Cat Burrito

I think it depends on location. I'm very in demand where I live but I've had phases where drummers are hard to come by (probably the most common) and probably every role has been in demand.

The only two that spring to my mind were a Burns Bison (it just sounded really *thin* in the mix) and an Epiphone Flying V, which again sounded weak. I've since bought a Flying V that sounds good but that's an Eastwood so better quality. Hate could probably be substituted for disappointment when describing those two.

Two from me... Firstly the Manic Street Preachers. I loved the first 3 albums but when everyone was raving about Everything Must Go, I couldn't help feel that it wasn't as good. I simply haven't kept up with the band since. And secondly The Black Crowes. I loved the debut and was really into the follow up but they then started doing jams that lasted a week and a half, appearing on the cover of High Times and I remember thinking "the drugs DON'T work!"

It certainly delivered... just maybe get a roadie too!?

I was varying between the PF115, the PF410 or both, with the theory that I had a good ten years before I needed to go more lightweight. My osteopath didn't share my optimism though so I now have an Aguilar DB112 that actually sounds really cool. The 2 cab Ampeg rig did look amazing though! 😎

My main head has been the PF50-t since it came out (2015, I believe?). Hands down it is my favourite amp head for my needs. Loud enough but not too loud, substantive but not too heavy and personally I love the look. I've owned everything from a 1978 all tube Fender bassman to several Class D heads and this one just sounds right across all my bands / projects. The vintage stuff is great but if you are playing live a lot, modern stuff is going to require less maintenance and be less hard work. Recording wise you can record through just the PF50-t but I find running a Tech21 Sansamp VT gives me the best studio sound I have ever had.

I don't know this for certain but I'm going to say Steps. Simply because I can't imagine they were any worse!

Welcome to the Ric owners club. There's not a lot of Ric-love on these pages but I love my 4003s ruby red bass. I keep meaning to modify the pickup cover but it just seems such a faff. One day...

The best and worst purchase for me was this extension of my mid-life crisis that I started back in '88!

I like the reference to "an original 60s Fender - made in Japan!" Er?!?!

It's the ultimate rig, isn't it? Ampeg do a video on how to transport it, but much like the Daleks, in the video Ampeg don't appear to do stairs!

I finally saw them this year in Bath, having been a fan since I was a kid in the early 80s. That gig is all the more poignant now. RIP Pete.

In a drunken youthful, um, tantrum back in the early 90s following a bad gig, my guitarist snapped his Les Paul in half and pushed it through a lighting rig. The other guitarist demonstrated a similar level of Pete Townsend frustration. I, however, seeing what was going on, twirled my Precision around a few times and then bounced it on the floor a few times whilst kicking it. Don't think rock 'n' roll cool, it was Kevin the teenager! The guitarist got the Les Paul repaired for a cheap bottle of whisky. I broke the corner of the nut and wound up having to go to the bank of Mummy and Daddy to bail me out. With the setup, it cost 4 times what the guitarist paid for that whisky. I think it might have been the day I started to grow up.

I play in a three piece rockabilly / rock 'n' roll band; we practice at the drummer's work & I bought one to keep there. It sounded amazing in the shop. In rehearsal with the drums I have to turn it up to the point it begins to distort a bit but then most people wouldn't be buying one to keep up with a drummer. It looks cool and practice tones are great. I don't like the DC adapter but that's just because a kettle lead seems more solid. It's smaller but double the volume of my home practice amp. I'd recommend people trying one but I wouldn't think it is for all tastes.

I think the Thomann stuff is much better than the Gear4Music stuff and a lot of the stuff on EBay etc. I had a cheapy Chinese plywood job and upgraded to the midrange Thomann Czech blonde bass which was a real step up. It's more than good enough for me. I'm sure that the entry level stuff will be equally fine from what I have read.

I've owned a couple and I've found whatever you get, stick flats on it - you loose volume but gain tone.

Geri Halliwell?

It was indeed, as was the Ampeg after that. You've got a good memory.

Every time I have had a flightcase I've always placed the cab on top of it. It's never vibrated off or been unsteady and if anything sounds better (perhaps because I can hear it better at that angle I've not needed to drive it so hard). The only reason why I don't now is because my osteopath suggested that at my age I should probably be using lightweight gear and stop trying to be a hero!

Rock on was one of the first ever songs that I remember and my Mum telling me David Essex was cool was one of my earliest introductions to music.

I must confess I went back to the Boss TU-2 simply because every player I work with has one but I see Boss now do a TU-3s which is smaller. TC Electronic's Polytune 2 was a very worthy bit of kit when I had that.

I've just gone the other way from a massive Ampeg rig to a little Aguilar cab. I thought I had another 10yrs in me of lugging heavy cool kit but the change was all on the advice of my osteopath. I had no idea she knew so much about the headroom vs portability debate!

When it comes to bass, I'm reminded of this, as a wise man once said;