Conan

Just bought Mikey's Ashdown MAG 410 cab. All negotiations totally pain and hassle free. Met up half way and did the deal as agreed. Condition as described and a great-sounding cab. Thoroughly recommended, and a really nice guy! Thanks mate! Geoff

[quote name='JTUK' post='771556' date='Mar 11 2010, 01:14 PM']For this current band I am not really interested in functions so will not pander to that market..having said that we have a few coming up but they came about from our pub set, so that is what they'll be getting.[/quote] Without knowing the contents of either of your sets its hard to comment on that. What I have found though, after playing in a few bands that "will not pander" or "this is what we play, like it or lump it", is that the gigs eventually run out....

[quote name='Faithless' post='771690' date='Mar 11 2010, 03:05 PM']The only question that bothers me, when I see people saying about 'having found a [i]good [/i]band' is, well.. Do you know, why the previous bassist left the place? Just curiosity, nothing deep.[/quote] There could be loads of reasons for this, so I'm not sure paranoia is necessary! You could always ask, but if the reason was contentious the answer may not be forthcoming or accurate! I'm not sure what difference it makes... just coz the last guy didn't work out doesn't mean that you won't...

The only time I have felt the need to refer to TAB is when I had to pick out a very fast, complex part that was very low in the mix. That offending piece was in Dream Theater's "Pull me Under". It was an absolute bugger of a passage (oo-er!) and TAB did help a bit, even though I'd never used it before. For me, its all in the ears and the fingers. When you get good at it, you can pretty much work out a bass line even if you don't have your bass with you!

Why the K5? Are you a Korn fan? If you explain why you like that particular bass it will be easier to give advice! I like this quote from the Ibanez website... "Original Ibanez Vari-Mid EQ with sweepable midrange allows you to dial in or out any kind of bass sound–including Fieldy’s preference of no midrange at all"

[quote name='thumperbob 2002' post='771382' date='Mar 11 2010, 10:58 AM']Yeah Like myself you tend to start off playing original music- aiming to "get there" spend loads of time- though as you are young you have the time to spend. Then realise that really unless you are lucky you wont make a living out of it- then go into covers bands as semi and then full pro level. Then realise you want more from life. Then start your own business which does OK- then realise that you want more from life.....................and join a cover band on a semi pro basis- then think " have`nt I been here before?[/quote] Man, that's creepy! Apart from the "own business" bit... I guess a lot of us have been there! All of that "how serious are you?", "We have record company interest" and "Are you prepared to move down to London?" bollox! Memories eh?

[quote name='thumperbob 2002' post='771249' date='Mar 11 2010, 08:41 AM']Playing in a covers band- whilst a lot of fun and can be lucrative- in some way you are prostituting yourself so you have to do what the punters want and not what you want- but with all things it is a bit of a compromise.[/quote] I know that I'd rather be gigging with a covers band than just "rehearsing" with an originals band, unable to get gigs!

[quote name='Musicman20' post='771023' date='Mar 10 2010, 10:31 PM']At first I thought the hinge on the case was the height of the strings off the board![/quote] Me too! The action doesn't look too high to me, but its personal taste I guess - as long as the intonation is in.

[quote name='yorick' post='770424' date='Mar 10 2010, 02:16 PM']My tuppence worth, is learn as much stuff as possible, regardless of whether you play it in this band or not. it's amazing how many times i've been asked to play "such and such" by "so and so" which aren't in the set list.[/quote] Bloody right! Good point. There will still always be requests for stuff that you DON'T know though!

[quote name='derrenleepoole' post='770371' date='Mar 10 2010, 01:45 PM']I would say don't be too afraid to make songs your own! In my band, we often arrange or rework the songs to fit us and very rarely do a straight interpretation. This is good on many levels: it stops you getting bored with the song, the songs will be recognisable but will sound fresh and original to the crowd, it gives the crowd something to remember you by and will make the band stand out.[/quote] Hmmm. Not sure about this. Depends on your audience and how long you've been playing. In some venues this might be taken as arrogance and possibly rudeness, as some punters expect to hear the track as they know it.... IME that is!

Which band is it Gareth? I might try to get out one night and see you! It's strange with a covers band I feel. You are playing for the audience rather than them coming to see you. I know that sounds like the same thing, but the emphasis is slightly different with an originals band... Also, rather than having your own travelling crowd (which [i]can[/i] happen with a covers band), you will tend to be playing to different audiences at each venue. You have to please that particular crowd, so as someone else said, the singer has to be up to the job! Often, there will be few musoes in the crowd so its a waste of time being too technical or flash - nobody will get it! Look good, sound good, play good. Simple is better than complicated (although obviously it depends what genre of covers you play!). The best way to get a crowd onside is to look like you are enjoying yourself - even if you aren't! If you can't stand the drummer and you are really pissed off with the singer (as if!?) you mustn't let it show! That turns audiences off faster than a few mistakes that even the musoes will generally miss! Levels are important too. Obviously you need to be audible, but too much volume can drive punters away too. Basically its about providing a service. Yes, you get paid, but you need to EARN that cash if you want any repeat gigs. Word soon gets round if you are disappointing or difficult for any reason! Enjoy yourselves! There is nothing like the feeling of playing well in a great band to a great audience! OK, there are - but I cant mention any of them on here!

That's great man! Cheers

[quote name='martthebass' post='769183' date='Mar 9 2010, 01:22 PM'].......all I do know is that I need to get out of this phase before I do something silly like sell my perfectly good basses to fund a potential 'dog'.[/quote] That sounds like damn good advice!!

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='769006' date='Mar 9 2010, 11:12 AM']Turning up with a 1974 Fender P-bass removes pretty much all questions of judgment or taste from the situation. No one ever sneered at an old P-bass, no one ever winced at the tone of an old P-bass, no one ever asked "[i]Why did you bring THAT then?".[/i] It's the musical equivalent of wearing a pair of comfortable Levi's and some Adidas trainers ... people take one look at them and then focus instead on the person wearing them.[/quote] That's a fascinating insight! Thanks for that. I'd never thought about it, but I know exactly what you mean!

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='768948' date='Mar 9 2010, 10:15 AM']and are a far better investment (not really subjective).[/quote] Does there come a point where buying them does NOT make financial sense though? Will they continue to appreciate indefinitely or have some of them actually reached their peak value already? Your point about leaving your guitars to your daughter is one of the causes of my shift in position, y' bastaad!!

[quote name='chris_b' post='768929' date='Mar 9 2010, 09:58 AM']Everyone should own a Fender at sometime. They are the original, the start of it all. Most music hasn't moved far from the rock and roll years so the original equipment can still cut it in most situations. If I hadn't moved to a 5 string I'd still be happily playing my Precision.[/quote] Yeah, I think that's what has got me thinking. All these boutique/handmade/custom basses around. They look beautiful and sound amazing, but often they can tend to disappear into the mix in a band situation - especially live (IMO). The Fender guitars, and especially the P, just seem to sit better in the mix! Its as if they were designed to specifically fit into a certain frequency range that no other instrument can fill. By accident or design? I dunno - but they certainly do. Many "star" musicians, who could have their pick of instruments are still using Fender basses. Steve Harris? Geddy Lee? Duck Dunn? OK, they have endorsement deals but surely they could afford to use their instrument of choice? OK, I'm just thinking out loud here. I'm also starting to convince myself that Fender is the way to go!!

[quote name='smurfitt' post='768329' date='Mar 8 2010, 06:49 PM']Be gentle on me, I am female, blonde, already have decent earplugs and am new to bass gear.[/quote] I like this! Subtle dig about the earplugs...! The "female" bit is kinda relevant due to the weight issue (although some girls are very strong and some guys are wimps!). Not sure what your hair colour has to do with it though? Although its interesting how the tone of the replies has been influenced by this info.... Bit of the old "girl stops by the side of the road in her short skirt and dozens of male motorists pull up to help" kind of scenario possibly? BTW, no offence intended, I am speaking purely from a social commentary viewpoint!