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Just need to vent

#81
One last thing I forgot to mention. We have a small following and they're 21 or 22 year old guys in a band themselves. The other day in an e-mail our bass player is saying something like "let's put this gig on our MySpace so those moppy headed little twerps who dance funny know we're playing. I think that might have been what really rubbed me wrong. Kick my ass if you want to, but the guy's never even sat down with these guys and talked to them. They are very nice, cool guys - smart, etc., and they like us. I also like them, so I was really either hurt or offended that anyone in our band would dislike our following. But with all I've ranted about I still really like this bass player and would never give up on him. Just not sure how or if I should say anything about that, since I know he'd never say it to them. I just don't understand making fun of anybody, ever. I thought about just saying "if you have issues with our following, could you please just keep it to yourself?" But maybe he was just joking around or something and his sarcasm is so deep it flies over my head. I know from hearing me talk it sounds like we're a band that is in total conflict and we're really not, I'm just bringing up the 5% that is, and I know after tonight, Mike (the bassist) knew I was listening to him because I proved it. Maybe just showing a bit of respect will help him understand that I get what he's saying. I think he was getting scared that I was one of those guys who was going to keep on introducing new crap to complicate us even more, and I'm not.
 
#82
Skel said:
One last thing I forgot to mention. We have a small following and they're 21 or 22 year old guys in a band themselves. The other day in an e-mail our bass player is saying something like "let's put this gig on our MySpace so those moppy headed little twerps who dance funny know we're playing. I think that might have been what really rubbed me wrong. Kick my ass if you want to, but the guy's never even sat down with these guys and talked to them. They are very nice, cool guys - smart, etc., and they like us. I also like them, so I was really either hurt or offended that anyone in our band would dislike our following. But with all I've ranted about I still really like this bass player and would never give up on him. Just not sure how or if I should say anything about that, since I know he'd never say it to them. I just don't understand making fun of anybody, ever. I thought about just saying "if you have issues with our following, could you please just keep it to yourself?" But maybe he was just joking around or something and his sarcasm is so deep it flies over my head. I know from hearing me talk it sounds like we're a band that is in total conflict and we're really not, I'm just bringing up the 5% that is, and I know after tonight, Mike (the bassist) knew I was listening to him because I proved it. Maybe just showing a bit of respect will help him understand that I get what he's saying. I think he was getting scared that I was one of those guys who was going to keep on introducing new crap to complicate us even more, and I'm not.
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that would have ticked me off too, when your playing more or less underground you can't be picky on your following , who cares if they dance funny shows are for fun.
 
#83
Skel said:
We do a song by Rober Cray called "Smoking Gun". I just feel that you must have a Strat with a chorus for that song and when you do, it sounds good. I also like using the Fender so the tone is clean like Robert Cray's is, but I'd be okay using Marshall as well - jut need to tweak the master and preamp gain settings.
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I saw Robert Cray last year, and he used a 335 for everything in that show.

I also decided I don't like Robert Cray that much. :hmm:
 
#85
BuffaloBob4343 said:
I don't think the fact that it got nasty was entirely the fault of the OP. I think your advice should apply to everyone replying to this thread as well.
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+1

I see no difference between the OP and those of us who insist on hauling 200+ lbs of bass gear. If that's the only way you can get the sound you want, go for it. He's not asking anyone else to move his equipment.

Also, most of us know that how well you play can depend on how happy you are with the way your instruments sounds and feels. Even if the audience can't tell a strat from a les paul, they can feel it when the instrument inspires you as a player.
 
#86
Skel said:
You don't understand how that could happen and we don't know what we're doing?
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In all honesty, if you guys have no idea what you are doing then you need to get a good tech that can figure all the bugs out. Granted you'll have to pay him/her but at least you won't run though problems. This tech should also know how to do sound and guitar/amp repairs. Basically someone that knows how to do everything as well as play in the event you break your arm. Ok that might be far from it but you get the idea.

I think you have too much gear and it is created problems between you and your bands as well as your own gear. I work on electronics and other sophisticated systems in the Navy and they have alot more than a basic, guitar to amp to
PA to Board to however you are set up. It is proven and logical that the more you have in a system the more likely you have problems and the longer it will take to fix.

On another note, if you think that playing a different head and/or cab will make a difference in the audience reaction, think again. If you can play a song well and make it sound awesome, no one is going to tell you, that was a great combination of guitar, head and speaker. They are going to tell you that was awesome a whole and only your average guitar enthusiast might say otherwise. Best of luck though and good to see you are concerned about the bands well being.
 
#87
When you work so hard to cop a particular tone, it's hard to imagine that the audience really can't tell much if any difference. You arn't going to get anymore bookings, make anymore money, get anymore chicks etc. etc. by lugging all those extra amps and cabs around. Do everyone a favor and settle on a 2x12 combo with some pedals, I know it's hard now but you'll thank me for this later on.
 
#89
ninefingerbass said:
In all honesty, if you guys have no idea what you are doing then you need to get a good tech that can figure all the bugs out. Granted you'll have to pay him/her but at least you won't run though problems. This tech should also know how to do sound and guitar/amp repairs. Basically someone that knows how to do everything as well as play in the event you break your arm. Ok that might be far from it but you get the idea.

I think you have too much gear and it is created problems between you and your bands as well as your own gear. I work on electronics and other sophisticated systems in the Navy and they have alot more than a basic, guitar to amp to
PA to Board to however you are set up. It is proven and logical that the more you have in a system the more likely you have problems and the longer it will take to fix.

On another note, if you think that playing a different head and/or cab will make a difference in the audience reaction, think again. If you can play a song well and make it sound awesome, no one is going to tell you, that was a great combination of guitar, head and speaker. They are going to tell you that was awesome a whole and only your average guitar enthusiast might say otherwise. Best of luck though and good to see you are concerned about the bands well being.
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All I know is that, switching the mic fixed the problem. Now that I know the mains and monitors had been plugged in incorrectly, I know that there was too little load on amplifer #1, which is intended for a single side main, but had both mains on it, it's possible the PA was always on the verge of "fault" and I did think about it; the only thing that a mic could do to cause a "fault" is have a short causing too much current, or something like that. The PA was simply saying "I'm shutting down before you really hurt me - you won't like that."

As far as everything else you're saying, I agree with some of what you're saying but not most of it (respectfully).
 
#90
Skel, IMHO, I say lug as much stuff as you want to get the tones you like. Obviously you have strong feelings about your sound and want to bring the tools you feel get you there. If you're moving the stuff yourself, what does anyone else have to say about it? It's all about what's important to you and as long as it has no detrimental effect on the band or it's ability to provide the music, who the hells business is it anyway? Tell them to STFU!

That said, you didn't really need to ask this question did you? I mean, no offense, you seem to already know what you want. I like old school tone myself, I call it 'naked guitar', Strat or LP directly into a Super or a Twin, or Deluxe or Showman (personal fave), with no effects.

I think some others have given some good suggestions to your question about alternatives. If they don't appeal, you're still where you are now.

I've compromised a little tone for utility, but not a whole lot. Strike a balance to retain your sanity...or don't. Only you can decide what is best for you.

Good luck.

Link me up to the thread where you are asking the questions, I'd like to read it.



EDIT: It would seem possible to shut down the PA (especially if it has an overload sensing circuit) if a microphone element was shorted or had a very low resistance due to damage.
 
#91
GreyBeard said:
When you work so hard to cop a particular tone, it's hard to imagine that the audience really can't tell much if any difference. You arn't going to get anymore bookings, make anymore money, get anymore chicks etc. etc. by lugging all those extra amps and cabs around. Do everyone a favor and settle on a 2x12 combo with some pedals, I know it's hard now but you'll thank me for this later on.
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I think we will, even if it's because we give off good, positive vibes and energy. One more time, a Marshall half stack, and a Fender Deluxe. 2 guitars in case I break a string (happens often enough) plus I like the two different tones.

Just curious, what would you say if I said I was using a Marshall half stack and two guitars? Do you think that's too much?
 
#92
I do have one question; our bass player uses a Hartke 3500 and one of those 4X10 transporter cabs with the aluminum cones. I'm not knocking Hartke, I just don't know for sure if that rig can produce a nice thick, fat tone. Since we're primarily a "stage volume" band right now, I'm just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this. I believe the same head with a diff cab or a single 15" would sound a lot better. We have options for him, a little 100 watt Carvin single 15" combo (sounds amazingly good), my SVT-3 PRO head through his cab, or I'll sell something and get him an Avatar B210 Delta, great sounding cab IMHO. Or (I need to get this repaired), an Eden CXC1015 combo.

I guess the bottom line is that he would have to want different tone, and even if he doesn't, I'm still behind the man. Not tryin to be a jerk or a fanatic.
 
#93
Skel said:
Good to be back hearing the bass players point of view. I'm listening, believe me - I have an open mind and can learn about myself from listening to you guys. Yeah, I know I could do the amp modeling thing, but right now we don't have a sound man out in the audience. Don't know if that's a good enough excuse, but I'm just not there yet.

So you guys really think that with all the gear we haul around, one extra amp is over the top? That still seems irrational to me.
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You do have an open mind!, good to see one every now and then, Heh! I freelance and I try to carry as little as possible needed to get the job done. Rule one is to travel light and be ready for anything, Rule two I borrowed from Motorcycling, "If you can't pick it up? you shouldn't be riding it" I hear what your bassist is saying loud and clear. Last week we had an opening band, (opening being the operative word) they arrived at noon to set up for an 8pm go time? They weren't done at 7:30.....***? bear in mind that this was a huge block party, but not the Garden. they had it all and spent so much time getting it to work that i was worried we wouldn't get on. totally uncalled for. Set up like a strike team, everything packed to unpack and repack, get in do the job and get out. Your sound can be in that frame as well. And thanks for keeping an open mind.
 
#94
Skel said:
...I'm just venting like the thread title says...
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It doesn't read like a vent. It's about three sentences shy of being an autobiography. And as I read your responses to the others I get the idea that you are putting us on for your own amusement. You can't really be so obtuse as to not recognize the polarity of this discussion and just let it rest. Nope, you just keep on digging. Maybe I'm just as silly for reading through this whole thread and responding....(slams the door on this way out)
 
#96
Skel said:
I do have one question; our bass player uses a Hartke 3500 and one of those 4X10 transporter cabs with the aluminum cones. I'm not knocking Hartke, I just don't know for sure if that rig can produce a nice thick, fat tone. Since we're primarily a "stage volume" band right now, I'm just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this. I believe the same head with a diff cab or a single 15" would sound a lot better. We have options for him, a little 100 watt Carvin single 15" combo (sounds amazingly good), my SVT-3 PRO head through his cab, or I'll sell something and get him an Avatar B210 Delta, great sounding cab IMHO. Or (I need to get this repaired), an Eden CXC1015 combo.

I guess the bottom line is that he would have to want different tone, and even if he doesn't, I'm still behind the man. Not tryin to be a jerk or a fanatic.
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If I was the bass player, I would be glad to play through any rig that is brought to the gig for me. Otherwise, I would bring my own amp. :D
 

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