Hi. Earlier this year I had some changes in life (job at startup, and beginnings of a very busy sports schedule with my kids) and ended up thinning down to just playing guitar, and quitting the two bands I was playing bass in (one gigging, one just getting going.) The gigging band was disappointed but I was already frustrated with them due to lack of focus and sporadic rehearsals and arbitrary short-notice gigs with panic scheduling issues for all of us. Yeah we were gigging but that type of non-structured crap wasn't going to work with the changes in my life.
The "just getting going" band was disappointed, as they had a really hard time finding a dependable, solid bass player (ie. someone who can play reasonably well (no Victor Wooten here) but reliably learns songs on their own, shows up on time, and has backing vox.) But, I simply had no time. I was working alot and driving kids all over the place for sports, so I ended up selling off my bass stuff, focussed on guitar and singing in the time I could find to enjoy my music room (which wasn't a ton of time at all...)
Recently the drummer from the "just getting going band" contacted me wanting me back as a bass player for a new project. Well, since things settled a bit and my wife and I have our schedule under control, coupled with the fact that these guys are organized and quite dependable as far as not wasting time at rehearsals, I said "sure, but I have no bass right now". So he (drummer/band leader) lends me a Marcus Miller Oly White 4 string. Well, I like this bass, alot. Plays great. Active is a bit noisy (fixed with a noise gate..lol right now I'm playing at home through a POD HD500 and a QSCK12, and it's actually pretty decent) but passive sounds fine.
I start talking to the wife about getting a bass for Christmas, thinking I'd go get a new Ibby SR500 or a Squier CV Jazz. Budget is around $400 + tax. But before buying new I ask the drummer if the Marcus Miller is for sale. Turns out the drummer had already sold it to a friend of his this year for $700, but the other guy is not playing at all so it was at the drummer's house and I was able to borrow it. However, his friend is willing to sell it, wants around $600 (CDN). I offer $575, he takes it! (Bit more than the budget, but WELL worth it.)
I feel I got a great deal on a great bass. It's in excellent (not mint) condition. I noticed some excellent instructions here on how to reduce the noise, maybe I'll get around to that sometime.
It's nice to be back playing again. Yeah, I've booked up our only kids-hockey-free night (Monday night) with band rehearsal but the wife is quite supportive.
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The "just getting going" band was disappointed, as they had a really hard time finding a dependable, solid bass player (ie. someone who can play reasonably well (no Victor Wooten here) but reliably learns songs on their own, shows up on time, and has backing vox.) But, I simply had no time. I was working alot and driving kids all over the place for sports, so I ended up selling off my bass stuff, focussed on guitar and singing in the time I could find to enjoy my music room (which wasn't a ton of time at all...)
Recently the drummer from the "just getting going band" contacted me wanting me back as a bass player for a new project. Well, since things settled a bit and my wife and I have our schedule under control, coupled with the fact that these guys are organized and quite dependable as far as not wasting time at rehearsals, I said "sure, but I have no bass right now". So he (drummer/band leader) lends me a Marcus Miller Oly White 4 string. Well, I like this bass, alot. Plays great. Active is a bit noisy (fixed with a noise gate..lol right now I'm playing at home through a POD HD500 and a QSCK12, and it's actually pretty decent) but passive sounds fine.
I start talking to the wife about getting a bass for Christmas, thinking I'd go get a new Ibby SR500 or a Squier CV Jazz. Budget is around $400 + tax. But before buying new I ask the drummer if the Marcus Miller is for sale. Turns out the drummer had already sold it to a friend of his this year for $700, but the other guy is not playing at all so it was at the drummer's house and I was able to borrow it. However, his friend is willing to sell it, wants around $600 (CDN). I offer $575, he takes it! (Bit more than the budget, but WELL worth it.)
I feel I got a great deal on a great bass. It's in excellent (not mint) condition. I noticed some excellent instructions here on how to reduce the noise, maybe I'll get around to that sometime.
It's nice to be back playing again. Yeah, I've booked up our only kids-hockey-free night (Monday night) with band rehearsal but the wife is quite supportive.
PICS:
