police squad

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1412760555' post='2571635'] Why are you worried about what an idiot in the audience is shouting? Why would that make you quit a band? [/quote] The guy was touching distance from me. He was right in my face calling me a w*nker. I thought he was going to get violent. This has not made me leave the band, I had already decided that I didn't want to do it anymore. I don't think a tribute band like The Police really works in a pub. Not everyone likes them of knows the songs, whereas in a proper tribute venue, people pay because they want to be there. That does seem to work better . I'm in Coventry on Friday night with my new Police tribute, at Arches Venue. Hopefully it'll be a good night

[quote name='markorbit' timestamp='1412589930' post='2570106'] NIce! I may have to acquire one of these myself. [/quote] a white one? very nice

DM guitars in southend. Dan is lovely guy and did a fantastic job on a les paul for me

sounds like its worth a trip

Just get white. My WKZ guitar head and 4x12 are white and they're not looking too shabby considering the gigs they did in Scandal and live n kickin. Get a good set of covers and don't put your beer on them!! Now there's no smoking in pubs they won't go yellow. Where is bass gear?

all this cab talk is making me want to try these cabs. JTUK could I come round for a listen when you've got them? Maybe try my ampeg into them?

MIM and USA sound the same until the tone is rolled right off, then the 98 is a little brighter. The 77 is totally different. Ash body and maple board. Much more zing to the sound and a little less mid. In fact, fkn lovely. The japan basswood sounds a little darker, just a tad though, than the MIM or USA 98. As Happy Jack said, they all sound like a precision. I would happily gig with any of them. Billy Sheehan would probably take the '77

I have a list of everything I've ever bought and sold and it's quite big now. 33 basses now sold and 27 guitars also sold

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1412238427' post='2566950'] True... but I'd hazard a guess that at least 50% of basses bought are never used in anger and are just bought by people who want to dabble at being a rockstar. [/quote] I reckon you're right. Quite a few of my basses don't get much use (if any). My Aria SBR-150 has been used for a 45 minute set and that's it. I just had to buy it as I had one 25 years ago. My Thunderbird won't get much use either but I still had to have it )

[quote name='pfretrock' timestamp='1412171325' post='2566419'] You'll get that Lute someday? [/quote] lol. I have a mandolin too and 11 electric guitars and 4 acoustics

14. '75 Fender P bass Jap reissue 70's maple board, fretless natural Fender P bass Bravewood Sting '57 Replica Ibanez MC940 Fretless (1980) 70s replica maple board, fretless fiesta red P bass (made from parts) Spector Euro 4LX Se-5 Steinberger XL-2 1982 (I think) Rockinbetter RG 4003 Faker with genuine Ric p/ups Hofner Jubilee CT500/1 union jack violin bass #7 of 60 Fender P Bass Lyte Aria SB-R 150 from about 1982 Epiphone Jack Casady, Silverburst Epiphone pro IV classic Thunderbird in white Stagg EDB

I used a HA3500 and a 4x10 transporter (USA made cab) for 10 years. Superb sound. Eventually I blew a speaker (first one I've ever blown) and replaced it with a Behringer aluminium cone. It sounded great again. Eventually sswitched to mark bass cabs (lighter) and an ampeg pf500. Still have the HA3500 as a spare and set up in the rehearsal room. Sold the cab on BC to Jack.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1411991231' post='2564550'] I think a solo career is in order, singing whiny dirges about how tough it is in the North East (Tongue firmly in cheek!) [/quote]

[quote name='sblueplanet' timestamp='1411990608' post='2564538'] Playing at being Sting for 7 years should be enough for anyone. [/quote] not stopping anytime soon either. I love the music of the Police, they were/are my favourite band

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1411986324' post='2564490'] Must admit it is one of the few gigs in the town that I'd do... The WM is the other option if the rates are ok I know they need to work but some methods of getting that work didn't go down well with a few agents... which seems to be shooting yourself in the foot for the sake of a commission fee.... Seeing the gigs your other band got in the summer..there really isn't a contest and you don't need to be playing pubs when there are better gigs for the Tribute market. IMO. [/quote] yep you're right. But I've actually handed in my notice today anyway. I'll honour the 3 last gigs and then that's it

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1411984937' post='2564478'] Don't work a band with a specialist act in any old pub. You can't get the rate and so you become another pub band. That is ok if that is what you want to do but it doesn't help sell tickets for an act that could get better gigs. You know the market and the type of gigs on offer for that sort of tribute act... and the other guys are into taking anything that turns over a fee. Considering that Sting polarises people, you don't need divey pubs or audiences.. which matters not a jot to others in bands who just want to get paid. Which pub..? [/quote] Yes JTUK you're right but this band has always been Tim's 'other' band when the Heroes singer was on holiday. A way for Tim to continue to earn money without busting his a*se. I've never had a problem with that and we've built up a reasonable following over 7 years. But his other band do get all the prime dates and plenty of Butlin's weekend gigs which, to be fair, he could have brought the police too but the politics didn't seem to allow it. The pub is The George. The guy eventually got asked to leave by the (off duty) bouncer chap, who is a lovely guy and apologised to me for the trouble but it was too late when he realised that there was a problem. The idiot in question was behaving like he was on coke. He imposed himself on me in the break too. I was fine till I thought he was going to get violent. As is usual when this happens there seems to be very little help available to the band and the band normally have to deal with the sh*t themselves. It's a shame because Aftershock had trouble with a drunk woman falling all over the gear a couple of weeks earlier. It seems the landlord/lady aren't keeping their eye on the people in there. It's a shame because I used to really love playing in there

[quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1411971569' post='2564334'] In an ideal world we would all play on nice stages in front of friendly crowds but simple fact is if you play pubs you have to accept there will be some idiots. Last saturday i had the opposite where some bloke thought i was wonderful and played air guitar about two inches from me most of the night. Regularly bumping into my mic stand causing the mic to keep smacking me in the mouth. I would rather be called a w****r any day [/quote] My biggest worry was the bloke was going to get violent. That was the problem, I've been called a w*nker at gigs before. I have no problem wrapping my bass round his head but I'm the one that would get done for assault. This was just a normal pub gig.

lol at Chris.

some excellent responses here. Thanks for your input, but I must say this about it all. When I got upset at the gig it was to do with the gig, not the band. I have never chucked my toys out of the pram before. I am not a diva or an arsehole. I turn up with a full PA system and mic everyone up. I put my all into every show. I do a lot of gigs and always fit everybody in when I can. We still have 3 gigs this year.I haven't actually left but should I do these remaining gigs. I think I should

Hey chaps, I've seen one of my Police tributes is advertising for a new Sting. Admittedly I threw my toys out of the pram at a recent gig. Dickhead in the audience started calling me a w*nker at the top of his voice. It was near the end in the last song, so I just told the audience he was calling me this and stopped. Didn't finish the song or introducing the band. Next day or so another gig came through but I rejected it telling the guitarist that I'm not playing there anymore and in fact don't book any gigs. I need some time off. The guitarist gigs for a living and I generally am very flexible about playing. I like to help and I hate letting people down. But for some time I've not been enjoying the Police gigs in the pubs. There isn't really the audience for it. We only gig when the guitarists main band doesn't, so it's not like we get the pick of the gigs. I've done it for just over 7 years and to be honest, I don't want to do it anymore, But should he have told me?

yep, I'm not changing anything other than, maybe, a Gibson TRC and a new set of strings

people want white. simples

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1411726700' post='2562276'] I had one and sold it becuase of the neck dive. I was so disapointed because I think the white one is the coolest looking bass ever but it was just impossible to play. [/quote] Have you tried the latest version. The Pro IV classic. I've heard that they do balance properly, mine does

[quote name='gafbass02' timestamp='1411714604' post='2562087'] Placebo, I know he plays white, but I've owned white before and silver looks so cool and would still fit [/quote] nice

agreed they do need to be lower (ish). I just need to hold the old beer belly in a little bit more (which I do all the time lol)