chris_b

I've played in many bands where the band leader hadn't bothered to learn the song properly. Trying to get them to change just causes grief, so I shrug my shoulders and play their version. I played with one idiot who couldn't get the arrangements right from one gig to the next! Several times his " impromptu changes" caught me out and it was very annoying to be told that I needed to learn the songs!! Apart from him it was a good band, with good songs and good players, so I stuck it out. In cover bands I prefer to be playing the original because IME they never rehearse, so it's better that everyone sits at home learning the original arrangement and it's easier for deps to seamlessly fit in.

I don't dream of basses. I own, play and gig the best basses I can find, so every day I’m playing my dream bass. The next bass is always an upgrade, so the next one will be an even better "dream" bass. Currently I'm gigging a Mike Lull PJ5, which I've been playing for 15 years and a Sadowsky RV5 jazz, which I’ve been playing for 9 years. I've seen basses that are just as good, but "just as good" doesn't make the sale. I'm (happily) at the stage were better basses don't come along very often.

I’ve done charity gigs. They cost me money, so I expect to be paid. I object to the expectation that it's OK for musicians to give their time for free and no one else is expected to. They don't use that line on the bar, venue or catering companies!! I guess being a musician isn't a real job, so it doesn't matter! Giving your time for free for charity? A neighbour used to be a senior executive in the Red Cross. You wouldn't want to know what his salary was, and pension now is!!!

Yeah. Those 6 string bassists don't have any limits!!

I believe there have been manufacturing delays because Barefaced has moved the business to a different location. That's always going to slow things down.

This has to be a mistake1! I'd email Alex , explain what they've done and ask them to send you a cab that matches your current cab. IMO it's reasonable to expect newer models to match older models, unless they've highlighted any changes.

In a 212 discussion, I'd question whether we need a 212 at all. Using the right cab might mean you only need a 112. With cabs I always used to over compensate. I prefer a clean sound so if 1 would be good enough I'd use 2. On very loud gigs I used to run a Berg CN212 and Berg AE112. Then I switched to a Barefaced Super Compact and Super Midget, and found that these cabs were louder than the 312 stack. I also screwed up once on our jam night. . . . I forgot to plug in the SC! I only discovered that at the end of the night, so the whole gig had been run using only the SM. We had some heavy handed players that night including a reggae player who doesn't take any prisoners and the SM was loud enough for all the guys who got up. Maybe Alex's claim that 1 BF 112 is as loud as other manufacturers 212's might be true. Since then I've used one Super Compact on several occasions when I would have previously used 2, and not found it wanting.

I was driving past last week and decided to visit Bass Direct. I haven't been there since the upstairs was opened up as their secondhand dept. I tried a couple of fantastic basses, had a long chat with Mark. As always, had a great time being surrounded by great gear. I also tried to visit Bass Brothers, who are only down the road. As they are appointment only I sent an email via their web site, giving them several days notice, but they didn't bother to answer. Thumbs down from me.

I've told keys players that there is only one bass in this band, and it isn't them. The baffled looks I get after that speech is dispiriting. I'm currently playing with a guy who puts the full Boogie Woogie piano part into every number. Apparently he can't play without having both hands on the go! I gave up and just try to keep out of his way.

One of the best 212 cabs I've heard/owned was a Bergantino CN212. A fantastic tone. I believe there's a Berg HD212, an evolution of the CN cabs, in the classifieds. IMO well worth checking out.

Basses weighing 1lb, made of Graphene.

Apart from Statins, these days I don't know anyone who takes drugs. That wasn't always the case. Rock was all about excess and if you did it properly it was fun, although many didn't know when enough was enough and some died as a result, the 27 Club for example. The sensible ones just got high and didn't overdo it. I only ever saw one guy on hard drugs, an American keys player in my first pro band. We arrived in Amsterdam and he managed to find someone selling coke before the rest of us had even got out of the van!! The secret was to have a good time on joints and beer.

With the advent of CNC machines, I don't think automation defines mass produced any more. There are low volume shops with all the machines. IMO mass produced just means high volume output, fewer choices and, in many cases, reduced QC. There are boutique shops which contract out cutting bodies and making necks. They are low volume and high quality, with many options, but they are probably not defined as hand made anymore.

Mass produced. . . someone calls the timber yard and orders 20 tons of wood to be delivered. Not mass produced. . . . the luthier goes to the timber yard and selects the wood he's going to make into basses.

Just picked up 2 Barefaced One10's. Oh well, there's always 2027!!

I'm ruining a clean sheet. . . picking up 2 cabs tomorrow. . . . and looking at a couple of basses next week!

Nothing for 2 years. Next year might be different.

Not my favourite sound. Has a very metallic sound to me. Does that bass have a metal fretboard? Alembic tried that for John McVie many years ago. Not sure that worked either.

2026 would be a good year if I got more gigs, got more deps and (I always say this) improved my networking.

I get my ears hoovered out regularly, currently that's every 2 years. While you are there get some ACS moulds done and save the rest of your hearing.

Jack , it must be nearly 20 years since you used to come to our jam night at the Grey Horse. I remember seeing you in the audience.

Hey Jack, picking up that bass was a good move. Here's to the next 1000.