mcnach

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1488538319' post='3249745'] I tend to agree with this, in all aspects except instruments and equipment (unless there's a particular sound issue). My personal experience over 40 odd yrs as a semi pro has been this issue crops up rarely but when it does it's usually a portent for other 'controlling' behaviour - it's also notable that most of the people doing it I have encountered have been technically weaker or indeed the weakest musician in the group, and simply ill informed or wrong (not just when commenting on fellow musician's instruments or sound either). You have to decide whether you can tolerate it or not. I have known people asking others to have their guitars resprayed because it doesn't match the band (in one case the self styled leader had an aversion to a certain colour!!). The bottom line is you do come across controlling and irrational behaviour in music groups but thankfully it's not a regular issue in my experience. A high turnover of musicians is often a pointer to potential issues!! [/quote] I was mostly talking about "being told what to play" type of comments. About what bass to play... I'd be flexible too, but much less so, I need to have a very good reason why my Precision or my Stingray cannot be used here. If it comes to the way they look... I'm unlikely to give in. Unless they come with lots of money. Money tends to make me more compliant but I have never experienced that kind of situation. If it is about the way an instrument sounds, then I'm open to discussion, why not. I have also encouraged a guy to go back to using a strat rather than the Les Paul he was borrowing, because I thought it fitted much better. Others did too, and in the end the guy thought "yeah, it's true" and is again using a strat. It's ok to suggest, why not? I never would bully him into dropping the Les Paul, but I speak my mind and expect others to do the same. I suspect in the 'pro' world these things get trickier, because as it is I do not depend on gigs for a living, so I can afford to chat, discuss, and disagree. If my bread is bought with the money from the gig, you've got to be even more careful. But that's like any other job. There's often unreasonable people we need to put up with at any job you do. Instead of hating the colour of your guitar they may have an issue with the place you've chosen to store certain lab equipment or something...

[quote name='geoffbassist' timestamp='1488485446' post='3249438'] Same, but I have occasionally found bands who pay differently, both times it was less! It's a crazy move as the dep is the one working the hardest. [/quote] yeah, but the dep doesn't have to put up with all the band drama crap

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1488484908' post='3249432'] What band would be willing to pay more for a dep? Why would you want to accept any less as a dep than the regular guy? [/quote] You're a band who has a gig you really don't want to cancel and are a bit pressed for time or it's awkward due to place/time or whatever... and you know this guy will pull it off. You need him more than he needs you... so the band may make an offer that means the dep makes more than anybody else. You are approached to dep for a particular gig, and you're free. They offer you £X. You think about it and decide £X is a good pay. You accept. And variations thereof...

[quote name='spikydavid' timestamp='1488484226' post='3249419'] So, when stepping in as a dep, do you expect to get paid more, less, or the same as the regular bassist? [/quote] I'd say it varies: to be discussed on a case by case basis. You don't need to know how much the regular bassist makes, only how much they offer you. If you want more, then negotiate.

[quote name='fftc' timestamp='1488534252' post='3249689'] It's early days for me as a bass player so this might not be worth the pixels it's written in, or it could be wisdom from a fresh perspective. Who knows? I'll play anything with four strings that someone will give me. I'm not going to buy a new bass unless I want to, and whatever I'm playing I'm going to try and make it sound like me. If that is not what someone is looking for then so be it. As a hobby it's supposed to be fun, and trying to be something you are not to please others is not my idea of fun. YMMV and all that. [/quote] there's something there about wanting to be yourself etc... for sure, don't be a pushover. But a band is a group of people and that is going to mean discussion and compromise, unless you're all clones and think 100% alike all the time, or you're all hired hands (in which case you'll do as told,, full stop, and smile for the cameras if they want you to ). I think many hobbyist musicians (like myself) can get a little too precious about their gear and what they play. I've seen this coming from insecurity in some cases, from sheer bloodymindedness in others, selfishness... and a few times because their artistic integrity was superior. In other words: I've never experienced that attitude to be a positive thing. Just like being a pushover will also not take you to anywhere nice either. It's a balancing act. You have your preferences. Others have other preferences. Together you push and pull and discuss and sometimes even argue, why not? an argument does not have to be something where someone is trying to subjugate another... in the end, if you have sufficient in common, you end up moving in a direction you've collectively decided, and carry on. You need to be flexible. And balanced. Leave your egos in a pocket of the gig bag, locked. You'll have more fun.

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1488471399' post='3249255'] So 1 or 2 emails have been sent... [/quote]

[quote name='lownote12' timestamp='1488447200' post='3248958'] Back to my issue with the thru body string holes in the bridge being at an absurd angle to the back of the saddle, if not partially beneath the saddle in the case of the E string. I have now heard back from Thomann. Customer support say Guitars say my problem arises from trying to intonate the bass with short scale XL 170 strings. As it clearly says Long Scale on the string pack someone doesn't know their arse from their elbow. They also patronisingly told me to find someone who knows how to intonate. I'd be grateful to hear from Fleabag and anyone else without V7/4 issues just how much clearance they have between the stringing holes and the saddle and what strings they're using. Edit: Thomann now say they want the bass back for evaluation. That will take for ever and from what's said earlier this is a known issue. Agh, at the end of the day's its just a niggle. [/quote] It would take them all of 5 minutes to check with one of the basses they have in stock right now... not a great response from them, no. Although seeing that it looks like a design fault, and therefore something for the manufacturer, their only solution could be a replacement or refund. Do you want a refund? I'd write to Sire. They seemed pretty good when they first came out, maybe you get lucky and they can send you another kind of bridge.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1488386627' post='3248521'] Those guys have since moved.... to Leith! Not certain if Krispn is talking about the same place, but there aren't a lot of repairers in town who are working from their own premises like that. [/quote] Oh!!! it's been a while I haven't been in that area. Good to know before I show up with a broken amp there then (just an example, so far all of my gear works fine ) Hmm. There aren't many, certainly. Worth doing a bit more checking, thank you, Martin.

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1488394658' post='3248623'] Yeah I'm doing my head looking at other builders and trying to work out why builder X charges £00's more than builder Y! Neither of those, I'm playing some festival down in Bournemouth area that weekend, and then I've got a few others lined up, victorious etc. Should be a good summer! Yeah by all means, PM away! [/quote] will do! Thanks! ah, it would have been fun had we ended up at the same festival. Now I'm just hoping for decent weather... although driving from Scotland almost anything but torrential rain will look like decent weather to me

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1488274003' post='3247354'] Am I really that easy to read? �� I've already got specs in mind, but I'm torn on who to give them to, to make my dream come true, I'm even considering FCS! Oh what Festival is that? I'm gigging quite a few of the local ones this summer, and we have a date for the Saturday at a festival that's a two-dayer. As for suggestions, that depends what you two like. Locally we are steeped in Martime history, Portsmouth has the Histroic dockyard with the Mary Rose and Museum, the Warrior, and the Victory, all of which are interesting! Then further north you have the Royal Armouries museum at Fort Nelson overlooking the entire area on Portsdown Hill. Over towards Southampton you have the Titanic museum, some good shopping at West Quay and Whitely. You have the river Hamble which is a very nice country walk and day out. There's plenty to do down this way, drop me a PM and I'll send over some more bits and pieces of you'd like! [/quote] Ah, I only have experience with Maruszczyk and I was very happy with that, so I haven't really considered anything else. It's bad enough like that, if I had to consider other builders too then I'd go mad It's called Music Mania Festival or something like that, in Worthing. The following week I'll be back, but this time with my main band, to play at the Boomtown Fair near Winchester (we play the Friday at midnight on that one)... but I'm more likely to bring the Stingray for that. Are those any of the ones you'll be in? Cool, thanks for that, although my gf I don't think she'd be very interested in war stuff. She's Polish and when we're over in Poland she indulges me when I want to see a few things, but I have to make sure I don't overdo it. Sunday 6th of August is also her birthday, so she'll be the boss 100% (as opposed to the usual 75% ). I might bring the bicycles... Thanks! I will PM you for more info/ideas then, if that's ok

[quote name='krispn' timestamp='1488300760' post='3247690'] It was a place in Leith. [/quote] good to know, thanks. I've heard only good things of this place by Haymarket, where Colorsound Studios are, by the Thrifty Car Rental shop, I forget the name... something about time travel (???). That's what I intend to use next time I need anything done.

[quote name='synthaside' timestamp='1488280307' post='3247441'] I can see the post with both neck's , but where does it actually say it's coming with a baseball necked P neck and an optional J neck rather than the other way round ? It seems a touch daft , I dont want to buy an extra neck and If people wanted a PJ with a P neck when can pretty much get them anywhere , One with a J neck is a bit harder to come by. [/quote] Well, I want a P neck, so ner ner nerner neer... actually what I'm really interested in is in a 5-string version, as long as it's not too heavy. I didn't care about the weight but lately I've been playing mostly relatively light basses and I love that.

[quote name='radiophonic' timestamp='1488282351' post='3247460'] Thanks for all the opinions. I am reading them! I thought the neck on the CV 70s P felt pretty good and the action was very low, without any choking. It wasn't clear whether this is a narrowrer profile than a standard P neck - it did look narrower, but not shallower to me. Again, Fender are light on facts here and the shop didn't know - or show much interest (PMT = all Guitarists I guess). I did think the body was rather light, but I'd need to play one back to back with a Fender and use a strap in order to tell whether it's really an issue. The pickups seemed a bit plasticky and for someone who anchors his thumb right there, the sharp edged moulding round the screw mounts was annoying. I'd like to have a closer look at the bridge too - it looked like it had brass saddles but they could be toffee. It says hi-mass on the site but that could mean anything. Quite tempting on first play. [/quote] I haven't played the CV 70s P, I owned a CV 60s and own a Matt Freeman which I believe is pretty much a CV 70s... although for the two points I want to make this doesn't matter... 1) action: you can make any of those basses have as low or as high an action as you want. It's adjustable. So don't judge a bass on that alone. 2) pickup cover being a bit edgy... you can change the pickup cover. There are lots around, usually at about £5 for a set, and they vary in how rounded the edges are. You can find one set that feels nicer.

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1488271510' post='3247310'] Oh damn, that is a bit of a wait! I'm pretty set on trying before buying so if no one else has one closer, then yeah I'm happy to wait! Thank you Mcnach [/quote] Yeah, you'll wait... I bet you tell that to all the girls You'll be ordering one in less than a month. Once you start looking, you start thinking about your specs and... it's just a matter of (not much) time after that But if you haven't by then, send me a PM reminder in case I don't remember and I bring another one for whatever reason. I've got a gig in Rugby on Saturday night and then I'll be driving towards you for some festival on Sunday morning. Our slot is 3pm-ish, and after that I plan to stay for another day or two with my girlfriend in the area, so any suggestions of places to go/see would be welcome and if very good I might bring two Jakes

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1488225157' post='3247022'] Out of curiosity, are there any Jake owners near-ish Southampton/Portsmouth? I'm fairly interested in ordering one, but I'd like to try one first [/quote] I'm pretty far, but I'll be in the area with mine for a gig... if you can wait until the 6th of August

[quote name='krispn' timestamp='1488203232' post='3246716'] I went to a local repair guy who told me its a £30 bench fee plus vat upfront for diagnostic. Paid up to be told it would be three to four weeks before it's ready to be looked at excluding actual 'repair' time. I had a last minute gig and called to say I needed the cab, got to the shop and the place was reeking of weed (it was a Saturday, two employees, no 'jobs on the bench') no signs of any actual work being done and once I got the cab in the car the cover was also stinking of weed. I'm heading back down today for a refund. I don't care if they're stoners but a three to four week wait and £36 up front so these lads can mooch about? No ta! I usually go via a local guitar shop. Drop the stuff off on a Friday collect the following Friday, £25 bench cost. I thought I'd go local as it's literally 5 minutes drive from my place. Needless to say I'll be dropping it off the next time I have a week without gigs. I get people need paid and it's a 'specialist' service but there's taking the p*ss [/quote] is that the shop next to the yard of a car rental place?

[quote name='Jono Bolton' timestamp='1488208680' post='3246786'] Allow me to share this anomaly; you can see from the picture that the bass he's using has the Squier badges on the headstock, but the truss rod adjustment is at the heel of the neck, rather than the headstock end as you'd find on the production model. I don't know if he's got a prototype, or if it's something else badged as a Squier. It's definitely got the same bridge as mine. Either way, I've definitely seen him playing the standard bass you can buy in the shops. [/quote] That's an interesting bass. And cool if he actually uses the production models too. Quite often you see them being used as little more than 'photo opportunities'.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1488199894' post='3246664'] From their Facebook page "The Sire company plans to release the P7 with a 41.8mm Pbass original neck width size. And also an interchangeable jazz neck of 38mm will be available for purchase" [/quote]

[quote name='Huge Hands' timestamp='1488188246' post='3246519'] I don't know your situation at all, but it might be worth thinking of it from the other bassist's point of view. I play regularly in a band, but have issues with availability due to having my son every other weekend (which the band have always known about). However, the band leader is ruthless and will often book gigs on weekends that I can't do, and then threatens me with a dep each time. This then involves me having to spend ages trying to swap weekends with my ex and trying to free myself up. Of course, it never got as far as actually booking anyone to dep (and letting them down) but perhaps this is what is happening here? My own insecurities around the possibility of them gigging with and preferring a dep resulting in me losing my gig were what drove me to always comply, but this year I had to stop it as it was causing too many problems with my ex, and causing me guilt about putting the band before my son. I get depped for the first time in July - not looking forward to it! [/quote] I have been depped a few times on my main band. Never big gigs, but still I did not like it much. The dep in question is a friend of the band, I know him well enough and is a nice guy, but I didn't like the idea of booking a gig knowing that I was going to be away and not having the band 'fire in all cylinders' so to speak. He's a good player, but I was afraid they would not get enough practice and he wouldn't learn the songs well (all originals). It turns out he did pretty well. I still prefer the position where the band is the band, and we don't gig with substitutes. But now I like the fact that if I really have to not do a previously booked gig, and the guy is free, we can save the gig. My band will not change me for any dep. Another band I'm playing with, a mix of covers and originals, I recently had to cancel on them... so I called a couple of friends, both better bassists than myself, and the band was happy to pick one whom they kind of knew a bit. He's seriously good. Much better than myself. I was happy with that because I like the guys in the band and I'm the one letting them down, so I like it if I can give them a guy who will do a great job and will also be fun to have around. I know they will not turn around and say "you know what? this guy plays better than you... so we offered him the position, would you like to cover for him when he's not available?" They won't. The fact that you worry you might get substituted permanently doesn't seem right. If you are in the band, I am sure it is for a reason. If you were not suitable, they would replace you, dep or no dep. So I bet you're suitable. Your ability to commit to gigs is complicated because of family issues. In your place I'd be worried about being replaced if I am the person who is preventing them from booking gigs or causing cancellations. So the fact that you have someone who can replace you *when you're not available* sounds like a good thing. If your fears, however, come because somehow you've been 'bullied' a bit and you're trying to comply... then I'd think that it's probably not the band for you and I would not wait to be replaced, and look for another band with more reasonable people.

[quote name='beely' timestamp='1488209697' post='3246807'] We had a similar situation recently with our drummer. He had been off work with flu (proper flu, not the heavy cold variety) and I was concerned that he wouldn't be fit for an up-coming gig. I got in touch with the drummer from my son's band, explained the circumstances, and asked him if he would be able to step in if necessary. He said he would be happy to. Not only that but he would be happy to do the gig or not do the gig, whatever the situation was on the day. As it turned out, our own drummer was able to do the gig, although my fears about him not being physically able to cope were not far from reality. He was absolutely knackered when we finished. The band were all in agreement that the dep should be recompensed in some way, at least to cover his costs for the two rehearsals he did with us. We decided to split the fee six ways instead of five, just to show our appreciation for his willingness to help us out. Seemed the fairest thing to do. [/quote] +1 great way to do it.

[quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1488105079' post='3245787'] Do the remaining gig but tell them that in future, once it's in your diary it's a done deal. [/quote] unfortunately flexibility gets you dep jobs, and an answer like that might just mark the point at which you no longer get called... If it's a one off, I'd take it and smile. If it's a repeat or if it happens again, I'd make a point of saying it's a bummer because I declined other offers to do this one job. Nicely. Hopefully they would then realise that their cancelling has an impact in you.

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1488054020' post='3245507'] Probably depends on the time delay between asking you to do both and then telling you only one is available. If you had both dates booked for a while then you have reason to be peeved, but if they let you know soon after booking you, I'd take the one available and be grateful. [/quote] this

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1411332183' post='2558547'] I'm going to be depping for a friend next weekend in his Ska band. It's not exactly my comfort zone in terms of musical genre, but I've had a tremendous amount of fun learning the set over the last week or so. I'm aware I seem to be the person who can't bring himself to say no to a gig. I swore after learning two hours of 80's classics late last year I would never put myself in that position again, but here we are. A few notes for each song and the setlist on the front. My little book of Ska. I'm really looking forward to the mid-week rehearsal now I've cracked it and the gig should be a hoot! Now I just have to find myself some Ska uniform. [/quote] I bet you'll have fun! My first experience with ska was when a drummer friend of mine asked me to come along to a rehearsal for a new band he was forming with a few other guys and they didn't have yet a bassist. I didn't know much about ska, I had rarely listened to any ska, it was not my thing... and every practice was such a mood lifting experience! Great fun. edit: I just realised the date of the original post!

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1488132783' post='3246168'] If only they didn't have that awful 4+1 headstock! [/quote] Yeah, I'd love to see a 3+2

[quote name='fftc' timestamp='1488130659' post='3246131'] If I was spending £400+ on a new bass a Squier wouldn't be top of my list, but I wouldn't rule them out either. Have a good scout around, and look out for discounted instruments from higher priced ranges. [/quote] Good answer. At that price level, there are many other good options. Squier knows this however, so their £400 range is made to be able to compete in that market, and they do it very well.