dmccombe7

Think the guy admits he can only use it very occasionally. Its just something he likes doing. He sounds as though he has a lot more talent than this. I can do the very basics of it just for fun in house but don't have any practical use within any bands i play in.

That's a stunning finish on there. Very nice bass

Of course they do :- BOOM BOOM or PLINK PLINK Take your pick (see what i did there ) Dave

Several of my friends have commented on this when watching live bands and its also something i usually pick up on myself. Usually rock or Prog bands i watch. They notice that when the bass isn't loud enough or carrying depth the band sounds thin. When the bass has a good balance in the mix with the tone that suits whatever band i'm watching it fills the venue better. Not meaning that the bass does that on its own but it gives the overall band a fuller sound. Mates will say the band sounds empty if bass is too far back in the mix. On the flip side, and it is rare i have to say, the bass being over-bearing causes boominess and band lacks definition. With regards the actual specific bass tone i'm afraid my mates think a bass is either thin, spot on or just boomy. They couldn't tell if the bass had too much mid or hi end. Its just bass to them. Dave

Not every bassist needs to be a Victor Wooten. If you can hold a decent solid bass line then you can be classed as a good bassist. Maybe not flash and possibly coming across as a bit shy and lacking confidence. Maybe you are just setting your own bar too high. For me i play the best i can and that's good enough for me. Out of curiosity what does your band think about your playing ? If no complaints from them then you must be doing something right and you are better than you think. Dave

Well done sir.

Good luck with it. Hope you get the job ok. I remember auditioning for a Celtic folk band. Not my usual kind of stuff at all and was fairly nervous going in. Band consisted of female singer, female violin, male guitarist, male drummer and if i remember right the guy running it played flute and wind instruments. They were auditiong 6 bass players. When i went in the 2 females literally told me the guy before me would be the perfect fit. Kind of put a damper on whole thing. Did my bit, no mistakes and was told week later that i hadn't got the job. That was my one and only failed audition in 40yrs playing. The positive in that was a year later they contacted me by email and said the guy had left and was i still interested. I reminded them what was said and quietly said no thanks. Some auditions just go so well as long as you've done your homework. You usually know when its good and you get offered the job there and then. I like them. I've had to say to enthusiastic bands to have a think about it for a week sometimes its because i might have doubts but i always like a few days to consider whether they suit me and its what i want. I've turned down quite a few for various reasons over past few yrs. Never used to say no at all and would just take any gig going. Now i'm older i'm a lot more fussy about who i play in bands with. Auditions need to work both ways. Dave

2 drummers would be interesting altho that's 2 guys doing less of the gear shifting at the end of the night Hopefully you'll keep us all posted on how it goes. Dave

Had a quick listen and they sound good Dave. All the best with them. Dave

I'd like to get gigging a bit more as i'm getting older. Originally when i got back into bands i thought one a month would suit me but now that i've more free time and a little older the weekends don't have any special meaning ie night out with friends for a beer or two i'm thinking i'd like to play more often.

Nice one Dave. I'm just a youngster at 57 but i'm having a first meet with a Glam Rock covers band this month. Only just finalised the guitarist. All playing in other bands. Singer and guitarist are from Ozzy tribute band Talk of the Devil. The guitarist is actually their bass player so its a bit of a mixed bunch. I've always wanted to play the Glam Rock material but just never managed to find others that had same idea. Maybe there's just more of a market for it now. Fact is at 57 i've never been busier and mate doing his original Prog material has also asked if i'd be interested in helping out doing his material live. Giving that some thought too. Dave

Thought your band was sorted Blue. ? Is this a back up plan you're looking for. ? Dave

OK see what you mean. Instant venue memory recall. Thought there may have been more to it especially if you hadn't played the venue before.

Few comments about using a digital desk. Any particular reason ? it is a serious question as i generally see standard mix desks. Dave

I'm good then and have a long career ahead of me by looks of it. There may be something in that statement. Since finishing work i've allowed my hair to grow long again and the offers and bands are getting more and more too. Longer the hair the more offers i get ............I like it

Wish him a speedy recovery.

If Kiss can still do it i'll at least have a go Anyways i'm only 57 and 10 months so watch it Dave

Pink Floyd at Earls Court 1980. Overnight train with a few beers on the way, glorious day in Hyde Park with a few beers then the gig. Astounding performance from Pink Floyd with so many famous musicians supporting or involved with the show. Slept in Euston station and train back home in morning. Oh to be 20 again. Locally it would have been Rush Farewell to Kings tour in Glasgow Apollo Feb 1978. What a show from a band that was only on their 2nd hit album after the success of 2112. Not hugely known in UK at that time but they gave it everything and just seemed to be enjoying themselves so much on stage. Dave

Gave up bands early 30's restarted at 50 and currently just joined 2 different style bands at almost 58. I seem to have more opportunities now than i did in my 20's. I've been in so many different style bands in the last 7/8 yrs trying to find the one that suits me best and will last the pace. Classic Rock / Metal band and a 70's Glam Rock band in the making so its all go. I want a band that is having fun, get along really well and doing some decent gigs. You did the right thing and all you have to do now is start looking thru the adverts to see what else is out there in your area. With the Rock band we are quite well spread out so we rehearse in the middle area. Drummer is 70 miles, guitarist is 45miles, singer 20miles and myself and 2nd guitarist approx 30miles from where we rehearse but its great fun and i enjoy the songs even tho i've never really been a heavy metal fan its just good fun. The Glam band is still at the talking stage and will be looking to finalise other members end of the month Feb due to other commitments. Never give up. Age is all in the mind. So get out there and have fun Dave.

In Europe the bass players is always on the other side of the stage. Most of all have fun, enjoy it and post a few pics with an update on BC. All the best Dave

Thats scary but had to do 2 gigs in same weekend with a band last year without a rehearsal. 3 weeks after joining. 34 songs to learn in different keys from originals. We had planned to do a few rehearsals but singers dad passed away and we just couldn't manage under the circumstances. Had a few notes on my amp but gigs went really well too. To be fair the songs were all 70's covers and i knew the songs in my head. Trying to remember how the songs went or the structure of the songs was really easy. All i had to do was learn the notes Wouldn't like to do that again tho as it was extremely time consuming learning the songs in 3 weeks and very stressful 2nd gig was far more enjoyable tho after the 1st one went so well. Dave

Have to admit that the basses i have with maple necks have a slightly more zingy sound from them. The Rosewood necks are a little more rounded in tone for me. Not all the same type or year of basses right enough but i've always thought maple necks just had a little more edge to them tonally. Dave

The band i'm currently in had an advert running showing VIDS and pics of a full band but said they were lookng for a new bassist. Turns out it was only the original singer and drummer altho they had a new guitarist on board. To be fair they did tell me all this when they contacted me. I managed to find a 2nd guitarist relatively quickly. Great guys and it was the singer that i thought was the main attraction for the band. He gets right into the full image thing too. Dave

never seen that before but like the idea. Dave

You beat me to that.