Norris

The Black Horse in Whitwick was the first gig in a few weeks and a good job too - we've all had man-flu during the downtime. Luckily I am just about over mine now, but it was pretty grim at the start and then spent ages slowly trailing off. Anyway nothing that a bit of performance adrenaline can't fix. Although I'd created events on Facebook the guitarist/vocalist didn't do any further plugging with a day or two to go like normal, because he wasn't certain we'd be able to play. So it was satisfying that we managed to fill the place on a dark, wet and gloomy Friday night. We played quite a few songs that we don't do often so that made a nice change too. The Stingish bass is becoming a mainstay now - it's just so lovely to play. Boss GT-6B multi-fx into the Big Muff that I'm still playing with (more fuzz, more fuzz!) and thence into the fabulous Rumble v3 500 combo. Some nice compliments too to round off the night. I think we only have one weekend kept free for the rest of the year now - the long run towards NYE has started

I've used a Comfort Strapp for many years and wouldn't use anything else. Thick neoprene padding and elasticated, it absorbs every shock and really spreads the weight of any bass. Just check the length, because you'll probably want long, if not extra long unless you like a bass under your chin

Next question please...

I'm not a classical guitarist. However I do love noodling on a nylon strung acoustic. Many years ago we bought my son a classical guitar, which he barely played but I loved. He took it away to university. After missing it for 12 months or so I've finally treated myself. It's only a cheap one - a Martinez SM-80 that I picked from Ebay. It's a few years old but I don't think it's really been out of the packaging. I've had it a week or two and have just this evening fitted a new set of strings (D'Addario Pro-Arté EJ-45). I rarely pick up a guitar at home normally but I've not been able to put this one down.

Good on you! It sounds like a horrible, toxic and abusive situation. They don't deserve any further consideration from you. You owe them nothing. Leave with your head held high.

I have a Sire P7. It's a really nice bass. Not the lightest ever, but no problem dangling from my Comfort Strapp. I gigged it regularly, until I upgraded the preamp (to a Retrovibe Stinger) in my Sterling Sub5 - that is lighter, tighter string spacing and now also sounds great. The Sterling gets to go out most times now. Both are budget 5-ers, but very playable

Sums up 80s bass playing for me 😂 Oh, and some guy called Mark King

I'm just glad of the dot markers on the side of the fretboard 😂

I DON'T have a gig tonight. It doesn't stop me thinking my phone is going to ring any moment and have a bandmate asking where the heck I am because we're on in a minute! I'm sure I'm not the only one

Nope, just the end pin. I don't bother fitting the "shoulder" bar. I'm not a proper DB player so don't need to reach over. I do use the hip bar though. The more you play it, the easier and more comfortable it becomes. I'm probably doing loads of things wrong though

Usually resting against my hip, but occasionally a bit more relaxed...

Backline the vast majority of the time. Bigger gigs where we have full PA will use the DI out

I've been on here for decades and I'm very familiar with Daryl's threads. Just this one seemed a bit different and some of his recent posts might have indicated a slight lack of confidence / self deprecation. I'm much reassured by his reply though 👍