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I didn't watch the programmes to find out all about the personal histories of the people presenting them but to have great basslines deconstructed. I realise that this wouldn't be a note-by-note analysis (which wouldn't interest the non-bass-playing majority) but might have some talk about (for example) technique (slapping in episode 2, plectrum technique in episode 3) or timing (ahead, on, or behind the beat, episode 3). It didn't matter whether I knew who she was or not, it was the content that I was watching it for.

You are Charles Berthoud and I claim my £5....

he's alright .. it's all a bit of an act and it turns out he can actually play quite well ..oh and he hates 5 stringers ...so he isn't a total dipstick in my book.

Ya know, I did give this some careful thought at the time, but I wasn't expecting the answerphone because Mr B was expecting my call. I've found sometimes no matter how carefully I choose my words, it all depends how the receiver interprets them at that precise moment. For example asking "how are you?" can get "f**k off don't waste my time" because they are not the type of person who responds to that (apparently German people hate that question as do many Northeners). Another "I'd like to talk with you regarding the band" can produce "why just not say it then!" or "you're not the BL so fo" and so on. It all depends how the person feels at that specific moment. I think my on-the-spot message was "I'd like to talk to you about recent events in the band.." As an aside I have used the "it's not you it's me" tactic and found some people REALLY hate that. My Hugarian friend (really nice young man) we were discussion this phrase and he got really animated! 🤣 He said "we eastern Europeans say exaclty as we see it, if you smell we will say "YOU STINK! non of this nonsene you (Brits) comeout with." 🤣 I did laugh. Shoot me 😆

Why is it always us who have to do the damn PA, lights, bookings and promo? Thats what I want to know!

You might well think that he talks bollocks, but he certainly is not a 'shite player'!

Shite player that talks bollocks because he has nothing else to offer. But he understands YT, is accessible to many and has built a following to become flavour of the month. There’s far better content to spend your time watching.

Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses? - U2

Ride Your Pony — Lee Dorsey

I wonder if, when leaving your message, you could have said something along the lines of 'how are you doing?' rather than leave a message that might have come across as a bit 'it's not you, it's me'. Just the interpretation I get from your reported message.

As others have said a basic DI into the PA is fine (and a sound hole cover isn't a bad idea to control feedback). Most guitars have a bit of onboard EQ that does the rest of the job, otherwise the desk can EQ it fine. As acoustic guitar amplification is more about amplifying the instrument itself (in comparison to say an electric guitar) I don't think a separate amp is needed if you have foldback. I've used this setup hundreds of times without any problems. Of course if you want to start playing with toys adding a Fishman Platinum Pro and then a Strymon Cloudburst to make things more fun (as one of the other guitarists I play with has), although I would go for pedals before getting an amp every time if expanding.

Minor update: I decided to contact Mr B (the member earmarked to be removed) - it took him a week to respond to my text, giving me time/day to phone him, which I did, got instantly to his voicemail/answerphone, I made a comment saying we need to chat about the band... and then heard nothing more. So I can only assume he doesn't want to talk to me or perhaps doesn't want to hear about bad things. Anyway, I'm done with this now, my conscience is clear I made a positive move to reduce any hurt. If we once again meet up (band rehearsal) and they boot him out... Worst I had like this was about 4 years ago in a band. The "lead" guitarist was really awful, I don't know why the BL (Band Leader) chose him other than being his friend. It came to a point where he had to go, ok, them being friends should mean a nice quiet chat etc. Anyway the BL called me and the drummer in (like a works meeting) and was quite abrupt with the guy, like a public humilation! As the discussion unfolded I could see this was more a public humilation so I left the room. I'm not having ANY part of that nonsense. Some months after I left the band, as you guys will know, if that BL sacks his friend like that he will do the same to me. When I gave my reason for stepping out the BL gave a nonsense reply, in my view he's a joker, not worth spending time with. There's some really crap people in bands.

I really like him, he’s an antidote for the world of social media bassists and musicians in general. He’s carved a niche out for himself, and fair play to him for managing to do it. Musicians have a bit of a habit of taking themselves too seriously and he’s doing a good job of injecting a bit of fun into things without any of the pretence. Like it or not social media as a platform for musicians is going nowhere, so why not someone like him.

i play a fair amount of acoustic (i started as a guitarist) my go-to solution is a T-rex Soul mate acoustic, it gives me tuner, eq, chorus, reverb, delay and a looper in a single unit. I mainly use the tuner and the reverb, it's also got feedback rejection and a boost function (very useful when swapping to fingerpicking from plectrum) I do own a little trace acoustic cube for when i don't have foldback but I've not needed it much. they're not a cheap item but i know that there is one for sale locally to you (and me) by a basschat member on facebook. I've lent mine out and they went out and bought one for themself. I'm running a very nice guitar (£3.5k) into it with a good quality pickup and onboard preamp (AER) and the Di output from the t-rex is excellent. if you want to try mine out let me know. I can PM you the sellers name if you can't find it. Matt Edit - ive just re-read your original post and i'd missed the part about budget, the t-rex will run you somewhere around the 300-350 mark, even used, I've also put together mini acoustic pedalboards for the guitarist to use in our band (we often both play acoustic at the same time). the Micro board is Tuner - eq - chorus - reverb - Di, mostly with tc electronic and ENO pedals and a radial Di at the end, I'll see if i can get a photo tonight. with some canny shopping around this should be a bit cheaper but possibly not that much cheaper when all the parts are taken into consideration, again i'd be happy enough to bring kit over for you (and the guitarist) to test and play with.

On a carousel- Hollies