NHM

I've played in various hobby bands for about the last 20 years. (To stay on topic, we amicably share out all the band-functioning duties between the four of us). To echo the comments others have made, I think the problem comes when you start getting in deps it unsettles the equilibrium - in our case doing a particular gig was a bigger imperative than preserving the nucleus of the band. I've only done that once, when we had to draft in a lead guitarist for a prestige gig 'cos ours had important family stuff to attend to that day. While the ringer played fine, all the band chemistry was lost. I realised that being a 'band of brothers' was just as important, if not more important, than fulfilling gigs and have argued against having deps since. So as a result we have cancelled a few, but retain our group ethos and (perhaps strengthened by not having outsiders come in) we have maintained a harmonious, open, trustworthy and supportive unit.

How about a Focusrite, so she can use her laptop and headphones for silent practice?

It cuts both ways - last weekend i had to borrow a pick from our guitarist as I had left the three I have taken to every gig for the last x years on my desk at home. And it was a really nice pick too, right stiffness and thinner than mine.

I used a Minimax for a gig yesterday afternoon - I engaged the Punch but cut the bass eq. and was really happy with the sound. The fan noise was insignificant.

It's great fun and you'll see a different side of being a musician and a bass player. I've done a few pit jobs including playing two Gilbert and Sullivan operettas' double bass part on electric bass as there wasn't a db player available. As long as you get the music in advance so you can work out what all those squiggles mean in your own time...

The Peavey Minimax has a Punch button, and according to the manual: 'This switch engages a boost of 6dB at 100Hz, which greatly enhances the low-end presence of the bass guitar.'

I'm in a blues/rock/soul covers band. We play pub gigs, 2x60 min sets + encore, (preferably) straight through or with a short break at the venue's discretion.

my recollection is that is was more awkward than heavy - the cabinet is fairly substantial size so it was a bit of a lift to get it into the boot of the car.

I had the 350W 15" combo, ran it for about 4/5 years then moved it on as I fancied a change. Lovely tone for blues. Looked the biz. The single top handle made it awkward to move up stairs/through doors. Sounds similar to the Vintage channel on the 500/800W Bassman.

I've bought a few bits n bobs from them in the past and they've always given excellent service.

I've got the 500 + 1x15 - I love the sound and the look. It gets gigged regularly and gets lots of compliments. The preamp is a two valve affair, apparently the same unit as the all tube 300W Bassman. But the class D power amp makes it feather light.

How about replacing your rig with a modern Bassman 500 (or 800) plus a neo 1x15 or 4x10 cab? It will look pretty much the same which might be enough to convince you it sounds close enough too. The amp is a one finger lift and the cab is very manageable in and out of the car.

Can you get him lessons through school? It's also a good way to hook up with others who might want to get into a band. And having a contact with a local teacher can be a good way to open doors to other things outside school.

Just accept that flats are best at providing a strong fundamental which the other higher pitched instruments sit on top of. Don't get too exercised about cutting through, take one for the team and enjoy the experience of providing a rich harmonic and rhythmic base to the overall texture. Flats are more Lewis Dunk that John Stones, if I maybe permitted to make a Euros analogy. So start with the eq flat and don't move too far away from this.

The 4x10 perhaps, but not the one in my photo.

I wouldn't feel right without a stack behind me. Having gear on stage is part of the show / image. I can see the obvious benefits of going 'In ears', but is it rock 'n' roll?

Its absolutely fabulous rig. I don't know why Fender Bassman don't get more love on Basschat.

With thanks to AceBassMusic's recommendation, I'm now the proud owner of a RTX TRT. It seems very sturdy and great value for the money.

There's no doubt, the amp looked and sounded great.

I could have written exactly the same.

It would be nice to have another 115 (not that I really need it) but one criteria I have for my rig is that it must all fit in the boot of the car under the retractable cover. So I can just fit in a 115, main head, spare head, main bass, spare bass, cable and pedal board bag and half the band's lighting rig! Can't fit in another 115 but I can just fit in a collapsible stand.

Thanks for this - I've ordered one!