Cat Burrito

Last time I felt like that I took a 4 1/2yr break & came back feeling much more positive. I've had a couple where I've not looked forward to the travel aspect but generally it is what I do so I love it

I'd probably do little more than just my regular practice and just have a think about the genre, maybe have a go at a couple of more obvious standards. The danger of getting too bogged down in that though is any establshed band has a few well known hits so (picking on Slade for example) learning C'mon Feel the Noise or Mama We're All Crazy Now is a bit pointless if they are then spring Gudbye T'Jane or Coz I luv You on you. However it will get you thinking about how bassists play within the genre. Also it's a jam so showing up in all the gear may have them laughing at you or certainly rolling their eyes. Having played in "image" bands a lot of players who don't live the look 24/7 will show up for rehearsals in regular gear. Good luck & have fun with it

I'm sorely tempted by the Ashdown Freebass but sadly I lack the discipline to not spend half the gig in the audience like too many owners of Wireless systems. Love the idea but just don't trust myself. I'm not proud!

[quote name='Hobbayne' post='1053261' date='Dec 9 2010, 07:50 PM']I think Carole Kaye played on the record[/quote] I was on Carol's site this week and placed an order. She emailed me to thank me and sent me some cool clips etc. Very cool of her!

Cool pair

I'm a big fan of not skimping on the cables

I probably play 95% with fingers but was initially a pick player and do like to use the technique occasionally so... [b]1. How hard do you dig in with the pick? [/b] A fair bit & certainly louder than fingers. I roll back the volume knob to compensate. [b]2. What are your favourite pick guages and materials? [/b] I used to say heavy gauge and something grippy but I rarely play with a pick these days. Certainly heavier but I don't worry if it's only .75mm these days and anything is fine. [b]3. How hard do you grip the pick and how flexible are your finger and thumb?[/b] I don't try and leave indents but a fairly firm grip is ok. [b]4. For funkier lines, how much palm muting do you use?[/b] My strings are muted under the bridge with foam and I have ashtray covers on so don't use this technique

Cheers for the responses guys & Loz, will do [quote name='Randy_Marsh' post='1052311' date='Dec 9 2010, 12:56 AM']We're looking at getting our EP duplicated soon (after it's been mixed and mastered etc). As we'd only be needing around 100 to 200 what would be the best move? I've asked for a quote from disc wizards about the cardboard sleeve jobbies. Any advice?[/quote] EBay has sellers doing small runs of 100 etc. A mate of mine just used one of the EBay listings for a short run & was suitably pleased

Welcome back & regards to Nigel

If you can try it, do it. If its a £70 online deal I'd avoid it. The Jim Deacon route would be better

The Vintage Modified range of Squiers are popular here and they use light woods. If you are on about selling two to fund one I wonder if these are a bit below what you are looking for (?) but all the owners on here seem to rave about them.

I kind of like that. I don't remember them though and I started playing in 1988 so I would have thought I'd have come across these.

[quote name='david_l_perry' post='1052169' date='Dec 8 2010, 10:02 PM']Perhaps click on the link on the post above you [/quote] In our defence it was hidden away (minus a letter too!) in a sig strip. Clearly not a detective!

[quote name='fryer' post='1052163' date='Dec 8 2010, 09:59 PM']Sorry, but what's an ACG ?[/quote] I too lead a sheltered life I'm guessing they are good?

As a kid I had 3 ambitions - To play on National TV, to play the Marquee Club in London and to release a record. Granted the reality wasn't quite how I imagined it at 14yrs old BUT I have done all of those things. I think I play bass how I would want bass to be played in my band and I'm really proud of the (unreleased) album we recorded this year. It stops short at "Women love me, Men want to be me" but there you have it.

Special mention to me would go to Carole Kaye as aside working with some of the great acts of all time she did a fair few nifty TV themes too Ever the diplomat, I'd say anyone who is happy with their lot in life is doing well. I love playing bass in my band. A few of the jazzy players here may get bored but I do get to stretch out a little, play my favourite genre and play with mates so it's the perfect gig for me. Oh & the guy who plays with Status Quo always looks like he's having the best time ever. I wouldn't want the job personally but he seems happy enough

Being a Jazz fan who has always struggled with the neck profile, I'm loving my new (to me - 1976) Jazz with the Precision neck. I'll be interested to see if it gives my usual arsenal of Precisions a run for their money in 2011

Thanks guys. We've paid for the glass master etc & luckily it's the bands 4th release so we have some knowledge around this. Digipack is expensive but probably worth it. The company who quoted us are the ones we normally use and certainly we're happy to wait until the New Year. Just trying to get feelers for when we spring into action. Cheers

We're putting out our next album in the new year. It's going to need an 8 page booklet & digipack is favourite at the moment. I know that format is far from the cheapest option but so far I've been quoted; 1000 cds with digi- pack and 8 page booklet £949+vat 1000 cds with jewel case and 8 page booklet £609+vat Can anyone recommend a decent company who aren't too expensive? I reckon I could shave at least a couple of hundred off that first price, especially in the current market.

New techniques should be practiced little & often to build up the new style. And I agree don't play through the pain

It amazes me that I believe every band I have been in during the last decade had contained members that have been found online. I think the trick is not to rely on one site but just get yourselves out on as many sites as possible. Just remember to take the listings down when the position if full. Oh & I've used all the sites mentioned. Ranges from sniffs of interest through to making friends for life

Welcome & good luck in your search for likeminded bandmates. Like you, I prefer music from before I was born & when I was very young so I agree it can be harder sometimes finding likeminded musicians. I don't think age is as big a deal to most these days. I think I've been the baby of my last few bands though. I'm 37 now and found age got less important once I was over 25 (sounds like I'm saying you are getting old! ). Anyhow, best of luck

Ease them in gently [url="http://www.punkrockbaby.com/"]http://www.punkrockbaby.com/[/url]

Being a flats player I usually have to change strings anyway but if I did buy with flats already on it I could certainly live with it