Conan

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1478693462' post='3170960'] Not every vocalist/guitarist is an egocentric maniac. [/quote] Sadly, after seven years with the same band, I find myself on the verge of leaving as I have increasingly found the vocalist to be an egocentric megalomaniac I could work with him, but I could never be his "mate". Is that enough? At the moment I don't know... I love the material and the other lads - but can't bear the company of the singer. It hasn't always been that way but due to recent developments (basically, our material starting to receive internet radio airplay), the singer has lost the plot. Even though he has the least amount of gigging and general band experience of any of us he feels that he should be calling the shots. Damn.

Double stops can be useful and are worth a try. Playing more notes in the same space... filling the sound a little? Depends on the band line-up of course, but if there is a space that needs filled why not have a try? Generally though, Country music (in most of its incarnations) is pretty much about the vocals and guitar - although they can only truly shine if the rhythm section is solid. IMO of course.

This thread just goes to show that everyone's experiences are different! Do what feels good/right for you. If it doesn't, look for something that does. It may not actually exist, but at least the quest to find it teaches you a lot about yourself. Crikey - that sounds a lot deeper than I intended it to!

[quote name='NoRhino' timestamp='1478623246' post='3170388'] I recently played a show in Lanarkshire were the premotor raved about Manran. Now I see why. [/quote] I only heard them for the first time on BBC Alba last friday. To say that I was blown away would be an understatement!

Yes I know, many of us think that this is impossible. I also realise that many people do not like folk or traditional music. But... have a listen to this from 1 minute in. It just might change your mind (or at least give some food for thought) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRvA_i-jrnI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm1opP8x3Qo

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1478028009' post='3166200'] I changed from DR's as they seemed to slip on the QC front,or rather I had a couple of duff one very quickly. Whereas, upto that point, I'd had no issues for nigh on 20 years or so. And DR's aren't cheap. Generally, tho, that is why I stay off ceap strings..too masny varibles and the point of a new set is that they sound great out the pack. Newtones last me longer, but I find 3 cleans tends to finish them off and thereafter they're in the bin. But, this is acceptable and no worse than other top brands. I find Daddario don't clean up as well for example, IME. [/quote] While I mostly agree, I have been using the ultra-cheap Harley Benton strings from Thomann for the last year or so. In ten or more packs I have not had a dull string or any intonation problems, and they last at least as long as Rotosounds, D'addarios or DRs. I clean them with meths, and as you say get probably two good cleans before they are recycled. For four quid a set that is just unbelievable!

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1477303215' post='3161166'] I don't like to compromise tone or light weight (IMO) - that's why I've got what I've got. [/quote] You sounded bloody good (and pretty hefty) through my (very lightweight) rig at the Central bonny lad! ;-)

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1476880471' post='3158027'] Yep. Charlie doesn't need any of this Class D nonsense. [/quote] His bandmates certainly seemed to favour class A...

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1476826615' post='3157678'] Given you are close to Sweden, I would be looking at TKS Engineering cabs. [/quote] Good call

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1476445333' post='3154361'] I felt like I was dragging a dead whale behind me, over a landscape littered with huge boulders. [/quote] What a lovely image!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1476302533' post='3153243'] Agreed punters can't tell.However, there's still no good or rational reason to purposely play below your ability because you don't like a particular song. Blue [/quote] Depends on how you view "ability"on bass as well. In most music genres (certainly the ones I have ever played) it's not about how many notes or how fast you play. To me, one of the most important measures of a bass player's ability is how well they keep time and lay down solid foundations for the more "glamorous" members of the band. If a song is dull, or has an undemanding bassline - I always try my best to play it as solid as possible. Usually a song is in the set for a reason, and as long as the audience enjoy it (and it broadly fits the style of the band) then it has a value. You might even grow to enjoy it if it goes down well! A good example of this is in one of my old pub R'n'B bands we used to plat Woolly Bully... always went down an absolute storm Back OT - I feel that gigging is PART of being in a band. Not the only part though. Generally, I tend to enjoy a good rehearsal more than a mediocre gig. The feeling of the band coming together and sounding good (even in our own opinions!) is great. A gig with poor sound in an empty room is just a waste of everybody's time IMO. And we do quite a few of them at the moment - the bane of the relatively new original band

I always enjoy playing bass - so much more if I can hear myself properly and like the sound. I just feel that that's what I was made to do It's the other associated bollocks of being in a band that I increasingly find I can't be bothered with...