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That's a fabulous looking thing. Obviously going by the mantra of, "He who dies with the most strings wins!"

This. Shows respect and an understanding of the context.

For me intent is everything. To take the piss in some way - bad. To honour the song / subject - good. A few words spoken before playing it will clarify intent for the audience. "We have been asked to play this song. It is one of the greatest protest songs ever written about a subject that doesn't get enough attention and we just hope we do it justice" Something like that.

Neolithics were total hacks

Can I assume this is for a Cheap Trick tribute in the USA? I only ask as I thought I was the only UK bassist in a Cheap Trick tribute (as opposed to someone playing some CT songs)... and much though I'd love it, I didn't order that bass! 🤣

Agreed it doesn't do traditional synth well! But some of its fx are fab and very useful live e.g. trumpet stabs and arpeggiator or others to fill out the sound, and my crew, who just have one guitar and no keys, seem to really like it on the few songs it gets used for. It never suffered from the glitchiness which plagued several other models. Its big brother the SY200 allows for presets which also really helps, live. All in all, I'm not surprised it's still the second best seller after the MXR. People vote with their wallets.

All I would say is it’s up to you. Personally I am glad that the ancient Greeks didn’t pass upon the rich culture of ancient Byzantium and later Greek scholars took the rich cultural and intellectual heritage to Italy and the renaissance men absorbed and learned from this and passed the knowledge and culture on to … etc etc I do think culture is an incredibly valuable thing and should be shared. If a 52 year old white man can get across the message and emotion of Public Enemy then I see no reason why not. Perhaps Terry Hall should have just done the culturally appropriate thing and become a plumber? Edit: When I spent time in India I met a Harley Davidson biker ‘gang ‘ (mainly wealthy businessmen) dressed according and a line dancing club. All wore full regalia. Were they taking the piss or just people with a shared interest and passion spending time together and enjoying themselves?

Not sure what model you got but all of my LED lights, including the new one from Aliexpress have a 4 digit LED on the back with a select and up down button. I have a manual with mine, but it seems that the code is similar to my older lights so maybe it is a standard?

From experience, you would want to change one course of three at a time. I did make the mistake of taking them all off at once to restring and it took the neck almost a full day afterwards to equalise back. Which was a bit stupid.

Yep, this 100% nails why I have some anxiety about it. Context matters (to me anyway). I think the lines and boundaries around this can be blurry, and I'm genuinely curious what people see as a line they won't cross. Is it ok to play a cover of Sunday Bloody Sunday? Is it ok to do it if you're from Surrey and have never been to Ireland? What if you're playing it to an Irish audience in an Irish pub? What about a Bob Marley cover? How about if it's to a black audience? Should a 52 year old white guy ever do a rap cover of Fight the Power by Public Enemy - at a street party in Brixton?

Unsurprisingly I like that a lot and if I had a spare €2000 and a use for a 4-string bass I might be making an offer. Made some time between 1963 and 1967 and originally costing 68,000 Lira. And in what looks like surprisingly good condition for a Wandré. All the ones I have seen in real life have been considerably worse for wear. More information on this Fetish Guitars web page.

Yet another stunner. I've decided my new project is going to have a bound body thanks to you!

Yes! Go for the modern suction method rather than the old school syringing. It's a strangely pleasant experience.

So how will you now amplify your Hamer @Sean? I know you've mentioned bi-amp (from an HX Stomp was it?) and @Wolverinebass has been kindly offering advice.

Roland have a shop in Denmark st. Obviously just Roland gear though.

I agree however there is a difference between this white middle aged British man playing a Blues about going out and drinking too much as opposed to a Blues about being a slave or a descendant of a slave living in a violent racist time. I think sometimes one cannot play a song if one does not have the lived experience to do so.

Oppressive governments using coercion and violence against their own people. Working class and oppressed people being used by the military to further their own agenda. Feels like fairly universal concerns to me. I think this song is as relevant to the victims of ICE, the residents of Gaza, the people of Kiev, the immigrants detained in hotels facing a howling mob as it is to the people of Nigeria in the 1970s. To me it’s a universal message that echoes our common humanity and sense of injustice.

I guess that's why my 5-string Warwicks don't have fret markers.

To thine own self be true. I think your concerns are spot on. If you don't feel comfortable playing it then don't. There are certain songs that you just can't play if you do not have a link to it either culturally or through family history. If the band must play a Fela Kuti song there are plenty others to choose from. As Pulp sang, "Everyone hates a tourist".