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Apologies for only contributing to this thread now. There has been the sad passing of many musicians who I admired, or who inspired me over the years. But Danny Thompson's sad passing has been one of the saddest in recent times. As others have said, the Transatlantic Sessions are great, and his playing and tone are just wonderful. I saw him live just twice (with Pentangle) and I wish I'd seen him more. I also would like to have met him. In interviews, he always seemed such a decent, humble and humorous guy. The world is just that little bit less colourful since he has gone, and I know that a huge range of talented musicians who played with him will be feeling the same. R.I.P Danny 😞

There's of course more than some truth to that that bands are useless. However, I've certainly seen enough that most definitely aren't and are still struggling. They're doing the promo, got merch and all the rest. They have great material and put on a great show. Still sparsely attended gigs though. I would say that as I play in progressive metal bands, I'm very much in a "niche of a niche," but I can see that in London, if you try and play more than 4 gigs in a year, you can do all the right things and still not get anything for it. Most bands are just cycling round the same 10 venues, which is about as dire as it gets.

Or - get yourself to a bass bash where you know someone is bringing one? Bass bashes are a lot of fun, and you'll see a lot more crazy stuff than one pedal you want to try.

Just buy at distance, give it a try, then send it back under distance selling regs. You'll only lose the postage. Appreciate that only works if you have the slush/scratch to buy the thing in the first place...

Does anyone know about renting pedals in the UK? From shops or BCers? 😉 For example, I'd really like to try out an MXR Bass Synth before ordering one. Reference: https://www.guitarpedalx.com/news/gpx-blog/mxr-collaborates-with-ian-martin-allison-on-the-perfect-bassline-bass-synth-pedal-which-yes-has-a-6-string-guitar-tracking-mode-too

Not my specific unit, just a random Google image of it, but I got this a couple of days ago: Absolutely amazing. I use it for my always on 1 octave up effect, to emulate an effect somewhat similar to that of an octave course 8 string bass. Much clearer and more natural sounding than the TC Electronic Sub'N'Up I used previously, even I had that running with a custom made Toneprint, I meticulously dialed in myself, with pre and post octave engine EQ filters. Obviously the XS-1 octave up still sounds somewhat artificial, but it's still a substantial improvement over the Sub'N'Up, and with the mix at 50% or lower it does sound completely natural. Gone are all the odd digital artifacts and occational glitches as well.

Another 'highly recommended' vote for Shuker Guitars Artist series. Incredible instruments.

Monster Mash - Bobby Pickett & The Crypt Kickers

Oddly enough, in a curious twist of fate, I'm picking up another Space 5 today...

Monster - The Automatic

Very cool pics, @cybertect.

Its the 'iron' of the power amp in these, and similar ones, that gives them a lot of the sound.

This times many.^^^^ You reap what you sow and this was a bad harvest.

I has a quick 5 minutes on one in Andertons last Friday, my first time with fanned frets. I felt comfortable with the frets after a few seconds. I didn't have to acclimatise, and I was pleasantly surprised to not be playing two frets higher up the neck than I wanted, which has happened when I've tried headless basses before. It felt comfortable, but I hardly ever play sitting down, so I'd like to see how it feels on a strap. The sound was quite clean and hifi, which I like, but I found the tuners quite difficult to use. It's definitely worth trying one if you can.

The second part of Robin Trower's "Too Rolling Stoned" . From about 3:00

I am very late to this band, but got a ticket for the Manchester show next year. What a fantastic, complex and bizarre band they are. I am gutted I won't ever see them with Tim.

When the Bass starts the Ostinato on the open E string in 'Love Games' for the first time. That was a wow moment for me back then.

He doesn't like that everyone knows his name and has seen his little winkie. No one cares and I doubt anyone would know it was him or remember his name if he hadn't tried to initially cash-in by seeking publicity and recreating the photo when he was old enough.