Paulgm1

I had a local music shop that included the service of issuing two receipts if needed - one real and the other showing a smaller sanctioned amount 'for the wife'.

Just carry a spare set of strings and a spare lead - has worked for me for 25 years

Reason is Treason Kasabian Parachutes Pearl Jam Thank you very much Kaiser Chiefs Jailhouse Rock Elvis Turnin on the screw Queens of Stone Age Babara ann beach boys Happy Jack The Who All I Do is Dream of you Michael Buble 99 Problems Jay Z Paranoid Android Radiohead Interesting set list i reckon!

These look fantastic!

I was sacked from a pub band I was playing in when I said I needed eight weeks off rehersals after our baby was born!

Andy Rouke (Smiths).

Love the Smiths. Andy Rourke s underestimated. I also had to learn This Charming Man and was surprised at how difficult it was. Took me bloody ages to master!

In my humble opinion the greatest rock band of all time.

Agree about the tone he's getting there -like that. I thought Norman Watt Roy played on some of the FGTH stuff or is my memory making that up?

Gillan - Southampton Gaumont with John McCoy on bass. All I remember is it being bloody loud!

I can remember seeing Spear of Destiny live in about 85. Memory a bit hazy but I just remember it as a fabulous, powerful gig and i got my shirt torn off in the mosh at the front. Great stuff.

This is a fantastic album thats been going round on my ipod for the past 6 weeks!

Rob Brydon I thought

Kate Bush = Genius. I've just listened to the Man With The Child In His Eyes whilst googling 'Kate Bush image in leotard' to add to the enjoyment.

Great transaction with Andy, purchasing an effects pedal. Cheers!

Based on your situation, I reckon the combo is best bet especially if price comes into play. I have a MAG 2x10 combo and bought a compact 115 recently as an extension speaker to give it more headroom for larger places so you have that option later if needed. The combo should be ok for most pub sized gigs to be honest.

Been playing 26 years, since I was 17 - still loving it and looking forward to the next gig next weekend. Always been pubs, clubs and weddings for me in various bands. Never been one for serious practice so on reflection I guess I wish I had worked harder at it when I was younger with more time and less job/family stuff. Had a bloody great time over the years though and met some interesting people on the way. For me, I think I have learnt that playing in bands is just as much about how you interact and deal with the people and characters as it is about the music!

Sunshine of Your Love - Cream

Comfortably Numb for me - had tears rolling down my cheeks when I saw Floyd at Earls Court - emotional!

My eldest dughter at 16 can't decide if dad playing in bands is one of the many embarassing things about me or if it might be a tiny bit cool (which would never be admitted!)

Cheers - a man of taste.

I've been hanging around on this great forum for a little while enjoying the conversation but thought I had better do the formal introduction. At the grand age of 43 I've been playing bass in various bands since I was 17 and started with a group in my mates garage - still love playing but struggle to put the time in these days with 3 kids and a busy job so only gig about once a month now. Use an Ashdown combo which does the trick and recently bought a Sterling Ray 34 which I now use as my main bass as it's brilliant and does everything I need. I keep the old precision that I've had for 15 years in it's case now! I'm amazed that there's such a huge bass community out there and it's good to be part of it.

I have one of these as my main amp at the moment - I play in a covers pub band in small/medium sized venues and it does the job producing a good sound. Have just ordered an ashdown 1x15 extension cab to give a bit more welly though as feels like i need a bit more headroom at times and when competing with two guitarists who quite honestly play too bloody loudly (a whole new topic!).Under normal circumstances it does the job though for smallish venues. Not sure about price - up to £300 say if in great nick. Hope this helps.

Agree with some of the other posts where a lot of the problems are in lack of understanding of what's actually involved and how difficult it is for a bunch of people to play well for a couple of hours - we're a misunderstood bunch! Don't feel too bad though - as well as being an average misunderstood pub band bass player, my day job is working for a bank in the City - that's a job where the general perception is a long way from reality!!