Burns-bass

Seemed a troubled chap who loved the rock and roll lifestyle. The band seemed to genuinely love and support him not cut him loose, which makes this sad.

I could never eat a big meal before a gig or fancied one after much. Guess it’s adrenaline.

Having a playable bass will make it easier to sell too.

It’s not bad news, it actually seems very reasonable indeed.

I think I have an entry-level bow somewhere. I’ll check if it’s French, if so it’ll be cheap!

I hated Rickenbackers until I played one. Now I love them.

If you love the bass and want to make it work, then do the work! We live in a throwaway culture where it’s easier to buy a replacement than fix something, and as the guys say here it should be easy enough (if you are happy to get the drill out!). I don’t know much about their Devon hand value, but likely much higher than a Squier cost! If you want a good quality instrument that plays well and should need no work, go with the Squier. I found a Squier jag with the matching headstock for £90 locally ($120) and love it.

So a white person can't be offended by a racist joke?

The problem is that you’re unlikely to be a marginalised group the target of humour. If someone came on here and the butt of every joke was a balding, post-50 year old man who is slightly overweight and buys loads of gear they can’t play very well then you may feel different. (I’m making a crass generalisation because that’s how this works…) Call it empathy, emotional intelligence or simply not being a Richard and you’ll be fine.

You don’t need to be the father of daughters to understand misogyny or the husband of a refugee to recognise prejudice (but it helps)

Your best bet is to cash in on the vintage craze and sell it on eBay and buy a modern Squier shortscale bass. You’ll easily sell this for a far higher price than it’s worth and someone will get a project bass.

Good thread. Always have a change of clothes before the gig. You’ll feel better and look better. Never all look down while tuning. If someone makes a mistake, however bad, don’t acknowledge it, look at them or appear upset. You’re a gang, and you’re all in it together. Look at the audience not at the floor. Pack two of everything. Give yourself enough time to get to the gig. Dont check your phone between songs (you look like an estate agent or like you’re bored) Do take a photo of the audience from the stage. Weirdly popular with promoters. Ensure your singer has practised some stuff to say and is confident engaging the audience. If not, give the mic to someone who can. Save the inner band chat for after the gig (especially if you have not very nice things to say Look at your band mates. When the gig is over don’t be rude or aloof, or immediately unplug your gear and rush off (unless your wife or girlfriend is pregnant). Say nice things about the venue on social media (if they are nice).

The theory was developed for sporting performance, but can be applied anywhere. It’s just a theory, after all. The concept that if you’re too nervous you’ll make mistakes is something of a truism, in any case.

A lot of nerves is about context and emotion. When you’re playing to a large group there’s fear that they’ll hate it, that you’ll make a mistake and something will go wrong. If you’re playing originals or soloing you’re emotionally engaged in the music too, which adds another layer of complexity. I used to be a music teacher (post secondary education) and some of the best players would wilt under the pressure of having to perform to camera. I can’t exactly say why, but we developed plans for each. Some would play alone, others would be happy in a group. Some needed weeks of notice, others preferred no prep at all. We also did a bit of visualisation which works too. For me, I still get nervous playing, but I never let it stop me from taking an opportunity. It’s something I learned from my kids. There’s something that happens to us between childhood. Through adolescence and adulthood that inhibits us from singing, speaking and performing in public. In my professional life as a writer I hate talking to people, and avoid it when I can. Much prefer to be writing.

Play double bass. You get all the annoyance with the added bonus of having to lug a wooden canoe around with you! All joking aside, if you do t enjoy it, why bother? I gave up for several years as I don’t enjoy it and I barely practice at home anymore. When I do play live I enjoy it.

These sorts of pranks are so 2002.

I’ve read a bit of that 20 page thread and it’s throughly unsatisfying!

Lets open that can of worms! I got it, now don’t get it.

When I was 16 I saved up and bought a new amp for my bedroom, a Peavey TNT 130, all 50kg of it!

Covers or originals? When I was trying to “make it” we’d play anywhere as long as travel was covered. Was never going to make any money. Now we’re doing covers, has to pay for itself and then some. Music will never pay me what my job does but that’s ok.

It’s the sort of thing that happens when you’re young that you wouldn’t put up with when you’re older…

I’m coming to Weston on Wednesday from Bristol, so I can drop it on that leg if you want?