TimR

Great thread and photos. Mine (from my teenage years) have already been posted several times now. John Deacon Geddy Lee Billy Sheehan

Classic rock tends to be album tracks that everyone has heard but no one ever really remembers who the band is or what the song is called. Plus Sweet Home Alabama.

While Status Quo songs are only two and half minutes long, and you only have to learn 3 notes, and if it's not a tribute you don't even have to wear double denim. But what most people forget is that cover bands don't like two and half minute songs - there will undoubtedly be extra choruses, extended guitar solos and god forbid, crimes against crimes; - The Satatus Quo Medley. Caroline, Down Down, Rockin' All Over the World plus some obscure number that only the guitarist knows.

Roger Glover's beard?

Most of the classic rock songs that were tuned down, we just play in standard tuning. No one has commented.

Yep. Had a guitarist who would wear very old white trainers with his black trousers and a formal shirt at function gigs.

I have a feeling Quat-re would be bought into play. 🤣

I saw Mr Punch (Itallian tribute to Fish era Marillion) at Camden Underworld last month. They were outstanding. The bass player looked a bit odd, hadn't really dressed the part, turned out later he was stand in. Musically he was superb. Maybe if you're putting together a tribute act, occasionally you'll have to make compromises. It's hard enough to get decent bass players, let alone ones that are available and can/want to play the material. Then you're asking them to dress up and play a certain instrument. I wonder if you were a drummer whether you'd pick up on 'drummer type' differences? I play in several bands. I own one bass and one amp.

We are currently doing Foo Fighters Times Like These. It's a bit random as to whether we all start together at the moment. The guitarist starts but if he doesn't do a count beforehand the drummer gets lost, even if I play the slide on the 7. But he can play in 7/4. Not like the guy who used to count: One-Two-Three-Four-Five-Six-Se-ven.

I've not run that one yet. The Paris marathon is a big event. 40k people, but it isn't barrierd off like London. Had a woman ride straight across the road in front of us once. Surprisingly it wasn't carnage and no one complained. Vivre le France.

Mabe. The phrasing always covers 2 bars of 3/4 then. Takes no difference he couldn't play 3/4 either.

Standing in? Root notes, important bass riffs, smile and get it done.

It's because they have no friends, and definitely no friends who enjoy being with them and playing their music. That would make me sad too. Might be a catch 22 situatuon though.

Have seen these guys several times in Holland. They like a good marching (or cycling) band.

QReminds me we had to play Moon River for a 50th wedding anniversary. Rock drummer with no concept of 6/8. "That's 2/4 init?" Anyway, he bought us in in 4/4, and the guitarist somehow managed to play it in 4/4 as well. Car crash, how they managed to dance to it I'll never know.

Mine should arrive Wednesday...

Double bass and amplifier: http://bicycletruck.blogspot.com/2010/08/lindseys-bass-trailer.html

Me. On Bass. Poking your singer in the eyes with the ends may be desirable in some bands but not the ones I currently play in.

Creep. The audience love it.

Wow. That's a steal! That's exactly what I'm looking for.

25 years ago I turned up to a dep gig with a Jackson Chavel SB, complete with pointy headstock. I was about 20 years younger than anyone else in the band. I'd never met any of them before. The band leader looked at my bass and said "Watch me for the changes and X on rhythm guitar for the chords. And keep it simple, nothing flashy."

There was an Ibanez on Facebook marketplace, not only did it look like it had been used as a spade, it looked like it had been run over by a large tractor and left lying in the mud for a decade. I looked at the photos and decided £10 would have been too much to offer for it. You have a good catch there, assuming the neck stays stable and it stays in tune for a song at a time.

As well....

I'm tempted to pop out and get one tomorrow. If only they weren't so heavy. And didn't sound like 70s Fenders. 🤣

I think a lot of the time, sound engineers are not interested in making the bass sound interesting and different or stand out in the mix. Obviously there are obvious exceptions. But it's easier for them to set the desk how they usually do and concentrate on vocals etc. Hence 'Just use the P bass mate.'