Conan

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1490883806' post='3268793'] Or a dummy P set of covers fitted in place. everyone will think it's a cool J-P-J hybrid too! [/quote] Or one of these...

I played for ten years in a blues/fusion band using a Status series II. Graphite, active and headless. Not exactly traditional. But it worked fine. Just get the next bass based on what you want, rather than what you think will "fit"

A P bass with Jazz pickups, with a suitably-placed thumb-rest?

Form your own band, then you're in charge of how frequently you gig/rehearse. It can take a while of course, and be deeply frustrating - but if you want control over logistical stuff it could be the only way.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1490788224' post='3267964'] Always preferred Muzz Skillings, lost interest in Living Colour after he left. [/quote] Me too... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HbF3EAt3ck

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1490457488' post='3265285'] As we are on the subject of fretboard cleaning...has anyone tried "Gorgomite" ? It claims to clean both fretboard and frets...[i]at the same time !![/i] This eliminates the need for masking the board when cleaning the frets ? [url="http://gorgomyte.com/index.html"]http://gorgomyte.com/index.html[/url] [/quote] Never heard of this stuff, but with such an epic name I just couldn't resist ordering some!

[quote name='Ceebass' timestamp='1490431995' post='3265066'] Me too. Mine still smells of ash tray on hot days. [/quote] Completely OT, but I love your avatar pic!

[quote name='radiophonic' timestamp='1490777788' post='3267804'] Doug is a total hero, but for me he will always be the guy from Tackhead. So much great playing on those On-U Sound records. [/quote] Oh yes! Saw them live at the (now gone) Newcastle Riverside in 1989. Still one of my best ever gigs!

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1490773990' post='3267762']I'm a big fan of those first three albums although it's much a case of diminishing returns; so much unfulfilled/unrealised potential...they should have been huuuuge and achieved godlike status, but alas, t'wasn't to be. Indifferent, output, side projects, conflict. Tsk. [/quote] A very sound analysis! They had so much going for them...

[quote name='AdamWoodBass' timestamp='1490364718' post='3264625'] I do agree though, a good funk band by their very nature should be very entertaining and have no problem filling a dancefloor. Problem is not enough bands out there willing to take the risk. [/quote] Bad covers bands can just about be tolerable as a certain looseness and distortion can make them sound authentic to certain songs. A bad funk band is just awful

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1490365585' post='3264640'] There is a YT vid where a guy does a neck comparison, and actually swaps the neck only to see maple v rosewood. Everything else remains the same. [/quote] Ah, but what about the tuners and the fret wire? The material of the nut? The thickness and age of the lacquer?? These things can have a massive influence on tone you know...

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1490357935' post='3264556'] John Dawson - stunning bass player & great bloke [/quote] Indeed. Even if he is a Longbenton lad...

[quote name='Barking Spiders' timestamp='1490352682' post='3264489'] a setlist that includes covers of tunes by Trouble Funk, Fatback Band, Ohio Players and Graham Central Station... [/quote] Sounds like my kinda band!! These guys come pretty close, and get plenty of gigs in the North East. Outstanding band, and their bass player is a member on here (JD1) - http://www.groovetrain.co.uk/

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1490204559' post='3263252'] There were two threads about the same thing starts by the same person at one stage, not sure which one this is but maybe you posted in the other one. Or if this is the other one, you posted in the first one, also known as the other other one. I think. [/quote] Ah yes - good spot! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/302484-your-thoughts-re-flats-on-a-jazz-bass/page__pid__3262034#entry3262034

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1490343813' post='3264381'] Oo-er, we're getting dangerously close to saying that body wood has a bearing on tone! [/quote] My body is made of lignum vitae. That's what makes me so heavy, and it affects my tone - which is usually ironic.

Auditioning for bands is a weird process, but starting a band and trying to get musicians to audition for you is even more weird! However, as the OP rightly points out, good communications cost nothing and often make the difference between feeling that you want to be part of something or walking away - possibly to the mutual loss of both parties.

Despite what I am constantly being told, I feel that I can get a very Precision-like tone from a Jazz bass. OK, maybe not in a solo situation in in a studio when DI'd... but certainly withing a band rehearsal or gig scenario. Others tell me I'm wrong, but that doesn't change my opinion! I've also played (and owned) P basses that lack that warm, woody "thump" that others refer to. I'm not sure any of this helps or adds to the discussion though

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1490266800' post='3263712'] I am surprised to read that bands can charge four times what we did and still get the gig, I'm obviously at the wrong end of the market here. [/quote] As soon as you mention the word "wedding", all kinds of businesses will see pound signs and try to rip you off. They rely on the "it's only once, so spare no expense" mentality that many brides-to-be (and mothers of brides-to-be) seem to have. Venues, caterers, accommodation providers - and bands are just part of that sector. To be fair, playing a wedding can be a very long day and can be quite stressful - but to quadruple your band's normal fee is cynical and greedy IMO. If you want the gig (and plenty of bands don't!) then charge a reasonable fee. What is "reasonable" for each band will vary based on a number of variables of course.

All of the above. And maybe he should join (or form) another band so that he can play predominantly material that he likes?

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1490193162' post='3263100'] Every "classic" song was a new original song in the beginning. [/quote] Of course. But even the legendary songwriters only wrote so many classics. We mere mortals (even the ones that can write songs at all!) mostly struggle to come up with a handful of real quality songs. Often it is less than that...

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1490192263' post='3263084'] [i]Sweet Caroline[/i] [/quote] Bap bap bap!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1490191463' post='3263073'] From a purely personal perspective, I find it is far easier to write a new song than it is to learn anything but the simplest of covers. [/quote] Fair enough, but I think that is a pretty unusual talent you have. However, are your original songs good/catchy enough for audiences? Sadly if a band doesn't entertain it's audience it is likely to find the gigs drying up...

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' timestamp='1490186112' post='3262964']Some ....suggest that the choice is between "Sex On Fire" and obscure album tracks that send people running for the exit. I don't believe that that's true - I believe that it's possible to come up with a set list of songs that are recognisable and danceable, but also steering clear of the dozen songs that are played by 90% of covers bands. [/quote] Very good point. Some pubs/venues are very specific about what they want though, and no matter how well your band plays the more "interesting" material, they will still insist on [b][i]their[/i][/b] favourites. It's their prerogative I suppose, but it's a bit sad that they won't open their minds just a teeny bit...