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Showing content with the highest reputation on 18/06/22 in all areas
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A wee update. We got the guitarist I had been speaking to on the phone the other week down to the studio. The guy was superb! He has all the gear, SG with Angus Young`s sig pickups, 100 watt Marshall head and cab with an attenuator thank God and all the licks and tones. Turns out he is a doctor who played guitar in bands a few years back but always wanted to play in an ac/dc band but never had the chance. Super nice guy and he was smiling so much whilst playing that at first it was a bit freaky as I`m not used to happy guitar players! So it just goes to show that some people who answer Gumtree adverts are alright.13 points
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I’ve got sad love for gigging at the moment. Terry, one of the guitarists in my covers band, Night Shift, has stage 4 cancer. He’s undergoing the treatment and has been told it’s controllable but not curable. He wants to gig as much as he can, while he can - music means so much to him. The previous two weekends to this one we gigged three times in each. He’s shattered after each one and sleeps for 12 hours. We carry and set up all his gear for him. We are having some great times, but it’s bitter-sweet.9 points
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A few years back, I was in a four piece covers band - 2 x guitar, bass and drums. One of the guitars was always moaning about something and saying he was going to call it quits. He was just somewhat draining, a real energy vampire. He once more said he was about to quit to the other guitarist a day or two before a gig. On the night of the gig, the good guitarist announced over the mic the "Ladies and gentlemen, sadly this is ******'s last gig. He's decided to hang up his guitar. Let's give him a night to remember!" Suffice to say, he wasn't expecting that and was rather taken aback. I mean all we did was help him make that final step We carried on as a three piece after that and were much happier!8 points
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7 points
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Hi All, Now withdrawn, too good of a backup bass. I have had this a while and it is a very capable active 5 string. When I bought it it had a bit of damage on the back of the guitar, doesn't affect playability in any way, purely cosmetic and as it is at the back no-one sees it! I put a little black paint on it and it has never caused me an issue. The bass plays well, sounds good and is a great back up bass for a gig, or main gig bass for those gigs you don't want to take your £3k pride and joy too. http://www.squierwiki.com/Deluxe-Dimension-Bass-V6 points
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6 points
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Hi, The time has come for me to part ways with some of my collection of lovely Warwick basses. These instruments get occasionally played/cleaned and waxed/returned to their classes, and deserve to go to someone who will give them the play time they deserve. After owning a few other thumbs (limited 03 & 06, 98nt) I finally got the “one” I was looking for. This bass is the lightest thumb I have played with the thinnest/fastest neck which plays and sounds great. I bought this bass from the original owner on eBay.de, and the instrument is in excellent original condition except for some blemishing of the paint on the bridge which does not affect its function or the playability. A couple of years ago I had the frets crowned/levelled and the bass set up by Chris Eccleshall guitars, and there is plenty of life left on the frets. Everything else on the bass works as expected. I wrote to Warwick about the spec for the bass and had a prompt reply from H.P. Wilfer, see below. Bass Thumb Bass NT 4 string Serial Number E xxx 87 Year 1987 Month May Number 852 Neck Wood Wenge Wood with Bubinga Strips Fingerboard Wenge Wood, with Mother of Peal Inlays Frets Bronce Warwick Frets Nut Just a Nut Brass Version Neck construction NeckThrough hidden neck construction Body 3 pcs. solid Bubinga Wood Surface Oil Finish / Beewax Pickups active EMG JJ Pickups Electronic 2 Band Electronic by MEC Hardware Schaller Hardware made for Warwick Made in Germany / Pretzfeld (West Germany) Included is a Warwick heavy duty flight case (black), and strap locks £1650 GBP collected, or worldwide shipping at buyers expense. No Trades5 points
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With a new Ritter incoming, I decided that one of my old Fenders had to go. As this is the only original finish one I have, I thought it deserved a new home with someone who would play and cherish it. It’s a truly lovely thing and in amazing condition for a ‘68 original finish. It’s been played but, I think, it’s been well looked after during its 55 year life! Currently for sale at BassBross where people can visit, try and talk about PX deals etc. I don’t want to betray any trust with Will so it’s only available for sale direct with him. The description from BassBross is: ”This 1968 Fender Jazz Bass has all the looks and mojo you would expect! Featuring blocks/binding, lollypop tuners, pickup covers, original hardcase. This really is a classic mid-late 60’s look! Everything is original apart from the addition of the some extra screw holes that brings the bridge cover further forward, these can be seen in the photos. This bass has had a life and has quite rightly been played extensively, there are plenty of dings and areas of wear to show this, we think this just adds to making this bass so classic. Please get in touch for any more info/photos. Serial number suggests early 68 Neck dated 7 Feb 68 Pots serial is 6631 = 1966 Pickups dated 3-8-68 = March 68 – Part Exchange Welcome – SPEC Serial Number – 218045 Year – 1968 Colour – Three Tone Sunburst Body Finish – Gloss Body Wood – Alder Neck Finish – Gloss Neck Wood – Maple Fretboard – Rosewood Frets – 20 Scale Length – 34’ Weight – 9lbs8oz/4.3kgs Electronics – Passive Pickups – Orignal Fender Gigbag/Hardcase – Original Hardcase Lots more pics here: https://bassbros.co.uk/product/1968-fender-jazz-bass/5 points
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Hi Guys, Not much going on with me. As you know I'm 68 and have been an amature type performer since 1965 I'm lucky in the sense that my whole summer is booked. That means I have gigs every weekend. Most are pretty decent gigs. Decent hours and respectable compensation. We landed another opening slot with Collective Soul next month. Just a couple of comments since I haven't posted in a while. I read allot of the " I Hate Gigging" thread. My take away was nobody actually hates gigging. Most hate certain aspects of gigging; 1. Bad gigs 2. Bad long hours 3. Bad band 4. Traveling 5. Low pay 6. Personality Issues We all have some degree of power to avoid the 6 bullet points above. While I gig allot my issue with gigging is a little different than most. I found myself in this position where I'm one of the few that needs the money. That in itself puts me in a bad spot. I would say I'm the only guy in my band who needs the money. The other member all have full time traditional careers. What do you think? What kind of questionable band circumstances are you dealing with and how you plan to change them. I guess at some point I'm going to simply say" I'm sick of it" that hasn't happened yet. Blue5 points
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5 points
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In 2 different bands. One earns good money but up till now haven't gigged a lot due to a combination of things including Covid. Main one being guitarist works as a carer every 2nd weekend so fitting in rehearsals was difficult to even get onto gigging. We started 4 yrs ago but he worked a standard 9-5 job in the beginning. I found that a bit frustrating as i was retired i had plenty of free time but fully understood his circumstances. He has recently decided its time to quit and let the band move on. New guitarists are geared up for auditions this week coming. The other band is a punk band that gigs a lot in comparison 2-4 times a month. No hassles with them, all easy going and no ego involved. Its just a nice band to play in but we would need to play 3-4 gigs to earn same money as one gig with the 70's Glam covers band. I've never played as much in a band before in 40yrs of playing. Altho i dont specifically need the money i am finding that i dont want to play gigs these days where i just "break even". I guess that's more money driven than anything else which is a slight change for me. The more i play the more profit i want to see. Maybe its because i'm working more. Thoroughly enjoying it all at the moment. Think the unloading and loading at gigs is my pet hate especially with the Glam band as they are usually bigger venues and require full PA with van hire required for most. I'm the designated driver and have the added pain of picking up and returning the van. That really can be a pain the day after a late night when it has to be returned for 9am the following morning. DA5 points
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From my experience Blue, it’s usually a problem if the financial circumstances of the band vary a great deal. Years ago I was in a pro function band, with some members also holding down teaching jobs. This made attitudes to our gigs radically different, with some who relied on the money (like me) getting fed up of having to allow for lateness and even not being able to take work if school got in the way. This ended up with quite a few dep players being used which didn’t always work well. My current band have been going now for around 15 years. All the members are in the same boat i.e the band is their first call and primary source of income. We don’t use any deps either, and it works really well. Reminds me of ( I think ) Count Basie and a journalist asking him how keeps an 18 piece band on the road, to which Basie replied ‘ I pay them money....’ 😆5 points
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4 points
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I bought this a few years back after falling in love with the look and the heritage. I’ve never seen another! I did a lot of research before buying and there seems to be some evidence that these were genuinely made as test runs for the Fender Custom Shop. It’s certainly recorded that one of the very first P basses out of the CS was a ‘Mary Kaye’ model. From my experience as an ex-CS dealer, the build quality is certainly up there with the CS. Unfortunately my wimpy left wrist, damaged a few years back in a motorcycle accident, means I really struggle with the classic P bass neck profile so I decided to sell it. It’s currently for sale at BassBross in Leominster. This gives people the opportunity to give it a try in the relaxed atmosphere at his showroom. It is only for sale via BassBross (which also allows for various purchase or trade options). From Will’s text: ”This is a very rare bass indeed! Rumour has it that these were early builds for the US Custom Shop. They made a limited run of Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazz basses and Precisions. The P-basses and Telecaster 6 strings are generally believed to be the rarest. Fender Custom Shop have recently revisited this model in bring out the 57 Mary Kaye Journeyman relic model. But this one here is the original version! This bass features the full size 13′ body width making it slightly chunkier than the modern day P basses. There are a couple of marks on the side of the body and pickguard, other than that is is in outstanding condition for its age. Serial Number – V034979 Year – 1987 Colour – Olympic White Body Finish – Gloss Body Wood – Alder Neck Finish – Gloss Neck Wood – Maple Fretboard – Maple Frets – 20 Scale Length – 34” Weight – 9lbs8oz/4.3kgs Electronics – Passive Pickups – Orignal Fender Gigbag/Hardcase – Hardcase Lots of pics here: https://bassbros.co.uk/product/1987-fender-mary-kaye-1957-reissue-precision-bass/4 points
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Probably not HEADLINE news but for us married folk - this is BIG NEWS !! i think the heat is getting to her just wanted to tell someone4 points
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A mic is better anyway, as it captures the same thing that you hear. But all is for naught if the guy behind the console doesn't know what he's doing. IME, which includes just about every top touring act of the last 20 years. most don't.4 points
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I’ve used Roqsolid several times. Probably not the cheapest but, in my experience, good quality and certainly durable.4 points
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My Mum told me if I kept playing with it I'd go blind. So I just played with it a little bit and now I wear glasses.4 points
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If you mean cool as in it should be dropped in the Antarctic, never to be seen again, then I'm with you entirely 😁4 points
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3 points
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I’ve been gigging for about 30 years on and off, but I’ve always had to have a day job to make ends meet. So I feel a bit like a superhero when I step onstage in my alter ego! I’d love to be in a position to make enough money from just music - however it would mean taking every paid gig available whether good or bad, which isn’t a great life/work balance as an exhausted dad/husband in his late 40s. But I love gigging, and good bits massively outweigh the few bad bits. The standard I perform to is professional, even if my circumstances mean I’m not there full time yet.3 points
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Absolutely stonking gig last night at the Farmyard bikers rally in Helmsley. A packed house of hundreds inside the marquee and apparently just as many dancing outside who couldn’t get in. The organiser was so chuffed he sorted a photo session at the end of the set. Love gigs like this 😁3 points
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3 points
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We played an acoustic gig last night. It was a private high school graduation party with an unappreciative crowd. The weather was great, the sound was great, we worked our butts off. They slipped every member an extra hundred bucks. I've always been an amature with a professional attitude. Blue3 points
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I just bought a new ABM 600.... I love my Rootmaster but I just want that added... Wait for it.......... Heft. There are features I've come to rely on from Ashdown amps: EQ button to go to flat, switchable drive, I even use the sub harmonics. Whenever I've used ABMs in the past, just in rehearsal rooms, and found them excellent for passive P basses, so I'm hoping that with some dedicated time I can get a fantastic Stingray tone from it too. Really looking forward to having the extra headroom and meatiness to the sound!3 points
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3 points
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I’m really envious, would love to play in any band again* *Hyperbole, I do have certain red lines3 points
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Nice to see Ultravox getting some love recently. I always forget how much I like them. Anyway... Travelling Without Moving - Jamiroquai3 points
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I had a great one in Hereford last night. I dropped my budget transmitter in favour of a custom-made dual guitar/IEM cable (like a hosepipe!) and it felt much better! I was always uncomfortable with the transmitter hanging out the stupid Ibanez recessed socket. Crowd was amazing, up dancing from the first song. Whole place was rammed and the boss was so pleased that he paid us extra. Off to a more local place tonight.3 points
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I am the singer as well as the bass player and I have always found that a couple of beers loosens my voice. Any timeI have played totally sober I feel my throat tightening after a while. I have no clue if it's in my head or what but it happens every time. There is a fine line between just enough and too much right enough.3 points
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Great thread this one, glad it’s been brought into the spotlight. worst part of any gig is 10 mins before you go on in my experience, that stomach tightening feeling. Going over the songs in your head and hoping it’s not you who messes up and makes the band look unrehearsed. At its very worst your muscles tense up to a point where your hands think you’re wearing thick gloves and you feel like your moving in slow motion, hard to explain it properly unless you’ve experienced it. Usually it passes after the first song and I relax into it. The level of anxiety is usually affected by the size of the gig and the audience too.3 points
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I'm totally the opposite and have a well-paid permanent job that allows me to use music as a release from a stressful working week. Am I less committed to the bands compared to someone who earns money as a primary source of income from gigging? I'd say no. In fact, I've found quite the opposite in some instances, whereby the musicians who consider themselves "professional' as it is what they they use as their main job are often a bit more sniffy, often derogatory about certain gigs than other members. I appreciate that it's obviously an earning issue for them and that they could probably earn more elsewhere, but I've always thought if that's the case then please do so. If the band is made up of a majority of hobbyists, then that's likely the direction the band will run in. It's a bit like me turning up to play for (I don't know) Old Haberdashers 4th XV and being upset because they're not very fit and don't take it seriously. It doesn't mean their commitment is any less and maybe I should read the runes before joining. Of course YMMV and this is only based on my only limited experiences with bands. I have never been or never will be a pro musician and I have endless admiration for anyone talented and dedicated enough to make a living out of their passion, but I think it's important that people have a release they can use from the stresses of their "real lives" and sometimes those two paths of pros vs. rank amateurs collide.3 points
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I've been in the position, in years gone by, where gigging was my main source of income and every gig was a good gig (even when we played in dives to a less than appreciative audience), as long as I got paid. 10 years later and I continued to gig but the money I received from playing in a band was no longer my main source of income. That's when I started to be picky about where I played, and with whom I played. I've refused to play gigs where I was concerned about my personal safety (I got kicked out of that band because I didn't fancy playing in a dodgy bar where people regularly got stabbed/glassed). I've also refused to play with certain other musicians that I wasn't a fan of, or I thought weren't up to the job. I refused to play at a political party's rally (although the money was good), as I didn't believe in their politics. I still love gigging though and I still take it very seriously, as even though it's no longer my main source of income, I have a professional attitude to getting things right even though, in reality, I'm no longer a professional musician.3 points
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Repeat after me: I own this stage. This stage is mine. You below may now bask in glorious bass. Silently of course. As many times as necessary.3 points
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3 points
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3 points
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3 points
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Here we have an Eden WT400, these don't come up for sale very often, if I didn't have a WT550 this amp would be staying with me as the tone controls are so responsive Some say this amp is the best that Eden ever produced, I don't have enough experience of their range to confirm that, but I can say the pre amp is amongst the most flexible I've ever come across. With some amps I've had to turn the dials quite a way before noticing any difference in the sound, but with this amp the change in sound with only minimal adjustment is impressive, they really are user friendly Overall the amp is in good condition, everything works as it should, no noisy pots. It comes in a sturdy case that will protect the amp from most knocks and bumps I'm asking £300.00 posted for this little beauty, also happy to meet up someone reasonably local to me in South Essex, not too far from jnc 26 of the M25 Now withdrawn, thanks for all the kind comments folks2 points
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I've just played my new ray 34 (ash, roasted neck) at an outside gig, it's a complete tone machine. Gees, they're good these stingrays. Really full sound. Easy to play too. I played through my sansamp bdi pretty much flat. What was great though is that the tone can be so easily changed using the eq on the fly. As it was an informal garden party I had chance to experiment and theres so much tone and possibilities in there from fat, punchy funk, to mid driven rock. The only difference I'd say between the 34 and a precision is that the 34s bottom e is softer and rounder, you dont get that slam. Well, maybe you can after a bit of eqing and playing around, but the bottom e just felt softer than the others. Not in a bad way though.2 points
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Thing is that why simulate when you have the real thing on stage. A good microphone puts out everything you need in real life. you have spent a deal of money on your sound system to get it to sound as you want it to.. Why cut that out of your stage show?2 points
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2 points
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Once in Meadowhall we took my Frozen-mad middle daughter to watch one of those pop-up shows they have, talented lady singer/pianist performing. She must have performed those songs about 109 times over a few days. She used an iPad. No one can remember everything and if you need an IPad to make your show great rather than average I don’t see what the issue is2 points
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It's been modified by John Birch who is a luither and is known for guitars and basses for bands like Slade some of which are his own creations others like mine where he added pickups and bridges etc. https://www.johnbirchguitarsuk.com/history2 points
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2 points
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It's only happened to me twice in my gigging career but it's great when it happens - worth more than the face value of the extra cash.2 points
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2 points
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@greenolive it's 17mm - wich is like my MP 524 But at the nut it is 5mm wider, I need to condition my small hands to that But the tone is, the feel, the balance - all is just perfect. As known with Christophe Instruments.2 points
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2 points
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Mrs Bassfinger is always for me buying a new bass, as it invariably means a quid pro quo for her, usually either sex or new shoes.2 points
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In fairness to her, my wife has never objected to me buying anything bass-related (or anything else for that matter). This has resulted in me now owning 5 Zoot customs. I sometimes wish she would object.2 points