FinnDave

Blue, there's aren't many festivals that pay well (if at all) and most will only book name bands that play originals. I reckon you'd get a few pub level gigs (average 250 UKP for the whole band) but not a whole more. It's tough getting gigs over here, though a good agent might be able to find you a few. Sadly, I doubt that you'd make enough to cover your costs, to be honest.

Well, in my case it was three basses and the first was only 3 or 4 days into the year - you're a lightweight, Al! (but looking forward to seeing the new bass!)

Same here, just change '5 strings' to '6 strings' and that's me!

I know the feeling - I've got three decent Jazz basses, a lovely Precision, and an expensive and beautiful Sandberg, but all I want to play at the moment is my Epiphone JCB, the cheapest of the lot. If I was to sell a Jazz or even the Sandberg, I'd regret it forever - but it's often hard to remember that when faced with all six basses in a confined space!

We have turned down a coupe of gigs recently because the stage's looked too small when a band member checked them out. As a six piece with two drummers, there are quite a few venues where stage space can be very tight.

Absolutely right, Blue - there are a lot of pubs that organise 'charity festivals' where everyone is paid except the bands - but without the bands there'd be no one there! I refuse to play unpaid 'charity' gigs as in my experience, you get treated according to what are worth paying - at free gigs bands are treated like rubbish, but if the venue is investing a few 100 in you, then they look after you. Minimum has to be expenses, that would mean at least £300 for my current band, and I'd have a hard time trying to sell the idea of playing for that to the other guys, so really we'd need at least double that.

Interesting, I am a pick player as well, but on the JCB tend to play quite close to the end of the neck rather than near the bridge, so my forearm prevents the bass from tipping forward (though it does leave marks in my arm). No problem with the bridge on this (new) one nor with the second hand one I had a few years ago. Hoping that state of affairs will continue!

I tend to practice at home standing as I find that sitting uses my arm & hand muscles differently. I do get the edge of the body digging in to my arm problems, but put up with it (so far!) as it sounds so good for the music I play.

I spent half my working life at the BBC and the other half as a lecturer for Helsinki University and latterly as a teacher for Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences (or polytechnic as it used to be called). I stopped work when I moved back to the UK and the only 'job' I have now is playing bass.

I've just read the thread from beginning to end and can only assume it's a wind up, which case it seems to have worked. If it's not, then the OP needs medical help, not money.

I remember playing a gig at a biker pub where there were several bands and there were collection buckets all around. I tried picking one up and it was too heavy to lift. According to local accounts, the landlord disappeared with the lot after the gig. The bands all gave their time, equipment, and expertise for free, on the basis that it was a genuine charity event. Which in a way it was, but not for the 'cause' most of us had expected.

Jimmy also bought a set of strings from me - and as above, good comms, quick payment, no problems. Good bloke to deal with. Enjoy your new strings, Jimmy!

Ships that pass….

Was I? Wasn't I? Who knows? Who cares?

I'd agree with all of that, but can't remember having any lunches that light in my 16 years in throbbing heart of the nation's meeja. In fact, due mainly to the lunches, there isn't that much I do remember!

So reminiscent of those happy daze I spent working in the meeja in Landahn.

I've just set up my new Casady bass, I used Jack Casady's intstructions and adjusted the neck dead level, then 1/8" between E string and 12th fret, slightly less for the G. Intonation is fine and it sounds/feels good too. I've not gigged it yet (only a week old) but have played along with with live GD CDs which are as a long as one of our sets, can do two back to back without any problem.

There's an Ashdown 500w 2x10 combo for sale at a very good price in the for sale section, I was looking at it myself but decided it's a bit too heavy for me (not as young as I was and have a knackered hand from a bike accident). I know the Ashdown ABM is a fine amp, I've used the heads for years.

I saw Steve Hillage last November - drove all he way to Aylesbury for it. I wouldn't cross the road to see Steve Hackett play, just not my type of music.

Hopefully you mean back in the game and not back on the game! (oops, I should have read you post properly!!)

I lied through my teeth about gear to my first wife, hide things from my second, but now I'm straight about it. Third wife actually encourages me to buy more!

I've only got three new basses so far this year, surely the rules aren't that strict???