match - last nights was the LCCC Gala Dinner, so no-one was really bothered anyway, it was the awards which took up the time... Can't see the Uruguay match being any competition now... [/quote] It wont be.... it will be a way to play all the guys who haven't had any game time as yet....so it will be close to a B team. Also a goodbye to a few players that wont make the next squad but tbf..that is not Lancaster's call as he has to go. I don't think Easter will get another call-up tho. regardless of who is coach and that is purely an age thing.

For me a feeler is sale if you get the right price...if not, you'll keep it.

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1443963336' post='2878993'] The best bet is always to replace with the original driver, that way the cab retains it's value and you have a driver that matches the box. Mixing drivers in a stack will change your overall sound too and in an unpredictable way. Contact Eden and see how much it costs [url="http://www.edenamps.com/support/support.php?Country=UK"]http://www.edenamps.....php?Country=UK[/url] If you really want to go ahead then you are looking for a speaker with a decent sized magnet to work well in a small box or the cab could end up being a bit boomier than you like and it will be worth giving a few measurements so someone can model how recommended speakers work in your cab. ............ [/quote] Plus many. The problem is do Eden still carry those older units...or can you get re-cone kits? This will likely be harder here than the U.S... but certainly try and match the old units. If you exhaust those channels, there are a few guys here who can probably model your cab with a decent current replacement..?

Nope... it is the sound off the bass...everything else is merely a conduit of varying degrees of importance, IMO.

You've got what tools you've got. There will always be someone who just has 'IT' and you can't account for that. All you can do is be the best you can be..and be happy with that. I think it is natural to measure yourself... and I like that sort of drive as it keeps you going. Be comfortable about what you bring to the party...but the good thing..IMO... is that Gtrs as bandleaders mostly don't know what they want...and mostly they just want someone who stays out of their way... so play to that...and you'll get gigs

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1443953417' post='2878867'] It's quite possible you can't see the winking smiley at the end of the message!!! [/quote] No, I can't which is why I asked..... but reading between the lines, I wouldn't be sure anyway..

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1443930214' post='2878749'] Those guys are pros, I don't think it matters at the bar/pub band level. Blue [/quote] I'm not sure in what sense they are 'pro's' and therefore better than the top local bands... Apart from the name..the rest are plucked from the pub scene anyway...

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1443944292' post='2878776'] Yeah, I'm wondering if she'll get back to us and say don't worry, might as well gig as the last England game is of no consequence! Of course I'd take the gig back and then cancel on the day!!! [/quote] You are joking, of corse??