flyfisher

[quote name='darkandrew' timestamp='1364941308' post='2033212'] "has anybody got any products in mind that they would like reviewed?" The usual argument about strings springs to mind - maybe you could run a side-by-side comparison of different strings on the same bass, amp, etc. That might prove to be useful (if tedious to make). Similarly, a comparison of pre-amps and pickups in the same bass, etc, would be useful if more difficult and expensive to produce. [/quote] Good ideas, but are such things really practical when the end result is usually viewed and - more importantly - heard on a PC with indifferent speakers, or even an audibly hopeless laptop or smartphone? I guess that big differences would be noticeable but surely the nuances would be completely lost?

My international gigging career is into 2 figures. Er, OK, more like just the figure 2. Well, Wales is a country isn't it?

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1364909539' post='2032453'] Only a small problem I know, but I would expect a proper pre delivery inspection. [/quote] PDI costs time and money. Margins are being squeezed by online suppliers. The item may also have been shipped direct from a warehouse without ever being seen by the retailer it was purchased from. Might even be a 'grey' import (does this happen much these days?). All of which are possible reasons but not acceptable excuses.

[quote name='The Hat' timestamp='1364758694' post='2030584'] Surely a band wouldn't be interested if I was a total beginner ! [/quote] Sure they would, if all the other members were total beginners as well. As many others have rightly mentioned, a reasonable match of abilities is important in a band. And don't forget that 'band' doesn't have to mean 'gigs'. Just playing together with other like-minded musicians in a garage or rehearsal studio will be a far more enriching experience than playing along to records. Besides, gigs can happen later.

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1364683388' post='2029714'] What I will say is there is no substitute for playing with other musicians. All the bedroom practice in the world will not take you half as far as developing empathy with a bunch of like-minded musicians. My advice is to find other people as soon as poss and you will get better much quicker than you think and much quicker than playing on your own [/quote] Yep, the trouble with playing along to records is that none of the other musicians will be making mistakes and it'll all sound good in your head. I'd bet that these guys can all sing and play along to the record, but they sure struggle when trying to play as a band. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj7pDNDuoJ0

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1364653767' post='2029266'] We regard pubs as a lost leader/showcase type gig... they are certainly too much work for the money, so they have to have other attracttions.. [/quote] Sounds like pub-vs-venue is the border between being a pocket-money/hobby band where another source of income is essential and a truly pro band. Being firmly in the 'hobby band' camp, it's an interesting insight, but it's not a transition I'm ever likely to make so I have to rely on those 'other attractions' because making money certainly isn't one for us.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1364553498' post='2028025'] Our show is different for venues... pubs are throwaway gigs and lost leaders. A venue will possibly demand a sound check in the early evening. [/quote] I wonder if that's a general view here? Is your venue show different in terms of length or type of music? I can understand why time would be a factor in the price, but not so much the type of music. I wonder if it's also because a venue gig is more likely to be a special ocassion of some sort and the organisers have a decent budget and want to put on a great event, whereas pub landlords may just want to pay as little as possible because their main interest is selling beer, not necessarily music per se.

Doesn't sound like a jam as I understand it. Seems more like the Hertford Corn Exchange, which hosts something called 'Sunday Live' during the winter months where 3 or 4 local bands can play as a band for a 45 minute set. They provide a sound engineer, PA & lighting, no one is charged to play and entry is also free. We've found it a good way of testing out new material.

Also, what type of spray gun. Air-driven ones ideally require dried air for best results.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1364532346' post='2027797'] . . . then we came on to the conversation that Prince is the only real living legend that is still making music... [/quote] That's a joke right?

It's how they get their tone. The pile depth is critical.

Why is it that the general consensus seems to be that a function band should be charging in the region of £800 whereas a pub band should be charging around half that, or probably less? And if such a wide difference is OK, then what's so wrong about bands playing for free if they're happy to do so?

I can appreciate the technical skill in all manner of things, including playing an instrument. But rarely does that skill translate into an emotional reaction, which is surely what music is all about?

Genuine question - do these things work reasonably well? I ask because I've thought about getting one but every rehearsal session I've heard by various people using a variety of devices from smartphones to camcorders have been over-recorded and severely distorted. Fine for taking audio notes of a jam session or rough song ideas, but pretty much useless for anything else. I hasten to add that I've never heard anything from these Zoom devices and I suspect they are rather better, hence my question.

[quote name='MilkyBarKid' timestamp='1364305581' post='2024562'] Just saw this in passing - not sure how effective we are here in doing this kind of thing . . . . [/quote] Pretty good on the whole. It's a nice thought, but always worth a quick search first. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/197408-tc-electronic-bh250-bass-amp-safety-product-recall/page__hl__bh250%20recall

I played my first gig last weekend with my RS210 & BH250 head. We're not a loud band and it was a small pub but I had more than enough volume. It was also quite nice to have a physically small footprint. Very pleased.

It's in the diary and I'm definitely planning to be there. I'm happy not to bring anything but I'm also aware that if everyone did that then it might not be so interesting, so perhaps I should bring some stuff . . . but if everyone brings the same stuff . . . . . ? Perhaps I should just bring my BH250 amp? There seems to have been a bit of interest in these recently and people could try it with their own cabs?

I'm sure I'd feel pretty confident in letting any BCer use my gear, but on the other hand I'd rather not lug stuff around that won't be of much interest. Maybe I'm missing something, but I've never been to one of these bashes before.

I wondered if something like this might happen when I first heard the news of his farewell tour. Very sad, but there can be no doubt he has gone out fighting and playing. Total respect!

I wasn't planning on bringing anything as I didn't think a MIJ Fender P and an Ashdown rig would be particularly interesting. But I've recently acquired a BH250 amp plus RS212 and RS210 cabs that I could bring along if anyone is interested.

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1364124575' post='2022056'] Yesterday, someone commented on the large cabs blocking the patio doors at the back of our living room, my wife's reply was "every home should have one", shes great [/quote] That's the ticket! we still have my first Premier drum kit, now so old as to be almost worthless. Mrs FF uses the kick as a foot stool when slobbing on the sofa and the toms as plant pot stands. Music is an important interest for both of us and music gear is just part of the furniture.

I don't know the answer because I don't really recognise the problem. That's not to say I have unlimited funds and tons of gear, quite the reverse in fact - I only have one bass, a MIJ Fender P. True, I have three amps, but only because I never sell anything and three rigs over about 30 years is hardly excessive. So I guess the answer is make do with what you've got and don't chase rainbows. I can't 'out-play' my current gear so why do I need any more? (Having said that, I've been thinking of getting a Jazz for quite a while now and reckon that this is the year that I double by bass collection!). The rest, I think, comes downs to partner compatibility. Such things have simply never been a problem - and it's not even a question of saving 'my' money to spend on 'my' stuff because we've always had joint acounts and credit cards etc, so there's no 'my money' or 'her money'. Somehow it all seems to work out without any rancour.

I'm about 5 miles south of Stevenage and we have a little over an inch of snow. But the main roads are clear and the snow is really only slush on the side roads, so no problem if you are careful. I would guess that the motorways are all gritted and will be pretty clear, so I'd be very surprised if you have any problems getting to Stevenage via the A1 and the side roads will probably be the same as here, slushy but not a problem. But much will depend on what happens to the temperature tonight. Freezing conditions could easily make your trip home far more tricky. Plus, there's always the risk of an accident causing a big hold up.

No worries - glad to hear you've got it all working now. Thanks for posting the update.

I'm using an HTC phone. I start the toneprint app, set it running and it gives a three second countdown, which is enough time to rest the phone on the pickup. it doesn't really matter where exactly. When the tonprint transfer starts, you should hear the 'modem noise' through the amp and the toneprint LED will flash. if the bass volume is not high enough then the amp won't be able to receive the data (but the amp volume doesn't matter). It took me a few goes to get the hang of it but since then it has been a very reliable mechanism. Good luck!