Japhet

I much prefer smaller venues now. Went to some shockers back in the day (Zeppelin at Earls Court springs to mind). There are some much better venues around now like the O2 Indigo and The Stables at Milton Keynes but I don't often see bands on there that I want to see. Did see Bowie and The Police at Milton Keynes bowl decades ago and they were both good.

Do you know what packed up in your Trace head? I've had Trace heads pack up in the past and never spent more than £100 getting them sorted. They had some earthing issues which can be fixed with a little spring washer once the head has been fixed if I remember right. Failing that I'd suggest GB Streamliner or a GK MB Fusion.

Prefer the Tecamp Puma 1x12 myself.

Check out the Lakland 55-01 in the F/S section. Stonking god bass wit a fabulous neck. Love mine to bits.

Lot of nostalgia going on here. When I was growing up you had to be a real enthusiast to get into music. I remember my Sister would record the Top 40 every week with a piddly mic in front of her transistor radio (and go beserk if anybody made any noise) - that was how difficult it was to hear the music you liked. Sitting through hours of dross on Old Grey Whistle Test before VCRs had been invented to try to find the odd gem. I'll never forget seeing The Police on OGWT! Couldn't believe they were white!

My Mum was a very good pianist and could play just about anything by ear. I can still remember her playing 'Mack the Knife' and 'Feeling Groovy'.She died young. I remember being dragged to see 'The Sound of Music' repeatedly. She wanted myself and my siblings to become the Von Trapps (bless her!). I was mostly a small terrorist with catapault! My Dad didn't have a single ounce of creativity but I'm sure my Mum would love the fact that I've been involved in music for many years

Clips are chalk and cheese. Tamas presumably demonstrating an instrument and Meshell playing a gig. Don't think many manufacturers would be happy if their instrument demo was a repetitive groove or that a live performance would be enhanced by the bass player emptying his trick bag repeatedly.

Nothing wrong with mine. Love it to bits. Still constantly trawl the F/S section though with absolutely no reason to do so.

I deleted the programme after watching it but think it was on BBC4. It was about Bowie's early years and his creation of Ziggy.

Been watching some recorded Bowie documentaries this week which has highlighted just how good Trevor Bolder was. So much of their stuff was recorded with minimal rehearsal and some of TJ's basslines are so well put together. He was one of the very best in my book. He and Woody Woodmansey were treated really badly by Bowie at the end.

Loved the old Trace SMX when I had that amp. Have used a TC Electronics Nova Dynamics for 3 years now as an 'always on' unit and wouldn't be without it. On the minus side, it's discontinued (but available 2nd hand), a bit big but has 2 channels, and 12v if you want it on a board.

If you hit any bum notes, tell 'em you play a lot of jazz.

Write the keys to the songs on the setlist. Mind can go blank and this can be a handy little nudge. Oh.........and welcome aboard!

Just a thought, but she might find it helpful to play with the bass on her lap, Jeff Healy style as it were. That would allow her to use her thumb for fretting or making chords.

Midnight Rider - Allman Brothers. Don't know why really, but just love the song.

Genz Focus. You could stick with a 4x10 and be much lighter or go for an even lighter 2x12. Cheap too.

Players aren't underrated by their fans, but some remain unknown by many or pass under the radar. Oteil Burbridge is a monster player who only bassists seem to have heard of. Ken Gradney has been a huge part of Little Feat over the years but I doubt many non bassists know him. Paul Frasier is a great player too (who maybe many bassists haven't heard) Check him out on David Byrne - Lazy (Live at Union Chapel). Cnt attach clip for some reason.

Do guitars actually sound bad through bass gear though? Guitarist in my band now plays through a Fender Bassman 1x15 combo which sounds great using pedals for distotion. I always wanted him to hook up to my Ashdown 4x8 but never got round to it.

I'm with Muzz.

Don't know if TB was taught a brass instrument but John Entwhistle was an accomplished French Horn player I believe.

+1 for the Line 6 LD15. I've got one and it's a brilliant little thing for next to nothing money. Loads of tones available with a good range of effects. You' probably pick one up (used) for £50 or maybe less.

Absolute stormer at the Pig and Falcon in St. Neots. Always a good gig there and the place was rammed. 4 new songs in the set all went perfectly. It's always a late one there and we didn't finish til 1 a.m. so didn't get home til nearly 3. So much fun though when the punters are really up for it.

My experience of functions as opposed to gigs is that people often want to have a chat and catch up with each other (particularly weddings) and a longer break is quite acceptable. From a playing point of view I always prefer a short break so that the impetus isn't lost.