Mudpup

I was recently dragged along by Mrs Pup to see Simple Minds at Audley End. Never seen them before but they were always sort of on my bucket list to see although I hadn't pursued it as I thought I would be disappointed (you know, just topping up their pensions....) They were off the hook blinding. Absolutely at the top of their game and Jim and Charlie had the crowd eating out of their hands from the first song. The sound was the best I have ever heard at a gig, their energy levels were high and I could have just listened to Jed Grimes playing all my faves from New Gold Dream all night long. Outstanding and no reflection on their ages - they look like they have a good few years left in them.

It's not just stuff made in the USA that's impacted. The dollar is probably the most commonly used international trading currency so most things coming in from China and the East are getting hammered as well.

I've been using a D'Addario pedal tuner for years and really rate it

Try a Gator ProGo maybe? https://www.thomann.de/gb/gator_g_pg_bass_guitar_bag.htm

Looks like what used to be a Caline one. Loads of people used them with no issues it seems. Having said that, you never quite know what you're getting with generic Chines stuff. Might look the same but.... Personally I would spend a few quid more and get something from Thoman like a Harley Benton or a Fame from DV247 - at least there's some backup if you need it

Used Sterlings (and Stingrays) seem to be going on Facebook marketplace for around £1100 - £1400 at the moment. Add VAT and a profit margin and you can see why the GG price is getting up there. It wasn't too long ago that £700 - £1000 was the right price.

I think the high end stuff will be largely unaffected tbh. The crucial factor is the customer rather than the builder and the chances are that if you could afford a high end bit of kit now you are probably reasonably wealthy/comfortable compared to most. Consequently they will be less affected by the current/incoming issues than middle income families would be. I'm seeing a similar situation in my business which is cycling. Loosely speaking it means that there's no such thing as a cheap bike anymore as the material and production costs are so high. The mid range market is really suffering - it's made up of average families and enthusiasts who have traditionally had a modest leisure spend available to them. And the high end boutique bikes are unaffected as people that can afford them always have a decent leisure spend available - they may have a bit less now but it's still more than most people could hope for.

Stevie just bought my Hipshot detuner. Perfect transaction and recommended!

The most outstanding moment for me was Wolfie Van Halen doing Hot For Teacher. You could smell the family genes coming out of him on the guitar, Josh on the drums was totally focussed and Dave did a great job on the bass. (I tolerated Justin Hawkins for the whole gig but he got away with it on that song) And then of course the Foos set - Dave just about held it together at the start but i can't imagine that anyone didn't have a lump in their throat before they launched into the first song. It was the perfect set for me. They played all my favourites, no fillers, no overlong shouty stuff and finished it up perfectly with Taylor's son on the kit. Taylor would be smiling down on them...

It was Let There Be Rock by AC/DC

I was there and remember it well 🙂. Back in those days the bottling and torching seemed a lot more friendly. People unscrewed the lids on the peepee bottles so it didn't hurt so much when one hit you on the bonce. And I remember wandering around early on the Sunday morning and pulling a sleeping hells angel out of a smouldering campfire that he had passed out in. Those were the days .......

I wouldn't think they'll want a lookee likee in the band. It would kind of devalue it in my eyes. My money is on Josh. Or pack it in totally maybe

Sounds great

Ah yeah! New Gold Dream should be in my list as well....

I've got a couple - UFO - Strangers in the Night Dan Reed Network - 1st album Queensryche - Empire I can still listen to them all on loop/repeat even 30/40 years on

Or how about something nice and subtle from here? 😉 https://www.skinyourskunk.com/index.html

😂😂😂 Was it Meghan Markle?

I think they've been watching the Woodstock 99 documentary on Netflix

One of my major claims to fame....... Wyatt was the drummer in a band of mine when he was about 17 for a couple of years. He was really good. I think he's living his dream now with that radio job, he always wanted to be involved in the rock scene 😊

Ah, the old 80's crackle finish trend .....you'll have to break out the spandex and grow a mullet if you snag one of those

I've never heard a bass solo that has engaged me apart from maybe this one. I suppose it's more of a performance piece rather than a solo as such so maybe that's why I'm ok with it. Billy did used to do it live as a showpiece though. Bordering on classical and with a bunch of new school techniques in there it was pretty ground breaking back in the day.