chris_b

The only reason I play a musical instrument is to be in a band and to gig. I get the same buzz from gigging today as I did on my first gig, back on 20th November 1966.

I've done big and heavy. In the 70's I briefly gigged an Ampeg 215, which must have been around 130lbs, but lugging that around on my own nearly killed me. I sold it after a week. I have no idea what I was thinking with that one. I'm lucky, I have no D class/Neo hang ups, and am hearing some great sounds out there with players using similar rigs.

Sad news. I'm also surprised he lasted this long. There was an interesting program on Crosby on Sky Arts last year. Hopefully they'll show it again.

IMO it doesn't matter how many gigs I do in a week, or the size, I take 2 amps, 2 cabs, 2 basses and a bag full of accessories. With my lightweight gear load in, set up and load out takes minutes.

So one member of the band is at a family do and everyone else has to sit at home because you won't used deps? Wow!!

Most of the players I know are in multiple bands. Many are making a living at being a musician so diary clashes will occur. How you manage the diary and deps is more important than having or not having a dep. Picking a number out of the air is pointless. We had a "name" drummer in one band and he was off touring for months on end. I loved it. The deps were excellent and much nicer people to be around than the regular guy.

It is. . . . if you are using the right guys. I dep a lot and my aim is to be better than the guy I am replacing. That's probably why I dep a lot.

High Wycombe's got one of those. several small roundabouts around a larger one. I always hold my breath when I'm negotiating that one.

My Newcastle stories. . . . It's the only place in the UK where, after asking directions, we had to drive around the corner and ask again. None of us understood a word! After a gig we were looking for the road out of town. It was late and we stopped at a bus stop to ask a guy the way. He opened the passenger door, pushed in and started giving us directions. We drove the cheeky sod to his front door!! Then he told us how to get to the motorway.

Over the years I've been asked to sign programs, albums and CD's in a few bands. Once, early in 1969, I was asked to sign a girl's boob. The guitarist signed the other one.

I've had several single pickup basses, Framus Star bass, Gibson EB0, MM SR5 and a couple of P basses. My favourite single pickup sound and location, would be as per the Precision.

Many thanks. Looks like I need to check out Sandberg California TT5 SL Superlight basses.

Hi Sandberg guys. . . . especially Superlight 5 string owners. Do your basses have neck dive? What is the string spacing at the bridge? Cheers

I just pimped the new Jazz bass I just bought. I put some foam under the strings.

The Blues Brothers set list has many songs we played in my school band, about 8 years earlier. I've always wanted to find a gig with a BB tribute. 60's Soul and R&B is the ultimate good time music.

No one back in the day made albums that sounded like (or even half as good) their gigs. . . . except Jeff Beck. Close your eyes and listen to Beck-Ola. It's exactly like the stage show. Marshall amps straining and flat out energetic playing. Micky Most wanted to make another Hi Ho Silver Lining, but the band told him to sod off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvt2xJB4uMc

That is awful news. I saw the Jeff Beck Group many times in the 60's. One of the best bands and most innovative musicians I've seen.

A lot of people just anchor their thumb and stretch. That's not ideal. No matter what bass you play your fretting hand should be constantly moving in order to keep your fingers over the notes without stretching.

Alex Al, Jackson's bassist towards the end of his life, used a Jazz bass, synths and keyboards, probably with a lot of processing. I wouldn't be buying all that stuff for one song, so if I was playing this I'd use my Jazz bass. The important thing here is how you play the line.

There are blues songs in the set, but they were all played with R&B and Soul arrangements.

Were ramps a "thing"? I've never seen anyone gigging with one.

OK, Fender Jazz bass guys. . . . What are the best sounding Fender Jazz bass pickups? I might be looking for a set. Did any particular pickup model make anyone stand up and go, "Wow"? Were they passive or active? I'm currently thinking Fender, but if someone else made a better set of Jazz pickups, let me know, I'm also favouring passive.

Being a musician and being in a band do not always mean the same thing.

If one is a backup, then it makes sense to take both. I try out both basses during sound check and play the one I think sounds the best on the night.

I have an M80 and it's a great gig bag. When my leather Harvest gig bag wears out I'll replace it with another M80. ps Mono M80 Vertigo