Len_derby

I’ve still got my first guitar. I paid £4 for it, second-hand, in 1972. It’s quite hideous but it got me started and we used it on our first DIY punk recordings. Once I’d saved enough to buy something better from the Bells Catalogue I passed it on to my younger brother. He did the paint job. Once I’d got a family he passed it back to me - one daughter is now a drummer the other a guitarist/singer so it still has a bit of magic in it.

I’ve just received a beautiful mandolin bought from Brian. It’s exactly as he described it and was very well packed for delivery. A fine Basschater who you can do business with in confidence.

Interesting. Conversely, I’ve felt that a couple of bands I’ve been in over the years have been spoiled by some members insisting on playing all the time on every song. Leading to a total loss of dynamics and an overall stodgy sound. There was one particular case of a second guitarist who scrubbed away on chords on all 6 strings all the time in every song. I had a discrete word with the band leader about how I thought we could be even better if we...(trying to be a diplomat). The answer I got was - you can’t expect people to pay all that money on gear, practice etc. and stand around not playing. 😳

Was that the Bells of The Bells Catalogue fame? As a youngster up in the sticks me n’ my mates used to drool over that. I bought my first half-decent instrument from it mail-order. A Columbus Strat copy. About £30 in 1973 if I remember correctly.

Ah yes, the Golden Days of wireless. It does something long-lasting to your head though. About a month ago, for no discernible reason, the song ‘My Bruvver’ by Terry Scott came into my head. Scary.

Although I played the original to death when it came out I now much more prefer listening to Dub Side of the Moon by Easy Star All-Stars.

Oh, there was plenty of drivel around then too, believe me. 😀

He’d probably agree with your assessment of his voice! If you read his autobiography ‘Born to Run’ he’s pretty honest about his talents.

Oh, do tell please! I’m thinking along the lines of ‘you were better when you played with Miles Davis.’ Or, ‘you’re a great guitarist but why don’t you just play a nice tune?’

That’s very nice, well done. Do you play in a Jefferson Airplane tribute band?

I’d echo the wise comments from the guys above. If it was me I’d be taking a close look at the pubs and places they play already. So similar to Gary Mac. The load-in, load-out, travel, late night hassles are going to be there wherever you play.

Having followed him for yonks I think he has an ultra-dry sense of humour which the average music journalist just doesn’t get and therefore thinks he’s aloof. I suspect he’s good company on the quiet.

Yes, it’s a good show. The trouble is it clashes with the Craig Charles Funk and Soul show on R6Music which, for me, is the wireless highlight of the week.

So true. I’m reminded of a very sour obituary of John Martin I read. “During a long career he only produced one album that can be regarded as a classic”.

Do you think there should be a different regime for acoustic instruments ? I’m thinking about acoustic guitars and bass guitars I don’t have a double bass (yet 😎)

I can sympathise with that. Whenever I’ve been asked by beginners on any tips for learning bass or guitar I always say ‘don’t put your instrument away, leave it out on display’.

I’m relieved to hear I’m not the only one to have lost the appetite for playing. I am doing a lot of reading about music though, so hopefully not feeling like picking a bass up is just a passing phase.

The bands I play with have pretty much written off 2020 for live performances. Anything we manage to do will be a bonus and a pleasure. Particularly as it’ll demonstrate that things are starting to get back to normal, whatever the new normal will be.

Left to right, I’d say. The item above the books is to display my Basschat lockdown GAS credentials.

A very enjoyable film indeed. Although I’m a bit too young to have seen it in its heyday, (born ‘58), a lot of later acts were in my era. The most interesting bit of the film for me however concerned the owner of the hotel, a Mr Snapper, who had an antiques shop in London. I’m friends with a family named Snapper who live in Nottingham. Intrigued by the coincidence of an usual name I rang them up. ”Oh yes, that was uncle Micheal. Quite a character, kept a pet lion in his shop at one point. The footbridge is called Snapper’s bridge as Michael paid for it to be built”. A small world, and all that.

I think I’m a support group for people with eating disorders.

Hi Dave, I’ve got a Stagg AB203CE-N. 30” scale. I bought it used off this forum. I love it for leaving around the house for casual play and practise. I’ve done a couple of acoustic gigs with it too. One unexpected bonus was that it fits in the back of a small hatchback, out of sight.

Martin Turner of Wishbone Ash. As a teenager I loved the Argus album. A lovely bass tone and great note choices. Nearly 50 years later and I still haven’t owned a Thunderbird!

Thanks @Richard R for this. Sorry, I didn’t get a Microsoft account sorted in time for last night but I’ll do that and be ready (hopefully) for any further tests.

Not yet Andy. I haven’t got a MS mail account. But Richard thinks it may work anyway. He’s looking into it I believe.