tFB south eastern jam session at Powerhouse Studios, Weybridge on Sat 25th May 2024 12-5pm.
Comments
Location of studio:
- It turned out most of the people had come from the general Reading area.
- But the location was easy to get to (I didn't go via the motorways).
Studio setup:
- It was slightly down-market but once we started it didn't matter.
- The room got very warm, but heck it's good to have a free sauna.
- I think we all moved into one room, so the second room was more of a quiet area.
Numbers of people:
- The numbers were about right; more would've been tripping over each other.
- More than 6 people in a room with instruments on at the same time would've been too much.
Anything else:
- Everybody was enthusiastic and got on really well.
- Our "Pink Floyd" jam worked out really well - we were all playing things over one chord and really just needed some lava lamps and oil filter spotlights to set the scene.
- I'm not sure who suggested it, but everybody knowing an "Essential Setlist" of songs is a great idea.
- The bass line to "White Room" (almost) fits "Sweet Home Alabama".
- I think the organisation was just fine for a random bunch of blokes getting together.
- Price was very reasonable.
- The volume was slightly high (a 50W Marshall is a loud amp!), but I had my earplugs.
My thoughts...
Great bunch of guys all happy to make some noise and in some cases some half decent tunes ;)
Location was OK but I'd say the bank holiday didn't help with the traffic. Plus anywhere around the M25 is going to be unpredictable most weekends.
Thought the rooms were OK for the numbers we had. Any more and it would have been a squeeze.
Personally I thought the rooms at the Ram in High Wycombe were more accommodating and they also had some decent chill out space.
Like the idea of having a go-to list that we all know so we are not bluffing our way through songs. Although I think this will improve the more we get together.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am looking forward to the next session. Fair play to James for getting on the drums because that made the jam more complete.
Great bunch of guys all happy to make some noise and in some cases some half decent tunes ;)
Location was OK but I'd say the bank holiday didn't help with the traffic. Plus anywhere around the M25 is going to be unpredictable most weekends.
Thought the rooms were OK for the numbers we had. Any more and it would have been a squeeze.
Personally I thought the rooms at the Ram in High Wycombe were more accommodating and they also had some decent chill out space.
Like the idea of having a go-to list that we all know so we are not bluffing our way through songs. Although I think this will improve the more we get together.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am looking forward to the next session. Fair play to James for getting on the drums because that made the jam more complete.
lovestrat74 said:
I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am looking forward to the next session. Fair play to James for getting on the drums because that made the jam more complete.
Thanks James, and everyone who said similar things at the time - I wasn't confident about that, and it's a bit of a booster to hear.
So, thoughts on the session:
Largely same as already said.
Most important thing to me was: what are the people going to be like? Well, everyone was really welcoming and friendly :smile: I got to play music out of the house, meet some new people and had a really good time. A very positive experience - thank you!
Location: no problem generally. M25 was a pain, probably normal and I should have left earlier. No biggie, will know for next time. Parking turned out to be fine.
Studio setup: Had everything I expected. Should have jumped on drums setup straight away. Kit was a bit knackered, but I guess that's fairly expected. Wish I'd brought my amp to hear it turned up, wasn't sure if parking would be nearby. Would be happy going back, would also be happy checking out some other places for comparison.
Numbers: Seemed about right for the number of rooms. I spent majority of time in the practice area, it did get warm, but again no biggie for me. I assume would be the same anywhere with soundproofing and a lot of valve amps running!
Price seemed very good value for an afternoon's socialising and entertainment :smile: It wouldn't have been a factor in deciding to go, unless absolutely extortionate.
The 'what to play' aspect has already had some discussion with some good ideas for next time. I've been to band practices in the past that were far more indecisive on that. It was only in the last hour that things started to wind down.
Anyway, hope to see you all again at the next one :+1:
By the way @Jonathangus what model of Boss Flanger do you have? It sounded epic.
soma1975 said:By the way @Jonathangus what model of Boss Flanger do you have? It sounded epic.
A humble BF-2. It's not the quietest, so it lives in the loop of my NS-2. It replaced my (original analogue) CH-1 on the board; not that there's anything wrong with a CH-1 - there's not! - but the BF-2 can do a passable chorus, and phaser as well as flange, plus a bunch of other stuff if I want. So for a live board, it's quite versatile. Inspired by this:
https://youtu.be/YDNccE_-Zn8?feature=shared
I think the TC Thunderstorm is pretty much a clone of the BF-2, and maybe easier to come by.
Nice one. I was hoping it was a BF-3 as prices for the 2 seem to be on the rise! Might get a little mini flanger as I doubt much else will fit on my board and everything else sounded quite decent on the day up loud.
Neilybob said:Let's make the next session even better so please give your feedback on -Location of studioNot too bad; took about an hour from Reading, and 50 mins back. As @prowla said, most of us were from the Reading area, but a location nearer us would have been considerably further for @soma1975 to come. Parking OK, but fuck me, those potholes...Studio setupIt was... OK. We've been to nicer places, TBH. Reasonably well-equipped, but @cathodyne and I both had a mild panic before we traced the problem to a duff extension lead. The main room did get extremely warm; the fan that looked like someone nicked it from Rammstein's stage set did help, but it was really loud.Numbers of peopleFine, but wouldn't have wanted any more in the space (and the parking) we had.Anything elseNot really. Good to see folks again, plus some new faces. Props to @TeleKinesis for jumping on the kit and keeping the rest of us in time, @cathodyne for some tremendous playing on Ramada Inn, and @prowla for some top Ricky riffage!
I think anywhere within 90mins driving, or 2hrs if something really exciting is fine for me personally.
If I were to contemplate the Bath one I'd probably stay over.
If I were to contemplate the Bath one I'd probably stay over.
Thanks for all of the feedback guys.
Let’s get another thread going for the next one.
Next session thread is here - https://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/267177/tfb-south-eastern-jam-session-date-tba-location-tba
The more I think about the enthusiasm we had at this session the more I think we should be considering monthly jam session instead of twice or three times a year. What do we think?
soma1975 said:By the way @Jonathangus what model of Boss Flanger do you have? It sounded epic.
It bossed it!
I am up for a more regular meet. You might struggle to get a monthly session going tho..
That's fair but I'm thinking it's good to have regular meets which will mean we will jam better together. I want this to be open to all and not get clicky.lovestrat74 said:I am up for a more regular meet. You might struggle to get a monthly session going tho..
Does depend on a drummer and bass player and cost.
I think if it got clicky we'd all be able to keep time better.
A fine idea, monthly probably not possible for me, but I’d like to attend when I can.Neilybob said:The more I think about the enthusiasm we had at this session the more I think we should be considering monthly jam session instead of twice or three times a year. What do we think?
btw for anyone who gives a shit I finally bought a new neck. Roasted maple Vintera-mod strat neck with med-jumbo frets and 9.5" radius. A touch fatter than I'm used to but already feels great. I've absolutely ballsed up doing the nut with no proper tools but it will last until i can be naffed to get it to a tech.
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HNND! I know you weren't happy with the old neck so this great.soma1975 said:btw for anyone who gives a shit I finally bought a new neck. Roasted maple Vintera-mod strat neck with med-jumbo frets and 9.5" radius. A touch fatter than I'm used to but already feels great. I've absolutely ballsed up doing the nut with no proper tools but it will last until i can be naffed to get it to a tech.
It’s far too late to be writing this but, it was a real pleasure to meet you all! I thoroughly enjoyed hearing all those cranked up amps, and it was a good distraction from the ankle pain.
@Neilybob thank you again for organising and making it happen! I’ve marked 12th October in my calendar. :-)
@Neilybob thank you again for organising and making it happen! I’ve marked 12th October in my calendar. :-)