uk_lefty

My mate is trying to get me up to Leeds to see Motorheadache in a few months. I was in an acoustic duo called "Not the Hoople" back in 2006. We did not do any Mott the Hoople (clue was in the name). Rip off the Machine were unbelievably good back in Scarborough many, many years back.

Who is your target audience is an easier question to answer... We play stuff we think couples in their early forties will sing along with and dance to.

Another fan here! Bought the "toneman" 300 combo not really expecting to like it... For perspective I sold a huge trace rig that was too heavy for my second floor flat... But instantly got good solid gigable tone. Added an RM115 cab, very happy. Wanted a bit more grunt, got the Rootmaster 500 head... And another RM115. Excellent versatile gig rig! Now one of those RM115s has been swapped for an RM210 which wasn't my best decision, but it gives me bags of onstage power and a dead simple EQ. I even have a two button footswitch for the overdrive and sub. They're nice effects to have easy access to. Haven't used their customer service yet but the fact they're so responsive on here makes me feel safe that in the unlikely event of an issue I'll get a quick and no B.S. response with the problem getting solved.

Yes! We play a variety of music but it all sounds consistent... From when we do Bob Marley through to Bon Jovi, there's a consistent "sound". But, are we rock, soul or funk? That's what the Facebook says but I don't think we are nailed to one in particular. It's hard to describe without sounding like a twunt. For example I heard the singer from The Darkness (a band I despise) describe their latest effort as a cross between ACDC and Queen only with a straight face and being far more self agrandising. Just made me think "how dare you!!" Then other less savoury things.

I've seen that, it's early days RHCP and I think it's purely because he bust a string mid song. He comes out playing crazy fast slap on a P and it sounds pretty darn good.

They'd probably hire you.

I get your point. They're cheap, good value, but there's billions of them about and in twenty years will my daughter want that handing in to her or a Fender? As soon as I saw the tidepool P with maple board I was immediately planning to get one and stick a j pickup in... Probably more costly that a Sire PJ 5 string but there's something about Fenders that draws you in (I've already got three fenders, two basses and a an electro acoustic guitar).

Always a factor when you least expect it! Years back I had to sell my Warwick streamer LX and amp to pay for a training course so I could get out of a dead end job.

I've heard reports of QC issues on these, doesn't sound like you found any fault?

Hmmm I see where he's going in that he wants people all on the same level but with music and sport I've always learned more from playing with people more experienced.

First pedal I bought was a dirt cheap distortion thingy. It was awful. Awful! But it put more sustainable on the notes and made me play differently so it had some use. If you're looking to wow the audience I'd go for a fuzz/ drive/ distortion. If I could only use one single function pedal that would probably be it. It's noticeable when bass goes from clean to dirty and it can thicken up the sound for the whole band. My overdrive gets used more than any other effect. However for the new price of one good stand alone pedal you can probably get a decent second hand zoom pedal and play around to find what you like. I had a BFX-708 many, many years back (17 years ago? Maybe more?) and it was good for the time, the newer stuff will be on a whole new level.

Honesty is there but humility is not. If he had simply put "I'm a singer/ lead guitarist looking to start a band. I don't have gigging experience but I'm very enthusiastic and a quick learner. Influences are..." He may get some halfway decent responses. Do other dreamers reply to these ads? Are there bands of three or four egotistical people with no self awareness or experience grouping in hired rehearsal rooms arguing about where they'll stand on stage but unable to complete the intro of a song together? Or do the drummers etc who have never gigged but expect to make it big scoff at these type of ads?

Was sent this by a guitarist mate..

Will happily consult on the design of a bass wah... I have already thought of the silly name for it. Perhaps a picture of a pig wearing a beret with a string of onions round it's neck would go well on the design? An auto-wah version could be a "pork wah? Sausage machine" Why aren't I in marketing?! This is gold dust!

Surely a meat based feud in an Italian gangster style from a company that produces things with the name "pork" would be a prosciut-out? (As in shoot out, but with prosciutto in there.... I'll get my coat)

Pork wah. Great name for a pedal.

Are you bothered if you ding your relic’d bass? its a bit like asking if vegans breast-feed their children...

It's about time, really. Stuff competition though from the likes of Sire who'll give you a nicer looking neck (not headstock), five strings and and active electronics. Unfortunately have read that the QC on this new Mexican range is dire.

Playing lots of private parties (we don't get paid enough to refer to them as functions) we often get treated as if we are the jukebox for just one awkward person in the room: "can you play some Republica?" "No, we don't do any of that, sorry, but we do have some 90's songs coming up". "Great, play some Verve!" " "No, we don't know any of theirs..." "Suede! Surely you can do it it goes like duh deeee, duh duh deeee" "no, sorry can we get on with the gig?" "Play some 90's indie like supergrass" "No, sorry. Look well do some 90's in a bit... On with the show, sorry to keep you waiting" "Stereophonics, yeah!" "Ok here's one by Bryan Adams, hope you love it as much as we do..." Irritating. And it's usually not the person who's actually paying!! And they're usually uncomfortably close to the singer, or grabbing their leg so they can't just ignore them to play the next song. And then they stare at you like you're on the sex offenders register for the rest of the gig. Or they claim they can play guitar/ sing/ play drums and so-and-so would love it if you let them join in as if we're a playstation and it's guitar friggin hero.

No but there was a slightly different looking lefty on eBay a while back. I love the look with the tailpiece. I absolutely don't need one and it sold for more than I was willing to part with. Nice to hear a good opinion on them though, I'll keep an eye out in case it comes back around!

It depends what sounds your after, I had an EHX Bass Blogger which does OD or fuzz depending on where you have the switch. If you like the sound really spiky and dirty this could do the job. The one I had however made a great big "clunk" noise when pressing the pedal which could be heard through the amp, not good. Also for me I like a "soft" fuzz sound, this was a bit too harsh. I later had the Mooer Thunderball which is a bass blogger clone, smaller footprint, not quite as good a sound and it caused noise on my board. So there's two to avoid!

We had that with a festival, ended up trying to get FX board power supplies tested and all sorts of ridiculousness. Got there and not only did nobody check they just looked at us blankly when we asked who needs to see the PAT testing stuff...

My solution is to not faff about with the pedals! Set them at rehearsal for on/ off at the gig. Or, like my last gig, if in doubt just keep a clean tone.

Come on, we all look like that, surely?! In our minds we think we're stood there cool as John Entwistle but really we look like that. Every last one of us. Just me then?

I like the idea but it does look like it was designed by someone who has once seen a Bongo, rather than someone who is looking directly at one to copy it. If it works then you've got something a bit different that you can play without fear of damage, but I expect there's a real risk of getting something totally unplayable.