Franticsmurf

As a Digbeth user still experimenting with settings (as I don't often get a chance to play at a decent volume and where I can experiment without causing distress to other band members), it's really useful to be able to see the effects of each control. I can now come up with a some more starting points to work from. Thanks. I have gigged the Digbeth a few times through FOH and the sound guy (a friend) likes the clean channel sound. I like the scooped lower mids using the switch in the upper position and a moderate cut (25% or so). I'm still looking for the best tube sound.

I tend to nod and smile, whether or not I have heard or understood them. IEM helps. 😀

Hello and welcome. I spent a few years being a student and living in Woodgreen - not North East, but sort of. 😀

Hi Obby, welcome.

I believe the mathematical equation for this is V=(N*(Vmax*N))+11 Where V is the volume in arbitrary volume notches on the master knob, Vmax is the maximum volume you though was possible from the combination of the guitar amps and N is the number of guitarists. 11 is, of course, the universal Spinal Tap constant.

I have a Harley Benson JB75 fretless (lined). Mine is great, set up remains as it was out of the box, nice tone. Very, very heavy though.

Yes, I am currently playing with the mids cut and the bass and treble centred. I love that there is some much variation possible but the downside is that it is taking a while to get the sound I want.

My Electromatic weighs in at a gnat's under 4kg. It's a great shorty, looks good and has powerful (passive) pick-ups.

My shortlist contained three names. Third was Geddy Lee, second (partly because he's a number 1 choice above) is Tony Levin. Leaving Chris Squire as my choice. I love his basslines, backing vocals and the sound he gets from his Ricky. He's been one of the main influences of my bass career.

Ouch, hope you're better soon. For lightness, how about one of those cricket bat headless Hohners or Steinberger Spirits? I have a Spirit headless with a full body and it's quite light. Style-wise not everyone's cup of tea, but it'll get you through the sore times and could then be a handy back-up for gigs.

So many of the above have I experienced first hand or seen that I've stopped hitting the 'like' button to acknowledge them. I guess we all have our triggers and, dare I say it, we have probably provided a pet peeve for others on occasion, whether justified or not. I remember witnessing a huge verbal fight between the drummer and keyboard player in our band a few years ago. It started with glaring looks and the odd word between numbers in the second half of the set and ended with a loud (and frankly entertaining, as I wasn't involved) screaming match on the pavement outside the venue during the carry out. I believe it was a drum volume issue. A few gigs later, my radio transmitter failed on stage (dead battery which I had tested as usual before going on, so probably a fault of some kind). I had a lead and plugged in and missed perhaps 20 seconds of the song. The same keyboard player turned on me during the break. 'Unprofessional, cr@p kit, why bother turning up'. I was his pet peeve for the night (perhaps justified in his head). Some of my pet peeves, in no particular order: - the band member who doesn't help with carry in/out - not sticking to the agreed and rehearsed set (allowing for some leeway due to venue/audience). A subset of this is the random arrangement, where verses, choruses and lead breaks seem to swirl around in an arrangement known only to the band leader. - the singer calling out 'we do requests' setting up the rest of the night to be a glorified karaoke/juke box event. Inevitably linked to... - not playing the requested song properly, or at all. - club entertainment secretaries - most are fine, but one or two are only in it for the power and love nothing more than to wield it. Often characterised by becoming unreasonably directive only in the presence of others.

Yes, I went through the living nightmare of playing that one twice a week in a duo. Usually to an older audience who insisted in singing/shouting the sweary bits in the chorus. But it was popular at the time and we were expected to play it. I took the money and perfected my cheesey grin. 😀

Hi and welcome.

I had a mate and keyboard player in our first band who was so insecure about his playing ability that when he went to try or buy a keyboard he'd bandage his wrist up and pretend he'd sprained it so that he wasn't expected to perform brilliantly. He was a good player but his talents were very much in ideas and composition. He never actually joined us on stage. 😀

I have had several poor experiences at different venues in Porthcawl although we had a good gig at the big place in Trecco Bay about 10 years ago.

It's never a good idea to think like that after a bad gig - if I had, I'd have left my band several times every year. 😀 We're still in strange times, with prices on the increase and Covid sneaking back and I guess people are still a little nervous about heading out. Keep going and keep the music going so that there is something for everyone to aim for and as my namesake said above, the audiences will return.

Hi Jack.

Hi Erik, welcome. 😀

Me too, but it is a fantasy gig. And in my fantasy Jon Anderson is asking me how on earth I played that amazing bas solo in Ritual during the 77/78 Yes In The Round Tour. And then I wake up and I'm crammed into the alcove of the Duck and Grommit wondering how on earth I played the bass part of Mustang Sally so badly. 😀

Hi Pat, love the 'Rhythm Stick' playing.

I've never come across a situation where the bands don't even have the equipment necessary to play a gig. It's one thing to share kit to make things easier for everyone (and, rightly, not everyone is willing to do that). But to not have the equipment in the first place is embarrassing. I've shared and borrowed backline and PA in the past but in every case I or the other bands have had our own equipment available and it's just been down to convenience and/or timing.

I rehearsed last night using mine. It was on for more than 2.5 hours and at the end of the night it was hot but not too hot to touch, more like a newly activated hand warmer. Ideal for winter gigs. 😀

Hi Ian. There may only be one bass in your collection now, but give it three weeks on here and that will change. 😀

This is my philosophy too. It's not good when a problem arises or a mistake is made, but they happen (I've made many in my time). The real character comes through in the way that it is dealt with. Unfortunately, that is usually only apparent when the issue is challenged. I don't like complaining but I will if I think it is justified. Then it is a case of making your point with no emotion and judging the response.

Me on guitar in my first band, playing a biker rally in 1990. The stage was a series of puddles due to a leaking roof. My first gig as bassist, '93 ish, tucked away on the left. Colombus J copy, a great bass as I remember it. Pub gig circa 2012. 2013.