DaytonaRik

My Tokia Hardpuncher backup has been suffering with odd volume output level changes and despite a deep cleaning of the pots the problem persisted so I thought I'd swap the pots out. However, as the previous owner reminded me, the guy HE bought it from had super-glued the knobs onto the pot shafts and they were not for moving! I figured that this was a good a time as any to bring the black on black Tokai into line as my Lynott back-up so a few quid were spent on a new scratch plate, pots, knobs, jack and a few 0.015uf Mullard caps. The p/ups needed to move 1-2mm towards the bridge as the scratch plate is designed for a USA/Mex Precision rather that a Tokai, and the routing around the jack socket meant that the jack was a tight fit and could only fit in one particular alignment but neither of these issue caused any real problems. So - a couple of of hours to take everything off, rewire then refit and tadaaaa! My Tokai Hard Puncher is now a true-to-life backup of my Limelight 70's relic'd 'Lynott' Precision. Happy days! [attachment=236703:Tokai_1.jpg][attachment=236704:Tokai_2.jpg][attachment=236906:IMG_6554.jpg] [attachment=236705:Tokai_3.jpg][attachment=236706:Limelight.jpg][attachment=236905:FullSizeRender.jpg]

Think Lizzy aim to play around 25 gigs each year and as we've just about reached that total for 2017 the book is closed. That total is mostly down to other members with "other commitments" ( i.e. moaning partners) but it's not really enough for me so I have a generic rock covers band coming along as a side project aiming to put another 15 gigs in over the year. It's possible that the side project may become my main band and the TL stuff be relegated to the the side project or even disappear - we'll see.

As we don't live together, the O/H and I do a lot of things on our own as much as doing things together, That said she did buy me tickets (and came with me!) to see Iron Maiden on the Final Frontier tour. She enjoyed Airbourne but really didn't get Maiden. However, that really doesn't begin to compensate for me watching The Levellers several times with her but I did get to discuss Thunderbirds with Jeremy Cunningham over pints of Trooper after one gig so not all terrible.

All, As February/March is looking particularly busy for us this year, I figured I'd post these gigs as a single event so - Fri 10th Feb - The Kings Head, Ilkeston, DE7 5AQ Sat 11th Feb - The Greyhound, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2LE Sat 18th Feb - Old Royal Oak, Burton - Upon - Trent, DE14 1HA Sat 25th Feb - Duke of York, Derby, DE1 1TG Sat 4th Mar - The Crown Inn, Heanor, DE75 7AH Fri 17th Mar - The George & Dragon, Belper, DE56 1BA Sat 25th Mar - The Lion, Nottingham, NG7 7FQ As always, a full list of gigs are on our website - http://thinklizzy.co.uk/shows/

All, Think Lizzy's appearance at The Box, Crewe on Sat 28th is cancelled.

Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinkies 45-105

Think I might order a Limelight neck for my Tokai backup - it's just slightly wider at the nut than my Limelight - not massively but enough.

[quote name='Vinny' timestamp='1484261732' post='3214244'] ... after not hearing it for probably the thick end of 20 years, downloaded it for the car for a long drive and knew EVERY word. [/quote] This but Holy Diver by Dio which I put on Spotify in readiness for The Last in Line gig. The whole album was just sat on a shelf in my mind ready for me to play again and it was if I'd never not listened to it. Meanwhile...if any anyone knows where I've put my car keys?

Not the cheapest are they! £57 for 100?

Try Steve Clayton - massive range of Tortex pick options, custom artwork both sides, monochrome or colour. I get them by the bag of 100 single sided monochrome printed for about £27 in shipping. [attachment=235205:IMG_6443.jpg] [attachment=235206:IMG_6444.jpg]

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1483468752' post='3207409'] I disagree, those with current relevant experience, meaning gigging experience usually understand and execute all those professional qualities. IMO Blue [/quote] I wish!

Experience means nothing when it comes to talent/ability but it DOES mean a whole lot when knowing what's expected of you in terms of professionalism, approach to rehearsals/learning material, spares etc. That said, not every experienced gigging musician are particularly proficient at the professional approach either.

We had an absolute blast last bnight - 6 employees of the same company all experienced musicians but with varying live gig experience from veterans to newbies. No expectation, just a 100 or so of your workmates who all leave their tables and make their way to the dance floor waiting with expectation as you take to the stage! Nerves "The Resonators" might have had quickly disappeared and I get the feeling that we could have put together a set twice as long and they'd have loved it. The makeshift band was a result of me drunkenly suggesting to the CEO at the summer BBQ that we must surely have enough musicians in the company to put together a band for Xmas so it became one of my 2016 objectives. It's fair to say that the mark 'Exceeded expectation was awared by the CEO herself but the trick of including tracks by her favourite bands AC/DC and Led Zeppelin made sure of that - sneaky huh! The highlight of the night was discovering how good the excellent but nervous female vox was - to the point that I've poached her for a band project also featuring last night's lead guitarist. What a great gig to finish off 2016 with [attachment=234120:resonators.jpg]

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1481575873' post='3193453'] Lizzy put on a great show, it was the sound that was crap. I wonder if there is a difference between what a punter will put up with after a few pints and what a player hears? [/quote] I am, and always will, remain convinced that in their heads the average punter hears a pristine recording from their younger days, and NOT what is actually present in their ears!

Aside from playing bass and singing...supplying, programming and setting up lighting, helping with the setup/tear down, helping sound check the PA (myself and one guitarist are both technically proficient with lighting and PA), being a front man, entertaining, generally enjoying myself and trying to make sure that the punters have a great time too

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1481540012' post='3192988'] The best £10 spent at any gig is a pie and a pint for the sound guy. [/quote] ^ This. In spades!

This made me chuckle so much - we were forced to cancel a series of gigs at LHL's insistence at a venue. Sadly, the venue had forgotten this completely and accused us of acting unprofessionally by informing them on the day were were not actually playing on Saturday night. Much mud slinging across social media until our guitarist suggested he post the email the venue sent him...at which point their posts were removed. Karma - don't you love it! I owe that sound engineer a beer or two!

Pic only - a bloody great thick 1mm job! Lynott-tastic!

I was once told I play a pub like it's Wembley Stadium! We're there to entertain, and that includes the visual side of things too.

Used a Korg DTR-1 for about 17-18 years. Rock solid, works perfectly, a display large enough to read from the other side of the pub and constantly tracks - can tune mid-track if need be.

Had a surprisingly good last gig of 2016 with Think Lizzy last Friday - an odd shaped venue playing to a bar just 10 feet in front of us but rooms and punters off to the right - have radio mic/guitar/IEMs will travel I say! It was fun to go and set up a little 'B' stage of my own in the other rooms and play to a different part of the pub...a lot of fun and the punters enjoyed it too

Always have since I started playing live in the mid-late 80's. Most of my guitars have been Floyd equipped so having a spare was essential and it's a habit I've carried over into the bass playing world. Mind you, as a lead vocalist as well it can be tricky to swap - not that I've had a reason to except the one gig I hadn't taken a spare bass on stage (no room) and broke a string!

[quote name='leemarseillebass' timestamp='1480764951' post='3186956'] As far as what someone is willing to pay, if it's 210 then the chances are I don't feel safe taking decent expensive gear in... [/quote] Surely that's an indication of the venue and the area, not the fee? On topic - our take is the normal £200-250 for a four piece . What we get paid has no impact on what gear we take including a pair of Gibson Les Paul Custom Shops '57 reissues for one of our guitarists. If that's the rate for the product in the area then that's the rate and I can't see that changing much for a generic covers band.

Had a fantastic night - one of those nights where everything just clicks...easy loads in, great in-house engineer, the whole band played well and we had a fantastic response with loads of very positive comments afterwards, the AC/DC trib we worked with were a great bunch of guys and easy to get along with. Just what we needed after the last one. One more gig this year and then I can put my feet up until mid-January and just play a few acoustic rock jam nights at a local venue 3 min walk from home!

Always have a spare bass just in case on a stand - things can/do go wrong and I'd hate to have to stop a gig because I couldn't be bothered to spend 30 secs putting another case in the car