MaGrOtTeN

[quote name='dand666' timestamp='1392120161' post='2364843'] Your right it is. But it's something not only myself has put a lot of hard work into. And I would not like too say no, and have them go through the nightmare of getting a new bassist to learn over 200 songs. I think I am going to go for it, it'll just be a scary couple of months/years. I'll hate myself if I don't give myself the chance. At least I can say I gave it a shot. [/quote] Well said... Go for it, Band of Brothers style

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1392115154' post='2364751'] I played in a band where the singers best lines went something like, "That was a great number wasn't it?" And "Who's heard of XXX?".[/quote] That's pretty cringeworthy, unless you're gigging an old people's home. I'm definitely not the sort of punter who needs chit-chat to feel included. The bands I usually enjoy play intense, serious music that is somewhat 'on another level' to on-stage dialogue. If a band is giving the audience an out-of-body experience then inter-song conversation can really burst the bubble. Some people (probably Coldplay fans) need that grounding as for them it needs to stay on a human level at all times. Why go to festivals like Glastonbury for that 'intimate live gig' feel? Of course there are exceptions though, ie smoky jazz bars or more intimate performances.

[quote name='Gazza 2905' timestamp='1392067560' post='2364385'] Hmmmmm........a Dingwall Super J perhaps??.... [/quote] Textbook case of G.A.S. creeping in there

[quote name='Gazza 2905' timestamp='1392043103' post='2363912'] Spacecowboys Combustion II I believe? You won't regret it! [/quote] Right you are. Looking at your stockpile that's quite re-assuring

Very insightful feedback there.... can't help but wonder how many of you are Librans Efficiency is the key it seems. [quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1392050867' post='2364064'] On reflection had I not focused on playing I'd probably be 1) further up the career ladder and 2) still married to my 1st wife. I think I have the balance about right [/quote] Oxford English definition of a musician right there.... [quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1392051116' post='2364072'] You know how busy I am. I work a day job 8-6 5 days a week, and then "work" in my studio 7-10 every night. Weekends are eaten up with sessions and gigs. I have literally no time just to sit and relax and collect my thoughts, and almost no time to spend with family or significant other. [/quote] I really admire your productivity... 'behind every great man' ... [quote name='dand666' timestamp='1392112398' post='2364705'] We've been offered cruise work for late this year/early next year but I'm going to find it tough giving up a full time, safe job, for possible a 6/8 month contract away and not get any more. [/quote] That's a tough decision... risk could pay off but it's quite a long time to be at sea, especially if you somewhat like your current job.

I would have the same limits as Pinball really, although I do find myself being quite tired a lot of the time due to music commitments. It's hard to objectively say when this fatigue begins to affect the aforementioned aspects of life, (in the same way that it's hard to self-judge whether or not a person drinks too much) and sometimes I wonder if I would find as much fulfilment in a less time-consuming hobby, to which I always conclude that I wouldn't.... but that may be because I don't spend enough time on other things. But I think you're right. With a clear head you should be able to see if one aspect of life is suffering due to an imbalance. It's just ironic that it's easier to judge when you have a better balance! Music must be like smoking... you have to really want to give it up before that were to happen.

[quote name='Gazza 2905' timestamp='1392026360' post='2363633'] I gave in too, just before Christmas...Dingwall style, too.... G.A.S. free so far. Not expecting it to stay that way though, if I'm honest. [/quote] Would be [i]VERY[/i] interested to see what would replace your Lee Sklar signature, you lucky thing!

[quote name='Ashborygirl' timestamp='1361703106' post='1989352'] It's hard to explain but you don't appreciate how different the B,E & A strings sound to the D&G on a normal bass. With the Dingwall it sounds like every string is being played on the same instrument, same presence punch & sustain. What I appreciate most about this is that eq'ing the amp stops being a compromise between tight enough to make the lower register sound clean but no so tight as to make the high register sound nasal. [/quote] Very insightful, thanks. I've just bought one here without ever trying fanned frets previously. After reading up a lot about user's experiences with them, it seems that the verdict is about as unanimous as you can get on Dingwall, which says a lot when you consider how different they are to "normal" basses. Whether or not it's true that string tension was the catalyst for fanned frets, it doesn't and shouldn't undercut the conclusion that these things are very intuitive and natural to play. If fanned fret design pre-dated normal fret design, it would be at least as difficult to transition to normal fretboards, so the question of 'how long does it take to get used to' for me is not as important as 'how do they feel once you are totally used to them' or 'how consistent are they compared to "normal" basses of similar cost.' Maybe I should report back once I play the thing for the first time!

[quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1392027712' post='2363652'] However when I'm at home I just play music and write songs anyway and I sat through pretty much the whole of "Strictly come dancing" to spend some quality time with my wife I deserve to do whatever I want. [/quote] I tip my hat to you sir, 'Love Is...' For people who live and breathe music who have unrelated full time jobs I'd say that's a sensible limit to impose. People here in London seem to be more career orientated due to the extra difficulties associated with having hobbies here.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1392002348' post='2363480'] First remark (not the kindest, I'm afraid, so don't stop here...): part of the role of a teacher is to teach those that want to learn from him/her. Up to a point, listen to your teacher. [/quote] I think it shows intelligence to question things, so credit to OP. I'm surprised no-one's mentioned note attack, as for me this is the main thing that will get lost while moving up the fretboard. Mostly it doesn't matter but if you want something to have a really sharp attack to give it lots of presence/aggression in the mix it may be better to play that part down low.

Very sensible rules, except #5 which is just laughable if you're into metal

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1390515608' post='2346431'] 'The f***ing soundman shot 48v back up the DI line and borked my rig' [/quote] LOL On a serious note, can this happen easily with amps?

Basschatters, What is a good balance between band life and living a normal life? Should it change from person to person or is there a general threshold? Things like work, relationships, sleep, and health can all suffer, but how much is too much? Also, is it foolish to be in that perpetual mind-frame of 'things are busy with the band now, but it'll soon calm down' ? Would be interested to hear your stories, such as if something triggered a re-evaluation of life priorities, or the cost of succumbing to the music-gods. Hit me with some wisdom!

I gave in last week... Dingwall style.... I hope my G.A.S. never returns!

These are cheap and so effective - no excuses! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Howard-Leight-Leightning-Folding-Earmuff/dp/B001BL04PS/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1391700665&sr=8-7&keywords=ear+defenders

Tracks: [url="https://soundcloud.com/japanese-fighting-fish"]https://soundcloud.c...e-fighting-fish[/url] Dates: 27/2/14 - Good Ship in KILBURN, 16/4/14 TOOTING TRAM AND SOCIAL Feel free to come down and give me some pointers! Tough crowd [attachment=154449:avatars-000063444120-8aift0-t500x500.jpg]

[color=#666666][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=verdana, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Hi all [/size][/font][/font][/color] [color=#666666][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=verdana, arial, sans-serif][size=3]We're looking for a competent drummer to join our line-up before our album drops.[/size][/font][/font][/color] [color=#666666][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=verdana, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Think of big dirty basslines with chugging metal riffs and fat beats galore punctuated by chilled lush moments throughout. We like Deftones, Meshuggah, Converge, ect.. and all sorts of non-metal stuff also. [/size][/font][/font][/color] [color=#666666][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=verdana, arial, sans-serif][size=3]You can find a short medley of our album tracks (unmixed as of now) here[/size][/font][/font][/color] [url="https://soundcloud.com/mcguinnessmatthew/album-sample-track-unmixed"]http://www.bandmix.co.uk/orca/[/url] [color=#666666][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=verdana, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Alternatively just get in touch and I'll message you more links[/size][/font][/font][/color] [color=#666666][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=verdana, arial, sans-serif][size=3]This isn't a touring project (yet) but we all love what we are doing and expect that you do too, so no dep/session musicians please! Links to your recordings online would really help give us an idea of your style and how it might work with our songs. [/size][/font][/font][/color] [color=#666666][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=verdana, arial, sans-serif][size=3]THANKS! [/size][/font][/font][/color] [color=#666666][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=verdana, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Matt[/size][/font][/font][/color]