stingrayPete1977

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1501317400' post='3343950'] No offence to any drummers, but that is probably the easier part of the deal. No vocals and no chords/keys to learn. A reasonably compentent drummer with good song knowledge could wing it. [/quote] Erm our drummer sings around a quarter of our set and main backing on all songs!

I bought a brand new 2010 Ray5 to avoid the ceramic pickup as I wanted the normal Ray4 tone but with a B string, then I swapped my Ray4 for a 2004 Ray5 with the ceramic pickup and I love it! I then sold my pre EB Rays and got a Classic5 to complete the set 2EQ, 3 EQ, ceramic and Alnico, all 5 strings

+2

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1501293870' post='3343890'] Same sort of thing has happened with us with weddings. They'll be a couple getting married who are fans of the band and they want us to play. We're always like, "are you sure, we're not a wedding band", " no don't worry it'll be fine" It never is. Blue [/quote] Yep we've had that too, same band but the audience were all musos and enjoyed it, we got well looked after by the bride and groom too Normally it would have been a disaster as you say, we've done parties for fans and they always bomb with that band.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1501276653' post='3343837'] Did he want to impress his work mates with the fact he was in a band? Blue [/quote] Yes, the gig was near where he worked, it went better than it could have but I think he realised that we are not a party band after, he's no longer our drummer either Annoyingly I'm in another band that would have been perfect!

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1501275577' post='3343823'] Of course it's the band being unprepared. They haven't done their research. There's so much more to being in a band and playing music. You can't blindly follow the promoter. Ask the questions. Look at the bands the venue usually has in. Ask the venue if you think you'll go down well. A lot of musicians are lazy (as Blue says), they just want to play the music and not get involved in the marketing side. Someone said, either upthread or on another thread, "there's loads of musicians better than Ed Sheerhan, he's just lucky he's got a decent marketing team" or words to that effect. It's not luck, he's working with his team, listening to them and talking to them to decide what works. Anyone who thinks that they can just play good music and be successful isn't living in the real (modern) world. [/quote] Function gigs don't really give you much opportunity to vet the gigs, if the person booking decides they like you and want to book you then that's it, you can't know what the demographic will be can you? Of course if your playing stuff you know will not go down well at weddings don't put yourself out there.

I've always been amazed when a band I think will go down well sinks and one I think will fail goes really well purely based on the audience when setting up, I remember a group of youngish girls loving a blues band I was in once, I thought we'd be bottled off stage! Another not great band I'm in did a party, we're not a party band but the drummer organised it so his work mates could see us, that was a tough gig!

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1501142453' post='3342735'] All Right Now can't sound good on a Fender? You can't play a Cure song without the help of half a dozen pedals? I guess JJ Burnell should have played Walk On By on double bass because that's what the original hit was recorded on. How can this be making any sense? You guys are so stuck in your tunnel vision you should take a step back. . . and. . . breath. . . [/quote] Maybe if it was a tribute act and the whole band were trying to get everything close for every song but it's impossible and ridiculous with a regular pub/function covers band, our band covers songs from six different decades and different genres, we'd need an articulated lorry full of kit at each gig to keep BigredX happy!

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1501131630' post='3342666'] let's say you playing a Cure song with heavy chorus, tell me exactly how you do that with just your fingers? Do you trail one plucking finger by .02 seconds for the chorus effect? Seriously , there are some sounds you can only get with effect units, chorus, fuzz,etc. You CAN'T get fuzz from your fingers. Your hypothesis lacks any credibility. Yeah I too can go trebly and tight by plucking near the bridge and fat sounding by playing at the end of the fretboard, but it won't recreate effects. [/quote] At the same time if you had the exact bass/amp/fx in your hands that the record was recorded with then played it slap when it was played muted with a pick I'd say my cover without chorus but with the same technique would be closer to what the public hear.

I've got one too

[quote name='Mastodon2' timestamp='1501071625' post='3342231'] No one is asking you to, so no need to worry. [/quote] Phew

I'd hate to restrict myself to only listening to music with a technical and challenging bass line.

Ok that makes more sense to me now, having to do anything for me would certainly spoil the fun even if it was something I enjoy normally.

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1501066534' post='3342166'] I meant having no debts and house paid. Why so pedantic ? [/quote] Because it's a huge difference to what he is saying, your income without gigging is similar to what you had when working so you can pick and choose or even not play ever again if you like, Blue has told us many times that he can't feed himself if he doesn't play almost every night for four hours, those situations to me are the opposite ends of the spectrum.

That's not similar to blue, his house might be paid for but as he says he MUST gig to survive, you don't.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1501010432' post='3341797'] My point only applies to those working in careers for other people. I'm comfortable and more than happy with my plight in life. BTW, my home was paid for years ago, and one of the reasons I can do this. Blue [/quote] "If I don't gig I don't eat" your words Blue.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1501008983' post='3341779'] First of all I'm not "most people" To be honest,I'm fine with it. Actually enjoying life like never before. To be honest, I'll take the fun of playing in a rock band for 4 hours over working 8 hours a day and making some other bloke rich. Cheers Blue [/quote] The point is that they're not working for anyone, they have their houses paid for, cash in the bank and decent pension, they can and do enjoy playing just like you but the ONLY difference is the don't HAVE to.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1501000862' post='3341689'] You don't even need to play the same bass line as on the original. [/quote] Agreed, see happy Jack's post

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1501000891' post='3341691'] They are the same thing IMO. [/quote] The BOSS pedal that makes a fretless played finger style over the neck heel sound like Marcus Miller is going to be a huge hit

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1500999059' post='3341659'] I should have clarified my statement. I did not mean better in terms of ability or skill. I meant that some that boast about not being in it for money come off as thinking they're slightly better idealogically. Blue [/quote] To be honest it's more a case of being in a better place financially from what I can see, most people no matter how much they love playing don't want to be in a position where they need a four hour gig most nights just to keep afloat in their mid 60's.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1500996532' post='3341616'] Would you give the same advice to the guitarist? [/quote] Would you want a drummer with seven drum kits too? Would you only do covers of female or male fronted bands to suit? Choir? Orchestra? The sign of a good song is one that can be alerted a lot and still be enjoyable.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1500997756' post='3341647'] not on Ace of Spades it's not, I've seen finger players trying to do it they don't even bother with fuzz, they shouldn't bother at all [/quote] You know what I'd still argue that the attack from a pick played with some gusto but no big muff would suit the track better than someone with a Ricky and some dirt but tickling it finger style.

I definitely play to the same standard paid or unpaid

I don't want to say it's all in the fingers but to be honest it's all it the fingers! I get a generic decent sound as best I can then alter my playing style to suit the song, up near the neck, side of the thumb, slap, fingers over the pickup, fingers near the bridge, plectrum, palm muting etc etc etc I just knock a bit of treble off when using a pick other than that I'm good to go. Some people say a Stingray is a one trick pony, I'd say those people have a limited technique

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1500982525' post='3341437'] Or you could go way cheaper: https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/musicman-sterling-sub-ray-5-string-bass-guitar-rosewood-trans-blue [/quote] That hasn't got the US Sterling dimensions or features though. They do/did an SB14 so essentially a Sterling by Sterling version! Afaik they never made a five string version.