leschirons

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.

[quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1470252129' post='3104532'] This thread also reminds me of the other advert fave... "Unwanted gift" Who gets £400, £500, £600 basses as birthday presents? And who is it doing the giving and, more importantly why are none of them my auntie? I'm lucky if I get a pair of socks and a CD! [/quote] Surely, anyone who gets a 500 quid bass as a present and then sells it because they don't "want" it, is just an ungrateful bastard

Anyone know anything about, or come across one of these (or something similar and as cheap) and if they're available this side of the pond. The brand is Maestro and far eastern. Not sure I'd be able to wear one for a whole gig but I certainly have a use for one for maybe half a dozen numbers. They do a 4 string version too. I love the idea of the 5er and normally use a 5 or 6 string but I could get by with a 4 so if anyone has any info, I'd be grateful.

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1470312005' post='3104987'] Did a blues festival in Scotland a couple of years ago playing three gigs in three different venues (all within 500 yards or so of each other) back to back ie starting around 5 o'clock in the afternoon thru to 1 o'clock in the morning. It worked ok - the only problem was finding time to get something to eat... [/quote] After we did the second one, (the Brit wedding) they kindly provided us with bacon rolls and brown sauce. Absolutely perfect at 2.00am when you're starving. The two Frenchies couldn't quite get their heads around the Daddies sauce though but I think they'll be back for more

Okay, I've woken (and got) up. Got in at 4.30 a.m. Highs and lows. Pros, very good money. Cons. 1) Setting up the wedding gig. Gear had to be carried 100 mtrs to the marquee, across a bridged moat! and obviously back again at 3.00 .am. 2) Leaving the roadie at the first gig to pack away whilst we rush off to second gig only to find that his tablet (used to control the WIFI mixer) is password locked and he's turned his phone off so played first 40 mins using one mic and just two un-preamped foldback monitors for vocals until he arrived. 3) Audience already dead on their feet upon our arrival but still gave it their best shot. 4) Sunday written off as still shattered. Going to have a nap on couch now but put me down for the Swarfega thing.

Going to be a long night tonight. Playing at 8.00pm until 11.00pm at a big Dutch camp site and then leave Dobbie, our stage elf (singer's husband) to pack it all up while we then drive to a Brit wedding to start again at midnight for a 2 hour set. The band they'd hired now can't play as their singer is unexpectedly in hospital and we got a panic call 48 hours ago. Can't ruin their special day so they've hired a duo to get it going until midnight then we take over as soon as we arrive. Luckily, we have enough gear to set up both gigs so going to install at the wedding venue at 3.00pm, home, get changed and off to first venue. Can probably write the rest of Sunday off as I'll be in bed I imagine