Norris

Peavey Databass 1x15 combo. Not the lightest, but tiny size. Fits in the boot of the car easily and still kicks @ss for sound. OP: You ought to have done a poll of manufacturers

I've had to return something before that wasn't suitable - a lighting controller that was incompatible with my lights. A quick phone call to their lighting department identified a suitable replacement controller, so Thomann arranged the 'no quibbles' return of the old one and gave me a credit note minus the cost of the return courier charges. I then had to order the replacement online using my credit card as usual, but I had to put a comment on the order to say that I wanted them to use the credit note as part payment. It was slightly 'klunky' to use the credit note, and the web site was not obvious how to go about invoking it. I got the impression that the payments are processed manually - a fully automated system would not have been able to pick up the instruction to use the credit note. The transaction went smoothly and I received my replacement item within the usual 2-3 days. The phone support was very good, with good English spoken throughout (by them, maybe not by me! ). I just wish the web site had highlighted the compatibility issues with the initial controller I bought. In short, Thomann seem a very professional company and I would have no issues dealing with them again. In fact I'd be more inclined to call them for advice in future if I'm in any doubt about an item. As others have mentioned we are all part of the single market and covered by European law, which gives consumers a lot of protection. Debit cards have a similar level of protection to credit cards these days. Your card issuer will decide the conversion rate & any charges, so if you often buy from abroad it might be worth shopping around.

We have a minimum fee, and if the venue won't pay us that much we simply won't take the gig. There are far too many bands going out for next to nothing 'for the fun of it', but it usually takes the venue some time to realise that they have ended up with a load of rubbish bands, that don't pull in the punters, and therefore don't ever raise enough extra revenue to justify paying a band. Charity gigs are slightly different, and need to be agreed by the whole band. However, you still need to pick and choose which ones you do - and learn to say no. Otherwise you'll end up being asked to play at every one going. Everybody (usually) likes to do their bit for charity, but in the most lucrative Xmas period that is asking a lot. In any case, unless the cause is particularly dear to your heart you should not be out of pocket.

That's crying out for gold plated pups & scratch plate to match the bridge & tuners

[quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1378998474' post='2207567'] .. the fine line between playing the songs perfectly... and enjoying the gig... [/quote] One and the same thing IMHO. I can't enjoy the gig if I'm making mistakes left, right & centre. You can only laugh off so many of them. However, at least you're not reading the lyrics off your iPhone - an absolute pet hate of mine

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1378894715' post='2206099'] Sorry Hutton, I can't say IMO. My wife doesn't allow me opinions . (You are right though, I hope I try to avoid saying such things but I bet I cock up) [/quote] In that case ... IMWO

Last bass I bought; Me: "I'm going to start saving my gig money. I've seen a lovely looking bass at a reasonable price. I hope I can find a similar one in a year or so's time when I've saved enough" Mrs: "Another one? You have enough already" Me: "I'll get rid of the Jazz to put towards it. I haven't played it in ages and am unlikely to" ... wait for a day or two... Me: "Here's that bass on basschat. Looks nice doesn't it? Here are some others that are WAY more expensive - it really is a bargain" Mrs: " A Rickenbacker? You've wanted one of those for ages. I don't know why you bought that Thunderbird instead of getting a Ric" Me: "Rickenbackers are a lot more expensive than Thunderbirds" Mrs: "Well, I suppose if you're selling the Jazz to go towards it..." Me: "Trouble is, it's a buyers' market at the moment. Nobody has any money. Prices are way down - which is why the Ric is so cheap" Mrs: "Where is it?" ... etc. By which point it's in the bag

I think it depends a lot on the guitar. My guitarist has owned a 70's strat almost from new. There are large areas where the laquer & paint have come off. He is very careful with his guitars though. There is the usual wear on the top where his arm rests/rubs, but there are other areas where you would not expect contact wear. The guitar has been knocked over a few times in it's long history, but not to the level you'd expect when looking at it. Looking at some old photos recently I was surprised at how different it used to look with a full coat. These days getting on for 25% of the paint & laquer has been replaced by mojo . It still sounds great though.

I do try to move around a bit. In a trio with a guitar/vocalist and drummer I'm the only one that CAN move usually. I also try to remember to smile once in while as I usually (unconciously) look such a miserable git when I'm playing - or so I'm told. Recently I've had an annoying habit of holding my breath while playing. So 'mouth slightly open, show teeth' helps in both respects

I am lucky that in my covers band we are all reasonable at picking up songs. We usually learn the songs at home then just gig them straight away most of the time. Occasionally we do have a get together for more complex songs & arrangements, in which case we use what my wife calls the study (I have filled it with music stuff, so it's actually the music room/home studio ). A cheap electronic drum kit & a couple of practise amps do the job. Bring your own beer.

[quote name='throwoff' timestamp='1378338079' post='2198996'] The next big thing WILL be 3d printing. Most if not all the big players (Fender, Gibbo etc) are investing in it for RnD. Within a few years you will be able to download and print a bass as quick as we use itunes etc now. [/quote] 3D colour printing so that the whole body is coloured and no more road-worn basses ever

A couple of days before a rehearsal call up the guitarist and ask a technical question ("What's that riff you're playing after the second chorus" type of thing). Then cue the guitarist frantically trying to learn the track [b][i]before [/i][/b]the rehearsal rather than during it.

I sold a 4001 in 1985 and quickly regretted it. I bought a 4003 a couple of months ago.

Make a band rule that anybody who turns up more than 15 minutes after the agreed arrival time carries their own kit in

Make sure you turn up at the correct venue at the right time on the right night and that you've brought your bass with you.

Red Red Wine ... I'll get my coat

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1378203203' post='2196875'] Yep. And old ones are increasingly hard to come by now. Although there are ways around it - the L-2000 is close and can be modified in the right direction. I have a '80 L-1000 in my collection and use it as inspiration to build a bit of Wunkay into all my own personal use basses. My latest present to myself is letting everything else I gig or noodle with just gather dust. It's not even finished yet but I've gigged it twice now. [/quote] Nice cat, but he's never going to get the hang of floating thumb technique!

You can use whatever you like of mine providing you a) ask me first, don't put any glasses on top of my amp and c) pay for any damage. Apart from that I quite like to hear what my kit sounds like from the back of the room occasionally

In the eighties [i][b]the [/b][/i]amp to have was a Trace Elliott, although I never fancied one myself due to the close association with slap. In 1985 I bought a Traynor Mono Block and matching 2x15 cab - good job we had a band van back then, 'cos it weighed a ton! I used that for many years.

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/d-c-fix%C2%AE-Plastic-adhesive-Woodgrain-346-8219/dp/B005ELO650"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/d-c-fix%C2%AE-Plastic-adhesive-Woodgrain-346-8219/dp/B005ELO650[/url] - sorted

I've never had a problem with any of my basses needing tuning except in extremes of temperature & humidity. As long as the strings are bedded in properly when you change them they can go for weeks with out tuning. ...and by bedding in I mean grab hold of the string and give it a darn good wiggle with around 1" deflection, which evens out the tension in the machine head wrappings, string trees, nut, etc. Don't be afraid of breaking the string, as if it's gonna let go then now is the time to do it rather than at a gig.

Not leather, but none more comfortable than ... [url="http://www.comfortstrapp.com/"]http://www.comfortstrapp.com/[/url]

How is it for floating thumb technique?

Schaller strap locks are the only mod you need Having said that I fitted a vintage tone switch to my early 4003 last week - first gig tomorrow night .

Has anybody called the church to tell them one of their pews is missing?