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martin8708

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Everything posted by martin8708

  1. 1982 was the first year of the Vintage Re issues that Bill Schultz and Dan Smith introduced at Fender to try and get the factory back on track , and repairing all the damage the CBS management had done . Its a 30 year old bass with a nitro finish , so the woods have had time to breath . I have a black 57 Re issue from the early 80's and its the best Precision I own . I would not sell mine for £1500 , I would much rather keep it .
  2. I know of at least 2 guitarists who now just do solo pub / eateries venues and I am starting to see the logic behind this move . They don't have the hassle of getting everybody together for rehearsal / gigs and they play the music they enjoy and get to keep all the gig money . I don't know if I getting old and sentimental , but there seemed to be more band loyalty in my earlier years of playing .
  3. Played both guitar and bass equally for nearly 30 years , they defiantly complement each other with regards to fretboard knowledge and timing / rhythm . Playing guitar allows you to work out songs easier and allows you to read what the guitarist in the band is doing ,should he go into unfamiliar songs / jams . Being able to play more than one instrument makes you a much more rounded musician , go for it.
  4. Brits are pretty poor at haggling , we get offended if the offer is too low , and many feel too embarrassed to make lower offers for goods, but in other countries it is almost expected . By offering an item for sale , you are opening yourself up to deal with the public , some will pay full price and some will try and get a better deal , some will take a bigger risk and throw in a " lowball " offer , if its too low you can always say no . Most of us probably know the realistic price of guitars and amps , so if the price is good , I tend to go for it , or make a close offer in an attempt to shave a few quid off the price , Their is absolutely no point in getting arsey about an offer, good manners don't cost a penny.
  5. I gig a 212MNT cab, had it for about a year , powered by a Markbass Tube 800 . Cuts right through two greedy guitarists like a butchers knife . I can actually run the cab at lower volumes because I can hear what the bass is doing despite the guitarist best efforts to hog the whole sonic spectrum. Not as deep ( subby ) as my old Markbass Cabs , but not as muddy either. Thinking about a single 12 for practice /rehearsal . ( apologies for lack of techno - guff , if it sounds good , I like it )
  6. [quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1353830824' post='1878730'] flakiness is not committing to the band, when that is what everyone else does and expects from you too. [/quote] There are many levels of commitment to a band . I learn the songs ,turn up for rehearsals and gigs , help with bookings and promotion of the band . However , I also have a day job, a mortgage , bills to pay and I even have other interests outside of music . My livelihood comes before the band , being a bass player in a pub band won't put a roof over your head .
  7. Sorry you quit the band . Would have been a great excuse to buy that Orange 8x10 that's for sale here on basschat.
  8. Everybody in a band has different hopes / expectations / aspirations /level of commitment because we are all different . Do we perceive flakeyness as some one that just exhibits different behaviour to ourselves ? I always try to think of myself as the " normal " one in the band , but I'm sure some people think I am the outsider or the person who muddies the water of the band puddle . As they say , communication is paramount , but mind-reading is preferable .
  9. A bit down and a bit left for me .
  10. Hi Molan , I am have to agree that the Custom Shop seems to be pulling out the stops on their newer models . I have bought ,and subsequently sold a few CS Strats in the past , but I recently bought a 56 Heavy Relic Sunburst Strat in lightweight ash , and its absolutely spot on the most comfortable , playable , resonant lightweight guitar I own . My CS bass of choice would be a 59 or 62 Precision in Heavey Relic Sunburst , Torty pick guard , chocolate brown Brazillian Board with clay dots . The Custom Shop instruments are definitely a few notches up from the Standard American instruments . They are incredibly well set up , stay in tune forever , and just 100% playable straight out the box ( not allowing for individual preferences in set ups )
  11. The X factor is first and foremost a TV show , just like Blind Date , Jeremy Kyle and Top Gear . If you don't like what's on the telly , use the remote and watch something else . I don't really think Simon Cowell is wholly responsible for all the poor quality / bland music that is out there at the moment . Like wise , there are some great new musicians that make the big time purely on their talent and hard work .They will probably have a far greater longevity than any of the Cowell artists . I still think that Susan Boyles first audition is one of TV's great moments , where she shoves everybody's preconceptions right up their backsides and make the judges eat humble pie . Pure TV gold. Sorry I'm not technical enough the post the YouTube link.
  12. Bought a Project turntable and a TLC Fatman valve amp about a year ago and having a great time rediscovering the magic of Vinyl . I'm no sound engineer , but there is something a bit more magical when Pink Floyds " The Wall " or my mums old Dave Brubeck albums are cranked up on the turntable . I enjoy the nostalgia , the physical involvement of playing albums , even the hiss and clicks give the music a rawness and edge . Then again , I still use film when I take photographs . A small bonus to having a turntable is that lots of people will happily donate their vinyl collection for free just to get rid of there albums .
  13. [quote name='seashell' timestamp='1352741280' post='1866858'] Aw, dont give MrF a hard time guys. Its a bit bewildering being in a band for the first time, as I am finding out!! I just wish our guitarist could tell me what key he is playing in at all :-) But I am finding that having to work it out for myself is really improving my 'ear' which can't be bad:-) [/quote] +1 to this . Everybody was a novice at some stage in their musical journey .
  14. [quote name='Mr Fretbuzz' timestamp='1352670910' post='1866008'] Only met the guys once and they seem ok and the good thing is that they are willing to give a newbie a chance... Unless they're desperate :-). Yep, had some experience tonight of working out how to change the notes so all is good so far :-) I'm sure I'll learn a lot ..it will all be experience, good and bad [/quote] It sounds as if they are quite decent chaps , and I'm sure they will take the fact that you are a newbie into account . As a fairly average bass player myself , showing willing to learn and fit in with other band members is vital . Just by doing your homework ( learning the songs ) ,be punctual and reliable for rehearsals will count for a lot . Don't be ashamed to ask for help , if the guitarist is as good as he thinks , he will probably know the bass lines to some of the songs . Just enjoy the pleasure of playing with other musicians , It is in their interest to get you up to gigging standard , so learn all you can from these guys . All the very best . Martin.
  15. If you can show him that you can play his set list in his chosen key , you will be the better musician / person for it . Singers will quite frequently change the key of a song to fit their vocal range , so it is no bad thing to be able to shift a song up or down the fretboard . More importantly , do you get on with the other muso's , it sounds like you don't really like this chap which may be more of an issue than the key changes in the songs . Good chemistry in a band counts for a lot in my book . All the best . Martin
  16. Perhaps it is just a case of " empty pub syndrome " , if there are no punters or audience then some people are more inclined to take the p1ss and just lark around and not put any thought or effort into playing . This does not do you any favours as the landlord / bar staff will label you as a crap band and will not be asked back . It is still worth being 100% professional , we have played to empty pubs as well , but the landlord really enjoyed the gig and gave us further bookings on busier nights. On the other hand , maybe the guitarist / drummer were trying to sabotage the gig , just to try and bring any unresolved issues to a head and encourage a reaction from you , ie , resign from the band . Maybe you just have immature band mates . Being in the middle of a Volume War is not much fun , I fully sympathise .
  17. I tried the Boss RC2 single pedal looper and really struggled to master all the numerous functions crammed into the small pedal . Pretty much gave up on it and sold it on . I recently splashed out on the RC30 twin pedal looper which I find much easier and far more intuitive to use , looping far easier and massive memory to boot . I probably only use 5 % of its capabilities with basic drum / bass / guitar loops as I am trying to brush up on my guitar solo ing . I will hopefully learn more of its potential the more I use it. I'm probably a bit thick as other people use the single pedal to great affect , but I really glad I paid out the extra money for the twin pedal.
  18. A listing with no photos of the actual item will set the alarm bells ringing . Just supplying a stock photo from the manufactures website makes the bells ring louder . There have been a few fake listings in eBay and Gumtree ( a 58 Precision is a recent one ) where the seller has used some one else's photos to try and sell non existant goods . I would however buy from Clarky ( and HappyJack , Legion , Squib and Bouvier ) sight unseen .
  19. [quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1352139852' post='1859274'] Went to a few open mics recently, that wasn't very productive, like I've said, lots of singer songwriters who want to stay doing solo stuff. [/quote] The reason they don't want to get involved with other muso's is so they don't get all the hassle and band politics that comes along with other musicians . They get to play the type of music they enjoy playing . They get to keep all the gig money . They never get let down by unreliable drummers / bassists . If my singing was better , I would consider going down that route myself. When I was living in North Devon ( Barnstaple ) about 15 years ago , I never struggled to get into a band , back then it was considered the Seattle of England and their were loads of Grunge bands around . The surfy places of Croyde and Woolies also meant a few great reggae bands were knocking around , there was a very diverse music scene when I lived there.
  20. We have the singer , the drummer , and are doing our utmost to find a guitarist . I agree that it is very difficult to put something new together , finding some one with a good level of skill that fits into what every one else can do is important , but I also think getting on at a personal level is equally important . I like to think of my fellow band mates as friends as well , good chemistry in a band is just as important as technical skill. Back to the original post , it does seem more difficult to put something together , a lot of guitarist's I know are now doing the solo musician thing in small pubs / eateries as band gigs seem to be drying up .
  21. Poss suggestions , 1). Kala U Bass 2) Aria Sinsonido bass 3) Yamaha BEX 4 The Aria did a pretty good DB sound to my ears .
  22. Try and do something musical most nights , guitar or bass or some percussive type instrument . Now rehearsals are starting in earnest , bass seems to be the dominant choice of practice instrument .
  23. Sod it , the recession is over , so get the flexible friend out and let's kickstart the economy !!
  24. When a Precision feels more at home in your hands than a Strat or a Tele. When other musicians call apon your skills to supply the low end to their music.
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