Opportunity knocks. But there's a catch.

[JRA]

Nothing ventured nothing gained.
Sad part is I've been with some guys over the last 6 months, we've got about 50 tunes, 40 of those are what I'd call tight, and we were just getting out there. I don't know if I can float both for awhile or not.

My other band is ready to play locally and does have connections at many local dives. Not quite as ambitious as the other but closer to paying some dividends.

mike: i think you are in an enviable position: while some guys are looking for a gig, you have a choice!

I'm green as far as the business goes. Heck! I'm only a mediocre bassist!
I've yet to be paid to play anywhere!
If anything? It makes for a fun jam, the level of musicianship is above my own, everyone comes prepared so if anything it's great practice.

what have you got to lose? if you've never been paid to play, and now you are offered a gig where you are 'taken care of' --- you bring the chops, he/they brings the equipment, you're in! if they pay you anything = you took a major step up!

This. Have fun with it. This band leader might be a bit nuts.....and a lot of fun too. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Worst case you quit in 6 weeks. Give it a shot!

i'm with this^! nothing ventured = nothing gained, and add to that: sometimes you have to strike while the iron is hot!

(my take)

 

[dtripoli]

That's called the music business and it's the arts. If the show calls for a massive backline of amps, then so be it.
I'd rather be doing that than struggling in some genius' basement hoping to put together a show of original tunes with my 4x10 cab. You can always do the basement thing, opportunity doesn't always knock when and how you want it.

If nothing else, it'll add to your musical resume and bolster your networking connections.
Besides once and if you go back to the "basement" bands you'll have hours of interesting stories to marvel your band mates with.

 

[jive1]

I guess this is the old man in me, but I'd have to ask the band what the arrangement for moving all that will be for gigs. If they expected me help haul all that, I couldn't take the opportunity. Just looking at that picture made my left leg go numb.

 

[MDBass]

So I've been offered a spot with some guys with big plans and an even bigger budget.
Focus on classic rock, 70's -90's hard rock and metal.
Big opportunity for me, BUT! The BL has an image he's trying to portray on stage and has a full bass rig he wants me to use.
It's all restored Marshall stuff from the 70's and 80's.
Two 400 watt heads with 4 cabs
A4x12,4x10,1x18 and a 2x15. Now, this guy seems pretty knowledgable sa far as bi-Amping and using crossovers and such.
My stuff is new but of budget level quality:
A peavey mini mega, through two Hartke 4x10 Hydrives.
Id give more specifics and I'll know more details tomorrow but do I pimp myself out? See what it all plays like? Or insist on my rig. All this is getting mic'd. You see the level of equipment sorry it's not closer. More details tomorrow.
That's not my Hartke cabs in the shot those were the previous bassist's. I'm running Hydrives. View attachment 942880

Not sure I understand the "catch"...he's not expecting you to schlep that gear is he?

If it's truly "big plans & big budget", that means big shows, road crew and real money; you'll know pretty quickly if it's something real or just hot air.

"Insisting on using your own gear" is the same thing as saying "No thanks" to the gig, just FYI

You have literally nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain, so just give it a minute to see how it all plays out

 

[MDBass]

I guess this is the old man in me, but I'd have to ask the band what the arrangement for moving all that will be for gigs. If they expected me help haul all that, I couldn't take the opportunity. Just looking at that picture made my left leg go numb.

Nothing to do with being old...unless the BL is paying double salary (both musician and crew), moving that gear myself would be a nonstarter.

 

[beaglesandbass]

If it was me, I'd take it if we had roadies. I'm not lugging all that extra gear around when my 4x10 with a DI to FOH does the trick.

Any band that needs that much stage volume better be playing stadiums or you'll be losing your hearing real quick.

 

[Korladis]

So I've been offered a spot with some guys with big plans and an even bigger budget.
Focus on classic rock, 70's -90's hard rock and metal.
Big opportunity for me, BUT! The BL has an image he's trying to portray on stage and has a full bass rig he wants me to use.
It's all restored Marshall stuff from the 70's and 80's.
Two 400 watt heads with 4 cabs
A4x12,4x10,1x18 and a 2x15. Now, this guy seems pretty knowledgable sa far as bi-Amping and using crossovers and such.
My stuff is new but of budget level quality:
A peavey mini mega, through two Hartke 4x10 Hydrives.
Id give more specifics and I'll know more details tomorrow but do I pimp myself out? See what it all plays like? Or insist on my rig. All this is getting mic'd. You see the level of equipment sorry it's not closer. More details tomorrow.
That's not my Hartke cabs in the shot those were the previous bassist's. I'm running Hydrives. View attachment 942880

What's the problem? You get to use some cool vintage gear without having to pay for it.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I say go with it. The bass rig he's insisting on isn't even '70s - it's just... well, what a guitar player would think a bassist should use - but heck, who cares! Less schlepping for you, right?

 

[Oddly]

I'd have absolutely no issues with using the gear the BL wants...assuming of course you're not expected to haul it in.
Has he also insisted on what bass you use, or effects or what you wear?
Definitely a few questions to ask ... but it could be a great opportunity to get some experience and decent money for playing.

Perhaps talk with your other band and ask if you can take a leave of absence for a couple of months to see how this project develops.
And definitely do some research into the guy behind this...these days checking someone's background is so easy it'd be stupid not to.

Best of luck!

 

[Korladis]

I'd have absolutely no issues with using the gear the BL wants...assuming of course you're not expected to haul it in.
Has he also insisted on what bass you use, or effects or what you wear?
Definitely a few questions to ask ... but it could be a great opportunity to get some experience and decent money for playing.

Perhaps talk with your other band and ask if you can take a leave of absence for a couple of months to see how this project develops.
And definitely do some research into the guy behind this...these days checking someone's background is so easy it'd be stupid not to.

Best of luck!

Why leave the other band? Why not do both?

 

[MrSidecar]

Why would you insist on your rig? If the BL is in for the "wrecking and demolishing building structures" - thing, you wouldn't wanna compete. As long as it won't cost you anything, why not give it a shot? The sound-proof bike helmet thing is to be considered, though.

Best
Sidecar

 

[Matthew Fisher]

See if you can get your usual band to open for the arena rock band until you decide what to do.

I am still in shock about the two inappropriate jokes on here ... It is still too soon to make jokes about Great White and Brian Jones (RIP).

That was no joke about the pyrotechnics.

 

[lfmn16]

He talks a big talk!! Nothing ventured nothing gained.
Sad part is I've been with some guys over the last 6 months, we've got about 50 tunes, 40 of those are what I'd call tight, and we were just getting out there. I don't know if I can float both for awhile or not.

First - take the gig and play on some cool vintage equipment. Are you serious that you would rather use you Peavey and Hartke than vintage Marshall??

Second - You didn't mention volume, but of course everyone is assuming that it will be ear-splitting. Just for the record, My guitarist always uses a Marshall stack, sometimes 2, I play with an SVT and Fridge and we get asked to turn up far more than turn down. If you are an adult and know where the volume knob is, it's not a problem.

Third - a band that takes 6 months to get 40 tunes ready is no prize. That's about 2 tunes a week.

Good luck, and please keep us posted.

 

[StraffordMike]

Unless some of those Marshall cabs on the right are bass cabs, I do not see a full bass rig. You said the Hartkes are not his. I see only the one Marshall cab on the bass side?

I'll return with pics tonite

 

[StraffordMike]

Sorry to the admin for that second thread. Any proposals for pedals or effects that may help? I want notes to be heard not just felt.

 

[StraffordMike]

First - take the gig and play on some cool vintage equipment. Are you serious that you would rather use you Peavey and Hartke than vintage Marshall??

Second - You didn't mention volume, but of course everyone is assuming that it will be ear-splitting. Just for the record, My guitarist always uses a Marshall stack, sometimes 2, I play with an SVT and Fridge and we get asked to turn up far more than turn down. If you are an adult and know where the volume knob is, it's not a problem.

Third - a band that takes 6 months to get 40 tunes ready is no prize. That's about 2 tunes a week.

Good luck, and please keep us posted.

Seems like any info on Marshall stuff is slim, isn't very flattering, not to mention the cardinal sin of mixing cabs.

 

[Korladis]

First - take the gig and play on some cool vintage equipment. Are you serious that you would rather use you Peavey and Hartke than vintage Marshall??

Second - You didn't mention volume, but of course everyone is assuming that it will be ear-splitting. Just for the record, My guitarist always uses a Marshall stack, sometimes 2, I play with an SVT and Fridge and we get asked to turn up far more than turn down. If you are an adult and know where the volume knob is, it's not a problem.

Third - a band that takes 6 months to get 40 tunes ready is no prize. That's about 2 tunes a week.

Good luck, and please keep us posted.

That does seem a long time for a cover band.

 

[baileyboy]

So I've been offered a spot with some guys... Big opportunity for me, BUT... The BL has a full bass rig he wants me to use...do I pimp myself out? See what it all plays like? Or insist on my rig.

Since I'm not a sound geek, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

 

[Kmonk]

There is no need for all that gear.

 

[jamro217]

Find out what the plan is including apparel, bass, hair style, etc. If there is some purpose to all of that gear other than just Showbiz, this may be a great opportunity. Get a copy of the set list and see if you're comfortable with it. Do the songs match the image? Does the whole package make sense or are there glaring holes or obvious mistakes in the routine? Remember, if this is going to be a nostalgia fest, do it right or don't do it at all. Keep the bridge with your current band intact just in case. Hope this works out for.