chris_b

Very good news Alex. Here's hoping this is the start of a new phase for the business.

Only 22 miles to Twyford and 1 train ride to The Gallery at Camden, via Andertons at Guildford.

I put Super Brights on one of my basses and the top end could cut your head off.

It's a perfect bass line for a catchy, clever pop song which shows off the guys totally different singing styles. There's also Jim Keltner, one of the best drummers in the US in the last 40 years, just "keeping time". The best players serve the song. If you feel a walking bass line will be better do it. I'd like to see the look on everyone's face if you do.

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1464695040' post='3061462'] I agree it's a good piece to learn, could be a bit tasty for a beginner though [/quote] True, but start slowly and build up speed. There isn't much syncopation in Bach's music so makes an easier read to start with.

OBBM

I'll be gigging until people stop asking. If I have to sit at home I'd probably be teaching myself piano.

I'm a gigging musician. Playing in a band to an audience is the whole reason I do this.

Find the charts for Bach's Cello suites.

[quote name='The Hat' timestamp='1365613882' post='2041854'] By Sly and the family Stone. Is a beginner friendly song to learn ? [/quote] The notes are easy, but playing the groove will be challenging. So do it.

Why does everyone want to play in the dark? The sky's the limit with stage lighting but at least get a couple of boxes with about 4 bulbs each and put them either side of the stage pointing back at the band. If the gig isn't professional enough to have some sort of lighting for the band, bring your own. A basic 2 box system will look fine and a bunch of dark shapes huddled in the corner looks so amateurish.

You have a bigger problem. If the stage is so dark that you can't see your fret markers then the audience can't see you. Get some stage lights, look more professional and you'll also be able to see your frets.

Running an amp at 4 ohms does not make it less reliable than running it at 8 ohms!!

Listen again to SHA. It's a great country rock tune. Most people I've heard play it as a grungy rock thrash and trample all the life out of it. Also listen again to Mustang Sally. Wilson Picket and the Fame guys swinging like a thingy. These songs get slated but they are great songs. They get such a bad reputation because they're usually played so badly by bands who wouldn't know a subtle groove if it hit them in the face.

An extension cab will usually only raise the height of a rig and not increase the footprint. If space is an issue I'd get a couple of good 112 cabs. I used to use 2 Bergantino AE112 cabs. Only slightly bigger than your combo and a great sound.

Over time Bootsy's focus changed from bass player to bass playing front man and then star of the show. I think people can like all of them or one and not the others without it being a problem. Bootsy Collins wasn't with James Brown very long but I was fortunate to see that band. What a night. It was at East Ham Odeon and their second show of the day. They came on at about 2 am and played all night.

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1464329751' post='3058423'] I cannot literally hear the guitarist at all, and we're a seriously loud 3 piece rock band. [/quote] I hear a lot of bass when I play with my plugs in, and my cabs are at about waist level. Do you have cabs higher up? maybe up around your head? Maybe you can't hear the guitarist because you're too loud and drowning him out or maybe you're both in the same sonic space.

I'll go back and check covers sometimes. I might change what I'm playing as a result and I might not. My charts are usually worked out correctly from the start. I'll play some covers note for note and others will be "my take". I prefer when the band follows the chord structure of the original cover, unless we're using a new arrangement. I'll usually hassle if bands cut corners or are careless or lazy.

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1464340377' post='3058546'] I still start with a totally blank canvas and can do whatever I want. [/quote] I've been in many bands who were only writing and performing original songs and in reality you'll rarely get a "blank canvas". If the song is already written you get to put a bass part to the song and that might give you creative input or no scope at all.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1464313797' post='3058412'] gigging really improved my playing. Every time I pick up a bass I'm playing something creative. [/quote] +1

Are these the moulded plugs? Did you get a pair? Swap to the other filter?

Well, do what you prefer but I think it's all just bass playing. I have managed to play in both covers and originals bands (a few did both) for most of my playing career. IMO there are no downsides to either style. They are all just playing songs.

Try and get some bass in the PA for outdoor gigs.

It only took Fender from 1966 to hear what their customers were saying. Even with good QC Fender will still put out some instruments that don't meet the standard. With an output of something over 200,000 instruments a year it's always going to be a possibility.

From similar threads on Talkbass Fender turned a QC corner around 2008.