peteb

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1481969960' post='3196611'] I don't think anyone should buy a bass because it can [i]sound like another bass[/i]. Buy the bass that sounds great and makes you sound like you. [/quote] I thought that the original idea behind the Lakland 4-94 / 55-95 was because a lot of players wanted a bass that could sound like a Stingray as well as a jazz bass? I think that Stingrays have a very distinctive sound, but it’s a very usable one that will work in most settings and the most important factor is always the player. I have been thinking about getting a 5 string next year. My choice would be an Xotic or a full fat Lakland (if I could afford it) but as it probably won’t be my main instrument I am a little wary of spending that much money, so I may well get a s/h SR5 instead. The only thing that puts me off is the string spacing, but I am sure that I would get used to it soon enough.

[quote name='John_P' timestamp='1481477777' post='3192565'] Can I ask a bit more about your opinion of the TC gear? I thought it had a decent reputation now, early models might not have been reliable and while it isn't the most exciting I thought it looked really good value? [/quote] It is a bit difficult as it is all very subjective and if you are not careful you start throwing terms like ‘heft’ around. Also, I know some pretty decent players who obviously think that the weight advantage overweighs other considerations to the point that they quite happily use TC amps. However, personally I think that they are underpowered and thin sounding. I have been told that apparently, they are naturally heavily compressed to the extent that it sucks all of the life out of the tone. I use a little compression (sparingly) but never anything like to that extent. Certainly, you could never compare them to a decent old SWR amp (as I mentioned in the previous post) or many others. Don’t get me wrong, I think that some new lightweight gear is a reasonable compromise between weight and tone – I have always thought that Mark Bass make pretty convincing amps (I have a 102 combo) and the Aguilar TH stuff sounds pretty good to me, but not Genz Benz and especially not TC. But of course, that is my opinion and there are many good players out there who may not agree…

I used to have both of those Silver Jubilee cabs many years ago. They were not that heavy, but obviously not as light as a lot of gear you can get today. it depends what you want and what you're prepared to shift at the end of the night. Personally I wouldn't touch a TC combo with a bargepole, but it might well work for you. If you are not bothered about super lightweight gear there are lots of great old American built SWR amps going for a song!

I've sent a FB message to all my mates who run guitar shops or otherwise work in the industry. I thought that somebody on here might have an idea. Nothing on eBay

I'm already selling it to someone I kinda know and don't know what to ask

It's me who is selling it, but don't know what to charge. It came off an old 70s P bass that I got rid off 30 years ago...

Quick question - how much would be a fair price for an old Fender BBOT bridge (originally off a 77 USA Precision)??

I generally take two basses in a double gig bag and leave the spare in the bag by the side of the stage. In over 30 years of gigging I’ve needed a spare maybe 5 or 6 times, but for some reasn it has often happened at the bigger gigs. When I joined my first regular gigging band, I was offered the gig on the condition that I got a spare (even if it was a cheap beater) in case of emergencies. That made sense to me and I’ve carried a spare whenever possible ever since. I generally take two basses in a double gig bag and leave the spare in the bag by the side of the stage. In nearly 40 years of gigging I’ve needed a spare 5 or 6 times, but it has often happened at the bigger gigs. When I joined my first regular gigging band, I was offered the gig on the condition that I got a spare (even if it was a cheap beater) in case of emergencies. That made sense to me and I’ve carried a spare whenever possible ever since.

Peacock - step away from the classifieds...! You have a perfectly good rig. I seriously don't think that a Working Pro 700 will be as good as your SM500, which is as good a set-up as anyone needs. Forget about the GAS and concentrate on your bass playing, drumming, promoting, etc... ;-)

I think that the thing is that many people think of a P bass when they think of an electric bass, both in terms of sound and image

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1478681741' post='3170799'] When we start out on our journey into bass, we all here those iconic bass lines and we get stuck in there. Even before we know what we're listening to is a bass guitar or DB, we're falling in love with the richness depth of that tone. A sound so deep and thick you could almost cut a slice off and... OK, maybe that's too much, but you get it. But all these bass lines are normally in a band context. So we all go down the route of buying a bass and aspiring to play with others. Speaking for myself, I did all that. Never had an amp in those days, apart from plugging the bass into a reel-to-reel tape deck and using it's output stage. It worked. It sounded like nothing on earth with tons of unhelpful distortion. I hated it. I dropped it for a number of reasons and came back to bass when I was 50. I still aspired to being in a band. I got into a band and immediately came across the egos of others. The instructions to "play only the roots" as the keys were playing the bass line. Directions from guys who clearly didn't know the rudiments of music. (Like, you don't adjust the beat to fit in with the timing of the lyrics.) The sound of the band was a cacophony. I quit. Back home I can't be bothered with the faff of mp3 players and playing along with tracks. I read cello scores and transcribe other scores and really dig the tone of a bass playing, effectively, guitar-style. It's a challenge to my ability, but it's coming on and it's a hobby. I don't need to drive all over the country. I don't have folk pulling my playing apart, letting me down. I don't have to buy and store large gear that will only get used when away from the house. I don't have drunks telling me their dad plays better (or the likes). True, others may not agree that what I do is playing bass, but it suits me. I'm trying to get my head round something from "My Fair Lady" right now. I play almost every day and it fits in with my lifestyle as I play for any odd half-hours etc that I get the chance. "Why don't I change to guitar", you might ask? I just prefer the tone of a bass guitar to the twang of the treble-clef. I'm sure I'm not alone, am I? [/quote] But... You don't get to play with and learn from other musicians; you don't get to meet like minded people from all sorts of backgrounds that you otherwise would not have met; the camaraderie you get from being a gigging musician; you don't get the opportunity to travel the country to entertain different crowds; you don't get to make lifelong friends from people you've played in bands with or have come to watch you; you don't get the immediate reaction from an appreciative crowd; you don't get comments from punters, the vast majority of whom are massively well desposed to you for entertaining them; you don't get the mainly positive effects of low level local fame & recognition; and of course you don't get to experience the magical moments when everything clicks into place and the band becomes more than the sum of its individual members... I'm sure that there are a few other things that I've missed...

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1478543220' post='3169777'] I've played shows with one of our heavy hitters, it hasn't been of much benefit yet. I wasn't really comfortable asking him to stick around to hear me perform. I know where your coming from because that's the way things happened for guys in the old days. Not sure that's the way it works anymore. Blue [/quote] I think that you have to be realistic. Even if Greg Koch does happen to be on the same bill as you, I doubt that he is going to think of you when he needs a bass player (or me, or virtually anyone on here with maybe a couple of exceptions) when he has Roscoe Beck’s number in his phone…! You need to be visible to the guys you want to play with, so that they think of you when they need a bass player. Go to their shows and say hi, without necessarily pushing a business card on them. Above all play with as many different musicians as possible, so that you have more people to recommend you if the right gig does come up…

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1478291040' post='3168289'] I had no idea i would get so many suggestions guys. Its gonna take me a while to get thru listening to them all. Some i've had a quick listen to and think maybe a little too extreme one way or another but majority are spot on and i'm really getting into a style of music i've never really given much thought to. Cheers guys and all very much appreciated the effort some have put in to their reply by adding youtube links. Basschat is def a great place to be when you need help. Dave [/quote] Have a listen to the recent Supersonic Blues Machine album - might be the sort of thing you may be interested in...!

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1478211938' post='3167669'] Just had a listen to Tommy Bolin album Teaser for first time and that's pretty impressive album. Liking it a lot. Dave [/quote] The Tommy Bolin Deep Purple is a great album with a lot of funk (not really like a DP album at all)! Teaser is one of my favourite top 3 albums ever...

No

Sounds like a band I would make to effort to see (some good suggestons her). How about [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-sIKX227Yk"]https://www.youtube....h?v=h-sIKX227Yk[/url] Also, just about anything of the first Tommy Bolin album (Teaser)

This is where YouTube is your friend! Just search for live versions...

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1477273428' post='3161051'] And in my case who you know didn't even matter.Couldn't have had a more "the right person" in my corner. The guy that vouged for me was the bass player for the organizer who said "No". Both have known each other and we're founding members of Milwaukee's premier blues band. They've known each other for over 50 years. Blue [/quote] That is a really bizarre situation - was there some dynamic between the two of them going on where you got caught in the middle or have you slept with his ex-wife or something??

I wouldn't blame your band mates - you can see where they are coming from, but you have every right to be p****d of with the way you've been treated by the pub.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1477000223' post='3159244'] Agreed, getting outside of the State of WI is crucial. Milwaukee is very clicky and anytime I have reached out to those circles even though my abilities are equal if not better I always been answered with a big pile of rejection. You can't just show up and expect people to accept you. I remember I did go to a jam that consisted of local heavy hitters. I even had one if their own vet me or vouge for me. A new set opened and my guy introduced me and asked if I could play a couple of tunes with s well known guitarist and harp player. The organizer said "no" and they played without s bass player. Needless to say I don't think much of that circle or the organizer. And these guys were all older than me. Blue [/quote] That is a very odd attitude from someone running a jam session. Normally they are crying out for any new credible player just to freshen things up a bit. A lot of band leaders use the better jam sessions as a way of finding new guys that may not have been on their radar - you never know when you might need a bass player and the two or three guys you normally ring are unavailable. Move to Texas mate, things seem to be very different there...!

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1476799921' post='3157342'] Roscoe Beck's work on the the first Robben Ford and the Blue Line album does it for me. So many different techniques and styles, absolutely nailed. The guitar and drum work work are equally stunning too. [/quote] That's a very good call I would add JPJ on The Lemon Song & In My Time Of Dying as well as Mars Cowling on the Pat Travers live album (Go For What You Know).

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1476735700' post='3156865'] /\ This. You have made your mind up you are better than the band and music you are playing. Asking a forum, based in Britain, what they think about you doing what you want to do, in the US music business, seems a bit odd. I for one have no idea what the gig situation is in the States. [/quote] I don't think there is anything wrong with asking people here for advice. A lot of the same factors apply and although the music scene in Milwaukee may be a bit different to the UK, but I know guys who play the Texas circuit and that's completely different again! Giving up a solid working band to play in a different arena to the bar circuit is a bit step, especially if you rely on the money you earn from that band. I can understand Blue wanting to run it past his peers to see what they think, even if they are from another country...!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1476733955' post='3156836'] Guess it depends on your personal situation. My Milwaukee condo is not mortgaged. I own it free and clear. My point, my expenses are very low. Ideally I would do bar gigs during down times. Blue [/quote] That puts you in a good position if the right opportunity presents itself. Obviously you would need to put together a pickup band that is happy to play when you're available, possibly because they are in a similar position or have got other things going on. Teaching is always a good sideline, as is teching for other bands if you really like being on the road.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1476732350' post='3156805'] Well, right now my band offers consistent bar, festival and fair gigs.I know where my next gig is well into 2017. It's still below my worth IMO. I have to do it until I find something better. I'm still not sure what your point is and a US functions band is not the sort of thing I'm looking for. I'm talking about bands that are on the road gigging 5 -6 nights a week with international travel. Blue [/quote] I think what he is trying to say is that these bands don't work anything like 52 weeks a year and you still need to pay the rent in the down periods. Everyone I know that does that kind of gig has a sideline they can fall back on when they're not on the road.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1476643613' post='3155937'] I'm starting to think a little differently about the 4 hour bar gig, festival and fair market. Last night we opened for a national act. All I needed was my bass, and pedal board. Lighting and sound provided. We played for an hour and we're paid twice our 4 hour bar fee. Ok, whether you like it or not this is a business, at least it is for me. I think I'm devaluing myself in the bar band market and should start making plans to move up a bit. It's a hard business and I'm still up for the challenge. Comments, thoughts? Blue [/quote] The thing is how many of the better paying bigger gigs will you play in a year and how will that stack up against your constant schedule of bar gigs that provide a regular income??