spongebob

When my recently-split band made our covers CD last year, it didn't do us any good at all. Partially due to the lackluster approach of the other members in promotion, and also because pubs (our market) never seemed to actually listen to it. Countless phone calls with the words - 'send us a demo', and in the following weeks 'haven't had a chance to hear it'....and the almost classic 'never received it'! One place gave us a gig because he liked the sound of us - without even hearing the disc! It's a great fun thing to do, and a nice memento of a band, but I've seen guys getting more gigs through contacts and word of mouth than most manage from a CD.

I was checking out Sky Arts the other night, and managed to catch the Rockpalast performance from Echo back in 1983. There's a bit about it here - [url="http://www.rockpalastarchiv.de/concert/echobunnymen.html"]http://www.rockpalastarchiv.de/concert/echobunnymen.html[/url] I hadn't listened to the Bunnymen for a long while. Really love their first two albums - not so big on 'Porcupine' and the others that followed.... Les seemed to have a really weird pick technique - up strokes only! Love his work on those early tracks - some very inventive basslines, and a great Jazz bass tone as well. 'Heaven Up Here' - forgot what a great album it is...I think a massive part of their sound was Pete de Freitas - totally under-rated drummer who really drove them. It's repeated a fair bit, so a concert well worth checking out.

I've had 2 cases from them. First was a Fender-style tweed one - under £50 and totally amazing for the price. Has become my take-everywhere case. Second was a small bass-shaped one for home storage. A shade under £40 - and TBH, I would happily take it out of the house if I needed to as well. When you see the tat on E-bay they pass off as hardcases, it makes this place even better. I've paid loads more in the past for inferior products. Superb service, very quick delivery, and great cases at a great price. BTW, I don't work for them or have any affiliation - just a very satisfied customer who will got straight there again if needs be. Good service should be rewarded!

I've always found that when the rot sets in, that's it. I've normally ploughed on for a bit longer hoping things will improve, which is what they've never done! You normally get a vibe when things are going down....listen to your little voice, and do what makes you happy.

Quite interested in the new BGM with (from what I've read here) the Ricky cover and Geddy interview. Trouble is, nowhere around here seems to stock it! Anyone know if any of it can be accessed online, or any other solution to read the great man's thoughts?

I bought my CV Jazz from Thomann a couple of months back. Out of the box, it was superb - haven't tweaked it at all! The CV-P I bought from over here needed a small adjustment, but TBH, the basic Squier set-up impressed me no end compared to some high end stuff.

Don't rule out the Classic Vibe Jazz either. I've got one I adore. Actually prefer it to my old Geddy Lee Jazz I sold! Plays like a dream out of the box, and sounds superb (as the CV's all seem to).

4001 vs. 4003? Every Ric is a little bit different - very good and very bad! You can find a great 4001 and bad 4003 and vice-versa. I would always say play if you can before you buy! I've owned 6 Rics - 4 4003's and 2 4004's (not at the same time!!). Just got a single 4003 now. Been problematic, but now it's on fire and the best I've had. If you going for a 2010, avoid the early part of the year as there is a problem with the bridge saddles. Some basses have been returned, but obviously that will be a problem buying here if not from a main rip-off merchant - sorry, importer. Oh, and swerve the early 2009's in MG as a chemical in the hardcase made the finish turn green! My JG is a late '09, and it's the best neck I've played on a Ric. I've always found how they differ on the first fret by the headstock does it for me. It's personal taste at the end of the day!

I've got a set of Chromes (flats) on my Ric 4003. Agree on the above that with practice, or through a little practice amp, they sound very dull indeed. But crank them up with a decent amp in a band/volume context, and the difference is immense. I used to find my Ric tone a bit 'bottomless' - put on the flats, upped the treble settings a little, and now it sounds superb....very bass-y at the top end as well. It's really up to the individual - I for one prefer the J+P tones with rounds - but the Ric just needs the flats! Maybe try some half-wounds first to see if you like them? That's what I did - took the plunge gradually!

Bit guilty, I'm sure....although it's the hearing the sound, rather than the player themselves that pushes me. And I've got to love it - if it's not right for me, regardless of who plays one, I'd leave it. Love Lemmy, Ged, Lou Barlow....and I do own a Ric. Also own Classic Vibe J+P.....and love JJ, Ged again....and about a thousand others who made various sounds with both. Much as I love GL, I've never wanted a Wal, or been a fan of the sound of one.....so I think seeing someone you like with a certain bass can act as an introduction to a certain sound, or maybe help see a bass in a new light.

+1, very well put!

Saw The Stranglers last night in Brighton. Playing alongside in support, Wilko Johnson and Norman Watt-Roy! What a player....couldn't believe what he was doing with 12-bar material. I think he must have at least 15 fingers. JJ was equally superb - his tone was totally to die for - everything I wanted and more. Great night - and really puts your own playing in perspective - if I practice about 18 hours a day and gig for the next 30 years, I too could be like Norman!

I read on RR that there won't be any more colours of the year until they complete their never-ending backlog. On the experience of the Rickenbackers I've owned (still got one), they should up their QC before attempting anymore colour schemes! I recently a Jan '10 bass - problems with the bridge saddles, etc. There was a recent discussion over at RR about this - a common problem. Slightly OT - sorry - but they've been making the same design for how many years? The Jan '09's in lighter colours had issues when the felt in the cases was making some finishes turn green, and before that it was the blue 'bleeding' into the white surrounds on the Midnight Blues. If you must get one, get a Jetglow!!!!

My '09 4003. I've had Rics before, and one since, and this is the one I'm keeping. Others have all gone. Been a bundle of trouble - 2 pickup re-wires, bad QC, etc, but it's got the feel and the true Ric sound which, as I've found in my travels, they sadly don't all have!!

Great artist. Check out her first album, 'Come To My Garden'. Excellent upright work on there. Actually, all her albums are great.....compilation called 'Les Fleurs' gives a good overview to any new fans.

Well, seeing as I'm a '74 - It's got to be a Ricky 4001 in Geddy Glow!

I've had my own Myspace page for about 3 years, but like so many others, have given up on it totally. I can't even get to my page page in the normal way now, let alone add to or change it! Thing is, it was a handy ad when applying to bands or putting myself out there, via the songs and pictures, etc. The songs were a mix of covers and a few originals. Question is, is there an alternative place or set-up where I can do the same again, just put some sounds and pictures, and like MS use it for anybody to check me out? I never want to even see MS3 again!

Only band I was sacked from was when I was still drumming alongside bass. Band was no-hoper blues-rock covers, but stuck with it for about 6 months. Only gigged for about 6 weeks, prior to that all rehearsals. Did a gig and the other 2 didn't really say a word. Got an e-mail a couple of days later sacking me, saying that my drumming was 'too jazzy'. True, I did/do have an interest in said genre, but I had been drumming for years, and ploughing through their choice of material was far from taxing. Within a week they had taken on the drummer from the singers other (rapidly disbanded) other band....also the singer's mate. It's never nice getting the push, but one thing I did learn is that with bands, it's normally politics above anything else. Just don't let it dent your confidence - keep playing, that's the revenge! Don't let them win.

+1 on all of the above. I've just left my band because of a number of issues, something I've done before and probably will do 1000 times again. I think it was Mark E. Smith who once said that he hates musicians. From most of the bands I've dealt with, he wasn't far wrong! It's always easy when you leave/get sacked to think that you're in the wrong....'why are they still together'? But it's you who's had the lucky escape. You're better off on your own playing along to a CD on a desert island than with that bunch by the sound of things. Like so many of us on here at the moment.......gotta get back on that horse!!

Thanks for the kind words. My dog was 13 years and 7 months, a border collie - had him since he was rescued at just over 4. He had a great life, and that's what I take comfort from. He was probably more pampered than royalty! Saying goodbye was just the worst thing in the world....just the look you exchange. He wasn't in pain, but he would have been if he hadn't been 'assisted'. He had a cancerous tumor which had exploded (we think overnight) - during the last day you tell he wasn't really 'there' - it was obvious his time was near. I think it helped prompt my band decision, as it just makes you think, why put up with it? We're all against the clock, so why waste time doing something you don't enjoy? Saying that, I go to work everyday....and I don't particularly enjoy that either!

I've normally quit for something. First time I've just jacked it in too.

Noticed the post today include the 'should I quit the band' question. Last week, I did quit my band. Don't regret it in the slightest, should have done it months ago. Classic situation - I joined band after they were around for a year or so, and wanted to replace their bassist. I found out they were being underhand to him (although we've never met), and declined to have anything to do with them until they resolved things with him fairly. TBH, I did my research on them, and they didn't sound any good....but they had a full diary - so after a period in a zero-paying originals band, I thought I'd take the dirty money! Things were great for the first 6 months - all got on, it was fun. However, rehearsals dried up - the attitude was learn the song at home and wing it at the gig. Nice idea, but it always sounded crap - and some never did bother to learn it at all. The singer always found this funny, and it became a real exercise in watching the clock and taking the money. The lead guitarist and drummer formed a side-project. Fine, until they got the odd gig, and booked them on the same day as ours. We had to cancel - once again, it was all 'don't worry about it' - I did! Cut a saga short, the guitarist left, then the drummer was sacked, and singer resigned. Myself and the remaining guitarist decided to continue - essentially, I found the replacements whilst she complained about everything! I just wanted to fulfill the gigs. The issue was that the original bass player was very well connected, and had filled the diary for the year and a bit after he was sacked. We were living off his original bookings. This was the big issue - people not booking. Only person to book anything new was me. We used an online google calender - people can access and mark when they can't make a date. Works well, but the new members developed a habit of me booking gigs, and them then saying that they can't make it. Gig cancelled, left feeling an idiot. The re-bookings never happened. I kept offering to call, but the guitarist insisted she would....and kept saying it. Eventually, she starts going mad because there aren't any gigs. She lost her job months back, and doesn't get up until about 3pm. Then complains that by that time you can't get hold of anyone to book!! The direction we were taking - more pop - was great, but TBH, besides the singer, the rest weren't cutting it. I was losing interest, fast. Then we start rehearsing and people don't turn up. Lame excuses again. Final straw was last week, when the singer cancelled late on the day of rehearsal. My dog was put to sleep a few days before, and I had just had enough of not being happy. I was discussing by text with the guitarist the future...and I quit. Didn't hear anything from anyone for about 4 days at all. Eventually get a text - quite insincere, but wanting the passwords for the website I created. I ignored the text and deleted the webpage....petty, moi? Forward fast to today. Just taking it easy, got a couple of things in the pipeline, and a new offer today. My advice is what I should have done months ago - the minute it becomes a chore, jump ship. I'd rather be on a desert island playing along to a CD than be in a million miles of a group I don't care for. I just guess you live and learn! Sorry for the lengthy rant, but I hope it helps.

I'm also now going as I've booked my tickets for the Brighton Dome (see other 'off topic' post). I've never seen them live, so I'm really looking forward to catching JJ, one of my top 3 bassists, and a real inspiration. I read something recently with them saying that with Jet about 70 or something, they may slow things down in the near future....so I really want to see them whilst I can. I bought the last album after it was praised on here as a return to form, and I really like it. See you down the front!

I got my CV Jazz from Thomann's a few weeks back before the prices went up. Ordered Tuesday, arrived Friday. Delivery was free as over £199. Packaging was totally superb! I used to order drum stuff from them a few years back, and that was always good. This was my first guitar, and the whole transaction was easier and quicker than some UK places! Incidentally, I asked Soundslive to match the price (about £280) as they advertise such a service. They said they could do it for £300 from £319. Quite surprised as their price had only gone up a few days before!