Bobthedog

I do not have a bad back but cannot see why I should settle for a heavy bass if I can get an equal tone in a lighter bass. My Stingray V is a heavy beast, but I enjoy the tone, the Dingwall Z1 V I tried the other day is lighter and sounds no worse; funds allowing, I would have the Z1.

Thanks again all. I think I have two choons now. Will reveal all once I have spoken to the band and checked against the play list. Only clue is one is from here and one is a favourite that can be played in either a technical or simple manner.

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1443110126' post='2872309'] I was in a short-lived female/male fronted band. Of the simpler bass tracks, we did, as already suggested, 'Walking on Sunshine', which I loathed yet it unfailingly went down a storm. Also Kim Wilde's 'Kids I America', Joan Jett's 'I love Rock n roll', Pat Benatar's 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot'. Also simple but very bass dominant in the track was 'Black Velvet' which I enjoyed playing. [/quote] Thanks Paul, both Black Velvet and the Benatar appeal. [quote name='skywalker' timestamp='1443174860' post='2872780'] Agree with Sweet Home Alabama easy to play. A good one with a girl singer is Next To Me - Emilie Sande, popular with the audience, can be played four in a bar on root notes and repetitive three chords. Easy to learn. Anything 12 bar is good and you won't need a music stand for those. We do Knocking on Heavens Door in a reggae feel, easy play and comes over well. Forget the audience and enjoy the experience. [/quote] SW, thank you and will look into the Sande number.

Thanks JT and Gapiro, I will get the set list when I can, meanwhile I will look into those suggested numbers.

[quote name='Lynottfan' timestamp='1443033705' post='2871735'] You don't know any full songs My friend you are truly in for a baptism of fire! [/quote] [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1443035569' post='2871761'] Fingers or plectrum..?? Dakota with a plectrum is very doable..with fingers, for you, ..?? no. The song is made or broken on rigid 8th notes...and too many finger style players struggle on a relatively simple but fundemetal ask... Unless you are 250% certain, I'd avoid... Not trying to bust your confidence... just being practical. IMO. [/quote] What I should have said is I have not learnt any songs. I know all the songs from the Rockschool bass books, it is not just scales and exercises. Sadly they are bespoke to the exams to get technique etc right. I am not too concerned at learning something, it is really my memory and finger speed on technical stuff where I miss out. I ran through Dakota last night with fingers against a youtube video with tab, without too much difficulty; it seemed straightforward, if not repetitive. It won't be one of the songs though. A baptism of fire, of course it will be, but it is only getting the bass right I have issues with. I used to regularly present to 400 plus people so the stage / performance issue is no fear (at the moment). I have also acted on stage and played lead trumpet with a band, albeit many many years ago. There have also been a couple of posts on BC from people playing in a pub band within a minute of picking up a bass guitar and being self taught, I hope the last 18 months of weekly lessons and nightly practice every night will be of some help. I am not kidding myself it will be easy, it won't be but there are enough circumstances that let me think with the right tunes I will get away with it. KISS will be the way forward. Trevor re the band, I can't find a website, but apparently there is one. I will call for the playlist again and/or website.

Thanks again. The thing is, I do not yet know any songs! I can play you anything from the first four Rockschool bass books and some snippets of various choons with some confidence and ability but, I have yet to spend any time on anything publically playable. Hence the somewhat odd question.

Thank you all, again. I think I will use a music stand or other "security blanket" (e.g. notes (in black!) / iPad) if nothing else just to keep the nerves at ease on the night. Hopefuilly I will be able to remember two songs but the aide memoir will take away concerns. As for songs, Dakota is a great and easy song to play but perhaps not for a woman lead vocal? Not sure. Assuming the play list is not forthcoming, I will look into all the suggestions above and see what fits. Despite the couple of months timing, I am already fired up at the prospect. TrevorR's first and last paragraphs are especially helpful.

"I've got a good mind to give up living and go shopping instead". BB King

Guys, that is fantastic help and some great commemts, thank you all. I do like Dakota as it is easily playable, I will have another go at getting the set list too. Will let you know what happens. V excited at this opportunity.

A good friend (girl lead - singer) with a four piece semi pro band has offered to let me to sit in with her band for two numbers as an intro to gigging. It will be on a full stage with sound system and with an audience of approx 250 people ( a private party in the style of a mini rock festival with three bands). I have asked for her playlist to see if there is anything on there I can cope with / learn. Her (trying to be helpful) response was; you pick the songs and let us know; we will learn them if they are not in our list. i have yet to talk about rehearsals. Two issues, I have a poor memory so the song must not be too long (no Stairway to Heaven or Rapper's Delight). I do not want to use a music stand (I learnt that from here!). Secondly I am still not very strong with very technical fast stuff. Embarrassed face. The band plays most genres (no Metal or C&W) What cover songs would recommend for a probably very nervous old guy that are not too long, will sound good to an audience of 20 to 65 in age and are not too flashy from a bass angle. I do have a couple of months to prep. 18 months experience and about to sit rockschool grade 4 bass.

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1442660527' post='2868553'] Out of curiosity how long have you been playing for, and what exam are you due to take? When I teach, I encourage all my students to use as many different basses as possible, different necks, tone, radiuses help to get you used to any bass and able to play any bass on a whim without over thinking it. [/quote] I have been playing approx 18 months and taking Rockschool grade 4. Since my post, my tutor has switched 180 degrees and I am now on my P Bass with flats. We have agreed to switch to the Stingray 5 however once this exam is done (which should be the next 6 weeks or so).

I used to listen to music intently including usually having an hour or so to myself with a whisky and some great jazz every day after work. When my father died (a semi pro musician withi his own band), it all stopped. Several years later when I picked up bass, I started again but now typically as background music only. I still love live stuff, but not really anything broadcast and I cannot remember when I last fired up the hi-fi.

What about buying a small trolley? I move my kit around that way. Maplin are doing the one I have for £20 down from £36. Code N48JQ on their site

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1441950213' post='2863143'] I wonder if many bassists with endorsers actually prefer other basses , I saw a guy play recently who had a status endorsement , he played 90% of the gig on a fender jazz , only picked up the status for a few songs [/quote] There was a moment a few years ago in tennis where one or two of the top pros were using rackets by one manufacturer sprayed etc to look like their sponsors kit. Perhaps more difficult with guitars but I am sure there are a few who meet your point.

Anything by Spike Jones, but especially "You always hurt the one you love" and the Hawaiian Love Chant with the opening lyrics "as the sun pulls away from the shore and our boat sinks slowly in the West....." The Monster Mash. Boris Picket and the Krypt Kickers.

I use to use an RS112 as my practice kit, along with an RS210. Both powered by an RH750 and had no problems.

Not a long list from me but: Matching headstocks; wood switches / pickups, especially those that match the body; ramps of any kind and multi patterned woods. I am not saying never, but I have yet to find any guitar with the above give me the "wow!" factor.

[quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1441055572' post='2855787'] I use a hartke LH500 with 2 TC cabs. A bc210 and a bc212. Very pleased with the sound I get but the LH500 is not to everyone's liking due it's basic Eq [/quote] Thank you and will add that to the list.

I want to buy a reserve amp in case my RH750 goes wrong, but would also like to try something different. Have you any experience of non TCE heads with one or two RS212s? If so, what worked well sound wise and what not? Should I not mix and stick with TCE heads? Whilst I love my rig, my perception they do not resell so well on BC. I am not gigging yet so a different sound is not an issue for me, I am still finding my sound. Key genres are blues and jazz. From any advice I can put a short list of heads to audition. Thank you.

Someone will come along and recommend some good you tube courses, meanwhile you may wish to look at the following books: Hal Leonard is the publisher: Bass Method Music Theory by Sean Malone Hal Leonard: Bass Method Music Complete Edition by Ed Friesland Both are available from Amazon. Re the 5, at risk of teach gin grandmothers to suck eggs, the easiest thing I can think off is that the 5th fret of the B string is the same as the open E. If you work of that, it may save a lot of time instead of moving up and down the neck. Very easy to move from 4 to 5 if you think that way.

[quote name='GisserD' timestamp='1440686955' post='2852980'] no funk? [/quote] As a jazz fan, I am one of the broader minded people. Of course their is no funk, I mean for Heavens sake, there is no place for that sort of music in a serious survey. :-)

You are only about 16 months behind me in time, Welcome, and keep your wallet away from the very tempting for sale section!

Dingwall ABII as just played with at Bass Direct. Just need to check for some any change behind the sofas etc.

I cannot make the gig but this brings back fond memories of Back Street Luv, one of my first singles and one of my first female fantasies - Sonja Kristina! Hope it goes well.

Welcome. What bass do you play? :-)