T-Bay Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 For me bass players fall into two categories, the first stand out in the mix and really notice what they are playing, the second prop up the other players and fill in the sound, you really notice if they aren’t playing. Being in a covers band I am conscious that I cross both of those depending on the song we are playing. I guess most people would see the first as superior but if the second is what the song needs then that’s good to. As long as the punters are happy and the bass player is enjoying themselves all is good surely. In terms of set up and kit that, is very personal. One of the best sounding bass players I have ever heard was in a small reggae band I saw last year with a patched up bass running through a battered Yamaha amp into a very worn Marshall cab. No idea how he did it but the sound was amazing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 6, 2018 Author Share Posted October 6, 2018 19 minutes ago, discreet said: A good band needs a good drummer, and they are few and far between. In fact, all band members need to be at least competent and the chances of this happening are slim, realistically. Especially as most pub bands tend to be amateur. Totally agree that a really good drummer makes a massive difference. But you should be spoilt for choice in London - we had > 60 applicants for a dep drummer role and any of the guys we auditioned would have been excellent. It's the flip side of it being blood*y hard to get good gigs because there is just so much competition. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 6, 2018 Author Share Posted October 6, 2018 13 hours ago, krispn said: My singer and I went out to try and scope out a new fiddle player a few years back. In a local folk bar he bumped into a friend and a regular at our gigs. “You’ll know Gav!” he says to her. “Naw don’t recognise him. Where would I know him from?” she replied. Gav! He’s been our bass player for two years. I knew I was doing something right and haven’t looked back since. Recent surveys indicate that it takes between 3 to 5 years, on average, for folk to be able to recognise a bass player. It shouldn't be too long for you now... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 2 minutes ago, Al Krow said: Recent surveys indicate that it takes between 3 to 5 years, on average, for folk to be able to recognise a bass player. It shouldn't be too long for you now... I concur. It took until year 4 before Mrs B didn’t pick up the nearest knife when I got in from work thinking I was a burglar... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 Wow we are still gong... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 6, 2018 Author Share Posted October 6, 2018 8 minutes ago, HazBeen said: Wow we are still gong... Woah there! This thread has been barely up for 24 hours 😂 It's surely an entirely complementary thread to this one, which started pretty nearly a full year before Lehman Brothers went under! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 As a Bass player I want them to blow my mind with great riffs and to be much louder than the Geeetarist! The words "chance" and "fat" spring to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 4 minutes ago, TheGreek said: As a Bass player I want them to blow my mind with great riffs and to be much louder than the Geeetarist! The words "chance" and "fat" spring to mind. A good chance you’ll hear a fat bassline? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 2 minutes ago, Bridgehouse said: A good chance you’ll hear a fat bassline? I refer you to the second line of my previous reply... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 I'm in a Glam covers band but even before that i always played the bass part as close as possible to original and then throw in the occasional little run where and when appropriate. I'm not a big fan of bass players over-playing where its not required. I like Fat Basslines tho 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 36 minutes ago, TheGreek said: The words "chance" and "fat" spring to mind. Yes..? Hello..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 6, 2018 Author Share Posted October 6, 2018 36 minutes ago, TheGreek said: As a Bass player I want them to blow my mind with great riffs and to be much louder than the Geeetarist! The words "chance" and "fat" spring to mind. I hope you're not at risk of turning into a fat-chancer Mick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 1 minute ago, Al Krow said: I hope you're not at risk of turning into a fat-chancer Mick? Norfolk and Chance 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 They should go into business with my alter ego, "Fairfax Aikman" (read with a geordie accent). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 I want bass playing to suit the song. I don't care what bass the fella's playing or his favourite brand of strings . That goes for pub bands and the big names 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 6 hours ago, Al Krow said: ...we had > 60 applicants for a dep drummer role and any of the guys we auditioned would have been excellent. You had 60 excellent drummers apply to be a dep..? Either that was (1) the most remarkable drumming coincidence of all time, (2) my notion of what constitutes an excellent drummer is very different from yours, or (3) you inhabit a completely new and exciting realm of reality and over-the-counter drug availability... Pip! Pip! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicbassman Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 It’s great to see so many bass players on here having enough common sense and humility to realise that (from a punters perspective) exactly what equipment they are using is generally of no importance or interest. However, I think almost all bass players would also agree that when you manage to get ‘that’ perfect sound (whatever that is in your opinion) – then your playing immediately jumps up several notches, and the pleasure of experiencing all that wonderful bassy goodness at the ends of your fingers makes it all so worthwhile. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 6, 2018 Author Share Posted October 6, 2018 (edited) 34 minutes ago, discreet said: You had 60 excellent drummers apply to be a dep..? Either that was (1) the most remarkable drumming coincidence of all time, (2) my notion of what constitutes an excellent drummer is very different from yours, or (3) you inhabit a completely new and exciting realm of reality and over-the-counter drug availability... Pip! Pip! If Carlsberg made mis-quoters... 😂 > 60 applicants The ones we auditioned were excellent. But did I say anywhere we auditioned ALL of them? Dunno how you organise auditions, but we have a far more streamlined approach 😄 Edited October 6, 2018 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteb Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 What is all this talk about drummers as if they are semi-mythical creatures?? I have a phone full of drummers who are perfectly capable of playing in a decent pub level band (or better). The problem round here is finding credible singers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 6, 2018 Author Share Posted October 6, 2018 (edited) 30 minutes ago, peteb said: What is all this talk about drummers as if they are semi-mythical creatures?? I have a phone full of drummers who are perfectly capable of playing in a decent pub level band (or better). The problem round here is finding credible singers... Singers are the focal point of any band, I agree, for most of the audience. Again we are massively fortunate down in the "Big Smoke" that there are so many really good musicians of all varieties down here. In fact I decided the only way I was going to get into a band as a novice bass player 5 years back was to start my own band up. One of the best things I ever did Whereabouts are you based? Anyway best go get my sh*t together for tonight's pub gig 😄 Edited October 6, 2018 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SH73 Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 On 05/10/2018 at 09:25, MacDaddy said: If I saw Iron Maiden, and Steve Murray just stood at the back not moving, I'd be quite disappointed. Who is Steve Murray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 23 minutes ago, SH73 said: Who is Steve Murray The bastard child of Steve Harris and Dave Murray? Not a pleasant though 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 1 hour ago, Al Krow said: But did I say anywhere we auditioned ALL of them? Actually that was a genuine assumption on my part. You didn't say how many you auditioned. Why? How many did you audition? You know what, don't bother - I really don't want to know. You're hard work, you're no fun and your thread is actually making me lose the will to live. 😩 *Unfollow* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted October 6, 2018 Author Share Posted October 6, 2018 (edited) But seriously discreet, who has time to audition 60+ applicants for a dep. drummer role? Certainly not me. It's a very odd assumption to make! But if you're that desperate to know: we auditioned 3 having had a band discussion around a shortlist of 10. The three were all very good. Edited October 7, 2018 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 23 minutes ago, discreet said: Actually that was a genuine assumption on my part. You didn't say how many you auditioned. Why? How many did you audition? You know what, don't bother - I really don't want to know. You're hard work, you're no fun and your thread is actually making me lose the will to live. 😩 *Unfollow* Can you flounce a bit more discreetly next time? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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