hiram.k.hackenbacker

Champions is a good example. On the recorded version there are lots of notes that he plays up an octave, but live, JD goes for the low end power which I think is absolutely the right thing to do. We mainly use live versions in my Bowie tribute. You can’t beat learning from a touring band that’s found out how songs really work in a live environment. We’re definitely gonna have to stick rigidly to the Live Aid version of Hammer To Fall for the reason you state. It could get very confusing otherwise. Rhapsody will be fine. The guys I’ll be playing with are spot on. Won’t struggle hearing anything as I’ll be using IEM’s and if it’s the same as last time, I’ll be able to adjust my mix from the stage. Yes, it’s a shame about Ga Ga as it chops a bit out that gives it a bit of relief from the main riff, but it will be fine.

So, I’ve made a chart for each of the six songs in the Live Aid Set. Not that any of them are particularly difficult, it’s just the way I like to approach these things. With the exception of the heavily truncated version of Bohemian Rhapsody, I went through the studio recorded version of each song to get a feel for what John laid down. I then went through each of the Live Aid versions. Wow! Quite a lot of variation there. There’s a chunk completely missing from Hammer To Fall. I can see why this was done for this gig as they only had a twenty minute window to perform, so quite clever. I had not noticed it before. Radio Ga Ga is also slightly trimmed down and much simplified bass wise. Our keys player is not looking forward to this song. I’ve mentioned to him that he might want to buy a Jupiter 8. He didn’t say no, but then again he does have about 10 Nord’s, so he should be able to get something out of them 😂. The other interesting one is We Are The Champions. The Live Aid version has a much less complicated bass line during the verse sections. I might also suggest that JD makes a bit of a flub of one of them as he starts the run and realises he’s not gonna get to the end in time. He does get out of it admirably though. There’s also a massive howler at the end of one of the repeated choruses. It can happen to the best 😀.

Yes, I had spotted that when I was sourcing the strap. Not sure what that’s all about.

I watch a lot of Queen and bass related videos on You Tube, so it randomly threw this at me today. Did make me laugh....

Tickets now on sale for our gig at Fat Lil's, Witney. Click here.

Yes, I think they are the ones I have 👍

'Superwounds'' apparently and they're not made any more I don't think. I used to use them myself back in the day, but I think I'll stick with my usual.

I was looking on Strings Direct and noticed that Schaller's have changed since I last bought some. Mine are more ball like on the ends and these are not....

That’s very kind of you Mart. PM incoming 👍

Looks perfect. How much do you want for it? 😂

Saw this on the Coda Music site. Looks lovely, but would still have one of those pesky 1.75” nut width necks 😂

Ha ha. Vintage radio pack - there’s an idea....that we won’t go with. I do have the Line 6 Relay G75 though 😎

I must admit, I looked at those Martin picks and wondered how the hell he managed to ram them in between the pick guard and the body. They look quite thick.

Another point of compromise I think. I've seen the correct picks, but not in the right colour. Probably go with these as I know I like them....

I think I'm going to have to compromise a little on the shirt. Goes against the grain, but I don't think I have much chance of finding that exact design unless I go and raid the Bohemian Rhapsody wardrobe dept. I've ordered a Limelight - '68 Precision body with rosewood jazz width satin finish neck, big TV logo on head stock, natural finish on body, tort 3 ply pick guard, vintage reverse tuners, threaded saddle bridge, light relic, tug bar in period correct lower position. Officially out of the 2019 Gear Abstinence Challenge and not in a way that I ever foresaw 😂. There's always next year 🙄

I really must get my eyes checked. I thought they probably should/would be, but thought they looked like they were sticking out a bit too much and there was some black ring in there. Trick of the light maybe. Thanks again.

Sorry to bother you once again @AndyTravis, do you happen to know what strap locks he's using here. They don't look like anything I've used before. I've sourced the Fender strap and the bass is ordered, so I may as well go the whole hog 😎

Well, that’s a very kind offer and I do think we need to see it 😂 EDIT: Being worn by you obviously 😜

Now Stingray’s I’m not short of 😂

Gonna borrow one from the Hair Bear Bunch 😂

Having spoken with them, I do think a Limelight would be the better option. Don’t need the silverware to go with it and no custom paint job either, although I would expect a degree of relicing 😀

Well, it’s more like I’m using the opportunity to get a Precision built that I will actually get along with. It will have Jazz C profile neck, but the rest will be all Precision 😀

Fabulous. You’re a star 👏. Thank you.

OK thank you.

Again, I know little about vintage Fender, but wouldn’t the earlier one be the black ‘spaghetti’ logo and the later one be a gold ‘transitional’ one possibly? Seems the above suggest the other way around.