FinnDave

My main gig amp at the moment is an Ashdown Touring 300 combo, picked it up for £150!

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1483531056' post='3207912'] My number one applies to every musician in general...... don't be a dickhead!! Its surprising how many musicians I have met in my life who cant even get this simple one through their heads. [/quote] This, more than anything. I've met plenty, like the 'blues guitarist' who had 70 plus guitars but I had to help him tune up before he 'played'. every song was the same hesitant mess. Met a good drummer through that fiasco, though! We were the two who couldn't stop laughing at his efforts.

Three here, all Ashdown. Small combo is EB 180 112, medium is Touring 300 115H, large is ABM500/Barefaced Super Twin. mostly use the medium combo, but hanging on to the 500 for outdoor gigs in the summer.

Hey Blue, just shot you a PM.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1483465151' post='3207369'] I always get the impression in these threads that some people feel because they've learnt all the verses to alright now note for note everyone should be able to remember everything ever written! [/quote] Don't knock it, there's some real challenges in Alright now, not everyone manages the subtle differences from verse to verse

It's just stuff, keeping your life together is more important. There's always more stuff when things pick up again.

Another Oxfordshire bassist! There are quite a few of us here, and sometimes we meet up in Witney.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1483432919' post='3207002'] Exactly and personally I have no problem asking a candidate; When was your last gig? Tell us a little about that gig. How many gigs did you play in 2016 What type of gigs, high profile, bar or pub gigs, theatre gigs? Blue [/quote] Yep, if it wasn't someone I knew, I'd definitely be asking those questions. I'd also want to know how many bands they've played in over the last ten years, and why they left. Some people have been chucked out of more bands than most of us have played in!

If I was looking for a new band member, I'd be very wary of taking on someone without a proven track record, just playing well is not enough, they need to be able to be reliable, to work well as part of the band and be used to giving up weekend nights to drive, set up, and play with enthusiasm. If someone says they have 'years of playing' under their belt, I'd expect there to be solid evidence of that, around here, we'd already know them.

Yeah, but that Mick Jagger is always blagging lifts off unknown pub musicians. Known for it!

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1483394609' post='3206876'] But it's not a 'business' if no net income is earned, it's a hobby ;-) [/quote] And that's how I explained to my insurer and so if I have an accident on the way to or from a gig or rehearsal, it's already declared, and therefore covered.

The problem is that anyone involved in the entertainment business is seen as high risk. Back in the days when I learnt my daily crust at TV Centre, if any of us had to renew car insurance we would always say we were clerical workers....working in West London...yes, that's right, White City...erm, yes, I do work for the BBC...how much????!! Mind you, a fair percentage of the people I worked with were banned due to an excess of club hospitality, so I understand their reasoning.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1483391154' post='3206830'] what would be being claimed? an accident on the way for a drink to the pub, or perhaps a prang in the pub car park, unless you're actually going to claim for stolen gear whilst in the car I can't really see a problem [/quote] Insurance companies employ teams of people to stick their noses into claimants' business in the hope of finding them engaged in some kind of activity for which they are not insured in order to avoid paying out.

Tricky, but I'll try... something I can't remember (early/mid 70s) something else I can't remember Selmer Treble & Bass 50 into a homemade 2x15 cab (mid-late70s) same amp but into an unknown 4x10 (late 70s-mid 80s) Another amp or two I can't remember Trace Elliot combo with a heavy 4x10 (most of the 80s) can't remember Some kind of Carlsboro combo (second half of 90s) something else, can't remember what Ashdown perfect 10 (late 90s/early 2000s) Ashdown MAG 300 & Ashdown 4x10 (2007 ish -2012) Ashdown EB180 1x12 (2013, still use) Ashdown ABM 500 (2013, still use) Ashdown 4x10 (2013) Barefaced Super Twin (Sept 2013, still use) Ashdown Touring 300 1x15H combo (August 2016, still use) I know there are a few I have forgotten, but I can't remember what they are! Edit: There's a few memory joggers in this thread, I am sure I had a Peavey combo, and a Laney combo at different times during the late 90s/early 2000s.

I work on the principle that if it's declared and cleared, then there is nothing for them to wriggle out of in the event of a claim.

Main rules for any musician have to be get there on time, with [i]all[/i] your gear, set up quickly, and be familiar with the material. I am sure we've all broken some of those a few times, though!

My insurers were happy to accept that playing music is a hobby for which I receive a contribution towards the costs. No difference to premium.

I know it's hopelessly extravagant, but I might change the strings on my white US Precision this year. Only if I start playing it again, though. It was my main gigging bass but has been case bound since I got my pair of black n maple Ps, both of which have had new strings recently. More likely to end this year with fewer basses than more (I hope!).

Had a great gig with The Wirebirds last night in my local pub. Played for three hours (one hour set plus two hour set) and the place was placed, mostly with people I know. Everyone in the pub was dancing, even the people working behind the bar. Great fun (but very hot) and we got well paid, plus a bonus 'for being awesome'!

So if you mix your strings, your bass won't corner properly? Definitely not trying it now!

I've used tablets on stage and can't really recommend it. Then again, maybe I shouldn't have washed them down with whisky.

Tom bought an echo/delay box from me, great guy to deal with, very straightforward and good communicator.

Ashdown is all I've used for years, had a couple over in Finland that I sold rather than transport back here, but have bought three since I moved back, all are great amps. Current favourite is my Touring 300 combo, perfect pub & club amp.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1482266096' post='3199129'] P bass man :-) [/quote] Got that one right!