stewblack

Best city I've known is Portsmouth. Lots of venues paying good money, lively crowds, a bit rough and ready but generally good people.

This one https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01I0BGYM8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 every time. I've tried tons and this is the best.

Best one I ever played in was The More Specials. We used a mix of BBC sessions, singles and album tracks. Some amazing musicians and only band I've been in where the audience was on their feet and dancing from the very first tune to the last, guaranteed, every gig. Not much money in it with so many members to split the fee with but some unforgettable nights and even got a few of the original Specials up on stage with us at various gigs.

Well, I think this looks fantastic. I really love improvisation like this. Saves cash, fun to do, and a practical result. Hurrah!

I never used to think I had a musical influence, so desperately did I want to be 'original'. Then one night I took a drummer friend of mine to the Colston Hall to watch Elvis Costello & The Attractions and about two songs in he turned to me and said "bloody hell Stew, that's you on the bass" . He was of course very wrong I am not and never will be remotely in the same league as Bruce Thomas but the point is having played with me many times he knew my bass playing inside out and could clearly hear the influence. So I had to accept that as a bassist Mr Thomas has been my biggest inspiration.

Two more transactions with Simon went as smoothly as could possibly be expected. I can't recommend him highly enough.

You've been pipped at the post - will let you know if anything goes wrong.

All yours if you want it

I can but technically speaking andytoad showed an interest first so I guess we ought to offer him the chance to pay postage if he wants to. If not it's all yours.

Where are you? Roughly...

Obligatory crappy phone pics

I have a Stagg rack case thingy, not sure how you measure these but you could get 3 average amps in there. It's quite deep. I'm leaving the Behringer V-Amp Pro in there and a power cable which I attached to the back end. Small crack in one side of the case, doesn't affect it, still perfectly solid. V-Amp has broken input socket at front but other input to rear works just fine. It ain't a great piece of kit but I used it as a rack tuner rather than for the sounds. Come and get them, they're free!

I am so lucky right now. After years of really quite deeply unpleasant personalities I've found a keeper. I turned up at the audition and she met me at the car and started to help carry my gear into the rehearsal. Brought me drinks, paid for food and drives the band to gigs, has zero ego I can detect and rehearses every bit as hard as any musician I've ever known and considerably harder than most. Buys lots of expensive equipment, organises rehearsals, books gigs, helps pack down, works really hard on stage. Despite having the vocal ability to be the absolute focal point of any band she sees herself as the equal of us all. Even the drummer which I think is being unnecessarily hard on herself.

Lots of great advice - thanks folks.

I too have massive issues with FB but Messenger lite is free to install on your phone does not require the FB app so it's not difficult. Just set up an FB account with none of your private information on it and simply use messenger. It's what I do.

Thanks. I had a horrible feeling there wouldn't be a shortcut!

Our feckin' keyboard player has a smart phone, tablet, pc, laptop, macbook etc etc etc is constantly connected, very tech savvy and literally never replies to requests for availability in our messenger group. If he wasn't best buddies with the guy who started the band he'd be in the ducking stool.

In a moment of what I can only adequately describe as mass hysterical insanity my band has agreed I should be allowed to make noises into a microphone during our set. Specifically the male lead in Love Shack. I believe their rationale is that it's not proper singing it's just talking really so what harm can he do? So far so good. However now I try to actually do it I find I can play the bassline with consummate ease right up until the point where I open my mouth and then it all goes to stinky poo-rags. How do you good folk recommend a beginner begins to master the art of doing one thing with mouth and another with hands when he only has one brain?