Commando Jack

When I started in bands (about 13 or 14 years ago) my mum gave me sage advice. She (a family therapist) explained to me that a band is like any other group, so will go through pretty loosely defined stages in its life and each person will fill a certain role (or multiple roles). The stages: Forming - the start, where everyone is getting to know each other, feeling each other out. During this stage disagreements are quickly extinguished and people keep their feelings within themselves rather than express them to the group to avoid confrontation for the good of the group as a whole. Generally, mutually bad feelings between individuals are suppressed but build until the next stage. Storming - the fighting stage. Not necessarily fisticuffs or even heated arguments, but this is the stage where everyone finds out how the rest of the group really feels. By this stage feelings of individuals are more important to them than the needs of the group (or have become conflated with the groups needs) and so they air their feelings. This stage can be fatal to the group. Norming - this is the aftermath of the storming stage where everyone is aware of what others think/feel and the group establishes a way to work together. There might be some ground rules to prevent arguments, or just implicit understandings between members forged. Performing - The conclusion of the norming phase, where the group can move on focus on the original task. Adjourning - The group disbands for whatever reason. All stages may last for minutes or years, and in some cases stages are skipped. Some groups, for example can go from the storming to adjourning stage. If you replace "group" for "band", and "person/individual" for "musician", then you may see a pattern similar to being in your band. I certainly did! For the group roles, there will always be leaders and followers, jokers and facilitators etc. When you see the band in this light and can identify who is filling what role, it can make it easier to understand what's going on or how to deal with it. BTW sorry for the long post

Definitely 61. I'd consider more keys if you intend to do any serious piano work though.

I voted other: the Danelectro Cool Cat Chorus. For such a cheap pedal I found it pretty versatile and better than the Boss ones, although I haven't tried any on the list except the Small clone, which wasn't for me.

Well there are a couple of ME-50Bs for sale here if you're happy to go second hand? If price was important this is what I'd go for.

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1344599172' post='1766882'] I did not say that they accomplish the same thing as the molded ones. In fact I quite emphatically said the molded ones were best but if you couldn't afford them these ones work quite well and they are based on the same technology. The difference is you won't get the same fit as a molded one and as such this may impair the effectiveness of the ear plug. I'm not trying to present an argument for or against any product here. I suffer from tinnitus, sometimes quite badly to the point where I put my hands over my ears in vein to try and stop the noise. It is unpleasant, and in some countries used as a torture method. i am trying to help you and anyone else interested prevent a similar experience by passing on what I have learned from over 5 years of experimenting with different earplugs and talking to experts. At the end of the day they all do the job of attenuating the sound, whether you can hear what is going on around you or not with them in is down to the quality of your plugs. [/quote] You didn't say that they accomplished the same thing, I did. I also clarified what I meant in that if all you need to do is reduce the sound in your ears, then yes, some people will consider £150 too much. The last line of your post I have quoted confirms we're on the same page in this regard. I was just answering the question you directly asked on behalf of many people who use universal fit earplugs and are happy with what they do.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1344522380' post='1765906'] Even "authenticity" is subjective. You only need to listen to how many different Fender Rhodes sounds there are on 70s albums to realise that every player has a different idea of what sounds good. The only way for you to find the right modern substitute for you is to play them all and listen. All we can do is give you a range of keyboards to try. [/quote] ^ ^ ^ This ^ ^ ^ There can be massive difference between authentic and good sounding. You will also have to (I'm assuming) find something that fits in the mix of your current musical venture. Something absolutely authentic to your ears just might not fit in with your sound. Start trying stuff out and, more importantly, start reporting back!

[quote name='johnDeereJack' timestamp='1344533366' post='1766146'] 'Superstition' by Stevie Wonder [/quote] Really? That's usually a floor filler for us.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1344527531' post='1766023'] I could be very wrong here, but that's what the reviews I'm reading seem to suggest - that you can protect your ears cheaply (cotton wool being the bargain basement option!), but if you want to do so AND maintain clarity across the frequency spectrum, then you need to spend some money. [/quote] The people who specialise in making (and selling) moulded earplugs will tell you that they are more secure and seal better, which is one of the most important factors in protecting you from noise (and they are right about this being a factor). Moulded plugs are however not completely immune to breaking this seal, particularly if you are singing or moving your head around a lot. Btw, it's important to discuss this with the audiologist if you do get them done, so that they can make the cast more appropriately. Universal earplugs tend to solve the seal problem by being oversized eg. for foam plugs, you squidge them down, put them in your ear and then they "snug up" to block your ear canal Silicone ones like ER-20's are shaped to press against the ear canal wall. Both can be very effective but uncomfortable if you get ones which are simply too big and put too much outward pressure on the ear canal. Too small and they are completely ineffective because the seal is poor.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1344517167' post='1765796'] Oh my goodness - can somebody arrange the funeral for this [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aria-Pro2-The-Cat-rough-looking-road-worn-relic-new-strings-full-overhaul-/190711034420?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c67437234"]road-worn relic[/url]? Edited to add this classic quote: [font=Arial]The jack socket sits in a copper coated plate at the tail end of the scratchplate; it catches the light and could be used as a dazzle the crowd thing next time you play at the Wembley Arena![/font] [/quote] That was the highlight, but I get the impression that he's kind of given up on the rest of the post. Boo for MDP, he's not even trying to entertain us now

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1344513660' post='1765679'] Now let me ask you, do you think £150 for some decent ear plugs that will prevent Tinnitus too much money? [/quote] Considering the universal fit brand "Noizezz" you linked to cost [url="http://www.proguarduk.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=39"]£16.65[/url] and will accomplish the same as a moulded plug i.e. reduce the amount of noise going into your ear to a safe level, some people may consider £150 too much.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1344512366' post='1765642'] For the past few years I've been using those foam plugs that literally block out what seems like half the actual volume. They can make the sound muffled but I never go home from gigs or rehearsals with ringing now. Are these doing the job? They aren't great for sound quality but it seems to save my hearing. If I take them out mid rehearsal the volume increase is insane. I have another set from boots which were roughly £10 and tend to have less of a drastic effect abc less muffling. [/quote] Yes they are doing the job in that they are stopping dangerous SPLs gettting to your ears. The "musician's" plugs only differ in that they reduce the volume more uniformly so that everything sounds the same but just quieter without muffling.

[quote name='Wil' timestamp='1344510191' post='1765592'] I'd really like a convincing Rhodes sound (I'm sorely tempted by the Nord Electro series for the hammond and Rhodes alone but they lack the synth and ability to split organ and piano together) [/quote] In my experience this is the exception rather than the norm for synths. Roland always have a compreshensive interface and even the Juno Di has basic splitting functionality. The other option is to get a dedicated sound module and control it with a keyboard that can split its controls into different midi channels.

[quote name='Jigster' timestamp='1344494117' post='1765292'] Of ourse the usefulness of gigging is that it helps to sharpen new stuff - you get a keen sense, IMO of how good/bad/unfinished/how much more work a song needs etc, by playing them live [/quote] Yeah it only takes one instance of the audience looking at you with a gormless bored look to know your 7 minute guitar solo needs pared down a tad My band recorded a set of 5 songs taken from a live set of about 6 or 7. They seemed the most polished and well regarded. We ended up doing them almost live with minimal overdubs, but looking back some of it seems underdeveloped. One song in particular didn't really work in the studio until we incorporated a few synths (something that we couldn't do live). The only thing an audience does is in the creative process is tell you whether they like the song or not. The danger with being all alone in the studio is that one can become a bit self-indulgent and end up with a record nobody is really interested in. However, if you're making music that you like and enjoy making, sod 'em.

Btw your friend should really be renting this bag out as a "relicing chamber"

[quote name='leroydiamond' timestamp='1344504842' post='1765466'] A waste of money. Each ear canal is unique in shape therefore generic plugs, which suggests a one jacket fits all scenario,simply is not credible, even for occasional gigging. A short sharp exposure to the crack of a snare drum or a thunderous bass rig is all that is required to cause permanent hearing loss and/or tinnitus. Once the damage is done thats it. There is no going back. nothing makes sense other than to invest in quality moulded plugs [/quote] In my experience the difference between moulded and universal fit plugs is comfort, not noise reduction.

Yeah I would say it's more to do with the bass than the amp/speakers. Plucking hard vs plucking softly has a massive effect on the sound. Some people prefer the almost clangyness of a hard plucked string (careful now) while others prefer the softer approach.

Does he have a habit of leaving it in the car? I'm generally thinking moisture buildup/condensation.

[quote name='deefer_dog' timestamp='1344503386' post='1765437'] Have had it all my life, so I'm used to it. Normally, it's a high pitched whine ( similar to when you switch on a CRT TV ) but sometimes it will drown out most sound for 5-10 seconds. I don't notice it 99.9% of the time though as it's been a lifelong thing. [/quote] I've also had it from since I can remember. Since a lad I struggled with ear infections and sinus trouble so always put it down to that. Got worse since joining a loud band so I got in-ears recently. Incidentally it's worth getting checked out if the tinnitus comes on over a relatively short period of time. While the most common cause is loud things, there are a lot of reasons it may occur; even hard wax buildup can cause or exacerbate it.

[quote name='Voodoosnake' timestamp='1344469901' post='1765229'] We could then advertise the bass with his description and our description and see if it sells! [/quote] Well considering we've caught him selling the same instrument twice, I doubt that his descriptions are even selling much for him. Most of the instruments we are looking at have no bids. If someone here reviewed one, I would be worried about it increasing sales because either (a) people can't believe it's that bad and will take a punt, or (b ) believe that its really bad, but so bad that they have to see what one is like! Edited for smiley pwnage.

[quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1344440253' post='1764553'] I think the main idea behind the clip is to showcase the toneprint thing as opposed to the sandberg or amp for that matter. I did think the amp was extremely quiet for the purpose of the vid. [/quote] It's obviously the unique selling point of the amp and I thought it was neat. Not neat enough to buy but a cool concept. Would have been better with NFC though, then we wouldn't have had to listen to a dial up modem every time he changed patches.

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1344428526' post='1764274'] What's good about them that I should know? [/quote] I don't think there's anything special about them, but they are the only strings that seem 'right' for me. Any adventures into other brands have always left a sour taste either because of the sound, feel or quality, while the D'Addario sets are usually pretty consistant for me. I would be first to admit though that the world of strings is vast, it is very difficult to systematically try strings out. When you've paid the best part of £20 for even a cheap set of strings the last thing you want to do is remove them and get another set.

I made it 3:21 in. Is the lesson that Rome wasn't built in a day?

Peavey Tour 450 head, second hand Hartke Transporter, Planet waves tuner, warwick case for the amp and leads would be just shy of £500 for the backline, which is how I voted. Including the IEMs and the bass I am currently gigging would push me into the >£1000 camp, if you count that as my gigging rig. Re: spending more money on a rig - at some stage in the future (if the band does well) I will be upgrading to a micro head and barefaced (or similar lightweight cab). For my extra money I will get: Better portability from smaller lighter gear (the main reason) Slightly more power Better street cred from the basschatters Slightly more anxiety when a crowd of hooligans walk in. Of course, I'd probably find a better sound, but this is a subjective and one's favourite sound could be from an old £70 trace rig, so I don't consider it part of the list of improvements.

If your cycling is what is keeping you from depression, then I would give it the most priority, as it is the treatment for your condition. Obviously your days don't need to be constantly cycling every hour of every day, but if you need it then away you go. You've found something that works for you so I would keep it up. Apart from that, the important thing is to realise that you can get through these 7 or 8 months. A Thesis is usually built up to be a big monstrosity of a requirement at the end of your doctoral training that looks like a very high mountain to climb. In reality, it's pretty doable, and while it takes a good deal of effort, it's something that you handle. I don't know how well you know your bandmates (in the main band) but if they approach mate/friend territory, then you might find a lot of support from them. It might be hard to tell them about your depression, but I think it's only fair that you at least talk over some of your stuff with them. My band mates stood by me and supported me, although it was only after I finished my Thesis and the pressure was off me that my drummer turned around to be and said "you were a miserable b$%£"£d!". I was grateful that he was still around to say it though.

Just accept it and go for the GAS jugular - get a P! If you get something that will imitate a P, it will start to grind on you and you'll eventually just want the real thing. I'm saving you money honest!