uk_lefty

There is indeed. My time is precious, to me at least, and I was putting myself in the shoes of the OP. Absolutely agree 100%. In this case I wouldn't like their cards and they wouldn't like mine, so we would go our separate ways and both be happier for it.

Seeing Hot Chocolate when I was 13 and hearing the bass solo in No Doubt About It (well, it was just a bit where the bass came to the front, not a solo as such) and the whole theatre shook and everyone was dancing... That was the moment I was certain I had to get a bass guitar. Now 25 years later I waste a lot of time on BC, so it's made a change there. Imagine if I used this time for good...? Ten by Pearl Jam made me believe I could tie together my interest in 80s fretless bass and Jaco with the rock music I played by getting a fretless for my 18th. I still play that bass nearly 20 years later. For a long time it was my only bass and part of what "my" sound is/ was/ still is as a bassist. That inspired me and changed something in my approach that I am very appreciative of.

Because if the band isn't very good ability-wise I wouldn't be dropping any other projects or opportunities to dedicate myself to them, I'd find that frustrating. I'd also not be certain of them being able to get enough gigs to justify having a monopoly over my time. Not gigging with other outfits because they might get one once a blue moon would annoy me. Overall I just wouldn't think its worth it. Just my view, hypothetically, and of course setting aside the issue of a clash of rehearsal nights.

I was jesting on the cult bit. I appreciate when people set their expectations out clearly at the start. We all have different interpretations of what "commitment" means so it's good to get it all out there in a first conversation. I'd just find it difficult for someone to demand loyalty before anything, especially if they're not very good.

Has there been a Wish Bass yet?

Where was this, please? Would love to check one out

Bullet well dodged. They're not very good and they want absolute blind loyalty and total commitment from you. Sounds like a cult. Avoid!!! I replied to an ad last week. Guitarist and drummer need bassist for a big gig they've landed in December. Hold on to that bit of info, it's important. They had some rehearsal videos and I thought they sounded alright so I dropped them a line. They're a bit younger than me so I highlighted my age and family circumstances. I got a nice reply, thanks for reaching out glad you like the sound... "but we are looking for someone prepared to move away with us next year, I. E. No kids, so it won't work out" I think they should be advertising on the Roommate wanted section of Gumtree, not bassist wanted section of a musicians website! None of that was in the ad.

I'd looked at one or two of the emails from every guitar shop I've ever heard of, most of the basses that caught my eye were jazz 5s. I'd like a 5 string jazz again and I'd have been tempted by one of these but alas, not for me.

They look great. The finish and the active electronics, and the 5th string must be the price difference. But yet again no lefties!!!! I would probably buy a jazz v if they made one at that price point and in those finishes for me and my kind. Guess I'll just save 600 quid and get a Sire.

There needs to be a vomit emoji.

Looks like some of the stuff that can come off a configuration tool. The individual elements work but not together in the same instrument!

I have grown so tired of the "all the EXPENSIVE gear, no idea" brigade. Rehearsals are not to play through the songs, it's show and tell of "I've got a £1000 effects pedal, listen to this" before producing a sound you can never ever think of an actual use for. It's one of the big warning signs when auditioning people and why the audition should go on for 3 or 4 sessions so you can let their bad habits creep out.

Absolutely! We threatened to do something worse than death to our guitarist who always did this, and it worked he now doesn't do it. Widdling a signature part of the next song just before we count it in or while the singer is charming the audience. It delays the count in for a start! It also ruins the show aspect. And, as Jakester points out, makes you look like rank amateurs. A video or audio clip from a gig may really help demonstrate just how shoddy this is if he won't take your word for it. If the response is to pack his gear up in a huff and drive off then you could tease him about whether he needs to try turning the engine over two or three times before his grand exit, or you could have just saved yourself a job later down the line.

Remind him that the only person who cares about the difference in sound between songs is himself. It's letting the side down, it needs to stop. Everyone should have their gear sorted to quickly go from one song to another. What if you're running short on time and the singer rearranges the set? You need to be on it. Simplest way is to only have 2 or 3 "sounds" you use. I know it's easy for a bassist to say, personally I like to have mid scooped or mid boosted as my sounds and I might occasionally use an effect. Not quite the same for guitarists but they have to know that almost nobody else cares, and if they do care then they're an absolute trainspotter who's going to go up to ANY band and say "you played a Bb when on the original it's a Bm, also you're using the wrong gauge strings because Gary Moore used..." yawn. I find it mind boggling with the sheer number of options on my Helix that even go to cab configuration and distance of mic to cab... Its nice to have and it may make a difference with recording but switching these parameters while playing live in a busy pub or function? It will make zero difference whatsoever! Get a good core tone and play the darn thing!

Any chance of a DNA sample?

Nope.

I've never met a keys player who can actually play. They all have expensive gear and moan like nobody's business about poor PA equipment etc but when it comes time to actually, you know, play the song... Suddenly Billy "my keyboard is bigger than yours" is a bit quieter.

Hang on, ignore the fish and chips? Not possible.

He could well be the guitarist form my 80s project... Wanted to play synths instead. Owned a £2500 Nord. Couldn't actually play though.

Yeah, he told us he had a Britney style headset mic so he can do lead vocal on one or two songs... What a mistake we made passing him up....

Mate..... I auditioned a drummer who ended the night by kicking the room door closed as we were leaving, turning out the lights and getting out his glow in the dark drum sticks. In a break he had already told us he wants the stage set up with drum kit at the front and us behind him. He hadn't remotely got the gig even before that comment.

Ah I thought the very cheap ones were far East made, not European.

This x1000 is what I've learned from trying to form my own band over the last year. An audition has to last more than 1 session. It's in the 2nd, 3rd and maybe 4th session that you see people get comfortable and show their bad habits like not learning songs, suggesting Katy Perry songs (for your 80s covers band!!!), wanting to play other instruments, wanting to bring their mates in, all the daydreams coming out when really you just want to get a good handful of songs learned properly.... You may well get that call and you get your opportunity to say "is it funky? Slap or not, is it funky? Yes? Then that's all that matters."

I've seen far, far worse ads! At least it's honest, in attitude.

A few months ago I had an opportunity to buy a 300watt Trace Elliot hybrid amp. Yes, it's not a Tube/ valve amp in its purest sense but it gives me the option to dial in tube overdrive. Its a 300w Trace Elliot for goodness sakes so I'm sure it's responsible for a few points on the richer scale, it has the volume for sure! I think it's one of the last "proper" Traces, it's under its cover now and I haven't had it out for just over 4 weeks so can't remember the exact model number. However, dialing in the valve overdrive with a mid boost on the graphic EQ and playing my Bitsa with a DiMarzio model P gives me a lovely, warm, pillowy motown style bass tone, up to a Geezer Butler type sound - that big round bass with a fuzzy dollop around it, like you've dropped a chupa chup lolly under the sofa and it's come out with hair and dust on it. It's not distortion, this won't go full distortion for me, so I imagine replacing the tube could do that if I were so inclined, however I have pedals for that and that's not really my sound anyways. So, being a Trace it's loud, it's heavy, and it's darned good quality. I quite fancy the little Joyo pure tube head but I've now got two gigging rigs in my tiny office/ music room and no gigs for the foreseeable future. I'm thinking of having the Trace head unit removed (it's in a 2x10 combo) but as the whole thing is in showroom condition I'm really reluctant to, even though I'd want the choice of Trace head or RM500 with a singe lightweight cab, depending on the gig. I think I could be spoiling something special... Anyhows. Its good.