TimR

[quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1381066059' post='2233898'] Since playing bass since the early 1800's , I've come to the realization that there are essentially 5 distinct bass guitar sounds -- ... [/quote] You have 200 years of experience of playing basses! Who are we to argue?

Make an imaginary line across the back of the room, about 2ft above the audiences heads. Smile and occasionally nod to different points along it.

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1380104249' post='2220739'] A few more perspectives on gear cost ... ... [/quote] Good to know my house cost me nothing...

Cool. One last point. As more celebs sign the bass and it becomes more valuable we should become a bit more cautious security wise. God forbid it getting stolen! We're just handing this bass to some stranger off the Internet at a motorway services... When we did 'The Shirt', it went missing for about 6months. Turned out the guy lost his job, moved house and lost his Internet. Musicians!

It's just in my experience of fundraising it's pretty key to make sure that you're being honest about what you are doing, if the media spin it that's their problem. If we're getting stars to sign it to increase the value then that's fine. But they shouldn't be signing the book and we shouldn't be saying they're playing it during our speech. Are we trying to break a record, what is the guidance? I've not seen anything. If not then again it shouldn't be in the speech. Again what's the plan with the bass parts, it's starting not to be the battered old first bass that it was. Jim spoke to Guiness, it's his baby, we're just the foot soldiers. I'm not saying don't do these things, I'm saying think about them first and communicate them to us and the audiences please.

Nothing particular but I did say that Rhino had played it on stage, we were hoping to get a few more famous players playing it as well and make a world record. It's probably not so relevant to those of us who got involved early on. Maybe the fact that people have signed it implies they've played it. What have they written in the book? No gear, no song... Is someone keeping track of who has played it and who has just held it? For me the idea was it was someone's first beaten up old bass being handed round the community to raise some money. That's changed, but people have donated money believing that's what's happening. We've changed pickups, talked about replacing frets. These were 'character parts' of the bass I pointed out. I've got to go back and play that pub in a few months and people will ask me how the relay is going, how much we've made and how many people have played it. What should I say? Maybe the PR people need to send us an official speech... Maybe it's just me being precious. Lol.

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1380102237' post='2220710'] Guys, what you don't seem to realise is that in general we're not meeting these stars in a proper gigging environment. Even on those occasions when James went backstage to a show, he was only allowed in either before or after the show, and just for a very short time. [/quote] That's kind of my point. I don't mean to be disparaging in any way. There's a lot of effort and good will going in but isn't the point if the relay that it's getting played at gigs by as many bass players as possible. What are the terms of the guiness world record and how many players do we need? If someone has signed the book but not gigged it how do we stand. Lots of questions I know. I did a good two or three minute chat to an audience to get them to part with their money. It seems some of what I said may not have been the truth and what we're putting the papers isn't fully correct either. I may be over egging this but would rather see us break a record and raise money properly than by misleading people however unintentionally. Have we lost sight of the original idea?

Dear me. It's a bass. You just hold it up, show the sigs it's currently got, tell the story, plug it in, play a song while the tin is going round and collect the money. All getting very precious. I don't see any more people putting more money in the tin because it has 20sigs or 3. To my knowledge none of the big name players, apart from Rhino have actually played the thing at a gig. New pups and frets make no difference what so ever. It's got more value in the story to say its going round the country and celeb X from band Y is lined up to play it at Z gig soon. People might look out for it. We should be pushing for them to be playing it too.

Let the amp do the work. Turn it up and lighten right off the touch. Start slow and PRACTICE. There are no easy ways.

[quote name='stef030' timestamp='1379184669' post='2209655'] ... the same thing happened again,they was just not into practice ect, ... [/quote] What do you mean by this? Last night I played a mediocre gig. The drummer was frustrated at the singer and guitarist not keeping the gig flowing. I played lots of bum notes in tunes I know backwards, the guitarist got lost. However, at the end of every song the audience not only clapped but cheered. At the end of the gig we played two encores! We're too hard on ourselves.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1378897153' post='2206141'] ...often in a sanctimonious, overbearing, arrogant and holier-than-thou kind of way ... I'm not saying I'm blameless either. [/quote] I wouldn't have thought it was possible to write in that manner, just speak that way and most of that is imagined by the reader. Hence arguments start very easily.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1378894551' post='2206093'] The argument over fact vs opinion is an interesting one and it is surprisingly hard to find fact when discussing music, basses, amps etc. Kind of Blue was recorded in 1959 - fact. Kind of Blue is the biggest selling Jazz lp of all time (dubious fact - define Jazz). Kind of Blue is the greatest LP of all time - opinion. [/quote] It's up to the reader to decide whether they are reading fact or opinion. There are however exceptions. Mainly when talking about theories that can't be backed by evidence or the evidence is ambiguous. Political and scientific fields are full of this. That's the difference between a discussion forum and a lecture theatre.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=140QmUnAGeI&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D140QmUnAGeI

[quote name='bigd1' timestamp='1378666374' post='2203017'] I don't see any question here, for me this is a no brainer. Music in whatever form has to be enjoyable first. I have been a musician for 35yrs and done it all for the pleasure and love of it, I don't think I could play/perform if it wasn't. Being paid is for me a very nice extra for doing something I love. Money was never the reason I become and continue to be a musician. Although Music has never been my primary income. If it was all about money, and nothing else, I'd have to have a change of career. How could you possibly put in you hart and soul into making a great performance, if the only reason you are there is collect your pay packet at the end. I am sure professional musicians never start out with money as their driving force. Definitely got to be for the LOVE and ENJOYMENT, if you get paid as I said for me it's a BONUS. [/quote] Exactly my thoughts. Chose something you love doing, do it well, find someone who appreciates what you do, get paid for it. The more you love something, the better you do it, the more people appreciate it, the more you get paid. Luckily I enjoy engineering a bit more than music. I do it better, more people need my skills and I get paid more. If push came to shove I'd get paid more as a musician than working in a warehouse, enjoy it more and be better at it.

[quote name='mike257' timestamp='1378665361' post='2202994'] I've depped for them before with no rehearsal, played a solid gig and was offered the full time spot in the band off the back of it. I'd said a firm yes to the gig. The only bit I hadn't committed too was rehearsing. They mentioned coming to a rehearsal "if you're free" which I said I'd do my best to be nearer to the date. Just thought it was poor form to agree it and then pull out, and initially with no explanation. I've done plenty of deps with minimal or no rehearsal, as I'm sure many guys on here do, so didn't think it was a big issue when I've played with the band before and its a pretty standard set of indie/rock covers all done as the original versions. Flyfisher, you're right, personal circumstances are just that - they've got no bearing on one's ability to turn up and do their job. Probably coming across as being a bigger deal than it is but just thought it wasn't the decent thing to do and was pretty ticked off. Can appreciate peoples viewpoints who don't agree, everyone works in different ways, but if I'd booked and confirmed a dep who I had worked with before I wouldn't pull the rug out because they couldn't instantly commit a rehearsal date when its debatable that one is even required. [/quote] Ok. I never try to overanalyse these things. Sometimes the reason they give you isn't the real reason, sometimes it is. They used someone else and didn't give you much notice. They may not use them again and come back to you and ask you again, they may stick with the other guy. Often it has nothing to do with your musical ability, it's just how you fit in the band verses how someone else fits.

Another case of bad communication in the age of communications. You need to say yes or no. Not "I'm not sure but I'll try." They need to say: "We'll let you know the week before but will continue looking for someone."

I have a wife and two kids. Going out practically every Saturday night to enjoy my 'hobby' wouldn't be tolerated if I didn't return with at least enough to take them to the Harvesters on Sunday night.

Usually if you miss it, just wait for a bit and you'll find another one comes just after the last beat of the current bar.

Don't get me started on triangulists. Turn up at the last minute, expect full PA support, don't play anything for 40bars and then come in at the wrong place. And still expect the same money!

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1378381919' post='2199378'] Wot, like this you mean? ... [/quote] Not really. You outlined the classic singer/songwriter stereotype in your earlier post.

Excellent. We play 3 originals in our cover set. More people dance to our originals. Go figure...

Yes. Stick it in the Famous Quotes thread.

If someone says they're a train spotter you shouldn't automatically assume they have an anorak and lunchbox. If someone is standing on the platform of the station wearing an anorak, and carrying a lunchbox you can be fairly sure they're a train spotter.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1378379812' post='2199327'] Mostly to unfairly pigeonhole people or things without due consideration or justification it would seem. ... [/quote] That's not what I said at all. Stereotypes exist because in the main that's how people are. Nobody decided a train spotter should wear an anorak and have a sandwich box with a lunch made by his mum in it. That's just how they tend to be. People who play the bass are usually dependable sit at the back plodding out root notes and don't want to be noticed too much. I would suggest that 7/10 bass players match that description exactly. 3/10 will be up front dancing, doing backing vocals, throwing in tasty licks and solos. You shouldn't use stereotypes to define people but you can define stereotypes by people. That's exactly how they come about.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1378377575' post='2199280'] ... I think that's more to do with the person I am rather than my role in the band. [/quote] That's the generally accepted stereotype. My feeling is that the type of person you are attracts you to a certain instrument. There are always exceptions of course, but the type of person you are will also dictate cover/originals band as well. Stereotypes exist for a reason.