Blasting a Wasp Nest with Dynamite?

[Dr. Cheese]

Bass is the instrument in CCM that has the most lattitude in what you can do. The guitar parts and vocals are top 40-ish - often earworms that you have to play pretty much verbatim, or people will notice. The rhythm section is where the most liberties can be (and should be) taken - the feel of what's going on is often very different from the original. I've played the same song in different churches, and played very different parts, just to make things work as well as I can for the vibe of what was going on in each service. I also play one place where there's a bunch of original music writen by the worship pastor. The parts are sometimes simple, sometimes not, but 500 or so services in, I haven't yet had a "boring" one. I do have to admit that the places I play, the bands are well above what you find in the average church in ability - that's a big part of why I'm never bored.

I have to really learn the songs better so I can bring out more nuance.

 

[DaDo625]

The most demanding gig I ever had was a Funk band in 1985 that mainly played the music of Prince, The Time, and similar acts. I had a Peavey combo, a Rickenbacker 4000, and a Moog Rogue synthesizer. I had a little phase shifter as my only effect. I left the band to go work on my Ph.D. I had chance to work with a band once I had moved, and had a great time sitting in with them playing Rick James “Give It to Me Baby.” I turned them down because I had not left South Carolina and moved to Michigan to play in clubs with folks doing coke instead of studying. About eight years later, I started playing in church.

There is a lot packed in to this short note...thank you for taking the time to share...

Regarding wasps...the over the counter sprays are pretty impressive.
Dynamite is not very common - its hard to work with and I still remember the bounding headaches when we had to go and flip the boxes...what you do when you are the new kid on the job site.
Tovex is the way to go, stable, easier to work with and no headaches.

And we play Bass, it's not about us, its about the song...and how much they would miss us if we did not show up...

 

[micguy]

I have to really learn the songs better so I can bring out more nuance.

I always go in with the chord structures memorized, so I can focus on what's going on around me (the musicians, the vibe in the room, etc), and play parts that work with that. It takes more time, but it leads to real music much more often.

 

[Tom Kinter]

I carried two basses to practice today. I only took one out of its bag. We went over three CCM songs that were all half and quarter note root notes in the first position. This is my only gig. What is the point in caring about gear so much if don’t actually need it for what I get paid to do? I guess some perspective does not hurt.

You may be over-thinking this... to me, bringing two basses just makes sense - shows serious commitment to doing what good bassplayers do best: fitting in, being collaborative & prepared for whatever. Even if you never got it out.

 

[legalbass]

I judge gigs by the pay divided number of notes I have to play. Sounds like you're on you way to great success!

Ha! I can only imagine AC/DC's Cliff Williams has about about a dollar for every quarter note he's ever played

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I always go in with the chord structures memorized, so I can focus on what's going on around me,ad make up parts that wir with that. It takes more time, but it leads to real music much more often.

I need an attitude adjustment. My church used to play Urban and traditional Black Gospel. At the time, we had a strong adult and youth choir. The church then let go of the choir director (he probably needed to move on since he had been a member since birth, and older folks still saw him as a kid.) We then went through a period of not being able to hold on to a choir director until we got the current leader. She leans much more towards either old school Southern Black Gospel or CCM. She also has let the kids choir wither. The result is a smaller choir with fewer singers, and this has facilitated a move to CCM songs that fit more of a singer/song writer mold than choral Urban Gospel with a funkier vibe. I have to work up more enthusiasm for CCM style tunes.

 

[lomo]

Respectfully, be easy about it and give yourself some needed grace here - the love of gear, it's cool factor, the collect-ability factor, it's fun factor, the curiosity factor etc. have never been synonymous with it's function only. We all know how little gear it takes to be actively gigging. But having a true interest,a keen interest in bass gear or technology etc is as genuine and legit as an interest in anything. It's a familiar dilemma I observe with musicians. Justification of some sort (other than the greatest of all...passion) is required before it can be accepted. It can take a lovely joy-bringing hobby and introduce guilt or negativity of some kind. Particularly if it is measured by skill set or 'work' quantity.

Well said. Although they overlap, curiosity/fascination with/ love of bass gear are not linearly related to how they are used. A musical instrument is a tool, but it can also be visual and engineering art, and/or simply a thing that is waaaay freakin' cool. It is, as they say, all good. My wife loves to have multiple sets of dishes, but we only ever eat off of one set.....variety is a luxury, and there is nothing inherently wrong with that.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

The Neat Microphones Bee series microphone and the SE Electronics Dynamite mic preamp both require 48v of power so supplying the inline pre wouldn’t get the required power to the microphone, as by design the Dynamite does not pass the 48v Volts through itself. And The Neat Bees are condenser microphones!
TLDR: Above is a joke playing off of the thread title.
The only thing really matters one way or the other is if you want to switch it up and play a different bass sometimes. If you have 2 of the same bass I would say you don’t need it. But if you want to switch up the bass you play I say go for it.

 

[felis]

Credence Clearwater Missionaries

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Credence Clearwater Missionaries

Credence Clearwater Revival was more grooving, IMO.

 

[Ronzo]

CCM = Contemporary Christian Music; e.g., the Hillsong catalogue.

My mainline Protestant Church (PCUSA) cannot afford paid soloists/vocal section leaders, or paid ancillary musicians. Our organist/pianist is paid. I have served as Choir Director and ancillary musician as bassist and guitarist. I refuse to accept payment for that. It is my offering, in addition to my financial support.

There are times when I wish I could dismiss people, but that’s a failure on my part as a Christian. Not proud of those moments. I just wish that some of the volunteers would be more understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

 

[CatchaCuda]

With dynamite, they go quickly, right? The spray makes them twitch and convulse. If I was a wasp, I'd rather bee exploded.

Doctor, the day you bring only 1 bass will likely be the day that you have an issue and need a backup. Some might call bringing 2 "overkill". I think you're being responsible.

 

[oldcatfish]

For wasps I use a 20 gauge shotgun with number 8 shells. First thing in the morning is best, as they move slower when it's colder.

Yeah, me too! But the neighbors complained about the noise and called the police. And unfortunately, the officers must have been concerned that I got stung or something, because when I told them that I was “shooting the bugs,” they insisted that I go to the hospital with them!

 

[bucephylus]

I carried two basses to practice today. I only took one out of its bag. We went over three CCM songs that were all half and quarter note root notes in the first position. This is my only gig. What is the point in caring about gear so much if don’t actually need it for what I get paid to do? I guess some perspective does not hurt.

The main thing is to smile.

 

[alembicbones]

Hey Doc,

While the music might not exactly be your cup o' tea, it is a gig. Play your part with passion, and know that your are doing it on a bass you enjoy playing.

On another item, have you seen the RSD MetroExpress in the classifieds? I look at that bass and think it might be perfect for you. The price point is very reasonable I think the you would know how to get the most out of the bass.

Happy New Year.
Bones

 

[micguy]

I need an attitude adjustment. My church used to play Urban and traditional Black Gospel. At the time, we had a strong adult and you choir. The church then let go of the choir director (he probably needed to move on since he had been a member since birth, and older folks still saw him as a kid.) We then went through a period of not being able to hold on to a choir director until we got the current leader. She leans much more towards either old school Southern Black Gospel or CCM. She also has let the kids choir wither. The result is a smaller choir with fewer singers, and this has facilitated a move to CCM songs that fit more of a singer/song writer mold than choral Urban Gospel with a funkier vibe. I have to work up more enthusiasm for CCM style tunes.

The future for both of us is hopefully more integrated churches. My church is much more diverse than it was a decade ago. I’m sure I’ll be playing more funky music (I’m fine with that). You’ll probably be playing less, but I hope you still get to do some funky stuff. We shouldn’t get rid of any good music, we should just welcome other styles in. We have a decent sized Spanish speaking population in our church, and we sometimes sing is Spanish in our main services. That always strikes me as a step towards how things will be in Heaven - music in lots of languages and styles.

 

[Bonafide]

.....variety is a luxury, and there is nothing inherently wrong with that.

I am not sure what you mean by 'luxury' though you did use the phrase 'not inherently wrong'. I personal see 'variety' as a choice, not a luxury. I am infinitely grateful for my choices, but they were well earned. I have a fantastic 'selection' of gear to choose from, but it was not a short term splurge. As a lifelong gear head, the very reason I have 'variety' is because I chose / choose to sacrifice and I went without 'luxury'. As I have aged and improved or refined my resources, I can get nicer items, but it is still due to the fact that I manage my finances well, save and do not spend beyond my means. It is also the industry I work in. Variety is a choice and in the beginning the choice was (1) and then it was (2) etc... Grateful? Absolutely, every day. Luxurious? Not even close.

 

[Dean N]

What is the point in caring about gear so much if don’t actually need it for what I get paid to do? I guess some perspective does not hurt.

The important thing here is you need GAS for us, the TB hive. We need to enjoy your videos and your gear vicariously. It's really all about us. Priorities, man! Sheesh.

For wasps, use brake cleaner spray and a lighter. Dynamite is overkill.

If they are yellow jackets, I boil those little bastards alive by filling a 10 gallon bucket with boiling water, sticking a tube into their evil underground lair, attaching it to a drain valve on the bucket, and treating them to a scalding, watery death. Wait till night to get 'em all. It might kill some grass, but they require a no quarter, scorched earth policy.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Hey Doc,

While the music might not exactly be your cup o' tea, it is a gig. Play your part with passion, and know that your are doing it on a bass you enjoy playing.

On another item, have you seen the RSD MetroExpress in the classifieds? I look at that bass and think it might be perfect for you. The price point is very reasonable I think the you would know how to get the most out of the bass.

Happy New Year.
Bones

That’s why I said I need an attitude adjustment. I owe to church, literally to God, to play the music with conviction.

 

[JakobT]

I carried two basses to practice today. I only took one out of its bag. We went over three CCM songs that were all half and quarter note root notes in the first position. This is my only gig. What is the point in caring about gear so much if don’t actually need it for what I get paid to do? I guess some perspective does not hurt.

For every new thing you try out, you learn a little something. A different instrument here, a new effect there. I’ve tried out a lot of different gear over the years just to find out more about what I like and what I can accomplish with the different tools available to me. And while I could have stuck with the first bass I bought (there was nothing wrong with it, after all), my curiosity took me to new places I might not otherwise have known about. So I have no regrets. It’s part of what makes us human.

Your love of gear is part of what makes you unique as a person, and that’s what you bring to the church gig, and your gear helps you express that in your music. And while you may not have use for all of it all the time, it’s nice to know it’s there when you want it.