Japhet

Billy Cobham and Leland Sklar. Gilson lavis and Dave Swift. Gene Lake and David Dyson.

I'm very much in the realms of a cover being a version of a song, not a slavish copying of the original. That, in my opinion, is the job of a tribute band.

I'm up for this pending the usual possible flies in the ointment. Happy to bring some gear as well. Could bring a couple of heads (Tecamp Black Jag and Weber Mywatt 200 all valve). Would quite like to bring my cheapo Harley Benton 51 P Bass copy to show just how much you get for about £85. Could probably bring a cab if needed too.

Comments like 'it does nothing for me' really do nothing for me. Why bother?

Roland Cubes are very good.

In my case, I bought a lot of the PA gear so I also apparently have to cart it around, set it up, break it down take it home and store it. I also have to make any adjustments in settings whilst simultaneously playing a bass guitar In the meantime the singer shrugs his shoulders and looks confused if anything needs doing. Bringing a microphone is apparently his limit. Any repairs are also 100% down to me. P.S. Drummer is actually very helpful in reality.

I've only ever auditioned for 1 band. Since then every gig I've got has been through word of mouth or people approaching me. I've had a couple of dep jobs turn into permanent work. Apart from the music I'd say a few plusses would be Happy to buy a round. Know how the PA works and how to get a decent sound. Happy to put up with Prima Donna flouncyness from the 'stars' in the band. Have a vehicle big enough to cart the majority of the cr@p around that nobody else can be bothered with. These things will help you to get a position in plenty of bands.

Tecamp is by far the best on your list IMO. Build quality is top notch and the Puma amp is a beaut. It will also take an extension cab where the Rumble won't. I don't know about the VT200 but I'd imagine it would be hard to shift if you wanted to move on.

I go for the grumpy face EQ at live gigs and find that it matches my own grumpy face rather well.

No, you should be proud.

You lasted an hour and a half longer than I would have done.

Jameson always gets all of the plaudits but Babbitt was just as good in my opinion. Absolute monster player.

I've been in the same band now for 10 years. We've recently started doing a few songs that I've suggested. The general consensus is 'Why weren't we doing these years ago?' The answer is quite simple really; 'We could have been if anyone thought for 1 minute that my opinion might be valid. Instead, we've wasted years churning out the same sort of generic pub rock covers that every band from here to Land's End has been doing. It's a proper slog being a bass player who would like to be heard once in a while.

Genzler Magellan with quality cabs (Vanderklay, Berg, Barefaced etc).

What a fabulous interview with the consummate professional bass player. Love his style in both music and life. Thankyou so much.

I know his music and have heard loads of it but it doesn't really interest me. Other people rave about it but it doesn't float my boat. He's been a prolific writer and is often hailed as a genius but I don't get it or understand what the fuss is about. He must be overrated. I'm not talking about Paul McCartney. I'm talking about Mozart.

Yeah, but rumour has it that you're now world class!

I'm not a Beatles or McCartney fan particularly but I fail to see how you can overrate PMs contribution to music and bass playing. He was one of the very first to push melodic bass lines to the forefront and had an gigantic effect on whatever came afterwards. He was way ahead of his time and put electric bass playing in the spotlight when it had previously been no more than a backing instrument.

Best compressor I've had; TC Nova Dynamics. Best for limiting; Keeley Bassist. Simplest and best of both worlds with tiny footprint; Spectracomp.

Obligatory mention for Fender Rumble.

OP said she couldn't lug anything big around and that they're not a loud band. Rumble 100 would seem to be on the money to me.

I'd suggest a Fender Rumble 100 watt combo. Think there's a couple in the For Sale section. Sound fab and are really light. I don't think you'll do better for around £180 and would seem to fit very well with what you describe.

I'm thinking of 'relicing' my car before I sell it. It's immaculate now but I could go round it with a hammer and bash it around a bit, scuff up the paint and put a few tasty gouges in it, rip up the interior a bit, crack the windscreen and wind the mileage up by 150,000. All I need is some mug punter musician to rock up and buy it.