NickD

I did a lot of military bases in the mid 90s, mostly in Germany, through (If I remember correctly) Satellite Entertainments, a guy named John Metcalf (again IIRC) working out of Tungelroy in the Netherlands. After a while, on the back of the German gigs we ended up doing S.H.A.P.E in Belgium, and a number of gigs over here (RAF Waddington, RAF Linton On Ouse, Catterick, Hedley Court, Edinburgh, and a number of locations around Aldershot). For the German bases we always seemed to be on with other acts from the same agency, even the DJ, so I assume a handful of agencies had it pretty much sewn up at the time. The British gigs came off the back of the German ones, People moving between bases, copping for putting on entertainment and remembering us (it's a big deal to pull of a great event for those given the task, and they're very grateful when you make that easy for them), and also recommendations between related units. Security was fairly heavy at first, but with the regular gigs once we were known, they know the van, they know what time you're coming, they know who's in the van, etc, we were usually through in 10 minutes. We were always really well looked after, fed, watered, accommodated if required, and had some fantastic times. Senior Ranks gigs can be a little stiff early on, junior ranks stuff is just carnage. A professional attitude will get you far, the guys tasked with putting the gig on have a lot of reputation riding on the outcome, and if you make it easier for them to pull off, they will go out of their way to do you favours. For example, as a result of going out of our way to help on a number of occasions and putting on a great show, we were adopted as the 'house band' for 17F Squadron (Black Knights) on RAF Brugen, they would book us for anything, and if they knew we were in the country with a day off they'd set something up. They'd take us down on the Squadron to see the Tornados, private parties for send offs, etc. If you get chance to get your foot in the door, do it. Go in and do your very best job, follow any rules you're given (you won't take any flak for misbehaving, but some poor bloke who's already got a lot on his plate will), and they will remember you for it. Also, you will never buy a drink... the notion that you would pay for a beer seemed almost offensive to them!

40 Euros with p&p. Then again the pound's not what it was.

https://m.thomann.de/gb/thomann_gigbag_acousticbass_jumbo.htm Might just do it with a centimetre to spare!

It's a thought, but I reckon I would wear out my welcome in anyone's motor. Worst case I expect and unbendable leg... could be tricky in a car full of gear... a roof rack might have potential!

Thanks! I shall of course donate my entry fee and gas costs if I'm unable to attend. It's wonderful that such things exist, and they deserve to be supported.

I might have to be a tentative for this now. My re-re-rescheduled surgery is now scheduled for this coming Monday (I almost got out of it again with the doctors strike though), and I'm not supposed to drive for 2 weeks afterwards. It's going to be a cracking day, and if I'm anywhere close to capable I'll be there.

[quote name='Srwu' timestamp='1473267021' post='3128537'] I use a Tascam GB10, you can put MP3s on it and slow them down (or speed them up) to play along to. It also has a built in metronome and tuner. [/quote] +1 for the GB10, I find the ability to adjust pitch without changing speed, and conversely to adjust speed without changing pitch really useful when working songs out, there's also a loop function for working on trickier parts. You can also record your bass part over a track, which comes in handy for passing ideas back and forth. It's a small unit too and lives in my case. I bought the optional extra account adapter too but found that the 2 AA batteries it takes last for ages so I've never used it.

You have my sympathy... I've only got until early November to go now and it's still driving me nuts!

As with a fair few here I used Transferwise. Cost me about 4 quid and took about a day to reach him.

Fretless trumpet FTW! I've always fancied a crack on one of those...I'd be terrible, but it'd be fun.

Famous 5.

I'm working through the first of the Stuart Clayton books at the minute after numerous book failures. The way it builds up is great and it really seems to be going in. Obviously a tutor is the way to go if you can, but I'm happy with my progress so far.

Slayer had just released Reign in Blood, and I could listen to nothing else. Even looking back now, it redefined a genre.

I've never had an issue with my DR's, but that's probably down to liberal application of Fastfret. That works fine, but some don't get on with it.

Never heard of them before now, but at those prices I think I'll give them a try!

Ah sorry. I've seen nothing on the Leaf, it's a bit of a looker though!

Aero71 was selling a Jazzus recently, and I'm pretty sure you'll fid a demo video in the thread if you dig it up.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1471948662' post='3117148'] I would love a simple passive Fiesta Red precision, normal scale, warm vintage pickup capable of growl if used with a plectrum, passive, rosewood board...I'm sure that can't be too expensive a build? Not now...maybe early next year. [/quote] I'd get on with it if you can. The Jake 5 I ordered two weeks ago cost me the better part of £100 more than when I specced it out before the referendum, and it'd be 6 quid more than that today. Also the build time has gone up from 10 to 12 weeks (which I'm sure I can't logically blame Brexiters for, but I will anyway).