Odd tips...

[cheddatom]

[quote name='phil_the_bassist' post='250533' date='Jul 29 2008, 04:14 PM']I don't think you noticed the wiff of sarcasm in that post...[/quote]

Ahhhh, probably! heh.

[bobbassguy]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='250577' date='Jul 29 2008, 05:02 PM']it didn't win over the Metal crowd.[/quote]

Don't worry, [i]nothing[/i] does.

[wizbat]

I,ve just read this thread thru and I can,t believe no one,s posted this yet..... I,m sorry!..... I can,t resist the urge any longer!!...

Don,t eat the yellow snow.

ok ok I,m gettin, my hat!

[josh3184]

[quote name='spinynorman' post='250507' date='Jul 29 2008, 03:35 PM']Find something useful to do during songs where the bass doesn't come in till halfway through. For example, tidy out your gig bag, write out the set list for the next gig, clear out all those old receipts from your wallet, practice the riff for the next song.

If the guitarist forgets his lead, explain that bass leads are wired with extra low impedance and aren't suitable for use with guitars.

If the guitarist starts to play a song in the wrong key, never ever attempt to transpose the bass line in your head. If you get it wrong people will assume it's your fault. The correct procedure is to stop playing, wave your arms above your head and shout "What the f*ck are you doing" as loudly as possible.[/quote]

[OldGit]

[quote name='bobbassguy' post='250572' date='Jul 29 2008, 04:50 PM']I've read that if your fingers get cut during live playing, throw in some salt. It'll probably hurt like a bastard for a few minutes but it helps to cauterize the cuts enough for your digits to survive the show. (I think I read that one in a Hugh Cornwell book.)[/quote]

Spray on "sticking plaster" - it's new and good, or superglue the cracks together.

[quote]Grolsch bottle stoppers (the red things!) make great last-minute strap-locks.[/quote]

Last minute? Constant kit bag item

[quote]You can never bring enough duct-tape.[/quote]

Damn yankee influence .. I think you'll find in this country, old chap, it's called Gaffa tape.

[quote]Avoid the 'monitor pose'. [url="http://www.musicplayers.com/images/john_petrucci.jpg"]http://www.musicplayers.com/images/john_petrucci.jpg[/url] It ain't smart, it ain't cool, and imitating this pose gives John Petrucci the legal right to sue your bollocks off.[/quote]

Someone's nicked his monitor too ... isn't he just in mid step?

Edited July 29, 2008 by OldGit

[redzombie]

Even if the next band on is REALLY annoying in that they persist to bug you about time, even when you're still well within yr allocated slot, withold the urge to boo and heckle them during their set, like our ex-drummer did, as it'll quite possibly get you banned from the venue.

Edited July 29, 2008 by redzombie

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

Write the keys next to the song names on everyone's copy of the set list.

[budget bassist]

[quote name='bobbassguy' post='250585' date='Jul 29 2008, 05:07 PM']Don't worry, [i]nothing[/i] does. [/quote]
Leave us metallers alone We have feelings ya know

[quote name='OldGit' post='250631' date='Jul 29 2008, 05:42 PM']Damn yankee influence .. I think you'll find in this country, old chap, it's called Gaffa tape.[/quote]
Actually they're two different things i believe...

Edited July 29, 2008 by budget bassist

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='budget bassist' post='250706' date='Jul 29 2008, 06:51 PM']Leave us metallers alone We have feelings ya know[/quote]


FEELINGS THAT WOULD SEND MORTALS TO SAIL THE RIVER STIX IF THEY JUST FELT ONE OF THEM

[budget bassist]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='250709' date='Jul 29 2008, 06:54 PM']FEELINGS THAT WOULD SEND MORTALS TO SAIL THE RIVER STIX IF THEY JUST FELT ONE OF THEM[/quote]
Haha shush you, i saw a pretty decent punk/hardcore band the other night, they were rather good, well we supported them actually haha

[The Funk]

[quote name='bobbassguy' post='250572' date='Jul 29 2008, 04:50 PM']I've read that if your fingers get cut during live playing, throw in some salt.[/quote]

Throw salt in the wound? Why not just be a man and play through it. Your bass isn't complete without at least one small blood stain. My 5-string has a small blood stain which has seeped into the wood and is now part of the instrument. My blood is now part of my bass. Just think about that for a second.

Edited July 29, 2008 by The Funk

[redzombie]

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='250694' date='Jul 29 2008, 06:39 PM']Write the keys next to the song names on everyone's copy of the set list.[/quote]

Good one, tunings too if you need to go up or down. A good way to remind the drummer to give you and the guitarist/s time to change yr tuning, before kicking off a song in E while yr still in drop-D.

Yes I've heard of hipshots

Edited July 29, 2008 by redzombie

[OldGit]

[quote name='budget bassist' post='250706' date='Jul 29 2008, 06:51 PM']Actually they're two different things i believe...[/quote]

Please show your proofs, young man.

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape[/url]
Duct tape is Gaffa tape used in the military, US and supposedly, on "Ducts"

Gaffa tape
[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaffer_tape"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaffer_tape[/url]
Called "Gaffer" tape on wikipedia, is the stage version.
Uses:
[url="http://people.bath.ac.uk/su2bc/humour/gaffer/gaffer_display.php"]http://people.bath.ac.uk/su2bc/humour/gaff...fer_display.php[/url]

I guess it depends on how industrial your music is whether you use Gaffa tape or Duct tape...


Honorable mention:

In motor-sport it's called Tank Tape
[url="http://merlinmotorsport.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=6040?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping"]http://merlinmotorsport.co.uk/product_info...medium=Shopping[/url]


The good stuff is the same thing but there are loads of inferior copies or "tribute tapes" around that claim to be Gaffa tape but are really carpet tape or just crap tape.

Edited July 29, 2008 by OldGit

[OldGit]

[quote name='redzombie' post='250780' date='Jul 29 2008, 08:21 PM']Good one, tunings too if you need to go up or down. A good way to remind the drummer to give you and the guitarist/s time to change yr tuning, before kicking off a song in E while yr still in drop-D.

Yes I've heard of hipshots [/quote]


Don't stop the show to retune basses and guitars (other than hipsots or capos) from one number to another unless you have a very good plan for something entertaining whilst that is going on.

Edited July 29, 2008 by OldGit

[phil_the_bassist]

[quote name='OldGit' post='250807' date='Jul 29 2008, 09:03 PM']Please show your proofs, young man.

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape[/url]
Duct tape is Gaffa tape used in the military, US and supposedly, on "Ducts"

Gaffa tape
[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaffer_tape"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaffer_tape[/url]
Called "Gaffer" tape on wikipedia, is the stage version.
Uses:
[url="http://people.bath.ac.uk/su2bc/humour/gaffer/gaffer_display.php"]http://people.bath.ac.uk/su2bc/humour/gaff...fer_display.php[/url]

I guess it depends on how industrial your music is whether you use Gaffa tape or Duct tape...


Honorable mention:

In motor-sport it's called Tank Tape
[url="http://merlinmotorsport.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=6040?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping"]http://merlinmotorsport.co.uk/product_info...medium=Shopping[/url]


The good stuff is the same thing but there are loads of inferior copies or "tribute tapes" around that claim to be Gaffa tape but are really carpet tape or just crap tape.[/quote]


I'm pretty sure the brand of Gaffa tape I buy is by a company called Duck, or it's sold under Duck branding...so technically this [url="http://www.duckproducts.com"]Duck Tape[/url] could be causing some confusion

[thepurpleblob]

Learn to coil up cables properly and seperate them out into different bags for different types. Cheap bags from Matalan are ideal. Also, wipe them clean as you go. You will thank yourself when you don't have to spend ages untangling sticky cable setting up for the next gig.

Drink water on stage, drink beer later (if you're that way inclined).

Be careful where you put your monitors, if people fall over them they might sue :-)

[Norris]

Get someone to take some photos/videos of you every once in a while. You'll appreciate it in later years.

Drinks can easily vibrate off tables/shelves/pianos. Make sure they're not near anything electrical.

If you're feeling nervous, don't fret, as half the audience will be too drunk to notice anyway

[waynepunkdude]

Don't wear a belt scratching your instrument just to keep your trousers up is selfish.

[quote]Learn to coil up cables properly and seperate them out into different bags for different types. Cheap bags from Matalan are ideal. Also, wipe them clean as you go. You will thank yourself when you don't have to spend ages untangling sticky cable setting up for the next gig.[/quote]

Those Velcro strips are great for coiling cables up.

[budget bassist]

[quote name='OldGit' post='250807' date='Jul 29 2008, 09:03 PM']Please show your proofs, young man.

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape[/url]
Duct tape is Gaffa tape used in the military, US and supposedly, on "Ducts"

Gaffa tape
[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaffer_tape"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaffer_tape[/url]
Called "Gaffer" tape on wikipedia, is the stage version.
Uses:
[url="http://people.bath.ac.uk/su2bc/humour/gaffer/gaffer_display.php"]http://people.bath.ac.uk/su2bc/humour/gaff...fer_display.php[/url]

I guess it depends on how industrial your music is whether you use Gaffa tape or Duct tape...


Honorable mention:

In motor-sport it's called Tank Tape
[url="http://merlinmotorsport.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=6040?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping"]http://merlinmotorsport.co.uk/product_info...medium=Shopping[/url]


The good stuff is the same thing but there are loads of inferior copies or "tribute tapes" around that claim to be Gaffa tape but are really carpet tape or just crap tape.[/quote]
I thought gaffa tape was black and duct tape silver.... maybe that's just me picking things up from nowhere though?

[acidbass]

Always get your drummer to count into a song, be it on sticks or just in the air with mimed numbers.

Always let the drummer decide when to end a song. Watch him very carefully for that final cymbal crash to wrap the song up!

Wedge a spare plectrum loosely in between the scratchplate and body (if your bass has a pickguard that is) for those dropping moments

When soundchecking, play as hard as you can so the soundman can set your channel to a gain level that won't distort later in the set (when most players naturally dig in more)

Also regarding soundcheck - play your open strings one at a time in a drone fashion before starting on a noodley line, this makes it much easier for the soundman to set his EQ's

When other band members ask you to turn down on stage, a slight attenuation of the bass knob frequencies will often fool him into thinking you have

[BassMunkee]

[quote]Those Velcro strips are great for coiling cables up.[/quote]
Actually they aren't - but they are good for keeping coiled cables coiled though.
Always remember that cables have a memory and will always coil in one direction.
Never Eat Shredded Wheat.

[phil_the_bassist]

[quote name='acidbass' post='250997' date='Jul 30 2008, 04:25 AM']Wedge a spare plectrum loosely in between the scratchplate and body (if your bass has a pickguard that is) for those dropping moments[/quote]

I'm sorry, whats a plectrum? Also, I don't think I've dropped my fingers before...

[OldGit]

[quote name='phil_the_bassist' post='250824' date='Jul 29 2008, 09:24 PM']I'm pretty sure the brand of Gaffa tape I buy is by a company called Duck, or it's sold under Duck branding...so technically this [url="http://www.duckproducts.com"]Duck Tape[/url] could be causing some confusion[/quote]


Yup

Its not cut n dried .. or even ripped and stuck

[OldGit]

[quote name='budget bassist' post='250981' date='Jul 30 2008, 01:36 AM']I thought gaffa tape was black and duct tape silver.... maybe that's just me picking things up from nowhere though?[/quote]


Nah it's way more complex than that

What have Gaffa/Duct/Duck/Tank/Gaffer tape and The Force got in common?
There's a dark side and a light side and they hold the universe together ...

[johnnylager]

Never bend down to plug anything in without checking the drummer isn't about to batter some part of his kit just as you lean forward. Eh?