TimR

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1411483271' post='2559921'] that would make bobby vega's J worth about 3p per gig [/quote] That's really my point. The bass is a tool. It wears, you replace parts (pots, strings, nuts, machine heads, frets). Will a cheap bass last 10 years? Is it a cheap bass if it lasts 10years? I think it's about return on what you paid for the bass rather than absolute value.

This is a fantastic thread that goes someway to answer your question (or not): http://basschat.co.uk/topic/231907-what-does-it-mean-to-outgrow-cheap-but-good-for-the-price-basses Cheap is a difficult quality/quantity to define. I've gigged a £400 bass for ten years. Is £400 cheap? £40 a year, maybe £2-£3 a gig? Don't know.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1411315282' post='2558348'] ... Good point. Actually All of our tracks are either a w@nkfest for the guitarist or the keys-man. Right now all the good bass lines are already being done on the keys. I recon this is due to them not having a bass-man for a while. I've started working on the solos and bass-lines, so I can justify winning them back to the bass. If I don't then I'll be stuck on I, 3, 5, 3 (e.g.) forever. ... [/quote] Lesson #457: This is the common MO of all keyboard players. You may have some work to do to "re-educate" him on Left hand technique. Good luck, this may well be why their old bass player died.

[quote name='UglyDog' timestamp='1411315325' post='2558349'] What's the point of doing it at all if you're not enjoying it? [/quote] Certain parts of playing can be a chore but we hope the benifits outweigh the downsides. You know that bit in a gig where three songs in a row go belly up, the next song is all roots and you're thinking "Beam me up Scotty, I've got some wallpapering at home I should really be doing tonight." That's when you smile and dig deep.

You can often tell whether the bass line is a bass line played by a bass player or by a guitar player. Guitarists just don't groove. A bass player playing roots properly will groove. IMO anyone finding playing root notes boring has missed something or is lacking confidence in their abilities. I'll play as many root note songs as the band want, I can play something 'interesting' in other songs. People frequently complement me on my playing so I must be doing something right.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1411228143' post='2557721'] ... If I were to walk into a pub though, and we were on stage, I don't think I'd stay to buy a drink. ... [/quote] Have they gigged with a previous bass player? It's a great opportunity for you to learn to use your ears. Which is what it's all about. When you step into a gig situation and a song misses a chorus or an extra verse appears or the drummer stops the song early, these are the skills you need. If the keys and guitar are overplaying and competing for space then they've not developed their ears and you probably need to tactfully point it out when you finish the song when it happens. Just do this on one song a practice or you'll get their backs up. Just a gently "I think the bit in the middle sounded a but messy, can we go over what we're all playing there?" Also listen carefully to the others while you are playing (bass players do this very well and IMO it's why so many bass players become producers) work out whether the songs are being played as a band and rather than playing whole songs from top to bottom, you may have to pull apart small sections. That's the difference between home practice, band practice and band rehearsal. As alluded to the quote you raise. Very few bands 'only' rehearse, most get the home practice done, maybe spend two or three run throughs in practice then 'rehearse' by playing the tune top to bottom. Then after the gig decide if any tunes need more practice time (home or band time).

Ears.

I'm another one who wonders what all those extra knobs are for. Gain until the light comes on. Volume until you're as loud as the drums. Play.

Either. But I find with a steady band it's very hard to maintain a good musical relationship with them. They're will always be a difference of opinion on what tunes to play. Unless you have a strong vocalist who can sing anything and wants to sing anything and the rest of the band are open. I've found a year to eighteen months and things start to get a bit of a grind.

I thought FM had most of the artistic input and control over the final arrangements.

Although what is the problem with how long they take to set up? It takes me 2 trips to the at and less than 5mins to set my bass gear up. Then I'll do the lights which is another trip and another 5mins. That's a lot quicker than the drummer. So I could either arrive much later, or as expected, at the same time as everyone else, set up then disappear until 'sound check'. Our 'sound check' is done during the first song. We just do a very rudimentary operational check of the PA.

Yes. I agree there are two types of PA. 1) 200w vocal PA that every vocalist should own and bring to the gig for their own use. 2) Full PA capable of running instruments. My view has always been in case 2) that one person should own the PA and the band should hire it from them. Any breakage from misuse or accident should be paid for by the person misusing it. Any accident from band funds. Any wear and tear paid for by the owner. The problem is; someone has to store the gear and go out and replace leads and other bits that wear out. It can quickly becomes a thankless task and 'expected'. And with the best will in the world shared gear doesn't get treated with the same respect and looked after as well as personal property.

The drummer and I usually arrive at the gig an hour before we are due to play. I think he takes his time but less than 30mins. Out of the six drummers I've played with in the last 2 years, only one has tuned up at the gig. He was also the least proficient player. The tuning may well be a confidence thing. When I tune my bass, I do it silently and quickly. Several times before we've been due to start the guitarist has been very insistent that I tune up, just because he hasn't seen or heard me do it.

Queen got rid of their original bass player because he took the spotlight away from Freddie. John was picked because he blended into the background.

When you read interviews from the other members they're very careful what they say. They avoid contact with him. The clear message is that he and Freddie were very close and he was devastated when Freddie died and went into depression. The most recent interview alludes to him being in a 'fragile' state. Very, very sad.

[quote name='gafbass02' timestamp='1403472956' post='2483089'] Yep, Robins nest. I'm pretty sure those factors, especially the low ceiling are pretty big contributors. But mainly the balloons. [/quote] Contributors? You haven't broken any rules. No doubt if it had sounded bad you would have moved the speakers. You cannea break the 'rules' of physics.

A few things come to mind there. 1) sloping ceiling. 2) distance of speakers from side wall, wall behind band and wall behind audience.

Should have gone to specsacers.

Messenger bag. What on earth are people taking to gigs? I have two mains leads, three instrument leads, two speaker leads, a tuner, ear plugs, spare strings, screwdriver, pliers and spare 9v battery. Also I carry a music folder, music stand, marker pen and biro.

Solves the buckle rash problem.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1377812282' post='2192374'] Mine was tuned at the factory by experts. I'm not messing with it. [/quote] What he said.

How funny. It's about 5miles from me. I was at work otherwise I would have bought you lunch. I bought my old second hand Trace Elliot from them. Now that Machinehead in Hitchin has gone they're about the only shop around. Great range of MXR FX pedals. Not a great selection of strings though so I only ever drop in to kick tyres and fiddle with FX.

Rob, what kind of deposit have you put down? Have you paid by credit card? I think when dealing with a sole trader people should be a lot more wary that these things can and do happen. If I was building an extension on my house I wouldn't hand £40k straight to a builder and tell him to build it when he's finished his back log.

I don't get this 'commercial organisation' aspect. He was a sole trader who, like many people passionate about what they do, put more emphasis on getting his guitars right than the customer relations, finances and getting the product to market. He was hand making 18-20 guitars a year. Then his wife and baby nearly die in childbirth and his first child devolops a serious disease. So he changes to a PLC and employs a luthier to help him. People are still demanding their basses? Some of you have gone mad.