blue

[quote name='Wolverinebass' timestamp='1433241529' post='2789200'] I appreciate that everyone's viewpoint is different. For people like Blue and those who get paid well for playing, money is a key consideration.[/quote] So there is no misunderstanding, I get paid, I am not paid well. It's not a lot of money . Over here, we are what they call a $100.00 a man band. Meaning we have a fee and we stick to it, if you book us for 3 dates at a time we may give a very small discount. If I have $300.00 in my wallet at the end of the weekend it was a good week. Blue

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1433230803' post='2789020'] The advantage of a start up is that you can expect more of an input into the music. Join a gigging band and you get the gigs at the cost of having to learn their set, their way in a few weeks and then sticking to it for a long time. With a start up you might have a couple of months of rehearsal but with more chance of playing stuff you really enjoy. I don't think one is better but both suit some people more than others. [/quote] I agree,depends on who you are,experience, age and what your looking for. Some of us, well at least me, when you have been doing the local rock band thing for decades you pretty much know what you want and what you don't want. Above all you have to be realistic. I play in an established rock/ blues cover band, when I joined 4 years ago I was looking for an established band, owned a PA for rehearsal and gigging with a verified income stream. I was not looking for nor had any interest in input to the music. Like you said, that suits me at this point in my life. When I was a young guy it was all about original material, writing and input. Never made any money and didn't gig much. Now it's always about business, what I have to offer and what a band has to offer ( pay). I am much happier on the covers side of the fence and have much more fun. Blue

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1433181524' post='2788666'] The single worse bass I have ever played was a 1981 Gibson Flying V bass. I played it in the legendary Musical Exchanges in Birmingham in around 1990. It looked the absolute business, dark blue with a black pickguard, the shop lent me a strap and as I stood up I felt like I was about to go on stage at Wembley. Then I plugged it in & started playing a few of my favourite bits & pieces. Everything I played sounded like Blart Blaart Blaart. The shop assistant actually came over to check if there was something wrong with the Amp but other basses sounded fine through it. I should have been suspicious that this bass had a £350 price tag when everything else in the shop with a Gibson logo started around the £1000 mark. In the interests of objectivity I should point out that's the only Gibson V bass I have ever played & it was nearly 10 years old when I got my hands on it. There may be much better examples out there. [/quote] The Gibson V models I have seen were more in the $1,500.00 range used. Blue

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1433196656' post='2788906'] We're all middle aged with day jobs, probably the demographic of more than half the people on here, so a couple of gigs per month would suit everyone just fine. If it had been every weekend I wouldn't have done it, I have other interests, [/quote] With respect, it sounds like what you say, middle age guys that really have no strong drive to gig. It's sounds what I would call a "for fun only" band. So, no not a "start up" band. I think it should be easy to keep a "for fun" band in place. Keeping a band together where you have guys rehearsing and rehearsing and wanting gigs and then there's no gigs. That's a "start up" and things fall apart. I must be the only guy with no other interests. Blue

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1433193328' post='2788859'] I don't know if my latest project would be classed as a 'start-up' band or not. The 3 guys I've hooked up with have all played in a band together before, one of them also occasionally does acoustic solo gigs. We've so far done 4 rehearsals in a room with gear provided, we've just done one set up in an empty room with our own gear to make sure we can get a decent sound with our collective own equipment and we are allowing ourselves another rehearsal of the full set, we will then start actively chasing up gigs (I think there has already been some interest from some of the other guy's contacts). Isn't this the usual thing then? [/quote] Depends, you guys might not really want to gig much, I don't know. If you suddenly find yourselves gigging 3-4 times a month with paying gigs then no that's not the usual thing. If you get a few gigs here and there and the band falls a part, that would be the usual thing. Blue

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1433187641' post='2788755'] Very good advice. I always try to avoid the following: 'Wanted - bass player, guitarist, drummer, vocalist, keyboards, bagpipes, etc etc' ...as it's inevitably a fantasist thinking a ready-made band is going to fall into his lap. Problem is they don't always list all the instruments and can have multiple ads - one for each instrument - to trap the unwary! [/quote] Yes, you really have to check the other instrument ads to put that puzzle together. Blue

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1433186368' post='2788732'] [OT] Hey Blue, loving that blue G&L ASAT bass! [/OT] [/quote] Thanks, I have been gigging that bass a lot lately. I found it used, $500.00 with case and all the papers. It's ok, it doesn't like all of my pedals. Blue

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1433171714' post='2788526'] With respect to Blue, I think there are probably a few more opportunities even for the more 'mature' player over here if you live in a reasonably well populated region and have transport. There are times when I've gone a full year (most 'off' time I've had) between bands but that has been as much to do with my priorities as there were potential bands to audition for. If you have realisitc expectations (and I think the OP Clive does from these and other posts I've read by him) there are gigs out there still. I'd rather move on to another project than keep slogging along with something that I don't think is really working at the expectation level I had when joining. [/quote] Another thing you might want to check. When you see an ad for a bass player for an established band, many times they are also looking for a guitarist, drummer and vocals. Which means a band has fallen a part and it's someones desperate attempt to float a sinking ship. Here's another thought, a band says they are looking for a bass player, you check out their web site and everything looks cool. Always ask if the band is the same line up as seen in their web-site. You might be looking at a photos of a band several generations back, when they were good. Oh that "hot chic" she's not with us anymore. Blue

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1433185503' post='2788717'] So not only was there no band - there were no gigs, no festivals, no money and no songs! Nothing at all, in fact![/quote] That pretty much defines "start ups" IMHO. Blue

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1433178083' post='2788615'] I would have been much more likely to allow myself to become deluded for, say, $1500 a gig. [/quote] For a legit touring act (500- 2,000 seats) with a catalog of hits $1,500.00 a week would be acceptable for bass guitarist/ sideman. Blue

$100.00 bucks a show? That's my pay and I'm in a local bar band. lol Blue

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1433152228' post='2788205'] Thanks for the thoughts Blue (And everybody). What I want from a band at my time of life (58) is to be out gigging in pubs 2 or 3 times a month, and having fun. I am not a great or flashy bass player, but think I am solid enough for that to be realistic. However I have no illusions that it will ever be more than that. On your second point: This was the original problem, the singer wanted to do stuff that he liked (fair enough), but it was mostly pretty obscure. The rest of us also wanted to do stuff we we liked, but that your average pub audience would know and enjoy (mostly classic rock and bluesey stuff). (And before anyone asks that did include a few cheesy ones). Also, to make it clear, the guitarist and drummer both had very valid reasons for not wanting to carry on, e.g. pressure of work. Also they both work for the county music service and felt they needed to concentrate on that. Can't help but think that if it weren't for the singer creating tension it would still be going though. [/quote] That seems realistic to me. I think finding an established band ( been together for several years with core member intact and a track record of gigs ) might be the way to go. I would steer clear of [i]"start ups"[/i] but only because 99% of them never see their first gig, at least that's the way it is over here. There are no perfect bands but if you use some basic guidelines your chances of finding something that will last will be higher. I still say finding plain old "good people" means a lot. No prima donas and people that take this local rock band thing too seriously. It's tough, if I were to lose my band I would be screwed. Finding another established band with good people and consistent good paying gigs would take years in my neck of the woods. Blue

[quote name='spacey' timestamp='1433009756' post='2787053'] Endless practice does kill bands, it makes some, but others turning up every week and paying studio rates and nobody has done begger all work wise at home and things soon boil over. If the band had gigs and a name keeping that name an momentum going is easier than a fresh start and more attractive to people looking, move on, let em go, get some adds up. [/quote] Many say, at the local level, if you don't have gigs you really don't have a band. Blue

Define what you want out of a band experience at this point in your life and then decide if what you want is realistic. I have a buddy that will only play music he personally likes which is obscure by most standards. He doesn't understand that because of his requirement he will never find himself in any kind of gigging band. Blue

Cool looking bass. I would be interested in a Gibson model. Blue

[quote name='4-string-thing' timestamp='1433075587' post='2787536'] That didn't come across as intended, I like gigs when it all goes well, ie, we play well, it's well attended, people love and adore us etc. I got jaded a while back, in a band where I seemed to be the only one putting any effort in.... Getting gigs, doing websites, running the P.A, loading it into the van alone, arriving 2 hours early, unloading it on my own, unloading it at home alone at 1am etc.... [/quote] That's not the way we operate. Everyone arrives at our gigs 1.5hrs before our start time. We all. set up out own gear and help load and unload, sound, light and drums. We leave any bad vibes behind and were there to perform and have fun. For those looking at joining bands, before you accept go to one of their gigs and observe them, not only on stage but when they're loading in and out. See how they get on with each other. Blue

1.5 hour festival gig, Nice stage, sound and lights provided. The sound crew was top notch. The sound on stage was flawless. It was nice to get away from the 4 hour bar gig. Unfortunately it was freezing and there wasn't much of a crowd. Blue

[quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1432937936' post='2786508'] Since 63 for me. 1st single i ever bought was Wanna be Your Man. but I lost interest a bit after Sticky fingers. loved Some Girls, but since that theres been nothing that really impressed me. [/quote] I think the 80s were a rough time for them. Me, when you got me, you got me for life. The Stones have had my admiration and support since 1965. One of the few real rock & roll bands left on the planet. Blue

[quote name='Thunderpaws' timestamp='1432878372' post='2785772'] Ha. Same here. It's my ODB3 I am struggling with, and that's after doing the Monte Allums mod. It helped a bit but not enough. It has a sparkling mid to high gain OD sound now though. Very responsive and useable at those settings. [/quote] I bought into a lot of reviews that must have been written by guitarist. My opinion, the Boss ODB-3 is not an overdrive pedal. The thing was a problem from day one. My Dr.J Soloman Overdrive is simple 2, gain and level, I love it. Blue

[quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1432929162' post='2786394'] Or they could do gigs at huge venues, for a huge fee, 1 or 2 gigs a week, staying in luxury hotels, with hired help, nurses, doctors etc on the payroll. It would be a couple of hours work a week done that way. When I saw them they didnt seem to have rehearsed much, although tbh the mid 70s were not their finest hour, were they ? [/quote] I first saw them in 1972 and last in 2005 and many times in between. I'm such a huge fan I like the unrehearsed shows and the very polished note for note big production shows they put on today. I have been following these guys since 1965. Blue

If the band isn't ready to present 30 minutes of music at the respectable level, I'd pass on it. Blue

[quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1432887275' post='2785830'] I saw The Stones for probably the last time in 1973. And again (for probably the last time) in 1976. They will probably go on for years yet. [/quote] Mick and Keith could play blues in small venues well into their 80s. However, I think they're too famous to play any small clubs. Blue

[quote name='Thunderpaws' timestamp='1432913417' post='2786181'] The switch is absolutely fine. Smooth and precise. Doesn't come through as audible at all. [/quote] [quote name='lefrash' timestamp='1432884204' post='2785797'] What's the switch like on this? Is it quite clunky? I had the sparrow pedal, which I used as an always on preamp. Sounded amazing but the switch made that massive thud when used... [/quote] No clunkiness and no massive thud. Best $69.00 I have ever spent. Blue

[quote name='Thunderpaws' timestamp='1432828927' post='2785406'] Hi. Fed up with my Old drive pedal. Looking for one that has a lovely warm smooth (not metallic) character but will also retain a bit of definition and oomph. Budget would be just north of £100. Mostly, like ALL, rock of an alt and classic nature. Want to use it as always on (for majority of songs) and be able to crank it up for the odd aggressive bit. [/quote] Had the same problem with my Boss Overdrive a few weeks ago.I pulled the Boss ODB-3 Overdrive and replaced it with the $69.00 Dr.J Soloman Overdrive. I really like it, it's easy to use and gives me a warm grit/crunch. Blue

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1432851508' post='2785707'] I think that the problem is more down to the type of venue! If you play pubs / clubs that punters specifically go to see live music then you will be treated with respect (if you are any good)! There is still a decent audience who frequent those sort of places, but crowds are not as big as they were, say ten years ago, due to people having more options on how to spend their leisure time these days not to mention the them having less money to spend on going out due to the recession, etc. However, if you play town centre venues that are trying to provide entertainment for a passing crowd (i.e. to get them to stay for one extra drink because there is a band on) then you are pretty much bound to get a less knowledgeable audience who do not hold music and musicians in the same high esteem as those who patronise the more specialist music venues. The trouble is that the town centre venues tend to pay more…! In my recent experience, there are certainly younger people who do appreciate live rock music. However, there are definitely a lot less of them around than there used to be. Remember, people like you are fortunate to have lived thru the glory years of rock music where it was undeniably the most relevant form of popular entertainment. Rock music is just not as important to many younger people… [/quote] Yes Pete I did experience the glory years. I was 10 years old that magical year of 1964. The year everything changed for many of us. And I was up and and gigging within 2 years 1966. It will be great next month going to see The Stones probably for the last time. Yup all us grey hairs will be there talking to each other talking about the way it used to be and [i]"I went to this concert and that concert "[/i]and [i]"we did this and we did that".[/i] Apparently there was some Pink Floyd concert in Milwaukee back in the 70s that they haven't gotten over yet.lol Yeah, it was great and we were young. Blue