Len_derby

You did the right thing by being loyal to your old band and trying to get it on the right lines. Whatever you do now you can do with a clear conscience and your integrity intact. Good luck.

Judging by some of the self-regarding posts on this thread 'full of s**t' might be a good description.

You bet! A bass-players' bass-player. I know exactly what you mean about the dry sound but hadn't seen it described that way before. Of his more recent work I like 'Piety Street' by Jon Schofield. An album that's also got Jon Cleary playing piano on it. A New Orleans funk double whammy!

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1351780441' post='1855294'] Agree with all of the above but it appears to be only me then that gets to play with guitarists who capo at the 2nd fret, play a G major shape and still tell you that "it's in G" [/quote] No, it's not only you.

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1351777504' post='1855231'] I am feeling very lucky as I have never stored my gear anywhere other than garages or outside (speaker cabs in flight cases) and never had any issue with anything at all - that's in 35+ years. Not to say there's no chance of any problem but it simply hasn't been my experience. [/quote] My experience is similar. But I've always covered things, even if it's only been an old dust sheet and make sure things aren't standing directly on the floor.

Guilty as charged M'lud. But unless you're a tribute band, surely evolving 'your' version is better? I recall that in Guy Pratt's autobiography he talks about meeting Jimmy Page and how Jimmy put him right over Led Zepp stuff Guy had been playing wrong for years.

In my main band we do a mixture of originals and covers. We change the proportion of one to the other depending on the venue and the job we've been hired to do. As far as I can recall, we've never done a set that's totally originals or total covers.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1350210821' post='1835745'] The biggest hassle is load out through people who don't want to go home [/quote] True, but at one of the places we play at the locals know that the landlord will keep serving until we've cleared up and gone!

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1350177806' post='1835562'] 5 hours? Luxury! I know this is a long time ago, but many times I've been picked up by the van at 9 am to drive to some wet, cold and very distant place up north. Do the gig and drive home just in time to get into the next mornings rush hour traffic on the M1 coming into London. If you were dropped off before 10 am you'd be one of the lucky ones! Hey Len, did you ever play Clouds in Derby? [/quote] Clouds! Yes, what a place that was. I know 5 hours isn't a big deal, but the pub we played at was 4 miles out of the town we all live in!

Ha ha! I had this very same conversation at the end of a gig last night. Five hours elapsed time from going out to getting home for one hour of playing. I suspect that it's always been the case for musicians. The time spent playing is the tip of the iceberg in respect of the time spent setting up and taking down. At least we have the opportunity to use cars. Once upon a time we would have been vagabond minstrels walking from town to town.

Although I've got some nice basses they're all mass-produced instruments. So I'd like to buy something by a specialist low-volume luthier just to see how it would compare. The Fodera Imperial 5 Elite Spalted Maple on sale from LouLou might be a nice start.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1349974546' post='1833017'] Just trying to see what sort of people these 'play for free type musicians' are. [/quote] Judging from quite a few replies and from my own perspective, it's the same people who also play for money. In some circumstances I play for free. In others, I want payment. It all depends. Personally, I've never nicked anyone's gig by undercutting. Or had it done to me. To be honest, I've not come across it. But maybe I live a sheltered life in a relative backwater. My take on it all is that if any band I'm in can't command the money we think we deserve, then it's our fault, no one elses.

I love it when I get to play for a singer who really knows how to work a song. Recently I played in a trio (Bass, Cajon and acoustic guitar) backing a female singer who did, amongst other things, three Bill Withers' songs back-to-back. Lovely Day, Grandma's Hands and Ain't No Sunshine. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stick up (and they're not many).

I can't see me being able to afford a genuine birth year bass anytime soon. So I've had to be content with a re-issue. As they go, a CIJ re-issue of a'57 Precision ain't too bad.

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.