thebrig

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1347357546' post='1799661'] walk away - if 'sex on fire' isn't it the setlist then they're not worth bothering with [/quote] They did actually mention that they would like to do it at some stage.

Strangely, I have woken up this morning feeling really great about things. I spent most of yesterday worrying about the audition, as it is the first time I have had the courage to audition for an "established" band. In the past, I have put together bands by gathering members one by one, and I always made sure that they knew in advance that I was only a novice musician, so they knew what to expect. I know I will never be the greatest bassist around, but I now realise that I am probably a bit better than I think I am. So from now on, I will approach things with far more confidence, and hopefully hook up with some talented musicians, who will help me reach a higher level.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1347346124' post='1799492'] Well done the Brig and welcome to the world of the delusionals . I've come to realise over the last few years that they are quite a common beast. On the plus side, you've learnt a whole load of new tunes and at least know that you can come up with the goods at short notice. Can't believe you also had to pay. Given that we are in the same neck of the woods, please pm me their name, so that I don't fall in to their trap. [/quote] Just to be polite, I asked how much they wanted off me for the room, fully expecting that they would say, "don't be daft, it's an audition", but they just came out with the amount, and I paid up because I just couldn't wait to get out.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1347322668' post='1799439'] To me? More often than not. And these guys couldn't wing Louie Louie? Or Sunshine? Or Tush? Definitely an unexploded clusterf***. Run, don't walk. [/quote] In fact, there a few on the list that are no more than three chords, which probably explains how I managed to learn seventeen songs in a few hours. Although I did struggle a bit getting the timing and feel right on "[b][i]With A Little Help From My Friends[/i][/b]", but it's a very enjoyable bass line to play, and I managed to get it right in the end.

[quote name='silentbob' timestamp='1347321615' post='1799429'] You still got their number, sound like they would match my ability perfectly What sort of stuff were they trying to play? [/quote] Here's the list I was sent, admittedly, there are quite a few on there I don't like, so it's probably best that it did not work out. [b][i]All Right Now[/i][/b] [b][i]Billie Jean[/i][/b] [b][i]Crossroads[/i][/b] [b][i]Don’t Believe A Word[/i][/b] [b][i]Ever Fallen In Love[/i][/b] [b][i]Jumping Jack Flash[/i][/b] [b][i]Louie Louie[/i][/b] [b][i]Piece Of My Heart[/i][/b] [b][i]Riders On The Storm[/i][/b] [b][i]She Sells Sanctuary[/i][/b] [b][i]Sunshine Of Your Love[/i][/b] [b][i]Teenage Kicks[/i][/b] [b][i]Times Like These[/i][/b] [b][i]Tush[/i][/b] [b][i]Whiskey In The Jar[/i][/b] [b][i]Whole Lotta Rosie[/i][/b] [b][i]With A Little Help From My Friends[/i][/b]

I decided to respond to an ad I saw in which a “gig-ready” band needed a bass player to complete their line-up. The guy told me that they were all very experienced musicians, played in bands for years, and aim to be gigging in a few weeks time. Now I’m not very confident as I am a late starter, and have only been playing for about five years. I’ve been in two bands and have gigged a fair bit, but still feel that I am just a novice player, but I thought to myself, just go for it! Anyway, last night the guy emailed me a selection of songs which totalled [u]seventeen[/u], and I thought sh*t! I might be able to learn three or four maybe, but I spent today going through them, and I actually nailed the lot, so I thought that even though I might not be up to their standard, at least they should appreciate the fact that I have learnt all the songs in a day. So this evening, I print off the list and arrive at the studio, and place the list on the floor so that I can see it. They have a look at it and say "we[i] only know a few of them, and we have only touched on the others briefly[/i]", so I replied, "[i]tell me which ones and we can just do them[/i]", and they had to discuss amongst themselves which ones they [u]all[/u] knew. We run through just three of them, and they were all over the place with them. I then suggested we run through the lot anyway, and see if we can make anything of them. Total waste of time, they weren't even sure what key they were in. These guys are totally deluded, if they believe they will be ready to hit the road in a few week’s time. [b][i]Has this happened to anyone else at auditions?[/i][/b] BTW, I even had to pay my share of the room! Mind you, I now feel better about my ability, and I suppose that if I can learn seventeen songs in a day, then I can't be too bad!

Just watched it, and found it fascinating too! Had to turn the volume down though, oh that music!

I had a [b][i]Hudson[size=4] [color=#4D4D4D][font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]PB4 Project Bass[/font][/color] [/size][/i][/b][color=#4D4D4D][font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]pictured below.[/font][/color] [color=#4D4D4D][font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]It was a really well made bass, played and sounded great, and a great looker too, but t[/font][/color][color=#4D4D4D][font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]he only thing I didn't like, was that it just would not sit right on my lap when playing seated, which is something I do quite a lot at home.[/font][/color]

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1346968025' post='1795597'] And that would be perfectly fine were it not for the fact that you are still doing it right here: you are again misrepresenting what I said even as you offer an apology for doing so. You are telling me that I have said the majority of people posting here are not getting what I said. Please do not speak for other people, certainly not in this kind of adversarial fashion. I'm afraid I cannot accept an apology offerened under those terms. If you don't wish to continue, having pushed me into a course of action that was not, shall we say, particularly helpful, well that's your choice. Consequently I would recommend you use whatever ignore fucntion this forum has and place me on it. I certainly don't need to be told multiple times about how ungrateful I apparently am, and how you don't intend to respond to me. [/quote] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3][b] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?app=forums&module=forums&section=findpost&pid=1795595"][/url]thebrig, on 06 September 2012 - 10:41 PM, said:[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3] I think it's time to bail out, as it seems that the majority of us, are not getting what the OP really means when he writes something. I would like to apologise for any misreading/interpretation of your posts by me.[/size][/font][/color] Where in these two lines have I said that "[u][i][b]you[/b][/i][/u][i] [b]have said the majority of people posting here are not getting what I said[/b][/i]"? And I was not [b][i]talking[/i][/b] for [b][i]other[/i][/b] people, I was merely making an observation that[size=4][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [b][i]it seems that the majority of [u]us[/u], are not getting what the OP really means when he writes something[/i][/b], which is accepting that maybe [b][i]some people,[/i][/b] and [b][i]me[/i][/b] in particular, are [/font][/color][/size][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b][i]misreading[/i][/b] or [b][i]misinterpreting[/i][/b] your posts, and if that's the case, then [i][b]I/me[/b][/i] would like to apologise, but if you don't want to accept my apology, that's up to you, I wont lose any sleep over it.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I offered you what I considered to be some useful advice when I said "[/font][/color][b][i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]you don't need to take the strings off completely, you can just loosen them off enough to pull them away to each side of the pickup, then you can get to the pickup easily.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]You can either replace the foam, of try trimming it down so that the pickup screws down further than what it did, and then just keep adjusting the height until you get all the strings balanced correctly[/font][/color][/i][/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif],[/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] obviously, without actually seeing what's under the pickup, I have to go on what I have found with some of my guitars in the past, just looking at it should tell whether you can make any changes to the foam or not.[/font][/color] [font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#282828"]This advice was offered by me in "good faith", and I find it disappointing for you to say that (your words), "[/color][/font][b][i]I[/i][/b][b][i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] pushed you into a course of action that was not, shall we say, particularly helpful[/font][/color][/i][/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]", if that's the case, then maybe from now on, we should all be on our guard when offering advice on Basschat, although that would be a great shame, as I find the help and advice people on here willingly offer, is what makes Basschat such a great forum.[/font][/color]

I think it's time to bail out, as it seems that the majority of us, are not getting what the OP really means when he writes something. I would like to apologise for any misreading/interpretation of your posts by me.

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1346965844' post='1795554'] Meh. I've tried to help, offered to set the bass up for free, and for my trouble been told that I'm rude. I'm out. [/quote] Yeah, I noticed that the two offers of help from people relatively nearby, were quickly turned down by saying you are too far away, without even waiting to hear what you had to offer, for all the OP knows, you might be in OP's neck of the woods regularly, and could drop by to help sort out the bass.

Sorry Shizznit, but that is one ugly bass! But it's a good job we all have different tastes, although it does seem that you are on your own on this one.

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1346954958' post='1795346'] I have tried everything. You didn't read what I wrote. I have adjusted the truss rod and i have altered the intonation. The only thing I haven't tried is completely taking the pickup out which, reasonably I think, I am more reluctant to do. Quite honestly I don't want to take the strings off right now, it took me a while putting these ones in as they kept slipping tuning because when I removed the strings the bloody nut fell off! I had to glue it back in. [/quote] I did not say adjust the truss rod or intonation, I suggested that you adjust your pickup so that you can get the balance across your strings correct. A loose nut is not entirely uncommon, and now that you have glued the 'bloody nut' back on, it should not come off next time. But again, I sense another lack of enthusiasm to act on a suggestion, and it appears that to do something 'properly', could infringe on too much of your time, so I'm afraid you are on your own from now on as far as I'm concerned.

Just a tip for when you next need to replace your strings on a budget. Try these: [url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/11060-stagg_4_string_nickel_round_wound_bass_guitar_strings_45_105"]http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/11060-stagg_4_string_nickel_round_wound_bass_guitar_strings_45_105[/url] I bought a pack to put on a bass I was selling, and I was pleasantly surprised as to how good they were, and the person who brought the bass from me actually emailed me asking what strings they were, as he liked them too. They are: Stagg 4-string Nickel Round Wound Bass Strings 45-105, and cost £6.99 + £1 p&p from Strings Direct [size=4][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif] [/font][/size]

[quote name='mushers' timestamp='1346953745' post='1795328'] could be a mix of different brand/gauge strings or pick up height [/quote] Every now and then, you can get a 'dead/rogue' string in a pack, maybe this is the problem.

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1346951300' post='1795296'] the neck width will certainly be less of an issue if i can sort out the e string. but i don't know where to start with the volume issue. [/quote] Well you could start with taking the foam out from beneath the pickup if it wont go down any further. You say "[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][i]it's as low as it's going to get. I'd have to completely unscrew it which means taking the strings off entirely. I can live with it as is[/i]".[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I don't want to sound harsh, but almost every suggestion made to you, you come back with a reason not to do it.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]So what[/b] if you have to take the strings off, how long is i[/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]t going to take?[/font][/color] But anyway! you don't need to take the strings off completely, you can just loosen them off enough to pull them away to the each side of the pickup, then you can get to the pickup easily. You can either replace the foam, of try trimming it down so that the pickup screws down further than what it did, and then just keep adjusting the height until you get all the strings balanced correctly. It should take no more than 30 minutes or so.

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1346945589' post='1795173'] Fair enough. I have tweaked it and it is somewhat better. My point is that a) i don't want to damage the only bass i have and the overall design of the instrument limits how far you can tweak it. I can't reduce the width of the neck, nor can i change the fact it has one pickup of whatever quality. I would have preferred a pickup, as an achor point, slightly less centrally placed for instance. It is what it is. I can tweak it and adjust that, but in the end it's all sows ears and silk purses. [/quote] One of the most played and recorded basses ever, only had ONE pickup, and a neck the width of a cricket bat!

To me, you do appear to be defeatist, most of us on here probably started off with basses far worse than a 'budget' Spector that cost about £300. I've had basses that I picked up for less than £50 which were virtually unplayable, but I did some research and found out how to service my basses, and made them all perfectly playable. I'm no expert by any means, and even now I still google or go on youtube to find out how to do things, and for many years I steered clear of adjusting the truss rod, but once I plucked up the courage, I've never looked back. You are getting some really sound advice on here, why not just give it a go yourself, and experience the pleasure you get, when you have done a good job of setting up your own bass. If I can do it, then so can you! Just give it a go.

[quote name='ChrisB' timestamp='1346514411' post='1790150'] oh cool, I can post this in this thread too: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw8sNoodIDk[/media] [/quote] After watching this, I feel that my '[i]pub band[/i]' are good enough to headline at Glastonbury next year!

What's going on? In March, Dawsons are selling the [b]Farida FJB-6[/b] for [b]£149[/b], now they are [b]£299[/b], and at Amazon, they've got a [b]used[/b] one for [b]£700!!![/b] [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B003SQ5C2Y/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used"]http://www.amazon.co...&condition=used[/url]

[quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1346356381' post='1788351'] Sounds like a fair deal to me. A 3 hour rehersal costs around £28 a pop up here, so as long as you aren`t charging £600 per gig, you should be quids in! [/quote] £28? your lucky, a 3 hour rehersal costs [b]£45[/b] where I am, so I would jump at the chance of free rehearsals for 3 gigs a year.

I've been suffering from arthritis in my thumbs for a few years now, and I tried the short-scale route too, but I just could not get on with the sound characteristics that short-scale basses tend to have. I then tried a Ibanez SR500 and found it perfect, it feels more like playing a guitar, extremely light, balances perfect which makes the reach much shorter than most basses, and has just about the [i]thinnest/slimmest[/i] neck on the planet. I've now upgraded to a Ibanez SR1200 Premium, which plays and feels the same, but has higher specs than the SR500. I strongly recommend that you try a Ibanez SR500 (around £250 S/H), as I think you will be surprised just how easily they play, and they sound great too! Good luck in finding a solution.

You will not pay more for a German made model, you can pick up mint condition Warwicks for little more than £500. I know from experience as I sold two Corvettes recently, one a 2010 natural ash for £550, and a 2007 bubinga for £500, both in showroom condition. The second-hand market is the route to take IMO.

I love [b][i]Warwicks[/i][/b] and I love the [b][i]Nords[/i][/b], so I'm a bit biased I suppose, but yes, they sound great! They come as standard on my [b][i]Ibanez SR 1200 Premium[/i][/b], and I have to say that it's the best sounding, and best playing bass that I've had, and I have had a few over the last few years. Great pups!