Len_derby

Sounds like it's all 'meant to be'. Have fun, and let us know how things are going.

Just received a tuner pedal from Chris. Super-fast efficient service, all good. You can deal with this guy in confidence.

Welcome Lee. Swapping is great fun. I've found it can re-energise my playing and interest at no cost. You get to meet other lovely Basschatters too.

Various acoustic bass guitars.

You guys are doing great things up there. Well done.

Mmmm, I'm not sure about in-store but I'd be prepared to pay a reasonable amount for a take-out rental. For example,I've never touched a Warwick and paying for a weekend's rental would be an appealing idea. It might cause a bad attack of GAS though.

I've been very happy with mine. People might advise you to swop bits (e.g. put in new pickups), but that's not necessary, in my opinion. Of course, modding your bass might be part of the fun for you, as it is for lots for people.

Juba Dance by Guy Davis

I love the look of the Krappy stuff. I quite fancy a one-string bass. Did you have to buy and import from the States? I've never seen reference to a distributor in the UK. Are you going take it out and play in public?

Eva Cassidy was a fantastic singer. Her version of 'Wayfaring stranger' always gives me the goose-bumps. But of course, only a covers artist

[quote name='iriegnome' timestamp='1389198636' post='2331236'] We have not used a set list in about 14 years. I have been in my current band (yep) for 14 years. We have a master song list. When a song is starting to get to an area of transition, the next person who will be singing must choose a song or someone will choose it for them. The songs never stop. There is always some sort of jam/transition music between songs. Key changes and such are all part of that. For full beat/groove changes, the drummers (we have 2) will do some sort of cymbal wash fade kind of thing and the guitarists (we have 3) will start out the next tune. It is my job to fill in the gaps with the guitarists and drummers. Everything is done on the fly and to the audience reaction. If we are playing a certain type of tune that is really going well, we stick with another similar type tune, if the tune is a bomb, then we change it up. Worked for us for 14 years and counting. [/quote] This sounds like a good way of working. You must have all worked hard to become technically proficient and able to work in a slick way as a unit. Plus respecting each other.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1389010632' post='2328656'] Usually have a set list but it is 'flexible', depending on the atmosphere. [/quote] This is pretty much how we approach it. We tend to put songs in blocks of three, either segueing between them or with absolutely minimal breaks. When we do deviate it's at the discretion of the singer, who takes the on-stage leadership role. There is no, repeat no, disagreement on stage. That can be sorted out later. With so much of the world appearing to be a petty shambles why would anyone want to see that in the name of entertainment? I know I don't.

Take a look at this book about McCartney. There's some of his best basslines as tab (and notation ). Plus, it's a fascinating read. [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Paul-McCartney-Bassmaster-%2522Beatles%2522-Basslines/dp/0879308842/ref=sr_1_18?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388887559&sr=1-18&keywords=paul+mccartney"]http://www.amazon.co...=paul+McCartney[/url]

[quote name='DanEly' timestamp='1388796875' post='2326309'] I loved the tone of my AM special jazz. Leave her be I would say. I likes the greasebucket stuff! [/quote] Ditto. But then again, I have an irrational dislike of modifying any of my instruments. I've never changed anything from stock, unless it stopped working properly.

[quote name='Fab58' timestamp='1388819671' post='2326392'] I play Clawhammer style and am just starting to get into 2 finger thumb lead. I'm not fantastic but at the stage where I need to find other folks to play with. [/quote] I don't know where you're based, but trying out the local folk clubs is one suggestion. Most seem to operate 'open mic' type sessions, where anyone can join in. Alternatively, are you in a band already? I persuaded my band mates to let me play banjo on a couple of numbers and they've now become a fixed part of the set. We're a blues/roots band. Be prepared for some resistance - no one seems to have a neutral response to the banjo. Wandering off, Mrs Len bought me Guy Davis's latest CD for Christmas. Called 'Juba Dance'. Some superb banjo work, particularly on a storming version of 'See that my grave is kept clean'.

I do a lot of charity events, and I would endorse JTUK's comments on the whole. A suggestion I have is think laterally about a venue. A lot of organisations love the kudos of being involved in a charity event. Consider some of the things your mate did. Examples; if he was a serviceman ask the local British Legion. If he was a sportsman ask his old football or cricket team. His school, his old employers etc. But, most of all, don't try and do it all on your own. Good luck, and if it comes off, as I hope it will, make sure you let us know on here. Len

I've got a Yamaha BBN4F that I've been very happy with. Fretless Yamahas don't seem to come up for sale very often, but they're well worth a look in my experience.

I think It's sad that you find yourself in this situation. Instead of getting a new set of gear at your expense, why not tackle the root cause? It's totally unacceptable, in my book, for a punter to come and dick around with your 'tools of the trade'. It's your job, your livelihood. Would they do this with the tools of a plumber who'd come to fix their boiler? Have you got any ugly mates who would come and act as 'security'? I know the Doc does this. It's easy for me to say, at 6'2" with a shaven head and a face only a mother could love, but no one pisses about with my gear.

Since you say the aim is to give your vocalist a break, why not take a different approach? One, or more of the rest you take over the singing. I spent years in the 'can't sing' camp. Like most things, it's down to practise and confidence.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1386269714' post='2298113'] Are there any manufacturers that supply amplifiers without power leads? I don't know of any. I was a bit miffed when I was sent a previously enjoyed amp without one. I could have used the lead from one of my other amps, but why should I have to? If you were the original purchaser, send everything on as you received it. It's not difficult and it's good manners. [/quote] I agree with this. But, I am quite old and still wear cuff-links.

I don't think there's a 'right' way or 'wrong' way to run a band. The problems occur where there is a mismatch of commitment or expectations between members. I'm been in bands at both ends of the spectrum at different times. I'm pretty easy-going but the one that got me was the keyboard payer who refused to practice between performances because 'if you come to songs fresh each time, you become a better musician'. He never did.

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1384715701' post='2279894'] So, in a nutshell, is it a good buy? [/quote] I'd say yes. I play in a ceilidh band often on old-style wooden stages (think village hall). The pad allows me to have loud bass (requested by the caller to drive the dancing) without the 'boom' that would ensue without it. Whether you buy one or decide to make your own depends on you.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1384715211' post='2279885'] Only if your time isn't actually worth anything. I worked it out once comparing the price I paid for mine and taking into account the 10 minutes of web surfing it took to find the best price and order it, against finding all the materials individually, ordering them and then estimating how long it would take me to put it all together and calculated out that I would save about £15 at very the most, but I would have spent at least 90 minutes more doing it that way, which could either have been spent working to earn the money or doing something more useful like writing another song. The actual device whether you buy the Auralex version or make your own is one of those things that you don't notice doing anything if it's doing its job properly but you will notice the first (and only) time you forget to bring it and end up spending the gig trying to control the bass boom that it normally eliminates. [/quote] He's right you know. As usual. In addition, I know that if I'd tried to make one it would have looked absolute cack.

Tune into Paul Jones, Radio 2 Monday 7-8pm. Available on play-again via BBC website too. I've picked up on lots of artists from there over the years.