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No wise words from me as usual. Its just how the band thing is. Semi-pro is probably worse because a lot of people involved don't need the money from playing. They treat it like a hobby. One problem is that in a group you will have people with different expectations and who are prepared to offer a different amount of time for the cause. Some people out there like the idea of saying to other people "i play in a band" without the first idea how to go about it. My most successful venture consists of good people who happen to be musicians - or is it the other way round? They are all reliable which has made the thing work for 5 years!

Maybe commercial music in the 21st century is too fragmented and too available to have the sort of clout that it once had. With so many artists, charts, internet radio, internet downloads, youtube etc etc you would be hard pushed to find two people listening to the same thing. Any political message will be snaffled up into all the other babble that is around. Only 20 years ago it was Top of the Pops and the sunday Top 40 and a couple of music papers. A popular song really was popular and a lot of people would know about it. If there was any message then it would have had more chance to impact more people. My point is that i don't think anything sells in volume enough to be a force for anything. Its the way that the industry has evolved. From the labels POV why invest in someone that is "risky" when there are plenty of alternatives? I also don't think being political is a selling point these days.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1334922520' post='1623478'] ... and how much free beer you're offered [/quote] Ok, that does factor into the equation too Actually, we all usually drive so most offers of free beer go untaken! And i am mainly a non booze person so it wouldn't tempt me. Food, refreshments and goodwill are always appreciated though.

Its up to you guys really although having already accepted i think you have to now honour the commitment. We always put it to the band vote - the answer usually depends on the cause and how nicely we have been asked.

[quote name='Dandelion' timestamp='1334771612' post='1621051'] At what point in one`s progression in learning the bass does one become proficient enough to play in a band? I have played in a couple of bands many years ago, but we were all new to the game so we made mistakes together. But the thought of now joining an established band causes a modicum of anxiety. How proficient does one have to be? I am thinking about a joining pub rock affair in the future, if I can find a local one, but I don`t want to waste their time and/or make a total tit of myself. How good are you expected to be on a first audition? Is personallity more important than abillity? If somebody sent me a recording to learn prior to the rehersal, then I could do that, but not sure if I could step up to the mark if I was just dropped in "Sink or Swim" style. Any thoughts? [/quote] Jam nights? Try those and see how you feel. If you are comfortable in that situation you are probably ready to do some auditions. Only you really know how ready you are but the fact that you are considering it is a positive step.

I know what you mean. It is a little depressing to see loads of bands doing the circuit with the same set lists. We are a bit in the same boat as you. It would be easy to stay the same and carry on playing the "standard" set, after all it brings in the cash. I'd say learn as many tunes as possible because it provides options and keeps you fresh. If you have a big menu of songs to choose from you (and the audience) will have less chance to get bored.

Hi from Bournemouth

Your pickup(s) is/are probably the most influential part of your sound. Once i swapped some old Jazz PuPs for some new Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders. The difference in sound was incredible. I much preferred the old Fender ones but wouldn't have known this unless i had experimented with the newer SD's.

FFS no! What a sh*t-hole. Probably be a good thing if they did burn it down. i did play here though: [url="http://nonstopshoebox.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/lord-nelson-se1-0lr.html"]http://nonstopshoebo...on-se1-0lr.html[/url] the Double Six! *Back in the 70s, our nearest rough council estate pub was the Double Six, where I did occasionally visit, but only with locals (sort of native guides). One evening I was elsewhere at gig, and was introduced by some middle class boys to an old grammar school friend of theirs from who was supplementing his living at the bank by setting himself up as a "mobile discotheque". He was raving how he'd only just put his advert in the paper, and had already captured a gig, which was paying £5 over the odds, at a pub in Turlin Moor. "The Double Six?" I enquired. "Yes!" he enthused. "Er, you do know that's where the barman had his ear bitten off?" "Oh, they say that about all these places" "No, but it was on the front page of the Echo. I know people who were there, the Double Six is not a pub to do a disco, that's why it pays so well; no-one else will do it!" "No, that's just apochrypha! When you go to these places, they're never as bad as it's made out!" he responded with fantastic faith in human nature. "I take it that you are not familiar with Turlin Moor" I asked. "Look, you really need look at your own prejudices. This is just a class thing." I left him to it. Several weeks later, at another gig I met him again. "How was the Double Six?" I enquired. "Oh!" he reacted. "Yes, the Double Six!" as though recalling six months on a pirate ship out of Jamaica. "I went in there at six (opening time in the 70s) and the landlord was really nice. He fetched me a pint on the house and showed me where to set up in the lounge." So far so good, but once established, and alone in the lounge he decided to venture into the public bar to seek company, only to experience the traditional bar silencing moment, as the locals turned to glare at the stranger. "I went to the bar, and the barman had a HUGE wadge of cotton wool taped to the side of his head!" he recounted in horror. On realising that he faced the recently earless barman, he began to panic. There was a seemingly harmless old fellow at the bar. "Excuse me; am I safe in here?" he asked in his best posh lamb for the slaughter tremble. "Yeh," replied the veteran, "just as long as you don't look at him playing darts; he'll 'ave you!" Our naif glimpsed across the room at a Neanderthal slamming darts into a dartboard as though into a rival's face. He concluded "I did the gig, put the kit in the car and drove away shaking!" "The landlord keeps phoning offering more work, and I'm running out of excuses. I've told my mum to tell him I'm out!" Bless. They were the days! edit for sausage fingers

Cocktail bar craziness as only an Easter weekend by the seaside can bring. Amazing crowd - dancing all night - 3 encores - back of the net

In bands normal rules don't apply. I've seen the most able people in their daytime jobs become complete King Canutes when they are in a band situation. With the kind of work ethic you have when learning the songs it won't be long till you find something else,

Hi folks i figured this was the forum to ask. Does anyone know of a UK supplier that stocks block inlay stickers and do you know if oiling the rosewood fretboard will effect them? Thanks Jerry

I'm lucky that this has never been an issue. Rehearsals are in an office after hours so its not really an environment that encourages boozing. I think because some of the guys are pro in the band the rehearsals are treated quite professionally and things get done. Some of the chaps are up for a Jamaican Woodbine on occassion but this doesn't have a detrimental effect at all.

Lots of compromise mainly due to being in a fairly small town with not too many options. We play a lot of functions, weddings and parties and there are always tunes we do that make one or all of us wince - usually requests. The band in general have a similar view to songs that we think are cheesy but it doesn't stop us playing them Edit for sausage fingers

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1333542875' post='1603211'] Weren't they promoting the BBM service? Blackberry are losing market share and need to up their game and do some marketing. What is there to be dismayed about? [/quote] I didn't say there was any logic to my outburst! Just inexplicable dismay . I got this (maybe old fashioned) view where when i want to see a band i like i go for the music and the atmosphere - being surrounded by like-minded souls etc. I don't want to go to a corporate event with "Blackberry" flashing on video screens behind the artist and men in suits lurking in the shadows and many punters guests by invitation from the corporation.

[quote name='allighatt0r' timestamp='1333535092' post='1602951'] This bass is currently sitting on my lap. I can't speak for stock BB1100s basses, as Heathy had already stuck in replacement pickups, bridge, nut and fretboard, but this thing is awesome! Heathy, you are a man of utmost excellence! [/quote] Thats looks lovely!

Another vote for the BB1100s which i used as a main bass for about 20 yrs or more. Never let me down, great tonal range and built like a tank. I was lusting after a beauty Yamaha that was sold on the Bay about two days ago. Neck-thru, block inlays - it looked absolutely stunning and went for £390. There was a Mexican P-Bass that went for nearly the same money and i couldn't help think how much better the Yammy was compared to the Mex P Bass. Theres the crux. For the money, you would be hard pressed to beat a Yamaha.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1333540765' post='1603156'] What, about the 'stabbing' with a bottle? [/quote] Here's a sign of the times. The bit about the stabbing hardly registered! I am so used to reading about stabbings now that i kind of skimmed over that bit. I was more confused/dismayed about their being a party organised to celebrate an Instant Messaging service...

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1333536806' post='1603005'] Have you gone slightly mad? [/quote] Yep - finally flipped It was the first headline i found on the BBC website and on reading the story found myself a bit dismayed - thats all.

Just glanced at this. Only a few years ago this would have been very uncool. Now it seems that the corporate world are using the latest artists to promote their wares and the artists seem happy to comply. When i was a nipper there always appeared to be a healthy disconnet between popular music and the corporate world. These boundaries seem to have been broken. I blame Live Aid and such like for showing business heads how "marketable" musicians can help promote an idea, service or product. They say that you get the society that you deserve. Help... [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17606820"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17606820[/url] Jessie J had earlier performed at the event to promote Blackberry's instant messaging service.

I have mangaged to forget bass and kit bag before - not on the same night. Always happens when i am distracted either by not following my normal loading routine or if someone has rendez-vous'd at my place. Such a creature of habit

Love em. Great to see some young'ens diggin on the groove. Tasty players. I know what Sliddx means about the "cleaness" of it all but thats not an issue for me.

If you don't feel that your herd of gear needs to justify itself financially then keep hold of your stuff. As others have said its easier to sell a good bass than buy a good one. That said, i like what i have at the moment but am suffering from real GAS at the moment so ignore anything i say.