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Someone who plays what is right for the band as a team-player (i.e. perhaps some 'easy' subtle rhythm chords are better than a 'difficult' ear-splitting guitar solo), plays within their limits, spends the time learning the songs and being at rehearsals and is reliable for gigs (and helpful for setup etc) and is a decent person to be around are what are probably more important than technical ability. ....at least that is the case for the weekend warrior type stuff I do. I've been in bands that have been tempted by a technically better guitarist, but it turns out that their big guitar solos aren't really enjoyed by many and often don't serve the song as well as something more low-key, and things like them not haivng a car and always needing lifts is a bit of a faff, and that they only turn up to occasional rehearsals is not great for the band as a whole. In the end we'd be better of with the less technically gifted player.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/roasted-maple-stability.1432896/ There's a decent thread from the other side on the topic here. To summarise, roasting can improve the stability of less stable woods, like figured maples, but it won't make them stronger - apparently it's typically overdone and actually makes necks weaker/more brittle overall. I'd imaging the MusicMan neck movement issue could be down to the wax/oil rather than sealed finishes, as it seems to happen with both their roasted and unroasted necks. Warwick necks are also known to move a lot. Roasting probably does make a lot of sense for companies shifting a lot of units such as Sire - it's a way to provide a stable neck without having to dry wood out over years, or to be picky about wood selection, but in the long run, properly dried high quality wood is probably a better bet - The likes of Alembic, Ken Smith, Fodera etc. generally use kiln dried timber that's been left for years in their shops for any signs of movement, and then slice them into laminates. Obviously that kind of approach isn't feasible for mass production, so roasting is a good alternative.

I don't really see myself playing my air phallus behind my back, and especially not with my teeth, sorry.

These guys are great! Best tribute in the UK these days.....

That's a little misleading - Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures and Signals are all a mix of Rickenbacker and Jazz, Grace is Steinberger. Power Windows was originally to be recorded with the Steinberger but Geddy switched when he heard the producer's Wal.

I’ve consulted a pictorial guide from an old guitar magazine I cut out when I was 15 or something, but it’s no help in this instance. Any here you can take inspiration from? Or are these too rudimentary (classic rock poses for beginners)?

When I bought my (nowformer) Stingray 5 in an eBay auction, the seller (the bass player of IONA) let me know his band would be coming to a venue near me in a few weeks time. Rather than shipping the bass to me, he suggested he'd put me on the guest list so he could hand it to me personally. I gladly accepted! To add to that, I was allowed to bring a friend, and he suggested I pay him my winning bid in Euros rather than Pounds (saved me about €100), plus I got a live DVD from their merch shop with the bass in action. The bass came in a well-traveled aluminium Stagg case with many airline stickers which I still have (I later bought a real Music Man case for it because the Stagg would leave sticky residue on the bass every time I used it). Very cool experience! The band played folky prog rock and I greatly enjoyed the evening, even if the band were very vocally christian and I'm usually not into religiously themed music. It was a wonderful bass too, that I kinda wish I still had. I traded it for a Status S2 Classic 5-string that is my current number one, so I guess it was a happy farewell!

Green Earrings - Steely Dan

It’s been a while since I’ve posted any playing videos online and I have to admit I’ve been a little nervous about sharing this. For the past couple of years I’ve been doing a lot more playing and singing and it feels great! But it’s been pretty challenging trying to reach a point of actually enjoying the sound of my own voice. Not to mention trying to play bass and sing at the same time! Anyway, here’s my arrangement of ‘May you never’ by John Martyn, I even threw in a short bass solo and some whistling for good measure!

Yeh, impressed but with the comment that you wouldn't want it as your only bass. For 3k. And he isn't sure who it is for, but it is certainly for someone.

Been there. Trust noone.... Do what's right for you, because you can be sure that the rest of them won't care if it were you who was up for the chop.

Nice looking bass, what is it?

Our usual hall put up its prices, so I suggested using the rehearsal rooms at Absolute Music. These are well-equipped, but one of the guitarists insisted on taking his amp and the drummer said he did not like playing other kits, so would have to take his own. However, they have good rigs, TC, Orange and Blackstar. The College close by used to hire its music rooms out, and I used that with my previous band. They had Ampeg combos. Not my favourites.

Yeah those old Peavey - think TVX? - 410s were great cabs, but agree with Muzz, I`d never be able to shift one, I had the 115 version about 25 years ago and that was over 90lbs, wasn`t the ideal cab for living in a second floor flat (without lift).

Never been in this precise situation but I've been close enough (several times) that you could see it from here. In all of my experience, removal/replacement of any band member is only acceptable is everyone is on board right from the start. If everyone in your anonymous band agrees that 'B' has to go, then he has to go. If it's just 'A' who's pushing for it, then all the non-B members need to go to the pub and have a chat with Frank and Ernest.

It all sounds much like our current and previous governments.........

Bit surprised at his comment about the fret ends! Spend that much on a bass, you wouldn’t expect to have to have the frets dressed. Otherwise he seems pretty impressed! Cool if you have that much money to spare.

If the band has stalled, start a new band with 'B'?

Options: 1: Fire A for the same reasons he has about other people. Replace him. 2: Leave the toxic environment completely, but throw that grenade on the way out - "I am leaving the band. I cannot believe A is secretly plotting to bin B and even set up an audition for C. That's is appalling. A band should be like a marriage - if it's not working you end it. Not try out a side piece first" 3: Seduce A's partner. (Seems to be a rule).

Thank you!

As you've noticed I'm a straight person, so if you don't want to definitely destroy your pickup by, for instance, reverting the polarity (even if I'm quite confident Rob installed a diode in all his preamps) as you absolutely don't know what you're doing (you can't follow a wiring diagram, remember), go to someone who know what they are doing and save a lot of time and money. Sometimes admitting ones own limit his the biggest step forward. You'll thank me later (after swallowing the pill, I know).

Indeed. It could be your turn next. I would guess that most of us have experienced both sides of this particular coin. If A isn't that good then the band is unlikely to improve overall. I'd consider your own situation carefully.