Cat Burrito

It happens but it is rare. I went down to just two Squiers a few years ago and used them at some pro gigs and one an album. We played a show in Windsor and the support bass player came up to compliment me on my tone and bass - he then clocked the logo and began backpedalling massively. This stands out in isolation. I am now back to mainly expensive basses simply because at that time I could afford them and it's nice to have nice things BUT I think most people judge a player on their playing, not their kit. I'd rather see a good band with rubbish kit then a rubbish band with all the gear.

My T-bird and Ric are through necks and I love them. My Hofner is a set neck and I love it. My Precision and Jazz are bolt on and I love them. So for me it depends on the bass. None of it is a deal breaker.

It wouldn't surprise me @ezbass and I had exactly the same thought.

I enjoyed it. Brain in neutral and just try not to overthink things. I think John Lydon's moaning has really helped raise the profile.

As a player, it is about connections - whether it is with band mates or an audience, it's good to share. As a listener, I have absolutely no idea. Different things for different reasons.

As the thread seems to have gone on this tangent - the last two shows I went to (Peter Hook and The Mission), both singers used iPads. They didn't perform to them, they were simply there as a safety net. Nobody cared and we all enjoyed the show(s). I kind of grow tired of all these pious statements (aimed at the guitarist in the OP and a few pompous friends on FB) about iPads on stage, clip on tuners on headstocks etc. Does it *really* matter? If the performer is glued to the iPad or the musician is loudly tuning up through the PA, fair point, but otherwise...

Sounds like you've dodged a bullet. The scene after a couple of rehearsals is going to be significantly less than 6 months in a band with a guy like this. My experience is that some people take it as a relief, some people are fine but get a bit sulky afterwards and some people get silly from the off. I guess your true personality comes out, depending on how it is done. Sounds like you've been more than fair and he's shown is true colours.

I have the Crush 25 for practice, the Terror head for small gigs and the AD200B for big shows. I love Orange and don't play heavy metal. Mine has done everything from power pop to alternative . Old school tones. I like Fender and Ampeg too but Orange are very consistent.

I'm reading that thinking of my experience with record companies in the early 90s, had they shown up, you would have probably gotten signed! 😺

Saturday 10th December 1994 (I still have the tour poster) at the Angel in Nottingham, my Bath based sleaze rock band (the last bastions of the old days that had been otherwise killed off by grunge) hit the town. We didn't know what to expect and showed up to what initially looked like an old man's pub. We were backstage still nursing hangovers from the previous night(s) and our roadie came in to say the audience all looked like us. Thinking it was a wind up we initially ignored him but he said they were asking for me personally (I used to run the mailing list). I went out front and he was right - we'd pulled our biggest crowd. People started buying me drinks and I spent the first part of the evening ligging at the bar. We came to go on and made an entrance walking through the crowd as our intro music played. It was a highpoint of my musical career at that time. I was definitely feeling the effects of a few too many beers. We walked onstage and I noticed my BV mic was considerably lower than my skinny 6ft3 frame. I staggered up to adjust it and promptly fell off stage before the first note! Low slung bass thankfully unharmed. It got the biggest cheer of the night! Against all odds, we actually went down well but I don't think I recovered from my muppet moment.

I think that's very sensible @Lozz196. Having played with pros, ex-pros and local lads who just want a laugh, I think it's about fitting in to the band you join. I've bitten my lip a few times when playing with amateur bands (gaps between songs, showing up to rehearsal having not learnt songs everyone else has bothered to do etc). I also think anyone after Andy is going to look like they have a relaxed attitude! 😺

My 80s Alternative / goth duo played on Friday, just locally on the road I grew up on. Last time we were acoustic so we decided to bring the full band with our electric set, drum machine and sequenced keys. We walked in and some of the locals starting saying "Here come the professionals!" Assuming they weren't comparing us to Bodie and Doyle, it was a great welcome. We did a really solid set and returned later on with mandolin / mandocellos to back the country guy. A great night.

He's played most of the classic / iconic basses to be fair. I know the era and I too was taken with them when I saw Simon with one. They always made me think of Siouxsie and the Banshees but most people think of them in terms of funk. They also seemed quite popular during the Britpop era.

I would just because of my punk rock youth. My last gig in my Americana / Roots band was me in brothel creepers and tight jeans with a Flying V bass. That bass literally was the elephant in the room!

And blues 😺

I think nearly all players are going to be influenced by the instrument choices of the artists they like. Nobody buys a Hofner beatle bass to join a doom metal band or a BC Rich Warlock to join a folk band. Stuff does crossover though. I note the association with rock / prog and Rickenbackers but I always associated mine with Tony James (Gen X).

I am more than happy to lend any kit to a friend, without question. I wouldn't lend my favourite gear to someone I didn't know. I'd lend a cheaper bass to a friend of a friend but no more. There are companies that hire out kit or failing that, flying with a bass isn't impossible. I took one out to Ibiza earlier this month with minimal fuss / costs.

I find as a guide, a £300 high end Squier is an incredible bass for the money. If you upgrade to the best of the MIM range it will be an improvement but not as good as the increase (ie not 150% better). The same principle applies when jumping again to the USA model. It ultimately comes down to if you want the top model, you *could* spend years buying cheaper models or just take the plunge. If you can justify the expense, bite the bullet and get the American one. If you are happy with what you have, learn to love it. 99% of your audience don't care or won't notice anyway.

No pic but we played another slot at a local pub just before the weekend. It was enjoyable but I didn't think it was worthy of sharing... However, yesterday I met by Dad in my local pub 8 miles from the gig and a very decent chap came up to me and said he recognised me. He then bigged up my playing in front of my Dad. I was really touched. (for context, I am a few months shy of 50, not a teenager!) 😸

I've been very lucky in that in 34yrs of playing, I have always managed to be in a band that plays the music of wherever my head is at the time. I've played a range of styles over the years. When my Dad was pro in the 60s, he earned more money (relatively speaking) but played a lot of stuff he hated. He gave up before the decade was out.

I am in 5 (on paper at least) and hold down quite a stressful job. However this breaks down to one very busy band when you look at it; One band is on hiatus and is essentially where I play locally with two very chilled (lazy!) musician friends, One is predominately studio based and only does a few shows a year. the albums are critically acclaimed but it all looks busier than it actually is, One is a duo with an old school friend that is run by me so I just fit it around everything One is kinda on hiatus but is essentially the band that is linked to the last, The final one is an international touring level act that have just recorded a new record. I have been upfront about them using deps but this one zaps the most time. My wife has a massive family (I don't) and she is the one who has pushed for me to do all this -- we're very committed / supportive of each other but fairly independent. I also think you HAVE to be upfront with other band members and it is easier if you come into something already in other bands. Don't hide auditions and don't bang on about how great the drummer is in your other band in front of the weaker drummer. If it's too much, scale it back.

@Grahambythesea, I think that @Beer of the Bass explained it brilliantly. They were $3 on EBay and wow, do they sharpen up the tone. Coupled with the armrest (£13 on EBay) which keeps your arm off of the body, the thing sounds great. It went a bit quieter when I put them on but sounded more in tune but adding the armrest boasted the volume so I am at the same volume with a better sound. I also have a bouzouki which I have tuned like a mandola. My singer plays a mandocello which is a contender for the nicest instrument I have seen or played (weird that he has the low end covered as a guitarist and I am playing the melodies as a bass player).

I'm still dining out on a story regarding a Sixth Form band argument way back in 1990 where my guitarist mate was being very pompous and telling me that "nobody can cover the Beatles". When I pushed him on the fact he knew nothing about the Beatles he got all defensive and said "I know about The Beatles... it's George Lennon and that!" 😸

Growing up and getting into music in the 80s, I didn't trust / believe any of the popular DJs really liked music - Cheggars Plays Pop, Mike Read's Pop Quiz etc. I believed Tommy Vance and John Peel did but none of the others. Noel Edmunds? Give me a break! Even if you think I'm mad for thinking that (& I try to tell myself I am wrong), history has proven me right about Jimmy Savile!

My dad was a pro drummer in the 60s so at the tender age of 8, I assumed I would follow in his footsteps. I was 8 and couldn't take instruction from my Dad! I have since learned a basic beat on drums after 32yrs as a bass player. I currently teach bass to a pro drummer and he is always offering me free drum lessons. Never say never. It's good to stretch out on other instruments.