Silvia Bluejay

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1362066211' post='1995253'] Just thought I'd reiterate what I've said before - that the BC community is by far one of the most friendly, inclusive and helpful on the Interweb, in my experience. It is disappointing that things like the monthly composition and mixing challenges don't attract more interest/feedback among BC'ers. Currently we have something like 30 votes spread across both competitions, which is frankly pathetic given the size of this community - especially given that probably half of those votes are from people who've entered! [i]But...[/i] this is very typical of music forums and certainly not a symptom of BC in particular. As strange as it might sound, it's not uncommon for musicians to have little interest in the music of their contemporaries. We're usually more keen on chatting about the work of established artists, people we perhaps aspire to, rather than those on a similar level. That's not a criticism, it's just how it is. I guess somewhere deep down we're hard-wired to focus our attention on things that other people also show interest in, as opposed to seeking things out for ourselves (I am of course making a wild generalisation here!). But it's human nature I think. Personally, I try to buck that instinct as much as possible and keep my ears open and my head 'fed' with new music whenever I can. But then I used to review new music for a living, so for me it's an old habit that dies hard Whatever. The point is, we shouldn't be listening to new music made by fellow Basschatters [i]just[/i] because of camaraderie... we should be doing so because some of it - in fact a lot of it! - is simply brilliant and well worth taking the time to explore. Here endeth the sermon. [/quote] I see your point, but in my case, when I fail to listen to the tracks in the Composition comp and vote, there is a simpler reason: lack of time. In order to choose one song, I usually need to listen to all of them more or less at the same time, or I won't be able to remember which one I prefer. I can obviously get back to each of them more than once - and I tend to do just that if possible - but that again takes time. I have also been suggesting we get a collection (either online or on CD) not just of each month's winners but of all the tracks that have been posted in the comps, if their authors allow. Choosing a winner doesn't mean I don't like the other tracks, and it would be good to have them all at hand rather than having to dig them out of the online jungle one by one. From that to sharing links on FB or wherever, or getting friends to listen to the songs in real life, would be just one small step.

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1362007654' post='1994539'] And, you simply must seek out the Philadelphia Cheese Steak Emporium and tell me what it's like! [/quote] Er, sounds a bit yucky to be honest...?

Right. Go to as many BCers' gigs as possible - check. Take photos and share them on as many platforms as possible - check Take videos and let the bands have them for their own publicity uses - check Listen to the tracks on BC's competitions - only manage that occasionally, unfortunately. I have been very busy in the last few months. But I do tweet to our currently 438 followers about all of BC's non-Off Topic comps...

Up to date PDF showing public transport planned engineering works for this weekend, just released by TfL: [url="http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/emails/worksandclosures/Planned_closure_WE_3_MARCH_A4.pdf"]http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/emails/worksandclosures/Planned_closure_WE_3_MARCH_A4.pdf[/url]

The horrid scrachplate ruins it all.

Thanks Garey - sounds promising. I've emailed their further info address, let's see what they say

Ha! I was going to post this too! I'm again very tempted, and mightily annoyed at not having been able to attend last year. Garey, I've emailed them asking whether they have any double bass and/or EUB masterclasses lined up. If they had any, I think I'd throw caution to the wind and book myself in almost immediately

I've PM'd both of you guys!

[quote name='Jimryan' timestamp='1361903195' post='1992844'] I Like the way you opened that with a statement :-p yep, I'll be there, I'll be around the table at the meet up times should anyone want/need to know anything about the relay. [/quote] LOL - it's just that I happened to know you're sorted for Saturday! It's going to be great, we'll have the Baton and also, as Barrie (molan) was saying, there will be a couple of star guests at the Bass Gear stand: Jens Ritter and Dave Swift. Awesome.

Absolutely! Last year it was ridiculous how Sean (Billy Apple) and I kept missing each other by a whisker! In fact we only met in person a few months later... And it'll be great to see you again, Shelley, it's been a long time. Bring it on!

OMG how much GAS am I going to get this weekend? Thanks Barrie! Looking forward to meeting you guys and also Jens and Dave (I met the latter briefly last year, but he probably doesn't remember me!)

Forgot to copy the post below to this thread, for everybody's info: OK - slightly revised meetup times. [I do hope the show isn't going to change its schedule now that there are only a few days to go!] BC CORNER @ the LBGS (in the foyer, next to Bass Gear) Saturday 2nd March 11:30am - 12:30pm 2 - 3pm 4:30 - 5:30pm Sunday 3rd March 10 - 11am 2 - 3pm 4:30 - 5:30pm While I'll make sure to be there at the exact start times for the meetup, we certainly don't have to disperse after exactly one hour, of course! If there are a lot of us, and we're having fun, and people keep coming, I'll stay at the BC table for as long as we like to be together. I'll edit my previous post to delete the old meetup times, and post these on the other threads. See you all there! \m/ \m/

James - you're coming to the LBGS on Saturday, and I'd love to see you (and the Baton) at our BC corner. Please see this post for our meetup times: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/198710-basschat-the-london-bass-guitar-show/page__view__findpost__p__1992738"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/198710-basschat-the-london-bass-guitar-show/page__view__findpost__p__1992738[/url]

Thanks Chris! Jon - and others - please see my latest post on that thread: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/198710-basschat-the-london-bass-guitar-show/page__view__findpost__p__1992738"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/198710-basschat-the-london-bass-guitar-show/page__view__findpost__p__1992738[/url] for our meetup times

OK - slightly revised meetup times. [I do hope the show isn't going to change its schedule now that there are only a few days to go!] BC CORNER @ the LBGS (in the foyer, next to Bass Gear) Saturday 2nd March 11:30am - 12:30pm 2 - 3pm 4:30 - 5:30pm Sunday 3rd March 10 - 11am 2 - 3pm 4:30 - 5:30pm While I'll make sure to be there at the exact start times for the meetup, we certainly don't have to disperse after exactly one hour, of course! If there are a lot of us, and we're having fun, and people keep coming, I'll stay at the BC table for as long as we like to be together. I'll edit my previous post to delete the old meetup times, and post these on the other threads. See you all there! \m/ \m/

Ha, Voivod-inspired bass, I think... Wasn't Denis D'Amour the one who played a guitar like that? But then, they were/are weird.

[quote name='DogHammer' timestamp='1361802471' post='1991071'] And hoping that the Warwick stand is extensive. Still haven't tried a Streamer in left handed, wanted to hear and feel the difference to my Corvette, as was in 2 minds when I bought it! [/quote] I don't know how large their stand will be. It's Warwick Distribution, rather than Warwick&Framus, this year, so it might be little in comparison. I remember their stand at the London International Music Show, as I think it was called back in 2010 - it was massive, with lots of basses, guitars, cabs and amps. GAS, GAS, GAS!! But then the company gave London a miss in 2011 and 2012, and may have decided to come back this year in a more modest guise. We'll see.

[quote name='DogHammer' timestamp='1361801412' post='1991050'] Ah that's unfortunate. I don't think you can get a real feel of a bass by playing upside down personally. Well here's me hoping to see a couple more this year. Would be interested in meeting up for a beer or 20 with any basschatters if theres a meet. [/quote] I agree with there being no point in trying out a bass upside down... let's see if manufacturers remember our existence this year. I'm going to publish a BC corner meetup schedule for the weekend some time soon. I'm only waiting to make sure the show's schedule doesn't get amended again at the last moment, as I'm creating our schedule around a couple of masterclasses and performances I don't want to miss

[quote name='DogHammer' timestamp='1361800249' post='1991020'] Also a question for fellow lefties, whats the tryouts like for us? as in do most stands have left handed versions, or is it pretty much few and far between? [/quote] Prepare yourself to try a lot of basses upside down. Last year I saw 4 or 5 lefty models on show, though, which was an improvement on the grand total of one (Höfner Paul McCartney model) I saw in 2011.

I'm sure someone will come forward! James, I'll be in touch to decide what time we can meet up at the BC corner. The guys at Bass Gear are following this with interest too

Remember that it's the District line to Olympia that you need. The entrance to the show is on the Hammersmith Road, anyway. [url="http://www.londonbassguitarshow.com/visit/travel-accomodation-2/"]http://www.londonbassguitarshow.com/visit/travel-accomodation-2/[/url]

I have noticed that it's possible to post the link to a BC thread to Twitter, by clicking the "T" symbol below the reply box at the bottom of that thread. If I click that button I can tweet as Basschat. I imagine that other members would tweet as themselves. Now, I'm not criticising or stirring - in fact I'm deeply grateful for the admins' and developer's hard work on this site - but I am wondering why we still haven't got a Follow Us On Twitter button on the home page, which would be far more useful, in my opinion. After all, it's just a matter of adding a snippet of code to the source. Our Twitter community is slowly growing organically anyway, but it's still only a fraction of the size of that on Facebook.

I had them on my 4 for a while - far too high tension. I've now gone the opposite way and fitted a set of TIs.

Very true. As I was saying to you on FB, one of the problems with us "true lefties" is that the market is even smaller and less dynamic due to a number of left-handed people learning to play right-handed. I've heard all the reasons - "playing a guitar is difficult in any case, so I may as well learn to play the kind that offers more options"; "I'm actually using my strong hand, the left, to fret as opposed to plucking" and so on and so forth. Quite apart from actually finding a lefty bass easier to play than a righty - cos I'm a lefty, duh - I make a point of trying to remind manufacturers that we exist, and would they mind at least making stuff ambidextrous, if possible. It's an uphill struggle.

Thank you guys for a great gig! I'll be in touch soon with a DVD of photos and vids.