casapete

Here you go - the version used in the commercial.

Part of Mr Blue Sky heard playing under a British Gas advert at the moment.

Great tune, although it doesn’t sound like Al’s original recording to me?

I’ve not had a U bass but a Countryman Uke bass which is very similar, along with a Taylor GS Mini as well. If it’s an either or situation, I’d be looking at two factors - 1) what’s it going to be used for, and 2) what basses are you used to? Bass ukes are cracking little things for certain situations. I tried a few when they first appeared and found it hard to discern much difference between the Countryman and the U bass, apart from cost. They sound vaguely upright like, and in the right situation sit nicely with other instruments. They do need amplification, as even at home practice level they are quiet acoustically. The big rubbery nylon strings do take a lot of getting used to, as does the very short scale. Intonation can also be a bit of a compromise ( I’m not selling these am I?!). However, I’ve enjoyed using mine on gigs in an acoustic duo, and it always creates interest from the punters who can’t believe the massive bass sound is emanating from such a tiny instrument. There are plenty of bass ukes out there now, mine was less than half the price of a Kala when I bought it. The Taylor GS mini is another interesting bass. Sounds good and can be used for home practice unplugged, but for pretty much anything else you’ll need amplification. The special strings are based on a multi filament core with phosphor bronze outer, and so feel a bit odd at first. Like the uke bass, they ‘roll’ a bit until you learn to adjust your technique. Beware though that they cost a lot to replace, c.£40 and only D’Addario make them ( I believe). The 23.5 inch scale is easier to get used to than the uke, and I’d say overall it is a lot more versatile. There are some other makers doing a similar sized bass now, with the Guild mini jumbo being a good cheaper alternative. I have an Ibanez PNB14E which is the same scale as the Taylor, and is amazing value for c.£240 new, around a third of the price of the Taylor. I use it on all my duo gigs straight into the PA and it more than does the job. Hope some of this helps!

This is exactly how I feel about using IEMs. The rest of my band shifted over to them, so onstage it’s just me ( with my wedge monitor) who hears everything going on in the room. They tried setting up an ambient mike to feed into their IE’s but gave it up after a while. I can’t do with the ‘immediate’ sound either and dislike the way onstage communication has been reduced to lip reading! I appreciate it’s a bit of the ‘old dog new tricks’ thing, but I’ve lost count of the time we’ve spent at soundchecks when there have been IEM problems to sort ( interference, channels changing etc). My old db technologies active 350w wedge will probably see me out. 😆

Got an email from Ivor Mairants shop with some seemingly great reductions on Vintage brand basses. https://ivormairants.co.uk/collections/outlet-guitars?filter.p.product_type=Electric+Basses+-+ReIssued+Series

Played here a couple of months ago and had a great night, so looking forward to a repeat performance! Brilliant old venue in Beverley, proper music pub.

No pressure then Billy! I just hope you enjoy the gig - we’re a theatre show so play most of the hits from ELO in 2 x 50 min sets. The venue has a bit of a sports hall feel, so we’ll do our best to warm it up a bit! Our sound guy usually does a great job, so hopefully it should be a good night. Cheers, Pete.

For anybody going, make sure you catch the support act The Christians - great band.

Ha ha! I hate liquorice allsorts ( but love a Dano).

I would think at least some songs would have to be mimed anyway, as weren’t her vocals speeded up to raise the pitch on the original recordings - her natural voice being too low on some of the early stuff?

Here's one bound to set the cat amongst the pigeons - my beautiful Dano Longhorn in silverburst.

Do it! It’s a great price for one of these. 😆

Tonight (Monday 16th) on Channel 4 at 10pm there is a showing of ‘Summer of Soul’, a 2021 documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Apparently the footage was rediscovered in a basement and then restored. Features many great performances including those by BB King, Stevie Wonder, Mavis Staples, Sly and the Family Stone & Nina Simone.

Probably the HA5500 model, 500 watts into 4 ohms. Don’t know your location, but Rich Tone Music in Sheffield currently have a s/h one in stock for £179. 😊

I don’t think so, although I’m not sure about all of the streaming platforms. ( DVD’s still for sale on eBay though by the looks of things.)

Happy days for rock’n’roll fans shortly -2023 Little Richard biopic ‘I am everything’ on CH4 at 11.05pm. Alternatively Chuck Berry ‘The King of Rock’n’roll’ at 11.15pm on Sky Arts.

Halfords used to happily give away the boxes that cycles were delivered to them in. Various sizes so probably be worth a visit?

How do the Hull gig go Steve? Nice venue The Wrecking Ball, putting on some great stuff. Albert is a class act, seen him many times both playing with his own and other bands. Great he’s still out there doing it.

Withernsea can be a drag to get to Mart. Hull’s roadworks are going on for years yet, building a new intersection by the Marina. Once it’s done you’ll be able to whizz straight through to Withernsea though! Would have liked to come and see your band, but family health stuff meant I was unable to. Hopefully catch you soon. All the best, Pete.

Believe it or not Dave , when we go to east Scotland it’s usually quicker going up the A1, then across the A66 to Penrith and then north on the M6/M74 etc. Going all the way on the A1 to Edinburgh looks like it should be quicker but some of it is single lane with a 50mph limit for vans. My band is in Dundee this Thursday and we’ll be heading there via the same route.

Mentioned these before, but the best case I’ve ever used is the ‘Bass guitar foam case’ by G4M. I bought two of these, and in over 10 years of use on the road all over the UK I’m still just using the first one! Light but very strong, mine originally cost around £30/35. They’re now £49.99 but even at that still very good value for money IMO.

My onstage settings rarely vary, with everything centred tone wise. However, last night for instance (at the engineer’s suggestion) I turned down the lower mid control a touch and quite liked it! I do prefer a rounded sound onstage, but have found that what often sounds a bit more ‘middley’ at soundcheck sounds just right when the theatre is full, so a good compromise. I think I’ve reached a point using the same amp/cab/bass combination for so long that if anything altered too drastically I would feel uncomfortable. Sounds a bit sad but it just suits me as it is. Occasionally get to use something else and I manage okay but prefer my own rig.

Got some from Amazon this week Dave, £6.99 for a pack of 5 tests.