BrunoBass

Our last gig as a quartet last night at The Bell in Bicester. Always a good gig in there, and last night was no exception. Good sound, up for it Saturday crowd, and everyone singing and dancing by the end. Also, a presentation to our retiring guitarist Dan for five great years. Next stop for us (and our first as a trio) will be the Deerjam festival at Ye Olde Reindeer in Banbury on 3rd June.

Nadine Shah's new track 'Out The Way' is excellent, imagine 'Faith' era The Cure backing PJ Harvey.

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1495203045' post='3302127'] Yep. The one drawback with 5 instruments is that they tend to fill all the spaces up. I love playing in a 3 piece as its liberating, but everything you play can be easily heard and is crucial to the sound, even to the none musician. [/quote] Exactly that. I have nowhere to hide now, as everything I play is suddenly very apparent. I'd like to think that my game was high already, but since becoming a trio I've been forced to raise it higher.

My band are in a similar position having just become a trio following the departure of one of our guitarists. We decided pretty much straight away not to replace him, but his leaving has necessitated a complete rethink of how we continue, which has been trying but exciting. The first few rehearsals without him were strange but we've gotten used to it and have all enjoyed the process of editing and reworking the set. I in particular an revelling in the space I now have, and the fact that I only now have one humbucker / Marshall combination to compete with... If you do choose to rip it up and start again I'm sure the mojo will soon return.

I'm sure I've seen footage of Lemmy using a capo on his Rick.

Sad news. What a voice.

Happy Birthday Basschat. I've only been around for 18 months but I enjoy contributing and have learned a lot while I've been here.

One from the other night in Banbury.

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1495026809' post='3300585'] Can we now use the word "guitard" again? [/quote] Only if the caveat 'it's just banter' is used... 😉

My school mate's dad used to have a car sticker that read: 'You toucha my car, I breaka your face'. Easily changed from 'car' to 'bass'...

75% of our set I play with my fingers, the remaining 25% with a pick. I wear my bass fairly low, waist height, but have never felt that I need to play at different heights depending on the playing style. I'm comfortable at waist height for both. I dont slap but if i did I'd probably have to wear the bass higher though.

Does anyone have experience of the J&D Precision Bass? It's a similar price to the Harley Benton equivalent. How do they compare to Squier's Affinity range?

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1494532509' post='3296836'] I'm thinking we will be playing to at least 3,000. I'm already nervous as hell. I'm conjuring up images of me hyperventilating and having an anxiety attack. Biggest gig of my life. Help! Blue [/quote] I've never played to a crowd even approaching that size, sounds amazing!

I have no time for political correctness in it's extremes, but my opinion is that using this phrase isn't acceptable. Am I offended by it? Not really, but I feel that corrupting a word that descibes mental handicaps or learning difficulties to use as a 'humorous' but ultimately derogatory term is out of order, and no more acceptable than calling someone 'spazz', or some other unintentionally cruel playground jibe. I'm sure nobody means to cause offence, but all the same I'm uncomfortable with it. But hey, it's only banter, isn't it?

The going rate in Oxfordshire for a two hour pub gig is £250, I can't see the rate in Surrey being too far away from that.

[quote name='Wylie' timestamp='1494166301' post='3293723'] My typical American response--as if it only happened over here! ... duh. [/quote] The tone of your response suggests the lighthearted nature of my comment has gone right over your head.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1494368391' post='3295499'] With me, they were supportive until the actual gigging started. Remember in the States bar gigs are 4 hours. That means leaving home at 5:00 and getting home at 3:00am. Blue [/quote] I'm not sure the amount of hours you're out is an issue. If you're gigging, you're out for the night, whether it's 5 hours or ten hours. Either your partner is cool with that or she/he isn't. Mine is, fortunately, but I then I'm not gigging all weekend every weekend.

[quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1491855705' post='3275963'] The through neck Rockinbetter's have 3 piece maple necks, and generally basswood body wings. The net result is they're a bit lighter than a Ric. [/quote] I've heard that said a few times but my Rockinbetter weighed a bleeding ton, which is why I eventually moved it on. The body seemed significantly thicker than a Ric too.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1494276679' post='3294684'] I would question any young guys in a gigging band that are married with young children. Blue [/quote] Why? I'm not exactly young but I'm married with a young family and I am in a gigging band. Works for me.

[quote name='lowregisterhead' timestamp='1494149820' post='3293590'] That's a good point Rhys - so much of peoples' sense of identity is wrapped up in what they do, and even more so with musicians, IMHO. It's certainly the case for me. Whether it's to provide some consolation that our life isn't as ordinary or mundane as the next man, or to give us some sense of belonging to a special tribe of some sort, along with satisfying our ego with the chance of recognition by the public and our peers. Sorry if I'm getting a bit too deep and philosophical! [/quote] I think there's a lot of truth in that. I've never analysed it in that way but I think you've nailed it.

My main gigging bass (EBMM Stingray) is incredibly stable and only needs the tuning checked before each set. There are a couple of songs we do though where I really dig in with a pick, and I always check the tuning afterwards as the attack can put it out very slightly.

We were back at The Swan in our hometown of Banbury last night. It's always a good crowd in there and last night was no exception. It was the penultimate gig (and the last hometown gig) for our guitarist Dan, who is retiring due to health issues, so we had lots of friends in. It was busy in town, with four other local bands playing the town centre pubs, but a few of them popped in to wish Dan well, which was really nice. We played really well, great hot and sweaty atmosphere from an up for it crowd, and lots of smiles, singing and dancing. It's nights like that that are why I do what I do. Here's a few photos, if anybody gives a damn 😉 https://www.facebook.com/bmoyce/posts/10154354218631644 Next stop for us is The Bell in Bicester on 20th May.

[quote name='Wylie' timestamp='1494000147' post='3292537'] Admirable treasure indeed. Can anyone my age (67) forget first seeing the Hofner bass in Paul McCartney's hands on the Beatles' February 1964 appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show? [/quote] 1962 for British fans 😊

We've done house parties before, we've got a barbecue / pool party to play in a few weeks. Can't wait!

Jerzy Drozd is probably wondering why his website has had a sudden surge of visits...