Mog

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1371055870' post='2109265']
hmmmm how you play in the pocket without hearing it..??
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You talking to moi??

In most cases the only time you would require a backup is when a string breaks. A far cheaper option is to carry a set of pre-cut spares in the gigbag/case. You can change a string and tune it up in 90 odd seconds.

Ideally it should be a good quality instrument that doesn't hum, click, fart and buzz every time you use it. If its back up then something cheap and cheerful is perfect. Personally I'd go like for like and get another T-bird but theres plenty of low-cost basses that sound fantastic. Look for VMJ's and CV's from Squier. Tanglewood Rebels also pop up dirt cheap and are solid basses. An Ibby SR300 would definitely be worth a look as would just about anything from Yamaha.

Have you tried the pedal at every output along the chain? Could be a bum adaptor. Other than that I reckon the 9v socket on the pedal is wired incorrectly.

[quote name='Phil Adams' timestamp='1370858581' post='2106271']
So do you take your pride and joy everywhere, show it off, and love every minute, or do you go out with an "average' bass, just in case, and keep your pride and joy to yourself?
Where do you draw the line?
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I generally dont bring the expensive basses out to covers gigs. I've had to pick the Warwick off the floor of the pub too many times. I think I've brought each of the Spectors to a covers gig one one occasion.

I recently picked up a VMJ to bring along to sessions and open mic nights as younger bassists have reservations about trying the 6 string (a cheap Brice with an upgraded Glockenklang 2-band pre)

For the originals band I only use the Spectors because nothing else gives me the sound they do.
I find that rock/metal crowds are generally more well behaved than a pub full of drunken jocks and plebs. Thats where I draw the line I suppose.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1371038661' post='2108917']
Also never underestimate that if an experienced soundman is constantly hearing different bands in the same venue he'll have a far more initmate knowledge of any odd aspects of how the arrangement of that venue's fixtures and fittings can have on the FOH sound than you will if you've never played there before. Has to be a large element of trust on both sides.
[/quote]

Well said.

Just to add to the monitor thing, I dont use them unless I'm in a function room and I often choose to use IEMs in a function room. In a typical pub setting they're not required because (i) the bass should be audible on stage unless you are a country mile away from the speakers and (ii)I have learned the song beforehand and dont need to hear the bassline.

An interesting, if somewhat generalised read. People should realise that it goes both ways. A Noob should always listen to an experienced Engineer just as an Engineer with little experience should approach each artist/band/group before sound check and ask what mix and overall FOH sound they reqiure.

I always make a point of introducing myself to the tech before soundcheck and buying him at least one of his beverage of choice as way of saying thanks afterwards, regardless of how I felt the sound was.
On one occasion in a well known Midlands venue over here the engineer was a total noob and really didnt have much experience running a full rig. During soundcheck I noticed that he had a line running from my speaker output straight into the desk. The guy should have been honest with me and asked if I had a D.I. box (I always carry 2 BTW) but when I pulled him up he said he really didn't have much experience in venues of that size and had so many bad experiences with musicians that he didn't like to ask too many questions. Thats a sad state of affairs in my book. The chap was obviously keen to earn a living from being a Tech but was limited in his opportunities to actually get experience due to the attitude of musicians. I could have thrown a total hissy fit but instead I sat in with him at the desk to show him what little I know and he was thrilled. The guy even took notes and photos of the settings I used for one of the bands.

At the end of the day it's about mutual respect. Both parties have a job to do. If we can make their lives easier then both sides benefit.

[quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1370291870' post='2098817']
Hey guys, I'm new to doing pub gigs and I'm hoping my band will be up and running soon so have a question, is an 810 cab to big for pub gig?? I'm looking to trade up to an all ampeg setup but wondering if it will be overkill. At the end of the day it has te same footprint as a 410....
[/quote]

It's probably unconventional but if its what you want go for it. Theres a few things to keep in mind though, and these have come from my experiences using 810's (the last of which I sold for €450 a few weeks ago).[list]
[*]Size [u]WILL[/u] be an issue in some venues.
[*]Transportation will be a bitch and your mates won' be happy when they have to move it with you (initially it won't be a problem but it gets old quickly).
[*]Depending on the head it will be hard to get a decent sound (many heads have crappy sustain/clarity with the volume control at less than 2 IME and if you have a decent head you're not going to push it much farther in a smaller sized venue).
[*]Its going to get knocked around on the pub scene, be prepared to take a serious hit on resale value if you do plan on selling further down the line.
[*]If you're the type who gets offended easily then its not for you because every noob wannabe is going to be all like "look at yer man with his 810, w***er!, who does he think he is?, w***er!!" or whatever those pesky kids say nowadays.....
[*]Will a POD and a decent PA give you the same basic sound without any of the problems listed above? Basically, yes.
[/list]

FWIW, I've found that the more basic I can make our bands set-up the easier it is to get to the venue, get the job done, get the gear in the van and get to the next gig. When ye do eventually start taking multiple bookings for the same day/evening a quick turn-around is a Godsend. Lugging an 810 into the back of a Transporter in a 3piece suit is not fun at all.

Whats worse is when another bassist comes along afterwards and tells you that you were in the wrong key............."OK smart-arse heres the bass, you 'ave at it"

Seriously though, it will improve your improv when you deal with these guys. Thinking on the fly is 50% of the battle.

Some great stuff lads. Cheers a sh*teload. Been writing out the tab for a lot of these for the other guys in the "band" and its looking good so far. (The next step is to get the plebs sight reading from proper notation, should make my life a hell of a lot easier). I'll post the final setlist for y'all once we settle on it.

Again, many thanks. Ye've really dug me out of a hole.

Cheers guys, loads of useful stuff so far. Yer all totes!

Cheers guys.
We do a couple of Saw Doctors tunes Rodger, 25 Quid and To Win Just Once, and they always go down well. The Pogues are a no-go. Played too many of them over the years. McGowan is a regular in one of my locals.
Looking up Hayseed Dixie and Little Feat now.

Hey y'all......

Myself and a couple of mates have been asked by the owners of a local hotel to play a 2-3 hour set on a Thursday evening/night for the next few months, with the possibility of it becoming a long-term arrangement. According to the manager and some of the staff we've talked to the most popular acts are those who play Americana/Folk and bands who play the usual Irish Traditional/Ballads.

The trad won't be a problem for us and we should be able to cover about 90 minutes worth of a set with our collective knowledge.

What we're stuck on is options for Folk/Alt-Country/Bluegrass etc. I really don't have the foggiest when it comes to those genres. I'm assuming that bands such as the following would be worth covering,

Mumford & Sons
Noah & The Whale
Old Crow Medicine Show

Can anyone recommend a band(s) or better still a track(s) that would be suitable? The more up-tempo the better as we'll have enough Ballads to cover the slower tempo requirements.
Instruments wise we'll have Acoustic Guitars/Bass and one of the three of us will be able to add Banjo/Mando etc. when needed. We'll most likely be using a Cajon, Bodhrán and foot blocks for percussion if we need them.
Cheers.

Not our most Desert/Stoner tune but its the first off the upcoming album...

[url="http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/204939284"]http://www.reverbnat.../poni/204939284[/url]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhHWjH8PsKg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhHWjH8PsKg[/url]

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1365763146' post='2044036']
Pre Eq is your friend
[/quote]

Aye. And my enemy is the dreaded Boss Eq pedal.

Just about all of my favourites have been mentioned bar:
Inez/Kinney - Alice in Chains
Brown/Bower - Down
Dean/Mullin - Corrosion of Conformity
Zamora/Cosgrove - Alien Ant Farm

I really hate the mid-boost/inverted smiley tone. Its a nightmare to work with from a desk and sounds more like a baritone telecaster than a bass. I'm generally fine with most bass tones as long as theres some sort of low end definition.

Goo Tube the following,
Dan Maines
Mike Dean
Mike Inez

EHX 44 Magnum.
Played in a club using one of these driving a Hiwatt 4x12 guitar cab. Used the preamp on the pedalboard to dial in a sound.
Surprisingly loud and as small as you'll get.

Has to be Alice in Chains for me.

Trace Elliot gear is still ridiculously expensive over here. Second hand prices can be as high as €800+ for a head and 4x10.
Having said that, I picked up a gp 12 smx 4x10 combo at the weekend for 250 notes, score!

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1364935378' post='2033056']
Apparently Fender may have a new line of MIM Classic basses with nitro paint/nice tolex traditional hardcase. I do think they are struggling though despite what we might expect. A kid of people just return them...I bet they have a lot of problems due to the 7 day return rule.
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One of those will set you back €900 in Ireland.
900 notes will get you a high end Ibby or Yamaha. Not surprising that they're not making money.

Picked up the new Clutch album yesterday. Excellent stuff.
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jOz-2gke6k"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jOz-2gke6k[/url]

I don't get the waiting for the right band thing. Reliable musicians don't just magically appear, you have to go find them. There's a real chance that you'll regret not being more active in a few years. Everyone has commitments to uphold but there's always ways to get a few hours playing in.