blue

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1462194905' post='3040955'] Interesting thread - I've been thinking going from 4 basses currently down to two - just cos I don't need that many! The one I wouldn't ever sell - my 1991 streamer stage one. Was a bit of a dog and tried to sell it quite a bit back in the past. But Bartolini pickups, an ACG preamp and a Alpher bass fret job transformed it! that looks ace - and I remember you saying that ACG you've got was on your "keeper" pile too! Triggers broom/bass! [/quote] I love the maple neck with crown peal inlays. And a cool double racing stripe to boot. Very cool looking bass. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1474312065' post='3137068'] If they don't get used, they don't get the 'love' so they can be sold. I've never 'got' a huge collection that never gets played... Must be just me then.... [/quote] I know what you mean. I have 7 basses. I'm not a collector. I bring 2 to every gig, they all get played in rotation. Last weekend it was my G&L ASAT and the Gibson ES 335. This weekend it will be one of my MIJ Fender Ps and my Gibson Thunderbird (traditional tobacco burst). Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1474316566' post='3137134'] My first bass was a short scale Vox. I could never sell that, but I was lucky to find someone gullible enough to accept it for nothing. [/quote] Vox, yeah they had the tear drop and octagon body style. I don't know how much of the market Vox had on guitars and basses. But the tube guitar amps they're selling now are supposed to be really nice. Blue

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1474317804' post='3137151'] Blue, if that post is a genuine reply to mine, then I have to say you are propagating the belief that American's do not understand irony. [/quote] I don't think it was. I'm sure as a nation we understand irony. I just happen to be the dim bulb in the lot. Blue

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1474320094' post='3137179'] To be fair, British music has a better export history than British humour. It's strange how the American people knocked back comedy giants like Morecambe and Wise yet have taken appalling, malodorous sub-humans like Ricky Gervais, Russell Brand and James Corden unto their collective bosom there to be rewarded with largesse and adulation. It's not a funny old world, really. [/quote] A lot of the humour out of the UK goes over my head. You have to dumb it down for Yankees like me. For example, Monty Python. Their jokes went over my head. But the funny walking was hilarious. Blue

[quote name='6feet7' timestamp='1474313553' post='3137086'] OK. I'm going to say it then. I don't like the Beatles. But I also don't like anything any of them did individually afterwards either. Whatever their influence I just don't get it or them. [/quote] Not liking them is understandable, not understanding or denying their place in music history is another story. Blue

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1474311383' post='3137055'] One thing I never knew was that they put a clause in their contract precluding them from playing to racially segregated audiences in the US. [/quote] Yes, Ringo mentioned that in a recent interview. I also understand their first stint in Hamburg was 6 months. Then I think they got deported because of George's age. Thanks for sharing the tid bit Paul. Blue

I can't part with any of mine. Gigged with my Gibson ES 335 this weekend and it was a blast. My Gibson Les Paul Gold Top bass and Gibson 1991 Thunderbird are just too cool to part with. My German made Hofner Club bass with Cavern Club PU spacing is one of 48 so I'll never sell it. The G&L ASAT bass with active pre-amp is my primary gigging bass. It"s also is a keeper. And my 2 MIJ Fender Ps are also wonderful. I put a lot of thought into these purchases. None were fast impulse buys. Blue

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1474295995' post='3136897'] The Beatles would have been a much more relevant band if McCartney had used a Precision with rounds through a solid state Trace head with Barefaced cabs.. [/quote] In those early recordings that Hofner bass thump was part of their signature sound. There's no rock band more relevant than The Beatles. Blue

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1474274450' post='3136609'] Apparently George said in 1989 with a sigh "I guess it's never going to end" [/quote] And he was "spot on". Blue

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1474309486' post='3137028'] I saw it last week and I thought it was fantastic. I'm a Beatles obsessive so that's hardly an objective opinion but I really, really enjoyed it. It's had quite a limited cinematic release in the U.K.; if you are interested and want to see it you may have missed out until the DVD is released, but if you can try and see it on a big screen with a great sound system do. [/quote] Paul, I haven't seen it yet. What was your biggest "take away" or something new you learned about The Fab Four? Blue

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1474294314' post='3136885'] And that's exactly it. It is history. And while the majority of pop/rock musicians who have come in their wake have to a certain extent stood upon the shoulders of the Beatles to get where they are, as time goes on their influence becomes less and less relevant. Here in 2016 two of them are dead and the other two might as well be for all the impact they have had on popular music in the last 20 or so years. Even when I was getting into music at the age of 10 in 1971, to me the Beatles were already old hat. And as a band they were no longer playing together and therefore they weren't releasing any new material. I quite liked one of Ringo's singles and thought that Wings made a couple of decent albums, but when there plenty of bands coming out with new and exciting music, why bother with a band that isn't going to be releasing anything new? Made nostalgia is something you get more into as you get older? [/quote] Hi Big Red, With respect, I think your missing the point. And many of us think Beatles music has, is and will always be incredibly relevant. They will still be making movies about The Beatles 50 years from now. Those of us that were there and are huge fans know why. I'm not talking about listening to The Beatles, there's no bigger fan than me and I don't listen to Beatle records. I'm talking about their historical importance. No offense, but your comments and opinions are completely "out of pocket" IMO. Again, if you weren't there it's hard to explain this historical phenomenon. Blue

I'm a Spacehog fan. Blue

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1474284977' post='3136749'] i had a listen to some of their stuff, but they just seem to be ripping off Oasis. [/quote] Is Oasis still relevant? Blue

[quote name='bumnote' timestamp='1474291393' post='3136856'] My daughter took me and we had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. [Apart from the woman behind who sang every song, not quite in key][/quote] I'm going to take my youngest son. He's 27, hopefully he'll learn something. Blue

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1474291175' post='3136850'] Didn't you say you were about 8 years old at the time? [/quote] 8 or 9 years old.To me it was the perfect age , until The Beatles came along the only clear thought I had in my head was "get candy". Blue

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1474284977' post='3136749'] i had a listen to some of their stuff, but they just seem to be ripping off Oasis. [/quote] I'll never understand why you guys mock and have very little appreciation for this incredible part of music history which is yours. Or is pride another culture difference? Blue

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1474280748' post='3136694'] I'd like to see it purely because I'm a sucker for Beatles history, there's previously unseen footage and despite Ron Howard not exactly being my favourite director, he does know how to tell a good story in a positive way. I bet it rattles along pretty sharpish. And I could do with cheering up. Plus, it's a documentary and not some God-awful coke-fuelled plagiarised Hollywood bullcrap. Again. [/quote] I saw some of the interviews with Ron, Paul and Ringo. The movie is about The Beatles early touring years, 1963-1965. I can't wait to see it. Blue

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1474276735' post='3136620'] You had to be there apparently or something like that...... [/quote] Exactly, if you weren't there it's hard to explain. Actually impossible to explain. And I believe the level of Beatlemania was a lot higher in the States. Blue

Not great, last night the club had old electrical wiring that gave some of our gear problems. Nice size crowd for the first set, after the first set the place emptied out. Oh well Blue

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1474113180' post='3135707'] Do you smoke weed.? [/quote] Last time I did, it was 1976. So, no I don't smoke weed. Every musician I know that smokes weed is broke. And alcohol never enters my body. I must seem pretty boring to most. Blue

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1474107961' post='3135651'] I think it gives the audience a chance to calm down a bit. Music is all about light and shade. Too many bands just play at an audience, assaulting them with a wall of noise. [/quote] We attract a lot of older couples that like to slow dance. We probably have a half dozen slow dance tunes for them. "People Get Ready" still works quite well. People like it. Blue

I rotate all 9 of my basses for gigs. I'm not a collector. I have several GK bass rigs that I can match for specific gigs or venues. Blue

[quote name='Les' timestamp='1474079404' post='3135492'] Agreed Blue After the playing there has to be the discussion. [/quote] Yes, and the discussion can be the hardest part of the process. Blue

[quote name='Les' timestamp='1473890971' post='3133999'] When we're auditioning there's a level of competence that must be reached for you to be considered for the band. Once you've reached it your up for discussion, doesn't matter if you've completely leapt over the level or just hit an acceptable level.. Then it comes down to is he a nice guy ? Will we get on with him ? Can he sing ? Is his gear good ? Where does he live ? etc etc. I can see no advantage to the band in setting this level higher than it needs to be to be honest. Les [/quote] Hi Les, Above and beyond playing skills, some bands should consider the following; When were talking about gigging bands, bands that are out gigging 2-3 times on weekend, I think a new guy has to be questioned and willing to discuss his ability to commit. Take the guy that is married with 2 young children. You really have to find out if he can commit and get an honest answer on how his wife feels about him getting in at 2:30 in the morning Saturday and Sunday. In the States most young wives with children won't stand for it. Why does he want to be in the band. We all know that there are some guys that want to join bands but for all the wrong reasons; 1. A means to get [i]"me time"[/i] away from the family. 2. Access to women, alcohol or drugs. 3. The guy trying to re-live the past.. All bad reasons to join a band.Thus, a band candidate. Blue