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I'm too old and decrepit to gig anymore but always fancied getting my hands on an Indonesian 5 string Cirrus (Yep, still looking - anyone got one they don't want anymore ?). The Dyna bass has always intrigued me. Are they a bit under rated ?

Tennessee Williams — The Residents

I’ve been gigging a 5 string DynaBass from 1986. Except for a bit of neck dive, it’s an excellent instrument. I used to see quite a few Peaveys in the States, rarely here. Anybody own and/or gig with one?

Well the Picato trademark is still owned by Strings and Things Ltd, so no new owner per se. There seems to be a re-brand in progress with the tag line "Musicians Strings Since 1953", with no British or "Made in UK" branding (at least from what I can see - could be wrong!) The Strings and Things site shows packs of strings with both new and old branding, so maybe it's just that they haven't updated some of the old brand collateral yet, or there is plenty of British made NOS they have yet to shift.

I've never actually seen a band use a tip jar here. Dave

That's a great idea. Might stop people tripping over them. 👍 Dave

My main band plays for charity in the sense that the fee the band charges goes mostly to a chosen charity or charities (we get a say at the start of the year) with the balance going to the upkeep of the village hall in which we rehearse for free and to fund band purchases such as PA, travel etc. Almost all of our gigs are private functions for which we are booked and charge a fee. Occasionally we will lower or waive the fee if the gig is itself a charity event. A few years ago we took a gig for an alleged charity weekend for which we were recompensed with a token for half a pint of cider. Afterwards it appeared to have been more of a promotional festival for a local business. I explained to the band that if asked, I wouldn't be doing it again. Indeed, the band were asked the following year and I didn't play, although some others did. The band have since decided not to do it again. I'm not averse in principle to playing charity gigs for which I end up out of pocket. As someone has said above, it's like a donation and that's fine. But just like cash donations there's a limit to what I can afford and so lengthy travel, unusual expenses or other less definable elements will play a big part in my decision of whether or not to play. And, of course, the charity cause will also have an influence. In previous bands I have played paid and unpaid charity gigs. Usually it was at the request of one band member as a favour for a particular cause. In one case we played for exposure (in fairness the organising venue didn't try to persuade us with the line but we recognised the opportunity) and we did get another paid gig from it. In other cases, while not looking for it we have taken bookings at or following charity gigs which have more than covered any expenses.

No serial on neck plate, so at least that part is later 1976 or beyond. Given the pots are from 11th week of 1977, then the bass is later than that. But all this assumes the parts are from the same bass, which is difficult to know. I would probably be pricing the bits individually for that reason.

As the owner of a 77 Leftie, it all looks kosher, except the pick up and control cavity look like they've been routed for different pickups/controls.

Bills bills bills - Destiny's Child

Good man.

Wait Teal Tomorrow Comes - Eurthymics

@funkgod Good to hear you got a working set in the end. I wear glasses and if I put the ear pads over the arms I lose all the bass. I have to hook my glasses over the headphone at massive angle. then my eyelashes wipe the lenses and make them blurry. Doh. Happy mixing and monitoring.

Eider Rather Go Blind - Etta James

I don't mind playing for nothing, i.e. losing money, if the charity is close to home. Alzheimer's or some such. Generally though I'd ask for a bit of petrol money, 20 quid is better than nothing. We did a charity gig some time ago and I was expecting just expenses but they gave us a pretty substantial wedge. I stuck some of it in one of the collecting buckets on my way out the door.