odysseus

[quote name='ern500evo' timestamp='1458839599' post='3011463'] Just acquired a Tonehammer 500, looking forward to trying this out at in full band rehearsal [url="http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/ern500evo/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-03/B17BC7A4-F98E-40E6-B372-24D2B0F28E83_zpsk69mbpku.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] Now THAT little set up tickles my gonads!

General fitness will help, as will a bit of gym time if that is feasible. Doesn't have to be a big deal - even getting out on a bike in the fresh air for a couple of times a week would make a big difference. Use it or lose it, as they say. Diet is very important, too. Plenty of fresh veg, fruit, chicken and fish.

I look like a bulldog licking the p*ss off a thistle when I'm playing, plus I have a shaven head and I lift weights. I think I'd get more comments about my miserable demeanour if I looked a bit less intimidating

I've never owned one, but a couple of mates have Rickenbackers. They're great basses apparently. but not in my hands. Dunno why, they just don't feel right to me - not even as though I'd get used to it in time. *shrug*

The OP vid isn't representative of any other stuff I've seen her do. With Nitin Sawhney, she grooves like a badass. She's got some serious skills for sure.

My name is Rob and I'm a GASoholic. That's all the justification I can muster!

[quote name='4stringslow' timestamp='1455366148' post='2978440'] No need to gig to pursue an interest in music. I prefer writing, recording and producing but we also gig, though only about 10 times a year so it keeps our hand in while not being too onerous. I don't feel the urge to 'perform' (probably why I'm happy to stand at the back playing bass ) and it's the creativity that does it for me. The thought of playing covers to a drunken mob week in week out doesn't interest me at all - it seems like the equivalent of repetitive factory work to me. That's the beauty of music - it can be experienced in so many ways that there's almost bound to be an angle for everyone. [/quote] Well said, squire!

Looks like something Joey DeMaio would play. Does it come with a free loincloth?

Cool. I always have a good week's practising with the bass in question before taking it on stage. It's a good feeling to fire up a new bass!

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1455312506' post='2978190'] I'd agree with what discreet - it sounds like you've had enough of your current band and gigging scene. Take a break, take up the knitting, get out into that lovely cheshire countryside and do some stargazing, don't flog anything unless you need the dosh. [/quote] This ^^^ Plus... when you've had a break, have a jam with some mates, maybe put a few tunes together yourselves?... Gigging is just a part of music, not the whole thing.... well not for some of us anyway. You'll make your decision in good time. :-)

Bassist - that bloke in the band whom the punters haven't got a Scooby about what he's doing...

Always had tone halfway since the early days.... I might need to play around a bit more after reading these posts....

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1454093778' post='2966444'] When I was gigging regularly in the late 80s/early 90s I had a big Trace Elliott rig. It was a pain in the arse to move about but at the time it was among the best amplification available. On the last gig I did, two years ago, the bass combo I had was as loud as my old Trace rig, sounded 1000 times better & was a lot more reliable. I was also able to take that combo & my bass to the gig on the bus.[/quote] I hear that. I had an Ampeg stack back in the day and it was some of the best gear available to me then, but these days my Genz-Benz/Barefaced set-up blows it out of the water on all levels.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1454059832' post='2965811'] Just realised I'm 33 this year. Starting to get gray hairs too. I really believe in staying fit, weights and cardio. And so it does slightly annoy me all this talk of lighter gear although I can understand why. I'm using older TE gear and it's a pain in the arse. But a man should really be able to haul heavy gear without injury and I hope I will still be able to do just that long into old age. [/quote] I'm 46 and have much the same outlook on fitness as you do. I use light gear because I've got to haul it up and down 4 flights of stairs to my flat. For me it's one less risk to my lifestyle - it's not the weight so much as the shape and awkwardness. I'm one miserable git if I can't weight train, bike or surf, so light gear is win-win for me

[quote name='deksawyer' timestamp='1453321485' post='2958491'] something for everyone in this pic: [/quote] What the hell is that behind and just to the left of the bass? Does it belong to the missus perhaps? ;-)

<p>[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1454069220' post='2966015'] Hearing something I'd written played on the radio was the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me musically. Incredible feeling. [/quote] That must feel really weird! Unfortunately, the nearest I've come to that is having 4 tracks I picked played back to back by Tommy Vance on the Friday Rock Show in 1987. I never did receive the £15 record token though. F*****r.... :-(

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1453930732' post='2964454'] Guys, I'm not old, I'm merely older. I'll never be old. Blue [/quote] Hehe I like that one! I might have to steal it... but not yet!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1453910827' post='2964132'] And I'm sure that if you look you'll also find places putting on live music that weren't before. Things change. That's how it is. [/quote] True. Also, if things get so bad, maybe get together with a couple of other bands, hire a hall/marquee/barn, advertise on the local media and see who's up for a night of rawk. Carpe diem.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1453855113' post='2963579'] Agreed, but I sense over all the enthusiasm for gigging musicians once had is also down. Blue [/quote] That may be related to your point 4 about decreasing opportunities to gig. Where I am, that's not so much of a problem, though I sense it may continue to get worse due to venue's having to abandon live music - in recent years, around here, there has been a spate of occasions where someone has bought a house right next door to a pub that has live music and advertises this in big letters on the outside of the pub, yet the new resident has complained to the council about the noise, and the council has sided with the resident, leading to the pub having to give up on live music. I think people (here, anyway) still have the enthusiasm for gigging (circumstances allowing) but maybe will have to lower their expectations with regard to frequency. Writing music has always been my prime motivation for playing, so I guess if gigs dried up entirely then writing and recording would have to suffice.

A couple of years ago I was looking for a couple of 2x12s to replace my stack. I took an interest in the Big Twin 2s. He could have kept quiet and sold me 2 of them, but he said, "Er... you'll only need one of these, mate." He was indeed correct. Unusual honesty!

Music all the way. Lyrics just carry a melody for me. The only band whose lyrics I took much of an interest in were Rush, and then only certain songs...

Haha!

Overwater's Scott Devine sig jazz bass is tickling my nads recently. Anyone need a kidney?