Pete Academy

Remind me to put an Alembic strap on my Encore bass when I sell it.

[quote name='ianrunci' post='725015' date='Jan 26 2010, 12:20 PM']I am thinking of buying a fender strat plus. I was just wondering what people thought of them as opposed to buying a standard strat which would roughly cost about the same??[/quote] How much are you paying for the Plus? At the right money and condition, I'd go for the Plus.

[quote name='Doddy' post='725344' date='Jan 26 2010, 04:10 PM']Funny you should say that......... [/quote] If you need a teacher, I can vouch for this man.

£549 new??? Cheap and cheerful make. Just about worth the asking price.

[quote name='Doddy' post='725330' date='Jan 26 2010, 04:02 PM']So technically,not transcribing then? Sorry to be pedantic but,transcribing is when you actually notate things,not just work them out. Rockchic- The best 'technique to create brilliant riffs and hooklines', is to study music. Learning what the notes are and how they work together is the best way of understanding how to move away from root notes and to help create interesting lines. Do you know the notes on the 'board? After 4 years,i think you should. If not,learn them. Then I'd recommend that you start looking at arpeggios. These are the notes that make up the chords.It will allow you to understand what notes are readily available for you to use,rather than just the root note. This is generally,I find,a good place to start,but like Bilbo said,it's not always fun,but it is very rewarding. If you want fun,go and jam along to some Blink 182 or something-but don't use tabs..........ever. Use your ear or find some proper notation-trust me,it's much more beneficial to you. Also,look in to finding a teacher who can help you with all this,you will progress quicker with someone to guide you through it.[/quote] Know any good teachers?

[quote name='karlfer' post='724866' date='Jan 26 2010, 09:31 AM']And finally, (ref 2 posts back) Gary was a great GUY to deal with, not a great gut!!! When will I ever learn to keep my gob shut![/quote] Points taken. How the written word gets misconstrued!

[quote name='karlfer' post='724560' date='Jan 25 2010, 09:07 PM']I know the sort of mark up many businesses put on their cost, but I am not going down that line! I had noticed Promenade Music in Morecambe,50 miles away, had a bass I wanted desperately. On their web site I saw the price as £988, so off I trundles with £900 of folding stuff in my pocket. That's what you are gonna get boys, I will be resolute. Get's there after 1.5 hours (God bless the M6), plays it, wants to marry it. Speaks to Garry (great bloke), wanting deal. £900 in foldy stuff in my pocket. Ticket price in store is £969. Unfortunatelysays Garry, that is discounted (already £266 off) so can't go any lower. Bugger. Wish I had put another £70 in my pocket, and had read the web site properly. Too embarrased to do another 100 mile round trip and certainly won't order over internet. Shame mind. Wonder how many businesses would say no to £900 on a Saturday afternoon, handed over, no other labour /admin costs. Karl.[/quote] I'm sorry but I can't believe you expected the shop to just knock almost £100 off just because you'd travelled a fair distance. 'That's what you are gonna get boys'? I'm not surprised they refused with that attitude.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='724771' date='Jan 26 2010, 12:56 AM']Ive done this a few times, and usually it works. I had a chat with Gary as well and he seems like a decent bloke. Im shocked anyone would turn down £900 for a bass without any effort (eg sending etc etc). I always think its best to make an offer on this kind of equipment.[/quote] It sounds like the shop had already given maximum discount. I'm with them on this one. You can't just turn up with the amount of money YOU expect to pay and then diss the shop for not taking it. That's a tad unfair IMO. Retailers know the difference between doing a good deal and being a soft touch. Give them [i]some[/i] credit.

You have to remember that heavily-discounted prices can be both your friend and your enemy. That P-Bass bargain will bite back when you want to sell it again. I had a guy a few years back who came in waving his print-out from some online shop selling a Roland bass combo for peanuts. I had to match the price. He also wanted to part-exchange a Martin acoustic he'd bought for £1100. A quick Google Shop showed the same guitar for £899 new. See what I mean?

[quote name='Sibob' post='724773' date='Jan 26 2010, 01:05 AM']I think it's just a bit of tongue-in-cheek jealousy Some lovely, although I'd be scared to take any of them out haha! Si[/quote] That's what I meant. Is there an emoticon for tongue-in-cheek jealousy? This forum sure needs one.

This has been a bestseller at our shop. Comes with a DVD, too. [url="http://www.musicroom.com.au/en-AU/se/ID_No/0702677/details.html"]http://www.musicroom.com.au/en-AU/se/ID_No...77/details.html[/url]

[quote name='jezzaboy' post='724525' date='Jan 25 2010, 08:34 PM']Souns like a scam. A couple of months ago I was selling a bass on gumtree and got an e mail from someone saying that they were in Canada working but wanted to buy the bass for someone in Scotland. They wanted me to send em a paypal bill of some kind. Told em to fluck off. I reported them to Gumtree and they agreed. Scamming ba**ards!! Jez[/quote] Yep...tell em to fluck off. That'll teach em.

Is that it?

Looking at that opening line, are you sure it's not Alan Titschmarsh wanting you to play at a gardening event?

Scam.

[quote name='4-string-thing' post='723116' date='Jan 24 2010, 02:13 PM']Everything I hate in bass playing, can be seen here.... Slapping, horrible tinny tone, coffee table basses with more than 4 strings, musical masturbation. The drummer is good though![/quote] He probably would have failed your Oasis audition. And he doesn't look the part.

To be fair this doesn't do David Dyson justice. The slap sound is obviously tinny on YouTube, but he's a monster player and groover. Check out his playing on Me'Shell's live gigs on YT...she wouldn't use a slouch as her bass player. And his dad invented a mean vacuum cleaner, too.

Excellent choices. I prefer earlier Cameo rather than Word Up etc.

The clients usually specify what they want beforehand. They will browse the band's setlist and choose. A good wedding band will cater for all types. Again, see Hipster's setlist on the Alive Network site. This is why they're so successful.

I used to work for this company - www.alivenetwork.com - the biggest online entertainment agency in the UK. They handle loads of wedding bands, so they'll be perfect to advise you. Try emailing [email protected] You will need good audio tracks and photos, maybe some video too. It costs nothing to get on their website (that's if you're accepted, of course). They don't take a commission like other agencies - instead they take a deposit from the client, then your band is paid the fee you decided upon, usually on the night. Travel expenses are also factored into the quote. Basically, to be a good wedding band you need an ultra-professional attitude. It can be a tricky gig, especially as the clients are on a high and expect the best. You need to be prepared to deal with awkward situations. Make sure you are suitably-attired, punctual, friendly, have top-end gear and PA, in the MU, have all your gear PAT tested, are fully covered insurance-wise, and have full breakdown cover to and from the venue. Offering a DJ service with a laptop is also recommended, and clients will pay extra for this. An 'acoustic' set is also a good thing, as you can offer to play during the meal and drinks reception in the afternoon or before the evening set. Again, this is chargeable. Versatility is the key factor. Check out 'Hipster' on the Alive Network website. They are their most successful function band, and make a decent living from it.

Glad I bought my Roscoe before everything went tits up.

[quote name='Beedster' post='722468' date='Jan 23 2010, 07:20 PM']Anyone?[/quote] The 12's a winner, so the 15 should be even better. Proper old school. Plug the Jazz or P in, and away you go.