Norris

Around the Midlands it seems that bands involving brass have recently become quite popular. There have always been some, but there seem to be a lot more around now doing ska, soul, etc. I've even considered getting out my trombone that has been in its case for the last 30 years. (I passed grade 8 on it back in the day!) The trouble is, if you're not regularly playing in a band they are not the sort of instruments you just pick up and have a blow of an evening: certainly not like strumming a guitar or tinkling on a keyboard. They tend to be the sort of instruments that people play while at school but then find something much sexier (like bass guitars) to play when they grow up. There are also probably not enough bands around to sustain a healthy population of brass players & any that can play have probably already been snapped up.

I have an Indonesian Squier P bass Special - the one in pewter with matching headstock like [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/squier-standard-p-bass-special-satin-pewter-metallic/16028"]this discontinued one on GAK[/url]. I bought it from another basschat member for £150 if I recall correctly. It's worth keeping your eye out for one if your interested as it's a great bass. Looks, feels and sounds great, even with the standard pickups.

Most stuff we just learn at home then gig it straight off like the OP. Occasionally we will rehearse if a song is particularly complex, has a lot of vocal harmonies, or we want to re-arrange it a bit. Having said that my covers band has probably had a joint rehearsal 3 times in 8 years. Most stuff (if we don't just play it live from the off) can be sorted with a quick run through in the sound check.

People may hate jazz, but just play Moondance and they'll pack the floor... Edit - Ooh - 500th post

Apparently I hum tunelessly while I'm playing. I have also had a recent habit of forgetting to breathe while I'm playing too

When I was at school any instrument that used electricity was taboo. There were no rehearsal rooms, let alone the stuff you get in schools these days. Having said that I bought my first ever bass guitar from my old music teacher - a 3/4 scale Kay SG copy with an action that could be measured in feet.

I think it would be a good idea to separate the "look what I've done" stuff from the "how the hell do I do that?" stuff i.e. separate area for technical questions about recording (equipment, techniques, etc.).

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1381694603' post='2242537'] ... Perhaps sacrifice the Warwick for another (fretted) Aria SB? Something passive, or with a passive option (does the SB1000 have a passive option?). I've [b]always[/b] played nice Warwicks, but as much as I truly love them I could maybe benefit from a change of scenery. You know, shake it up a bit. [/quote] My SB-1000 does have an active/passive switch - but still won't utter a sound without batteries in. I'm guessing it's not a true bypass.

I used to have the bass riff from Beck's Minus (Odelay album), but my ancient version of Android doesn't let you use a custom ring tone

I think the smallest place I have played in is a long-since-gone piano bar in Leicester. After the three of us had squeezed in next to the grand piano, we then played to the six punters that could fit in the room. I've had my fair share of being the 'toilet entrance barrier' in a number of places.

Excellent

I managed to pick up an Indonesian Squier P-bass Special on here for £150 a year or two ago. Fantastic bass - P body, J neck & P/J pups. Certainly worth looking out for as an alternative that's well within your budget.

Fifteen years BBC (Before BassChat) spent with only one bass guitar & one amp. I've kept to the one amp, as there is NOTHING out there with the power/weight ratio of my Peavey combo. However, I do now own 6 basses...

Pointy-ish bass (Gibson Thunderbird) = [url="http://www.herculesstands.co.uk/product/85317/GS412B/Floor_Stands/Auto_Grab_guitar_stand_with_foldable_backrest"]this stand[/url] - fantastic! I need more walls so I have room for more auto-grab wall hangers

The bass was/is an Aria Pro II SB-1000. It takes two 9v batteries. One of them always died first, as if it was connected all the time. I never left my bass plugged in, even unplugging it between spots. I ended up putting a bit of gaffa tape on the quick drain one for identification, as that was the one I had to change repeatedly. Perhaps there is a fault with it, but it's been there since I bought it second hand in about 1986 - so it wasn't that old when I bought it. After about 8 years of swapping batteries every month, I kind of went off active basses. Maybe I just had/have a dud.

Passive I've only ever owned one active bass, and that went through batteries like nobody's business. When your usual awesome tone has suddenly switched to sounding like a mouse fart a couple of times, it tends to put you off. It wouldn't be as bad if there was a gradual degradation as they ran flat. Decent batteries are not cheap when you're replacing them every couple of weeks, and woe be tied if you forget to change them... I've never been playing and thought "I wish this bass was active". Passive still kicks butt.

Mine is versatile, just don't expect it to produce a 'P' thump - it can't (at least not without heavy EQ). But everything else is there in the controls. - Use a single pickup for extra clarity, or both for more of a complex Gibson/humbucker type of sound - Treble to the max and switch to vintage sound for clank, tone right down for smooth, full-on, bladder-loosening lows My favourite 'default' sound is switched to use both pups, neck on full tone, bridge on min

Blimey - another couple of years and his 'anchor' thumb is going to go right through that bass and come out the other side!

Peavey Databass 1x15 combo. Not the lightest, but tiny size. Fits in the boot of the car easily and still kicks @ss for sound. OP: You ought to have done a poll of manufacturers

I've had to return something before that wasn't suitable - a lighting controller that was incompatible with my lights. A quick phone call to their lighting department identified a suitable replacement controller, so Thomann arranged the 'no quibbles' return of the old one and gave me a credit note minus the cost of the return courier charges. I then had to order the replacement online using my credit card as usual, but I had to put a comment on the order to say that I wanted them to use the credit note as part payment. It was slightly 'klunky' to use the credit note, and the web site was not obvious how to go about invoking it. I got the impression that the payments are processed manually - a fully automated system would not have been able to pick up the instruction to use the credit note. The transaction went smoothly and I received my replacement item within the usual 2-3 days. The phone support was very good, with good English spoken throughout (by them, maybe not by me! ). I just wish the web site had highlighted the compatibility issues with the initial controller I bought. In short, Thomann seem a very professional company and I would have no issues dealing with them again. In fact I'd be more inclined to call them for advice in future if I'm in any doubt about an item. As others have mentioned we are all part of the single market and covered by European law, which gives consumers a lot of protection. Debit cards have a similar level of protection to credit cards these days. Your card issuer will decide the conversion rate & any charges, so if you often buy from abroad it might be worth shopping around.

We have a minimum fee, and if the venue won't pay us that much we simply won't take the gig. There are far too many bands going out for next to nothing 'for the fun of it', but it usually takes the venue some time to realise that they have ended up with a load of rubbish bands, that don't pull in the punters, and therefore don't ever raise enough extra revenue to justify paying a band. Charity gigs are slightly different, and need to be agreed by the whole band. However, you still need to pick and choose which ones you do - and learn to say no. Otherwise you'll end up being asked to play at every one going. Everybody (usually) likes to do their bit for charity, but in the most lucrative Xmas period that is asking a lot. In any case, unless the cause is particularly dear to your heart you should not be out of pocket.

That's crying out for gold plated pups & scratch plate to match the bridge & tuners

[quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1378998474' post='2207567'] .. the fine line between playing the songs perfectly... and enjoying the gig... [/quote] One and the same thing IMHO. I can't enjoy the gig if I'm making mistakes left, right & centre. You can only laugh off so many of them. However, at least you're not reading the lyrics off your iPhone - an absolute pet hate of mine

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1378894715' post='2206099'] Sorry Hutton, I can't say IMO. My wife doesn't allow me opinions . (You are right though, I hope I try to avoid saying such things but I bet I cock up) [/quote] In that case ... IMWO

Last bass I bought; Me: "I'm going to start saving my gig money. I've seen a lovely looking bass at a reasonable price. I hope I can find a similar one in a year or so's time when I've saved enough" Mrs: "Another one? You have enough already" Me: "I'll get rid of the Jazz to put towards it. I haven't played it in ages and am unlikely to" ... wait for a day or two... Me: "Here's that bass on basschat. Looks nice doesn't it? Here are some others that are WAY more expensive - it really is a bargain" Mrs: " A Rickenbacker? You've wanted one of those for ages. I don't know why you bought that Thunderbird instead of getting a Ric" Me: "Rickenbackers are a lot more expensive than Thunderbirds" Mrs: "Well, I suppose if you're selling the Jazz to go towards it..." Me: "Trouble is, it's a buyers' market at the moment. Nobody has any money. Prices are way down - which is why the Ric is so cheap" Mrs: "Where is it?" ... etc. By which point it's in the bag