Len_derby

I’ve just sold a gig bag to Tim. Everything just dandy and he even paid me before I’d parcelled it up! One of Basschat’s top guys to deal with.

Beat me to it. This is the best advice I can give. Especially as you’ve decided to learn an instrument that is mostly an accompanist. Doesn’t have to be a ‘band’ as such. Just other people playing and/or singing.

It’s lovely, thanks Pete. As you say, really well suited to that kind of gig. Nice to play, light and easily transportable. Ideally, given the option, I’d play it through my Trace Elliott Elf and BF One 10, but it’s fine straight through the PA. Since that fateful meeting in Goole my gigs have been 50% Taylor Mini Bass and 50% Mustang.

We were concerned that the buffet might be all gone before we got to it. 😂

Last night was a fun outing for my acoustic project, The Desperate Cowboys. We’ve managed to recruit a third member, Hugh The Welshman, on harmonica and it was his first live outing with us. Can you spot the clue that it was a birthday party?

Just sold a set of strings to Micheal. All good. Deal with him in confidence.

My advice, for what it’s worth, is to get out there and do some networking at open mics and jam nights. You will need to be open about what genres of music you play and will, definitely, “kiss a few frogs”. But, you will be mixing with people who actually want to play live music. One of the best bands I’ve played with came about after I saw a solo singer/guitarist at an open mic and said ‘would you like a bass player to join you?”. Good luck, and don’t give up!

When I visit somewhere and there’s a music shop I’ll usually nip in and buy something, even if I only spend a fiver.

Yes, south east Greenland. Well spotted. The boat isn’t Sally’s, she borrowed it as a feature of the expedition, lead by a Brit called Martin Rickard. That enabled her to fly over to Kulusuk in Greenland, via Iceland. She doesn’t know Nigel Dennis personally but has been involved with events he has organised, mainly in Anglesey, Wales. In terms of gear, she has two and half kayaks. The half being a fifty percent share of a two-seater. Add in all the clothing, accessories etc. and one more bass guitar is practically invisible 😆.

My wife’s main hobby makes mine look very small beer.

The covers band, Top Deck, did a 5pm-7pm slot today at The Pear Tree in Ripley Derbyshire. We picked the gig up yesterday after the pub had been let down by the band who were booked and then put a help message on Facebook. Anyone who knows Ripley won’t be surprised to hear that there was a mixed sex ward-full of lairy drunks at 5pm on a Sunday ready for dancing and singing along. Less fun was the torrential rain that started to seep into our playing area. Some quick improvisation with the log pile.

Many years ago I had a chat with Martin Ace, the long-time bass player for the Welsh band Man. He said, “if you’re bothered about being under-appreciated, overlooked or misunderstood, you’ve probably chosen the wrong instrument “.

Strategic positioning of wedge monitors on the floor in front of us seems to work.

A hollow-bodied electric bass? Several different shapes to choose from. A Danelectro? An acoustic bass guitar? Have fun in your search!