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Viable option. Looks like wallpaper. She'll never know.

Got a call from a pro guitarist who'd taken a couple of gigs on but had no band. We both knew the same vocalist /sax player (also pro muso) and he'd been roped in so he just needed a rhythm section. He said he knew a pro drummer that was up for it. Set list to be decided. When we finally meet up to discuss a playlist, I'm handed a sheet with 14 numbers on it. I thought that would be the first set. Wrong. That was the total play list for what turned out to be nearly two hours playing and, on the second gig (tonight) we didn't get to the last number. The band went down a storm two nights running. Okay, the songs were stretched out some with funky intros and some fairly long sax solos but I got paid more than in my usual band, played only 13 songs and had a great time. I'm used to playing between 35 and 40 numbers usually. This is the future. It's up there with garlic bread.

That would be me! My Bass (and Guitars) have been (successfully) paying my Mortgage and been feeding my children for many years now. Oh and paying for my accountant ... who gives my money too the taxman.Hmm.. lol

Hi...the middle pot controls the blend on setting 1 (envelope filter) so turning it anti-clockwise allows you to dial in more of your clean signal. I have managed to find a usable bass sound with little low end loss this way...give it a go!

Hobbyist/Weekend Warrior for me. I do this purely for fun, and we - in general - only gig at weekends. All the money generated from the band goes back into the band, so no income at all. And similar to @Mykesbass am in my 50s, original material, with overseas tours/festivals/albums out etc having the best time of my life so far as a musician.

I used to think drummers were easily replaceable, and most of them are, but a really good drummer, like I have now, is priceless, that's why we pay him nothing, badoom tsch

I would suggest that: Pro Musician: Earns 100% of their income from musical eneavours Semi Pro: Earns a percentage of their income from musical endeavours, topped up by income from non-musical endeavours. For the sake of crossover with Hobbyist, probably more income than they spend on gear. Hobbyist/Weekend Warrior: Earns a little bit of money, but not enough to add to income after gear purchases. Bedroom Bassist: Not in a band, just plays at home. Although plenty of Pro Musicians as a result of being a bedroom musician now thanks to Youtube All in all, there's so many crossovers and exceptions. Si

Hilarious! That's made my day, and it's only 11 o'clock!

I think that was an ad-hominem attack aimed directly at me. Once I'd looked it up, having not heard the term, I was offended. But I am resolved not to engage in a battle of wits with the unarmed.

My son with his new customised bass.........Got it for his birthday and has another metallic green 5 string Squier Standard (jazz pups etc) waiting as a surprise. He's been playing around 6 weeks and is in a young band that could easily blow many experienced groups off the planet - they're as tight as a very tight thing...!! Enjoys loads of music, but loves the Chili Peppers - When they were good (with John Frusciante....) - so decided to play this piece...... It's a short clip, but he's on it...... It's a Squier Affinity with Fender Mex pickups, custom plate, new Fender nut and electronic tweeks........ Blows my mind when I think how many more years he's got as well.........

Don't get me wrong, I like enclosed tuners, mine are Sperzel, but open gear ones just don't get gummed up with anything.

Was bedroom to pro to bedroom in 40 years.

I don't get nervous about audiences, playing with other musicians who are more accomplished than me or, the material I'm going to play. However, if I'm singing, and that one little thought enters my head "what's the first line" that's it. The panic sets in. The audience usually notice what's happened by the time we've done the intro four times😂

Why doesn't this poll have a category for 'Flakes & Fantasists'?

Probably the camera being shocked by the sudden appearance of sunlight. It's black really.

I get slightly nervous, but it always settles after one or two songs however... Last night I was absolutely bricking it. We had Eric Bell, (guitarist and founder member of Thin Lizzy for younger members. ), joining us. I settled after the first song and by the time he decided to do Whiskey in the Jar, I was OK. And for the record, he was a pleasure to play with. Humble, friendly, funny, and what a guitar player! Frank.

That`s it Bas, we do it for the sheer fun of it, recording/selling the material, and having people sing along with the words at our gigs all being part of that fun, hence why i say hobbyist even though the band does earn from it. Due to none of us taking any money from it I couldn`t say pro/semi-pro as it would be a very poorly paid profession Same here, sure we`re not a "big" band, but it`s far bigger and more sucessful than anything else I`ve ever done, and we only decided to do it for fun, see where we could go with it.

Before I read this thread I would have said Semi-pro, simply because a lot of the gigs I do are of a high standard, sold out art centres, tours, professionally recorded albums on an Indie label etc that get good reviews in the National press. Financially though, like with a few of you, it goes back into the band and I make a tiny amount on just a handful of shows. Players in all but one of my acts are either pro or ex-pro. I don't see myself as a hobbyist or weekend warrior simply because it's such a huge part of my life and a massive commitment.

It depends if I'm being thrown in the deep end or not. 49 gigs out of 50 I won't feel nerves because I'm in my comfort zone but occasionally, usually when I'm depping and am unsure of the songs, I'll feel a bit anxious. I like to feel a bit of nerves, because it shows you're stretching yourself.

Not bothered about his hair. His face is looking more like his old "Karloff" guitar graphic!

That has changed radically since..!

Stick some roundwounds on and listen to that bass come alive. You won't believe what you've been missing. If you want the bass to stay in brand new condition, use flats. Maybe consider not even playing it at all.

I hate this thread. By which I mean I love it and am deeply jealous of you all.

Yes, originals is a much harder one to pigeonhole. Was very much in the hobbyist camp, and now in my mid fifties, didn't think it would ever be more. All of a sudden, our band having moved over to writing our own material, have a 9 date tour booked in November, a festival in January and are running our own self-promoted nights in Brighton. Still a long way from giving up the day job though

+1. If you're going smaller and don't want to lose output you need not only a lot more power but also a driver with sufficient displacement to make use of that power. The drivers that Barefaced uses have the highest displacement available with electric bass drivers. Other manufacturers might, but there's no way of knowing, as they don't reveal their driver displacement.

There are fewer now, but in the '60s and '70s, every French village had a dance night, especially during the long summer season. The standard timing was 21h00 till 02h00, with no break, in either the town 'salle de fêtes' or a marquee in the town square. Weddings could go on for longer; much longer (dusk till dawn and beyond on occasion...). I played these for many years, drumming (or, very occasionally, bass...), with a very varied repertoire (hence the name 'variety orchestra'. It built stamina.

There is a flaw in your logic.

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There seems to be some kind of weird 'honour' in playing very long sets. I say they're vastly overrated.I'd much rather watch a great band for 30 minutes than a mediocre one for two hours. Some covers bands in particular seem to think that quantity is the equal of quality. it is not. That's a sweet cherry. Makes life much, much easier. And more pleasant.

Would be good to see it getting played once complete. If you build it, they will come.......to the gig, that is.

At some point in the mid 90s I was fed up with my Wal and tried to sell it. Luckily nobody bought it, so it stayed with me, sitting unused in the corner. Three years and a Musicman and Precision later I rediscovered the Wal and play it as my main bass ever since. So my advice is that if you think everything feels right with your Wal then go cheating, but keep it.

Should now allow multiple votes. Don't go abusing this newfound limitless power.

Get the gig then put the band together. If you know good musicians then this is no problem.

I just about qualify for semi-pro. The day job is classroom music teacher- but I’m adamant that career is the craft of education first subject specialism second. I do ok as a reading bassist round here, the function band does 20 or so gigs a year and I pick up the occasional session or two a year. Of course semi pro can mean lucky to get paid as well!

Thank you for the kind words chaps, much appreciated.

NBD! Actually thanks to Utterly Pathetic Service (UPS) and Interparcel who can't deliver on time, delivery will now be next week. But I have been waiting for six years to find a Hohner B Bass 5. Only saw two for sale in all that time and both for sale abroad and expensive. Just bought one in Bicester for under 200 notes. So another week isn't much. See how tolerant I am? Me nice.

13/14 songs in 2 hours? Musta been some great jams. I love playing songs that take you on a journey like that. Jam band or jazz based? Something like "Low spark of high-heeled boyos " ?

Generation snowflake?? Of course it's a flipping condescending patronising label. That entire post is defensive. Try being a kid being brought up with the name Karl Altdorfer less than a generation after WW11, in a school where one in 16 had lost relatives/friends. The parents belted me never mind the flipping kids. Next time you derail a thread to your agenda, THINK TWICE. Anyway, I'm done

Incorrect apostrophe in ‘nazi’s’, there.

Not in my opinion it won't - you're going to be pushing it to its limits

Finally had chance to take a few photos of my latest acquisition. Ever since seeing photos of Cliff Burton with one back in the mid 80s, I’ve wanted one. Got some new Rotosounds today, first set I’ve bought in years. Man, do they feel rough 😂. It’s in very good shape. Yes, is has some chips and plectrum marks, but it’s 34 years old! I’m so bloody happy, I grin every time I see it! I need get some tiny gold screws for the trussrod cover as they were pretty chewed up.