interpol52

[quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1464258933' post='3057936'] Interesting! I stopped my band trying to faff around with half step down tuning, it's just unnecessary and takes too long, plus the guitar doesn't stay in tune. Then you have to tune back to standard... I appreciate though open G creates a different feel, if there's a spare guitar then great tune that open G. If you aren't prepared to nail the feel of a cover you shouldnt play it IMO. It's the bloody mindedness to play favourite songs instead of thoughtfully construct a set list that works for the band and the audience that I see time and again with covers bands [/quote] I get what you mean about tuning down half a step, I'm not convinced that is necessary. The open G has a 'sound' though doesn't it? I am annoyed about their acceptance of just doing it half baked, it sounded bad!!

We were doing Bohemian Like You by The Dandy Warhols last night. Its the first time I have played the song with this band. I'm pretty sure its in open G tuning, that's how they got the Stones rip off element just right. So I mentioned this to the guitarists as they were just doing it in standard tuning and it sounded 'off'. The reply? "I'm not tuning to open G, it takes too long". Apparently though, endless faffing around with pedal settings between songs is ok. I'm out.

From a Mexican Fender point of view, I can say that the 2013 Precision I have is top quality, I cant find a fault on it. Its well made, sounds like a great Precision and is solid as a rock. In the interest of balance though I saw a Mexican Jazz Bass in PMT Leeds and the string spacing at the nut was all over the place, I don't know how it got through QC. As a result there was a huge gap between the E and the end of the fretboard all the way down the neck. So as always I guess it is best to try a few out and play before you pay wherever possible. I would have been really unhappy if I had bought that particular Jazz online. I am sure there is a much higher proportion out there that are put together well though.

I usually rehearse and gig with a 2013 Fender P bass it gets the job done every time. It's solid as a rock, a great working bass. Last night though I wanted to bed some new strings in on my Jazz so used that to rehearse... Amazing! Neck pickup on 100%, bridge at about 80% and tone at 50%. Through a Rumble 500 v3 with everything flat. I think the Precision will win in the end though, it always does.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1464026123' post='3055889'] Never thought of it like that... but I do know I'm very conscious of time wavering... and it is not as tho I'm playing root fifth all the time.. Nothing wrong with that, of course. I just think just as you know when a song is 'happening' you really should know instantly when it isn't. I find a few bass players get this quicker than a lot of players...and gtrs can seem almost oblivious, but this just tells you what they are or rather, aren't listening to. I must admit to being brutal on drummers... and I can make them sound good, (and vice versa) but there is a limit on what you should have to do so the choice of drummer is a critical choice, IMV. As for tempo changes over different gigs, I like to see/hear drummers who either have great time (bpm) in their head or use a click/metronome for consistancy. The former being the most popular approach... [/quote] Yep, I agree. I'm done with playing with average drummers. I've never suggested a drummer played to a click, the ones who needed it the most in bands I have been are the ones who would probably be the most offended. Says a lot I suppose. Funnily enough, the best drummer I ever had the privilege of sharing a stage with lost all the feel in his drumming when he was playing to a click, perfect timing of course but he just didn't sound as good.

I didn't use a pick for years but my new band has a few songs that need a bit more attack. I used to use the smaller version of this but I'm liking this shape a bit more at the moment.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1463943159' post='3055230'] Bad time is always obvious and therefore it is a basic deal breaker, IMO. If they can't play to time or tempo they aren't going offer anything else musically. [/quote] I meant overall, playing a song slightly slower/faster or differently from one week to the next. Speeding up or slowing down within the song is obvious. I have timing like a metronome, I guessing you do too after reading your posts on here. Through experience I agree with you about the drummer issues being a deal breaker. A bad drummer always reminds me of when my batteries were just starting to go on my Walkman in the 80's, that odd kind of uneasy feeling when the music is just slipping a bit!

In theory you turn the gig down, but sometimes a drummer reveals himself to be bad over time. Inconsistencies in timing or beats from one week to the next can't be detected in an audition. That said, I've joined a band with a so-so drummer thinking "it will be ok, he will get better" and learned my lesson the hard way. Its not always obvious in an audition but after a couple of rehearsals its usually enough to know whether to walk or not.

In my experience yes, I've fitted USA ones to Mexican P basses and never had any issues.

Precision for gigs. Jazz bass for noodling around at home.

Pete Loaf. My all time favourite tribute act name!

On the flip side of my Nickel Creek love is this. One man and a few gadgets, I like it. Not for everyone though perhaps, give it 5 minutes of your time. It takes a while to get going, the magic starts after about 1 minute. Bit of Prince, bit of Michael Jackson, some disco and a lot of attention to rhythym. It's a bit like watching an artist paint a picture. Off topic maybe? http://youtu.be/fnbAvT1U788

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1461967325' post='3039295'] Yeah, I love the Watkins Family stuff & their other band Nickel Creek. [/quote] I discovered Nickel Creek and the Watkins Family Hour through my Fiona Apple obsession. Just watch her singing 'when I get low I get high ' http://youtu.be/0FeBRGJ3Lxs

[quote name='TheRev' timestamp='1461967328' post='3039296'] 1 x guitarist shagging my girlfriend. [/quote] Yep, that'll do it.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1461966438' post='3039288'] Funnily enough, after a lifetime of old school metal & prog rock, country & bluegrass is pretty much all I listen to now! [/quote] http://youtu.be/qQ4PZVj66ac Like this? I am obsessed with the first song. It sounds like we have the same old school musical tastes.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1461965402' post='3039275'] I probably hate far more bands than I like... [/quote] Me too, I know what you mean. Maybe I need a new band playing a totally new genre. I am oddly drawn towards country and bluegrass right now!

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1461964481' post='3039271'] Fair point. [/quote] I'm glad its not just me. I do agree though that the Beautiful South is grounds for band divorce though.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1461963964' post='3039266'] I can't think of a better reason. [/quote] I can, The Verve.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1461959492' post='3039222'] I quit two bands for the one reason...people thinking that the rehearsal room was for [i]learning[/i] the material. A bit frustrating when I have done [i]my[/i] home work [/quote] I remember teaching the guitarist how to play a song in my last band. This was after he had spent about 40 minutes setting up his new pedal board. It took 10 minutes to learn the song at home. Do your homework!

This too http://youtu.be/qQ4PZVj66ac The Fleetwood Mac song is great.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1461957241' post='3039183'] The grass appearing greener in the next band along. [/quote] Same sh!t different field?

My most recent band was a 90's Britpop act. The drummer seemed to play what he remembered of the song from 20 years ago. Each week it would be the same mistakes in the same place. Trouble is, he thought he was amazing! He was a classic case of all the gear no idea. Custom made DW kit and zero talent.

Okay, this may have been done before. Reasons why you have quit bands - Mine are 1) the drummer not learning the songs 2) the guitarist not learning the songs 3) the guitarists girlfriend going Yoko. Aside from these, money and power struggles are the usual!

I have a Mexican P bass 2013 and a Squier VM Jazz. Its unlikely that I will sell either because they are both perfectly good basses and worth far more to me to keep than the lowish price I would get if I sold them. I am generally more dissatisfied with expensive basses because I expect them to be perfect and I get annoyed when they are not, so I sell them. With the two current basses I know that they are not high end instruments, they are not perfect and I can accept that more because of their relatively low value. This might sound like twisted logic, hanging onto something because I know its not perfect! Does this make sense?!

I love Vulfpeck, his bass playing upsets me too. This one is a favourite, the bass tone is immense and those teacup playing skills are second to none. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk7XuB25hOk"]https://www.youtube....h?v=Mk7XuB25hOk[/url] They had been listening to Controversy by Prince a lot I think... I also like how they dress like extras from Napoleon Dynamite.