Norris

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363802784' post='2017942'] I suspect from reading this thread that there's not much interest in new original material anyway, certainly that seems to be the case when looking in the recording thread, and the show us your vid threads. [/quote] Somebody ought to do a poll, but my guess is around 30% of the site members don't actually play bass or gig regularly, probably 10-20% are actively making original music and the rest (majority) are in covers bands. There are covers bands and there are covers bands; there are originals bands and there are originals bands. My covers band is darned good (though I say so myself ) and I enjoy every minute of it. Just because we're playing someone else's music doesn't mean we can't be creative or put our own twist on things. It also means that we can cover a lot more genres (although 70's rock does feature quite highly) - our general rule of thumb is that we do stuff that punters have heard of, that other covers bands don't (or can't) do. ..and all compliments to everyone who has contributed to this thread. There have been a good varied mix of opinions expressed and it's been an enjoyable read.

I've always (nearly 30 years now) played in covers bands, and pretty much throughout have had a day job. The day job pays the mortgage and keeps the family clothed & fed. The band is a hobby that brings in some extra beer tokens. I don't have the time or inclination to write original stuff, although the other band members have done in the past. Also an originals band would have to travel a lot more for gigs - pretty much all of ours are within the county I live in. I couldn't do that travelling (at my age! ) and hold down a day job. However, I'll ask you a question in return - how often does your originals band play? (I know you're in several - choose your busiest). Back in the 80's/90's we were doing 3-4 gigs a week, every week. There are not so many venues to play these days (mainly due to the price of beer and the fact publicans just can't afford to pay for a band), and the guitarist is often away touring - new member of an old originals band. However we're still doing around 4 gigs a month.

I'm glad it's not just me. I could name all the notes given time, but when you're playing, singing and jigging about, it's all patterns off the root. I can read music and did lots of music grades in my youth (piano, trombone, etc.), but have never really had to read for playing bass. That's probably why I'd need to work out the notes above the 5th fret.

[quote name='Toddy' timestamp='1363568176' post='2014299'] [b]...are easier than trying to work out why fonts keep changing on this forum,,( I must be doing something wrong again methinks) [/b] [/quote] I get this often. When you click in the reply box, if you do it near the top, the click seems to 'follow through' to the toolbars that appear there and activates whichever button is under your cursor at the time.Try clicking near the bottom of the reply box

We've played a few Irish pubs in the past. We've always honoured any gig we've booked, but just haven't bothered getting repeat bookings any more. There's nearly always an atmosphere of impending violence, very late nights, not particularly decent money, and the constant feeling that the landlord is going to try to rip you off at the end of the night. Feign some sort of ilness/injury that means you can back out of this one (if that's what you want to do). You'll probably upset the landlord, but without completely burning your bridges. Then have a serious band chat as to whether you really want to play there any more.

I've owned a genuine one in the past. I would have liked to own one again. I doubt I will now though.

I wouldn't think that wood would be much of a barrier to your signal. If it is, you might be able to mount some external aerials on the top of your board - which shouldn't take up too much space, then plug them into the receiver hidden below. It depends if your existing aerials are fixed or use ('F'?) connectors. I'd also check that there is adequate ventilation for your receiver - does it get warm in use? Edit: My guitarist uses a home-made 2-tier board, mainly for accessibility to the multitude of pedals. The board has a load of small holes in the bottom so he can cable-tie the current pedals of choice in place. The rear (top) tier is open (basically a plank across the top, no back & front = plenty of ventilation), and has his PSU tucked underneath.

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1362673702' post='2003208'] The tediousness of putting dots on sheets comes a very close second. [/quote] [url="http://musescore.org/"]http://musescore.org/[/url]

One thing you may want to look at... Making my payment, when I clicked on the Paypal link I got the following browser security warning (yep, IE8) [quote] [b]Do you want to view only the webpage content that was delivered securely?[/b] This webpage contains content that will not be delivered using a secure HTTPS connection, which could compromise the security of the entire webpage. [/quote] I think it may be due to the basschat logo image ([url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/pedullaman/logo190.jpg"]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/pedullaman/logo190.jpg[/url]) If you then click the [b]No[/b] button, the payment amount then changes to[b] zero[/b]. Clicking the Yes button preserves the £20 fee. (Although having tried it again since making a payment, the £20 doesn't disappear now, but the Yes/No button does affect whether the logo is displayed)

Packing up afterwards

Physical CD from Amazon, rip to mp3 in iTunes

I'm re-reading this thread. Having just forked out a wad on my brand new EUB, a nice little guitar amp has cropped up that's ideal for home studio use... Hmm .. Ghost Bass price shaving time

I 'lost my religion' a long time ago - I hate that song with a passion. The guitarist knows I don't like it. On the odd occasion he decides to do it regardless, I'll still play along for the sake of the 'show', but he knows he's going to get a mouthful as soon as we're out of earshot of the punters Edit: I convinced him to do Fire as an alternative REM number, which is so much better. Still working on What's the Frequency Kenneth - their best track imho.

Don't limit yourselves to doing stuff by trios! Heck, we occasionally do "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago - and we certainly haven't got a brass section and several thousand percussionists Sounds darn good though

I've not had any issues with the strings slipping out of the nut or bridge, although I am going to have to tweak the bridge height again now that the bass is in dropped tuning (semi-tone down to ease the stress on the vocals) Did your bass have any shielding at all under the cover? Mine has a pretty basic shield glued in over the top of the piezo & jack wires. I've not taken the tone control off yet - just the long back cover. Edit: I have taken photos, which I'll use when I write up a review (when I get the time!)

I had my first DB gig last night! I only played two songs on it, but it was great fun and sounded terrific. I played Jailhouse Rock & Moondance [color=#a9a9a9](did I just hear Bilbo whimper?)[/color]. Now the other band members want to learn Stray Cat Strut I'll have to see if we could find a not-quite-so-obvious song The strangest bit though was going back onto my bass afterwards - the neck felt like a matchstick! Anyway, I sorted the spike rattle by neatly winding several layers of gaffa tape round the very top of the spike to pacl it out. This means it's a much better fit in the routing hole, but still lets me pack it away (about 1mm clearance). So with the foam under the strings and the spike rattle sorted the bass is giggable. I can't say I've noticed much hum.

With the gig situation around here over recent years, every musician I know is in 3 or more bands just to get the diary filled up If your main band singer doesn't like it, just tell them to go practise House of the Rising Sun! The more playing you do, the better you'll get - and that benefits all of your bands Anybody with an ounce of common sense would not object. Have fun!

I have now and it's a lot better. I've gotta sort the spike rattle next - I think that's most of the noise is coming from (and I'm sure the additional electrical shielding will follow!)

Congratulations Pete! [quote name='mr zed' timestamp='1361263380' post='1983489'] This is great news Pete. Been reading your 'just bought a EUB' thread and i'm tempted to give one a go myself. Never had either a DB or an EUB in my sticky paws before but seriously tempted. Best of luck with the demo [/quote] Quick - there's [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/200021-stagg-edb-34-black-bag/"]one in the for sale section[/url]! Edit: For sale link

No mods yet. I'm going to have to sort out the hip brace (for want of a better description) as it does clatter a bit as I move - and the whole bass is microphonic due to the piezo. I think a bit of PTFE tape (plumbing joint tape) wrapped around the ends of the brace should do it in a non-destructive way. (For any other readers unfamiliar with the bass the brace mounting is a bit like a giant brake pipe - the brace goes through the centre of the nut, which screws into the body. There is a rubber seal on the end of the brace that acts like a flange, but this doesn't stop all of the rattles as you move around) I tried it out through a powered monitor last night and it sounded massive. I've previously only used my dinky little practise amp before. I might have to take it along to our next gig on Sunday - if there's room in the pub! I don't think I could play it for much more than 1/2 hour at a time at the moment though.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1360867605' post='1977695'] We need pictures![/quote] I've just had a look through the reviews and there doesn't seem to be one for the Stagg. I'll do one and post some pictures there (when I have a few minutes and some decent light to take them in). My bass is actually a "Rocket by Stagg". i could do with a couple of lessons - if only on how to hold it right. I've played it a bit (1/2 hour at a time at the moment) and seem to be getting on ok. No pain yet anyway I might even take it along to a gig this weekend!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1361124931' post='1981434'] Ha ha, yes. I just play F instead, it's a lot easier. Edit: Unless I'm feeling ill-tempered, obviously... [/quote] (Somebody got it!)

Usually starts out as the studio version. 6 months down the line is another matter... The key thing is to all agree on a specific version to learn

Our covers trio mainly does pub gigs and a few functions. The PA belongs to the guitarist - a Yamaha 8 channel mixer with bult-in effects and a pair of powered Mackie cabs ([url="http://www.mackie.com/products/srm450/"]SRM450[/url]'s ?). Simples. Edit: Having read more of the comments, we just use this for vocals & the 'disco' (iPod). We don't put the guitars through it & don't mike the drums either.