ARGH

[quote name='Jase' post='238023' date='Jul 12 2008, 04:10 PM']Incident? Gig didn't go to well then?[/quote] Some berk,chinese whispers,and general bullshit,I wont say what exactly happend,but it was an annoyance un-needed. Can I just say,I am the bands lead Bassist. I was only using the 4 last night,and was frustrated that it was so limiting..tiring too,climbing the neck up/down/up/down,tonight I may go 6...or fretless,whatever the mood may take me. Thing is,the Fender sounds great....And I have 6 packs of strings to get through.

Bitter,weird,nice,but not as nice. Hope tomorrows goes ok.

[quote name='Jase' post='237540' date='Jul 11 2008, 07:39 PM']Sounding positive today ARGH [/quote] I was,but an incident at tonights gigs really ,sort of ,flattened me out. For the record,Sometimes,its a real bitch having a screwed up head,its late,and Im not thinking straight. I want to switch off and relax,but I cant,i just have to wait. You have to wait for the low to 'bottom out' as it were/was..and then you climb again.

'Apollo' soundtrack by Eno and Bladerunner...if only for Demis Russos's vocal.

[quote name='Rich' post='237036' date='Jul 11 2008, 08:08 AM']ARGH, mate I'm sorry for going so off-piste but I couldn't let that pass.[/quote] Yeah I saw the little anti covers post first thing this morning,and sat back...and thought about it,and then....thought a little more. And went to work,knowing about 10 persons would do everything that I wanted to say. With my spin on covers,to which Im doing the Harley Davidson Rally in Malton in about 3 hrs,is this... Due to covers,I have:- Better stamina,I can stand onstage do 3hrs,and pack up,and sod off home....Most Kids or originals bands are blown out by the 1 hr mark Better equipment,I just have,no arguement,we want the best,and we know its the best,because it works...and HAS to work everytime we plug it in,as nice as that ratty old combo gets you by in the rehearsal/bedroom,its gonna probably crap out ASAP as soon as it touches a stage.I had a massive barny with a few 'mates' over this,and those slaggings and general sniggers dissappear very quickly when a DI or decent bass needs to be borrowed for a gig/recording etc...and when they see the quality and reliability of gear. I dont rub it in,my stuff pretty unflashy,but I know It works. Bills paid,nuff said,I need to eat,feed,clothe,and in some cases buy Bass stuff,though elecy/Gas/water etc,come a'knocking and It feels good that you can just pay them,without having to pull out the plastic. My house,yes,true,they did. The ability to read,Chord charts,songs on the fly...yep,its that surprise element,I can also get out of trouble onstage,better than most. My ears are more alert to foul ups as well.I aint perfect,but Im good. Money in my pocket. IT FEELS NICE!

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='237006' date='Jul 11 2008, 01:19 AM']Take your bass to bits, replace the pups, replace the bridge, spray it a new colour. Don't pick up any other basses until the work is complete. This should give you at least two weeks of bass-playing-free time, and when you pick it up again you'll find most of those old bad habits are a lot weaker than they used to be. Because when music is a "profession", by definition it means you'll play any old sh*te for the money. "Professional" musicians suck the soul out of music, and should be collectively bludgeoned to death by amateurs like myself who aren't willing (note: "able" is not an issue) to play weddings every weekend spewing out whatever sh*te the unwashed masses are eager to consume. I can't believe people can be smug about playing sh*te for a living. I may not make a living playing bass, but at least when I pick up a bass it's not to make money out of it. I still do it for the right reasons.[/quote] How old are you?

This is the old Bolt on vs Thru topic. Both are as difficult to make,and then to make well.

[quote name='Astronomer' post='236879' date='Jul 10 2008, 09:03 PM']I've read through most of this, and there's a lot of issues. I think I can distill all of them down to this: 1. If you're a professional musician, why are you pharting around on the amateur scene? 2. If you're an amateur musician, why do you want to be treated like a pro? 3. If you're an amateur musician and you want gigs, DON'T turn up for auditions with anything other than a 4 or 5. Simple, innit? [/quote] Quite.... 1,Was..sort of..and the so called 'Pro's' piss me about,or there isnt any openings (But I cant give up,maybe I just have not looked). 2,Because I am a star darrrrrlllliiinngg...seriously,You get paid,you are pro,if only for an evening. 3,Good advice.

[quote name='Jase' post='236853' date='Jul 10 2008, 08:23 PM']Nah, it's always there, although I get what you mean, I sometimes have terrible rows with my playing or even more so with a particular bass. Think of it like this.....if your ability to play, write, perform, etc, were taken away for ever...surely you'd want it back? In which case I reckon that would mean you haven't fallen out of love with being a bass player/musician...even if you think you have. It'll come together, I think lots of us feel we're at a stagnent stage at some time or another. FWIW, I'm at a rut at the moment, hate the covers band I'm in, original project is costing loads and nobody is interested....but do we stop? NEVER!!! NEVER!!!! I'm 40 and I'll still be shouting "bass rules" when I'm 70 and I reckon you will to.[/quote] yeah,spent last night in a rehearsal room teaching the 'Drummers mate' who plays guitar the parts,and cues for how we play the songs...hes lernt our set..we've been assured (Has he f***). COvers..If it was not for the money,we wouldnt do it?!

To be honest Jase,I think Ive fallen out of love with playing.

Sorry fella,Ibanez are gits with some options,even in some cases models .You cant buy the 6 series 6 string SDGR Bass in the UK for example,the only difference between that and the 5 series,is its fancy top and I think the fingerboards different too. I heard at one point you could not get Iceman's in the UK in the early 80s. or Destroyer Basses.

Started applying on websites,the majority Ive used before,but hey...its hope.

If you screw up your vox onstage,everyone notices,if you screw up the Bass,not many will. SAD FACT.

[quote name='wombatboter' post='236270' date='Jul 10 2008, 07:01 AM']I just noticed that indeed I have a beard, play fretless and that I like fusion ! [/quote] Then you are treading a dangerous path sir. I have more than 4 strings so I obviously spend all my gigs tapping.....

[quote name='Prosebass' post='235408' date='Jul 9 2008, 12:14 AM']I think some of the articles / interviews are good in Bass Player but don't like it's "Americaness" compared with the very British attitude of BGM Maybe I just have an anti USA attitude......to most things.....except Jaco and the Fender Jazz, V8 engines, Saturn 5 ...... no must be the mag...[/quote] Its your loss,Ive chatted to contributors of 'Bassplayer',and I know its nice being patriots,but the whole mag is sleeker,better designed...better written,better all round,etc etc I know they have a sky high budget compared to 'our' mag,but I prefer to have no attitude. For 16 years Its nearly always held the standard (Richard Johnson years made it dip....best years are now with Bill Leigh,and the Jim Roberts era)

OK,Ive little knowledge of Jazz,but I always make a point of listening to Ornette Coleman's "The shape of Jazz to come" every few months. It just feels really refreshing.

Some Yank publications..'Bass Guitarist' I think being one..But Ive tried Bass Guitar (UK) and Ive found it...not as good as Bassplayer.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='235320' date='Jul 8 2008, 10:12 PM']Well it is a bit nerdy isn't it? Partly it suggests that you had it built to order, which in itself is a bit nerdy, but it also suggests that you probably bought it with the intention of playing it alone. I mean why else would anyone want all the bonus strings? So to me I suppose it subconsciously says you like indulging in difficult technical exercises. Like a mathematician or an engineer. So that's probably where I get "nerdy" from. Basically whenever I see something like that I get scared that someone's going to pick it up and tap out plonky-buzzy horrible versions of piano music on it. I don't know whether anyone else gets the same feeling, [u]but I imagine most people have never seen one before. I haven't in the flesh, actually.[/u] Anyway, now that you've mentioned that you're into stuff like Mastodon, I can imagine it's hard to find other people who dig that stuff. I think it's clever myself, but I can't really listen to it - I think I have simpler tastes. Don't think I know any players who are into that stuff here in York but that's not to say they don't exist. It doesn't sound like you're really ready to quit though. I think if nothing is coming along you should just retreat to your home studio and do your own thing for a while. At least you'll have stuff to show people when opportunities do come up.[/quote] Thats where you are going wrong on the extra string thing.You havent seen one..let alone played one...Im still learning,and you have created this mindset of x=y,because of what you may have seen..(its like thinking....I dunno..Fretless players all have beards and play fusion,maybe they do,But Ive a fretless and have been beardless since Christmas..)or what you think you have seen. You just made an assumption,about me and my instrument...2 3/4 octaves,EADG,IS ok,but I felt I needed more...And Ibanez and Warwick aint making them off the peg..........yet! sorry fella,for the record,solo playing on our own because of 'bonus strings','Plonky,buzzy...'WE dont all do that,us ERBist..its a dreadful stereotype held over from the 6 string days..'more strings,must w***' And its pretty much always utter sh*te..yeah the NAMM Tapola stuffs on youtube,but its not all like that,its just a larger range ,thats all.Bass to some is a trad,background instrument..I dig that too,I play upright remember (well...try too). Im not a fan of Mastodon....Phil on guitar liked Mastodon,Ade Liked Rush...Ive never owned a Mastodon lp in my life,but Ive heard they are good at what they do. Yorks never really been a Metal town,Neither has Leeds (Post Punk/Indie) really,Bradders,Fax and Sheff* are,so's Wakey a bit,but not AS much as the previous two. *Weirdly this has happend,and grown a lot in the last 2 years since Rios shut down,Theres Leeds Rios,But I dont think Bands like it that much.

[quote name='Finbar' post='235299' date='Jul 8 2008, 09:40 PM']And give me the 9? Sure Hah, maybe you should just try and find one good drummer, and do a drum/bass duo That could be pretty awesome! If my band ever splits up, I'd be really tempted. It would REALLY push me, but it could be great fun Much easier band dynamic, better money split, less petrol spent... Its quite appealing![/quote] I'll be honest..thats been the crux of my rage...Drummers..I can find a million Guitarists..but Drummers,justdont exist..ok..ones of decent capable..sane players...dont exist,my mates been looking for over 4 years.

[quote name='Finbar' post='235292' date='Jul 8 2008, 09:33 PM']Start a band with me Kickass dual bass action. It would slay. Like Lightning Bolt but sillier ^_^[/quote] We could irritate EVERY mole within a county....Maybe I should get an 11 string.

There are,But to me 'Bass Player's' the best by a country mile,in content,research,humour,and general GOOD information.

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='235277' date='Jul 8 2008, 09:15 PM']Instruments are tools for the the pro's. For us amateurs they are toys [/quote] True.....But we still pay a pros price for the custom and 'different'. I prefer Cave with Blixa onstage...'Loverman' at glasters in 94 was awsome.

[quote name='Finbar' post='235256' date='Jul 8 2008, 08:43 PM']And IME, don't shy away from the fact you play an ERB in auditions. Be honest about it. I've found its a selling point more often than not. It'll set you apart from any other people auditioning. Sometimes for the wrong reasons, sometimes for the right ones.[/quote] Thanks Fin,I have,but sadly,no avail as yet. I have ...finally,come down..after 2 days....sorry and thankyou for all the nice comments,and words. Its just a forum,I get like this..I have to vent...Im glad Im not the only one thats had this sh*t to deal with.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='235234' date='Jul 8 2008, 08:11 PM']K. I think you missed my point - being that [i]I[/i] wouldn't hire you. Me.[/quote] Sorry..very VERY sorry,Its just when I see people having,what seems to me,hang ups,and predetermined thoughts,over numbers of strings..I see red,You just got ARGH'd. I can get gigs,they are just covers gigs....nice..but..well...2 pagesworth of bile tell you.... The 'Self indulgent' 300 mile trip was for my old band I had in Surrey,we would meet in QUAD in Leicester,we were and still are great mates,and 2 still play together in Woking*,we thought,in our own mad way that 'It can work'....soon to find out,it didnt,for both social,and writing reasons and the financial being a 3rd,but it was really really nice at the time,and the Curry afterwards was always nice. The best piece of advice has been Alex's,and Rich's,of which as of August Im doing something about.Sadly I cant just up sticks and move anymore because..well..I bought what I live in,and moving now would be financial suicide (5 years...just 5 more years..the Tigers ground gets levelled...and then..££££...hopefully). To be an 'Anorak',by having a 9 string...I dont get that though? What do you mean? * If anyone is into Rush,Mastodon,and oddtime riff heavy Metal and lives in around Surrey area PM me they are desperate for a bassist.

Im sorry,Im just ranting now. Im gonna f*** off and have a shower.