Len_derby

I know what you mean, but will 'the perfect band' ever come along? Personally, I've always compromised and put up with various shades of stool rather than be bandless. Playing music with other people is an amazing skill-accelerator. There's no real substitute in my opinion. Go for it. Nothing ventured, as they say

The singer in the blues trio I play in often says, after his voice has taken a caning 'can we take this down one?'. Or up one, or down two, or whatever. I see it as part of my job to show no emotion whatsoever, just give a curt nod and get on with it.

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1349280513' post='1824234'] Well I wouldnt want to work with them if thats their attitude - and major congrats to you all! [/quote] Agreed. You're now going to get unplanned, unpredictable calls on your time for the next couple of decades. If that lot aren't sympathetic, walk away now. It'll avoid tears in the future. Many congratulations. Being a parent is about the best job a human can do.

I've just bought a Yamaha acoustic guitar off James. A very convivial meet-up at Trowell Services on the M1. It was good to meet and do business with James. He's a really nice guy. I hope the new job and planned house move go well!

I'm only an infrequent visitor over there but these guys may well have some suggestions. In fact, I'd be surprised if they don't. Hopefully, you're a facebook user[b]. [b][url="https://www.facebook.com/#!/newarkblues"]https://www.facebook.com/#!/newarkblues[/url][/b][/b]

I think Bilbo had one of these for a sale a few months back. It might be worth asking him for some feedback.

It's still 1976 where I am

If it really bothers a bassplayer to be unappreciated or misunderstood perhaps they've chosen the wrong instrument.

Welcome to Basschat. Expect the unexpected

Hi Tom, The Shure SM57 and SM58 are long-time industry standards. They do the job well, but aren't cheap. A friend of mine who's a pro soundman assures me the Behringer XM8500 is almost as good and a lot cheaper.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1347729607' post='1804424'] If the audience didn't leave, boo or chuck stuff at you the chances are they won't have noticed anything was wrong. [/quote] Exactly right. I played a pub gig last night with a hastily trained dep on lead guitar. We had a few 'car crash' moments, but people still danced and (sober) strangers came up afterwards to say thanks. Let the audience be the judge.

[quote name='steve' timestamp='1347014943' post='1795974'] just bought a banjo last night, after hankering for one for ages, Its a 60's or 70's Harmony, dunno if it's any good but it's great fun trying to work out Foggy Mountain Breakdown [/quote] Brilliant, well done. It's amazing what reactions you get from people (even if you've known for years) when they find out you've become a Banjoid.

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1347093237' post='1796833'] Those old Harmony banjos and Sovereign guitars from the '60s and '70s were pretty good quality if you ask me. A decent find. Just had a so-so experience with Hobgoblin in Milton Keynes. I live a long way from all the Hobgoblin shops, so I was going to take advantage of a rare meeting in MK to check whether my Tanglewood will fit in an Ashbury hard case. I ran HG on Tuesday, gave them their own stock number, and was assured that they have one in stock. When I arrived yesterday it turns out they didn't, clearly hadn't checked when I rang, and offered me a second-hand case for a Seeger style longarm that clearly didn't fit. At least I didn't make a huge detour to get to the shop, but I was a bit miffed. What more can one do? [/quote] You may have tried this route, but I've got a very study soft bag for my 4-string banjo made by Tom and Will. I got mine through Amazon and they've currently got a 5-string bag for £35. [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tomandwill-66BJ-String-Banjo-Gig/dp/B003XJKXSY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347099180&sr=8-3-fkmr0"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tomandwill-66BJ-String-Banjo-Gig/dp/B003XJKXSY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347099180&sr=8-3-fkmr0[/url]

I shall see you at some point on the tour Steve. I've been following Aynsley for a few years now. No offence, but you're not as good-looking as his two previous bassplayers.

I have gigged successfully for several years using a Roland Cube 100 watt. As a piece of kit I can recommend it highly, check out the reviews on this forum for other people's opinion. Obviously, the suitability of 100 watts will be dependant on type of music, type of venue etc. Quite often the clincher is having a drummer who is willing and able to play at lower volumes.

If you do want a hollow body bass I can recommend the Yamaha Bex. I don't think they're made anymore but they do come up on sale pre-owned from time to time. The usual excellent Yamaha quality. It has a piezo pickup under the bridge as well as the electro-magnetic soap bar, with a pan knob to blend both so it can do a wide range of tones. Mine is called Mavis.

Welcome Floyd

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1345919758' post='1783208'] You're still allowed to slur your ustan da? [/quote] Maybe there's no warning for that.......

A pub near to me has, over the last couple of years, become a regular venue for bands. The landlord has built the pub up nicely, with good ale on offer too. He's just put out a message on the pub's Facebook page saying that any band that attempts to play the following songs will be fined £40. Wishing Well, Sex on Fire, Teenage Kicks. I laughed when I read it and I suspect it's been done tongue-in-cheek. I know, from conversations I've had with him, that he's a genuine music fan. Maybe some of the regulars have been grumbling to him, I don't know yet. What do you think? How would you feel if the landlord asked you to knock certain songs out of your set?

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1345044689' post='1772795'] It seems the gigs are fewer and further between than ever. Even ten years ago, would we have entertained pay to play? Or selling a certain number of tickets before the venue would book? Or being expected to play for free and make the cash back by flogging merchandise to the pub drinkers? [/quote] Interestingly there's an article just come on the BBC website about the free comedy gigs at the Edinburgh Fringe. Totally unheard of a few years back there will be something like 800 put on this year. The comics perform at a venue for free and pass a hat around. Since the vast majority of these performers will have had to fund travel to Edinburgh, food and lodgings, is it much different to 'paying to play'? Obviously the similarities with music only go so far, but it does seem to indicate a common trend. There seems to have been a 'game change'. Is it adapt or perish?

Andrew McKinney, who is a member of this forum, plays a Precision with the James Taylor Quartet.

I bought a Phil Jones Bass Buddy off Andy. Excellent, prompt communications. Very well packaged-up and everything has been looked after very well. You can deal with this gentleman in confidence.

Welcome Sarge! Stand easy. Enjoy the forum.

It's always a nice extra when that sort of thing happens. I went to see Andy Fairweather Low a year or so back and Dave Bronze was the unexpected icing on the cake there too. He's a class act is Mr.Bronze. I think my favourite stuff of his is with Eric Bibb, often they played as just a duo. Check out the live album 'An evening with Eric Bibb' (also available on dvd) for a masterclass on how to use an electric bass to support a singer playing an acoustic guitar.