chris_b

If a band's not working, from either side, call it a day and move on. I don't own any handbags and I'm never up early enough to see the dawn, so leaving on good terms is all that is left. I get a lot of gigs from guys I played with in previous bands, so doing without the drama is great for my diary.

For some reason I decided, on the first gig after I de-fretted my Framus bass, to wear sunglasses. I was 17, and should have known better! I couldn't see a thing and was far too cool to take them off. That gig was just a succession of out of tune playing and bum notes. Never wore sunglasses on a gig again.

You can't stay focussed for a whole set? I'd sell your bass gear and become a singer.

Your bothering because the Bass Player Code and your sense of professionalism demands that you get it right. It's my experience that only guitarists, keyboard players and singers wing it because they can't be bothered to learn songs. It's only verses and choruses. Three chords with extra chords chucked in at the turn around in the last verse. I love 3 chord songs.

Make use of this great opportunity to practice playing the bass without staring at the neck.

My OCD won't allow me to mix cabs from different manufacturers, but my successful mixes have been a Berg AE112/AE210, AE112/CN212 and a Mesa Boogie 115EV/210EV. I currently pair up Barefaced SC/SM and BB2/SM cabs.

I'd do both. The more you know the easier it gets and the more effective your playing becomes.

Most bass playing is about patterns. If you know your patterns it makes the lines you play easier to create and more effective.

There are some great 6-7lb basses out there, some very effective straps, some great 5lb amps, some really great 20lb cabs and some excellent folding trolleys. If all else fails checkout Mbrace guitar stands or just grab a bar stool.

My SR5 was an early one, IIRC 1989, which had a one piece maple neck/fretboard with unrounded edges. I don't recall whether there was a radius or not, or the neck being fat. Whatever it was, it didn't bother me. The edges of the fretboard finally peed me off and I replaced it with a Lakland. These are all personal opinions which may be relevant or not. I'd find a good used bass and buy it. Audition it for a few months and sell it on if you deicide you can't get on with it. In the past I've bought basses and decided I didn't mind things that I had thought were deal killers.

Get the sleeper. . . .

Apparently this is very popular. . . .

Any more singers on the base?

Why is your current singer leaving?

This was the first song I heard TS singing. . . I think it's still the best thing he's done.

David Bowie used one. It was set up for the set list and one night Bowie started the wrong song, which threw out the prompter, drummers click track and lighting engineer. Queue mad panic in the road crew.

I happily play all styles, including a lot of Americana, with a PJ5 with TI flats and a 5 string Jazz with Dunlops. IMO there are no downsides to fat strings as long as they are a good make. If the bass has good pickups TI flats will make it sing. I also put a lump of foam under the strings, to maximize the thump.

If I have time, repetition. If I don't I write out charts.

From small clubs and pubs to nationwide tours, pay to play has been around since the 60's at least. It's just another way for lazy promoters to screw musicians.

I'm looking to add some sparkle to a Cort GB35J. Which EMG's have you chosen.

I only know 2 guitarists using Gibson guitars, and they finally swapped them out for the Burney and Orville versions.

I think the GB35's might be discontinued. The info I have, from the ad, 19mm at the bridge and a nut width 1.75" (45mm).

Before Brexit I bought and sold basses from/to Europe. Never any hassle. Now the additional costs make buying from abroad prohibitive.

I have never gigged pedals. So far a well matched bass, amp and cab is all I've ever needed.