Cat Burrito

I appreciate the replies so far. I'd considered the potential fall out / split later, I guess what we'd be looking for is a simply idiot proof setup that isn't rocket science to setup / use and doesn't break the bank. Hopefully people will keep the thoughts coming. Cheers

I'm playing in a fairly quiet 3 piece (guitar, small drum kit & upright bass) band that has just managed to secure a rehearsal space at the drummer's work. The downside being we don't have a PA system. It occured to me tonight that we could have a band kitty with the money we are saving from not renting a professional rehearsal studio and get a little PA system. I've no idea about wattage etc but we are quiet (the singer was able to sing mic free last week and almost be heard over the band!) and wondered if something like this [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/peavey-audio-performer-pack/5296"]http://www.gak.co.uk...ormer-pack/5296[/url] would be sufficient. The other option is to pick up a 2nd hand bargain if there is a good deal. Presumably we sell it and split the money if the band folds and could use it for small pub gigs. Any experiences / pointers shared will be gratefully recieved, ta

I think BigRedX makes an excellent argument here (overlooking the need to be heard is less of a problem when miming! ) and I certainly agree that genre affects playing style / technique. But joking aside I hadn't thought about the rubbish live amplification of days gone by. Jamerson was of course mainly a studio player so different breed of cat there. I'd also argue that it depends on the bass. I use fingers largely on my P-bass but certain basses like Hofner and Rickenbacker seemed to work better (for me at least) with a pick. The age old argument appears to be starting up again and once again I feel compelled to say the better player is always one who can use a variety of techniques. And I say that as someone who really can't slap!

Those Korean Squiers are great instruments. Only you can answer this really but a done up vintage Squier would always beat a new MIM Fender in any game of Top Trumps as far as I'm concerned. Ultimately it comes down to whether not having the Fender logo on the headstock bothers you or not. Don't get me wrong there are some really nice MIMs out there but reading your post it sounds like your bass has a lot of really positive plus points for you

I play in a little 3 piece 50s rock 'n' roll band and anything along the Elvis / Buddy Holly / Eddie Cochran vein would probably fit that mould

Just a Fender Precision and an upright bass for me. Can I have the cash equivalent for the other three?

I reckon you are along the right lines with Squier, with a decent set up (if not done by the shop) they sound great & play like a dream

That vocal really detracts from the misguided message...but that's enough compliments from me!?!

I like old strings personally but we're all different. I only change them when I buy a bass, to get the roundwounds off and get flats on

I nearly did a similar thread myself. I picked up my first new bass in 3yrs as I decided 2 vintage Fenders is OTT so I picked up a Squier CV 50s P bass. I restrung it with my trademark heavy flats and figured it needed a set up. I took it to my local dealer who sorted it out. I plugged it in the shops Ashton practice amp and WOW - I had my sound. I took it to rehearsal instead of my upright bass and it felt like one of my Fenders. I just need to sell that old Jazz now.

I guess it relates to the bass guitar as that was of course originally fretted. You wouldn't refer to an upright bass as fretless because the assumption is that it has no frets anyway. That'd be my understanding at least

It's not even a case of Grandparents growing up listening to the Beatles or Elvis - these days a lot of Grandparents grew up listening to bands from the 70s, 80s and even 90s. For a change I don't agree with Bilbo here, a lot of country, Americana and Rockabilly acts also contain older players. Certainly the punk scene is littered with older players. Age is no big deal. I grew up listening to bands like the Rolling Stones and Kiss, all of whom were being told they were getting on - and this was 30yrs and they are still playing now. I stopped playing initially at 26yrs old as I thought I was too old. It lasted 4yrs and now at 40yrs old I feel better than ever. Who cares and long may it continue. I'd hate to think I had to stop before I wanted to

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1374510103' post='2149535'] Probably saved him a fortune on hair-gel Tim [/quote] It was priced accordingly, yes

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1374503850' post='2149431'] Any bands I've had the misfortune to be in. [/quote] I'm painfully aware I've just come from another thread where I have quoted you in agreement BUT 100% with you on this one too. I'm not really an internet stalker... which is what I'll be telling the judge!

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1374512335' post='2149569'] I meant I was probably 15 the last time I thought any record I owned was cool. [/quote] Ah, my mistake Me too....and I was wrong then as well!

For me having vinyl of my band is the coolest thing. I have some great old soul, rockabilly and cool country but seeing your band name on a 12" vinyl ticks that box for me everytime. Failing that I have a Christmas album that Glen Campbell recorded that could be cool depending on your perspective [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1374419920' post='2148498'] I wouldn't call it "cool" (because I'm not 15) [/quote] I think "cool" is more a word that old duffers like me use rather than teenagers today. Bear jokes, innit?!?

[quote name='MB1' timestamp='1374489551' post='2149197'] ='BurritoBass' I kept my original amp out in the garage for years with no problem - it electrocuted the guy I sold it too. MB1. Kinda answers your question?. [/quote] To be fair it was the 4th or 5th garage it had been in so it supports the others saying it depends on the garage. It was in constant use in the previous garages and then got retired for 4yrs before I sold it on. It was to a friend of a friend and he was ok about it all.

Maybe want to think about garage security too. People put expensive gardening and sporting gear in there and secure it with a £2 lock. I kept my original amp out in the garage for years with no problem - it electrocuted the guy I sold it too but certainly no problem for me! These days my cab is flightcased and I throw a table cloth over it so it acts as a side table when not in use

I've had my copy since the mid 90s when it was first published. I think it's fair to say anything with Tony Bacon's name on it is always going to be at least half way decent

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1374312392' post='2147404']"well the alternative is a lot worse"! [/quote] A very fair point well made, have yourself a good decade / birthday

Different areas, different problems - around here bass players are rarer than Rocking Horse s**t but I try and treat the bands better than the drummers in the OP. Some musicians can just act like idiots and to be fair in the past I've been stung by unreliable drummers. My main band has an amazing drummer who doesn't play for anyone else and is a great player. Threads like this remind me it's a luxury and certainly not the norm.

Wow, I have a three piece rockabilly band that practices in my house most Tuesdays. We amp the guitar through a tiny Fender 5w Champion valve amp and the drummer bangs his sticks on the guitar case. No mics and I just use my upright as is. My view is that the houses either side have noisy kids that have woken me up before so for 3 out of every 4 weeks for one night we can make some noise for about 3hrs always stopping around 9.30 - 10pm. Nobody has ever come around. I'm so quiet the rest of the time, I'm rarely in, I never complain, I cut the neighbours front lawns and lend them hedge cutters. I keep myself to myself and generally act like a typical serial killer. 3hrs of noise isn't going to kill them...or is it?!

This is more common with Jazz basses than people realise. I had one of the early Mexican Jazzes back in 1994 and my E and G were louder than my A and D. I even had a letter published in Guitarist magazine at the time asking that Doctor how to fix it. I tried restringing, adjusting the pickup (couldn't afford to replace it at the time) and in the end I cut my losses & sold it on. Periodically I've seen the problem come up since. I suspect it is in the pickups and now it wouldn't be a problem for me to explore. I've owned a couple of Jazz basses since and thankfully neither have had the problem. Good luck sorting it out.

One word.... Hot!

I've not done cruise ship work myself but I am familiar with written terms and conditions at venues being a little more relaxed once you actually get there. That said I wouldn't assume this will be the case. Personally I could go without very easily but we're all different. I can't help but wonder if they had a problem in the past with a previous musician? I'm kind of with Chris_b in that if these are the rules then you have to adhere to them. I also wonder if the 2wks would be a nightmare as they may set very high standards but all this is speculation and you wouldn't know unless you go and find out