bassbiscuits

Blimey - that's astonishing. Makes even the oldest, most valuable electric guitars and basses seem like newcomers.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1502182586' post='3349736'] Play your best, up tempo, interesting, lively. . . you get the picture. . . . song first. Say "Hello" during the count for the second song. Start this immediately after the end of the first song. End the set with a couple of strong songs. If you don't already have these songs find some. You have to make an impression. Second set should be more of the same. IMO "Hello Neasden" is way too cheesy, as is putting one foot on the monitor. Don't do either. You should all do your final tuning earlier, then walk off the stage. When you're ready, all walk on together and start. Don't twiddle or play anything. Know the first 4 songs you're going to play before you walk on stage. Better still have a set list. Sets should be constructed to ensure a momentum of energy. Bowie, The Stones, Dave Gilmore and all other pro bands I know of use set lists. Any "dead" time on stage looks very amateurish. Some bands I play with do this and some don't. The ones who do always go down better. [/quote] This ^ I've played in bands with guitarists who endlessly make tiny adjustments to their sound/effects pedals etc once we're on stage to start the first song, and do the same between every song, which utterly kills any vibe or momentum. Drove me insane. Not helped by the absence of a set list, which meant lots of shouting across to each other onstage between songs, while guitarist is making more imperceptible tweaks to sound. Aargh! Sometimes if the venue has been quite quiet to start with, we'll begin with a gentler song or two to ease people in - but left up to me I always start with something that's fairly indicative of what's to come. I also always try to go straight into the second and third song etc to keep the momentum before stopping for any patter.

Mine's not pre-CBS but its a 1970 P, so 47 years old (older than me anyway!) From the mid 1990s to the mid 2000s it was the only bass I owned so it got gigged all over the place, including getting stolen and recovered a few days later. It had a bit of a spell out of action when it was having a refret and a few tweaks, but since then I'm using it more for gigs - there isn't any point in having gear that's so good you're afraid to gig it. I guess I might have 10-15 years of wanting to bother gigging anymore, so might as well enjoy it.

Ooh i say.

Yup another big fan of JC basses here. I also noticed the Hipshot Supertone bridge and thought it looked ace but the three-point jobbie it came with seems fine for now.

Just sold a bass to Dan. All went smoothly and he's a top bloke.

I used 40-100 for many years, but then one of my depping jobs involves tuning down to Eb, so i found 45-105 to be more versatile to cover both Eb and concert pitch tunings.

My best mate from years back has just started learning and he's 43 now. Not to old at all. It's harder in the sense that you might have less free time as an adult, due to work, family etc, but that's all. I'm guessing you already really like your music, which is the best resource you can have - hearing songs you like and trying to learn by copying them. Really good inspiration to keep learning! And also, playing an instrument is a great companion in life, regardless of whether you play for money or just for fun - you'll never regret doing it. Good luck.

Just bought a P bass from Mike - all went smoothly, and deal done quickly. Good man - would happily deal with him again anytime.