FinnDave

Surprised to see that no one has mentioned [url="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jan/23/jaki-liebezeit-drummer-of-seminal-krautrock-band-can-dies-at-78"]the passing of Can drummer, the wonderful Jaki Liebezeit. [/url] An absolutely incredible drummer, sad to see another great (in some people's worlds) go.

That's a very generous answer, and better than I deserve! The Wirebirds were pretty rough when we started, and I knew only one song they knew, but we managed to get something giggable pretty fast. I think the deadline of an approaching gig does a lot to focus a band's attention!

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1485162326' post='3221541'] I'm involved at starting up a new covers band and I'm looking at least at three months or weekly rehearsals to get a 30 song list together along with an hour or two of personal practice every day. [/quote] Three months of rehearsing? Seems a lot to me. I've played in bands where we have rehearsed once then started gigging, in fact we didn't rehearse whole songs, just intros and outros, and the gigs went fine. My main band still gets together once a week to work on new stuff and just play for the fun of playing, but again we started gigging after a couple of short rehearsals. Any band who expected me to rehearse for months before gigging would be looking for a new bass player!

[quote name='casapete' timestamp='1484932951' post='3219872'] Layla - Derek and the Dominos. Often gets panned on here for some reason , but one of my favourite albums. [/quote] Remember a friend bringing it round the day it came out, loved it then and still do.

Sorry to hear he needs more mentions here, didn't realise he was so down on his luck.

[quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1484812717' post='3218591'] Quite a few panning Radiohead here. I used to absolutely love them, still like them a lot. It's good not everyone likes them, means the music doesn't get overplayed and you could actually get tickets to see them Although I was sat next to some drip who whined "this doesn't sound like the album" all the way through... [/quote] I don't think I have heard anything they've done.

I've had one or two Squier CVs and the truth is that they require more maintenance than a US Fender. The wood is softer, and therefore bridge, neck, and scratchplate screws slacken more frequently. In addition, they are far less tolerant of the sort of knocks that regular gigging use will inflict on any instrument. The high end Squiers are fine instruments, but in my experience do not hold up to regular use in the way a Fender does.

[quote name='steantval' timestamp='1484777627' post='3218450'] Totally disagree, thank f*ck Barrett left the band, otherwise we would not have the great albums that followed. [/quote] Obviously, I disagree, but that's the beauty of free choice, we can totally disagree about something yet still get along

[quote name='julesb' timestamp='1484773031' post='3218390'] Doesn't this belong on the Syd Barrett is bollocks thread? [/quote] On balance, no.

I love threads like this, so many people slagging stuff off I've never heard of, and now don't need to worry about that omission! Of the ones I have heard of, I really don't think Pink Floyd have produced anything worth listening to since Syd Barrett left.

Is there really a dislike of active basses? As I said earlier, I haven't used one, but I don't dislike them, or avoid them, I just am happy enough with my passive basses. The idea of an active bass has, frankly, never occurred to me. I certainly wouldn't claim that my passive Fenders are any better, and are hardly groundbreaking designs, but I am used to them.

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1484685078' post='3217548'] I did a 750 sell out bike rally charity 18 months ago (tickets were £35 for the weekend). We were told to be there for 4pm sound check. Duly turned up 3.45. Organiser " we're running behind, sound check 6.30pm". Me. "Could you not have texted one of us so we could have gone for a bite somewhere?" Organiser "if you don't like it, f*** off home" Result of that was the other 3 lads dragging me back out of my van, as I was offski, before I banjo'd the prick. 4 hours each way, no fuel money plus abuse? I left home 11.45am Sat, got home 2.15am Sunday. Never, ever again. [/quote] Done that a fairly local (thankfully) 'charity' a few years ago. Got there as requested at 7 pm, complete with a dep drummer doing a massive favour as the gig wasn't paid. By ten pm the band before was just going on, and then they went on, and on...after 45 mins I grabbed my gear and packed my car, ignoring the shouts of 'oy, you can't do that', and the rest of the band decided to follow suit. That's a never again, too. I'm firmly of the belief that people value you according to what they are paying you, so if you play for free you get treated like dirt because you are worth nothing to them. Charge them a few hundred quid and they don't want to waste their investment, and therefore behave decently Bitter? Me? Oh all right then, just the one more pint....

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1484682570' post='3217502'] I'm teasing.. but of course we're all looking for something better. It's just a matter of degree.. [/quote] I keep ending up where I started, though! I am really hoping that in 2017, I will finally learn to stop looking and realise I have had it all the time. Some bloody hope!!

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1484682472' post='3217500'] As both a sound man and a musician, I'll tell you. A band will normally do one or two slots/sets at a charity do. There may well be several bands at such an event. The sound man will have to get there before everyone else to set up, sort out sound for the bands, the speeches, the raffle, play background music, etc, etc, etc. he will pack up last when everyone else is finished. It's a very long day and he will do several times the amount of work of any individual performer or band. Reason enough for you? [/quote] There's an argument there for paying the sandman more than the bands, but not for paying him alone.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1484682064' post='3217492'] But clearly at some point you were looking for a better this or that.. indeed from your posts this was quite recent , [/quote] Not really looking for anything, just easily seduced by music shops! The last [s]two[/s] three jazz basses have been bought when I have been coming back form fairly unpleasant hospital appointments and needed cheering up. Hopefully, I'll remember that a P bass is better at that than a J. And a good bottle of Scotch is both better and cheaper than either!

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1484681803' post='3217487'] How many Jazz basses have you bought and sold ? [/quote] No more than 4 or 5 so far! All passive, though And that covers about 40 years...

I've never played an active bass, perfectly happy with my passive basses as they so see no need to change. Some people seem to spend their whole lives looking for a better this or better that. Personally, I'd rather just get on with playing.

[quote name='fruitisbad' timestamp='1484672332' post='3217384'] Would play for free, wouldn't sell tickets. Would want to know how ticket money was split. Am happy for soundguy and equipment hire to be paid for. Would expect promoter to not be taking any money. [/quote] Why is OK for the sound guy to be paid and not the bands?

There's not a lot by Can, Amon Duul or Burnin' Red Ivanhoe (all favourites of mine) that would be easy/possible to dance to (maybe some of Can would OK, come to think of it).

We only do charity gigs when we are sure that they are genuine, many aren't, and we ask for expenses to cover getting there.

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1484590532' post='3216596'] Mustang Sally repeated all night has to be the ultimate torture. [/quote] For the band, maybe, but audiences still love it.

[quote name='deepbass5' timestamp='1484477526' post='3215658'] I agree with all your sentiments as Bass players we need headroom and so should have special dispensation from the environmental lobby to pack a reserve amount of wattage over and above the Guitar and Keyboard. On the grounds of enjoyment (need to feel the Bass). So maybe we limit guitarist watts to 30. I feel another thread coming on. [/quote] Our guitarist uses a 20 watt valve combo and can still drown out the bass (and drums!). Maybe 15 watts is a sensible max for guitars?

Jam nights can be very useful, you get to play people and if you're any good, they'll remember you. I am currently in two bands as a result of going to jam nights. I am also in one I met through Join My Band, and that band has been going for 4 years now, and very happy we are too.

[quote name='chickenjames' timestamp='1484475216' post='3215633'] This is black with a white scratchplate. I'm going to keep it that way as my StingRay is also black on black (but RW), so I think it would be good if they looked a bit different. Also I prefer to keep things stock if possible, maybe that's silly. [/quote] So long as it makes you happy, that's all that matters. I also have a black n maple MiM Precision, and that has a tort guard on it. Both look awesome (to my eyes). But as for flats...tried em, couldn't get on with them.

Congrats, I have a similar bass and am just back from gigging it (again). Black with black scratchplate and a maple neck & board, makes for a very good looking P bass.