US: West 2018 Emeral City Bass Convention - September 9th

#121
Selta said:
I think returning to simpler is better overall. It's kind of my goal again next year. I'd like to see more folks come, and less emphasis on the demos and such. Of course, if Lull, Tsunami, Dingwall, Ampeg, whoever wants to come, they can, but, I think I'm going to not specifically search those out going forward.
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My own thoughts exactly. I didn't send a single brand-courting email for this one, but did let our great local stores and providers know they're welcome to come and set up a commercial presence - a couple of which politely declined, in fact. I'm with you - back to the gear and the players that use it day in and out, less of an organized event schedule. Although I did always enjoy the raffles and always hoped I'd win something (but never did, I don't think!)
 
#122
I'm looking forward to it. I really don't "know" any of you guys and I've been out of "the scene" for so long too so it's gonna be super awkward for me, which is why I asked about demos and the like, because it gives me an entry point. I'm a mediocre player at best, so there's no point in me bringing any of my stuff. I'm looking forward to being dazzled by you guys and gals so I don't end up sitting in the corner afraid to talk to anyone. ;)
 
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#123
TerribleTim68 said:
I'm looking forward to it. I really don't "know" any of you guys and I've been out of "the scene" for so long too so it's gonna be super awkward for me, which is why I asked about demos and the like, because it gives me an entry point. I'm a mediocre player at best, so there's no point in me bringing any of my stuff. I'm looking forward to being dazzled by you guys and gals so I don't end up sitting in the corner afraid to talk to anyone. ;)
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Some folks roam around, play gear they don't see in stores, and barely say a peep. Others will talk your ear off. The main thing is just chill and have fun.
 
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#124
I am truly fascinated with Dingwalls, but I'll never have the money for one. Nor am I sure I want to play someone else's, partly because it's something along the lines of asking to ride my Harley and partly because I suck and nobody wants to listen to me pound roots on an expensive bass. :laugh: :roflmao:
But I am so looking forward to seeing a real live Dingwall in the wild.
 
#125
TerribleTim68 said:
I'm looking forward to it. I really don't "know" any of you guys and I've been out of "the scene" for so long too so it's gonna be super awkward for me, which is why I asked about demos and the like, because it gives me an entry point. I'm a mediocre player at best, so there's no point in me bringing any of my stuff. I'm looking forward to being dazzled by you guys and gals so I don't end up sitting in the corner afraid to talk to anyone. ;)

I am truly fascinated with Dingwalls, but I'll never have the money for one. Nor am I sure I want to play someone else's, partly because it's something along the lines of asking to ride my Harley and partly because I suck and nobody wants to listen to me pound roots on an expensive bass. :laugh: :roflmao:
But I am so looking forward to seeing a real live Dingwall in the wild.
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These GTGs are show-and-tell for bass players, not talent competitions. Most people who bring things are hoping others will play on or through their gear. That's the whole point! So if you come and see a Dingwall, do the owner of it the honor of playing the instrument and admiring it, and telling him/her how much you like it. And if you have anything that you think is unique or unusual and you think others might be interested in seeing it, by all means bring it.
 
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#126
Thanks @BlueTalon, I may bring my ESP/LTD F-104 that I custom swirl painted, not sure. I won't guarantee that it is set up "properly" so I feel someone may play it and go "***?" But, it works fine for thumping roots. ;) :laugh:

A little history on myself, maybe one of you will go "Hey, I actually know who you are!" I played in local bands in the late '80s / early '90s. I've lived in the greater Tacoma area since about '86. I was in a band called "Quick Fixx for my gigging days with drummer Jason Bennett (currently with Baby and the Nobodies), guitarists Kevin Henneigh and Dave Hinton (currently both are not playing) and singer Nick Summerville (passed away a while back, was with several bands). My little brother was Tony McDougald, he played bass for VIII Days Clean up until his passing. He was a far better bassist than I ever was and had much more success.

Anyways, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. See you guys this Saturday, and maybe.....just maybe, I'll bring an 80's relic swirl painted in neon colors just because I like it. :cool:
 
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#128
TerribleTim68 said:
Thanks @BlueTalon, I may bring my ESP/LTD F-104 that I custom swirl painted, not sure. I won't guarantee that it is set up "properly" so I feel someone may play it and go "***?" But, it works fine for thumping roots. ;) :laugh:

A little history on myself, maybe one of you will go "Hey, I actually know who you are!" I played in local bands in the late '80s / early '90s. I've lived in the greater Tacoma area since about '86. I was in a band called "Quick Fixx for my gigging days with drummer Jason Bennett (currently with Baby and the Nobodies), guitarists Kevin Henneigh and Dave Hinton (currently both are not playing) and singer Nick Summerville (passed away a while back, was with several bands). My little brother was Tony McDougald, he played bass for VIII Days Clean up until his passing. He was a far better bassist than I ever was and had much more success.

Anyways, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. See you guys this Saturday, and maybe.....just maybe, I'll bring an 80's relic swirl painted in neon colors just because I like it. :cool:
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Are you related to the drummer Kenny Macdougald?
 
#130
If you guys want a good laugh, this was circa 1991 (I think, there was a lot of beer back then) -

Like I said, I stopped playing for a long time, probably about 1995 or so. I needed to get sober and had to remove myself. I didn't touch my bass until my brother passed away in 2011. His death struck something in me and now I kind of connect with him thru it. It's hard to explain, I have no disillusions about gigging again, but I still pick it up every now and then. But, having not touched it at all for about 16 years it's amazing what you forget, or just can't do any more.

We never played covers, so I don't even know how to play "a given song" if someone said "Here, play something." Which probably makes me sound even less talented, lol!
 
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#133
TerribleTim68 said:
I think I've decided that I'm gonna leave my gear at home, because if I bring it I'll spend the whole time worried about watching it and won't be able to mill about.
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I'd really recommend at least bringing your own bass so you can try other people's amps with a known and consistent signal source. Otherwise when you stop by to try my stuff you're going to play a fretless, and like it!
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Actually, I may bring a fretted one along if I get the new preamp I'm building for it sorted out in the next couple of days. This is it:

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Not mine, but the luthier already said he'd be happy to have me take it along, especially since he's probably not going to be able to make it this year.
 
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#134
TerribleTim68 said:
I think I've decided that I'm gonna leave my gear at home, because if I bring it I'll spend the whole time worried about watching it and won't be able to mill about.
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I've never heard of anyone destroying or stealing someone else's gear at one of these. And trust me, there are going to be basses and amps there worth a helluva lot more than whatever you'd bring -- and that's not a knock on your gear at all.
 
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#136
Yeah, I would not worry about your gear at these. I mean that in the sense of "It might get damaged or stolen" as well as "It isn't the same quality as other gear". Gear has never been damaged or stolen in the years I've hosted/ran this, and, no one cares if you want in the door with the $65 eBay special :). We all just like gear, an it's good to play your own gear when messing with amps or even other basses. Plus, other folks might be interested in that "cheap" bass anyway!
 
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#137
Selta said:
Yeah, I would not worry about your gear at these. I mean that in the sense of "It might get damaged or stolen" as well as "It isn't the same quality as other gear". Gear has never been damaged or stolen in the years I've hosted/ran this, and, no one cares if you want in the door with the $65 eBay special :). We all just like gear, an it's good to play your own gear when messing with amps or even other basses. Plus, other folks might be interested in that "cheap" bass anyway!
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I've been to a few GTGs, and I've never been one to play my own bass through other people's amps. I can see why people might do that, but I'd rather get the full experience of playing other people's basses through their rigs. It's a nice window into how other people think and play, and it's a good way to learn more about what you like and don't like, and why.
 
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#138
BlueTalon said:
I've been to a few GTGs, and I've never been one to play my own bass through other people's amps. I can see why people might do that, but I'd rather get the full experience of playing other people's basses through their rigs. It's a nice window into how other people think and play, and it's a good way to learn more about what you like and don't like, and why.
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I think both approaches have a lot of merit. If I'm thinking of buying an SVT I probably want to hear how my bass sounds through one. If I'm trying to understand @Selta's gigging methodology with a modeler it's more instructive to hear the presets with the instrument they were set up for. And a lot of what I enjoy the most is hearing the gear owner playing through their own stuff, and/or how their playing approach and instrument works through my DIY amps. Hearing Michael Manring play through my rig has always been pretty swell, for instance...
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#140
TerribleTim68 said:
But, it would be cool to hear my bass through other rigs (maybe).
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It's a nice option to have, at least. You can always leave your bass in the case if you don't end up feeling like plugging in. At one GTG I hosted a guy forgot to even take his Fodera out of the case because he got so distracted with all the other candy. As he was packing up someone asked him what was in the case and a whole new rabbit hole beckoned. At another one a beginner player basically begged me to play their instrument so they could suss what it could sound like. Every one of these GTGs tends to take on a different feel, and I'll echo what @Spfairchild said about it being way more about the people than the gear, although gear does tend to be a big attraction in its own right.
 
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