blue

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1497633082' post='3319706'] There are at least a few others I know of and I bet a load more as well, but I think the majority are hobbyists to whom it's either a pure hobby or brings in money to cover the GAS. [/quote] Agreed Tbay, But even the hobbyist should ask questions. Probably different questions from those of us doing this for a living but questions none the less. Blue

If you see an ad for a band looking for a bass player and you were impressed with their website and YouTube clips, you still might want to ask specifics and clarify they have what your looking for and if the band on the website and YouTube clips is the same and current line up. Blue

Always ask questions. While it might be the case, no one is going to state in their ad; "If your looking for gigs were not for you, I merely want to play the part of "rock star" in my basement.' Blue

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1497613590' post='3319484'] If its not for you then its end of story, we all know you play for a living so its different to a lot of bassists on here. For me the only way to get the perfect band is to start your own and make all the decisions, all the time. I would hate that. Being in any band is, for me, about everyone making compromises. We all have slightly different ideas about music, and gigs per month, even If we love the same genre so being able to compromise a little makes for the perfect band. That, and everyone bringing a little of themselves to the party, thats what makes the magic. A pro touring band with hired hands will be a completely different thing and a different set of requirements. [/quote] Am I the only one on BC that plays for a living? I don't think there is such a thing as "a perfect band" under any circumstances. Blue

[quote name='Monkey Steve' timestamp='1497612669' post='3319473'] I agree that the original ad doesn't quite match up to the details you then got from them and the steady income stream that you're after, but there may well be plenty of bass players who would be happy to join the band.[/quote] I can understand why a lot of the details were left out of the ad. This might be the case with many ads. Steve ,I agree with you however, for those that don't ask questions and are happy to just join a band and are not looking for money are still the very ones that most likely to be disappointed. Blue

[quote name='grumpyguts' timestamp='1497507658' post='3318676'] We have sax player who tells us he has been playing Hard to Handle for various bands for nearly 50 years. Should I ask him why he can't play it without looking at his notation? [/quote] Yes, let us know how he responds. Blue

[quote name='joeystrange' timestamp='1497460372' post='3318387'] Their bass player has decided to leave at the end of the year. [/quote] Does that work for you too, you don't want to join this band until 2018? Are you playing with other bands now. Unless the band was famous and there's an opportunity to earn above average pay, I'd never committ when there's a 6 month time frame open. Anything can happen in 6 months. Blue

BTW, I don't like belaboring my oint/ position, however if I can mitigate just one bad band experience for anyone it's worth it. Blue

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1497550144' post='3319083'] As promised: Sod's law that I have had a migraine this afternoon so feeling pretty grotty and not up to a long session. First impressions are positive, it's had some life and I knew that when I bought it. It's what could be termed 'well gigged condition'. Sound is very nice but need to crank the TE up a bit to get a real feel for that and that will have to wait until a time where my head won't explode if I do. Build quality is very good and compares well with the Fender I have. And as to the big question - neck dive, the answer is............... NO! It feels completely neutral and a couple of ounces wither end would make the difference I think. Lightweight tuners could make a difference but I don't think they are needed really. The neck is nice and fast, I need to lower the action a bit to get it spot on for me but it's ok where it is for now. So am I glad I got a Gibson? Hell yes! A scruffyish one cost me the price of a new Epiphone and I am happy compromise on condition a bit (if it was perfect I would worry about gigging it anyway). Would I buy an Epiphone? 100% yes. Just can't wait to get a proper session in now. Blue and FinnDave - it's all your fault (in a good way) and thanks for posting your experiences. [/quote] Nice! Now your a member of the "kick arse" crowd. Very cool looking Gibson Thunderbird. Congrats Blue

Hi Guys, I am posting a good example on why it's usually important to ask a "boat load" of questions before you commit and join a band. Here is the ad; "High level cover band looking for a full time bass player/ vocalist for gigging band. The band features two talented female lead vocalist and does a wide range of tunes from rock to country. Must be at least 21 to apply, otherwise age is not a factor. This inquiry is for serious players only please." Here is the response and answer to my questions and how I found they're not a match for me and the ad was only part of their story; "Blue, This band is going to be getting busier as the summer months close out. As of right now I'm finishing out playing drums for another cover band through October before I leave for tour. Southbound will be my only band starting in January of 2018 and has also been asked to sign an exclusive contract with ACA entertainment. There will be about 7-10 more dates before I leave for tour which, then looking to have the band booked for around 40 dates through 2018, making it a full time band. Because I have a gig with a national touring group, I've been able to guarantee fairly high rates from the band from the get go. Pay right now is anywhere from 70-150 per show with the realistic goal of having my band members make a MINIMUM of 150 per show in 2018." The BL was completely honest in his letter to me, so cool. Interesting, I couldn't find any gigs on their schedule or live YouTube clips. Also, I would have absolutely nothing to do with the agency he referenced. My point, again ask questions and do a little research before joining a new band. Any thoughts? Blue

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1497466309' post='3318482'] The Gibson arrives tomorrow :-) [/quote] Pic please. Blue

Why is there so much time before you join the band? Blue

When a band no longer can provide or meet the requirements you set up for yourself before joining, it's time to move on.If you don't know why you joined a band, I don't know what you do. Even if you joined for fun, when the fun stops, I would think it's time to look elsewhere. For me it's simple. When the money stream dries up it's time to start looking. And for guys that depend on the money you don't quit until you find something better. Blue

I still contend for guys doing bar gigs pedals are still extremely relevant. Multi-Effects units are a better fit for recording. Granted some of the very expensive high end units might be awesome. But for bar band guys, we don't need to access 50 million amp heads and cabs.The other thing is the learning curve for those units is really high. Way past my IQ. Push the button, I can handle that.😁 Blue

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1497293145' post='3317132'] the same applies to demo clips as applies to playing bass on your own through headphones, it will sound totally different in a gigging environment, we've all been there, sounds great at home, sh*t at a gig [/quote] Agreed Blue

[quote name='grandad' timestamp='1497082736' post='3315682'] Just spent about 20 mins on Youtube watching a number of his videos. Tried to find something I could bare listening to all the way through but I'm afraid to say I failed. I did try! He is obviously very accomplished. I am 69 this year but I don't think it's an age thing, just not my cup of tea. I concur with Blue. Anyway here's something by way of contrast that I'm able to appreciate, best listened with a cup of tea and a rich tea finger biscuit whilst sitting in a comfy armchair. Lovely sax solo![/quote] Yup, I'm with grandad. I'm not saying Thundercat isn't talented ,and I do believe he is more aligned with the new direction of bass. I'm saying , I don't get it, I don't even get what the appeal is. This guy in the clip below is more what I understand. It's old school and I hope it's not dead yet; https://youtu.be/KSgw2-Ei3e4 Blue

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1497262672' post='3316826'] If bands didnt start up there would be no bands for you to join though. would there? In most instances its also the only way to get a band together with the same musical mindset as your own. Sometimes you have to take the lead, I cant always be a follower. [/quote] I can't argue against your point. I'm in no position to join a start up because it usually means no gigs and no income. Blue

[quote name='redbandit599' timestamp='1497263055' post='3316829'] Yep - the cheap pedals bandwagon! I look at it as part of the fun, but don't really expect to ever get to a final destination. I've also been through four fancy (and very nice) chorus pedals, before deciding that a Boss was 'good enough' and selling the others. My attention has shifted from drives to filters and reverby things now - oh dear... Blue - Tech 21 VT Bass is damn good though, that might be worth a try. [/quote] Thanks Red, I check out some demo clips. Blue

[quote name='Cuzzie' timestamp='1497288917' post='3317074'] Have to agree, although you could refine it and say 2 pedals that were poo for you....! [/quote] Yeah, so is price my answer. I should by a more expensive OD pedal? Blue

Another thing, I do all my tweeking & twerking in the bedroom through headphones and everything sounds great. Then I get to a gig and it's not the same.I should know better. Blue

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1497270746' post='3316905'] Do you have a tweeter running in your cab(s), and/or do you have a "bright" switch on your amp that you tend to engage? These, I've found, are a bit of a minefield with OD pedals, as they put a high shelf on your sound - this can add a nice clarity to your dry sound, but gets massively overemphasised by the OD pedal. As for loss of signal...I assume you've tried ODs with a "blend" control? Then the question really becomes what you're trying to do to your sound. If you want a fat, distorted-but-still-"in-the-pocket" sound then I'd suggest trying a bass fuzz instead of an OD. Personally I keep my OD in the chain for lead playing, and in those cases I found that most bass ODs scooped the mids too much, but a Bass Tubescreamer does the job just nicely. [/quote] I'm running GK RBX 2x10 cabs. I never turn the tweeter on. I can blend my signal with my MRX M85 Bass Distortion pedal. Blue

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1497266936' post='3316859'] A bit of an odd one - a football club building. We got there, a brand new but slightly deserted building next to a set of fields, in an area with lots of new houses. Set up in their large empty new echo chamber, the guy said that we were too loud (we are, but that is not changing), so we decided to set up outside instead on the patio area. The guy said that it was an experiment as the place was new and the community hadn't got used to the idea that it was also a community are rather than just a football area, but he was expecting a few people. Didn't hold out hope for either the weather or the audience, but the sun came out, the audience turned up in droves, and we went down well. At half time he offered us more money to do another few songs at the end so we did. When we did finally finish he was quite drunk and trying to offer us more money to play for even longer, but we were kind of happy to leave by then. Wouldn't be unhappy to go back there. [/quote] Cool story. Nice job! Blue

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1497266373' post='3316855'] The Sun Inn in Llangollen on Saturday night. I like the pub and it's punters. We've done it a few times before but it seems quite far out of the main town, and it's always been hit and miss for us in the past. We had agreed not to do it again but somehow it made it's way back into the calendar. Apparently it's "on the scene". Well, whatever, we got there and it turned out their soundman had let them down and so the land lady had begged a friend to come and do the sound. He was clearly struggling, didn't know the system at all, took a good hour to get anything close to workable. Anyway, it turned out he saved two scenes on his digital mixer - one for the acoustic warm up act, and one for us. Then the mixer was locked and he went home. The land lady knew how to switch scenes but that was it. When we got on stage I couldn't hear a thing, just mush and (my own) drums. So from the band's POV it was a real struggle and we weren't that great. However, once again the audience were appreciative, complimentary afterwards, bought CDs etc... so like we all know, it doesn't matter if we're crap, as long as we keep it going and try not to let on, they'll love it But it sounds like you had a good one Blue? [/quote] One of our best in terms of the crowds response and how many people paid $20.00 a head to see us. We had been struggling for a few weeks and really needed a good gig under our belts. Blue

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1497262794' post='3316827'] Never realised that Al was a Montclair boy ... I just assumed the Wailers were all Jamaicans. [/quote] I've known Albert since grade school, he lived across the street from my house. IMO Albert's rock and blues guitar style westernised Bob's songs, positioning it for more mass appeal. Blue

[quote name='CameronJ' timestamp='1497226929' post='3316693'] What about them is a pain in the arse? [/quote] No matter how I tweak them, when I'm gigging and engage OD the signal drops and I get a lot of harsh high end. And as I said it doesn't happen with any of my other pedals. I'll use my MXR M-85 Bass Distortion for OD. I can get plenty of sustain from my TC Electronics Chorus (Corona). Blue