How was your gig last night?

[Captain Bassman]

Funkin up the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells last night with my best mates in The Audacity.

 

Full line-up with 2 singers and 3-piece horn section in front of a very enthusiastic crowd of diners, drinkers and dancers. Wonderful stuff!

 

 

[wateroftyne]

An Eagles tribute show at The Fire Station in Sunderland, a relatively new 550-cap venue. I reckon it's probably one of the best in the country.

 

The hall is beautiful... acoustic perfection. The PA is premiere league. The staff are lovely, and absolutely on it. It even has parking!

 

Used my MIA Standard Jazz, with the G&L L2000 on standby. Rig was, of course the Handbox R-400 (with its lovely on-board DI) and TKS S212.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bluewine]

On 24/07/2025 at 18:09, Dad3353 said:

 

In that case, try : 'You're not going to refuse to do a video shoot, are you..?' 

 

...

 

 

 

Video shoot, I'm in. I think a would be good at it. Lol

 

Daryl

[Norris]

First of all we have some photos from last night...

Yep, a bit better than the photos I took 😂

 

So tonight was at The Crew in Nuneaton. Upstairs is Queens Hall, which may be more familiar to some as a venue for original bands. There was no-one up there tonight though, just us rocking out downstairs. It's been 15 months since we last played there due to various circumstances and cancellations, but it's becoming one of our favourite gigs.

 

The Crew is a proper rock bar, so it made a nice change to be a bit louder than usual and a bit more raucous. My Rumble master volume still wasn't even at 12 o'clock though, but was lovely and punchy. The crowd there is a real mixture of ages, from youngsters still having to show ID to white-haired old hippies, and everything in between. It really is a great place.

 

It's getting a bit regular playing the Stingish bass (nice & light, tighter string spacing) and the Rumble. Footwear were Vans for a change

(Photo again barely remembered while starting to pack up)

 

Ended the evening with a cheeky chicken shawarma from the takeaway across the road from the venue - very nice!

[WalMan]

4 hours ago, Greg Edwards69 said:

 

Thanks both of you. I really appreciate it. I have another gig this week that I’m leading on (my neice’s wedding), but after that I’m going to have to get the other to step up more. I need to speak to my boss too. I’m working on several massive projects at the moment. They’re doable, but just intensive, so not doing my mental health much good.

 

Agreed to the second point. We’ve had a couple of technical rehearsals before, but the usual 4 hour slot just isn’t enough time to set up the full PA and drums and go through everything properly. I mentioned the other night about doing a longer all day session if we can in an appropriately sized room. It will make things much easier going forward if we have a better baseline to work from.

Take it easy and make sure you look after yourself!! Lost my mum unexpectedly just over a year ago, and had a tough year with my assistant off on maternity from April, plus an op that had me largely immobile for 6 weeks and still getting back to it. I know I overdid it at the day job December and January that I still haven’t properly shaken off - finding it difficult to shake off “what’s the point and why should I care?”. Still haven’t managed to delete mum’s phone numbers from my mobile and it still catches me on occasion - ridiculous really as we’ve sold the house, the phone accounts are cancelled and her mobile is on my coffee table.

Dr Gig helps, but if you’re taking responsibility for all the associated gig stuff and burning yourself out then you really need the others to step up to the plate before you crack.

[Rodders]

Two gigs over the weekend with two different bands (photo from second gig), both at local beer fests with during the day slots. 

First gig outing for the the new (to me) Rick, love the sound but I'm still getting used to playing it (right hand placement). 

 

First gig was with a rock covers trio, took a little while to get going, you don't get the same buzz as a gig at night but it went well, there was a crowd and we got some pocket money so what more can you ask for? 

Second gig was with a seven piece "function" band, apart from myself and the drummer, the others don't gig much at all, so you're having to support them, depending on how nervous they are or how many beers they've had. 

It was enjoyable all the same, I have to say its the first time I have waited over an hour and a half for a burger because the vendor couldn't find me, being 6ft 3", 18st and wobbling/limping that was a first!

 

   

[dmccombe7]

2 hours ago, Rodders said:

Two gigs over the weekend with two different bands (photo from second gig), both at local beer fests with during the day slots. 

First gig outing for the the new (to me) Rick, love the sound but I'm still getting used to playing it (right hand placement). 

 

First gig was with a rock covers trio, took a little while to get going, you don't get the same buzz as a gig at night but it went well, there was a crowd and we got some pocket money so what more can you ask for? 

Second gig was with a seven piece "function" band, apart from myself and the drummer, the others don't gig much at all, so you're having to support them, depending on how nervous they are or how many beers they've had. 

It was enjoyable all the same, I have to say its the first time I have waited over an hour and a half for a burger because the vendor couldn't find me, being 6ft 3", 18st and wobbling/limping that was a first!

 

   

Isn't it funny that every time i see a Ric bass in the pics my first thought is "Ooohhh a Ric bass".

Maybe i need to get one. 😂

Dave

[Muzz]

They're like Stingrays for me: I love everything about them except playing them, because they really, really don't suit me. I've had three of each, because on at least two occasions for each I thought 'I must have been wrong about the last one'.

 

They are an iconic bass, and I really wish they suited me.

[Geek99]

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

Isn't it funny that every time i see a Ric bass in the pics my first thought is "Ooohhh a Ric bass".

Maybe i need to get one. 😂

Dave

Don’t worry, some anti-fungal cream will sort that out 

[msb]

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

Isn't it funny that every time i see a Ric bass in the pics my first thought is "Ooohhh a Ric bass".

Maybe i need to get one. 😂

Dave

 Don’t quite understand why , but every time I see a nice Ric I get a little weak in the knees. 

[tauzero]

Saturday night was another dep gig. The Bonnevilles were the first band to play at The Beehive in Curdworth since the new manager came in about four months ago, sorted out by the new drummer. We got a spacious raised area to set up in, which was nice. And I got a couple of songs properly sorted that I'd had slight trouble with (not car crash type trouble, just stumbles). The newly acquired Zoom MS-60B+ made its first appearance.

 

Sei Flamboyant 5 -> Lekato WS-90 -> Zoom MS-60B+ -> Tecamp Puma 900 -> GR Bass AT212. As always, Caravelle memory foam trainers.

[dmccombe7]

3 hours ago, Muzz said:

They're like Stingrays for me: I love everything about them except playing them, because they really, really don't suit me. I've had three of each, because on at least two occasions for each I thought 'I must have been wrong about the last one'.

 

They are an iconic bass, and I really wish they suited me.

Had a polar white one in 80's and didn't keep it long. Just couldn't get a tone i liked. Its the only bass i have no pics of.

Dave

[Muzz]

First 'proper' bass, a Jetglo bought for my 16th in 1980*, I had it for about four years, sold it for an arse-clenchingly small amount, bought a 70s P** which wasn't very good, then about a year later Pointy Things were all over the place and I succumbed to them for a good while...bought a new one for my 50th (the old misty-eyed nostalgia thing), really didn't get on with it so it went back by return post, then I thought I'd made a mistake so I bought another and realised nope, I hadn't...

 

 

*Not wanting to sound to privileged, this was a 'No, don't want a party, no, don't want anything else, yes, you can have all the money I get from anywhere else, I JUST WANT TO BE GEDDY LEE...'

**And I was so numb I've no idea what year it actually was; it was black and maple, and so was JJB's, soooo...

[peteb]

56 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

Had a polar white one in 80's and didn't keep it long. Just couldn't get a tone i liked. Its the only bass i have no pics of.

Dave

 

Was that a Ric or a Stingray? 

 

My second ever bass was a Ric copy, which was awful and put me off them for life. A mate of mine has a Ric that he adores, but I reckon is probably among the the worse 'expensive' basses that I have ever played (sorry Paul)! 

 

I have a curious relationship with Stingrays. I think that they sound, look and play great. But... I never seem to take them out on gigs! I have bought, then sold, the bought again a number of Stingrays, but hardly ever played one on a gig. I currently have a red 91 Ray, which a mate of mine sold me cheap after me admiring it for a few years. Because he wanted me to have it and insisted on letting me have it so cheap, I feel a bit bad selling it on. That and my missus telling me to just keep it as I will inevitably buy another one in a few months time! It currently goes out as my spare for the tribute band gigs, but rarely leaves its gigbag! 

 

[Norris]

4 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

Isn't it funny that every time i see a Ric bass in the pics my first thought is "Ooohhh a Ric bass".

Maybe i need to get one. 😂

Dave

I've been keeping half an eye out for a 5er. They don't get brilliant reviews though. My 4er hangs on the wall waiting patiently for the day...

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Norris

[ezbass]

I’d love another Ric 4003s, but it would have to be a walnut one, I can’t cope with the weight of the all maple ones. 
 

Interesting enough (or not, depending on your POV), the position of the 4003 bridge pickup and the ‘Ray are almost the same (when scale length is rendered equal).

 

 

[Len_derby]

2 hours ago, msb said:

 Don’t quite understand why , but every time I see a nice Ric I get a little weak in the knees. 

I know just what you mean. For me it’s because they are associated with influential and iconic players and relatively rare. You certainly don’t see many on my pub and club circuit of venues.

I’m lucky in a way, as I had the chance to try @Norris’s out at a Bass Bash a few years ago. Lovely as it was, it didn’t feel right. That’s saved me a heap of money and disappointment. 
I do have a hankering for one of Retrovibe’s short scale Lil’ Richard looky-likeys, though. A itch that needs scratching 😆.

[Stub Mandrel]

I don't know exactly why, but I have never 'got' Rics. I suppose to me, the various design elements just don't look like they go together. But that's just me.

[BassTool]

20 hours ago, wateroftyne said:

An Eagles tribute show at The Fire Station in Sunderland, a relatively new 550-cap venue. I reckon it's probably one of the best in the country.

 

The hall is beautiful... acoustic perfection. The PA is premiere league. The staff are lovely, and absolutely on it. It even has parking!

 

Used my MIA Standard Jazz, with the G&L L2000 on standby. Rig was, of course the Handbox R-400 (with its lovely on-board DI) and TKS S212.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fabulous pics of an amazing local gig @wateroftyne glad you and the band enjoyed The Fire Station, looks like an incredible night was had by all, it really is a superb venue 👌🏼

[wateroftyne]

25 minutes ago, BassTool said:

Fabulous pics of an amazing local gig @wateroftyne glad you and the band enjoyed The Fire Station, looks like an incredible night was had by all, it really is a superb venue 👌🏼

Cheers! It really is.

Here's a clip. Bass sounds exactly as I want. Flatwounds FTW!
 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by wateroftyne

[BassTool]

2 minutes ago, wateroftyne said:

Cheers! It really is.

Here's a clip:
 

 

Absolutely fantastic that! And not a P bass in sight 😲🤓 The whole set up there is fabulous, and I've heard the staff are superb too, looks and sounds great 😜

[wateroftyne]

20 minutes ago, BassTool said:

Absolutely fantastic that! And not a P bass in sight 😲🤓 The whole set up there is fabulous, and I've heard the staff are superb too, looks and sounds great 😜

Ha! Truth is, I’d love to use a P for the earlier stuff, but as the guitar / keys lads have a lot of switching around to do, it’s left to me to do a lot of the between-song chat.

[ezbass]

You certainly get some great gigs, Michael and that J sounds great in the mix to me. If it ain’t broke, don’t shoehorn a P in to fix it. P tones are where I’m at right now and have been for a fair old while. Having dabbled with a Mustang and a P, I’m back using my old custom Maruszczyk Elwood L, favouring the neck up. Feels like playing a comfy, old pair of slippers, whilst giving me the tone I want in spades (the pickups are split coils in J sized enclosures) and the potential for variation if required. 

[KingPrawn]

It was brilliant. Played the Swan in Stourport on severn. A local gig with the best energy and crowd. 

[peteb]

The gig on Saturday was a dep for a blues / americana (sort of) band at Diseworth Village Hall. A bit different setting to the last gig I did two weeks ago, a slightly dodgy rock club in a rundown part of inner-city Hull, this was a small village hall in a well to do part of rural England, just off the M1 a short distance away from East Midlands Airport. A lovely and rather picturesque little village, complete with signs on lampposts rallying locals to protest at any possible industrial development in the area (as well as discouraging strangers from parking up there for a fortnight to avoid using the nearby airport car parks)! 

 

The people promoting the gig were super friendly and helpful (as they were in the club in Hull), decent PA, free food, having to keep turning down free beers, etc. Not a bad payer either! 

 

I say it was a dep gig, but I was in an earlier version of the band and have done a couple of deps since I left. Basically, when I’m playing, it’s the Zep tribute band with a female singer-songwriter (the guitarist’s girlfriend), so we all know each and are used to playing together. Not exactly the most rock'n'roll crowd, but nice people and a very good audience reaction, so generally a great night. 

 

The usual motorway closure on the two hour drive home, but this one wasn’t too bad – M1 closed, diverted onto the M18 to the A1(M) and then picking the M62 up just a little further out, maybe 15 minutes added to the drive. One day I will start a thread on motorway closures driving back from gigs at night! 

 

Gear was, as ever, the 70s P bass into a Handbox R-400 amp / Berg CN212 cab. Footwear was the usual grey suede Vans hi-tops! I’m a bit worried that they are starting to wear out and I might have start wearing in a new pair for gigs (darker grey pigskin Vans)! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 41 minutes ago by peteb