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Hi, that was me and thank you. It's a very battered alpher bass! Played 4 shows already this weekend, 3 more lett to go.

Well, that was great fun. Played in the Balaclava Bar in Fraserburgh last night - a bit of a hike but it's fast becoming one of our favourite places to play as the folk up there are usually up for a good night! First half was OK, bar was not super busy but we still had some folk up dancing so can't complain. A very convenient swell in audience numbers came in just in time for the second half. Lots of folk up dancing, enjoying themselves, great interaction with MOST of the audience. We ended up playing for 15 mins extra because they kept asking for "ONE MORE CHOON" Joe Public continues to surprise and dismay in equal measures. First the good - a young lady came up to us and asked if we knew "Brain Damage" by Pink Floyd. We don't, but it's always encouraging to see people asking for stuff which came out before they were even the formation of a twinkle in a parent's eye. Then the not so good - some old Sir Richard Head III who had been annoying the whole night, asking us for stuff we don't play then getting annoyed at us for not knowing (err, we're not a jukebox, and we play well rehearsed covers of songs we know thoroughly - we're not a jam band who can play "anything" but with varying degrees of success - not dissing those kinds of outfits, it's just not something we want to do). At the end he came up and started bending my ear about not knowing song X, Y and Z and telling me I should be improvising or some pish. It took all my powers of professionalism to not tell him to fork off. Jesus, if you don't like it, get lost, there are 50 other people here having a great time, you won't be missed! ADDITIONAL: back to the good - I must have been in a good mood - as I was tidying up, a young lad came up to me and asked if he could have a go on my bass. Normally I'm a hard "no" but for some reason I risk assessed it, he seemed to be on the level and not pished so I said OK. He was very respectful and was pretty good too - played me a bit of RHCP and some Muse and he was really good. Thankfully it was unplugged - I don't want to do myself out of a job! Polite guy, thanked me afterwards, and went on his way. Happy days. Played the G&L Tribute LB-100, nerds. I was going to take the Triad, but at rehearsal on Thursday I noticed that the truss rod could do with a tighten and didn't get around to doing that before the gig. That LB-100 is one heck of a bass. For £350 new, it was an absolute steal. If the question is "which P bass should I get?", the answer is the G&L Tribute LB-100, even if you've got a grand to spend IMHO. Buy two! No, I don't work for G&L, nor am I sponsored by them (one can only dream!)

Well the gear has all been checked, and I've spares and tools at the ready.... ...and it's packed into the crappiest little gold car ever, ready to hit the road. Wish me luck! JRK

Looks like Ian Beale out of that Eastenders

My blues rock trio Toredown's regular 4th Friday of the month gig at the Shamrock in Ipswich. Traffic on A12 on the way there was light, which makes a change. Unloaded then had to park a fair distance from the pub. Only a couple of our regulars turned out and the pub was generally quiet. Kicked off to a handful of largely distinterested punters with maybe only a dozen or so paying attention. Things improved as the night progressed but we didn't get the usual kind of joy coming back at us which, in turn, meant the evening lacked the usual spark from our direction. We played well but it seemed to me something was missing. My back and knees are playing up and I felt rather uncomfortable all evening, especially in the heat, so I was generally out of sorts. A12 shut homebound, followed 4 articulated lorries along the diversion of small roads for 10 miles, got home about 30 mins later than usual at 01:45. Maybe I am spoilt as I usually leave gigs feeling fairly euphoric but last night not so much. Looking forward to our next one is in 3 weeks - a beer, beetroot (?) and blues festival - slightly nearer and slightly earlier.

GN’R (along with Maiden and Metallica) were directly responsible for getting me into rock, metal, and bass specifically back in ‘88 at 12. Given the crazy amount of wedge they’ve made since getting the trio back together I don’t begrudge them carrying on, but every time Axl goes for the high notes for years now it’s been like…

First new bass in nearly a year. Sure, I could've spent 2, 3, or 4 times more, but once I plugged this one in, none of the other basses in the store even existed!

Pretenders sounding very good on the Park Stage

Manics sounding awesome.

Our second gig with the Mexican band is now in the books. Crowd was slightly smaller but we still managed a good house. We recorded the night and we should start to hear stuff in the next several days , after mixing. It’s party music , and it works. The two trumpets are just nailing the parts. We’re pretty happy campers , the morning after.

Generation Sex now in desperate need of either a tuner or someone to tell Jones & James to play the songs in the same key.

Got a Squier Dimension

On holiday up in Scotland with the Bass Rock in the background -I kid you not. 😁

He was lying to you. That was the real Rod Stewart. 😉

I'm sure James said to his roadie "you can tune it now" as he handed his bass over at the end

Just been to see my dad, he's 95 now. He had zero interest in music until he met my mum around 70 years ago. Mum liked classical music, so dad kind of got into that over the years. He generally thought that stuff that me my bro and sister listened to was a terrible racket! Anyway, why am I saying this ... I got over there and and he said "I watched Glastonbury all evening, the Foo fighters were very good, the new drummer did well" I almost fell off my chair!

There's just no explaining that Paul ? I always just think of it as a paid rehearsal and enjoy it just for what it is but it can be difficult to get into that frame of mind. Been there, done that stinky poo doesn't help either but look on the bright side..............the next gig should be better. Dave

Yeah it’s not bad like

Nope, not pathetic at all. But still, catch some rays, man.

It's not actually headless though is it! It has a head... just bolted to the body. False advertising I say!!!

Both cabs.

Our little Mexican project will be playing in our favourite old dive on Friday. It’s well rehearsed , we have two trumpets in the band , it will be our second gig.

Yes, i think you're missing something here. He's loosing his voice, taking a 'stress' break and could barely sing the last number. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/24/lewis-capaldi-at-glastonbury-review

So what is it? for those of us not 'in the know'

Looks great, nice job 👍

I realised I never put up an image of the exhibition in Liverpool last month. In the end it was a subset of about 20 or so images, printed 600mm high as a single print 10m long...

Pittasweet Symphony - The Verve

And mine 😊

We went and watched a horrific Rod Stewart tribute act last night, a guy from Manchester, who sings to backing tracks, karaoke style. It was hilarious. But we’re in the middle of nowhere, and it was at this weird bar/farm in the mountains. Crazy experience.

My boy lollipop - Millie Small

I think we play quite different types of venue, you and I... "side of the stage" - err, stage? We're at floor level where the pool table used to be and there's nowhere to swing a cat, never mind hide a fan!

That feeling on stage, when something runs down the back of your leg and just hope it’s sweat. 😳

Fake news thread title - I thought you missed US. For the forum at large, I am miffed. Enjoy your holiday, you heartless barsteward.

* Other Musicmen, and indeed, basses, are available.

Interesting that we are still obsessing over gear that makes zero contribution to what can be heard either FoH or in your living room. Even if there is a mic on that cab it will be one (or maybe two) driver(s) close-mic'd which is nothing like the sound of the whole cab from a couple of feet away. It's just a glorified stage prop.

Just having a little trip down memory lane with Sparks. Still as mad as a box of frogs. Voice is holding out though.

This is gonna be me in a month from now - last gig was Dec 2002. On august 12th 2023 I’ll step back on the stage. You’re bound to be nervous, but I always found that only lasted until the first bar of the first track. Nail it and you’re on your way. Before you know it, it’s time to unplug and get off stage again! Good luck - we’ll see you in the ‘how was your gig last night?’ thread!

You can't get a roller into a paint pot, either, but folk paint walls with 'em. Imagination, son; imagination. +

That looks nuts, I love it! One of my students has a bass like that, but it's from Gear4Music and I don't think it's intentional...