chris_b

I think you'll find the acts and the show are in the firing line. It used to be the case that the producer picked the acts and JH just presented, but for a long time now he's also been on the list of producers. Not sure if that gives him any extra powers or is just another revenue stream.

Yep. There seems to be a strange need in the UK to be rude about and rubbish people who are successful. Why would any musician criticise another who manages to work hard and smart enough to make a living out of his talents.

I'll accept and listen to suggestions. Even, "This is how I it goes", on some original songs, but specific frets? Maybe he'd like to suggest the order in which your fingers should be operated? Maybe how to cut your nails? Pushback definitely required.

The only thing I've bought this year was a cab in January. I've just sold 3 cabs. Does that even up the account?

I record it and still watch, although it's usually only 10 seconds worth then fast forward. Why do they have so many beardy American bands on?

Dave Gilmour. He did do the McCartney gigs and probably a few others, but I believe there was a 10 year gap between his tours.

Yes, it's surprising how a slightly different playing style can completely alter the feel and sound of a band. I always check the original bass player and the other deps who are in competition to me. I like to see who is strong in this song or weak in that song. It's all a learning curve to becoming a better player for each gig.

I have used 2 One10's and they sounded good, but it was in a small room and the band wasn't too loud. Usually I'll prefer to use 2 112's because the sound is just better to my ears, even on the smaller gigs. Even if there is a PA with monitors I'd use my back line as normal. With some bands it matter more than others, but I want the stage sound to be the same on every gig.

Its always difficult to play in a band for the first time. Being dropped in at the deep end can be difficult for the band as well. Be thankful you're better than him. It could get awkward if it's the other way around!

No musician should expect to be able to prevent a band from playing a gig because of his diary clashes. If anyone is in more than one band they are, by implication, signing up to the dep system, so tell him you're using a dep for the gigs he can't make. If he doesn't like that tell him to cancel the other gig and do yours. A few years ago I was in 7 bands and there were clashes between about 4 of them, which were never a problem because there was a hierarchy that everyone understood and accepted, they were managed and there were deps.

He was trying to sell G&L basses at the time, so I guess he would say that, wouldn't he.

Hold on. . . . . what am I talking about. . . . . these clips were from the Hot Pink album. That's a live album, recorded on tour over a year and to my knowledge Stan Sergeant only uses his SR 5 and a double bass on gigs with Keb Mo.

Brilliant. Thanks for posting. That's getting closer to the studio sound I posted.

You might be right. I assumed he'd used an SR5 with some flats on.

Which is the better gig to get you known and generate more gigs for the future? That's the one I'd do.

I play with 2 drummers who have the equivalent P&D drum stools and swear by them. Probably a good idea, but I've been trying to minimize my kit lately, so I'll pass.

Good attitued, common sense, reliability, good ears, great ideas. . . . . only the bass player can get a tick in all those boxes. Have you noticed how many great producers were bass players?

Stan Sergeant, bass player with Keb Mo, uses an MM SR5. I wish I could have got mine to sound like this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1CIGcpfJP0&list=OLAK5uy_k_LVk6DSgfbA6hEWe0IILp-Mc-h0nlkMQ&index=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z2YSTEOOI4&list=OLAK5uy_k_LVk6DSgfbA6hEWe0IILp-Mc-h0nlkMQ&index=14

No. Just saying if his preconceptions about the need for a 15 for certain styles of music can't be updated then there is the 15 "Compact.

I understand and I intended the "wake up" tone. There seemed to be a level of blame in the couple of posts that I don't think is helpful going forwards. Always take responsibility for getting yourself into and out of situations and finding better ones when it isn't working out. It's probably the "It didn't work out so I sold all my gear" approach that I don't agree with most.

What's with this "I folded the band" stuff? If you are only playing 1 or 2 gigs a month then you need band members who don't mind that level of inactivity. If you have guys who want to gig more than that then you need deps or different players. Nobody owns anyone. You can't dictate how often other guys will be allowed to play and punish them if they want to play more.

If we ignore the fact that Motown bass lines were recorded using custom made valve preamps, you can get that tone out of many cabs these days. The main ingredient will be a Precision bass with flatwound strings and maybe a lump of foam. I believe Tommy Cogbill recorded many of the classic Soul bass lines by mixing DI with a Fender guitar amp. I practice with a Jamerson tone at home, through my P bass, flats, foam, Thunderfunk and 2 Barefaced One10's. Pure Motown and not a 15 in sight. If you really can't get your head around the possibility that a 12" cab can be better than a 15" cab, I'd second the Barefaced G2 Compact suggestion. You probably don't want your 210 in the mix for this idea.

Don't blame others. It's you that is making these choices and picking the wrong bands and musicians. Don't throw your toys out of the pram because these guys aren't serious about their instruments. Selling your gear is not a constructive way to deal with this problem. Search out better musicians who are on the same page.

As long as your priority remains your band then you should be able to do what you like and no one should begrudge the others their opportunities. On the other hand, I don't see how you can keep a band together on one gig a month. I have to say that expecting band members not to have side projects in these circumstances is a pretty big ask.

Are 5 string basses worth the effort? For you? Don't know. For Me? Absolutely. IMO 5 sting basses are very flexible, versatile and you can play any bass line on one. If you approach the switch over in a positive frame of mind then any effort will be worth it. A move to 5's will find any holes or short-cuts you've been getting away with for years. It will test you to improve your technique, but in the end this can be the best move of your bass playing career.