Les

We do a lot of moving on stage, we go to great lengths in smaller places to make sure there is space. We're all wireless and part of our show is out in the audience and standing on tables, bass bins and even behind the bar etc. so I suppose that's more of a collective presence and that's slick and rehearsed. A while ago I was playing in a couple of side bands and I have to say I enjoyed just being the bass player and being a lot more still.

We do Personal Jesus, version is kind of a cross between the Manson one and the Cash one, goes surprisingly well.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1497564006' post='3319198'] Interesting, I couldn't find any gigs on their schedule or live YouTube clips. [/quote] I think this would stop me responding to the ad so I wouldn't get to the asking questions bit. Les

Nice pub, nice people and I'm well impressed with my new VM Jazz on it's first outing. Ruined slightly by the lack of kebab shops in Stockport.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1497720455' post='3320258'] Your 1,000th post!! [/quote] And every one a gem

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1497717936' post='3320247'] You are looking forward to auditioning vocalists? Really? [/quote] I suppose it beats sawing your leg off with a rusty saw. Oh, hang on....................

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1497709749' post='3320192'] They say "[i]confession is good for the soul[/i]" - we forgive you, my son.... [/quote] Not so fast. I'm gigging in Stockport tonight so I'll report back if anyone's still traumatised

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1497369111' post='3317618'] I am now torn, as it's purely for backing vocals at 'pub band' level I am leaning severely towards the Behringer. [/quote] If you're doing backing vocals you're singing, it's important. I have a D5 and an SM58 and I like them both. Get a decent one. Compared to basses and amps they're not really expensive. My 58 must be 20 years old, solid as a rock. No idea on the behringer I'm afraid but as said above there's a lot of brand snobbery that isn't justified. Les

Doesn't appear to be a problem though could have lowered it I suppose as I raised the neck pup to balance the volumes. Only thing is it doesn't have the annoying hum I've heard about when you solo one pickup. Not sure if I feel slightly cheated

[quote name='colleya' timestamp='1497102121' post='3315859'] We played at a pub that's also on Les' circuit (Horwich). [/quote] If that was the Bowling Green in Horwich that's the pub that started this post.

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1496911743' post='3314597'] used before with folk who get the hump - 'How would you like it if I come down to your office on Monday and start shouting at you while you're trying to work?' [/quote] Our version is "Look pal we don't stand in your bedroom talking to you while you're performing do we ?" closely followed by "shouldn't you be saving your breath to pump your girlfriend up later ?" but you have to have been a persistent dick before we'll use the mic against you.

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1496900530' post='3314531'] if the pickup is preventing you from playing with a pick....you need to learn how to use a pick not being a smart arse, but you use a pick on the strings, ABOVE the pickup. You must be doing something wrong [/quote] Pretty proficient with a pick but I take your point. The only bass I have that I don't like playing with a pick (but can, just doesn't feel right) is my Stingray, but that might just be the sheer size of the Stingray pickup. I don't think the pick touches it, maybe it's just where I rest my hand. The Jazz pickup looks roughly in the same place but smaller hence the question. Les

[quote name='RickyV' timestamp='1496853581' post='3314326'] As for price on a used VM? I sold my Squier VM Jazz last month for £230. If you shop around tho you might well find one for under £200. I think I picked mine up at a bargain £180. [/quote] Thanks mate, I'm looking second hand and in no real hurry. The one I like is 297 quid new so that give me an idea on what I'll spend. ta Les

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1496837012' post='3314165'] Always a surprise to me how much bigger a J is than a P ... [/quote] I'll saw the sticking out bit off

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1496825370' post='3314034'] Also, the larger gigbag you need for a Jazz will allow you to carry additional kebabs ... [/quote] Larger gig bag ???? WTF ?

Got a Squier P with a jazz neck on and I love it to bits. Considering a Squier Jazz as I've never had a Jazz but I use a pick for about half the songs we do and I'm wondering if the rear pickup gets in the way ? I don't use my Stingray as the pickup is just in the wrong place to use a pick for me. Any views on this ? Also how much roughly should I be paying for a second hand VM ? ta Les

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1496615182' post='3312784'] This, no point being rude, they are indirectly paying the wages [/quote] Exactly, that's why I'm looking for a humane solution

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1496598276' post='3312584'] This is the right approach imo. Humorous without being aggressive but enough to let them know that you have enough wit and experience to make them look a bit of a tit in front of the crowd if they persist. [/quote] We're more than capable of setting our over the mic banter from amusing to public annihilation if need be but I'm really looking for ways to discourage punters coming up to talk rather than dealing with the event. There probably isn't an answer

As much as I like the f**k off idea, especially down the mic I'm looking for a more "pro" solution Think we'll try the negative shake of the head and ignoring, doesn't happen that often I suppose. thank you all Les

Those of you playing stadiums 30 feet from the audience with a ring of steel around you won't know what I'm on about but you weekend warriors in pubs certainly will. What do you do ? We had a bloke wanting to talk to me last night, between songs he was aking if we did any Garth Brookes, told him we didn't but he wouldn't let it go, then want's to know why ? We're reasonably slick with our programmng, patter, cues to start etc and it's quite a smooth show but this caused a slight hiccup and had me having to ask what the next song was before we set off in our usual slick style. No real damage but we skipped a beat and it certainly didn't entertain anyone in the audience. I have no idea why people would want to do this but they do and have done it would seem since the dawn of time. It prompted a bit of a band discussion and we decide there and then that it's now band policy to look the miscreant in the eye, shake your head in a negative and then turn away from them and ignore their attempts at nattering. How do you guys deal with this ? Les

Not my genre at all but I thought it was ace. That's a hell of a decent promo for you mate. Well done. Les

Started Stray Cat Strut on the F not the C once. Boy did the guitarist sound stupid when he brought the band in with his bit in the correct key, I realised what had happened and corrected it and just looked askance at him

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1496001749' post='3308070'] No, I'm going to keep it, I'm sorry. Despite being rosewood and Jazz-like in dimensions, it's not like I cannot play it and it's actually one of the very nicest Jazz necks I have ever played. I want to keep it for as long as I have the rest of the bass. [/quote] No worries. Funny how we all like different neck profiles. I have 2 squier P basses, 1 with a jazz neck that I love and 1 with a P neck that I use as a baseball bat

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1495785563' post='3306495'] Except... I really don't like Jazz necks. Or rosewood. [/quote] Is your original neck for sale ? Les