MiltyG565

[quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1418420270' post='2630191'] Got to agree, it really gets on my wick so much that I would rather go and watch a pub band than a big stadium act. I also realise this isn`t ideal for a young daughter or son who are dying to see the act. And another related point. The tickets seem to go on sale 6, 8, 10 months or so early, so all that money sits in someones account generating interest for them. [/quote] I'd imagine that quite a bit of the money is paid out to venues and hire equipment months in advance too. What I notice is that a lot of tickets go on sale this time of year, to capitalise on the Christmas market.

[quote name='Mr Arkadin' timestamp='1418404412' post='2629992'] See link directly above your post [/quote] Ah! Nice one Cheers!

[quote name='Sammers' timestamp='1418369661' post='2629554'] This gets to me too, though the government is leaving up to the "industry" to govern itself [/quote] It should be clear enough by now to any government that markets don't govern themselves. Morals or ethics don't come into it in big business - If you see a way to make money, you're expected to grab it with both hands. Regulation is what keeps the markets from becoming morally or ethically questionable, and gives consumers some kind of protection. Need any more proof, refer to how the banks operated in the 2000s. Or the phone-tapping scandal. Or plenty of scandals and f***-ups. TL;DR - Markets don't regulate themselves.

[quote name='tonybassplayer' timestamp='1418340921' post='2629448'] Tried to get tickets recently to take my middle daughter to see One Direction who she is totally absorbed with but like many others I was unsuccessful and it was "Sold Out" Well excuse my French but that is total and absolute f*****g b****x as the net including ebay is awash with stupidly over priced tickets. These companies have obviously had the chance to block purchase tickets and then sell them on at stupid money. It really p****s me of that there is not a centralised point that all tickets are sold direct to the general public ( also known as the fans who put them there ) I know my rant won't change things but it just annoys me that such a parasitical industry is allowed to profiteer on people. The original prices are stupid enough but these others are ludicrous. [/quote] There was a show a few years ago on this issue (one of the investigative journalism shows like Panorama or Dispatches), and it found out that certain companies were block-buying direct from the promoter, but also, they have teams of people sitting with books filled with credit cards, and they spend their time buying tickets. These companies then sold the tickets on at a huge markup, but they were always advertised as being a private sale i.e. not commercial. It also showed how the companies didn't always sell all the tickets they had bought, and the unsold tickets went in the bin if the staff didn't use them. The thing is that it's kind of a crummy business idea, and it artificially inflates the price of gig tickets. But big followers of artists/bands are willing to pay through the nose for the tickets.

A guy I used to work with would tell an apprentice to go for a "long stand". But he obviously didn't understand the joke, because he got his mates to send the apprentice all around the site, and he wasn't standing anywhere for very long! The apprentice never twigged on either.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1418384326' post='2629737'] One reason for NOT approaching the manager at the end of the gig is because, putting it bluntly, so many of them are piss-artists. At a very rough guess, I'd say that half the pubs we played this year the manager was as drunk as his regulars by the end of the evening. [/quote] The phrase "lunatics running the asylum" comes to mind

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1418381113' post='2629670'] Mostly we have 'fans' tell us a certain venue would be good, and they'll put in a word.. [/quote] That's probably one of the best ways to get business, IMO. If the punters are saying "We love this band and we'd come to your pub to see them play", there's no higher endorsement. The punters are where the pub makes their money, and if a band has a good following, all the better.

THAT'S IT! No pocket money for you this week!

There's no doubt about it, your follow-up has to be on point. Weststarx - When the Landlord says "We'll have you back", and your band mates aren't in like a shot with "We have a free slot on [enter date in near future here]", I suggest that you and any bandmates who share your position annoy the hell out of whoever does the booking to phone the landlord or call in his pub during the week to discuss more dates. Right after a gig might not be the best time for either party to discuss dates.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1418332393' post='2629343'] For you guys that gig pubs/bars, fairs and festivals. How and when do you re-book your band? Right after the gig, when the place is packed and the register won't quit, follow up call, or wait for the pub to call you ( good luck with that ). [/quote] When the landlord has to empty the till halfway through your set, that would be a bad time to start a discussion on how many dates he wants you to play in the future. They'll be really happy that they're doing business, and that the entertainment is bringing in the punters in a big way - They won't forget that when you walk out the door. Trust me - You always remember a good day's trade. I'd leave it until after the gig is finished and the band's packing up, at the earliest. At the latest, I'd say a week. My own personal follow-up (if I were in the business of playing live gigs) would be to phone the landlord with the band diary open in front of you, or call in to their pub again during the week when it's quiet and you know they'll be there. Never via text or email. Although a landlord with a sense of humour might appreciate a snapchat Talk it up - Say you really enjoyed playing at their pub, and everything went well, and you noticed the queue at the bar. Then gently steer the conversation towards them booking more dates. That's just how I would do it, personally. I'm not a gig player, so others might have their own "tried and tested" methods.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1418331606' post='2629335'] You see. This is why we can't have [i]nice[/i] things. And please don't drop jam on the floor. That's how you get ants. [/quote] And put your bike in the garage or it'll get stolen! NOW!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1418323299' post='2629213'] That's classic Chuck Berry. Blue [/quote] They said they got stung too many times with Landlords saying they'd pay during next week, or the Best Man drinking himself unconscious.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1418307958' post='2629005'] Pub bands usually get the money at the end of the gig from the landlord/manager. The money is shared out during the pack down. We used to do the same at weddings. Band leader received the brown envelope discretely from the best man then counted it all out on the stage into 7 nice piles in front of all the guests... [/quote] I know musicians who never play until they're paid. They carry the gear in, find the landlord/best man, and ask for the money, then do the gig.

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1418312691' post='2629074'] That, has just wasted approximately 2ft of internet!! Don't do it again. You'll be the first to moan if we run out altogether [/quote] Please say that it wasn't 2ft of the good, expensive internet!

[quote name='41.2Hz' timestamp='1418290526' post='2628739'] "get a can of quim oil" [/quote] Did you feel like a quim afterwards?

I know nothing about Visas, Jim, but the overwhelming opinion on Basschat seems to be that you do need a working one, and I think you should get one of those if not having one could compromise (or completely remove) your ability to work in the USA in future.

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1418250781' post='2628564'] I'm just grateful you didn't need to hire a fake bass stack. You'd be really pissed off by now [/quote]

[quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1418236360' post='2628340'] I sent my young apprentice out for skirting board ladders once, she came back saying they were on back order....that shut me up! [/quote] Haha! Reminds of the time me and my mate dialled random numbers and did prank calls. I dialled in a number, and gave an order for a Chinese takeaway. The lady at the other end say "Yeah, what's the delivery address?". I promptly hung up.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1418233621' post='2628296'] ...and lilac is the best colour..? [/quote] No, Douglas, HE FORGOT ABOUT THE FLOOR!

[quote name='BeardyBob' timestamp='1418209571' post='2627920'] I'm hardly going to stay up all night without making it scientific, chaps! Same stripped van damnit cable with neutrik connectors, same stands, position & test equip, different sheathing. The differences in a darkened room were negligible versus colour. The differences with daylight lamp @ 2m were plotted. Thinking about it I need to check the weight of sheathings & guess plot each one versus its darkened state. #nonbelievers [/quote] I must admit, I snorted when I first read the thread (not necessarily because of the topic, BeardyBob, but some of the responses were funny), but now this has got my attention. What material did you use for the sheath?

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1418210171' post='2627926'] Ha ha. I did get it straight away, but then doubted that what you wrote was satire when I saw the reply. No, EB are not dodgy at all IME, quite the opposite in fact and I would hate to give the impression that I am not in anyway satisfied with the Stingray's I own. I love them all and can't envision parting with any of them (apart from the fretless which was bought for a project and I have no further use for). I know it's a slight play on words, but I do take issue with the "they don't make custom instruments, so why be upset when they say they won't make one" argument in this specific case. They do make them, but only when THEY want to make them! The spec I was after is completely stock apart from the gold hardware and matching headstock. No custom wiring, switching, size, weight or colours. I could order a Stingray without those two options tomorrow. I stand to be proved wrong, but I'll wager there is a gold hardware kit or two knocking around at EB somewhere and how much bother would it be to ask the paint team to spray a headstock white in exchange for a £2000 ish price tag. Seemed like a fair exchange to me. Their loss, not mine really. [/quote] I get that it's all standard hardware, but as it's not in production, a request for one would rightly be considered a custom order. For example, if a customer asks me for specific set of strings that are in production, it's really easy to provide them with it. If they want to maybe have a set of their own that's got multiple different strings from multiple sets, that can be done as well, but it's a custom order. The components exist, just not in that specific arrangement, so it's a custom set. I don't know why they wouldn't open a custom shop, however. It seems to be working for Fender. But the cold hard truth right now is that they don't have a custom shop, so if we want a custom MM, we either need to build one ourselves from salvaged parts, or ask a luthier to build a MM replica, but to your specifications.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1418204344' post='2627851'] easy tiger I'm sure he was kidding. Don't take EBMM stuff so seriously [/quote] I thought the "[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]AVOID111!!!11!ONE" made it obvious enough Who'd have thought it? Usually I'm about as subtle as a brick [/font][/color]

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1418175096' post='2627747'] I see - so you approach a company which does not sell large parts like bodies and necks (except by exchange) and then wonder why you get no as a answer? You obviously don't know much about Musicman as they have recently produced a limited run with roasted maple necks available as 4, 5 or 6 string. It sounds like there's a level of delusion in these posts!! Are you sure they werent men in White coats? [/quote] Oh dear... apparently I didn't make it obvious enough that my previous post was satire. EBMM aren't a dodgy company at all. I agree with you - They don't advertise custom instruments, they've never said they'd make custom instruments, so why be upset when they tell you they can't make you a custom instrument?

[quote name='Bolo' timestamp='1418146091' post='2627363'] I once emailed EB costserv asking if there was any hope of a fivestring roasted neck. Within 10 minutes there were two serious looking fellows in black suits and sunglasses at my door telling me to back the f**k off. [/quote] +1 This is my experience, too. Dodgy company. AVOID111!!!11!ONE

[quote name='stoo' timestamp='1418035198' post='2626082'] From [url="http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/22115-endorsements-2.html#post318556"]here[/url] [/size][/font][/color] [/quote] Interesting! Just as well - I was right. He didn't have the authority to command a custom bass