Conan

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1363903740' post='2019407'] Just done one of them showcase gigs in a student bar in town with my fledgling originals band, to a handful of interested people, for no money.[/quote] Ah... that brings back memories! Which bar was it?

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1363879695' post='2018834'] But then, I'm probably in an originals band that is somewhat more democratic than the norm. [/quote] Me too! Great, isn't it?

[quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1363873036' post='2018706'] Dozens of threads on this woman every year, on all the bass forums, with all the participants making more or less the same comments every time and everyone doing their best to point out the bleeding obvious. [/quote] Well pardon us for daring to have an opinion on something!

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1363813249' post='2018180'] Paul Rose/Prose bass/Funn bass was focusing on making small light short scale basses at the end - not expensive either. [/quote] [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1363867925' post='2018601'] I used to have a fanned fret shortscale made by prosebass originally. It was teeny yet sounded immense due to the pickups in it, maybe fanned fret would help you ? Wasn't all that expensive [/quote] I was going to suggest Prose/Funn bass too. It seems that he is no longer making basses (he is a member on here too) but a few of his (rather funky) creations have come up on here second hand. Prices are very reasonable. [url="http://funnbass.wordpress.com/"]http://funnbass.wordpress.com/[/url] Otherwise, I was going to suggest a Fender Geddy Lee J bass. Not heavy (IMO), great slim neck, easy to get a low action, and still capable of a range of great sounds. Easy to pick one up second hand for around £450-500 too.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363777903' post='2017335']I can't ever imagine wanting to be in a covers band.[/quote] [quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363795037' post='2017793'] I think you are creating your own problem, who's said anything like that? [/quote] Er.... well, I [i]thought[/i] you did - but on re-reading all 7 pages, I have to concede that you [b]didn't[/b]. So.... I might well be guilty of what you say. Bollocks. Why would I think that? I must be getting confused...

[quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1363794222' post='2017771'] I'd never knock or [b][i]claim to not understand [/i][/b]someone wanting to do covers. [/quote] I think that is the issue. It's not that people openly condemn those who play covers, it's more of a kind of incredulity that they would even consider such an unbelievable position!

[quote name='DorsetBlue' timestamp='1363794072' post='2017766'] As Howard Goodall said in his recent Music History programme, there is a considerable amount of new Classical/Orchestral music being written.....a lot of it is being written for films. [/quote] But due to "supermarket" radio stations like Classic FM, little of it gets heard by the majority of "classical" music "fans"...

[quote name='bassintheface' timestamp='1363792338' post='2017715'] There just seemed to me to be more than a hint of an undertone from some posters that 'playing in an originals band only' and people saying they couldn't 'do' a covers band is giving them some sort of 'moral' musical superiority than those that do. Maybe, (as with many threads on here and forums in general) that it's the typing thing and that if we were to be sat chatting in a pub about the same subject, then I wouldn't have felt the same. [/quote] Sadly, I have to agree. Again, I'm not sure it is intentional, but there does seem to be a certain degree of sneering . I can't imagine why. As long as we are all enjoying ourselves (as it seems most of us are) then who is anyone else to criticise?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1363788998' post='2017627'] Jesus Christ, it's HIM!! You are taking the piss, I trust!! [/quote] Not entirely.... I did enjoy your playing! But don't you recognise him?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1363788705' post='2017618']I'm having lots of fun in my new band! [/quote] It's good stuff Hilts!!! Had a listen to your youtube link yesterday and I really like the sound of your band. Some tasty bass playing too! Reminded me a bit of this guy... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQVG2p6JPPQ[/media]

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1363787982' post='2017595']Getting together and making something that is more than the sum of their parts is fun. if you can stand up on a stage and people are entertained by it, even better ;-) I love the process of working the song from initial idea to polished article. In many cases, I've had a huge input into how the song has turned out, and that's when it becomes more than fun, it is exhilarating and exciting to think that you have created something great from scratch.[/quote] Totally agree! But that makes it even more frustrating when you struggle to find/create an audience that appreciates it! And yes, before the usual crowd jump up and crow "there are audiences there waiting if you put in the graft..." that is not my experience, at least not in the short term. Building up a fan base as an original band is very hard work, especially when all the band members work full-time. It's not impossible, of course, but it is just another potential hurdle in the way of enjoying playing live with an original band. I'm not complaining, BTW, just stating it as I see it.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363784646' post='2017524'] This is not a negative thread is it? If there is any negativity it's been directed at the originals bands. [/quote] No. This particular thread is not negative [i]per se[/i]... but since joining this site I have read many posts/threads that [b]have[/b] been negative towards the entire concept of cover bands. And as for tribute bands.... I am not a member of many musicians' forums, but the few that I am a member of do not feature the same level of anti-covers ranting that I have read here. Fair enough, everyone is entitled to their opinion - but it is shallow and pathetic to judge somebody's motivations based on their choices. There are many types of musician and many types of music fan. It is impossible to please all of them all of the time. I genuinely believe that (at an amateur or semi-pro level) cover bands (in general) please more of the people more of the time. I don't get why some people seem to have a problem with that?

[quote name='Dr.Dave' timestamp='1363783116' post='2017471'] When you gig your own material you're essentially a covers band. The writing and arranging is the creative process - playing that live is reproducing or re-creating that. [/quote] So all bands are cover bands?!

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1363782827' post='2017465'] I can fit into a covers band with minimal homework or rehearsal time, which fits with my family time, job and time spent on other things I enjoy. The other thing is, I have never in my 44 years on earth experienced or heard any negativity towards playing covers from anyone other than on this site.[/quote] ^These. Both of these...

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363779685' post='2017385']You Whoreclown Entertainer, you! [/quote] If the fez fits.... [quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363779942' post='2017393']Lazy Whoreclown Seriously, are you saying covers bands are normally hobbyists?[/quote] I think that if you looked at the numbers across the country, the vast majority of bass players in cover bands would be "hobbyists" (i.e. they might play for a few quid in cash, but it is not their sole source of income). Of course there are semi-pros and some professional musicians who play covers, but they are in the minority. But there are different "levels" of covers bands. From the lads churning out a reasonable set of guitar pop or blues tunes on a saturday night in a pub bar, through the more serious tribute acts to the corporate entertainers who go the whole hog and get paid correspondingly more. There is space for all of these, and musicians can take their choice about which type of band they would prefer to join/form. In many cases the audience is already there. [quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363781372' post='2017430']there hardly seems to be anyone really enjoying being in an originals band[/quote] I never said that! I love my originals band! Great guys and good material. Nice and laid-back as we are all in out forties and have full-time day jobs and families, so there is no risk of the band taking over. In fact, a few months ago, when I was in two bands (one covers one original) and I had to downsize due to logistical concerns - it was the covers band that got the elbow. [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1363781710' post='2017437']The originals, on the other hand... it requires more work. I'm never satisfied with my basslines. [/quote] I've found that too. It's easier with a cover, and you can tell when you've nailed it. With your own lines there is a tendency to constantly re-visit and re-invent them in the endless quest for perfection. Especially if your originals band doesn't gig all that often (which judging by this thread, it probably won't!! ).

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363779255' post='2017374'] I disagree, you can get your music heard if you work hard at it. [/quote] That's the key though, isn't it? Cover bands often allow you to bypass all that hard work. Which works for a lot of hobby players as their job takes up a lot of their time. I speak from experience on that one!

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1363779117' post='2017370']Covers are a good way of bypassing the years of struggle and getting a decent audience and adoration relatively instantly. Nothing more soul destroying than performing your own music to barstaff [/quote] Call me defeatist or lazy if you like, but I totally agree with this. You can hit the ground running with a covers band as everyone can learn the material at home and then a few rehearsals and off you go. The infrastructure is already there as there are far more venues to play when to do covers. Audiences know what to expect, so are more easily entertained. On the other side of the coin, the feeling you get from playing an original tune that goes down well is awesome. Horses for courses. It is possible to do and enjoy both. For some people!

In other words, your £20 opens "mordors"...

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1363708669' post='2016302'] Granite basses are good for rock. [/quote] I take your recommendations with a pinch of basalt...

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1363706811' post='2016246'] I've heard folk say they can hear the quality of the wood. So on that, do plexiglass basses sound plasticy? [/quote] No. They have a lovely clear, transparent tone. Quite glassy in the high end response according to some...

As mentioned earlier today.... The Faux Coltranes The Salty Bananas

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1363695904' post='2015918'] There's a band in there somewhere... the rest is just fluff. [/quote] It's never going to happen, but wouldn't it be fantastic if they decided to do a stripped-down "rock three piece" tour of medium-sized venues such as they used to play thirty odd years ago.... Newcastle City Hall or maybe The Sage.... Around 2000 people and great acoustics... Dream on.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1363692339' post='2015843'] Nothing wrong with that is there? The music is what counts, not the instrument. [/quote] For me it's a bit of both. The relative size of the bits depends upon the bass and the music. But no, it's not "wrong"... just a bit surprising to me personally!

No mentions for Stan the Man? (Clarke, obviously...) Or Julian Crampton? Less swagger than some, certainly - but more charisma in the little fingers than some of the "faux Coltranes". Another great band name there BTW...

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1363691360' post='2015813'] Playing bass and NOT gigging is a concept I don't understand. When I stop gigging I’ll probably never play bass again. [/quote] How bizarre. So you have no love for the instrument itself? It is merely a tool of your trade?