leschirons

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1475493526' post='3146300'] That's why it's easier to just play one or the other. Or just the 5, because then you have a stable environment on the fret board and can play any song on the one instrument. IMO, trying to keep the 4 in play as well serves no useful purpose and just causes unnecessary complications. . . unless you can give over a lot of practise time to developing 2 lots of muscle memory. [/quote] Do you need two lots of muscle memory? Surely it's just knowing that you have a B string on one bass and not the other.

Ah, To B or not to B, that is the question. You made the right decision. No looking back now.

The groom at a wedding we played, came and picked up my spare bass to "air guitar" to a Quo number he'd requested. Despite being slightly hammered, he did ask if I minded. Difficult one really as he's the guy who's spending a lot of money on you and there are 50 guest's cameras pointing at the two of you. I said okay but if you drop it or scratch it, you buy it for £2,000. The wad of notes he took out of his pocket confirmed he could have so I let him have his moment although I wasn't happy about being put in that position. A random pub punter is no problem to refuse but it's a little different when it's the bridegroom and you want repeat work at the venue. Forgot to mention, with other musos, no problem handing them an instrument.

Just read a Facebook post from a mate who says guitarist Michael Casswell has passed away following a tragic accident. If this is unfortunately true, it's a sad loss to music. He was absolutely brilliant.

The only thing I really thought about before joining my first proper working band was "Can I play actually well enough?" I'd guess that if you answer yourself with a "no, not really" then the other things to think about are on the back burner for a while

Our Dad hated the thought of us being in a band (brother was learning guitar and I wanted to be a drummer) There were many band name suggestions from him such as the remarkably clever offerings of "The Hairy Nits" and "The long haired layabouts" That was, until the neighbour complained whom he hated with a passion. Then, it was all systems go. Even suggesting that we have full band rehearsals in the front room, on a Sunday

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1473797456' post='3133258'] 40 years ago with a band that arose from a hall of residence in London, playing a mix of originals and covers on a Hayman 4040 and getting paid £100 between the four of us. Not bad when beer was 20p a pint. [/quote] Our (my) first gig was £15 between us AND, we'd hired the van You had a £100 gig 40 years ago? You are John Paul Jones and I claim my £5.

Not any more these days but it does feel great to do it at some point if you can so go for it if it doesn't impact on your family finances.

I used to gig an 85 quidder until the weight became a problem.

Our singer owns a Mackie P.A. I own a small HK P.A and the guitarist owns and hires out a huge HK system as a sideline. We usually use his and all chip in with the lugging and set up but if need be, one of us can always take one of the small ones if the gig / circumstances dictate.

Bruce Foxton. So perfect for what Jam did but of no use to me at all.

Played a wedding gig last night. They'd hired out a whole pub/restaurant and 75% of the guests had flown over to France from Australia. Absolutely brilliant crowd, up from first number and still all up at the last. Only fly in ointment was the venue owner trying to persuade us to carry on playing for another 30 mins despite that we'd finished at the time we were specifically asked to finish by the groom. Apparently the owner had kept an area open for the public and was trying to keep them there with entertainment that he obviously wasn't intending paying for. Had a couple of serious tambourine scares as our singer had forgotten to keep her foot firmly clamped on it and then the bride's father asking to sing Mustang Sally (no, it's not in our set list) however, turns out he'd been in a couple of bands back in Oz and could seriously sing. Makes a nice change. All in all, a great night.

Jeff Beck group

Only time was on my old F bass due to being unwound at the bridge but I think they may have been made by La Bella anyway. Now I use Elites on everything.

I think I'd get an opinion from a luthier next as you've already adjusted the truss rod. Probably a silly question and no offence intended but did you slacken the string tension on all strngs before adjusting?

There's so much hype about these amps. What with all the stories about "if you phoned Howard Dumble to ask how your amp was coming along he'd cancel your order etc" I guess all people have to go on is hearing the likes of Larry Carlton and Robben Ford playing through them. However, if they use any type of pedal etc, does that then invalidate what you're hearing. The French nutter / genius that has built two amps for me has made a couple of Dumble clones. I tried one out and despite being a "nice sounding" head, it was nothing more than that. Though, never having played through a real one, how do I know if it's even similar? I've seen a couple in the last year or so get "snapped up" on EBay USA for around the $50,000 mark but personally I can't see any amp being worth that unless it's just for an investment. To me, it's a bit like that Marco Pierre White thing when he started out. Throw a few people out of your restaurant for being philistines by asking for the salt and very soon everybody wants to eat there.

Saw the original line up a few times in the 70s. As my next door neighbour and mate was. Their personal roadie. In fact, we had all their pa stored in the empty shop below our two flats. Martin Turner, Ted Turner, Andy Powell and Steve Upton were the original line up. Ted left and was replaced by Laurie (Weissfield) who then went on to tour with Tina Turner. All really nice guys too. Saw them again a couple of times in the 80s and they had the drummer from Family depping (Rob Townsend) Throw down the sword one of my fave songs. A lead guitarists dream with that chord progression.

Had an Epic. Swapped my Vigier Passion for it. Huge mistake. Couldn't get on with the neck or the available tones. Didn't think it balanced well either.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1471561747' post='3114100'] A Hofner sounding better than a Wal? Now that is rare. [/quote] Not if you think Wals sound horrible.

The important thing is that your guitarist offered to pay for the room. That says a lot about a person so in this situation, either rehearse without him or don't rehearse but all pay as normal.

Just picked up a bass I'd bought from Graham about a month ago. All I can say is that Graham is a real credit to Basschat. A true gentleman who bent over backwards to make the transaction a smooth one and one of that rare breed who does exactly what he says he's going to do. Buy from or sell to, with the utmost confidence. A really nice and helpful guy. He seriously looks after his stuff too.

I like it.

[quote name='Trueno' timestamp='1470382810' post='3105556'] The inevitable BC question... what does it weigh? [/quote] I seem to remember a US Ebay advert stating 13lbs. Far too heavy for a whole gig but maybe okay for just a few numbers..

It's why I've never wanted a Wal. I don't doubt it's quality, but to some, a thing of beauty. To me, a failed schoolboy woodwork project.