Top Tips

[bonzodog]

Never stand back to back with the guitarist while playing unless you want to look like a pair of tw*ts

[Roland Rock]

When your strings go dead, save the hassle of changing them by just buying a new bass.

[jezzaboy]

When the guitarist starts playing "All day and all the night" by the Kinks, don`t start playing "You really got me" also by the Kinks.

Not that I have ever done this you understand.....

[seashell]

[quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1378497826' post='2201276']
When the guitarist starts playing "All day and all the night" by the Kinks, don`t start playing "You really got me" also by the Kinks.

Not that I have ever done this you understand.....
[/quote]

Lol, excellent tip

[Count Bassy]

A serious one:

Cut your spare set of strings to length before you put them in the case/gig bag. Saves a lot of time and hassle on the night if an unscheduled string change is required.

[Junkyard Rocket]

Martin Petersen once told me that its best not to and you shouldn't need to cut strings to length. But what does he know! I bet he's not tried string an ashbory recently.

Edited September 6, 2013 by Junkyard Rocket

[JamesXP]

If you're ever doing a support gig double check what will be provided!

Drummers especially so..

in regards to bass a lot of the time there will be a rig for you but please check what it is... I've had anything from behringer kickbacks (absolutely sh*te) to ampeg svt stacks (yay) and everything inbetween!

[Count Bassy]

[quote name='Junkyard Rocket' timestamp='1378502779' post='2201352']
Martin Petersen once told me that its best not to and you shouldn't need to cut strings to length. But what does he know! I bet he's not tried string an ashbory recently.
[/quote]

I always do, because if you don't then on a 2 + 2 (or similar) head layout you get a stupid amount of string round your G string spigot, which pushes the string to the top or bottom of the spigot, and it just looks horrible. Also, I've read here that if you have too much round the spigot then it won't hold tune so well.
I seem to remember reading on a manufacturer's web site somewhere (Fender I think), that you should cut the strings so that they go beyond the spigot by about 3 inches. I'v always done that and it works for me.

Of course if you one of these who leaves 6 inches of string flailing in the air then it's not a problem.

One problem with cutting them in advance is, of course, that if you have 2+2 and in-line style basses (or string through/not string through bridges) then you can't change your mind as to which bass to put them on.

[Dave_the_bass]

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1378496606' post='2201255']
When your strings go dead, save the hassle of changing them by just buying a new bass.
[/quote]

This is not a top tip. This is the initial statement for a e-petition in order to make it a law!

[police squad]

these are all top tips but here's mine.....

make sure you've got a couple of spare beers lined in case they get knocked over (and if they don't you best drink them before they do)

[kevin_lindsay]

I always take a towel and liquid soap in my bag - so I can wash mybhands prior to gojng on stage. It's increfibke how grubby your hands get setiing up your equipment.

[Cat Burrito]

Having not been fired for nearly 25yrs, my advice is simple... Be on time, learn songs you've been asked to learn, buy the odd drink, have money for rehearsal & know your role. You'll get more bookings as a reliable nice guy who plays OK / well compared to a great player who is a nightmare to work with.

[chris_b]

Always make sure you play and sound better than the dep.

[discreet]

[quote name='kevin_lindsay' timestamp='1378542138' post='2201552']
I always take a towel and liquid soap in my bag - so I can wash my hands prior to going on stage.
It's incredible how grubby your hands get setting up your equipment.
[/quote]

This is actually a genuinely useful tip.
A small bottle of anti-bacterial hand gel will do a passable job if you're pushed for time/facillities.

Edited September 7, 2013 by discreet

[paul_5]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1378544713' post='2201580']
Always make sure you play and sound better than the dep.
[/quote]

Unless you're the dep. Then you should play and sound better than the usual bassist...

[lonestar]

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1378549202' post='2201674']


Unless you're the dep. Then you should play and sound better than the usual bassist...
[/quote]

Who Ive found suddenly becomes much more available for gigs

[Fionn]

An old-school bristle shaving brush is the perfect tool for removing the dust and crud that gathers around the pick-ups, bridge, and under the strings on the headstock.

[discreet]

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1378565225' post='2201897']
An old-school bristle shaving brush is the perfect tool for removing the dust and crud that gathers around the pick-ups, bridge, and under the strings on the headstock.
[/quote]

Thanks for this. I've been having trouble with crud under the bridge lately.

[Fionn]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1378565392' post='2201902']
Thanks for this. I've been having trouble with crud under the bridge lately.
[/quote]

soap and water will do

[discreet]

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1378565535' post='2201906']
soap and water will do
[/quote]

I prefer the brush. It tickles. Hee ho ha hoo hee hee hoo hoo ha!

[Fionn]

Hahaha!

[Donnyboy]

Don't fall other at a gig, and then roll about trying to get up and still play.

No one will believe you actually " Yeah, meant to do that"

[discreet]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHo2KKPL0mM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHo2KKPL0mM[/url]

[Donnyboy]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1378566677' post='2201925']
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHo2KKPL0mM[/media]
[/quote]


Just for the record, that wasn't me.

Good though.Not sure he " Yeah, meant to do that" Rock , and, Roll!!!!

[chris_b]

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1378549202' post='2201674']
....Unless you're the dep. Then you should play and sound better than the usual bassist....
[/quote]

That was the next tip.

I get a lot of work doing this.