chris_b

Ek is eating steak while the people whose talent has made him obscenely rich are thrown a few scraps. The American dream in a nutshell.

My 5 string basses are all standard BEADG. I don't see any advantage in changing the tuning around. As a 5 string player of 29 years, welcome to the fun zone. Be careful not to overthink things, you're starting with the same 4 strings you're familiar with. Just incorporate notes on the B string when you're ready. Always ask. We're happy to answer.

No one touches my gear or puts anything away. If I pack it up then nothing gets lost or left behind.

I have an important role. I'm there to make everyone else look good.

10 years ago I put TI flats on my Mike Lull PJ5 and it came alive. Those strings are still on and sounding better than ever. Encouraged by this success I put flats on my Sadowsky Jazz bass. . . . and killed the tone. It turned into a dull and toneless waste of space. I put NYXL's back on and restored the magic. I also have a Cort Jazz bass which was improved by the addition of GHS flats.

The result of never saying no to a gig. One or two bands that were working as much would be fine, but somehow I have become involved with more than my fair share of "occasional" bands.

I do the scaled down version. . . . Paddle Boat rock.

Hi Dave, I started the year in 4 bands but 3 have fallen by the wayside!! Due to some ill health in those bands, most of this years gigs were deps. I have several regular dep gigs which keep the diary ticking over, but a few were one-offs. I also had a few side projects from guys I play with so I'm kind of familiar with the people and the style. You could say gigging is my work, but learning the sets is my hobby. If I have time, I run through the sets until I know them, but if I'm in a hurry I just write charts. I like the variety.

In the last 20 years I've been fired because the band leader wanted his mate in, because the drummer wanted his mate in and because I wanted to put a dep in and the band leader had a childish strop!! You can be the best player/person in the world, there is no guarantee you're in the band from one week to the next. But in my experience, in the majority of bands, things are not that cut throat. All the 18 bands and projects I played with in 2024 are happy bands and the players who leave do so of their own free will, rather than being fired. In my world many players are in multiple bands, most bands are cool with that and most players seem to be in long term relationships with their bands. All positive things.

Any cab I use for extra loud, "heavy" gigs will have multiple drivers. As I favour Barefaced 12" drivers my choice would probably be a BB3. Blow the guitarists clean off the stage.

The trick is to make everyone think you are indispensable.

Very easily, and I've replaced others without missing a beat.

My guess is that Barefaced will want to troubleshoot the issue and then take appropriate action. Why are you thinking about 3rd party replacement drivers? They almost certainly won't match the other driver in the cab. I would do what Barefaced asks and follow their recommendations, even if it means them sending you a replacement driver.

I know my gripes pale into insignificance when measured against some of the events you guys have been through and had to endure. Better times in 25. xx

Unless you're Bob Dylan, playing in a band, to audiences, is always a compromise. Sometimes it's a 50% fit sometimes 90%. Do you want to play or sit around for the next 10 years waiting for perfection to drop in your lap (unlikely) or get out there and make a 50% band a 90% band.

My parents and grandparents looked down their noses at the likes of Cream and The Jeff Beck Group (wasn't even music!!) because they didn't sound like Henry Hall, Billy Cotton and Geraldo. And around it goes.

I don't care how big the ego. I'll deal with anything that comes along, as long as their ability and talent balances the scales.

If you think there should be edginess you're in the wrong genre. The arrangement is where the tension is. It's complex, cleverly thought out, musically interesting and very well executed. They effortlessly hit every accent and push without a single ripple in the groove. This is fantastic musicianship.

I could list a thousand players. I've stolen from them all, but these guys are the top of my list: Bill Wyman Willie Dixon John McVie Duck Dunn Reggie McBride Hutch Hutchinson Nathan East

You've gotta laugh! I feel exasperation more than anything else. Oh, and I also had 2 gigs cancelled because both venues decided to redecorate!! I was definitely in 4 bands at the start of this year. I might be in another, but they've never asked me to join. I'm assuming I'm in because I get called for the few gigs the do. So I think I'm ending 2024 in 1 1/2 bands. I'm hoping my, "When one door closes, another opens", theory proves to be true in the New Year! May your 2025 be happy, healthy and prosperous. . . . and there's as much bass playing as you can handle. Cheers guys.

As long as they're protecting me from you nasty people, I'm OK with it.

1 bandleader currently in IC with sepsis. Gigs cancelled. Earlier in the year 2 band leaders in hospital for surgery. Lots of gig cancelled. 1 band leader died. Lots of gigs cancelled. And just now, conflict between a band leader and the guitarist has killed off another band. Not a good year so far!

I reckon that's great bass playing. Busy but not getting in the way of the song. Inventive lines, typically modern gospel style. I can't think of anything negative to say about this guys bass playing.

I know a guy who fronted his own band for 20 years. I thought his voice was OK, but he took singing lessons about 10 years ago, and you can hear the difference every time he steps up to the microphone. His projection is stronger and he hits the notes with more accuracy. Those lessons are paying dividends every gig.