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Busy weekend for BLOCKBUSTARZ Glam. Fri night at The Cave in Paisley near Glasgow. Very small venue but we know the owner very well and just enjoy playing there. Stage was a bit crowded but we had the usual dancers in front of us and good comments at the end. An hours drive home mostly motorway and as usual on a weekend they completely closed THE main motorway into Scotland the M74 Southbound and had to take a diversion. Luckily i know the area and wasn't too late home around 2:30am. Bed by 3am. Wakened by cat at 6am and feeling tired knowing i have another gig on Sat. Sat night was at Hot Rods in the Borders in Lilliardsedge Holiday Park near Jedburgh. Decent sized venue that was full when we started (after the 2hrs of Bingo we had to sit thru) Set up and sound was a bit rushed with just 1 hr to complete from power being switched on to doors open. We were using our desk mainly for vox and bass drum into their PA and our monitors so a bit of a hotchpotch and the sound was ok but not as good as we're used to with our own full QSC PA but hey ho. My wife said something wasn't quite right first set but for some odd reason when we came back out 2nd set it was ok. She wasn't quite sure what it was but not our usual good mix. Anyway place was very appreciative and we had the dance floor busy most of the night with it completely full for most of the 2nd set with rapturous applause and requests for more so that was good. We played here last year and Hot Rods club were there and asked if we could play their event there this year but we were already booked that weekend and they moved their event to coincide with our diary and they've asked us back for next year. From what we were told the event started last year with about 30 cars and this year had 150 so it was a busy event. Down side was the burger van in the park cost me £0 for 2 cheeseburgers and chips (£25) and 2 bottles of Fanta (£5). I'll take my own food next year like last year. 1.5 hrs drive home thru twisty country roads and home by 2am so not too bad as roads were empty and i know most of the route very well and could get the foot down. Photo requests by many in the audience including the Hot Rods organiser who was over the moon with the turnout and the band of course. The venue manager was very nervous as this was the busiest weekend they've had and was worried she didn't have enough tables to accommodate everyone. There were actually people sitting at the tables along the front of the venue. The DJ who is actually a Sound Engineer and was depping as DJ last night said the sound at the back of the hall was amazing and was stunned to find out we only had vocals and bass drum thru his PA. Trying to keep it as it was back in the day using backline with vocal PA. No pics as yet but here's a screenshot from a vid. Using my Sandberg VM4 into Mesa TT800 and Subway 210/115 cabs with Shure GLXD Wireless. Loving the new Mesa TT800 Boogie channel. Lots of depth and clarity no matter how i set the EQ. Dave

Daytime outdoor gig featuring five "goth" bands in a hot and sunny Stevenage. Now that's not a sentence you expect to be typing! Hurtsfall were part of the musical entertainment for The Peculiar Market at the "Event Island" in Stevenage. Not really sure what to expect when we agreed to play, but the whole afternoon was great, helped the sunny weather, even though it's not the natural environment for goths, and a decent turn out of people to watch the bands as well as a lot of totally bemused Saturday shoppers who just happen to be passing by. There were deckchairs and a sand pit, although a lot of the audience chose to watch from the relative shade of the grassy knoll... Once again playing the middle of the bill seemed to the optimum time for catching random shoppers who stopped to listen. Our cover of Enola Gay went down particularly well, and we completely sold out of "Lucid" CDs which means we'll have to think about another short-run CD single to fill in until the album is finished. Also completely sold out of L and XL T-shirts in all the designs. In fact merch for all the bands seemed to be doing very well. Afterwards all the bands - Glasshouse Museum, Byronic Sex & Exile, Hurtsfall, Jan Doyle Band and Chaos Bleak posed for a group photo: Back home before 7.00pm. No photos of Hurtsfall on stage have appeared yet. I'll post some up if they do.

By the time I'd finished typing my previous post someone's put of some photos of us playing:

40th birthday party at Starr Spoirt, Canvey Island last night. It’s a venue we’ve played a several time in the main bar, but we had the luxury of playing in the function suite with a generous stage and lightning this time. I almost didn’t know what to do with myself, I had so much space! Although this also meant carting all the gear up and down a couple of flights of stairs. We played well, but the audience was difficult to crack at first, but by the time we started our second set, they were all lubricated enough to get up and dance and sing. We got there a little earlier than usual at 4.30 as the party was due to start at 7pm and we wanted set up without rushing and find time to get something to eat and relax before playing at 8.30. Finished at 11 and home one 1am. I felt absolutely broken we I got home! Totally worth it, of course.

Massive pub employing multiple door and bar staff with just a handful of punters. I have no clue how they remain open. However, those few therein thoroughly enjoyed the band and the sound was surprisingly good. I employed this rig and once again the Elf absolutely astonished me. The venue as I've said is huge, the last time I played there I used an Ampeg CL all valve amp through two 15" Barefaced cabs. The Elf was barely on. Gain at about 2, master about 4 and it filled place.

We played from 5:30- 8:00. Not much of a crowd. It's a restaurant and live music is an after thought. We we're tight and I was happy with my playing. We actually tried some new material we covered " Work Song" by Hosier. I left with a comped baroque pulled pork entree. We also invested in new monitors for acoustic shows. I know Dave likes Harley so I took a few pics. Daryl

Dave, Here's a pic from last weekend at the Waukesha Blues Festival. Always wireless. Daryl

Jam Night on Thursday. The host band set up the stage in a different orientation. I think it probably worked better. It's not really attracting a following yet - it's an out of town venue, so hardly surprising. The stage area is bigger so it does mean I'm less concerned about whacking the singer and can thus use my long scale basses rather than the headless shortscale - my G&L L2000 got a run out. We were asked by one of the other bands if we fancied doing a half gig with them. Probably neither band is at the stage where we can do a full gig yet. 10 - 12 songs so I think we should be able to manage that. The guitarist and I are keen on it, so I think there is a good chance we'll do it. This is us doing Price Tag. I'm not sure what happened with Vicky's voice with "Look to the Left" and "Look to the right". Hopefully we can sort that out at the next rehearsal as I think this could be a good gig starter for us. James' rap is good.

Just back from this afternoon's gig. Busy pub, loads of people in the garden. 2h30m including a 15 min break. Polite clapping after a few songs, more enthusiastic clapping and cheering after others. Some singing. Mostly lots of blank faces while we played though. Calls for an encore. We played 2 more tunes. I'll never understand audiences. Too hot to jump around. We got paid and will go back at some point.

Did another rehearsal last night. Same band, same room, slightly more sensible volume settings. Sounded bloody glorious with my ACG TKO bass (essentially a PJ in series). Video of a song, professionally videoed and edited by me and my iPhone, warts and all..:

Gigs on Friday and Saturday (as a weekend warrior band with a rhythm section of two OAPs, we try and avoid this). My car had decided to play up so all the PA and my bass gear had to go into Mrs Zero's Nissan LEAF, which it did comfortably. Friday's gig went OK, last night was a bit more shaky. About two-thirds of the way through the first set, the bass suddenly started sounding horrible. Quick bass change in case there was a battery issue - the same. The band went into "Time of your life" to give me a little time to sort it. Putting the bass wired straight into the amp gave the same result, so I tried putting the bass through the PA (Behringer XR18, Alto 408 active speakers) but there seemed to be some issue with the channel routing and I couldn't get any sound from any channel other than the three vocal channels, so unplugged my mic and put the bass through that channel just in time to play under the solo of "Tennessee Whiskey", the first set closer. Tried some more fiddling in the interval but still couldn't work out what was wrong with the routing so left my mic off and the bass in there. Bass sounded fine even through the 8" Altos which I'd high-passed at either 60Hz or 80Hz (can't remember which). It did lead to one one amusing (for me) moment when a woman from the audience decided that she wanted to sing too, so came into our stage area and commandeered my mic. Singing her heart out to "Sweet Child o'Mine" to no avail. I told her before the next number (first encore) so she went to the second guitarist's mic instead, and her friend got her off the stage before we did the final number. Diagnosis about to start on the amp, and I shall work out what the issue is with the mixer.

White Epiphone G-3 spotted...

Fun night in Bognor at the Hothampton Arms. Great venue with punters up for a good time which always helps. Lots of singing and dancing, but man alive it was hot and airless on stage, thought I was going over at one point. Powered up ready for sound check and the bass was sounding choked and distorted. Tinkered with settings on the Darkglass. Swapped to the Streamliner that I always have set up as a spare (not needed it to date) but no change. Bypassed the pedalboard and all was fine so it was something there but time was getting on so just went for it straight in and without IEM’s which wasn’t great but got us ready and I could check everything on the board again - turned out the compressor control on the SkarBassOne had turned right up. Putting it back to 12 o’clock sorted the problem but I carried on with the Streamliner, which I haven’t fired up for a while. Still sounds great. I love the SkarBassOne pedal, but my one critique would be that pointer on the controls is a notch on an aluminium knob that is impossible to see on stage, or maybe it’s my eyesight as I don’t have that issue with the Origin DCXBass. Part of the second set was a run through live of our set for Gosport Waterfront Festival tomorrow afternoon and seemed to run ok. Another run out for the three new songs which all seem to work well. Still need to sort the harmony lines for all three of us for the middle of the solo in Hold The Line but it still works as a slightly heavier cover minus keyboards running similar to the Who On Earth version. The sets are running well now as well. Keeping chat between songs to a minimum and banging through is great for keeping the atmosphere up, but a nightmare for taking on fluids. The first set had minimal gaps to get to the water. Second set at least had a couple of songs where I don’t come in straightaway and could neck a pint of water. Had a good chat with another member here beforehand but forgot to get his name/handle 🤦‍♂️

As I said in the video description, I'm not 100% sure this is right, but it's a great tune to play!

Morning all, just got gas again, for the sake of having it I think, and was looking at all different styles out there. Just reminiscing what I've played and what I haven't... P bass - love my p basses for 20 years but recently fell out with them. Don't know why. PJ bass - was going to be the ultimate bass for me, but did neither. Wasn't a p and wasn't a j and the pj config just didn't work. Jazz - took some getting used to - even though I love the sound of others playing a jazz. Stingray - current favourite. HH - love it, but pickups can get in the way and hand position needs adjusting. Neck pickup solod can be too much if in wrong place. WOULD LIKE TO TRY A mp config (mm and jazz in p position). One of those vintera with a mud bucker. Hofner violin style. SG style - heard a bloke in a pub playing the cheap eb0 and it sounded great! Any basses you've not tried, and why? Got to admit I wished I'd tried a stingray a lot earlier.

I played at the Old Bush Blues Festival in Worcestershire on Friday, depping with Hooson Maguire playing rocky blues / soul stuff. Great little festival - sold out with 500 capacity, great crowd, well organised and really friendly. We stayed over for a coupe of nights and caught up with a few people we hadn't seen for a while. Great to play with my old mucka Paddy Maguire and the excellent Jenna Hooson-Maguire again. For those interested in such things, I was using a 78 P bass into a Caveman pre / Handbox R400 / Berg CN212. Apologies for the quality of the photos, taken on a phone by my missus, who may have had a couple of ciders / attempting to dance while taking them...!

You need a pair of these.

I think it does both. I don't have mine with me at the minute, but I think the DI goes straight out and/or you can switch in your bass/treble settings. The controls for instrument monitoring are relatively simple though: bass, more bass or bass with a top end.

I was thinking worse 😂 After sleeping on it (again) she went back to the shop this morning and I exchanged it for a Sadowsky. I had my heart set on a Fender but was blown away by the Sadowsky after playing it. I’ll post a pic later.

Well. I’ve wanted one for a while… I’m not disappointed in the slightest. it’s a cracking 42 year old. Lovely weight. Very good condition. Yet to plug it in but just having a noodle feels awesome. thanks @walshy 👍🏻

Played the Monarch in Dunfermline last night with our new band, Temptation Waits. After the fallout/implosion of the last band, this one was put together in a fortnight so we could fulfil a support slot the previous band cancelled. We only had two rehearsals, but it went really well, thoroughly enjoyed it. Singer did amazing to pull it all together in such a short time and the new guitarist is great - not too loud, flexible, great tone and can actually play! We used the main acts backline and PA, they were fantastic help getting us all set up, couldn't have been better. And their sets were absolutely superb as well. Gear wise, I played my usual Squier 40th Anniversary through my HX Stomp.

VBO now for sale😮🫢 can’t remember the price paid but I’ll see you right.

Bass player stationed next to the bogs, standard

Perhaps an anti-fatigue mat would be useful. I have one at work when I use my standing desk. But yes, the stage was a delight to play on. As I mentioned previously, bands booked by the bar itself play downstairs at one end of the room. We were actually the first band to play there, and they considered having band nights upstairs in the function room, but our singer rightly advised them to have bands downstairs to attract walk-ins. If passers by heard a band playing upstairs they’d probably assume it’s a private party and not bother going in to find out (regardless how many posters you put up).

Jazzoo Johnny Hates Jazz Love Jazz Jazz 'n' Dave Jazz Mags Jazzette Tape Chaz Chandler's Jazz Handlers or... Erotic Jazz Chariot

Really like this, if it was in the uk I’d be having a look and play, 68 with a B neck, I think it would work out too much to import, I’ll try to post the link https://search.app/rKVQqHoJwn2aD5PA8

Thanks to everyone who contributed ideas. Sadly @Doctor J, I couldn't convince the others to go with Erotic Funk Chariot or Funk Gestapo We had a really positive discussion at last rehearsal (more details in the rehearsals thread of you're interested) and decided on..... For non northerners, tea time translates to dinner time for the rest of the country. I'm still messing about with logo designs in Canva, so this is an early draft.

Haven't tried some high-end and rare basses because you just don't see them hanging up when shopping here or there. I'd try these, but I'm afraid I would never buy either one.

No? what about this one? This is partly why I sold my Celinder - the 70s jazz sound from this bass is massive, I have never had such a good P and J sound in one bass and if you told me it would be on a mustang I'd have thought you were mental!

For a minute I thought you were in an Alice Cooper tribute band.

Mick Jagger - Throwaway | Doug Wimbish

In answer to question 3 the experts always recommend using identical cabinets i.e. get another 2 x 10 not pair your 2 x10 with a 1 x 15.

I really think with this and my Orba 2 I will have the ultimate portable synth setup for pissing off colleagues and family. I take the Orba to work quite a bit and last time I forgot my headphones. After 5 mins of people being genuinely fascinated with it they started getting annoyed 😂

Have a good think. Would you really want to buy from the type of person who can get bored of "wheee-ooo-waouh-eee-ooh"?

As much as I love this forum I definitely think it contributes to this. I gigged for 5 years within an acoustic duo with 1 bass which was an Ortega KT Walker acoustic bass. I then rejoined Basschat after a long absence and within 6 months I’d decided I ‘needed’ to go back to electric bass so got a Fender Mustang. I then ‘needed’ a backup, even though I’d never ‘needed’ one before. Now, I’m taking 2 basses to every gig and a mini pedalboard. Granted, I do now ‘need’ that setup. But, the problem was never a problem until I decided I had a problem.

With the caveat that I'm not at all a flats guy, I found myself enjoying the TI's more than the EB's. I liked the extra midrange and the definition that they brought to the tone compared to the EB's.

I noticed that with Caspian, though they were on the Yohkai stage - the kick and snare were really overpowering the rest of the band.

Whereas I like someone who gets excited about things, we don’t need another dull bass player on YouTube thanks very much. 😂

Ah the swings and roundabouts in my head…honestly… In July 2021, Epiphone announced Pelham Blue Jack Casady basses. I missed my old Jack Casady terribly, I sold it when I was broke following the birth of Oldest Daughter. It was a gold Peerless made one I bought when I worked in a guitar shop - I played that thing until my hands couldn’t play anymore, festivals, gigs, somewhere in my memory also says a TV show…anyhow. Here’s me playing the gold one - think this was in The Raymond Review/Soho Review bar… So I got a blue one - and it was lovely, just as i remembered them to be. I got a Babicz bridge on it and changed the knobs to Gibson Amber top Hats - just looked better than the light gold speed knobs it came with. At that time I was in a funk/rock band and played lots of slappy tight stuff - the Casady just sat watching on, and eventually I sold it. As things have a habit of doing - everything changed, I planned to knock it all on the head And stop playing all together. Then a chance exchange of messages turned into a band and it’s going really well - I have myself a lovely Gibson Ripper, and I’d love a second one - but they are inordinately expensive… Ive tried all sorts as a backup - the best being a Shergold Marathon - now with our very own @Maude Anyhow fate stepped in - and my blue Casady reappeared! The Ibanez case, amber knobs and Babicz all telling. I messaged @Grooverjr Turns out @MM Stingray 62 had replaced the machineheads with Grover’s (as now used by Gibson) which is definitely a worthwhile upgrade - smoother and more reassuring. So, it’s home… Couldn’t be more chuffed. Does everything I need - rehearsal tomorrow and gigs 30th/31st… And, it’s blue…

You're in the running for a medal; maybe gold.