FEEDBACK for the International GTG

[Bob Clayton]

John wanted a lot of feedback from people, so here we go.

The venue itself didn't seem too much trouble to get to, but then again, Ed was driving. There was little traffic on a Sunday morning/afternoon, which was pleasant. The room was just the right size for the amount of people there. (I don't know if we would have fit many more amps in there, haha). The food was amazing. I sampled from just about everything there, and I was pleased with everything.

Everyone on here is just as cool, if not cooler in person. I had the please of sharing a car ride with Ed (pointbass), Don (buzzbass) and Mike (Munji). All three of them are real cool guys and I got along with all of them great. I don't know how 4 of us fit in that Ford Escape with all of those basses in there, but we did. I met a lot of TBers that I probably never would have before, it was good to finally meet Munji, Bob Lee, Spanky, bassybill, chilipepper, cosmicevan, and many others. I enjoyed talking to all of them and I wish I could have talked to them more.

As always, it was good seeing a lot of familiar faces, Mike Jewels, David Wilson, \MM/, Nino (I'm gonna own a Valenti someday, I swear!) beyondhairy etc etc. (I could go on forever listing names, so please don't get offended if I didn't name you)

The talent that some of these guys have is absolutely incredible. I look I'm not saying I'm great or anything, but I look like Mark Hoppus compared to some of these guys. Some of the stuff they were doing, I just couldn't believe, so I just had to sit there in awe.

If you weren't able to attend, you truly missed a magical day. Many many thanks to John and Kevin for putting this whole thing together. They really were the men of the hour. I couldn't (and still can't) think of a better way to spend a Sunday.

As I told John before I left, the only... and I mean the ONLY bad thing about the day, was that I didn't win a Valenti.

Now we just have to start throwing Kevin's going away bash...

[BuffaloBass]

Drum machine or two. I left early due to a long drive alone, but HOPE there were some bass jams!

And the DOOR PRIZES ( the basses wrent a raffle or auction - implying a fund raiser they were MEGA cool door prizes ) , should be for people who ENTER THE DOOR. I dont think you'd upset anyone of that was stated prior to the event. Those basses that Nino put up were really to incent folks to make it down. And they did!

And then, what are y'all going to do with the extra money for the raffle since it wasnt a TB fund raiser? give it back? Pay our memberships? All of that is elimininated by " your registration and attendance make you eligible for these great prizes..! "

We should try and bring more door prize merch. I should have asked for some Vic Wooten merch, etc, to be given away.

Venue was good, chow was very good, and the beer was excellent!

Hats off to our organizers!

[AJ Brown]

For me the event was top-notch for a first GTG of this magnitude (and I do mean magnitude )...

The food was great, everyone I met was incredibly friendly, and I got to see a lot of talented players.

Thanks for the giveaways... my new Schroeder will see action ASAP. I was also lucky enough to buy a Valenti that I originally wanted, someone snagged, and then made its way back to Nino!

My only complaint, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way, was the volume level. Basswave was the only guy to bring a headphone amp (great thinking), but next time it should perhaps be a pre-requisite. It's really tough to try out basses and amps while dizzy with the lower frequencies pounding through your head. Trying gear is one of the major benefits of these gatherings.

Other than that one thing, I had a blast meeting everyone, and I felt John & Co. did an incredible job. I'll definitely be down next year.

I'm also considering a New England GTG in October.

Thanks again.

[pointbass]

Originally Posted by AJ Brown

My only complaint, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way, was the volume level. Basswave was the only guy to bring a headphone amp (great thinking), but next time it should perhaps be a pre-requisite. It's really tough to try out basses and amps while dizzy with the lower frequencies pounding through your head. Trying gear is one of the major benefits of these gatherings.

That's always an issue ..... I think it was Cosmicevan that brought the PJB briefcase, but that little unit didn't stand a chance with some of the major cookers in the room. I would have loved to hear that PJB, but the volume levels were just way too high. The headphone amp was a great idea .... next time ..... Somebody else brought a Shuttle 3.0 with an 8" (I think) but same deal .... not a prayer in hell of going against the big fella's pumping out massive distortion ....

I said it in the main GTG thread, but this was a super job by John and Kevin. I guess my only disappointment was that there weren't more people there .... the attendance was good, but it could have been great. I know it would have been a long trip for many who didn't make it, but you missed possible the best GTG ever ....

[AJ Brown]

Originally Posted by pointbass

... I think it was Cosmicevan that brought the PJB briefcase, but that little unit didn't stand a chance with some of the major cookers in the room...

Neither did my Minimark

[BuffaloBass]

It was those pedal guys!

Not to call anyone out, but a bit of " sound discipline" would be much appreciated by all.

Of course I'm sitting there noodlin' and Matt walks over and cranks the amp! But seriously, if we could have all been a wee bit quieter, I think it would have been cooler.

[Nino Valenti]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBass

And then, what are y'all going to do with the extra money for the raffle since it wasnt a TB fund raiser? give it back? Pay our memberships? All of that is elimininated by " your registration and attendance make you eligible for these great prizes..! "

You're forgetting that this is not a TB organized event. It was an event put together by The Crusadre and Major Metal.... Money for the Hall, the Food, Valenti giveaways, etc, was out of their pockets....

After all was paid for there was no extra money.

[cosmicevan]

feedback = everything was amazing.

have to agree with the volume thing. my head was ringing...it was nice to step outside every now and then to hear some silence (or muffled bass through the wall). headphone amps DEFINITELY for next time. in addition to bringin the pjb briefcase, i also brought a bass buddy, but found that the volume in the room was so loud that even with headphones on, it was tough to hear things at times. i left the headphones over with the briefcase because in that corner, it was easier to hear things with the headphones on, but yeah, couldn't really compete with that volume.

really great event though. hats off to you guys. it was smoothly run and a really great day. just wish i hadn't drank so much now that it is monday. bleh...

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBass

Not to call anyone out, but a bit of " sound discipline" would be much appreciated by all....But seriously, if we could have all been a wee bit quieter, I think it would have been cooler.

Originally Posted by pointbass

I would have loved to hear that PJB, but the volume levels were just way too high. Somebody else brought a Shuttle 3.0 with an 8" (I think) but same deal .... not a prayer in hell of going against the big fellas pumping out massive distortion ....

Agreed. Anytime you get that many people, with that many amps, into the same room, you're going to have some issues with noise pollution. Nevertheless there are some things that can be done to keep the situation under control: 1) Listen. Be aware of how much sound your rig is contributing to that rumble in the room, and 2) Get accustomed to turning that master volume knob in a counter-clockwise direction...

Originally Posted by pointbass

I said it in the main GTG thread, but this was a super job by John and Kevin.

Yes. Many thanks to John, Kevin and Nino for all the time, effort and financial sacrifice they put into making this thing happen. I appreciate it, guys...

MM

[buzzbass]

Another volume guy here, that was the only thing I could find to complain about. Great gear, great food, but the best part for me was meeting all you guys. I tried some stuff out, but didn't bother plugguing in at all. It was pointless. Really though, the people was the thing, as far as I was concerned. Sign me up for next year, and I told both John & Kevin not to hesitate to ask for help. That was one of my most enjoyable "days out" in a long time. It was all because of you guys. But.......I STILL think you're all asshats !

PS, the # of Sadowskys on hand was astounding I tried to bring some odd ball stuff from my collection. I hope everyone enjoyed trying them out.

[varunkapahi]

awesome ya! so you guys didnt play big bottom all together??

[David Wilson]

Originally Posted by buzzbass

I tried to bring some odd ball stuff from my collection. I hope everyone enjoyed trying them out.

indeed I did. Who knew I was going to get gas for a thumb 5 bolt on from the gtg

[buzzbass]

Originally Posted by David Wilson

indeed I did. Who knew I was going to get gas for a thumb 5 bolt on from the gtg

Isn't that the skinniest neck you've ever fealt on a Warwick 5'r. For that reason alone, I'll never sell that bass. That and the jack hammer tone, it's just so thick sounding

[mattygbass]

BIG props to crusader, major matal, and Nino Valenti for making this thing happen. you guys did a great job putting this thing together. the food was amazing .it was a geat place.it was easy to get to.they got alot of great prizes for the raffle.I really had a great time and so did the other 4 guys i came down with.the price was completely worth it.also thanks to everybady that brought gear and let every body try out their stuff. i wanted to bring my own gear but there wasnt room in the vehicle we came down in. so a big giant thank you!!!

matt

[mattygbass]

hey buzzbass,

if you ever want to sell that 78 pbass(im sure you never will) let me know. that thing was amazing!!!

and buffalo bass,

that JO5 you have is the best playing 5 string jazz that i played yesterday.you gave me major gas bringing that thing. i was already gassing for one, but now........

[BuffaloBass]

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

You're forgetting that this is not a TB organized event. It was an event put together by The Crusadre and Major Metal.... Money for the Hall, the Food, Valenti giveaways, etc, was out of their pockets....

After all was paid for there was no extra money.

Nino, yeah I dig the non-TB sponsored legalities, but didnt know there was comp for the basses.

The universe is back in order now.

I thought it was very cool that BOTH axes contributed to the US export market. Cool for U.S., cool for Valenti !

It was so dreadfully anti-climatic to have the first axe ship and to not get to see the actual new owner jumpin' for joy LIVE!

[pointbass]

Originally Posted by AJ Brown

Neither did my Minimark

By the time I saw that MiniMark there the bass roar was so intense that I didn't even bother giving it a shot ....

[beyondhairy]

organized jams..... near the end, when it was just like 7 of us.... there were some 20 minute long jams.... so we should have a drummer or two there, and do some jam alongs..... chronicle, tbird and i could set the mood with our 15 foot long pedalboards lol

[buzzbass]

Originally Posted by matt galbraith

hey buzzbass,

if you ever want to sell that 78 pbass(im sure you never will) let me know. that thing was amazing!!!

and buffalo bass,

that JO5 you have is the best playing 5 string jazz that i played yesterday.you gave me major gas bringing that thing. i was already gassing for one, but now........

That 78 was a surprise xmas gift from my lovely wife. She did that all by hereself, after hearing me whine about my long lost 78 that I had in High School. I'll never get rid of it. Thanks for th props though. The JO 5 was someone elses. I did have a P/J Valenti 5 there though, that thing is freakin sweet. I was amazed @ how many Sadowskys were there. Played a bunch of 'em, 1st time for me. They were sort of a holy grail in my eyes. Not to down Roger's fine products at all, but now, I just don't get it. Sure they're a fine Fender clone, but you know what, they don't have anything on my Valenti. Nino's quality really shined through, Imo. I was shocked, I didn't gas for anything there. Except for maybe another one of Nino's beauties. Seriously, I could have almost 2 Valenti's for the price of one Sadowsky. It's almost a no brainer to me. Kudos, again, to Nino. Did anyone else get to A/B a Sadowsky and a Valenti, back to back. Am I on crack here ?

[Philbiker]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBass

Drum machine or two. I left early due to a long drive alone, but HOPE there were some bass jams!

There was an incredible bass jam with Ruben and Evan after almost everyone had left. It was EPIC.

The venue was perfect the food was fantastic (I LOVE SPETZEL!).