Japhet

Word Up - Cameo

This is the same song but Pino plays some outrageous stuff on this version, especially near the end.

The Riverboat Song - Koala Shaker.

Toast - Paul Young

I think it also depends a great deal on what you're playing. Years ago I played in a band with drums, guitar (sometimes x2), keyboards, sax, harmonica and sometimes trumpet, trombone and backing singers. My bass went straight into my amp and wasn't very loud to allow for the overall volume. More lately I was playing in a rock covers band with drums, 1 guitar and vocals. In that setup i needed a more driven sound to fill up a bit of space and stop the ar&e from dropping out of the sound when the guitar was soloing. As others have said, try playing Muse with a clean sound and see how well it's received.

Just the Two of Us - Bill Withers

I've often used my £85 Harley Benton Precision copy in preference to my Stingray or other expensive basses. It plays a damn site better than some of the 70s American Fenders I've played too - and it did so straight out of the box too. King's new clothes and all that.

I've heard fantastic tone with a bass straight into an amp and great tone through a bunch of effects. I've also heard awful tone in the same situations. There's no right and wrong in this debate, just people who can get a good sound and people who can't.

Loving this today. Fabulous album from start to finish.

The Valeton FP10 is a cracking little pedal. I thought I was the only one to use it in a bass rig. I run mine with a TC Spectracomp and it chucks out a proper chunky sound.

This is the End - The Doors

I guess those are the type of things that show up in a loud amp at gig volume but nothing you can't address with a bit of twiddling I'd imagine.

Walk like an Egyptian - The Bangles

I've got one and love it. Great for practice and smaller gigs. Nice EQ section and well equipped to get a range of sounds. Light as a feather and goes pretty loud if you want. I'd like to try a 500 at a proper gig (if that ever happens again!).

Probably watched this a dozen or more times this week

Waterfront - Simple Minds

I believe that.

Much as I love Stevie Winwood, this eclipses the Spencer Davies version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8vY3vAbAdQ

Will probably get pelters for saying it, but just about any cover of any Bob Dylan song. Edit; I'm obviously not including the appalling version of Knocking on Heaven's Door by that kilt wearing pillock.

Love a bit of Tom Petty on a Sunday morning.

I like the 3/1 headstock. Everything is within reach for tuning whereas a straight 4 configuration becomes a bit of a stretch for tuning (and I'm a tad under 6ft). A straight 5 headstock would mean I'd have to take the bass off an rest it on the floor in all liklihood. Not sure how short people would manage.

I don't like Fender 5 strings because the 4+1 headstock looks all wrong to me. Don't like tortoise shell scratchplates and don't like natural wood finishes either, especially with flambuoyant wood grains and fussy designs.

Ice Ice Baby - Some rapper geezer.

Pretty much, although it's all very subjective. Some manufacturers quote very high output watts but the amps don't deliver. You'll find a 200 watt valve amp can butcher many a 500 watt class d or solid state amp for sheer power. If you're hooking up to a single 8 ohm cab you'll most likely only be getting a bit over 50% of your amps power anyway since they mostly deliver full power at 4 ohms (2 cabs).