Cat Burrito

Many of us operate in more than one band. It's fine as long as you are straight with bandmates. I, like many, operate a first come first served policy where whoever books me first has me. People always worry about gigs clashing but I don't think I've ever really had that happen. Maybe just once or twice over all the years I've juggled bands. Learning songs is easy if you practice regularly (I found it harder in the old days where I spent more time GASing on GAK or yapping on forums!) Songs aside, assuming this isn't paying your wages I would go with where the fun is if picking between the two. Or write down the strengths and weaknesses of both bands and then weigh up the pros and cons from there.

Last night I played (for the 3rd or 4th time) the venue with the worst reputation in town. It just doesn't dawn on me to take cheaper kit because nowhere is *that* bad that if I'm sensible it would get stolen or trashed.

I'll start the ball rolling with Teisco but I'm not 100%

I had a guitar gig with The 58 Shakes. My playing time recently has all been bass so looking at 2 sets of rock 'n' roll where I play 85% of the lead was daunting. We haven't had the whole band in the same room for 6 weeks and all of us were saying they were rusty. The first set went well which usually is an omen BUT incredibly the second set was better. And our album is back from pressing. Result!

Online and specialist shops. I pretty much wear my stage gear all the time. At 22 I looked like a rock 'n' roll star. At 43 I look like a mid life crisis.

[attachment=224338:Convent.JPG] We played the Convent in Stroud which must be a contendor for the most beautiful, friendly and professional music venue ever. They even stream the show live with a 5 camera production team. I'm still speechless.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1469545688' post='3099253'] Stornoway? You're touring the Outer Hebrides? Respect![/quote] We even made the local paper! [url="http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/what-s-on/leisure-time/sample-some-case-hardin-music-1-4186529"]http://www.stornoway...music-1-4186529[/url]

I too think it's still early days. It was the first gig. Practice and vary your practice - it takes a few gigs to settle in.

[attachment=224181:IMG_4868.JPG] So last night was a triple whammy of new things - 1) I was back on the Hofner with my long scale version of my old "bass that got away", 2) I debuted my Ampeg head and it sounded *sweet* and 3) against all common sense I flightcased the amp so had fun and games getting it in and out of the car! I've been really back into playing so practiced like crazy ahead of the show and consequently I don't recall making a mistake all night.Who knew, practice does help One minor niggle was we'd given up our backline as headliners and one band who I won't name were so up themselves the bassist just assumed, didn't thank me and didn't treat my kit with any respect. If I play with them again he can go through the PA. Needless to say they disappeared the second they finished playing. Thankfully the other band were very cool.

I'm playing a few dates with Case Hardin over the next couple of weeks to promote our current record; [font=courier new,courier,monospace][size=5][color=#1D2129]Full schedule Sat 23 Jul - Tingestock, Buckinghamshire[/color][/size][/font] [font=courier new,courier,monospace][size=5][color=#1D2129]Sun 24 Jul - The Convent, Stroud[/color][/size][/font] [font=courier new,courier,monospace][size=5][color=#1D2129]Tue 2 Aug - The Musician - Leicester[/color][/size][/font] [font=courier new,courier,monospace][size=5][color=#1D2129]Wed 3 Aug - The Village, Leigh, Edinburgh[/color][/size][/font] [font=courier new,courier,monospace][size=5][color=#1D2129]Thurs 4 Aug - Market Bar, Inverness[/color][/size][/font] [font=courier new,courier,monospace][size=5][color=#1D2129]Fri 5 Aug - Golf Club, Stornoway[/color][/size][/font] [font=courier new,courier,monospace][size=5][color=#1D2129]Sat 6 Aug - Tartan Heart Festival, Inverness[/color][/size][/font] [font=courier new,courier,monospace][size=5][color=#1D2129]Sun 7 Aug - The Archangel, Retford, Nottinghamshire Check press for details, as they say....[/color][/size][/font]

Like most of the replies, I spent the 90s with a Peavey combo too. Only I was dreaming of owning an Ampeg.

My Hofner (long scale) Verythin bass in super cool cherryburst [url="http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Tim_73/media/DSC00340_zpsyuaqhph7.jpg.html"][/url]

I cover and even flight case my amps purely because of the terror twins in my house.

Love Carol. She sent me some plectrums a few years ago and if I play with a pick I use those. Not that the magic came with them, sadly! [quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1468620121' post='3092269'] The YouTube video of her teaching Gene Simon how to play bass is great. [/quote] Simmons.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1468563323' post='3091725']Very nice, but does it have the classic Hofner thump?[/quote] I believe it sounds typically hollowbody-esque, yes. I don't know if a purist would say classic Hofner but it's close enough for my ear. [quote name='chriswareham' timestamp='1468577562' post='3091871']If it's the same as the violin basses, then I'm guessing the original Verithins were completely hollow bodied, while the "Contemporary" series have a block of wood down the middle for a more modern sound.[/quote] It does indeed have the centre block. Gretsch do a similar thing too.It increases the weight a little bit (obviously) but reduces feedback so on balance it's no problem for me.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1468515277' post='3091520']Are the stings Pyramids? [/quote] Stock roundwounds, presumably Hofner. I normally use flats but these can stay for now.

I had no idea Hofner had launched a long scale version of this bass but stumbled across it this week and decided to end what has been over 3 years of GAS free bass playing. I originally bought a Hofner Verythin bass back around 2011 and bonded with it massively on the live circuit. However, recording our 2nd album at the time became a problem as the producer of the record had dog like hearing and was struggling with the short scale intonation (not entirely unusual for a hollowbodied bass. In the end what was supposed to be all over one album, only made it onto one track. My love affair with Hofner ended and I sold the bass on. As time rolled on I think I probably should have stood up to the producer and certainly not sold the bass on (it really wasn't that bad and only one other band member claimed that could hear something). So seeing the long scale necked version I figured the intonation would be better and if not, I wasn't going to care. Googling around neither Basschat nor the other forums seem to be celebrating this fine bass. Dood's video was good but to be fair my mind was made up. The cherry burst is sweet. It feels very well balanced. Quite light, although a little heavier than the original bass I had. Tonally it just totally pitches it where I want to be. I'm not sure whether to keep the rounds on it or default to my preference of flats but I won't rush into anything. And Thomann have confirmed the case fits the longscale model so I have taken the plunge with a fitted case too.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1468444986' post='3091039']The Classic 50s is quite a step above the standard MIM Precision[/quote] Agreed. My first bass (lasted over 10yrs as my only player) and my current main bass are both Fender 50s P-basses. They are great. No issue with the truss rod as once it is set up it's done. Very playable and (for me) just perfect.

I have (had) the Squier and it's a great bass. I'm just in the process of upgrading my kit but managed 3 years exclusively playing Squire basses. I customised mine with ashtray covers and a 51 style pickguard but these are good basses and the pickup is killer.

I used one solidly for a few years and loved it. I guess they are like Marmite but as old school tones are my thing it totally delivered for me.

I assume Vintage white is okay? [url="http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Tim_73/media/IMG_4651_zpsqjk2cbs6.jpg.html"][/url]

10th December '94 at The Old Angel in Nottingham. I fell offstage drunkenly adjusting my backing vocal mic before we had hit the first note. In fact the first note was me landing on my P-bass! Arguably the biggest cheer of the night and the end to a great tour. I'm strangely proud whilst not wishing to repeat the incident.

I went for ages not being able to do this and the answer was simple, practice. Sometimes if the bass if buried a little, I find the chords on a guitar and then work the bass from there. There is no feeling like the first time you finally crack picking stuff out for yourself - it's like a graduation.

You should always play to the key that suits the singers voice so I don't think it's unfair for bassists or guitarists to have to adapt - I've done some songs in more than one band and we've flipped the key. But it's best to not do it at open mic after a few ales! I've played with an Americana band for over 7 years and they *used* to be really bad for saying "this is G, capo 4" and I would forever be correcting them and saying "actually B". More recently they've raised their game and I'm being corrected with "...minor 7th actually!"

I certainly don't have a problem with them, so long as the performer isn't glued to one. I've worked with a minority of players in the past who've used one and it simply hasn't been an issue. As mentioned by earlier posters, I occasionally scribble notes on set lists or cards hidden on the amps but much more in the early days of new songs. It's preferable to getting things wrong but nothing should be a substitute for practice.