hiram.k.hackenbacker

Created as a contrast to the 'I Hate Gigging' thread, in which some of the comments I find utterly depressing, I would like to think that the majority of Basschatters do actually enjoy the gigging experience. I get that there are some that cannot deal with getting up in front of a crowd or prefer to make music behind closed doors and that's fine, but let's leave the hate out of it. I for one certainly wouldn't do a single gig that I wasn't looking forward to. I don't understand why people would, unless of course they have to for financial reasons. Through 40 years of gigging, I cannot recall a single date that I haven't looked forward to. There have been a few that I've been a bit nervous about for one reason or another, but in the main, those days are long gone. There have also been a few gigs that once I've arrived at the venue, it has become clear that it was not what any of the band were expecting which can be a bit of a buzz kill, but I think we've all had a few of them. For me, gigging is about putting smiles on people faces and getting them moving. I don't do it for the money (although it's a nice bi-product) and I certainly do it for any kind of adoration; it's just a great thing to be able to make people happy and then leave feeling like they've been entertained for an evening. I'm not saying I wouldn't find it a strain, but I would be out every night if I could. Let's hear it for the love of gigging.

I did kind of have that in mind when I posted my first response. It's a good book that. I think I might give it another read.

I don’t know, is she renowned as being such? Could she have been having a bad week? I’ve crossed paths with a few celebs in my musical travels and there are a few that stand out as behaving like complete tools. Two in particular stand out but I’ve not read or heard a bad word about them anywhere else, so maybe my experience was exceptional? Unless we really know these people, how can we tell? I’d like to think Kate is actually a nice person, but sometimes those with an abundance of talent don’t handle it well all of the time, especially in the company of fools. I’ll stop rambling. I enjoyed the OP though. Thanks again for sharing.

Yes, I'm in an 80's tribute as well and whilst we don't do 'Don't Look Down',we occasionally perform 'We Close Our Eyes' which is another cracker. Definitely a mistake going for the #1's. I think #2's of the 80's make a better list: Golden Brown, Kids in America, Save a Prayer, Mirror Man, Temptation, Sweet Dreams, China Girl, Gold etc etc One of my favourite bands of the 80's hasn't been mentioned, so I'll name check them: Prefab Sprout - those first two albums.

I'm holding out for the Joe Dart IV which will have no control knobs and a piezo pick up only.

Nice! I look forward to seeing the finished article.

Thanks for posting. I shall give that a watch later.

Oooh! A new Ritter?

Same here. Love my Bass Buddy. It’s been rock solid since I bought it when they first came out. Fantastic piece of kit.

My one has a jazz neck on it. I like lollipops too, but on a vintage jazz. You won’t like the Shuker. You’ll need to pass it on to me when it’s finished 😂. Seriously though, I’ve gigged it twice and it’s a cracker.

Hi @Pan, This is a common issue I encountered some years ago. All great advice above, but I thought I would share my solution which are these non-slip musical instrument mats. They are excellent. https://www.dv247.com/en_GB/GBP/Stage-Works-2-Pedal-Mats/art-ACC0003320-000?campaign=GShopping/GB&ProgramUUID=HADAqJarPzAAAAFlea9yjI.G&gclid=CjwKCAjwgr6TBhAGEiwA3aVuIbTFjbokHbyqaSacGhVY-u6-4ftCIC4AupJY9bF42rmAoTJtma37URoC3nAQAvD_BwE

Sounds like a clone of mine which I received last week.

Yeah, I can’t see them going backwards. 2112 was an appropriate place to start with these expanded editions. Next up….Signals.

Mrs.H ordered this for me for my birthday many months ago and it's just arrived. It's by far the largest set out of all the Super Deluxe Editions so far. Agreed with all the comments about regarding the live set. A worthy edition to any fan's collection. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with the drum sticks though 😂.

I think we must have been separated at birth @molan. I don't see myself as a collector, but have definitely accumulated. Some while ago, probably years now, I set a cap on how many basses I'm allowed to have at any one time. That has definitely helped. It forced me to put serious thought into what I want out of a bass in order to keep it and I've stuck to it. I know I physically cannot resist the urge to look at what's available and there's in harm in window shopping right? I'm currently two under my cap, but I've just put my name against one which probably won't be a bass until late 2023, so I'm all good for now. It's great that you play all of yours. There's a couple I have that are not operational. One I could get sorted quite easily, but one continues to be a source of frustration as I wouldn't know where to start to get it playable (electronic issues). I think in our cases, the time to stop buying is the time when you stop playing. Hope you're well.

I took this nearly 5 years ago and he was using his signature bass then. I don't recall seeing him use much else since, certainly not for gigs anyway.

Love or hate the Joe Dart Bass Series, they sell, so it's a no brainer for Music Man. The thing I don't get is that Music Man were heavily criticised for not having signature basses. Now they are and they're selling well, they still get stick 🤷‍♂️ Nobody is forcing you to buy them. For what it's worth, I played one of the earlier models at the weekend and I really wanted to like it, but I didn't.

Nice. I have to say I think it looks better without the stickers 😎

Great to see you on Friday Mick. Shame you couldn’t stay for the gig.

My Shuker JJ Burnel Signature 'The Raven' Precision arrived on Thursday. It has now been gigged twice (Friday and Saturday) and I can report that it was definitely worth the wait. It's just an incredible piece of work. It is exactly as promised, nice and light at 8.24lbs and the neck is probably one of the nicest I've had in my hands. It has a lovely satin finish with a nice low action and the whole bass balances superbly. There was a slight change in the spec in that I was going to have Armstrong pick-up's fitted. In fact, John did fit them and then gave me the option of the new in-house pick-up's hand wound by Oz. These are the pick-up's that are in JJ's newest 'The Zenith' signature bass which he took delivery of recently. Those of you that have seen The Stranglers recently will have heard that bass. I opted for the Oz pick-up's and they're great. I still can make up my mind about the screws, knobs and plate screws. Jon supplied a full set of black and chrome so I can make my mind up at leisure. They may change, they may not 🤷‍♂️. Here are some photo's.

Agreed. Given the poor finish, one can only wonder at what lurks beneath the paint!

Yes agreed - awful video and utterly pointless. If you're going to use an effect/grit, let us hear the dry sound first. Love the description of the 5-ply binding "black/white/black/white/black/white" - that's 6-ply! I also noticed that the finish looks a bit dodgy. Very difficult to capture in a still, but it doesn't look like smooth black (sorry, ebony 🙄) to me.

@TrevorR - agreed. Bionic Santa is awful. I also have a soft spot for King of The Cops. I'm sure I still have that 7" somewhere.