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So last night we headlined a 5 band charity fundraiser for Wilts Air Ambulance at The Lamb in Marlborough. We’ve been working on our new original material recently and I think it’s fair to say that other aspects of the band have taken a backseat. A couple of you may recall that we go out in different formats, across a range of instruments. I have decided recently to upskill on the mandocello and have spent the last couple of weeks practicing on it. Always beneficial. When Nick and I sat down yesterday to rehearse, we may have been the worst we have ever sounded! To the point that we regrouped at mine to go through everything again and wound up being the best we have ever sounded. We got to the gig and there was a green room with drink and food laid on for the band. Enjoying alcohol-free irresponsibly! I resisted the urge to have a Nigel Tufnel moment! All the acts were excellent but everyone overran. We wound up hitting the stage at 10.55pm and I really thought we might be doing the world’s shortest set. However, we went on with a real focus and determination, playing a really charged set. We did a full show. I am resplendent in green here! Backstage, the camaraderie between bands was superb. We talked about men’s health (& mental health) which I always think is really positive. We then talked about first gigs and young Josh (our resident cool youngster) coughed to his being Chico (“It’s Chico Time” fame!). Sadly I don’t think we can let that go! Oh, I came home to discover that aside from my band being nominated for best act in multiple categories of the Wiltshire Music Awards, I have picked up a nomination for best bassist and best multi instrumentalist too! A near perfect day.

Razzle In My Pocket - Ian Dury And The Blockheads

It’s an easy one hand carry, and cheap as chips secondhand

If I may make the assumption that you drive a car (or ride a motorbike...), you may remember the very first time in charge. There's the whole process of starting off, then a permanent series of things that the brain and body must coordinate to make it work, safely. At first, there's the notion of braking and holding down the clutch, so as not to stall. Then the rigmarole of changing from one gear to the next, with hand and arm movements and foot control. Doing all of this thankfully becomes second nature, and after some practice, one may do these things subconsciously, with no mental effort, all the while listening to the cd player and holding down a conversation. How did that happen..? Yes, it's just good ol' solid repetition and practice. It comes all the faster if one takes it slowly, a bit at a time, without being too ambitious, too early. The more one does it, routinely, the better it becomes assimilated into one's reflexes. It's not that it's easy; it's as easy as the (small...) effort one puts into it. Anyone, including yourself, can do it, with just a little self-discipline and regular (once a day for a few minutes..?) exercise. Does this help..?

I did consider that, need to check it out again, more from the portability point I did own a TC combo a while back, the tone print is useful

It’s a good option, missed it in my searches, but an older GK model showed up a few times, used

The TC Electronics BG250 208 would get my vote but I’m biased as I own one and rate it very highly. Ticks all the boxes you mentioned. I’ve ‘upgraded’ mine with better drivers at a total of 4 ohms internal so that I get the full 250 watts without an extension cab but honestly, the difference is negligible.

So, I have decided to upgrade to an audio interface with midi ports - the Behringer https://www.thomann.co.uk/behringer_umc1820.htm which appears to have 8 instrument-input channels. It will replace a Yamaha AG03 (3 channels), chained to a Behringer Xenyx 802 (4 instrument-input channels). I need to use midi cables to join up the three midi devices, that have the following ports: ~ Kurzweil SP76 (midi In, midi Out) ~ E-MU Classic Keys (midi In, midi Out, midi Thru') ~ UMC 1820 (midi In, midi Out) I assume that it will be 1. Kurzweil SP76, midi Out > 2. midi In of the E-MU Classic Keys / midi Out of the E-MU Classic Keys> 3. midi In of the UMC 1820. And if I want the PC to play the keyboard, I take the advice of @BigRedX : 4. That is, midi Out of the UMC 1820 > midi in of the Kurzweil SP76. So, I will need three midi cables? _Behringer UMC1820 – Thomann UK.html

Squier Sonic P is a good shout. I have a a Sunburst one, and the neck is lovely. I would also look at the Harley Benton MV4-P as that as a Jazz spec neck. Its a hell of a lot of bass for £200 and they have it in some nice colours! I have the PJ and I love it. Here's mine

I used to oxn a few GR Bass combos, but all were fitted with 12 inches speakers, and they sound quite neutral with loads of power and their ful carbon is certainly the lightest 12 inches combo on the market. That said, the most amazing sound wise combos I have ever played was the Hevos Midget 10, not cheap at all, but simply amazing: https://www.public-peace.de/hevos-midget10-combo.html And it can even handle a double bass without any issue.

Sire, very popular for a good reason. Sure, many will suggest getting an amp, but I'm betting you buy a nice bass like this and you won't be able to put it down. Andertons Sire Version 2 Marcus Miller V3 4-String Bass in Red Satin £249.00£439.00

Something that is pretty much as simple as it gets, the Dusty Hill bass part for the ZZ Top tune 'Jesus Just Left Chicago' from the 1973 classic, 'Tres Hombres'. Solid root playing without an ounce of fat. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/jesus-just-left-chicago-zz-top/

I've lost gigs because of my inability to sing and play at the same time. TBF my inability to actually sing hasn't helped either.

Mark King was originally a drummer, therefore it is possible to him to play bass and sing. But if you are a true bassist, walking and talking simultaneously is not possible. Forget singing and playing at the same time.

There's not a bad sound in that amp, just a case of choosing what works best for you. Enjoy!

Practice - you’ll spot “anchor points” in the song where this lyric and that bass part match up and make it easier to navigate. Also, worth trying one thing at a time. Learning to sing a song well is a job in itself, so maybe do that as one job and learning the bass line as another job. Once you’ve got them in hand, then start combining them. Good luck.

Yes, it’s got my attention! missed that one on my searches, but the older model showed up a few times

Brass nut on my 72 jazz fitted many moons ago replaced the broken original. Graphite bridge saddles on that too. Brass nut and bridge saddles on the Aria makes a nice noise. Plastic nut on the Ibanez SR and probably just plastic on the Stingray too.