Cat Burrito

I'm back up to three for the second time in my life, two of which are gigging. None are *that* busy so it ticks over nicely with just a bit of juggling regarding schedules. I suspect I'll shelve one once the third band start playing live regularly.

We're still looking if anyone knows anyone or fancies it.

I actually like Gene Simmons / Kiss but he's a 65yr man who is acknowledging that things have changed. The days of Elvis or the Beatles had gone by the time Kiss cam along and it is different again now. I do see some sense in what he is saying but there are enough people coming to gigs etc for rock music to continue for a very long time. It's just the old "things ain't what they used to be" line.

I've just joined a band that has 3 bass players, one of whom is on drums and another (me) on guitar. I think we have our preferences but actually it's nice to play a range of instruments and stretch ourselves a little. I'm enjoying playing guitar at the moment (something I started to do a few years back and then stopped for a return to bass).

The Ramones.

My originals band never rehearse (well, OK maybe 3 or 4 times a year) where as the other lot (muck about band) try to get together every week. I like to get together to play personally,, be it gig, rehearsal or recording but I guess it depends on the band as to how often.

[quote name='The Admiral' timestamp='1409294041' post='2538304']People criticise his playing[/quote] They shouldn't do. He was great on some of those early 70s recordings.

I had a break from 2000 - 2004 to concentrate on my career (which simply didn't exist at the start of my break) and my marriage (which doesn't exist now). I think it was a healthy thing to do as I've enjoyed playing much more since I came back to it.

I stopped for 4yrs which was right at the time. Starting up again has been twice the fun. Go with your gut feeling.

I think a lot of people wrongly assume kit share is automatically somehow magically sorted by the promoter or venue which can lead to misunderstandings. I too agree it isn't an age thing. A young idiot probably won't suddenly grow into a wise old sage! The last two idiot bass players I met were both (coincidentally) mid 30s; the last one was a guy who came up to tell me how much he loved my bass and tone until he realised I had a Squier and not a Fender so promptly started doing a u-turn on how it wasn't quite cutting it and selling me short. The one before that kindly lent me her upright bass and then afterwards approached my singer right in front of me and said she'd dep for me as she was better! She'd been drinking and I have to say having watched her set I actually didn't agree she was a better player. I think it all comes with the territory and the reality is I've met a bunch of cool players too.

When he left the band I was at University & we had to go for work experience. I asked the lady if I could replace Bill Wyman as it was the only job I'd consider. She just loved me

It was my parents (well Mum to be precise) and their old record collection that influenced me, from Elvis to Cash, Beatles to Dylan, Stax soul etc. I think the modern acts will produce some stayers but not like the 50s, 60s & 70s.

I'm 41 & like a naive young fool I gave up for 4 years at 27 because I thought I was too old. I'm the youngest in my main band (oldest is 51) and work with a 22yr old singer in the other band. I've found I'm more comfortable in my own skin these days so enjoy playing more than ever and don't really stop to consider whether anyone thinks I'm too old etc. I'll keep going until I stop having fun.

I never used to mind lending out gear but I've definitely got stricter in recent years. If someone is a bit up themselves I'll now say no. Ironically the biggest name to use my gear was Norman Watt-Roy who was really grateful and gracious - unlike some of the posers who've happily rested pints on the head. Not an amp but my worst experience was in Camden a couple of years back touring with an American band and the support band's bass packed up. I lent the bass player my bass to get them out of a hole and afterwards he was really rude "I'm a guitarist really, you see", "it sounds horrible with that foam under the bridge - I wanted to rip it out", "don't like the flatwound strings" and "why do you have those covers on it?". Funny thing but my gear lasted the tour, his didn't last the set. Go figure!?! If I'd have known he was going to be like that I'd have let him sing his bass parts.

I spent the first 15yrs of my playing career with the same secondhand £50 amp. That amp saw me play the Marquee Club, appear on TV, tour the UK and even play a session for a guitar mag. Kit these days is better than ever & the 2nd hand market allows the keener shopper to benefit from others GAS. Especially around the less sexy items like amps. Personally speaking, I can't afford [b]not[/b] to be in a band.

I used the SP210 version of that setup for over 3 years and it never let me down. I was always getting compliments on my sound & the look of the rig too. I only sold it to free up some cash otherwise I'd still be using it all now. Great setup.

[quote name='julietgreen' timestamp='1407417724' post='2520286'] Is anyone prepared to post a photo of their grolsch bottle washer straplocks in situ? [/quote] [attachment=168828:grolsch.jpg] Following on from toneknob, here's mine in, um, action. I've been using them so long I don't even think about them anymore.

I've just got back from the Mediterranean and was amused to see people on boat trips around the harbour watching the entire trip through a viewfinder. I personally don't like it but it's a sign of the modern world. I was at an acoustic gig 5yrs back where a once famous singer smashed an unattended phone that was ringing and all I thought was "that is actually someone else's property". I sympathise with Peter Frampton but that could have been handled a very different way.

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1407353398' post='2519777'] You can get them on eBay, just search for grolsch bottle washers.[/quote] This is what I did. I've used them exclusively since around 1996. And yes, the newer ones are more plastic-y and not so good.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1407308678' post='2519258'] Why just be a one trick pony?? - learn as many styles and techniques as you can... [/quote] Absolutely this. I started out as a pick player before moving on to finger style fairly early on. I also use the 60s thumb plucking style (not slap) occasionally. This way you can do whatever suits the song.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1407101485' post='2517414'] I've said before, and undoubtably will say again, but we should have a 'like' button on this site. They have one on Talkbass . Only I'd have used it here, I like everything about that photo . [/quote] I'm assuming you didn't spot the Mr. Tumble DVD? ....or did you?

I'm only playing my Squier basses now & I do like the look of that 50s one. Hopefully I'm too disciplined these days to do anything other than admire it.

[attachment=168336:West Berkshire-20140605-00984.jpg] I don't have such an impressive bass as some of you guys but my Czech made plywood bass does me & I like it.

Playing music I like with people I can get along with is the main thing. I'd add that the band has to at least do something, be it record or certainly play live but that is basically it for me. I'm not massively driven by finances or a quest for fame. I think I've succeeded in that in 25yrs of playing I've always done what I set out to do, albeit with any desire for it to be a main source of income long gone.

It's one of my favourite combinations although I prefer it with rosewood to maple. I've only owned a white pickguarded version 20yrs back in the days where I didn't think to change the pickguard!