BrunoBass

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1474309941' post='3137035'] Paul, I haven't seen it yet. What was your biggest "take away" or something new you learned about The Fab Four? Blue [/quote] 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.

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.

A white with black pick guard Precision with a maple neck. I'm in a bit of a Paul Simonon phase at the moment. I really fancy one of those Eastwood Kustom K200 copies as well.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1474024888' post='3135037'] His playing on the One Step Beyond album inspired me to pick up the bass. [/quote] Slightly later than One Step Beyond for me, but one of the first basslines I ever learnt was The Business (B-Side of Baggy Trousers). So many great bass players came out of the 2-Tone scene; Mark Bedford, Horace Panter, David Steele etc..

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1473981108' post='3134776'] He's a cracking player, and has a great tone. Fantastic timing, too. [/quote] Wholeheartedly agree. A much underrated bassist.

Last night was our first gig as a band since July, following a bit of a break for holidays etc. We played at The Swan in Banbury, one of our favourite venues to play, always a good crowd and lots of fun. A pretty unremarkable gig really, yes we played well, got a good audience reaction and all the rest if it, but we are so well rehearsed everything seemed a bit, I don't know, efficient? I appreciate we're payed to be like that but I just felt like we lacked that spark last night, I like the buzz when things are a bit 'flying by the seat of the pants' if you get my drift. Next week we're playing a 40th in a remote part of Wales so I'm sure the buzz will be very much in evidence.

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1473540871' post='3131143'] This lad could play a Gibbo, go to about 39 mins 30 secs and hang around for a couple of minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqcpx2K2SVA [/quote] I just clicked on to watch Jim Lea's solo and ended up watching the whole thing! Wonderful stuff. Thank you!

Ever since I saw the guy from Vampire Weekend using a Kustom K200 I've really wanted one. Scarcity and rising prices mean I'll probably never even play one, let alone own one. I see Eastwood now do a copy; has anyone tried one? https://youtu.be/wA3y7RcJEPA

No. It's about what you can do with it, not what someone else has done with it.

Thanks for all the comments people. Some good advice to explore there.

In my eternal quest to find gigs for my band I'm thinking of exploring gaining bookings in military bases. There are a few RAF bases close to us and I think it might be worth trying to get in. Has anyone done or is doing the base circuit (if indeed there is one), and if so do you have any advice on going about getting bookings?

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1473454370' post='3130459'] Maybe go on a cruise. I played on one for a summer 5 years ago. It was sight reading every night for the whole band. Have a look at the photo of James Brown's band that was posted last night. [/quote] The difference here is original material. I've been on many cruises and have indeed seen cruise bands sight reading. I've also seen Squeeze live several times and have never seen them (or any other 'famous' band playing their own songs) using a tablet or music stand before. I can't deny James Brown's legendary status but still doesn't alter the fact that in my humble opinion music stands have no place on a rock/pop etc bands stage.

I finally got round to watching the Glastonbury coverage I'd saved off iPlayer yesterday. Surprised to see Glenn Tilbrook with an iPad on stage. I don't think I've ever seen a pro band with music stands / tablets etc on stage. https://youtu.be/5u5rc-JuAeA

About an hour is plenty for me, which is quite a wide catchment area for where we're situated (North Oxfordshire). We often get offered stuff on tbe south coast or the north but being honest I can't be bothered to travel 3 hours to play in a pub for pocket money.

Thank you all for your advice and kind offers. I guess trying lots of amps is the answer, although buying used as I plan to do limits opportunities for this. I was hoping for advice from other Stingray players regarding what they use, so thank you again. My band plays rock, so my tone is eq'd to cut through the sound of the two humbucker equipped guitarists without treading on each other's toes, frequency wise. I want punch and clarity and I find the inherent sound of my BG250-15 a bit droney (probably the 15" speaker is a contributory factor). Incidentally, the tone of the amp through headphones is perfect.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1473254511' post='3128370'] This is a really difficult question to answer - the fact is you need to try stuff out.. You're welcome to come and try some of my backline (RH450/750/Mesa) with my cabs - or take a trip to bassdirect to get an idea of the tone you're looking for.. I'm off to the South bass bash on the 24th where there will be a ton of stuff to try out and people to ask - you're welcome to carshare with me.. [/quote] Thank you, will PM you tomorrow.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1473288211' post='3128831'] Paul, here's an offer for you: If you are playing somewhere between Banbury and Swindon (say Oxford, Chipping Norton etc) and I'm free, I'll bring my amps and cabs for you to play through (see signature but ignore Markbass practice amp!) PM me if interested. Also have you thought of going to the SE Bass Bash? You could probably try 20 rigs there with no obligation to buy! [/quote] Thank you. Will PM tomorrow.

I play a 2eq EBMM Stingray and play pub gigs with my band. I'm currently using a TC BG250/15 which is ok, lightweight and loud enough, but I've never been totally happy with it (see thread http://basschat.co.uk/topic/276521-cant-get-a-good-tone/ ) I want to upgrade soon, and will buy used as pennies are tight, but what's crucial is having something that lets my Stingray speak in its own beautiful voice, instead of the harsh, boomy sound I've tolerated (and unsuccessfully tried to dial out) for the last year and a half. Can anyone suggest anything appropriate please.

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1473168706' post='3127598'] Bump!!! [/quote] Good job. I hadn't seen this before. I'll get adding!

I started on guitar when I was 14, learned a bunch of chords and started writing songs. 30 years on that's as far as I've got on guitar and it's all I still do. The difference is I'm now 47 and I play my songs in pubs and cafes. To me the guitar is a tool for writing songs, and I've never had the desire to be a 'guitarist'. Bass however is a different thing altogether. I couldn't afford a bass guitar until I started work at 17 so I used to tune the strings of my £10 junk shop acoustic down and play along to bass lines on records. As soon as I got a bass I joined a band and applied myself to being the best bass player I could possibly be. I do have a desire to be the best I can be and that's what keeps me going, even if I know my skill/talent level hovers around mediocre. So I guess developing an affinity with an instrument and feeling the desire to improve for the sake of playing is what lead me to choose bass over guitar.

[quote name='Chaos Daveo' timestamp='1473146860' post='3127261'] Great gig at a new venue in Stafford, The Cellar Bar a cracking venue and much needed in the area. It was pretty packed out and the crowd were fantastic, possibly the best gig I've every done in performance and atmosphere. This was on Saturday and I'm only just recovering... [/quote] Looks like my kind of venue...

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1473115357' post='3127161'] Have got a set to learn, an I can't focus. I'm knackered and I'm doing it as a favour, although I will be paid. Does anyone else just lack patience with new tunes? [/quote] For me, it depends on the material. I play in a covers band, I have little patience for learning songs I'm not into, but complete perseverance for a song I like.

Our lead guitarist is 40 next year and has already made it clear that he wants us to play at his do, which is fine by me. Our frontman got married a couple of weeks ago and there was vague talk of us getting up to do a couple of tunes at the reception, but for whatever reason it didn't happen - a pity, as we were all up for it!

My current band peaked at about 8-900 earlier in the summer at a festival, but on our usual circuit we average probably 5% of that...

Currently loving Angel Olsen, her new album is just out. This one wil stick with me awhile.