JapanAxe

It may help if you draw out a 'route map' of the song. It doesn't have to be fully written in music notation or tab. Maybe rough out the chords for the first verse and chorus, and note down any variations that come later, plus stops and repeats. This can work particularly well if you have the kind of memory that operates visually.

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1451657031' post='2942139'] The PF800's are not as unreliable [/quote] A ringing endorsement of Ampeg Class D amps there!

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1451676201' post='2942393'] Have you tried putting a different neck on it? [/quote] And then change the body.

[quote name='chickenjames' timestamp='1451517746' post='2941266'] bassdirect has a few 90s MIJ or CIJ at around £650. [/quote] Get along to Bass Direct and try them all. While you're there, try some Sandbergs.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1451586367' post='2941714'] What is a 'life hack'? [/quote] [b]Life hacking[/b][color=#252525][font=sans-serif] refers to any trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method that increases productivity and efficiency, in all walks of life. -[i]Wikipedia[/i][/font][/color]

I refer the learned gentleman to [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/164794-half-rack-size-tuner/"]this thread[/url] from 2102.

Toilet Man(TM) has communicated his preference to you. That is all.

Despite being a musical tart, I decline to play [i]Agadoo[/i] or [i]The Birdy Son[/i]g. If you are unfamiliar with these tunes, do yourself a favour and [b]don't[/b] search them out on YouTube!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1451475247' post='2940731'] I agree with the above, but unfortunately there are songs I just will [i]not [/i]play and so I don't 'do' covers bands. They include, but are not limited to: Sex On Fire, All Right Now, Mustang Sally, Mr Brightside, Brown Eyed Girl, Sweet Home Alabama, All The Small Things, Get Lucky, Honky Tonk Woman, Brown Sugar, Play That Funky Music, Creep, Smoke On The Water, Hotel California, Superstition, Proud Mary, Wonderful Tonight, Born To Be Wild, Wonderwall, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Moves Like Jagger... and yes, bleeding Summer of Fecking 69. There you have it. There are lots more but I can't think of them right now... [/quote] Well that's a set list that would go down well in any pub in the land!

Last year's goals were to do with depping with lots of bands. Did that In 2 bands for 2016, so looking to make a go of both of those.

Loving the Sonic Blue!

[quote name='stoker' timestamp='1451311979' post='2939459'] More info on the Bass. It went missing about 10 years ago, dark sunburst, non standard knobs and a repaired headstock crack. [/quote] [quote name='colgraff' timestamp='1451371048' post='2939877'] Ten YEARS ago???? Blimey. [/quote] Blimey indeed - I was thinking this was within the last week!

I don't currently use fx pedals on bass, but there are 8 pedals and a tuner on my guitar 'board. I often use very 'gainy' pedals, or combinations thereof, with single-coil guitars. At home the noise (particularly mains hum) is quite noticeable, but live on stage it is rarely a problem. In my guitar-multi-fx-rack days I did experiment with using the noise gate, but iirc it never seemed worth it in the end.

I don't think it's possible to generalise about tone on short-scales, as it is dependent on so many other factors - construction, pickup choice, pickup placement, strings, and of course your playing style. As for looks, no a short-scale won't look like a toy, unless you are a massive bloke! I do recommend you try to borrow a short-scale for a gig. After a 34in bass, a gig on a 30in feels like a 'night off'.

If going for a guitar case, try before you buy - for example, a Hohner Jack headless fitted fine in a generic Brandoni case I had, but not in a Hiscox Strat/Tele case.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1451291242' post='2939268'] Are there any guitar shops that aren't just full of Strats, Teles, Les Pauls and their copies? I realise that these are the staples but it would be nice to see a decent selection of alternative designs for the more discerning guitarist. [/quote] The aforementioned [url="http://worldguitars.co.uk"]World Guitars[/url] - PRS, Tom Anderson, Nik Huber, Patrick Eggle, Schecter Custom Shop, Vigier, Suhr, Rock'n'Roll Relics... plus the obligatory (though high-end) Starts, Teles, and Les Pauls. A bit nearer to you (Ashbourne, Derbyshire) is [url="http://www.guitars4you.co.uk/"]Guitars 4 You[/url] - PRS, Collings, Dusenberg, MusicMan, Tyler, Trussart, Suhr, G&L, Tom Anderson, Ibanez, Gretsch... plus (see above!) - they are having a 'closing-down' sale as they are moving over to appointments-only.

[list=1] [*]What is your business model? [*]What is your corporate structure? [*]What is your unique selling point? [*]What is your projected turnover for the next 12 months? [/list] Explanation:[list=1] [*]E.g. 'Play covers in pubs, get paid, have fun.' [*]E.g. benevolent dictatorship; star + side-men; equal-shares partnership. [*]E.g. 'U2 covers played acid-jazz-stylee.' [*]The top line! The bottom line is a little harder to calculate... [/list]

Nice review Mr Discreet. When I bought my Demeter, the TH500 came very close to it in terms of clarity and sound quality. +1 to a review update after you've gigged it!

I like 'em both. I have had a CAR Sandberg, and now have a faded Sonic Blue Precision - all good!