blue

Rocco Prestia, hands down. He's the king of ghosting notes. And ge doesn't slap or thump. Blue

Picking is whole new skill set for many.It's not easy if your looking to become a really good pick player. There are a lot of good YouTube tutorials I found very helpful. Blue

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1460992874' post='3030463'] agreed there, but this is what i would refer to as a "working band" as opposed to a "hobby band" [/quote] Agreed, and thanks for the diplomatic exchange. Blue

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1460980807' post='3030310'] I've owned a signature bass. This one: [IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/Bass/YamahaBJ5B.jpg[/IMG] It's the Terry And The Blue Jeans signature bass. I had little knowledge of the band before I discovered the bass, and having heard them they are far to much at the "show band" end of Surf Music for me to really like them. However if, like me, you want a 5-string bass in the Yamaha SBV shape this is the only way of getting one without having someone custom build one for you. I'm also interested in the Brad Houser version of the Reverend Rumblefish Bass, despite the fact that I have yet to hear any music by the artist in question that I even remotely like. [/quote] That is one cool looking bass, How can you go wrong with white with gold trim. Blue

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1460992319' post='3030453'] I guess the fact of the matter is that you would compromise on the music you play, rather than go back to working "for the man", but it just so happens that you're lucky enough not to have to compromise [/quote] Yes, that's exactly where I'm coming from. Let's hope my luck doesn't run out. If my band of 10 years folded, I would be screwed. I'm telling you, for guys like me, not really networked or on the A list for getting calls for work, finding a band with a good solid book of business is impossible in my area. Blue

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1460991676' post='3030443'] certainly not, but at the same time, there is no shame in not getting paid for it if that is your choice. i'm sure we would all love to be playing music we love and getting paid for it and fair play to you for being in that situation, but it's not always an option [/quote] Agreed, I say, for all those that like playing for free have at it. If that's your choice. On the other side of the coin and to make things a little clearer. I don't think any band is traveling, setting up lights and sound, playing from 9:00pm- 1:00am then tearing down, selling a ton of alcohol for the owner and getting home at 3:00am for free. I hope not. Blue

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1460991064' post='3030432'] But have you not said previously that money from your band is not your only source of income? If so isn't it somewhat misleading to give people the impression that you live off playing in bars. [/quote] Maybe a little misleading. My pension is so small.I could never make it on that a lone. Most of my income is from gigs. Blue

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1460989241' post='3030417'] So you only play the music you love, and you're making a living from it, but if you only played the music you love you'd be broke and bandless?!?! [/quote] I'm just lucky my band plays the music I love. I was never restricted by it. My point was I'd rather work than restrict my opportunities by only playing in bands that play what I personally like. Seems simple to me. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1460966703' post='3030118'] Must say that I agree that you are looking at a lot of things to make it work. For me, it is musical chemistry, easy to to work with go-for attitude and out of a lot of things, the music/player is a given. You can be supportive as people have other lives ... but once you have a direction, people should be able to do as they say. So, things like gig frequency, money, hours, travel are all 1st base agreements. It doesn't so much matter what you agree to as long as everyone is on the same page. I prefer all-equal bands, but accept that some people are more dominant and able to devote time to doingwhat needs to be done and others can only just turn up, due to demanding famiiy commitments etc , but as long as the turn up and work when they sat they can, then that is ok. In fact, a lot of people with limited time are pretty good at organising themselves to be ready as the CAN'T waste time.. You just have to know and have established all the working rules .. And another aspect, a lot of stuff I turn down is because I know it wont work for me long term, so I don't get myself into a situation where I waste their, and they waste my time. If the thinking is, I'll give it 6 months... then you kind of know it isn't working already..? [/quote] Agreed, I say, know what you want out of a band experience. If you haven't defined that ,your looking to be disappointed. I'm not in bands to be anyone's mate or buddy. I'm your business partner. Yes, I said "business", it's not a bad word in my book. I think being able to tell early on if your working with good, honest trustworthy prople is of the utmost importance. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1460966703' post='3030118'] Must say that I agree that you are looking at a lot of things to make it work. For me, it is musical chemistry, easy to to work with go-for attitude and out of a lot of things, the music/player is a given. You can be supportive as people have other lives ... but once you have a direction, people should be able to do as they say. So, things like gig frequency, money, hours, travel are all 1st base agreements. It doesn't so much matter what you agree to as long as everyone is on the same page. I prefer all-equal bands, but accept that some people are more dominant and able to devote time to doingwhat needs to be done and others can only just turn up, due to demanding famiiy commitments etc , but as long as the turn up and work when they sat they can, then that is ok. In fact, a lot of people with limited time are pretty good at organising themselves to be ready as the CAN'T waste time.. You just have to know and have established all the working rules .. And another aspect, a lot of stuff I turn down is because I know it wont work for me long term, so I don't get myself into a situation where I waste their, and they waste my time. If the thinking is, I'll give it 6 months... then you kind of know it isn't working already..? [/quote] Agreed, I say, know what you want out of a band experience. If you haven't defined that your looking to be disappointed. Then there's my own pet requirement. I'm not in bands to be anyone's mate or buddy. I'm your business partner. Yes, I said "business", it's not a bad word in my book. I think being able to tell if your working with good, honest trustworthy prople is of the utmost importance. Blue

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1460988601' post='3030411'] Don't you think these two statements contradict? [/quote] No, I don't. Blue

[quote name='neilp' timestamp='1460988522' post='3030408'] Agree with Blue for once. I love being on stage, mostly for the pleasure of seeing an audience enjoy themselves. If that meant Mustang Sally, Brown Eyed Girl and Billy Jean for the rest of time, I'd still take that deal [/quote] Cool Yeah some guys have real different take on playing. No this isn't a hobby for me. I love entertaining and being a part of the entertainment business. Yes guys, I said "business". Business is not a bad word in my book. Blue

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1460976100' post='3030234'] i'd much rather play stuff i love and not get paid for it, than play stuff i deeply dislike and get paid for it. but then i don't play music to make money, i play it because i live and breathe it. if i make any money then it's a win win. if i played music as my job, i'd grow to hate it. [/quote] Really, my love grew for it when I realized I could make a living from it. And I am playing the music I love. It's all still great fun, performing live it always has been. Getting paid is also part of the fun. There's no shame in getting paid for your trade. Blue

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1460964402' post='3030091'] A lot of us have music as a hobby rather than a primary source of income. I very much doubt I could get the same income from playing in a band (and stability) that I do from my day job. Having the day job lets me find bands that I see as having potential (or forming) and not worrying about the money aspect [/quote] I'm not like "a lot of you" Not having a day job allows me to do what I want when I want. I call it freedom. I'm not punching a clock for anyone. And I'm doing just fine. I'm not rich but, I can eat ,pay my mortgage and all my other expenses. Blue

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1460987389' post='3030396'] I don't have his talent or ability, it's why I'm still playing 76 four hour bar band level gigs after 50 years of playing. Blue [/quote]

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1460975068' post='3030226'] So how come you don't play like he does then? You clearly need a DFA switch! He's amazing. Thanks for posting Delberthot et al [color=#BBBBBB][font=Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=2]https://youtu.be/RM34UHE6EN8[/size][/font][/color] [/quote] I don't have his talent or ability, it's why I'm still playing 76 four hour bar band level gigs annually after 50 years of playing. Blue

He's from Milwaukee. Blue

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1460817065' post='3029052'] After another awful rehearsal, where the other guitarist kept on dicking about, the singer got pissed, the drummer was pissed, myself and the guitarist called it all off. we were going nowhere. After a handful of successful jams, where we actually played a number of original songs, and played around with ideas with a view to writing songs, it's descended into covers and arsing about, despite our efforts to keep it on track and write and play songs. Last night was the straw that broke the camel's back, the first hour was mildly amusing, though not very productive, and then it descended into farce. The guitarist and I just kept going until it got to the point about half an hour before the end of the session, when I just started to pack my gear away. Oh well, back to the drawing board. [/quote] You really have to put a lot of thought into what your looking for in a band. Weren't there any "red flags " that indicated these guys we're not going to work out for you? Blue

Talented guy, but not relevant to me. I'm restricted to the greats from my generation. McCartney Joco, Prestia, Graham, Chuck Rainy, Weeks etc.. Blue

You can get burnt buying new. Almost all my basses were bought used, several are vintage. No regrets on any of them. Blue

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1460851942' post='3029375'] Well, In the true spirit of Bass chat, I must recant my earlier ravings and also wholeheartedly apologise to all who's time I've wasted in reading, and commenting on my original statement. I've just got back from a wedding gig having obviously met with the band on arrival. I was met by the drummer and guitarist who at this point, were up for not playing there again. Our singer arrives and informs us all (including her own husband LOL) that collecting from the audience had always been the case and had been mentioned at the original booking a year ago. We had never seen a collection before as it was apparently usually done at the bar, when people settled their bar tabs and food bill for the night upon leaving. I guess we would normally be clearing away at this point. She didn't see this as anything worth mentioning at the time and so it was forgotten. I'm not blaming her for my wrong assumption in any way and it was my fault that I didn't check what she'd slipped in my pocket at the time as I had a monitor in each hand. I only looked on the way home so all this would have been avoided had I checked whilst still there. I hold my hands up 100% for jumping the gun. Apologies all round. Just a quick edit to say that this was never about wanting more money, I had wrongly assumed that people had been misled. [/quote] I would never accept a gig knowing we were being paid from a pass around. Blue

[quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1460889909' post='3029514'] OP: Were you playing "au black"? I am assuming yes, so it all becomes a bit of a moot point. Those of you not familiar with the French system, if you are getting correctly paid for a gig, it is supposed to be "declare" and taxes, plus the French equivalent of NHI etc paid. There are a few venues in my area (Brittany) that will actually pay a non-declared band to play, but there are less and less. Usual system is for a "member of the audience" to pass a bucket round for contributions, which is the bands fee... Landlord provides booze, often food and sometimes a place to sleep if you are from out of town. And YES most gigs have a "majoration" if there is a band playing that is getting paid. My local venue just slaps a euro on the cost of your drink once the band has started playing. [/quote] I do this for a living. I can't pay my mortgage with food and drink. Blue

We're lucky, we have an administrator that let's the owners know what our fee is and how we conduct business. Nobody, well on stage talent has any contact with the owners. The administrator collects our fee prior to performing. We all have our compensation in our pockets before we play one note. We're in the States so it's a little different over here. Tips are a part if the business model for bar bands over here. We have a tip jar discreetly placed on our merch table. The tip money is usually an extra $20.00 in everyone's pocket.We wouldn't think of passing it around. I have to tell you guys, I think the bar owners over here are more band friendly or fair to bands than what I have learned about your pub owners. Guys tipping is big over here. We had a guy that has come to our shows and has tipped everyone in the band $100.00. He even tipped our sound guy $100.00. And it's happened at more than one gig. The man is a true supporter of live music, the guy is a Prince in my book. I know tipping is looked at as sort of crude in the UK. Blue

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1460772428' post='3028673'] Maybe he would have found it difficult to pay your fee without the collection? I doubt his profit from drinks would have covered it. It's certainly thoughtless at best and morally suspect at worst, but at least he's willing to put live acts on. It's a bit iffy I suppose, but worse things happen at sea, or something. And it's a great gig for you, otherwise. Do you really want to give it up? What about your adoring fans? Are you going to deprive them of their entertainment on a point of principle? One of those rare situations where I can see both sides of the argument. [/quote] I could never side with the owner on this one. Remember the OP is 64, I'm 63, at our age we will not tolerate doing business like the OP described.That pub owner crossed the line. Blue

I don't think your over reacting, sounds like he paid you from tips from the crowd. Unless I have misread your post,it sounds like the owner got free live music. Blue