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I have been in many bands over the years, and am currently in a 3 piece. After shows we are often asked where we are from, therefore implying that we are not local. One band member always answers saying we are not pro's and live locally. I really think that answer is somewhat demeaning; I have...

Interesting thread; I have not been in a band that rented space to rehearse. Although some spots have been interesting; mostly in bandmates homes, or in the case of Praise and Worship at the church. In a bluegrass band we used a feed store rent free when they were closed for business. We have...

So here's the dilema; in the infinite wisdom of our regional Bishop a decision was made to close our church and herd our members to a larger nearby church. No explanation was given as to the reasoning for this closure, other than to state that three Catholic churches in our town is too many...

I play guitar, bass, and mandolin. I use standard mandolin tuning because I think the appeal of the mandolin is partly the difference in sound from any other instrument. Mandolin chords don't have to be difficult; if you know some musical theory and chord structure, you can make up your own...

Hi Cliff, Good to hear from you again, and glad to hear you're still playing. I joined a band in 2018 that played almost entirely at senior centers, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. We had a regular circuit of 10 or 12 venues. That band played between 40 and 60 dates a year while...

I like the list of questions to consider when looking at a band to join; here are a couple of my personal requirements for band members. 1. No talking politics ever; not at rehearsal, not at hang time, and never to the audience. 2. Likewise for religion. 3, No husband and wife drama at...

I have two fretless basses among many fretted ones. I find the fretless to be more "freeing" if that's really a word. If I make a mistake on a fretted bass everyone hears it because it's a half step off; if I miss the exact spot on a fretless very few people hear the difference. My fretless Epi...

Here's an update; due to bad weather our final two gigs for this year have been cancelled. They were scheduled for today and tomorrow, which doesn't allow enough time to clear the roads. All schools in the area are closed for the same reason. We normally take January and February off to work on...

The hum was present both with the DI in the signal path and without it in the signal path. Having played at the same venue and using the same outlet a month or two earlier there was no hum. The only noticeable difference in our setup was that I was using a different bass. However, I used that...

Not sure this is the correct place for this question, but it is in regard to a live sound situation. We play about 40 gigs a year at about 12 different venues. Yesterday was at a venue we've played several times in the last two years without any problems. But this time we had a noticeable hum...

Over the years I have purchased lots of stuff from MF; never had a problem. Was sent the wrong thing one time; a forty dollar item. Then they sent the correct item after I contacted them and said to keep the wrong one or sell it, my choice. Thump on, One_Dude

I have flown a number of times with my mandolin which will fit in the overhead. Never flown with a bass, but always get questions from the other passengers when they see my mandolin case, especially when flying in to Las Vegas. Thump on, One_dude

40 on the books with a couple that were cancelled due to illness and band mate surgery. One_Dude, Thump on

I have only one; collection that is. I keep telling myself that the collection swells and shrinks, however, the truth is it never shrinks. The danger of GAS is only measured by one's capacity to justify it. Thump on, One_Dude

In the Midwest we run in to all kinds of weather and it's often only a few days apart. Some years ago we played a weekend (Sat & Sun) gig for a local festival. We were outdoor and temperature was in the mid 90's, with dripping humidity. It was miserable. Two weeks later we played a concert in...

After my original post on this thread I did some research and it looks like el murdoque is right on target. The Jackson serial number scheme breaks down the serial number as a ten digit combination of letters and numbers. The first two numbers in that serial number indicate the year of...

I've been playing bass for a long time and have a lot of main stream basses; really more than anyone needs. However, sometimes you notice something that's been there for years and suddenly it's calling to you. So that's the case in this new to me bass. I have recently been attracted to the...

What I like about the mudbucker pickups is that I can eq them so they have an "edge", creating a nice beefy sound with a lot of definition rather than an overly "fat" sound that just lays there. So maybe the Rick sound is something to check out, Thump on, One_Dude

Wow, thanks for all your responses. I didn't realize there was such diverse feeling about Rick's. But I suppose that's true of many instruments, since playing music is such a self-satisfying endeavor. Personally, I have a number of favorite basses, but mostly those that provide a heavy thump. My...

Jeff Scott said, "Did you mean mystique? Yes, you are absolutely correct; my spelling error changed whole meaning. Thanks for the correction. Thump on, One_Dude

I'm curious about Rickenbacker basses, and want to ask a simple, or perhaps complex, question. I have been playing bass for 40 plus years, and have basses from most of the main stream makers; Fender, Gibson, Peavey, Ibanez, Epiphone, and some from lesser known companies. I think I can get just...

I haven't read every entry in this post, but want to ask a simple, or maybe complex, question. I have been playing bass for 40 plus years, and have basses from most of the main stream makers; Fender, Gibson, Peavey, Ibanez, Epiphone, and some from lesser known companies. I think I can get just...

Whoops; my post said "grudge" instead of "grunge". Then again maybe "grudge" will be the newest HOT thing. Thump on, One_Dude

The norm in Tucson seems to be 6-9, or 7-10. Thump on, One_Dude

This happened in the late 80's. We're playing on New Years Eve at a private school affair for parents of students there. We were a four piece band; three guys and one woman member. Guys are dressed in black suits and ties; woman member is dressed in an evening gown. At the first break I head...

My GAS is firmly under control; at least that's what I tell myself until I see the next MUST HAVE bass, guitar, or mandolin. It;s a good thing that GC is 50 miles away, however my favorite pawn shop is just down the road. Thump on, One_Dude

I've done sub jobs on both mandolin and bass. On one bass sub job I was contacted by the BL of a band who I had never met and had never heard play. I had played with his bass player in other bands and that's who I was subbing for. I got the call at 1:30 PM on the day of the 6 PM gig. The BL...

The last time I did doubles was a few years back with a Bluegrass band. Both times they were outdoor gigs in the blazing heat. Lucky for us, we didn't have to provide the PA; each venue took care of that. So, load in/load out was just our instruments. In both cases the venues were about 50...

OK, here's a report from today's gig. I connected my DI between my bass and the Yamaha board; wow, what a difference. Nice tight bass tone with no booming and no strange noises coming out of the PA. We play small rooms, so the audience is usually fewer than 50 people, and of course the...

Thanks again for the suggestions; here's some more info about our setup. The PA is a Bose with the small speakers that plug in and sit on top of the subs. I think the PA is capable enough, and my best approach is to either use a small bass amp with a line out to the Yamaha MG20 board, or follow...

Thanks for all the great responses. I'll try to clarify our current setup. With regard to the monitor issue; I've been down this road before, and came to realize that our current situation is a compromise brought about by trying to lighten the load in / load out and setup time. I have tried...

I am a long time bass player, but a newbie to pedals. I have always preferred to use one of my bass amps instead of plugging directly into the PA. My current band wants everything plugged in to the mixer. I usually do not have a problem with this, but now and then, at some venues I can barely...

These days we use carts and only play where the cards can go. But I remember lugging Voice of the Theater PA speakers and heavy Peavey amps during load in/out. Some of the older downtown buildings had their ballrooms either on the second floor or in the basement; no elevators available. Thank...

Bands breaking up is usually not a happy occasion. I have been in many bands over the years and most of those experiences have been good. In 2019 I joined a really great band, probably the best overall band that I've played in. Seven members; they already had a bass player so I was playing...

This may not be a favored opinion about backing tracks, but if I paid money to see a band perform and they used backing tracks I would feel like they cheated me. I can stay home, save the price of a concert ticket, the hassle of parking, putting up with poorly behaved audience members, and...

I auditioned for two bands several years ago when I was between working bands. One was on bass and the other was on guitar; both offered me the gig, but I turned both down for different reasons. The bass audition went well until they decided to fire up the joints while taking a break. I had two...

I am the oldest member in my current band, and have been the oldest in my last two bands. Each of those bands broke up after about 5 years together; neither break up had anything to do with me, my age, or my skill. I've been playing in bands of one sort or another for more than 50 years, from...

For many, many years I played in wedding bands, party bands, corporate event bands, Bluegrass bands, festival bands, and church praise bands. In 2019 I joined a band that plays mostly retirement, senior centers, and nursing homes. That band broke up when the BL quit, and some of the members...

I'm a long term 4 string player. I got my first 5 string several years ago and my initial experience was "this isn't for me". So I put it aside for a while and played only one of my 4 strings. I'm just so comfortable with the 4 string that I don't ever have to think about where my fingers are...

I think you're reaching the point where you're overthinking the situation. It's time to put together a set list or two, and start booking the gigs. It won't take long to learn what works and what doesn't. We never play the same set list twice in a row at any venue, we keep track of what we play...