FinnDave

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1493566107' post='3289130'] Nope Banbury/Brackley based, but I had had the same conversation with the drummer a number of times... If I had wanted to join a thrash band .......... Main guitarist was a great player,well prepared and a really nice guy - the other guitarist/singer had no stage presence and appeared to want to tune his guitar between every song... And wanted to be in charge without doing any of the work :-) [/quote] Definitely not the same crowd, then. There are so many about!

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1493483774' post='3288717'] Don't think bikes are as popular an image to youngsters these days. Most youngsters would prefer a car and they can pick a car up for same price as a bike these days. At the Harley bike rallies i go to there is more than enough drinking being done by all age groups but as FinnDave pointed out they are all staying overnight. There's definitely nowhere near as many rock or biker bars in Scotland as there used to be so i guess you just don't see the "younger" bikers as often. If you're talking Harley bikers then cost of the bikes usually means its middle-aged or older guys that can afford them and are "usually" more sensible and physically not able to drink as much as the 20yr olds. Who wants a 2 day hang-over at our age Dave Dave [/quote] Last night's gig was a MAG do rather than a Harley only rally (I used to be regional rep for the HDRCGB, so I know what their rallies are like!) and there were till plenty of just-drunk-enough revellers to dance to everything we threw at the until half one when we called it a day (it was our second gig of the day, and we're not too strong on youthful energy any more!). Those that weren't up on their feet were either sitting around the fire outside, or dead drunk in their tents (I know my mate was, he was well gone when we arrived!). Booking the burlesque was a good move, as those girls were up and dancing like there were was no tomorrow after their own show. I'm knackered today, but at least I haven't got to ride home with a hangover!

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1493544309' post='3288981'] Most recently control freak guitard/singer and a drummer who on the night played most the songs 20% fast (recorded gig so easy to run through a DAW to confirm.. ) His attitude was "so what"? More interestingly I offered to cover the gigs up until July, they declined. Last night was the next gig and they appear to have cancelled.. [/quote] Not out Bicester way, were they? I played for a band out that way who would match what you said (though never gigged with them, so can't be sure about the drummer) but I told them I'd leave after the booked gigs and they dumped me immediately. They were only a 'something to do on quiet nights' band for me anyway, been with my main guys for 4 years now.

Gigged my evo IV last night (twice!) and it seemed to have more punch and bottom end than my evo II. Difficult to try them back to back at a gig, of course, but it was the first time I had to blue tac my smooth hound receiver to the top of the amp - it fell off during the first gig due to the vibration from my bass. I had the volume up at around half way, standard passive US Precision, and it all sounded very tight and punchy. I'll hang on to the II as a spare, but the IV will definitely be my main gigging amp from now on.

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1493474598' post='3288621'] long sleeves shoud be ok, and weirdly they don't like patches with words like AC/DC on the back of jackets [/quote] Bit too late to source a patch now, but I'l try to avoid too much exposed skin.

The Wirebirds played two gigs last night, the first was at a beer & music festival, where we played two sets, five until half seven. Went down well, the place was empty when we started and had plenty of people dancing by the time we finished. Only downside was that each band had to bring their own PA, so set up and tear down time was extended. Had several enquiries abut booking us for other functions from people there, too. Once the cars were loaded again, we drove to a bike rally about an hour away. They were running a bit late, so we had some waiting around to do. Finally on about quarter to midnight. Good stage, excellent, professional sound and light. Played a single set of just over an hour and half. Finally home just after half two. Definitely feel it in my feet and ears today, though, but it was worth it.

Don't like the sound of that, I'll be in south Devon next week, should I pack some Morris-repellent spray?

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1493464585' post='3288535'] There are a number of points raised here, most of which are true to some extent but the situation is not quite as grim as many are suggesting: [indent=1]1. There is still a decent following for live classic rock. To say that no one under 60 cares about this type of music is nonsense. I’m seeing an audience on a weekly basis predominantly made up of people in the thirties or forties, but with a fair sprinkling of 20 somethings.[/indent] [indent=1]2. However, kids don’t see rock music as the be all and end all as many people my age did when they were their age. They have many other competing attractions and even those who do like rock music don’t see it as their only outlet for entertainment.[/indent] [indent=1]3. We have an ageing population in the west and part of the reason why you tend to see more old than younger people at gigs is that there are actually more of them.[/indent] [indent=1]4. People generally do not have the same level of disposable income as they used to, which has seen the downturn of the pub trade in general and music pubs in particular. This is especially true of the younger end of the market. You have to make a gig more of an event to get an audience out now.[/indent] [indent=1]5. As someone said above, this has thinned out some of the worse bands and the worse venues. IMO this is a good thing! The better bands and venues are still doing alright.[/indent] [indent=1]6. The situation is somewhat different in many parts of mainland Europe, where people will still pack venues where there is a live band.[/indent] You have to bear in mind that things change and rock and roll is no longer the ubiquitous force it once was. However, there will always be a demand for decent live entertainment, especially music. [/quote] Well reasoned and hard to disagree with.

Try emailing Ashdown, they are usually very helpful and reply very quickly. But as you say you've just picked the amp up, I'd be inclined to take it back to wherever it came from.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1493462536' post='3288511'] I know musicians who would stop playing if they couldn't gig, the entertainment part of it is the most important thing. I also know plenty of musicians who have no interest in playing live & spend their time working on recording & writing projects, film scores etc. Both types of people love & enjoy what they do passionately. [/quote] I am firmly in the first camp, if the gigs completely dried up, my gear would be sold and I'd be gone. For me, it has always been and always will be about playing to audiences. The only time I play at home is when I have to learn new songs. I do my best to avoid time in recording studios as I find it boring beyond description, but I know people who consider that the pinnacle of musical perfection. I obviously understand that there are people with different opinions to me, but that doesn't help me to understand them!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1493462359' post='3288508'] I'll keep my fingers crossed that you guys have an exceptional evening Dave. We have an 8:00-12:00 tonight. I'm going with a positive attitude and will play my best. Blue [/quote] Cheers, Blue, have a good evening yourself.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1493461441' post='3288485'] Dave, In the States a DUI could be a 10k proposition after fines and legal fees. The bikers we play to, well let's just say they're prime partying and heavy drinking days said "bye bye" years ago. Blue [/quote] Well, I hope tonight's crowd aren't in the mood for an early night, we're scheduled to play from eleven nil half one, and expect to play on well after that!

Blue, I agree that there are fewer and fewer young bikers, the club I was in until recently considered this a major problem, as do other clubs. Bikers over here are definitely big time party and drinking animals when they are at rallies, as they camp overnight. I have been at rallies both to play and as a participant (not at the same time!) so have seen both sides of this. Bikers at bars can't drink much, as they have to ride home, and I suspect that the US is as tough as the UK on drinking and driving. Most bikers I know ride loud Harleys, and are a prime target for being stopped, so they take care not to make the cops' jobs too easy for them!

I'm nearly 60, I am completely out of touch with what teens and 20s are up to, and I don't give a damn. I listen to music I like, not stuff I feel I ought to like so people will like me. As for gigs, well, I have two today, each of them 2 1/2 hours long, both paid, in two different locations, and we'll be playing blues & rock to people who (hopefully) will enjoy it. The second gig should be particularly good fun, on stage at eleven pm at a biker rally...just after the burlesque show! A marquee full of drunk bikers, our sort of audience!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1493435598' post='3288301'] Every thing is a lift and certainly nothing wrong with lifting. Blue [/quote] I think he means elevator music, Blue, we call them lifts over here.

An ABM 500 4x10 combo must weigh a ton! I have a Touring 330 1x15 combo that I can barely lift (though that is partially due to my injured wrist) but although it sounds great, I am unable to take to gigs without help at each end of the journey. It has that great Ashdown sound, though.

[quote name='omikin' timestamp='1493383877' post='3287961'] Just snagged an Evo II for £220, so I think this discussion may be redundant in terms of what I might end up buying... [/quote] Well done, bloody good value, a lot of amp for the money. I'm sure it'll sound very good coupled with your Barefaced 410. And, in the unlikely event that anything should go wrong with it, or if you feel like having it serviced, then Ashdown's service is second to none.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1493378466' post='3287896'] I try to avoid Fender jazz knobs at all times; they can be such bores. [/quote]

I've been using my evo II for the last 4 years, very reliable and good sounding amp. I've just bought an evo IV as I want to have a second amp 'just in case'. Not gigged it yet, but got two to play on Saturday, so it'll get a good test. Sound was very similar when I tested them together at home, both powering my Barefaced Super Twin.

Can't say I've ever thought about it, got a couple of Jazzes upstairs, I'll look and see if I remember in the morning. Not something I look at while playing!

We're called the Wirebirds as half the band is from St Helena, and guess what the national bird of that island is??

Yep, I'm well impressed with PMT's service! Poor guy was even happy and smiling on my doorstep at seven PM, long after work finished for him. Top marks!

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1493206588' post='3286453'] Note how he spends more space telling you not to send it back than to entice you in with detail about the bass (like history). [/quote] That's because it hasn't got a history, it's obviously 'as new', probably an 'unwanted gift' (I mean, if someone offered this to you as a gift, would you want it??)

Cheers, Lozz, having two ABMs stacked on top of my Super Twin makes me feel that something is out of balance, I might have to order another cab to even things up! No idea where I'd get to use that sort of power, though.