BrunoBass

Sarah Jarosz. Found her yesterday on Spotify and am very impressed. Looking forward to getting acquainted with her three album back catalogue. https://youtu.be/X09s37tJ09s

My band does modern rock covers and I primary play a EBMM Stingray. I use a warm, slightly valvey overdrive from an Ibanez Phat Hed pedal on 90% of the set which works really well. For some songs though I try to get an approximation of the tone on the original recording. For instance, the Muse songs we do wouldn't sound right without a synthy, Muffy tone.

I'm just home from tonight's gig with the band, our first time at The New Inn in Buckingham. Hopes were not high as we loaded in due to the handful of drinkers glued to the TV in what is a small pub with one bar. More people came in as gig time approached and by the time we were a few songs into part one of the set the place was rammed, with one of the most 'up for it' crowds we've ever played to. Absolutely brilliant, loads of dancing, singing along, spilt beer and smiling faces. We played really well, great sound from my rig and from the band as a whole. The crowd wouldn't let us go with two encores demanded and afterwards lots of hands to shake, drinks offered and backs slapped. Definitely one of the best gigs we've done and certainly one of my favourites. I'd definitely recommend the venue to any bands wanting to play there; very friendly, amenable landlord too. Very happy. I'm now at home with my first beer of the night (I was driving) trying to come down from the post gig high before I drag my tired body to bed. Next stop The Bell in Banbury (back on home turf) next weekend.

I think the bit about emotional authenticity is subjective; by all accounts he's been through some pretty heavy personal stuff recently (albeit all of his own doing). Musically, though, yes I agree. There's nothing much to get excited about for me.

I have a lot of respect for Andy Rourke's bass playing. Whilst personally I wasn't a fan of his tone he played some interesting stuff. The isolated bass line of This Charming Man is worth checking out on You Tube. I was lucky enough to see The Smiths twice (1984 and 1986) and both times I was impressed by how tight Andy and Mike Joyce the drummer were. Amazing songs too...

[quote name='Wayne Firefly' timestamp='1475764921' post='3148589'] I know, Im doing my best to stay cool about it and not be that PITA guy. Just hanging and hanging on. [/quote] I think you've got every right to be that guy, especially as you've paid in full up front. A couple of weeks either way is understandable, five months really is a PITA.

Signed and shared on social media.

I popped into PMT Birmingham yesterday for a bit of a nose around and ended up leaving with a new acoustic guitar. I was greeted with a friendly hello, and the guy in the acoustic area let me try whatever I wanted for as long as a wanted without any hassle or pressure, and although he was doing other stuff he was available for any questions I wanted to ask. Granted, Monday afternoons are probably quiet times but I was really pleased with the whole experience, and have been whenever I've been to a PMT branch, be it Birmingham, Northampton or Oxford. My receipt tells me that the chap who looked after me was called Sean Cunningham. Good stuff.

I popped into PMT in Birmingham earlier today just for a quick mooch, but a used Crafter D-8EQ caught my eye. I've been after a sofa strummer for a while and was really impressed with it and ended up taking it home. I've had Crafter acoustics before and have always regarded them highly. I can't find any info on the D-8EQ though, despite repeated Googling. Crafter's website shows the D8 (non electro version) but not the D-8EQ. Mine has the pinless bridge. I'm really happy the guitar so it's purely academic but I would be interested to find out a bit more about the it, retail value when new (I assume they're discontinued) etc. Does anyone have a D-8EQ or is familiar with them?

Yep very underrated. A good friend of mine and former band mate is part of The Mission's inner circle and works with the band closely, he rates Craig very highly.

Dad was a bass player and played a Hagstrom and later a Hofner Violin bass in a couple of bands in Stafford in the early-mid '60s (The Countdowns and The Sneakers). I grew up on a musical diet of The Beatles, The Who, The Kinks, The Small Faces... Mum was into Motown and Stax, I had a good musical education. Both my parents have fully supported me in any musical venture I've ever attempted. They still occasionally come to watch my band now (they're both in their seventies).

The white Precision that Paul Simonon played in the 'Bankrobber' video. I was 11 years old and thought it (and he) was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. Still do actually.

[quote name='roceci' timestamp='1475177583' post='3143858'] I can't help thinking with kids learning advanced techniques aged 8 & whatnot, there's a lot of feel missing in a lot of playing these days. [/quote] Completely agree.

Like most people here I learned by playing along to records, first with an acoustic guitar that I'd removed the top E and B strings from, and once I could afford to buy my first bass guitar I continued learning with that, playing unamplified at first. Also I had a friend who played and he gave me a lot of tips. Most of the stuff I learned playing to was roots and dub reggae, simple repetitive but tight basslines. I got my first bass in 1991 and have played on and off ever since. I have absolutely no knowledge whatsoever of scales and if I'm honest I've never felt the need to learn them.

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1475072738' post='3142814'] Name and shame! Truly, I have about half a dozen similar stories. A big part of the problem is simply staffing. These stores always happily employ at least a couple of stoner types - you know the ones - about 20 years old, sleeve tattoos, tunnels, wallet chain - know a bit about guitars, calls you 'man' repeatedly. Those dudes. But customer service is of noooo interest to these fellas. They want you to play the instrument for no more than five minutes, and they don't want to do any sort of deal with you. If you want to try any more than two pieces of gear on any given day, they start to sigh. They plug in a guitar, noodle for twenty three seconds, hand you it with a "there you go man" and walk back to the counter to resume their vital conversation about Zakk Wylde. You have a question, but he's nowhere to be found. You try to get his attention but you can't catch his eye. You try the "may I help you" riff, but it fails to entice him. So you put the bass down and approach him. He sees you, but continues his conversation which has now turned to "I'm thinking about getting my nipple pierced". You wait politely until you become exasperated, and blurt out your question. He looks at you as if you're rude, and replies "Danny'll help you, man - I'm just going for muh break." I hate guitar shops. Especially the big chains. Approximately one-fifth of the staff care about you. The rest appear not to. Sorry. Touched a raw nerve. [/quote] That's brilliantly accurate.

[quote name='Kirky' timestamp='1474923868' post='3141600'] This tells you a lot about what you need to know. I'd also ask about the writing/song selection process. [/quote] Yes. The band I'm in has a song selection policy which has become increasingly apparent as time has gone on: that is to say, if the singer suggests it, it goes in to the set. If anyone else suggests anything, it gets thrown out, unless the singer likes it, in which case it goes in. I don't think this is something you can question at the point of joining a band as it's an organic situation that evolves over time as inter-band relationships settle, especially if the band has a 'leader'. I wish I could've asked this question though, as the way things are I'm becoming frustrated and the first thoughts of a possible exit are forming in my mind, but that's another thread...

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1474853409' post='3141054'] Sounds like real low end management to me. Either the alcohol sales were there or not. That's all bar owners I know care about. Blue [/quote] Exactly that. There's one particular band local to me who aren't terribly good (and have been known to be terrible on occasion) but between them they have loads of friends and every time they play anywhere the place is rammed. People = beer = £ so they're never short of gigs.

I've never encountered a hostile stage invader (yet) but we had a guy get up on on to our little foot high 'stage' at a recent pub gig who started to try to talk to our frontman mid song. My initial thought was that he must be drunk and was going to try and grab the mic. No, he was totally sober and was in fact try to ask if he could book us to play at a party. He obviously didn't want to wait until the break.

We played a 40th birthday party in Machynlleth, West Wales last night. Lots of fun as it was a weekend away with the boys, a nine hour round trip in the minibus, all of us crammed into one B&B 'family' room. I'm getting a bit old for this kind of thing on a regular basis but every now and again it's great. The party itself was a typical family do, grandparents down to toddlers and all ages in between. I'm not entirely sure our set was totally appropriate for the audience but it's what the hostess wanted and we went down well enough. Lots of goodwill and free drinks from the friendly natives afterwards. We played tight and well despite my inability to get a good tone from my bass / amp combination, although as usual it was only me who seemed to care. Next stop, The New Inn in Buckingham in a couple of weeks.

Dawsons are pushing these again. Anyone played one yet? http://www.dawsons.co.uk/orange-o-electric-bass-guitar

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1474453605' post='3138076'] I like watching music documentary film things, even if I'm not a fan of the artist or band. For example, BBC4 had a doc about Kenny Rogers. I've never really listened to his material but the programme was very interesting. He's very driven to be good at whatever he does but is also very open minded musically. The part about his collaboration with Lionel Richie was good. [/quote] I'm with you on that. I've never been much of a fan of Kate Bush or Mike Oldfield, but I've really enjoyed recent BBC4 Docs on both artists, that have given me insight into and appreciation for their music.

Frank Turner in Oxford in a few weeks. I've seen him many times and I think he is a fantastic live act. I've never seen him in a seated venue though so it should be interesting...

[quote name='rushbo' timestamp='1474314927' post='3137108'] "Would The Beatles be as successful (or influential) if they'd have been formed in the 70's, 80's or 90's" is a nice, dinner table debate. Guess what I'd say? [/quote] Probably not, because somebody else would've done the groundwork by then. Part of the genius of The Beatles, other than the incredible songwriting and everything else was that they were pretty much making it up as they went along. There was no 'manual' to follow; they were writing the manual. They set the template that every band or artist that has come after has followed, whether directly or indirectly.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1474312209' post='3137069'] 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 [/quote] No problem Blue. You'll be glad to know there are some Brits who think The Beatles are amazing.

[quote name='rushbo' timestamp='1474311163' post='3137052'] I saw it last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. How much it adds to the story is debatable. but it's a great movie and I would urge even the sceptics to try and see it when it eventuality gets streamed/Netflixed and DVD'd to death. My "take away" was just how good a live band they were, even in a hail of teddy bears and Jelly Babies. I guess playing for six or seven hours a night, seven days a week in German clubs can really sharpen you up... After the film ended came the best part for me - the showed all thirty glorious minutes of the enhanced Shea Stadium gig. Absolutely superb. Paul trying to keep it together, Ringo knocking seven shades of something out of his kit and John and George goofing off. Yet it all sounds incredible. Still relevant? Yeah. They were accidental pioneers, breathing new life into a declining dance craze. The degrees of separation between them and the current crop of skinny white boys toting guitars increases with every generation, but that's a hell of a shadow they've cast. Their legacy will outlive all of us. It's OK to say "I don't like the Beatles", but to deny their influence and colossal importance is foolish. [/quote] Spot on.