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East Tennessee Talkbass
- Thread starter Michael Vee
- Start date
Well, that was a big turnout today for the GTG. 
I did have a good time talking with Jeff, and it was good to meet smcbass, although it was as I was leaving. That much, at least. And Jeff, I appreciate your planning and hosting these.
But, seriously, three of us? Do we need to keep trying to have GTG's? Less often, maybe? Summers are not good due to conflicts?
I did have a good time talking with Jeff, and it was good to meet smcbass, although it was as I was leaving. That much, at least. And Jeff, I appreciate your planning and hosting these.But, seriously, three of us? Do we need to keep trying to have GTG's? Less often, maybe? Summers are not good due to conflicts?
Thanks to Jeff (rollerberg) for hosting the GTG. Got to meet MichaelV. Also got to play rollerberg's DingwallS. Yeah, the guy has more than one. Very comfortable to play. One had very nice TI flats. Made me want to spend the big bucks for them. I'm definitely going to try some flats now.
Well, that was a big turnout today for the GTG.
Seriously, 3 of us? Do we need to keep trying to have GTG's? Less often, maybe? Summers are not good due to conflicts?
I have tried every time to come, but Sunday is just too hard for me to get there. We have 3 Sunday morning services and there are times I don't even get home til after 2pm. Then if anything else is going on (which seems like always), there is just no way for me to make it. Hopefully the next one!!
I would think they would be great no matter how many people show up; just getting to meet and hang out and try gear is always a great thing!!
Jeff gave everyone plenty of input in advance on what day to have the GTG, so if conflicts were the only problem, then we still should have more attenders than the last three times.
Hopefully the next one will work out better for everyone.
Might try something different for next year. The really successful GTGs I've been to all have some type of draw. A speaker, a clinic, a builder, door prizes, and ticket fees to cover the aforementioned.....
It was a good time with Michael and Stuart, plus a young man from church who is a budding bassist and his dad, so it was worth the effort to me.
It was a good time with Michael and Stuart, plus a young man from church who is a budding bassist and his dad, so it was worth the effort to me.
Well, I think it's fantastic either way, but I see your point. Summertime is just notorious for scheduling conflicts - vacations and the like. I would've been there except I had to be in Kingsport on Thursday, Knoxville on Friday and Nashville on Saturday. Just couldn't see driving back one more time. Haha.
Well, that was a big turnout today for the GTG.
But, seriously, three of us? Do we need to keep trying to have GTG's? Less often, maybe? Summers are not good due to conflicts?
I feel your pain, Michael. I didn't commit to attending because my band normally rehearses on Sunday afternoon if we had no gig on the prior Saturday night. We weren't booked this past Saturday night, so rehearsal was yesterday. I suppose we are attempting to have too many GTG's. The one I hosted in April met with lackluster attendance, as well, but we had a good time. I would propose that we plan no more than 2 per year, which would mean we are done for this year. Also, we can plan further out, if necessary, so that those who really want to attend can make their plans to do so. Bottom line is, if you make attendance a priority, you can and will make it. If it isn't a priority, it shouldn't matter if there are only one or two per year. $0.02
Spring and Autumn may be ideal times. Summer is full of vacations and winter is unpredictable weather for travel.
I have dearly wanted to attend the last 3.
I flaked on the front side of this one as I suspected I would be a hot mess after gigging Fri and Sat, then breaking down Sunday morning.
My hope was to ride the couch like a cheap tricycle on Sunday but even that was thwarted.
I still would to love to meet and chat with everyone. Wife and I often go out to catch a couple of sets from the local bands on non gig weekends. It would be nice to know everyone here so I can say hello. None of us want to be THE GUY that walks up to the stage and says, " Hey I play bass too!"
As for gear, and in the spirit of those in this region, I have always had an open fondle policy. Anyone even mildly curious is welcome to try anything that I own......as long as you aren't wearing a rodeo belt buckle.
I will get to one of these and will happily drag along gear. Life and or previous commitments have gotten in the way thus far.
I flaked on the front side of this one as I suspected I would be a hot mess after gigging Fri and Sat, then breaking down Sunday morning.
My hope was to ride the couch like a cheap tricycle on Sunday but even that was thwarted.
I still would to love to meet and chat with everyone. Wife and I often go out to catch a couple of sets from the local bands on non gig weekends. It would be nice to know everyone here so I can say hello. None of us want to be THE GUY that walks up to the stage and says, " Hey I play bass too!"
As for gear, and in the spirit of those in this region, I have always had an open fondle policy. Anyone even mildly curious is welcome to try anything that I own......as long as you aren't wearing a rodeo belt buckle.
I will get to one of these and will happily drag along gear. Life and or previous commitments have gotten in the way thus far.
I suggest one of the last two Saturdays or Sundays in April and a Saturday or Sunday in October when the Vols are either away or not playing. If we do a weekend in late April no one will be working on their taxes. Since we have already had two GTGs this year, I suggest that we wait until April 2014 for the next one.
Honestly, guys...my schedule sucks until I get the lutherie shop open full time. I work damn near every weekend, and only ask off for gigs. I have to work at least three weekends a month...sorry to flake, but, I don't really have a choice for now. One of these days, it will work for me. I want to experience the GTG, though. Great idea!!!
I was gonna be real mean and say something like:
"Congratulations to our door prize winners, Smcbass took home a Dingwall Z2, and michaelvee took home the Ampeg SVT AV rig!"
"Congratulations to our door prize winners, Smcbass took home a Dingwall Z2, and michaelvee took home the Ampeg SVT AV rig!"
I like it! 
Does that make me mean?FWIW, Richard's got it right IMO, gtg's being a voluntary activity are pretty obviously not high enough on the priority list of most of us to command much respect. The first one (in johnson city) brought out all of 2 people, for the usual variety of reasons. Not judging, blaming, diss-ing or anything like that; everybody makes the call to attend or not, as they see fit.
Having said that, there have been many introductions made and friendships formed due to these gtg's, however sparsely attended. So they have already achieved the goals of meeting, befriending etc. and those whom I've met have added positively to my life experience.
Thanks so much to Jeff, Richard and the many others who have shouldered the burden of putting a gtg together, because I for one have benefitted from their efforts.
FWIW, Richard's got it right IMO, gtg's being a voluntary activity are pretty obviously not high enough on the priority list of most of us to command much respect. The first one (in johnson city) brought out all of 2 people, for the usual variety of reasons. Not judging, blaming, diss-ing or anything like that; everybody makes the call to attend or not, as they see fit.
Having said that, there have been many introductions made and friendships formed due to these gtg's, however sparsely attended. So they have already achieved the goals of meeting, befriending etc. and those whom I've met have added positively to my life experience.
Thanks so much to Jeff, Richard and the many others who have shouldered the burden of putting a gtg together, because I for one have benefitted from their efforts.
+1 and very well said.
