JTUK

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1464235700' post='3057765'] I see your point,and true most of the time. In my case after 10 years we still have the 2 founding members. If we lost our female lead vocals, lead guitarist, I think the band would be done. Blue [/quote] Musically, I think 'local' bands are 'done' after 5 years, but understand how money may be quite a factor.

[quote name='mike257' timestamp='1464156313' post='3056921'] Seriously JT, the amount of reasons you come out with to turn down gigs, it's an absolute bloody miracle you ever play anywhere. [/quote] I know...I'm just not as keen anymore. And on a serious note, I'm having to work quite hard to pick up gigs I want to do and you end up being in quite a few pick up bands. That way, the players and gigs are generally good enough to drop in and out of and the regular pick-ups bands--if that is not a contracdiction do get some nice gigs The back drop to this is I gave up for 18 months or so when I got REALLY jaded and I don't want to have that again, so yes, I'm being quite picky. It stops me joining quite a few bands, but what I put up with years ago in order to play and what I do know, is wildly different. At least, I'm not upset by the situation and am quite reconciled that this path is the right one..etc etc etc

I think we've done this before. Interesting left hand. Not much use on horn keys.

If they have no gigs lined up because they were looking for a bass player, why is the husband offering to do the singing...in readiness for gigs, which seems a long way off..?? Maybe the illness is a bit more than they all think or have mentioned. If you have no gigs, 6 weeks means nothing... might as well wait IF all is as they say. But depends if that suits your timetable. If the make do singer isn't good enough...and you are too new to mention it, then that pretty much means you will look out for something else and retain both options upto the time comes to choose..

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1464038594' post='3056079'] Fiver? [/quote] Yes, but funnily enough it is currently my go-to bass... it makes me work harder

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1464018527' post='3055789'] How custom is the Fender Custom Shop? For instance could I order a 5-string long-scale Starcaster bass in CAR with a CAR neck? [/quote] I would think there are custom options to a standard build. I have a custom shop and wanted the spec from Fender. The list details custom options on things like neck profile, but scale lenght..? I don't think so. The custom offerings seem pretty narrow, IMV. However, write to Fender for custom 'options... to confirm.

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1464028831' post='3055939'] Six weeks a go I joined a new band. Two things particularly attracted me; - Lots of promises that songs would be agreed and people would learn their parts before rehearsals. - Lead singer is/was a very good vocalist with a degree in popular music, loads of band experience. YouTube videos of her singing with bands were impressive. I like female-fronted bands. I'm in. Important point; female lead singer lives with male backing singer/band frontman. I [i]think[/i] they're married, but I'm not certain. Turns out that female singer isn't too well, bless her. She hasn't made it to any rehearsals yet, so I haven't met her. Apparently, she needs a couple of operations. Could be quite a lengthy process. Her partner - the band's backing singer and frontman/MC - is starting to suggest songs that he could sing lead to. In my opinion, he isn't a good enough singer to take over the lead role. A good frontman, yes - a good lead singer, no. The female lead singer may be OK in a month. She might not. Nobody knows, but early signs are not promising and I'm concerned that her husband appoints himself as lead singer in her absence. Am I being too impatient? Wouldn't be the first time. [/quote] Reasonable question to ask is what time are we looking at..etc etc, and then you can make a decision. I hate to compromise on things like this and a make-do singer is no mid term solution at all. If something isn't or wont work, I don't see the point in pretending it does..or let it eat away at things. It would be a No from me.

I have 3 packs upstairs in sealed bags for 6 months....I'm not expecting any problems, ..

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1464025218' post='3055872'] Being in a 3 piece is pretty good for this, not too often there`s territory wars going on. [/quote] Yes, I'm taking out a huge pedal board and carpet for 'my space'.. Don't plug the board in tho.. AND music stand..!!

[quote name='interpol52' timestamp='1463952026' post='3055329'] I meant overall, playing a song slightly slower/faster or differently from one week to the next. Speeding up or slowing down within the song is obvious. [b]I have timing like a metronome, I guessing you do too after reading your posts on here.[/b] Through experience I agree with you about the drummer issues being a deal breaker. A bad drummer always reminds me of when my batteries were just starting to go on my Walkman in the 80's, that odd kind of uneasy feeling when the music is just slipping a bit! [/quote] Never thought of it like that... but I do know I'm very conscious of time wavering... and it is not as tho I'm playing root fifth all the time.. Nothing wrong with that, of course. I just think just as you know when a song is 'happening' you really should know instantly when it isn't. I find a few bass players get this quicker than a lot of players...and gtrs can seem almost oblivious, but this just tells you what they are or rather, aren't listening to. I must admit to being brutal on drummers... and I can make them sound good, (and vice versa) but there is a limit on what you should have to do so the choice of drummer is a critical choice, IMV. As for tempo changes over different gigs, I like to see/hear drummers who either have great time (bpm) in their head or use a click/metronome for consistancy. The former being the most popular approach...

Football and rugby is in my diary and it is potential turn down gig territory if I want to watch the game. Having said that... some of the best gigs go on AFTER the game.

Seriously, a pet hate. So if a venue/stage area isn't big enough, don't do the gig. Why the bass player should not have room to swing a cat is a mystery.... and I'm not standing right on top of cymbals either.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1463941536' post='3055201'] I have not moved far in the last 40 years but I know guys who have and they all had an uphill struggle to penetrate the local music "mafia". Good luck. [/quote] it is hard breaking back in as well... if you became unavailable. People don't give up good gigs often.

[quote name='interpol52' timestamp='1463937007' post='3055139'] In theory you turn the gig down, but sometimes a drummer reveals himself to be bad over time. Inconsistencies in timing or beats from one week to the next can't be detected in an audition. That said, I've joined a band with a so-so drummer thinking "it will be ok, he will get better" and learned my lesson the hard way. Its not always obvious in an audition but after a couple of rehearsals its usually enough to know whether to walk or not. [/quote] Bad time is always obvious and therefore it is a basic deal breaker, IMO. If they can't play to time or tempo they aren't going offer anything else musically.

If these people don't see the issue, that would be quite a red flag to me. The idea is to make people sound good and no one helps the bigger cause glossing over fundementals like poor time, no groove and no ears for the gig.

[quote name='Grassie' timestamp='1462900765' post='3046837'] The guitarist having no idea that the volume knob on his amp could actually be turned anticlockwise. Half-arsedness ("oh, that'll be ok, we can just busk it") which translates as "I can't be bothered to learn this song properly. The guitarist's predilection for Bon Jovi. Booking gigs without making sure everyone else is available for it. [/quote] Not a lot going right with that one, then..?

You turn the gig down...

You can't plan a set for a 4 hour gig... you can't do it very well with 2x45's as the break stops any momentum.. That is why 80mins straight through is the best option. But again, doesn't work in pubs. If you are playing a show, then straight through is the way to go... but if alcohol sales are the whole point, then the LL wants a break. Pub bands are not generally good enough to keep people engaged and listening for over an hr in one hit either, IMV.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1463626185' post='3052913'] The BL calls all the songs, no set list. I'm not sure what your looking for, we play rock and blues from the 70, Savoy Brown, Peter Green, Robin Trower, Hendrix, Cream, Joplin. If your under 60 years old, I doubt those names would mean anything to you. Blue [/quote] This is how old dance bands worked... they'd have the entire catalogue on the floor as prompts, read the crowd and call the tune. Never ever was a bar/pub band remit...IME. You'd be playing 50 odd songs a night..altho I obviously never counted them I made a living doing this in my teens and it was one of the best educations.. Play what is in front of you, keep it going and never loose the crowd. Many a 'memorable' gig and you knew the crowd had had a great time if they hung around a lot after the gig. That is still a truism to day... noone goes home ealry after a great gig..IMO. Today, that is a ticketed function gig and the money would be the equivalent of about a £1500 gig, I'd guess..

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1463594838' post='3052723'] Yeah, but some of us play with [i]real [/i]musicians. ... ... ... [/quote] was talking about the punters though...

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1463561745' post='3052258'] Morning all, perhaps you wouldn't mind sharing your experiences of playing in rowdy venues? We've been booked to play in a bar a friend of mine recently opened. A couple of us went down to to recce it out on Saturday night and what we found was a tiny sweatbox, totally rammed, with a minute playing area on eye level with the crowd who were young and rowdy (in a non-threatening, happy way) and very much up for it. Usually we play pubs (often on eye level to the crowd) but it's usually an older, more sedate crowd. To tell you the truth, I can't wait. It reminded me of the punk gigs I attended in my youth, eyeball to eyeball with the crowd, full on adrenalin. Fingers crossed this gig won't be violent or edgy like the old days, but I'm expecting a bit of a rollercoaster of a show. I think it'll be amazing, despite the slight feeling of trepidation. Bring it on! [/quote] It would be a no from me.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1463592346' post='3052691'] Some of the above are overlooking the existence of other forms of gig than a rock concert. For variety orchestras, there is a clue in the name: variety. A typical evening would cover a wide spread of musical styles, most apt for dancing, but not all catering for the same dances. There would be a session of waltzing, some quick-step, a few tangos, some rock'n'roll, a bit of twist... The evening would be an event for the whole village or town, and entire families would attend; the music reflected the mix of generations. Many a couple would be formed with these social occasions. It's not all rowdy pubs and punk; there are other gigs. Just sayin'. [/quote] Crikey.... maybe a few years ago a function band would cater for that, no problem.. nowadays your function band can be playing 60's gtr anthems as those guys are you 70 yr old dudes and is what they grow up on..!! They wouldn't likely know a foxtrot or waltz if it whacked them in the kisser..!!

Either that is a flattering or classy pic or the bass just looks great. I haven't had a real close look at them but that looks very pretty. The dark 'RW' board really sets it off. I was looking for a Fender Bridge swap out and need to to be top-loaded and option of string through the body, plus 4 retaining screws... i,e a direct drop in for am Am Dlx 5st bridge. I'm not a fan of the basic plate bridges in general that Fender tend to favour, but the deal breaker forcing the change is lack of top load ability. I'll check out Hipshot bridges.

Sounds like you want the thicker sound to aid or ease your playing..? If so, I'd be cautious about that approach.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1463525856' post='3052124'] Sounds canny. I like the hb at the rear, sounds better than the thin honk of a single coil , while still giving the treble to mix in. [/quote] Horses for course tho... A bridge single coil pickup on its own has really one purpose, IMV and that is to do Jaco... It is surprising how many J basses pickup's can't do that, IME. Having said that, That Hausel has a nice tone to it... but as always, this is a huge variable when the construction differs..