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Getting ready for a two week tour overseas.

B

bassicmelodies

Feb 28, 2010
113
15
39
Portland, OR
www.chrisfriesenmusic.com
#1
What's up Talkbass,
I would consider myself a semi-pro bassists. I've done small tours not far from home, but next week I'm jumping the big pond to go tour in Europe. I'm a bit obsessive and have packed once already. My goal was to carry on all of my luggage and bass. Just to be light weight. I'm a backpacker as a hobbiest, I think the mentality bled over.



Here I've shown everything I plan on taking. 5 gigs in five different cities, 3 countries.

Any suggestions or tips would help settle my stomach! Thanks for your time!
 
#6
I lived there for a long time.. The gigs will find you if you hang out enough, but you better play your arse off. A lot of peeps think that since you're the American, YOU are the one with the gig opportunities.. Check online for Jam sessions and put them in your itinerary.. If you're free.. Jam..
 
#9
Always keep an eye on your tickets, passport, and money. These can't be easily replaced. Everything else you have, generally speaking, can be easily replaced.

Always take your wallet onstage with you!

Be prepared for the possibility of having to check your bass on the airplane, instead of carrying on.
 
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#15
Be prepared to hear some English words mean something different than you are used to having them mean. For example in England it is OK to say "pussy" (just a cat) and you can call someone a "c*nt" but don't say someone has a big "fanny"... if someone asks you to fetch them a "rubber" it means an eraser ... and there is a whole list of words and phrases that can throw you. I found myself mystified a lot. I thought this lady was saying "sweet ass" but she was talking about her grandkids so I was really stymied - and I finally figured out she was saying they were "Sweet as"

have fun!
 
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#16
Regarding voltage: it's not enough to use a plug adapter. If your device operates on 110 only you will need to use a 110 to 220 voltage converter AND a plug adapter.

When you're talking to people, don't just start yacking at them in English. First ask politely: "I'm sorry, I don't speak your language. Do you speak English?"

People really appreciate this.
 
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#17
AndyPanda said:
Be prepared to hear some English words mean something different than you are used to having them mean. For example in England it is OK to say "pussy" (just a cat) and you can call someone a "c*nt" but don't say someone has a big "fanny"... if someone asks you to fetch them a "rubber" it means an eraser ... and there is a whole list of words and phrases that can throw you. I found myself mystified a lot. I thought this lady was saying "sweet ass" but she was talking about her grandkids so I was really stymied - and I finally figured out she was saying they were "Sweet as"

have fun!
Click to expand...

NOOOOOO!

Though many English do use the word, and some even in public, the 'C' word is absolutely off limits and considered the rudest word in the language. You can indeed call someone one if you like living dangerously. Pussy also has exactly the same double meaning as in the US, so expect lots of smirking if you use the term in any way it could be possibly construed as sexual.

Man, who did you hang out with when you visited?
 
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#20
AndyPanda said:
Be prepared to hear some English words mean something different than you are used to having them mean. For example in England it is OK to say "pussy" (just a cat) and you can call someone a "c*nt" but don't say someone has a big "fanny"... if someone asks you to fetch them a "rubber" it means an eraser ... and there is a whole list of words and phrases that can throw you. I found myself mystified a lot. I thought this lady was saying "sweet ass" but she was talking about her grandkids so I was really stymied - and I finally figured out she was saying they were "Sweet as"

have fun!
Click to expand...


Man I'll NEVER forget the first time some bloke in merry ol England came up and wanted to bum a cigarette.
If I actually said the word they use for cigarette on here, well a whole lot of knickers would be in a twist.:woot:
 
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