farmer61

Is it just me or does Lars Ulrich come across as a bit of a knob!

When looking for a drummer and Guitarist we looked on.......forget the crap name.....partysounds.co.uk, and found them. Free as well.

My band want to get into more corporate / private functions and feel we may need the "services" of a booking agent. Does anyone have any recommendations of reputable agents who cover the South / South West of the UK. Armed Services functions seem of particular interest to us. Thx

[quote name='Hamster' post='367012' date='Dec 31 2008, 12:51 PM']Go for the band. You can always go study bass somewhere at a later date.[/quote] +1 for common sense

[quote name='deaver' post='377084' date='Jan 11 2009, 07:58 PM']That's odd. I was going to go and see you but ended up staying in. I'm sure they were advertising you as playing lasy night?[/quote] We'd have spotted you cause you probably would have been the only punter in. Out of interest are there any good places to play in the Salisbury area. We've tried Winchester Gate - Last minute booking due to another cancellation not really suited to live music Stagg Inn, Charlton All Saints - Scarey audience plus they dicked us around last time we were booked there Wig and Quill - Unhelpful staff and rubbish layout and finally the Huntsman........ Salisbury is a great location for us but finding a decent venue is proving a challenge. Cheers

[quote name='benwhiteuk' post='377326' date='Jan 12 2009, 12:44 AM']I'd agree, but the problem with doing that is you'd be unlikely to ever get a gig in Salisbury again;[/quote] Very true, we appear to be poxed with Salisbury, we've yet to play a venue that works for us there and it's a great location for the band as it's bang in the middle of where we all live. Plus just cause the landlord couldn't organise a piss up in a.........pub (I suppose) I still feel we should try and remain professional and keep any moral high ground! Ho hum!

We were due to play the Huntsman Tavern in Salisbury yesterday on a % of takings. Played here once before, was an ok gig, nothing special. Anyway we pitch up to find out that we're double booked with the Landlords (ex X Factor contestant) Karaoke night. We confirmed the gig over the Christmas period and sent some promotional stuff. The gigs not been promoted there are 5 people in the pub with not a lot more expected, so our percentage cut is likely to be very very small. Obviously we're a tadge pissed off, the landlord isn't even there. Suffice to say we didn't bother and left cancelling our booking for September. If you're playing this venue make double sure that your booking is confirmed to avoid a wasted journey. Argggh!!!!

Signed

[quote name='Stewart' post='348614' date='Dec 8 2008, 01:58 PM']I take it along to every gig in case of rig-failure, and every practice (sharing half-a-PA wih vocals).[/quote] +1 Me too

Just bought the Shure PGX system for Guitar and bass, I also have the PGX Mic system as well and they're fantastic IMO. No degredation of sound quality, I've played it over 30 meters away, through walls and people and still bashes away. I've used the Samson Wireless system (for bass) and they don't compare. If you can stretch to several hundred pounds that would be my recommendation.

The best ever, 250 Tux'd and Frocked punters, I really don't think that the last hour can get any better than this. The whole room pogoing to Pretty Vacant, priceless!!!! Got flu today though

Ace of Spades with two acoustic guitars and vocal, always proceeded with an apology for M'head fans in the house.

No pics but a brief history on each of the basses I've ever owned. 1. Unknown P-bass copy sold in 1978 to buy an engagement ring. First bass bought afer scrimping and saving. Too long ago to review, but really wish I hadn't sold it. (1976-78) 2. Marlin Slammer P-Bass. Action was rubbish but sound was ok. Sold to fund purchase number 3. I know who has this bass and I want it back. (1986-2000) 3. MIM Fender Jazz. The bass with the most sentimental value, bought in 2000 and finally got me to gigging level. Top sound, great action, just had de-fretted and still great. I will never part with this bass. (2000-present) 4. MIM Fender Jazz 5 string. Never got on with it, couldn't work out what the 5th string was for. Px'd for number 6. (still in the store for sale at a massive markup!) (2002-2005) 5. MIA Fender Precision Deluxe. Lovely looking and sounding bass, p/j pickups bought over ebay. Nothing wrong with this bass, just never played it in anger. Sold to fund some Scuba purchases (2003-2007) 6. MIA Fender Precision. One of my two workhorse basses. It's a fender and it's a Precision not much more to say. I will never part with this bass. (2004-present) 7. Takamine Acoustic Bass. Not my greatest purchase. Need 18in arm extenders to play it really. Nice sound, kept it by pc for trying out new tracks/tabs etc. Not really robust enough for gigging. Sold to fund some Scuba purchases (2004-2007) 8. MM Stingray IV. Best bass purchase s/h. Saw when getting no 5. serviced, just fell in love with it and bought on a complete impulse. I love this bass, my first proper non fender bass (although technically I suppose it is). Third guitar never to be parted with. (2005-present) 9. Crafter 6 Electro Acoustic. Thought I might go over to the darkside and try guitar. Ain't really working out. My ego just isn't big enough. (2006-present) 10. Rickenbacker 4003. Bought in New York and brought back (sneaked it in). Great looking bass and a dream to play. Last one of the dream basses to get....until the next one. (2006-present) 11. MM Stingray V. Just bought this beauty off of basschat.co.uk. Lovely natural colour to compliment bass number 8. Second visit to the mystical art of 5 stringers. Great looking and great sounding piece of kit. (2008-present)

3 hours, no break playing to the cast of "Deliverance" in bandit country. Played well, got paid and survived the experience. Won't be going back though!

Goto www.activebass.com seek out Grizman (Steve Walter) who will happily make you a fantastic leather strap that you can design yourself. I have 2 they are superb. He makes them himself in the US of A and ships worldwide. He's also a top bloke to boot! Look left and you'll see one of 'em!!!

Would have to be my 4 string MM Stingray no brainer for me. However if I could sneak out my Jazz bass aswell for sentimental reasons (first proper bass, first bass that I gigged with etc) that would be good!

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='336545' date='Nov 25 2008, 06:56 PM']Yep, +1 on the Herc![/quote] Nope -1 on the Herc. I had one, first time I used it, it collapsed causing minor damage to a new ric and my fender P. The device to hold the centre stand was not man enough to handle 2 basses imo. I use 2 micro stands good enough for gigs.

[quote name='Absolute-beginner' post='321522' date='Nov 4 2008, 07:57 AM'].......am writing all this down. I know its very lazy, but learninfg all this via the tab method, which I have been doing up to now. Good or bad. Ta very much for all your input tho, keep 'em coming. i have loads of space on the Tascam! Matt [/quote] No single song although I keep trying the bass solo in "My Generation" when I want to push myself......still trying though. However to really improve join a band, you will never look back!

[quote name='casapete' post='317686' date='Oct 29 2008, 03:53 PM']Great bassline! Also the follow up 'Can't get by without you', very similiar kinda thing. Saw The Real Thing live in the 70's, backed by a great 4 piece band with a wonderful bassist.[/quote] Saw them in the 90's backed by a backing track!

Anyone here play in MK, looking for a pub venue that put's on Covers bands. Cheers JF

[quote name='deaver' post='304184' date='Oct 10 2008, 09:16 PM']Damn, only just noticed this. We're playing the same venue on Nov 21st. How did you get on?[/quote] We had an ok crowd in, couple of birthday parties in, although not the hoards we were promised. Good night, apparently if you get a bit of response from the regulars you're doing well. We've been asked back which we'll do, we've had nightmares with Salisbury gigs in the past and this was the best by a long way. They are nervous about noise levels so keep on asking for bass and drum levels to be kept down as best as possible. I think we were paid more than the percentages we agreed I think, so it wasn't the disaster it could have been fee wise. Summary good pub, friendly landlord (don't ask him about X-Factor though) and reasonable crowd in, we may have got a number of bits of private work from here so all in all a good night. Hope this helps!

2 points. [list=1] [*]If you're a pub band (like we are) and not a typical functions band NEVER play a wedding unless the Bride and Groom have seen you, and what you do it's just too risky! [*]Never play the First Dance unless your can really and truely pull it off, it's too important! [/list] I hate 'em but they do pay well but will only do them if point 1 above has been adhered to.

We tend to keep things simple and play Jingle Bells and White Christmas punk stylie........although we start White Christmas with 1 guitar and mellow vocal for the 1st verse, get the groans out of the way then punk it to the end. Gets a laugh and when we last played it we had the hardest looking bloke pogo ing to Jingle Bells, was really quite funny!

[quote name='BigAlonBass' post='304698' date='Oct 12 2008, 09:20 AM']We were called "Back In Black" but we've since gone our separate ways. The "Angus" in that Band is now the "Angus" for Livewire. [/quote] Small old world...