leschirons

[quote name='icastle' post='1149026' date='Mar 3 2011, 11:48 PM']I'm off to see them in Birmingham this weeked [/quote] Great, I'll meet you on the ledge then, about 8.30.

I'm a firm believer that if there is a problem with someone's performance, be it musical. work related etc, they should always be given to chance to put things right or at least comment on the situation. That's assuming the criticism is even justified in the first place. I reckon you're better off without this bunch. It also seems that covers bands are the worst anyway. Full of people who don't have the talent to compose or get into pro outfits (including me) and they don't like their egos dented. When I moved here, I left a covers/function band in the UK that I'd been in for 13 years (my brother remained in the band) He left 3 months ago under a cloud having dared to comment on the wannabe rock god guitarist's ability and they also told him at the time that the band had been so much better since your brother left (me) Apparently due to the fact that I was too critical of the band's performance. Bloody hell, if you're taking £750 off someone it needs to be right. But now, they can all stroke each other's egos and convince themselves it's great. Don't sell your gear, take a break, you'll find another band with sensible people in it eventually.

[quote name='Doctor J' post='1148532' date='Mar 3 2011, 05:15 PM']To be honest, I'd take confidence/bravado over someone who barely registers a ripple of interest any day.[/quote] Good point, apparently he was in gigging rock bands all through the 80's in Holland on guitar and bass.

Or this lot. Are we not men?

[quote name='Lozz196' post='1148095' date='Mar 3 2011, 11:06 AM']Sounds good - nice to see someone with a positive attitude to an audition, by suggesting songs that they think will work for the band.[/quote] Not sure that's how he meant it but I'll reserve judgement until we meet him. Could just be me although it's been mentioned by two others in the band as well.

[quote name='Machines' post='1148240' date='Mar 3 2011, 01:07 PM']Just wait till he wants to get rid of the drummer .[/quote] That could be a distinct possibility but I hold all the aces. It's my rehearsal studio and I own the big P.A. I've found that this is great substitute for talent over the years

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1148223' date='Mar 3 2011, 12:56 PM']I think that finding suitable replacement musicians is all about being in the right place at the right time. My last serious band went through this when the original drummer left. The guitarist (who was a good friend of his) decided that it was time for him to pack it in too since we were unlikely to find another drummer as suitable. In fact we found another drummer who was even better for the band within a month, but it took us almost a year an countless auditions to fill the guitarists position. After this time I'd pretty much learnt all the guitar parts as it was the only way to teaching prospective new members some of the songs that we didn't have proper recordings for (this was an originals band) and we thought that we might as well advertise for a bass player too and I would play which ever role didn't get filled. We found a new bass player within a week of advertising and I switched to guitar for the rest of the lifetime of that band.[/quote] Interesting reply. Did you find yourself judging the new bass player at any point and think that you may play this or that better / differently?

[quote name='JTUK' post='1148105' date='Mar 3 2011, 11:20 AM']Do you have to go this route and change. in effect, two positions..? Is it that hard to find decent drummers..?[/quote] Good drummers are a bit thin on the ground here. Seem to be loads that feel owning a kit qualifies them as a drummer. Yes it means two changes but at least I still get to play bass in two other bands. I wouldn't have agreed if it was the only band. It might even improve my bass playing somewhat if I'm in touch a bit more with the drumming side of things. I would also guess that I may be less critical of others in future if I've had a taste of the "dark side" myself.

After a couple of nightmare auditions for drummers, we decided one possibility was to look for another bassisit and I'll move to drums. So, an ad was placed and last night I got an e-mail from the singer. She'd had a reply from a bassisit and she sent him a set list so he could choose 4 songs to audition. One of which was "Kid" His final comment was " and I think we should think about adding Brass in pocket to the set list for the future" His audition is next week.

In a band I was in, in the UK some years ago, the guitarist (who was very good) and I decided to change instruments for a laugh one night behind the singers back, just for one number to see if he'd actually notice as he rarely turned his gaze from his adoring audience. It went as well as could be hoped for (singer noticed after we'd finished) but afterwards, the guitarist uttered those magic words, "Weird, It's like......... you don't always play the same stuff as me"

[quote name='dan2112' post='1146656' date='Mar 2 2011, 02:00 AM']So tonight (wednesday night) is my first proper gig in just over a year and i an't wait! It'll be my first time gigging with a 5 string and i'll be christening my orange/ashdown rig. I'm not nervous or anything as i used to gig with two bands last year frequently but i'm probably forgetting some gig basics.[/quote] Not giged for a year? You probably won't know about the new code of practice for live gigs then. If the drummer slows down, it's usual to smack him with your headstock on the back of the head. They immediately know to increase the tempo a little. Best of luck tonight. Have a good one.

[quote name='chris_b' post='1144793' date='Feb 28 2011, 07:52 PM']I'd declare it because you'll be very lucky if you fool the customs guys. It's their job and they're not stupid![/quote] +1. I recently drove back to France with an empty bass case I'd bought and a Fender Tele in another case. Conversation went.. "What's in the cases?" "The big one is empty and the other is a Fender guitar" "Looks like a Tele in a case that size" "Yes it is, it's a Lite ash Telecaster" "Oh, not a real one then" (with a cheeky smile) There would be no duty to pay in the EU but it goes to show that you could just get the wrong guy at customs. Not worth the risk.

You've walked into a studio with probably the two most industry standard basses that any engineer worth his salt will know how to get you the greatest sound in about two minutes and it seems he hasn't, so say something. If every time you listen to the recordings, you're thinking "bugger" then you need to mention it.

Even without the bit on the FRONT where it looks as if someone has badly sanded it down to stick on the decal, is that cheap for a Mex neck?

[quote name='urb' post='1141072' date='Feb 25 2011, 01:22 PM']For me Jaco's tone is / was a direct reflection of his personality - which was not one that SAT BACK - he was a totally in your face player, he WANTED to be noticed - if that meant walking all over the rest of the band, so be it, that was Jaco - the one thing he had above and beyond any technique/tone thing was [b]personality[/b] - something sadly lacking in many players today - he was a 'marmite' kind of guy - and like all great artists he was very good at pissing people off sometimes... he was also a huge inspiration to millions of people (not just bassists) and that's an indisputable fact. This for me is Jaco at his grooving-best - so on it and just right in the groove: M[/quote] Great playing, but a little too up front in the mix for me. I think it detracts from what she's doing a tad

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1140929' date='Feb 25 2011, 11:42 AM']If you're an artist with an original voice you are going to attract criticism. Also no matter how talented you are there are always going to be more people in the world who don't like what you did/are doing than who like it. Add to that the fact that people are more likely to complain about stuff they don't like, than rave about stuff they do. That's how it is. As an artist you either have/grow a thick skin and shrug it off, or pack it in. TBH I don't have time for whinging artists, these days it should be obvious what they're getting into. If they don't have the stomach for a bit of unconstructive criticism, then make way for someone who does. Anyone who's influenced by a few unkind comments on YouTube isn't much of a artist or a fan. Plus Jaco's dead. He doesn't care anymore what we think of him. A quick trawl through Off-Topic will show that Pete Academy has a long history of getting worked up about issues that he has little influence over. If I was one of his band members or co-workers I would be a little concerned about his mental and physical health (all that impotent rage has to go somewhere and I doubt that an internet forum is sufficient release), but since I'm not I don't really care any more than to write this single post.[/quote] I took the poster's thread to mean " are people who criticise JP's tone making an educated crtitcism?" and then, merely put his own point of view across as to why he liked it. For me, Jaco Pastorious is not someone who is often played on my stereo. I can't deny his influence on the world of bass playing and so, bought and listened to, what he did, in order to make a judgement if it's for me or not, and it wasn't. However, I think it wrong to personally attack the poster and to make personal comments about his mental and physical state. If you dislike his posts, don't read them.

You obviously bought the five string because you felt you may have a need for it. Is it not worth persevering for a little longer? You may find that given a bit of time that it could work for you. I personally find it handy to have that extra B string and if I could only have one bass, it would probably be a five. As said before, unless you are desperate for the money, hang on to it. Re the price of basses, keep an eye on the for sale section to get a guide. Stuff will only sell at what it's really worth (on the day)

[quote name='fiatcoupe432' post='1140700' date='Feb 25 2011, 01:12 AM']Hi All ,i need help as im gonna trade a instrument that is located in greece,have you ever trade it oversea? how im gonna do it without buy a flight ticket? where i must start? all help welcome thank you with anticipation Antoin[/quote] Hi Antoin, Is it with another basschatter? If it is, the first thing to do is check out if they have any feedback. (Bottom of the main page) I sold a bass to a member on here a year or so ago. (kermitnt) if it's him, you have no problem. He's a great guy. I live in France and sent the bass, a fretless Stingray via the French post office with no problems. As you live in the UK though, I would suggest an international courier, and the same for the other guy sending you the bass. Make sure you have them both fully insured and that they both have a tracking number so you can keep an eye on things. It all comes down to whether you trust each other to send the bass really, especially if you don't know each other. If you are going to fly out, I guess the other person should pay half your travel costs.

[quote name='BottomE' post='1138487' date='Feb 23 2011, 02:06 PM']I just realised you are in France. I was there for about 6 years playing in Paris and had quite a few similar experiences. That said, it could happen anywhere. I am surprised that you have got so much mileage out of this thread though. After all, thats why you have auditions right? To see if the applicant is suitable? To sort the wheat from the chaff. They were not suitable so hey try someone else. If i posted a thread for every time we had someone fail an audition it would probably need another Forum.[/quote] The thread has probably lasted a while because people post replies that warrant a reply. Like yours. The post wasn't about a crap drummer failing an audition. It was about my disbelief that her idiot of a tutor would put the poor girl forward for the audition in the first place. Apologies that this thread has now lasted another 10 seconds.

[quote name='menolikeslap' post='1138280' date='Feb 23 2011, 11:30 AM']Sounds like she was protecting her self-esteem with a remarkable [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect"]Dunning-Kruger reflex[/url]. I'd never say I'm better than another musician, then again I have no self-respect [/quote] I hadn't heard of that. Most interesting reading. Thanks for posting the link.

[quote name='cheddatom' post='1138163' date='Feb 23 2011, 09:46 AM']Well, she sounds perfect to me. Even if it does take a year to [s]groom[/s] get her up to speed.[/quote]

I think that this is the nature of the beast as far as a lot of us go. I admit, I do envy friends who tell me they've had one gigging bass or guitar for 10 years and always enjoy playing it (especially when it does sound great) I'm like you, GAS, honeymoon, wall, and the cycle repeats. With me, probably convincing myself that the next one will be "the one" that will give me what I'm looking for. In my case, if I'm honest, it's probably me trying to cover up my lack of ability, thinking that the next one will help me play better. Having spouted all this, I do really enjoy collecting instruments be it guitars, basses or whatever. At the moment, I'm happy. I got a great deal from a BC'er on a Spector 6 string and I'm in love but, It's not what I was after in the first place so the search will continue no doubt. Maybe jazzers don't have this problem as I never hear of all the Bilbos reporting new aquisitions all the time. So, don't really know the answer.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='1137992' date='Feb 23 2011, 01:47 AM']So let me get this straight. Your function band auditioned a tattoed 18 year old French Goth called Alice who arrived with a doting Papa but no sticks? She lacked the basic skill of timekeeping. You helped her out with some constructive advice and she blew a pert French raspberry at you. How could this [i]ever [/i]have gone well? Pour yourself a long one and take the rest of the night off [/quote] Equal opportunities and all that. Appearances are nothing. The fact she turned up with dad probably makes him a responsible parent. I wouldn't have let my 18 year old daughter go to meet a bunch of strangers in the middle of nowhere. To his credit, he did not open his mouth once other than to say hello and goodbye. She could have been great but, obviously wasn't.