Nicko

...and what happened to it. I was working overseas and joined a band using a borrowed bass (a cheap sg copy IIRC). I was on home leave and went to Wunjo and bought a Peavey Cirrus BXP. I can't honestly remember how much I paid, but I did manage to claim the VAT back when I exported it. I had it a few years and eventually traded it in for a P (at Wunjo again). My first guitar is a bit more difficult. I think I "borrowed" a cheap buitar from my brother. The body was homemade out of plywood, Telecaster shape. The first one I owned think it was a Kay LP copy with DiMarzio tiger stripe pickups. Bought form a mate of a mate from a smelly flat in Chiswick. I was still at school so I guess it wasn't expensive. Not sure what happened to it - I must have sold it at some point.

I don't think my decision to start playing had anything to do with the music I listened to - I had influence from my older brother who played in a punk band, and a fairly avant garde music teacher at my school (the type that made us listen to everything from the charts to Eric Satie, and play cymbals using a violin bow). I think I got my first guitar when I was listening to early 80s pop. If I recall correctly a group of us decided to start a white boy reggae band but it never got off the ground. Once I started playing I found myself listening to more guitar based music. I never wanted to play the blues though, cos my girl never dun gone and left me - I never got the vibe.

Two and a bit, Fender MIA P. Black, White scratchplate, Maple. Squier CV 70s P. Black, Black, Maple. Bought as a backup, but actually gets more playing time. I can only play one at a time. The bit is my brothers old bass -which is in really poor condition. I have no idea what it is but he was a lefty and its not worth converting. Dont ask about the guitars though.

I'm interested in why someone would be atrracted to the range in the first place. Clearly the big F is known by non players and when they think guitar they probably think Fender or Gibson.

Yeah, what I'm tyrying to get at is what made you keep looking for the right one? PS. That looks a suspiciously un Musicman photo on your avatar.

Joe public probably wouldn't recognise one, a lot of famous players have one, but don't use it much and are normally assoiated with something else (John Deacon, Flea, Pino). The US ones are pricer than a US Fender, and the Sterlings are made in the far east and more expensive than Fender badged mexican standards, and the cheap ones (SUB) are badged so that everyone can see you're on a budget. I'm far from being a fanboi, but I dont understand what the Musicman USP is. What am I missing?

Most of the band arrive, erect back drop with lights ,the PA, drum mat and drums, free for all on guitar amps, them mics. Then stand and watch in amazement as the guitarist arrrives after all this is done and proceeds to widdle endless hard rock solos that have nothing to do with the band's normal set.

Forgive me if I've misunderstood but why not a lightweight 2x12 such as the MB NY 122?

I hope he recovers it, but to be honest £100 and some beers?? Come on Scott - how about free lessons for a year.

But it does have the "We're playing for England (In-ger-land)" chant at the end, and of course the sad audible experience a badly written white boy rap They'll always hit you and hurt you, Defend and attack There's only one way to beat them, Get round the back Not exactly Gangsta.

I agree except for the "Grace, apart from Lilac Wine, Jaco Patorius with Joni and the last Rush album". You can add anything by Zappa to the list too. I've tried to like Ghost in the Machine by the Police but lets face it, its pants. Everything by Sabbath after 1978. The whole Uno, Dos Tre trilogy by Greenday. They could have taken the best of these three albums and made a passable EP at best.

The strangest gig we did was where three or four punters came up and requested songs we already had in the set. Obviously we said we'd give them a try.

You mean Small, medium, fibber, liar, surely.

Never been to the Bass Gallery, but another recommendation for Wunjo. If theres something particular you want its worth contacting Webley Music Centre to see if they have a model on display - they stock a big range but have few out in the shop. Its a bit of a pain to get to as well.

Due to the nature of my work, I sometimes forget that RR do quite well in the aero engine business. In terms of static gas turbines the rest of the world (GE, Alsthom, Mitsubushi, Siemens) has improved the design, efficiency and emissions and by comparison the RB211 industrial derivitive is a bit of a baby. No offence meant.

A second hand American Special would suit the P bass with J bass neck - its J bass in depth but the width is a bit between the two. Alternatively I also find the Squier Classic Vibe 70s neck a bit less chunky. Neither is particularly light though and both come with P pickup only. Not sure what the necks are like on the Squier Mustang bass but I think they are lightweight compared to the Precision.

True, but the P bass is genesis as far as I'm concerned. And as everyone knows the brits invented most stuff and the rest of the world made it better. Railways,computers the internet, aneasthetic, the steam engine, electric networks, the jet engine......

I played guitar for many years but was never very good at it. I stumbled on bass aged 39 and found that I was much better as a bass player. I never looked back and consider myself a bass player who also plays a bit of guitar. Learn the bare basics and join a band for accelerated success.

Absolutely, but this applies to most of Fenders guitar output so Telecasters would also be English. NOt sure about the Jaguar with all the trick tone circuitry, although Vox were very keen on onboard effects at various timesthroughout their history

Jeez, you really nailed the member profile description didn't you?

I play both fingers and pick. I find it easier to maintain fast equal notes with a pick, but for complex rhythms fingers are better.

At the risk of raising the old argument, they sound good on a precision.

Ah, you utter b*****d. I'd almost completely blanked out The Power of Love from my memory until I read this.

Almost everything the dull lifeless vocalist with a backing tape managed to kill in my local last night. Absolutely horendous versions of songs that wern't my cup of tea to begin with.

The singer/guitarist in my band leant his PRS against the back of the car while trying to get his stuff out of the garage. It turned out the car was too close to the garage door so he got in and, you guessed it, reversed over the guitar,. It snapped the glued in neck in half. As it turned out his insurance paid him a nice chunk of money, and the lead guitarist who is a bit of a luthier managed to repair the guitar. Its posssible to see a small crack in the neck but you wouldn't otherwise know. Theres still a tyre mark on teh PRS soft case. The singer is now the proud owner of the repaired PRS and a rather nice Telecaster that he bought with the insurance money.