Franticsmurf

I'm sure something could be arranged once the new set arrives. I'm all for bribery research and the new kit knowledge it brings. 😀

Thanks for your understanding interpretation. 🙂 I agree that wireless is a privilege but, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the reason I first purchased a wireless system was that I went through a period of having to deal with drinks spillages (occasionally mine, but often other punters) and I liked the isolation it gave me. I think the 5.4ghz is necessary as it should prevent any interference from my bandmate and the other guy in the band using a different brand of radio transmitter. I'll be replacing it with another Lekato. I'll be making the purchase this afternoon and I will, of course, abide by the decision of the collective. But for the time being I am still in. Just. 🙂

I'm teetering on the brink as I need a new wireless set up. The Lekato WS80s I've been using for a couple of years are playing up intermittently when a bandmate uses her set (different brand but visually the same unit and set to different frequencies) and I'm considering a 'replacement' (technically an upgrade as they'll be the 5.4Ghz ones). In my mind this is a replacement of a bit of kit that no longer works as intended, however a ruling would be appreciated before take the plunge. 😃

A slightly different take on your list for me: Playing with a group who have clicked and are enjoying the gig,taking and giving energy to the other band members (and therefore the audience). A good, responsive audience. Good sound (which feeds point 1). A great venue (and that includes the attitude of the staff) and a good set list all contribute to the great gig but I can overlook all but the worst of venues and load-ins if the end result is good. I think when the band is in the groove the audience pick up on it and you can get a kind of feedback loop that takes the gig to a different level.

I've gigged my B6 and I'm happy with it. It has two footswitch selectable inputs which might be ideal for your set-up. But if all you're after is a simple bass tone with a couple of effects, some of the less costly options mentioned above might be more practical. The MS60b is great as long as you don't mind sequential cycling through the effects (it worked live for me). I've used the Behringer BDI21 with an EHX Clone chorus, and the Laney Digbeth preamp gives a clean sound or nice tube simulation that is selectable with a footswitch.

In any line up it's usually stage left for me - mainly so that I'm not clouting anyone or anything with my headstock. It's also easier to turn to look across the band for the same reason. In a trio, I'm level with the guitarist in front of the drums. If space allows I'll do the same with a 4. By the time we get to 5 there's usually not enough room and I'll be besides or slightly in front of the drums with the three egos in front. The Hulla is usually a 13 piece and I tend to stand stage left next to the drums in the back row.

Yes, talk it through. Let him know your concerns and maybe you can come up with a solution that works for both of you. He may well be thinking along similar lines. At the very least it gives him an opportunity to raise the issue with the BL with the knowledge that you feel the same.

I've met Mr Mandrel. I claim my fame by once removed association. 😃

A productive rehearsal for The Hulla last night. We usually agree on a core set before our gigging 'season' and play through a selection of it each rehearsal night along with working on any new songs or changes to previous arrangements. We'll add material from our reserve list as required by the expected audience. Over three Sundays we'll usually cover the full set plus three or four new songs. Last night, apart from a couple of warm up songs, it was all new things. Four completely new songs, two new arrangements and a key change. It's rare we play through songs several times in a row (we usually play through once or twice and then break it down into the problem sections if there are any) but we played the new stuff three or four times each last night which gave me a chance to try out different bass lines. We're playing a wedding anniversary in two weeks where the demographic will be older then our average audience, so some of the older 'easy listening' toons will be aired next week. 😃

Like this, you mean? I used to use it in a duo. Both necks are fretted though. Edit: Just found this in an unrelated search.

I prefer a 4 mainly because of my small, un-bassplayer like hands. But I have a Sterling 5 and I used it last week in rehearsal. The Hulla have a wide repertoire and there are a few songs that benefit from the extra string so I thought I'd experiment. We are finalising our core set for the year and at the moment there are only 3 (from about 40) songs that work better with a 5 than a 4. So I'll probably stick with the 4 unless I can negotiate an opportunity to swap basses mid gig (the BL likes to keep going so we don't lose the energy but he also likes to talk to the audience so perhaps I can work something in there.) I fall in and out of love with the Sterling - it's been up for sale (with no interest) and its been gigged.

A duo gig on Saturday with the BL/singer/guitarist. "Where is the gig?" - "Oh, you know, big house on the Marsh Road." There are many big houses on the 'Marsh Road', (which is actually called Culfor Road). "What are we doing?" - "Well, I'll bring my acoustic and we can do some songs. It'll be fine." No, it won't be fine if only you know what you're doing. "What's the gig?" - "18th birthday party." Your solo/duo songs are not suitable for an 18th birthday with, by definition, 18 year olds making up most of the audience. - "They'll want to play some songs themselves." I hope they bring instruments, then, as they're not using mine. I am very tempted to cry off this one. Edit (after Neepheid's reaction): Explained to the BL that there were so many unknowns that it would be better if I wasn't there so he could do his solo set (which is far more varied than anything we could seriously attempt as a duo). Gig off. Anyone need a bassist/guitarist on Saturday? 😂

Yes, 'twas he. I do it too where it's appropriate.

Lots of good advice. For me there's three things: - Pre-gig nerves are about the unknown and by definition there's not a lot you can do about the unknown. So be generally prepared, know the basics (ie the set list). I make crib sheets up for the songs I'm not sure about - they're basically simplified chord charts (or detailed set lists) with only the bits I'm not sure about written in as a prompt. I don't expect to sight read from them. - On the night nerves: As has been said above, the rest of the band think you're good enough, so you must be, but it sounds like you haven't accepted it yet. Its a jam session so there will be mistakes but let them go. Most people will be concentrating on the folks getting up to jam so you won't be the focus. And most non-musicians will not spot bass mistakes. Once you've made a couple and realised its ok, your confidence will grow and you'll be able to... - ENJOY! 😃 Good luck (And don't forget to let us know how it went).

I depped for a mate's 'band' several times. The band was actually a three piece (guitar/guitar&vocals/vocals) with backing tracks and no bassist or drummer and I was asked to play bass as the guitarist couldn't make it. As the BL also played guitar and shared vocals with the female singer (who played acoustic guitar of a few songs) it all seemed under control, if not a little unusual, but he was a mate so I was happy to help out I used the gigs as a means to try out my new speakers, a new pre-amp and a couple of basses I hadn't used live before. Several songs into the second half of my third gig with them the backing tracks system (a laptop) crashed and we were left on stage with me playing bass and the female singer singing. The BL, strumming away on his Strat and looking cool was revealed to be completely muted with no sound coming from his amp or microphone. Our bass (with some improvised fills and runs) and vocal duo completed the song, the BL realised he had to step up and we finished the set with both of them playing guitar. It was my last gig with them and the trio folded shortly afterwards. The money was good, though!

You should do it - as has been said you'll regret it if you don't. And think of the thread you could start here. 😃

This is the over riding factor for me now. The band as a whole should genuinely be having a good time regardless of the performance. The audience will pick up on that whether they realise or not. I've had a few compliments over the years along the lines of 'you looked like you were enjoying that', which to me is job done. But part of the enjoyment for me comes from knowing my part well enough that I'm not working hard at playing it. So I'll put the effort in behind the scenes so I can relax during the performance.

Early in my live playing career I thought the same. I practiced endlessly and never thought I'd reached the level of skill to play live, let alone perfection. I fretted (pun intended) about every mistake I made and cringed at every botch-up of an arrangement made by the band. But the BL at the time explained that most audiences wouldn't notice and/or care if there were mistakes, missed verses, wrong words etc. Sadly, he was right and for a few years afterwards I didn't make the effort I should have, using his explanation as an excuse not to practice or learn specific parts for songs and the repeat bookings as evidence that it didn't matter. To my shame! Then I discovered the joy of 'making and effort and getting it right', which coincided with a new band. Now I don't care if the audience care or notice. If I (or my bandmates) notice, then it's an issue that needs to be addressed.

Usually it's bass of choice into the B6 along with an mp3 player loaded with the songs I'm learning into the aux in, and headphones. If I'm trying a new sound/patch I'll plug in to an amp and cab - usually the TCE BAM200 and either a TE 1x10 or my homemade 1x12. I'll wait for the neighbours to go out before turning up the volume.

All my basses have the random delete function permanently engaged. 😂

I can't help thinking that when McDonalds were planning their locations, they took into account the routes musicians would take returning home from gigs. 😂

Whatever the gig, the bass guitar(s) get put away first, then the rest of my kit. I'll help anyone else in the band (usually removing amps/ speakers etc from the stage). Once everything is packed away, it depends on the venue. A pub usually wants you out as quickly as possible so they can get on with closing, so it's a quick thank you to the boss and off. If there's another act on after us, I would normally be polite and watch a bit of their set. Often at clubs we're chatting to the punters post gig as we're loading up the van and I won't rush that as they may be the influential members that get us a repeat booking. If we're all in the van, the BL (driving) usually goes for a burger on the way home and we sometimes share the chips (just to help him out 😃). If it's me on my own, I'm home as soon as possible with the TV on, a cuppa and some chocolate biscuits to wind down.

If we can find enough people to go to Bargoed. 😂

Bargoed? Take a GPS with you. 😁

Bury it under the patio - unless that would compromise other packaging previously secreted there? 😀