The Admiral

The preface refers to 2% reduction in VAT, which puts this in 1974, so that Jazz for £288 would be £2,553 in today's terms.

Currently available on Netflix, and you can get a 1 month free trial, or it's included if you have Virgin's XL tv service. Can be streamed to your tv through a wii, or Xbox and wi-fi too. I watched the first 10 minutes, and have to say, I'm amazed no-one has topped him before now. Good job everyone did weed rather than coke in the 60s!!

FWIW, a couple of bar/restaurant owners I know don't have any way of playing CDs, as their music is all MP3 now and consequently when they get demo CDs in, it has to be something really eye catching to get them to make a point of sticking it on in the car on the way home. Their standard MO for new acts now is a link to a video, as they want to see the band as well as hear them, and so image is more important than ever. They watch them on the iPad or office computer, so it's more about the images than the sound quality - all very bizarre to my mind, but they have music three to four nights a week, so someone is obviously falling into line with their policy as they have a regular turnover of new bands. This may be an isolated issue, but I do think that there is an expectation that people can access things on their phone/iPad immediately - no waiting and ultra convenient.

More background : http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/bummer-alert/motorheads-manager-says-lemmy-has-great-days-and-then-he-fcks-it-up

Just heard this on the Classic Rock Facebook feed - Sounds as it Lemmy is still not well enough. Great shame, but at least they have done the brave thing, and not put him through it. I hope they are insured! Get well soon Sir.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1390344983' post='2344456'] Adam Clayton has more good basslines than he does! [/quote] I'm no U2 fan, and I know he doesn't get much love on BC, but he 'plods' his way to the bank very comfortably it would seem : http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/rock-stars/adam-clayton-net-worth/

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1390244461' post='2343117'] The bass player in the picture doesn't get the females only because he plays a drab p-bass. If he played a Warwick he'd be a total flange-magnet. [/quote] Isn't Flange Magnet available as a pedal from Roland? If not, it should be - sounds fantastic.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1390246537' post='2343150'] That makes about as much sense as your original post. Thesaurus for Christmas by any chance? [/quote] I was trying to think of another word for thesaurus. Anyway, to address the OP's question (I think): Have a look at this if you are looking for some basic advice, but it's really down to playing it and deciding whether you like the feel and sound. If you are prepared to buy on eBay, you have less opportunity to test drive, but you may find a seller locally who is willing to let you try the bass before bidding. http://thehub.musiciansfriend.com/bass-guitar-buying-guide/bass-guitar-buying-guide Also, you haven't really given a great deal to go on for the wiser heads on the forum, but everyone's chipped in so far with some positive suggestions and I'd echo the comments on Peavey and particularly, Yamaha. I bought a cracking Yamaha bass off eBay the other January for £119, and the same model used on BC has gone for circa £300, so there are bargains out there to be had.

Hmmmmm"...........?

That's sh*t, and having had stuff stolen, I can empathise, but - and I'm sure there must be a good reason, am I alone in wondering why you would leave your 'Ray, and two rucksack sized items in a van outside a Travelodge overnight? Don't misunderstand me - you should be able to leave stuff in your vehicle, and I hope he gets them back.

[quote name='muttley' timestamp='1309165448' post='1283765'] I've just acquired this Aria Pro II SB Special II: [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38357939@N02/5875982555/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38357939@N02/5875982555/"]DSCF5610[/url] on Flickr [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38357939@N02/5876542782/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38357939@N02/5876542782/"]DSCF5612[/url] on Flickr Thumb rest is obv. not original but generally the bass is in pretty good nick apart from a few cracks in the lacquer. Can anyone tell me more about this instrument? It was made in Japan and I'm guessing early 80s but catalogues I have seen on-line don't picture this exact version with the 2 matching pickups. TIA . ETA: @FlatEric: looks like the same model as your last 2 pics in post #5. [/quote] Fantastic! I had one of these - the exact model and in black too : my first good bass after a P copy. I sold it in the early nineties when I lived in Oxfordshire, and to my shame it was to fund a Marshall guitar amp. One of my worst decisions ever. I bought the bass in Oxford from a little shop in St Clements, which went out of business some time after. That would have been in 1984, and I remember distinctly paying £284 for it. It was a cracking bass - very light, great fast and slim neck, and had an excellent variety of tones. I have been looking for one for ages, but it's quite an obscure model I think, and I don't know that many were made in this format. Very envious.

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1389008224' post='2328616'] Personally I've been consistently amazed & impressed by the technical ability of most of the young bands we play with - by comparison, my generation were really rubbish at that age! J. [/quote] The benefit of 'starter' instruments that are of a quality unimaginable 35 years ago, and Internet based 'monkey see, monkey do' lessons perhaps. What would people have given for a guitar resource of the standard of www.justinguitar.com in the 1970s for example? A friend who teaches guitar has youngsters coming to him who, in his opinion, are technically more proficient at 14 than Clapton/Page etc have ever been, but they are not great musicians, as everything is learned and played by rote, and when asked to learn something by ear, hit panic mode and need the tab. I wonder how many would have the patience to sit with a dansette and keep playing Albert King 45s back at 33 1/3 and try an work out what was going on? At least they are playing a real instrument though, rather than Guitar Hero, and listening to some great players - all the kids know who Angus Young and Hendrix are it seems!

Slightly OT, but I wondered how Ozzy manages with the Dio era material, given that RJD was technically a better singer than Ozzy is? I presume they actually do Dio era material? For those who have seen them recently - I'd be interested in views.

The legend, icon and national treasure that is Mr Kilminster celebrates his 68th birthday today. After his recent health issues, let's hope it is a case of 'many happy returns', and he's in fine fettle for the forthcoming tour.

Oh.. I forgot the late Paul Hester from Crowded House. Great player, taught by his mum, who was one of Australia's best jazz drummers apparently. According to Neil Finn, no one can play Weather with you like Paul, and his performance in their Sydney Opera House farewell gig shows how good he was. Played his arse off for over 2 hours.

I was listening to The Wizard by Sabbath in my wife's car on Friday, and on the great sound system it has, it really brought out the drums. It made me realise that Bill Ward is a much underrated contributor to the sound of those earlier albums, and how great it would be to play with him. I then began musing about who else falls into that category of being perhaps slightly overlooked in terms of their contribution to the band, but whom it would be fantastic to play with. Any offers on a Top 3? I'd go for - Bill Ward, Levon Helm and Brian Downey.

I got out of a works do in Manchester at about 9 tonight and the streets were already starting to resemble Residents Evil. They don't call it 'black eye Friday' for nothing.

And sometimes forgotten that he is also the primary lyricist in the band. And there's some great video here of the man in action. The second video clip has Zakk Wylde playing some nice harmonica - multi talented guy! http://loudwire.com/metal-greats-black-sabbath-geezer-butler-bass-player-live-concert/

So, now that I have had the chance to update the returned iPod, I can say that it works beautifully, the turnaround time was excellent - back out in a day, and the service very professional from start to finish : easy to use website, excellent updates sent regularly, and top quality packaging. One minor niggle - that it had been formatted for Mac - but not an issue really. Thoroughly impressed and an unreserved recommendation.

Update : iPod arrived back in nuclear proof custom packaging this morning just as I was leaving for the train. Just had time to fire it up, and it did so fine - and has a test track in the memory. I'll post later when I have had a chance to reload if from my iTunes folder.

[quote name='Horizontalste' timestamp='1386770185' post='2304250'] I saw the Nile Rogers one, might buy his book on the strength of it. [/quote] Santa brought it for me last year - great read, well worth the outlay : he's a very intelligent and interesting guy, and he's very honest about his addictions and lifestyle.

Update for interested parties. Mrs a posted it Special Delivery on Monday and I received an email at 0800 today saying it had been received and would be worked on ASAP. Just got another email confirming that the work is done and it will be collected at 5pm today for return by Royal Mail Special Delivery. Very good comms - let's see how it goes when it gets here!

Don't know if anyone has caught this, but it's a great series, and last week's with Nile Rodgers was fantastic. He talked very fondly and frankly about his career and Bernard Edwards, and was visibly moved when speaking about finding his old friend dead in his hotel room. He comes across as a very genuine, very talented guy - and I want to be that cool one day! Amazing to consider how many big albums and tracks he's been involved in. Jeff Beck wasn't much of a conversationalist, but he played a great deal (they all have instruments available when being interviewed), and the Earth Wind and Fire interview this weekend should also be good. http://www.sky.com/tv/show/talks-music Sky Arts : Virgin channel 282, and it's regularly repeated in the wee small hours, so maybe one for the V+ or Sky + box.

If it don't fit, don't force it : Kellie Paterson.

I have picked up some major bargains on eBay after Christmas - including a beautiful Yamaha BBG for £110 last year - as a spare for the one I bought new for £400. Same colour, not a scratch on it.......... But back to the point : I actually don't spend any money before Christmas, as I have won stuff on eBay with very low bids in January, which I think is down to alot of people a) having their credit card bills in etc and being skint, so there are few buyers around, and a lot of stuff gets listed,as the skint are looking to raise some cash. I'd therefore say - sell before and buy after.