Len_derby

As far as I can tell, I think the x-ray machines are the same type and size as used at airports. I reckon you could walk your bass through the doorway-type frame us ‘umans have to go through (I always forget about my trouser belt with the metal buckle 🙄, I’m sure they think I like a touch-up). One thing I’ve remembered is that since about November last year I’ve seen a lot more activity on the train by the French customs. Groups of surly and armed Doane officers walk up and down the train, every so often asking passengers questions and looking in their luggage. To my eyes they are operating on the ‘profiling’ model. So, the nearer you look to a Mid-Westerners idea of Jesus the less likely you are to be bothered. However, I think you should be aware.

As a frequent and recent Eurostar user I’ll add my 2 Euros worth. The in-carriage luggage space, overhead and at the carriage ends, is often overwhelmed at busier times. People seem to take enormous wheeled cases however long their trip is. So, even though you may have booked a seat for your bass finding space for your, or band mates, smaller stuff may be a chore. I often give in and put up with my small bag on my knee or at my feet for a couple of hours. Also, if you’ve never used it, be aware that the seating style is closer to an aircraft than a traditional train. Most seats are in pairs, quite upright with not a lot of space between you and the one in front. I’m replying late because I was at St P International yesterday. Meeting someone rather than travelling myself. I did notice a band in the queue to check-in for the midday Paris train. One of them had what I guessed to be a bass guitar in a flight case. Others had smaller cases; violins etc. They all looked happy - while in the queue at least. I hope you find a solution that works. It’s a great way to travel to mainland Europe.

If you’re a certain age and went to live gigs progressive rock was pretty hard to avoid. During my first couple of years going to concerts (72-73) I remember seeing King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Faust, Camel, Hawkwind, Barclay James Harvest, Stackridge, Blodwyn Pig, Man, Deke Leonard, Budgie, Back Door. All in a provincial backwater. I wonder who I saw that I can’t remember 🤔. Progressive was a pretty broad church. Something for everyone, I reckon.

Another vote for the Behringer Bdi. It’s probably the best value-for-money piece of kit I’ve bought. When I’m playing through a traditional back line I take it along instead of a spare amp. It’s got me ‘out of jail’ a couple of times.

For a one-off concert have you considered sourcing a bass out there? Either through loan, hire or buy and then resell. From what you’ve said above about only you and the singer travelling there must presumably be some technical and musical infrastructure in place out there for the concert, and maybe the rest of the band? Therefore people around likely to have a bass or can access one easily. It’s the solution I went for playing in the Netherlands and I’ve done similar in return for bands coming to the UK.

I gig mine regularly. Makes me think about the money I’ve wasted over the years 😊. Not as much as I’ve wasted on booze though 😆

My Japanese-made Fender Jazz, 1962 RI with chrome stack knobs is the favourite of the ones I’ve had. I would like to try a Sire Marcus Miller at some time.

Outdoor gig? Wow, respect sir. 🥶 NYE I gigged my Mustang PJ with the Harley Benton shortie P as back-up. 2022 was my first full year as a short scale player. I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to playing 34” scale regularly now.

New Years Eve at the Dog House bar, Alfreton. A heavy-drinking but affable crowd ready to party. We piled on the cheese and there was plenty of dancing and singing along to Sweet Caroline, Hi Ho Silver Lining etc. We arrived at 7 for setup and asked for a side door near the stage area to be opened. The landlady was already so drunk she could barely find the right key on her key ring. Amazingly, she was still upright at New Year to count out the cash correctly. After two goes 😜. Dropped the gear off at home, and walked around to the local at 1.30 for a couple of relaxers. 🍻 Happy New Year everyone.

I’ve got a Countryman, that I bought off Basschat a couple of years ago. Countryman are at the lower price point of Uke basses but it does all I need it to. I take it as my back-up bass at venues with tight space. I also take it to jam nights and open mics for a bit of fun. Fuzzy phone pic from a jam night playing rock n’ roll with a scratch band. A shout-out for my 33 year-old jumper too.

Just to put a bit more meat on the bone of my previous reply, I have lots of fun gigging, rehearsing and songwriting without having to be chums with my band mates. I fully subscribe to the ‘the most fun you can have with your clothes on’ school of thought about playing live music. For me, a bit of social distancing makes for better music. I’m fully committed to the bands I’m in. I’m told I’m easy to work with, affable and I hardly ever miss a gig or band meet. But, outside those musical activities I’m not interested. I’ve got more than enough friends and family I struggle to find time for already. It depends on what you want to get out of it, and probably where you are in terms of family, job, age etc. But my stance is that if you only want to play music with people you are friends with your horizons will be limited. A case in point, I play with a guy who’s a committed Christian of the Evangelical Holy Spirit type. I find a lot of his beliefs totally barking and he thinks I’m doomed but, it’s not an issue. We only meet to play music, and he’s a great guitarist. But we’re all different. Which is great.

No, it’s not for me. I don’t want my band mates to be my drinking buddies, or my drinking buddies to be my band mates.

Cheers! Most of us in the band are hard-bitten veterans of the Notts/Derby Badlands. We have a newbie guitarist from rural Leicestershire, it’s going to be a baptism of fire for him 😆

A newly reopened and renovated pub in Alfreton, Derbyshire. 3 x 30 minute sets.

You’re probably right, but they’re better than no Mustang 😌

First of all, congratulations on becoming a grandad. Fun times ahead, and what’s sure to be a special Christmas. To the main subject, I now use any kind of courier as a last resort. Wherever possible I go for face-to-face meetings with the buyer/seller, whether that’s collection, delivery or meeting part-way. For me, giving up some time and perhaps driving a few hours is much less stressful and much more predictable than entrusting a musical instrument to a courier. Plus, no need to mess about with packaging! I’ve met some lovely people doing it this way, too. I live in the middle of the country with easy access to the motorway network and I realise it may not be a viable option for you.

Do you advertise for the kind of guitarist you want, and by implication, what you don’t want? I know your area a little, having holidays in the Woolacombe area. There doesn’t seem to be a great population density, so I guess your options are limited compared to the big cities and conurbations.

Welcome back Dave! I hope it goes well for you. My brother lives in Sheffield and it’s a particularly confusing place to drive into and around. Rock on buddy!

Yes, I can see your point there but he’s not apparently turning up for rehearsals which is what made me take the harsh line.

Refusing to rehearse while a new member gets up-to-speed would be the red line for me. What if you all felt the same way? But, I agree with PaulW, don’t sack him until you’ve got a replacement. Especially if you have gigs in the diary.

BB BlackDog, a steampunk band led by our own @BB BlackDog. They’ll be launching their new CD on the 27th November at The Bull Shed, near Belper, Derbyshire. I have no personal connection apart from being a local fan.

The Derby/Nottingham M1 corridor has a pretty healthy scene. Apart from the two cities there are lots of small towns and villages (mostly ex-mining communities) that contain pub and club band venues. I tend to gig between 2 or 3 times a month and I can’t remember the last time I had a drive of more than 30 minutes to a venue. As much as I love the countryside, living out in the sticks would put too many burdens on being in a gigging band. For me, anyway.

I think @ezbass and @bassbiscuits have nailed the attributes I’d list. My covers band is on its third drummer in a year. All three of them have lives that are, shall we say, complicated. Meaning they’re the band members who have the most difficulty committing to gig dates or rehearsal schedules. I don’t know if that’s an unlucky coincidence on our part or it’s a drummer trait others have noticed. So, I might add the ability to commit as a desirable characteristic.