Norris

Apparently MU are good for insurance ... [url="http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk"]http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk[/url]

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='986670' date='Oct 13 2010, 10:16 AM']It's human nature to fear anything we can't understand, so I'd say "Kill it with fire"[/quote] That made me laugh

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='974082' date='Oct 1 2010, 02:38 PM']Maybe they've been playing covers for so long that they've forgotten what it's like to play music for fun instead of for money.[/quote] So playing covers isn't fun? I'd better give up now then - I certainly don't make any money out if it. Anybody want to buy 4 bass guitars? Seriously, it really doesn't matter a sh*t whether you wrote the song or not, you can still enjoy playing it. Some of us just enjoy being there. Some of us seem to have their heads way too far up their own a***. <Norris has left the building>

It depends what you're after. If you're serious about having a career in music, you would probably want to go for an originals or a tribute band. If, like me, you work for a living and just play music for fun & beer money, a covers band is a lot easy to get regular *local* work. I don't really want to be travelling all over the country several nights a week. I did a lot more playing in my youth, but it just hurts too much getting up for the day job now-a-days, when you've not got in until 2, 3 or 4 am. There are a lot of very serious and committed bass players on this forum. I'm one of the more casual ones

Sultans of Swing gets the band nicely warmed up to 'cut some licks' for the rest of the night. After that, it's fairly random picks from the list or requests. We try to save a few decent ones for the end of the last set/encore.

[quote name='simon1964' post='957456' date='Sep 15 2010, 05:39 PM']Funnily enough, I came across this link the other day, which might help: [url="http://jimshine.com/claydots/clay_dots_and_other_fender_inlay.htm"]http://jimshine.com/claydots/clay_dots_and...ender_inlay.htm[/url][/quote] Nice article

This seems to have turned into a 'which songs do you hate playing' list ... in which case I'll add Losing My Religion (I hate that song with a passion). Mustang Sally is so darned popular with punters. I've never met a musician (or drummer) yet that liked playing it

[quote name='bigjohn' post='949458' date='Sep 8 2010, 02:21 PM']I do think there's a distinction though between improvising (trying to do something different with I piece I know) and improvising (trying to do something that fits a piece I don't) - they're two different skills.[/quote] A.K.A. 'twiddling' and 'winging it' Over the last 25 years or so my band has made a feature of occasional improv. Ever tried playing a 12-bar as a bosa nova? Status Quo tracks as a bolero? Any completely inappropriate syncopation? The important thing is to play most of the set tight. Then, it is much more obvious when you're [s]larking about[/s] improvising, and the audience has no trouble 'getting it'.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='938255' date='Aug 27 2010, 04:56 PM']I used to only have one bass.... then I signed up to basschat.[/quote] +1 I only have 4 at the moment, the new Thunderbird having pushed the Jazz down into 2nd place

[quote name='FlatEric' post='899893' date='Jul 20 2010, 12:27 PM']Oooo, I bet when you opened the case it was a bit of a shock. OUCH![/quote] It was - I'd left the strings on, which then looked about as thick as my fingers due to the rust [quote name='FlatEric' post='899893' date='Jul 20 2010, 12:27 PM']Sound Pad. . . . . Ah, those were the days!!!! [/quote] I could never afford to buy from there. I got it second hand from Humbucker Music in Leicester (if you remember that place )

[quote name='Bloodaxe' post='899522' date='Jul 19 2010, 10:31 PM']At least you didn't EMG it, or let a mad router-wielding butcher near it like a couple of examples I've seen recently. I'm guilty of this too... how's this for a poorly executed really bad idea:[/quote] I think we need an 'abused basses' thread Nice ... er ... PUP job. it looks a lot better now. Mine has had the dents steamed out a bit & the cellulose is being built up slowly by my luthier mate, now that he has got the 'vintage' tinting sorted out (big colour difference evident now bridge has been removed). I think he was looking at Gotoh winders - I'll have to check them out before purchase.

I've owned one for about 25 years & bought it second hand then. It was my one and only bass for at least 10 years, being gigged 3-4 times a week. It's been thrown around, whacked with drumsticks, crashed into cymbals and been through dozens and dozens of batteries. I was young, impetuous, and never actually liked it - probably because I'd had to sell a gorgeous midnight blue (correct me if not right colour for year ) Rickenbacker 4001. It then spent about 10 years in my loft... years which were not kind. The [b]good [/b]news is that it is currently with my friendly luthier getting a bit of TLC. Now poor a stiff drink, sit comfortably and make sure a box of tissues are close at hand, because if I can work out how to upload pictures, you'll be weeping... [attachment=54625:015.JPG][attachment=54626:006.JPG] [attachment=54627:005.JPG][attachment=54628:008.JPG] It[s] will get[/s] is getting better! I promise! Edit: The serial number is 004087. Does that make it an early one? The electrics are all still working (or were when it went into the case all those years ago) Edit #2: To show more shameful scenes of devastation [attachment=54629:009.JPG][attachment=54630:012.JPG]

[quote name='Clarky' post='894621' date='Jul 14 2010, 12:42 PM']Glad you, errr, like it Norris So, did Mrs Norris come to the gig? [/quote] No. She's coming to the next one though

[quote name='Clarky' post='893738' date='Jul 13 2010, 02:10 PM']There's not too many fans on BC, its true. I owned one recently but sold it as I couldn't cope with the skinny neck (I play P basses generally). BC dudes such as Shaggy, Marky L and Norris are T'bird fans though and I am sure they will chip in![/quote] The bass has finally been gigged (third owner lucky!) and I love it. The trusty Jazz is now taking a bit of a break while I indulge in some of the nicest sounds to ever come out of my amp. It's a keeper. I can understand that some people don't like them. Yes, it has a very skinny neck. Yes, it is kinda offset to the left due to the strap position (can't say I suffered any neck dive though). Yes, it tends to tilt forwards so you can't see the fret board. Yes, I hit my knee on the bottom horn if I jig about too much. Yes, it's big & the case weighs a ton. ...but I look, sound and feel like a SEX GOD playing it! I grinned all the next day after my first gig with it. There's love right here

Thanks mate. It was a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for bringing the bass over. I'm looking forward to giving it some welly

I hope you enjoy the Orange, Clarky! I just bought a Gibson Thunderbird from him. Top bloke (as per all the comments on here). He even brought the bass over to a friends house where we were staying for the weekend (admittedly on his way to the bass bash). Exactly as described & lovely. Thanks Clarky. I hope you enjoy the Alembic (I think that's what you said) when it gets to you. I'm not a fan of relic guitars, but your fat neck Jazz was nice

I've used a Peavey Databass for the last 10-15 years. I got fed up wheeling my old Traynor stack around - which weighed a ton. The Peavey has never struggled for a bit of 'poke' in any situation. I don't think I've ever had the master volume above 5. If you're doing larger gigs, you'd DI anyway - in which case it's plenty loud enough for backline. My guitarist mate even bought one off ebay for the odd occasions he stands in on bass, after hearing mine. My only slight complaint is the quality of the jack sockets. After so many gigs, they are about ready for replacement (and if anybody knows where to get some DECENT quality PCB-mounted sockets, I'm all ears!) I've recently been using a GT-6B with some SVT emulation through it, which gives it a nice bit of 'valveyness'. The absolute best thing about it though is the look on the other band members' faces is when I pop it into the boot of the car at the end of the night! Or when other bass players turn up and wonder where my bass rig is, only to have their kidneys nicely massaged by it. Yes, I'd like some Ampeg kit, but the Peavey is just so small, compact and pokey. It's definately a 'keeper'.

If you can find one (I've personally never seen another one), a Peavey Databass dishes out awesome power for it's size. I have amazed many people that a 1x15 combo can make such a noise. And at the end of the gig, it slips easily into the boot of my car. I wouldn't describe it as light, but it's easy enough for one person to carry about. Stop the press ... there's [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Peavey-DataBass---Rare-classic-450-Watt-bass-combo_W0QQitemZ130287806623QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090215?IMSfp=TL090215132001r5583"]one on ebay![/url] The first I've ever seen on there. 1 day remaining, item number 130287806623. £199 with no bids as I type.

I'm a bit anti-active, but that translucent black looks nice, as does the sunburst. And I have G.A.S. for a T'bird too.

[quote name='Leowasright' post='371663' date='Jan 6 2009, 10:49 AM']I cannot understand why people do not just buy new one and wear it out themselves over 20 years.[/quote] +1 on that!

I recently bought a Boss GT-6B pedal from Sean. It was well packaged, arrived in excellent condition & was as described. He also kept me well informed throughout the lengthy cheque-clearance process. Heartily recommended.