Thunderthumbs

[quote name='lwtait' post='115611' date='Jan 7 2008, 05:41 PM']not read all the replies, so has anyone put london calling album cover yet?[/quote] Yes, bremen's link

[quote name='Hit&Run' post='115599' date='Jan 7 2008, 05:23 PM']One of [url="http://www.tascam.com/details;8,21,17.html"]these[/url] may help you to learn parts of recordings where the bass is quite difficult to distinguish. I picked one up locally second hand for £60 with a PSU, though you can probably get one new for about £70 now![/quote] Aah...that reminded me of some software I use now and again, and does pretty much the same thing.....but with MP3/WAV files as well as CDs. Free software, and it's worked a treat for me. [url="http://www.tucows.com/preview/371954"]Download BestPractice software[/url]

One of my favourite bass images..... [attachment=4693:69574_6526.jpg] What's yours?

Bought Stuart's 4 string set of Elites that Santa delivered in error. Really nice bloke, great to deal with. Cheers Stuart, and all the best, Pete.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='115481' date='Jan 7 2008, 03:04 PM']Just wanted to finish this thread by saying the gig went well and the song went so well we played it twice. Cheers.[/quote] Nice one......and we all lived happily ever after Glad it worked out for you. Cheers, Pete.

[quote name='OldGit' post='115479' date='Jan 7 2008, 03:02 PM']...and wearing a black polo neck[/quote] Mmmmmm........niiiiiice!

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='115474' date='Jan 7 2008, 03:00 PM']Playing the same songs week in week out im finding im not really putting much effort in. I put this down to the fact that we arent putting nearly enough new songs in the sets (and i dont like 70% of the ones we do now) so as i dont have to think about what im playing my mind wanders (normally thinking about the next day).[/quote] Good point Dave. This was part of what I was saying earlier. I got into a habit of not practicing because of gigging regularly, and we weren't learning new stuff regularly either, so I just went stale. I stopped doing covers on a regular basis for about 10 years. With my current band, we're learning new stuff all the time, so I'm always learning. I mix learning covers, with just general practicing for fun, and I'm happier now as a bassist than I have been for years. I've got the love of playing back.

[quote name='OldGit' post='115420' date='Jan 7 2008, 01:47 PM']Yeah typo .. no bass player... geddit?[/quote] Oddly enough, we do a cover of "A Little Respect"......without a keyboard player! (And it's not bad, even if I do say so myself.....bearing in mind I didn't even want to do it at all to start off with).

[quote name='Machines' post='115218' date='Jan 7 2008, 08:42 AM']Check this site out - very useful: [url="http://www.musictheory.net/"]http://www.musictheory.net/[/url][/quote] Good post......very good site that. Very well explained an simplified.

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='115345' date='Jan 7 2008, 12:08 PM']There's been a rise in the number of [url="http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1283144,00.html"]ultra-modern tribute bands[/url] because the new bands get too big too quickly. I wouldn't mind playing in a Killers tribute band but I'd be bored stiff doing Queen and the like![/quote] Yeah me too. We got asked by an agent recently if we'd considered doing a Killers tribute set, just because we had two Killers tracks in our set. I'd like the idea if we weren't already doing our current setup, but I don't think we'd have the time to combine both at the moment.

[quote name='bremen' post='115318' date='Jan 7 2008, 11:38 AM']Anyone playing in a tribute band here? looks like fun as you get paid AND get to choose music that you like playing.[/quote] I don't, but I was talking about one this morning. Some years back, I saw a covers band in Wigan called Magic, and they were a top class covers band at the time. They were all talented musicians, could all sing lead vocals, etc. They covered the sort of songs that most bog standard covers band wouldn't touch.....like a full length version of Bohemian Rhapsody with the full operatic part in the middle, and full length ELO/Beach Boys covers, etc. with really good harmonies. They were one of the first bands I knew that really took the tribute thing by the scruff of the neck, and for years now, have been touring solely as a Queen tribute act. They no longer play "clubland", and instead play venues such as the Palace Theatre in Manchester and that sort of place. They must be seriously creaming it in by now.

No experience of Aguilar cabs personally, but I have read great things about them. I used to have a Trace Elliot 4 x 10 many years ago, and to be honest, I found it to be very middley, not great bottom or top ends. Can't comment on the newer stuff, but it's just my two penneth.

Hi there PJ. Welcome.

[quote name='NickThomas' post='115078' date='Jan 6 2008, 11:06 PM']Whoa! we both said prominent after 11 at night on a Sunday ![/quote] Great minds think alike. Love your signature by the way

Can't tell you anything specific, but try and listen to anything where the bass is prominent and try learning them, even if it's not something you're particularly keen on. At the end of the day, it's about training your ear at this point. The more you do it, the easier it'll become.

I've mainly played in covers bands for the past 20+ years. To add to the above, I think my bass playing technically may have suffered, in that I got into a habit of not taking my bass home and practicing because we were working regularly, then rehearsing once a week inbetween gigs too. Prior to joining my first band, I used to practice for around 3-4 hours a night. On the plus side, and maybe counter-arguing my own point above, I also have a good range of styles because of the variation of songs I've played over those years. You will also encounter some of the most difficult crowds depending on what circuit you do. I played working mens clubs, etc. for years, and they treat you as just their entertainment for the night. This is because they go in the same club every week and you just happen to be there. They haven't come especially to see you. But it can be a good grounding, as you learn gradually how to please difficult crowds. At the end of the day, you are there to entertain them, regardless of what you think of their tastes in music etc. So you sometimes have to chuck your personal preferences musically out of the window, and play songs you may not be overly keen on. Ultimately, if you have a great night by doing the odd bit of "cheese", that's got to be better than having a crap night because you're just playing what you love. The band I'm in at the moment have only been together a few years, and they hadn't much experience of doing covers when I joined them. They were originally doing their own material and started doing some covers to pay for studio time, but the money got regular, and therefore they stuck at doing covers. I've been with the band nearly two years now, and we're now starting to reap the benefits of a lot of hard work over those two years. You have to constantly review your songs, and the order in which you play them. You have to learn what works and what doesn't, and bin the stuff that doesn't work no matter how much you like playing them. The great thing is, I've now got three great mates, and we're out playing live on a regular basis....not just rehearsing. And we're getting paid for what we love doing. Just go for it. You've nothing to lose by doing that. If it's not right for you, you'll know. If the band's not right for you, just move on.

The drummer in my band went to that too. I asked him today what it was like and he said pretty much the same, that it was amazing.

[quote name='Gray' post='114881' date='Jan 6 2008, 07:00 PM']...This means that wearing black for gigs is right out.[/quote] Ha ha.....that's me ruled out then.....black suit with black shirt! Oh well.

Hi Graham. Whereabouts in the North? And the Ashbory.....what's it like to play then? Thought about them a few times but never played one. Cheers, Pete.

[quote name='paul, the' post='114364' date='Jan 5 2008, 09:24 PM'] I bet that setup's got some serious thump. Sweet.[/quote] Oh Good God aye! And just replaced the SWRs with EBS Neos this week. Never wanted to gig as much as I do now!

[quote name='TheBigBeefChief' post='114423' date='Jan 5 2008, 10:53 PM']......if he did it in a band scenario he'd be joining Jazz and Jay Kay on "the list".[/quote] If I see him again....I'll warn him!

[quote name='Clive Thorne' post='114075' date='Jan 5 2008, 03:10 PM']On the plus side if he were to do this as solo in a band situation it would give the band and audience a chance to go to the bog/bar.[/quote] Ha ha.....I'm all for more time at the bar! In all seriousness, my original post was not to say that it's the most musical bass playing I've ever heard, it's not, and I'm sure Nige would be the first to admit it. I was just trying to highlight a bass player who I've "known" for a long time, but is relatively unheard of by a lot of people. Like dood said, he's a Rotosound rep, and if you go to the Rotosound main page, the track that's playing is Nigel's (which ironically is the most musical part of the YouTube video). He's a tremendous player, and used to inspire me on many a Saturday afternoon in my 20s. It's a shame in a way that there aren't more videos of his other skills to balance out what can look like a very one-dimensional style in this one.