simes

[quote name='paul h' timestamp='1465981800' post='3072532'] Sweet Home Alabama. It's been played to death and I never really liked the song in the first place. However it's a no pressure crowd pleaser and I use the opportunity to prove my theory that you can get away with playing any note at any time and nobody will notice I still moan like a bugger if anyone suggests it though [/quote] Jammed it last night at rehearsal and I played disco style octaves which actually suited it. Of course non of the musical ludites noticed my musical brilliance :-)

Last rehearsal night we jammed out a rocking garage version of Baby Please Don't Go which turned into a weired version of Who Do You Love. For 15mins I alternated between E and F# only varying the rhythm, dynamics and position. It was a laff and great fun making us laugh like kids and I'm the youngest at 54. What I'm trying to say is it's all relative, I thought I played a blinder so did my band mates. Music does not have to be complicated.

Next payday I can see a set of La Bella's going on the 5string discreet, It's my go to bass and I can see La Bella's making it even better.

Cheers ET I've been doing my research and will shim the neck when I change the bridge, I'm finding it quite playable as it is but I know these mods will make it even better. S

A few weeks ago I treated myself to a Squier Bass VI, love it, it's fun to play in a quirky retro kind of way But.........the stock strings are woeful, I mean really rubbish. The perceived wisdom on the interweb suggests fitting La Bella's. Not that there's much choice anyway and none at all if you want heavier strings. I've always been a string is a string is a string kind of guy but La Bella flats, WOW, expensive hell yes, worth he cost, my god YES. They just exude quality. Will be putting some more thought into string changes on my other basses in future. Haven't gone down the Staytrem replacement bridge route yet but definitely next on the list. S

Bit of a corporate gig for us last night playing for the company one of our guitarists works for. It's a holiday company specialising in cycling tours so pretty laid back and casual out doors types. Went really really well and plenty of folk up dancing and having a good time. I'm almost ashamed to say this but we played a very well known tune and the place went mental even the hotel manager was shaking his thing and singing along. That tune was...........wait for it...........wait for it...........ALL RIGHT NOW. Rock n Roll eh it's a funny old game :-).

I have relatively small hands for a guy and always tried to adhere to the one finger per fret rule but found I was getting tendon pain in the back of my fretting hand. Since I stopped this, the pain has decreased massively. My top tip - ignore the one finger per fret rule if it is causing pain and discomfort, it will only get worse over time which I not good. Plus it will take any enjoyment out of playing.

Had a lovely romantic weekend in Liverpool with my wife 3 years ago and I would to go back again, it's a very interesting city. Memories fade but the BG250 I bought whilst there is still going strong :-)

Much better last night, charity fund raiser for a friend. Played well, people danced, couple of free drinks and got paid expenses.Even got propositioned by a lovely woman which I politely declined. So all in all a great night :-)

Made me wonder why we even bother.....

Just delivered, top company, top bloke

20mins ago I emailed the LR Baggs company in California to enquire about purchasing a washer, nut and strap ring for one of their sound hole pickups I have fitted to an acoustic guitar as mine have gone AWOL. A chap emailed back within 5mins for my address and they are sending them free of charge. Excellent customer service so a big up to LR Baggs and Caleb Elling from me.

Some bigger boys made me do it....

He's originaly from Carlisle, I believe he worked at Overwater at one time.

Guy I know plays an unmodded Rick through a Marshall head and 1x15 and 4x10 cabs. It sounds.............bloody amazing.

Nice to hear of the good service at Omega. My son probably sent you the Uke as he works there in the warehouse.

Squier fretless. Was blue and very rough, taken back to wood and stained.

I'd rock it at a local open Mic it would be a blast. Have to be appropriate song. "Cut's like a knife" "First cut is the deepest" "Let it bleed" Have FUN m8

Best advice I was ever given when I started out many many years ago from an old pro, " Doen't matter what you play or what you play it through, all that matters is the noise that comes out of the speaker".

During my 14yrs as a lecturer in FE it was also my fault if: A student was late. A student never brought a note book and pen. A student was barely literate (I wasn't allowed to be selective at student intake, I was told I could but of course the head of dept wouldn't put that in writing. Bums on seats=money remember). A student never produced any work. A student never produced any evidence for their NVQ portfolio (NVQ's now there another thread in it's self). A student damaged anything in the workshop. A student got the boot from their workplacement (Usually for being a t##t). After I got them the placement so you can imagine that business would never take another student from me). All of the above plus more I was dragged over the coals for at one time or another. A student these days is pretty much invincible. If I wrote a book about it all people would think it was a work of fiction As has already been mentioned all the fun evening classes died a death because there had to be a measurable outcome.

If a student fails the lecturer gets the bollockin' even if said student never shows up, I know, been there, got the T shirt had the nervous breakdown. That's why I'm now an ex lecturer and a damn sight happier. Results = money, and LOT of cooking the books goes on. I know an ex maths lecturer who was under tremendous pressure to bump up students marks so more passed. He asked them to put it in writting. Next thing he gets a very sweet retirement package. New guy in place, young and ambitious results get a lot better. It's not the students fault, league tables and funding causes it. I work with drug addicts and alcoholics now who are much nicer to deal with than academia.

Had a nice experience in Glagows Merchant City Music recently. Whilst in getting some flats a young lad about 12 13yrs old was trying out an electric guitar and amp. His parents were with him and from the grin on his face looked like he was getting a prezzie. Whilst paying for my strings young lad started playing THAT riff. Guy behind counter looks at me and we have a wee smile and chuckle to each other. So what if that riff has been played a million times in million music stores I hope that lad is enjoying himself and good luck to the young muso. Can't buy that experience online

Gig rot set in with me many moons ago, Eric Clapton at the Sheffield Arena could have left after 20mins. We were sat at the back and security goons ensured you couldn't stand. Most disappointing gig of my life. Enjoyed Metallica a few years ago at Newcastle because the stage was in the middle of the arena so good views alround. Much prefer a good open mic now, we played at one last Friday night organised by a friend of ours. We had soul, funk, solo performers even a uke band doing Rolling Stones numbers. Sat a few feet away with a drink in good company, it's the life for me.

As the bass player just bare in mind that you ARE the coolest member of the band

This is us Donkey Hospital playing in the bar at the Sands Centre Carlisle last night. We share the drummer with The Freedom who also played. Between the 7 of us we hired the room, PA and stage plus sound staff for £150. We sold enough tickets at £3 each to cover the cost plus enough to pay a months rent on the rehearsal room. We'll also be getting a recording of the night taken from the desk and mixed bt one of the staff which will go to make a video as we had two cameras set up and Barrie in the middle is well into making videos so should be interesting. A good night had by all both bands and punters but I'm on a post gig come down now as I had to be at work at 7.15 this morning.