LemonCello

Basic rule of thumb for all stringed instruments (including basses), play as many as you can and pick the one that feels right in the hands and whose tone speaks to you the most. Then if it's a bowed instrument spend at least 10% of what you've spent on the instrument on a bow. That kinda rules out the Tesco violin, but it probably comes with a bow anyway. Cheap instruments can deter learners if they are nasty as well as cheap i.e. strings you can limbo under, sound post in the wrong position, crap strings etc all of which can make the whole thing a lot more difficult than it needs to be. When I bought my current 'cello 20 odd years ago it was better (to me) at 6K than another I played in the same shop at £30K.

I agree about the 15-20 mins of feedback, very odd that and not very entertaining. We paid £35 a ticket which was good I thought and better seats than we got in Cardiff for Crowded House last year. Got those on TicketMaster "best available" which turned out to be at the top of the house parallel to the stage - had to be "worst available". As for the venue, the drinks were predictably expensive but I thought the 'merch' was reasonable - £25 for a T shirt, £10 for a programme etc. The story above about Neil out walking and talking with WoT's mate is fantastic - a moment in time to treasure for sure!

So the band went off to see the legend that is Neil Young at the NEC last nite (now called the LG Arena). We got seated tickets and were a fair way back from the stage and the big screens were not that big! So kinda like watching it on Sky Arts 1 with 40,000 other peeps in your living room. All future gig trips will now be standing! Anyway, bottom line is he's still got it in spades and the whole set lasted 2.5 hours - not bad for a 67 year old. He played a lot off the new album especially at the start and there were some meandering guitar duels going on which led to a degree of heckling from the audience. He came right back with a swift retort along the lines "I'm gonna play what I like" which in turn led to some people leaving early. Overall guitar sound and stage presence - amazing and highlight for me was Cinnamon Girl, one of my all time favorites. If anyone else was at the gig I'd be interested in your take on it? Cheers, LC

I liked the track on Jules, brass section added a bit of interest so musically OK. Not sure about the father and son drum combo though? As has been previously said, Liam seems to believe that acting like a total knob in an interview situation will improve sales??? What is a fact, is Oasis were a seminal band, still love doing their stuff but most of the credit goes to Noel for that!

Warwick Corvette $$. Tiny body, HUGE sounds, cricket bat neck and rough looking (almost unfinished) wenge fingerboard....oh and no fretmarkers - what's that all about?

These are rumoured to be in the 'expensive' bracket and will therefore have to compete against the other more well known brands. Fine looking thing though.

Ditto Space Chick...thanks Nick for superb hosting as usual, tea, coffee and banter on tap! You should see his underground chamber full of interesting axes and especially the Moog Taurus, what a piece of kit! Cheers to everyone, had a great time! LC

I've had a couple of Warwick Rockbags in the past, they are about £35 and well padded, think they have a hanging hook. LC

What Lozz said..... The CVP is a fine instrument if your on a budget!

I have 3 Fender Precisions, a US Std, a MIM Blacktop and a Chinese Squier CVP (just scored from Raggy on here) cheers mate! In order of build quality the Squier is as good as the US Std (which is very good), the MIM comes in 3rd but it's still decent. I've probably been lucky as I bought all 3 blind. The Squier is astonishing for the money! I did move on an Indonesian Squier VMP quite quickly as it was pants - strings didn't line up with pole pieces and it sounded weak with a very woolly E string.