Adrenochrome

This is a very common situation. For most types of covers bands good vocals (including backing vox) can be the difference from scratching around on the circuit to being able to pick the better pub gigs, getting the bigger bike rally gigs, club gigs etc, so you are right to prioritise vocals. Having said that it is also common to be surprised that you can't hear yourself as loudly and clearly as you'd like. I find ear plugs really help with this and I won't do any electric gigs or rehearsals without them. I would generally suggest that a small vocal monitor on stage is not overkill at all and will help share the load.

Iron Maiden 7th Son T-shirt from 1988 Wembley Arena. I met a rather foxy young lady there who I also saw on the local bus... she lost interest when she found out how young I was .

I used to do 3 per gig with a rock-metal covers band and that was a good amount, almost always went down very well.

Some good musicians have played on Zingzillas, also check out Yo Gabba Gabba! for a lot of decent bands

[quote name='6v6' timestamp='1441796614' post='2861804'] A good affordable option is the EV ND767 - it's hotter output and brighter/clearer character (than an SM58) would probably work well for the situation you describe. [/quote] This, proven for a quiet vocalist in a loud band.

Embrace the mid range

In my acoustic trio I've found that my fretless (Aria in PJ format) sounds way better than my ABG. I have very well played-in rounds on mine.

No, bedroom tone is often pants in a band setting - as has been pointed out above, an unscooped, middy tone often works well with a band.

Generally no - but never say never and all that. My thing is very much little runs, hooks and counter melodies within a song as mentioned above. FWIW I immensely enjoyed the evening with Michael Manring that Phil organised a while ago (just checked, almost 5 years ago!)

[quote name='Rob Roy' timestamp='1438683350' post='2836310'] Thanks for the feedback, I'll have a look at that. [/quote] Hi Roberto, It's a fairly cheap bass, possibly not what you're looking for - I was just giving an example of a different sounding fretless bass. Jon

Hi Roberto, Welcome! I have an Aria Pro ii Magna fretless (used in my acoustic trio) which has more of a 'rock' sound than many fretless basses.

I use my Trace Elliot Boxer 30 with my acoustic trio, with a DI Box to the PA. This suits me fine (I always have PA support) but using a 'normal' gigging rig turned down is just as valid.

Yes, self taught on guitar and bass. I did have a decent musical education beforehand though.

Start with your EQs flat, just tweak them a tiny bit if you need to. I generally run my flat and just like the way it sounds good through any pedal/amp/DI box etc etc. i don't know enough about levels and impedences to explain why but it just does.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1434720773' post='2802170'] If it really was all in the fingers then we'd all be using basses and amps without any tone controls... [/quote] FWIW I'd happily use basses with just a killswitch, or volume knob 'just in case'. I think I'd be happy to have an amp with volume and some kind of high pass filter/control only, to tame bass boom.

[quote name='njr911' timestamp='1433254274' post='2789428'] I think I suffer from undercharging for our band. Typical Pub gig is £180 to £200 £250 for Parties £? for weddings as the two we have booked have both just split up!! Are we about right ? I'm a musician and don't like talking money for my art maaaan! [/quote] Having played regularly in the same patch you should be looking for £200-250 for normal pub gigs [assuming you're a decent band with proper PA, lights etc]. By all means play the odd one for a bit less if it suits you and it's local. Also don't worry if it's part fee/part whip round. Weddings I've only done a few of so can't really comment.

No I don't think you're being too fussy. If he's making mistakes like that in the safe and comfortable practice environment, then he could be a lot worse in a gig where everything sounds different, there are distractions etc.

Yes, many decent bassists that I know roll off much of the really low subsonic bass, as I do. Many PA desks have a filter for this.

Hmmm - is bluetooth wireless bass next?

Good work. You've got the bass you want and need and I like to see a bit of grain, whether stained or not.

[quote name='Graham' timestamp='1431770968' post='2774761'] First four Metallica albums for sure, the other big names in Thrash were Slayer, Anthrax, Testament and Exodus [/quote] Exactly - not quite as big were bands like Flotsam & Jetsam, Acid Reign (not really as technical), and bands like Overkill (already mentioned).

Should be fine - I've gigged with a Marshall Superbass (100w and not that different to a guitar head), and obviously you have to make some allowances but with PA support I'm sure you'll be fine.

I think it should be used as a weapon, turn it on it's castors and fire a brown note at any dodgy promotors etc

The main advice I've got to is to be really really good as a band. Focus on songs that suit your singer, and songs that you are passionate about playing and can play well. Don't settle for second best in anything, get all the great harmonies and vocals in that you can, don't skip those tricky bits of songs. Don't be afraid to let another band member sing a song or 2 if they suit the song more than the lead vocalist.

I don't think there's any song that I HATE, certainly got bored of overplayed songs, and songs played badly. 'Unbelievable' by EMF is probably the closest I got - it went in the set for a while because the drummer had a version on CD by Skin which was less bad than the original.